5 Things You May Not Have Known About Coyotes

5 Things You May Not Have Known About Coyotes

Coyotes may look like wolves but are quite different. They are one of the most clever animals out in the wild. Everyone knows that they have a heightened sense of smell and enjoy eating smaller animals like rabbits and other rodents. However, did you know that:

They communicate well with each other

Coyotes are quite communicative with one another. Like wolves, they may travel in packs and communicate through sounds. Depending on the situation they may howl, bark, wail, squeal, growl, or even make high-pitched cries. Each sound has its own distinct meaning. If you are out in the wild it is likely you may hear them either at dawn or dusk. If you want to get their attention and respond to you, you may consider using a fire whistle or a siren. They respond to those quite well at almost anytime of the day.

They have a keen eye for predators

What do you do when you try to sneak by someone? Most of us when we try to go undetected walk on our toes. Well so do coyotes. These smart animals have a keen sense of smell and eyesight which helps in detecting predators. Once, they spot a predator they go into stealth mode and walk on their toes so they go undetected.

They can swim

In the wild, coyotes main predators are bears and wolves. Humans are also climbing up the predator list as coyote hunting has become quite common. To escape from their predators coyotes employ swimming as a tactic and they do it quite well. This allows them to use a body of water to separate themselves from their predator as bears and wolves tend to not be the best of swimmers.

They can outrun you

Coyotes are no cheetahs but they are pretty fast. Coyotes can run up to 40 miles per hour (mph). Compare that to an average human speed which tops at 28 mph, coyotes are pretty fast. Their speed allows them to run from predators and catch smaller preys. They use different panting techniques to ensure that they can run in bursts when needed and for longer runs they regulate their speeds well. However, you won’t find coyotes run for a longer period of time too much.

They eat fruits and vegetables too

Coyotes are omnivores, they enjoy their meat along with vegetables, berries, and fruits. They diet is quite wholesome and consists of a lot of fruits and berries they can find in the wild along with meat. Vegetables are fairly harder for them to find in the wild but they eat them also whenever they come across them. You can find out more about what coyotes eat here.

There is a reason why coyotes are considered to be one of the most smartest animals. They adapt well to their environment and approach their daily matters in a clever way. This allows them to smartly catch their preys while also evade their predators.

The post 5 Things You May Not Have Known About Coyotes appeared first on Morning Moss.

from
http://morningmoss.com/5-things-you-may-not-have-known-about-coyotes/

Used Car Buying Tips for Hunters, Anglers, and other Up North Adventurers

The Boy Scouts got it right: “Be Prepared.” Same goes for your vehicle!

Do you love going on outdoor adventures? Whether you’re heading “up north” or to another part of beautiful Wisconsin, plan what vehicle you want to buy to get the most of your trek. Simply put, consider what activities you’re going to enjoy, and select the right vehicle. Hunters may want to store a deer in a separate area, away from passengers. Anglers may want enough maneuverability to drive to secluded fishing holes. Campers may need extra storage space.

We’ll help you do some of your planning right now … before you go hunting for a quality used car, truck, or SUV.

1. Off-Road Capabilities

 Let’s start with where you’re headed and the terrain on which you’ll be driving. If you know you’re going to Apple Valley Farms Off-Road Park, for instance, you may want to consider a vehicle with a shorter wheelbase, which provides the stability you’ll need. Having enough ground clearance keeps you riding above the tall brush, fallen tree limbs, etc. Knowing this, an all-wheel or 4-wheel drive car or truck could be a necessity. When you go test driving, keep an eye for tires with a deep tread, and listen for squeaks from the vehicle’s shock absorbers.

     2. Towing Capacity and Control

What “toys” are you bringing along? Pulling a boat, a camper, a loaded trailer, or a small watercraft requires a plan. Obviously, the weight difference between these can be significant, so do your research. Knowing a vehicle’s maximum towing capacity and having the correct trailer hitch is vital. For instance, a 2011 Subaru Outback’s towing capacity is 2,700 lbs., while a 2010 Ford F150’s towing capacity is 9,600 lbs.

Let’s say your boat’s manufacturer lists a dry weight of 4,450 lbs. With gas, gear, and equipment, expect around 5,500 lbs. Now, add the weight of an aluminum trailer, around 1,200 lbs. See how a vehicle’s towing capacity can be used up quickly? And remember, for serious towing, a break controller for the trailer is a must.

Plus, consider not only what you’ll be towing this summer, but perhaps in the next few years. That bass boat you’ve been eyeing up will require different vehicle capabilities than the canoe you currently have.

3. Storage Area

If you’re going to spend the time and effort to get to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, you’ll want to bring enough supplies. Tents, fishing rods, life vests, rain gear, clothes and, of course, a loaded cooler. The list goes on and on. Just two Wisconsin adventurers can fill a vehicle quickly, not to mention a family of four. Handy fold-down seats are great, but will that be enough?

Also, hunters need to consider the space needed to bring a deer back home. Do you really want that stinky critter in the same cab as you, or would a separate storage area be best?

If you know you can’t fit everything in your vehicle, consider these options. A roof rack can hold an incredible amount of gear, as long as a couple kayaks don’t take up all your roof space. Cargo boxes and roof baskets of all shapes and sizes can ease your panic as you run out of interior storage room.

4. Additional Amenities in Used Cars

So, how much do you want to “rough it” exactly? Do you want plush interior amenities, such as heated/cooled seats? Or, do you prefer an interior that can be hosed out after a muddy outing?

A long road trip lends itself to separate passenger climate control, no matter what time of year you’re adventuring. If you want to feel even more connected to nature, consider a moon roof. Yet, no matter where you go, make sure you have reliable navigation, either through your smartphone or a separate GPS system.

What about outside the vehicle? Fog lights can help visibility, and a rear camera makes backing up effortless. A keypad entry system removes any worry about losing keys in the lake or woods. Sure, you may need to add many of these after you purchase your used vehicle, but if you see one that has what you need, so much the better.

5. Will This Dog Hunt?

Finding the right car, truck, or SUV for your outdoor plans isn’t easy. In the end, it has to work for you, so do your research on vehicle makes, models, and load designations.

Consider that a full-size pickup, for instance, can have up to six engine combinations, be available in manual or automatic, have ½-, ¾-, or 1-ton payload ratings, come in regular or extended cab, etc. It can boggle the mind. We suggest discussing your outdoor adventure needs with a reputable, ethical, and honest used vehicle dealer.

Bring your needs—whether that’s off-road handling or heavy-duty suspension—to a 199ride.com dealership: Green Bay Auto, Appleton Auto, Wausau Auto, Antigo Auto, and 199ride La Crosse.

The post Used Car Buying Tips for Hunters, Anglers, and other Up North Adventurers appeared first on Morning Moss.

from
http://morningmoss.com/used-car-buying-tips-for-hunters-anglers-and-other-up-north-adventurers/

Weekly Morning Trail Mix 8-28

The post Weekly Morning Trail Mix 8-28 appeared first on Morning Moss.

from
http://morningmoss.com/weekly-morning-trail-mix-8-28/

How To Tie A Uni-Knot

How To Tie A Uni-Knot!

Badger Sportsman shows you how to tie a uni-knot so you can loose less fish and put more in the boat!

The post How To Tie A Uni-Knot appeared first on Morning Moss.

from
http://morningmoss.com/how-to-tie-a-uni-knot/

The One-Eyed Moose

By: Hannah Dumke

Sitting down at The Fountain, a classic Wisconsin bar just outside of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, I had the pleasure to meet Don Herman, a local legend and owner of Sunk? Dive & Ice Service over a couple of cold ones.

Last fall,

returning from a successful moose hunting trip in Ontario, Canada, Don was greeted by some Fountain regulars who were wearing eye patches, teasing him for his one-eyed moose. Don, laughing as he reminisced, explained how he had a story to tell, stating, “I can’t prove my moose was attacked by another moose, but I can prove that I didn’t shoot a one-eyed moose.” Hearing plenty of good hunting stories, I could tell this was going to be a dandy.

Don began by explaining how on his first moose hunting trip it was him, three buddies, and two bull tags. Within six hours the hunting trip was over, as two of the buddies almost instantly tagged out. The following year, Don, Bill Monteith, the owner of the camp, Ralph Schaetz, aka the butcher, and Jim Dork planned for another big adventure. Sticking with their tradition, the men stayed at a casino near the Canadian border. Don noted that they didn’t make any money but they did have a lot of fun they felt the next day. Planning to wake up at the crack of dawn to continue their thirteen-hour drive they were awakened by Jim nervously stating Ralph was having severe chest pains. Calling an ambulance, Ralph who had the second bull tag in his name, was medically advised to abandon the trip. The rest of the men continued on their journey, assuming they could change the tag into Don’s name. Arriving at Wilderness North, the men took a float plane to Lake Deshawn, a beautiful lake filled with massive walleye and monstrous northerns. Don loaded his canoe with gear and paddled an hour and a half to the stand he barely had the pleasure of sitting in the previous year because everyone filled their tags so quickly. The stand was nestled in tall brush, overlooking a river that wound its way into the thick Canadian wilderness.

Hunting a total of three hours, Don got a radio call informing him that Bill got a moose. Don thought, “Well, that was that, another short moose hunt.” Paddling the hour and a half back to the cabin, Don helped Bill take care of his moose. After several hours of butchering up the moose and waiting for the plane to bring their new tag, the group of men were informed that the department of ministers were unable to switch their second tag into Don’s name. Disappointed in the unfortunate circumstances, the group of men ended their seven-day trip four days early. A couple weeks later,Don got a call from Bill, stating Ralph was medically cleared to go, and he was ready to pack up and head out for another Canadian adventure. Not so easily convinced, Don found himself in a routine becoming quite familiar, a thirteen-hour drive, a drunken casino visit, a breathtaking float plane ride and an hour and a half paddle back to his stand.

Taking a sip of his beverage, Don chuckled, pausing his story to show us a video on his phone. In the video you see Don dressed in camo up in his stand, talking loudly over the howling wind, “It’s windy, cold, and miserable out here. Luckily the moose can’t go anywhere, it’s not like they can find a shelter. So I guess we will see… Either way, it’s going to be a BAD day hunting.” Luckily for Don, it wasn’t such a bad day hunting. Continuing the story, Don explained how he was calling every fifteen to twenty minutes. Around noon, over the roaring wind, Don heard rustling about 200 yards from his stand and the bull aggressively calling back. At first questioning if this was his imagination or was this actually a moose? With his hands shaking in excitement, Don continued to call. After about thirty minutes, a large rack emerged.

The moose,

was now 100 yards away, Don continued to call, hoping to coax him into a better shot. The moose moved another few yards closer to the river, still shaking in disbelief and thinking, “Was this really happening?” Hearing Bill’s voice in his mind telling him to aim at the hump, Don aimed his Browning Bar 300 Winchester Mag at this magnificent creature and pulled the trigger. Click. “Nooooooo” Instantly recognizing the problem, he realized when he quietly loaded his gun he didn’t allow the action to slam home hard enough to secure the shell properly. Don ejected his shell, and as it hit the floor, it rolled across the bottom of his stand making a tremendous racket. He jacked another shell in, tried to calm himself, aimed, and with perfect precision, pulled the trigger. Over 60 hours of driving, 7 and a half hours of paddling and less than 20 hours in the stand, Don had finally gotten his first moose!

Don left his stand, hobbled across the ankle twisting, knee busting treacherous terrain to examine his bull. He excitedly took a photo of this 1500-pound trophy. Don, still filled with adrenaline, aggressively paddled the hour and half back to the cabin to pick up the butchering gear, grab Billy and get a boat to haul out his moose. After three and a half hours, they finally returned to Don’s stand. Billy, who has been moose hunting for the past 39 years, stated how he thought this was the biggest shot Deshawn Lake has seen. Billy was unable to hide how impressed he was, that is until he saw the missing eye and couldn’t believe how this wounded bull came to a call. Bursting out laughing Billy mockingly called out, “You shot a one-eyed moose!” Regardless, the 50-inch rack was too massive to deny, Billy convinced Don to get the beast mounted. Laughing, Don told us the mount cost more than the entire trip!

Don returned home, though he was excited about his first moose he was still unable to live down that he killed a one-eyed moose. Don explained it wasn’t until two weeks after the trip when he was going through his photos that he realized his one-eyed moose wasn’t always a one-eyed moose. In disbelief, he zoomed in on the photos examining the moose’s eye right and saw it was undamaged. Sure enough, the moose had lost his eye sometime when Don left to go get Bill and the gear. Confirming his suspicion, Don called the taxidermist who was mounting the moose head. The taxidermist noted how when Don had dropped off the moose he noticed how the eye and several other puncture wounds looked extremely fresh. They hypothesized that while Don was at the cabin his moose was attacked by another moose. As Don finished his story, he was proud to exclaim that he, in fact, did NOT shoot a one eyed moose. However, in honor of the wild adventure and humorous memory, Don shared he had requested for the moose to be mounted with only one eye.

The post The One-Eyed Moose appeared first on Morning Moss.

from
http://morningmoss.com/the-one-eyed-moose/

Weekly Morning Trail Mix 8-21

Another Monday means that it’s time for the best part of your week! Get some trail mix below!

The post Weekly Morning Trail Mix 8-21 appeared first on Morning Moss.

from
http://morningmoss.com/weekly-morning-trail-mix-8-21/

A Buck Called Mr. Maybe

Are You Ready For Fall?

The Deer Society tells us a story about a buck called Mr. Maybe… Check out this video to find out what this hunter did to harvest a deer of this caliber!

The post A Buck Called Mr. Maybe appeared first on Morning Moss.

from
http://morningmoss.com/a-buck-called-mr-maybe/

Fall Walleye Success

Fall Bago Eyes

By: Kyle Sorensen

What a summer it has been! We have sure had some fun times here on the Winnebago System. The fish have been hungry this year, and the younger year classes have certainly been showing up in addition to the normal targeted sizes we find on the system. I have seen some big fish in the net, but I have also seen hundreds of the 10”- 13” Walters dangling on the end of my line. There are certainly some fantastic years of fishing ahead of us!

The dog days of summer have come, and they are now slowly slipping away into the cooler nights. The algae which had painted the surface of the water is now receding as we approach the last leg of the open water season. During this time, I’m sure some of you are making preparations in the woods as the buck bug grows and starts to nibble. While some have already switched out the open water gear for camo and their bow, keep those rods in the boat and at the ready as the fall walleye bite is here!

If we look at how the Winnebago System produces year round, we know fish can be caught in 30 FOW, all the way down to a couple feet, at any given time. Have you ever sight fished for walleyes under the ice in a few feet of water? It’s a blast, but it’s also a key area to take note. I am not going to tell you that to be successful you need to fish a reef during this time, and I’m not going to say you need to fish the deep mud flats. I’m going to tell you that you need to keep all of your options available and be prepared to sometimes switch things up when the current tactic or location isn’t producing.

If you saw the live broadcast I did on the OB Outdoors Facebook page while on the Fox River in Oshkosh, you saw a very nice two-man limit in the livewell. You also saw something that sums up fishing on the Winnebago System – a ton of rods with a lot of different rigs. Some days, fish are holding to weedbeds while sometimes the mud bite is phenomenal. This can go back and forth so we need to be ready. Let’s look at some important aspects of the range of bites on the Winnebago System during the fall time as each area can be useful at any given time. An important area to start on is the weed bite.

Whether you target submerged weeds or emergent weeds, it’s no secret; walleyes relate to both types here on our system. Some of the factors involved with a successful weed bite depend on forage, wind, temperature and oxygen levels. As we transition into the fall bite and the temperatures begin to drop, weedbeds that can normally hold fish begin to die off. As they die, they begin emitting less and less oxygen into the water. With less oxygen, the small bugs that the forage base consumes begin to die off and/or they move in search of a more desirable environment. With the bugs and forage moving, so do the ‘eyes. Knowing this, the only thing left to assume is that we need to target live, active weedbeds. This, however, can sometimes be a trick in itself as the season gets later and later.

When we fish weeds, jigging crawlers and leeches on the lightest possible jig head can certainly produce some great results while running the edges with the bow-mount. Plastics have their time and place in the weedbeds and due to their composition, they can allow us to rig the worm, leech, grub, whatever, in a way in which it produces less hookups with weeds. Depending on fish activity, sometimes anchoring and running slips on the outside edges can work. On a totally different side note, I have sometimes switched gears completely from ‘eyes to pannies while running slips on the edges. This becomes an absolute treat after a few hearty gills start dropping corks…

The next area of focus is the river systems. There are walleye on the system that never leave the river of their choosing during their entire life. As with springtime tactics, jigging minnows, crawlers, even leeches, all hold value in this topic. As I mentioned in a river jigging video I did this spring, looking for contours in the river channels is an integral part while targeting these fish. When I am jigging, you will always see me using the lightest jig possible to present my bait. By utilizing my bow-mount, I am able to slow down my drift speed and work each area longer before the full drift of the specific area has been completed.

The rivers are a unique environment by themselves. Some species spawn in the rivers, which in turn offers a hatch ripe for the chomping. With this happening, it not only brings in the jigging aspect but also the fly pulling tactics of springtime fishing. When we pull or pump flies, we are mimicking baitfish. With some hatches happening at any time into the fall bite, pulling flies yet again can create some amazing results. Our electronics can show these baitfish balls or clouds, and in a river system, you would be hard pressed to not see strong marks under and around these sometimes massive collections of forage. When you see one, it’s time to mark it and fish it good!

During the start of the fall bite, a lot of the spring forage has grown but some species have continued to spawn throughout the summer months as previously discussed. While crankbaits work throughout the year on our system, and crawler harnesses are a killer tactic on the system during the summer months, more and more anglers trade in the harnesses for cranks during this time. This coincides with a primary source of food for our walleye: the gizzard shad.

Gizzard shad have a very high fat content, and they are a slower moving object of prey. It’s a perfect combination for these ‘eyes as they begin to stock up. As with other species of fish in the system, the shad have a variety of year classes (many sizes) which allows for the various year classes of walleye to pick and choose what they want to fill their guts with. Because of the forage, the crankbait trolling bite sees an absolute spike during this time, and as always, we match the hatch. By doing this, we can select shad patterned cranks and run them slow to mimic the movements of the shad. Because Berkley’s Flicker Shad somewhat matches this movement, these are always a good starting point!

In my last article, we talked about trolling cranks out in the mud on Winnebago. This is still a tactic that will produce into the late fall so be sure to keep it in your arsenal.  If you want to check out that article, it’s available for free on Badger Sportsman’s online archive at www.BadgerSportsman.com for all of you subscribers!

The mud is not the only place on the Winnebago System that shows results while trolling cranks. The shorelines (especially around active weedbeds), mid-lake structures (reefs, humps, breaks) and rocky points all show great promise. With the cooling temperatures, fish remain in all areas of the water column as turnover takes place. Turnover is when the different temperatures collide in the water column and the water column becomes one… in so many words. As I previously stated, walleyes on our system can be had year round in the shallows to the deep trenches of our rivers. Because of this, I certainly do not see a huge impact that turnover presents to our walleye fishery here on the Winnebago System as there are always active fish here somewhere.

The last area I will cover is live bait rigging off of bottom bouncers. I love using bottom bouncers because they stir up the bottom and I also know exactly where my rig is running. The one aspect I do not like is the efficiency: usually only using one rod to cover the water area. This is a tactic that usually emerges in the early summer and pushes into mid-fall in my boat.

Growing up I was doing this in northern Minnesota, and now, I am continuing to utilize this technique here on our system. A leech or crawler “harness” can be deadly when all else seems to fail. As the rig options are endless and constantly changing, I will say that more often than not you will see some type of float on my setup. While sharp breaks coming from the shoreline, various reefs, or even rocky points are some great areas to target for this tactic, do not limit it to just those. This is a very versatile technique because it allows the angler to slow down and work a specific area in great detail while trying to coax a timid eye into snatching up the rig. With that said, my favorite area to start in is water around reefs that hold deep water.

As we all know, wind plays a huge role on fish location and activity. When running one of these rigs, you will see me starting on the windblown side, making an elongated “S” as I creep deeper and deeper into the main portion of the lake before restarting or jumping to a new structure. As the bouncer ticks bottom, I usually keep the speed between .5 – .8mph, sometimes even a slower drag. This is all dependent on the blade of the rig (if I even use one), the hardware, etc. A little pulse of the rod can sometimes warrant a strike, while other times the “S” turns being made suffice within themselves.

I have heard of some letting line out when a fish hits or even just waiting to set the hook. In my opinion, this is not good in any way shape or form, unless you are fishing with a single hook rig (leech, slow death, etc.). We have so many smaller ‘eyes (and goats) in our system that if you are running a two or three hook harness, those guys are going to swallow at least one of them. Are you going to keep a 10” ‘eye (or the bigger ones that are hooked badly), or do you mind having to clip a hook off of your harness? I don’t like the thought of those scenarios so I set the hook with a nice sweeping style when I feel the fish hit… No ifs ands or buts!

We briefly covered A LOT of different areas and topics here. Why? Because, like I have said over and over, the Lake Winnebago System is so versatile in the fact that any of these tactics (and more) could be the golden goose at any given time. When you fish the fall walleye bite on our system, be sure to come prepared for anything and keep trying different locations and tactics until you find the one that’s working for that specific day… or even hour! Before we know it, ice will be here and so will some fun videos that I can’t hardly wait to release! I hope you are able to finish the season off with a bang, and as always, until next time, “Tight Lines. Stay Dry.”

The post Fall Walleye Success appeared first on Morning Moss.

from
http://morningmoss.com/fall-walleye-success/

Weekly Trail Mix 8-14

Let’s put a camper on top of these stilt ladders, that’s a great idea! Or not, since this looks like the worst idea ever… and possibly the most unsafe. Blue Dragon Redneck

This gigantic kansas white-tailed deer is one of the largest taken in the state with a bow

Whale Tales Archery posted this photo of a potential Wisconsin State-record Buck taken by a bow hunter

The post Weekly Trail Mix 8-14 appeared first on Morning Moss.

from
http://morningmoss.com/weekly-trail-mix-8-14/

SPY Hunt Sunglasses- The Best in Outdoor Eyewear

Spy Hunt Sunglasses Review

The SPY Optics Hunt Polarized sunglasses are the perfect glasses for any angler and outdoorsman.

Whether you’re out on the water searching for a big muskie or climbing a giant rock face looking for a mountain goat, you need to protect your eyes. There’s probably nothing more valuable to you while you’re hunting or fishing than your eyesight and having a pair of shades that keep your vision sharp and your sight protected is vital. Spy Optics recently launched a new pair of sunglasses that are built for outdoor enthusiasts and will give you everything you need to get more done outside. Check out the full Spy Optics Hunt Sunglasses Review. 

SPY Optics Hunt Polarized Sunglasses

Spy optics has some of the best sunglasses for fishing, hunting and hiking available.

As with any of the Spy Optics sunglasses products, you will never have to sacrifice style for substance. These glasses are modern looking and really fit well on your face so that they not only look good but won’t fall off. The glasses are a flat front and come with with grips that are fused to the glasses, which means that they wont fall off if they get wet, which is a huge bonus for me.

SPY Polarized Sunglasses

When you’re outside, sweat can be an issue. Spy managed to build a glass that not only covers your entire eye face, but also gives you space to breathe. Hunting, fishing, hiking and climbing causes you to move a lot and the glasses were constructed to stay on your face without weighing you down. The frames are very light and are stress-resistant Grilamid. To the non-scientific wearer this means that they bend and don’t break easily.

SPY Optics Fishing Sunglasses

My favorite thing about Spy Optics sunglasses are the Happy Lenses. The polarization on SPY’s glasses are second to none and make seeing fish in the water very easy. You can get a full range of lens and frame colors with the SPY Hunt sunglasses including the reflective Spectra options, Polarized lenses and Realtree Decoy colors.

SPY Optics Hunting Sunglasses

The Spy Optics Hunt sunglasses start at $110 and are available on the Spy Optics website. You can purchase those here. 

Check out other great Spy Optics sunglasses reviews. 

 

The post SPY Hunt Sunglasses- The Best in Outdoor Eyewear appeared first on Morning Moss.

from
http://morningmoss.com/spy-optics-hunt-sunglasses-review/

Tips For A More Successful Archery Season

A Few Tips to Consider For a More Successful Archery Season

By: Todd D. Larson 

With the “Dog Days” of summer upon us here in Wisconsin, I can’t help but let my mind wander a bit and think of the cooler days to come. More specifically, I look forward to when archery season opens up in the middle of September and carries us through the first part of January. For those of us with a passion for shooting bows and letting arrows fly, September 17^th, 2016 can’t get here soon enough. And, when January 8th, 2017 comes to a close, it will find many people dragging their feet and just plain wore out from pursuing the most commonly hunted big game species in North America, the whitetail deer. Some hunters will find success early because they will have done their homework and others, well, they’ll be the ones eating their tags walking around like zombies.

In my 41 seasons of chasing these smart and crafty creatures with a bow, I’ve come to understand a few things that I thought I might share to help others be more successful. Here’s the short list…

The Bow

Purchase what you can afford. Buy a quality bow within your budget that feels good each and every time you shoot it. Spend a little more money if you need to in order to get the right fit and don’t buy a particular bow just because of the brand name on it. Remember that this is an investment and something that you will have to enjoy for many years to come. The first step is to decide on the type of bow you are wanting to shoot, (longbow, recurve or compound). Take your time and shoot as many different styles of bows as possible from the various manufacturers. You can narrow it down pretty quickly once the shooting starts. Go to a quality archery shop that is more interested in fitting you with the proper bow rather than how much money they can talk you out of. Most reputable places will spend as much time with you as needed during the selection process. These are the guys that will take care of you when it comes to tuning your bow, cutting arrows, finding the correct release, arrow rest and quiver and any other accessories that you will need. Their job is to get you set up for success and take care of you quickly if something should happen to any piece of your archery equipment.

Shooting

This is as important, if not more important than the bow you purchase. Shoot regularly and consistently; especially when first getting your bow. Many archery shops now have indoor and/or outdoor ranges which allow you to shoot at different distances and at many different types of targets. It’s a blast and challenging all at the same time. Not only that, but you will meet some great people, all with a common interest who are more than willing to help you out. Remember that proper form is key and having a seasoned archer help you get everything dialed in is really important. It certainly will help take away the frustration associated with learning something new.

Another tip; don’t overshoot. What I mean is simply this: Don’t shoot a hundred arrows the first night in your excitement of getting your new bow. You’ll be too sore to even shoot your bow anytime soon after that, thus making the experience less than enjoyable. Keep in mind that you will be using muscles in your arms, neck and back that will need time to strengthen. As those muscles get stronger, shooting more arrows becomes easier. Your draw weight will increase as well, but keep in mind that you don’t need to shoot heavy poundage.

Shoot a draw weight that is comfortable for you. The way that bows are designed today, the arrow will still get there quickly enough. And, a smoother and quicker draw is the one that will increase your chances of success. When I was younger, I shot a draw weight of 70 lbs. or more. Today it’s around 63 to 65 lbs. It makes sense to me to shoot an arrow more comfortably and more consistently. I’ve also come to realize that a faster arrow is not necessarily a better killing arrow. I don’t shoot as many arrows each night as I use to. I would rather shoot fewer arrows and leave on a good note than shoot too many arrows and have them hit all over the target.

Having confidence in your ability and in your shooting distances is key. Be patient, be consistent and have fun. Each and every shot needs to be your best shot. There have been very few times that I have ever had a second chance at killing a deer that I may have missed with my first shot or have made a poor shot on to begin with. Take your time, breathe, relax and visualize the shot before you release the arrow. Make each and every shot count as you only get one first shot.

Practice shooting in various positions. Standing, sitting and kneeling are the most popular. Keep in mind the type of hunting you will be doing, but practice shooting in different positions and situations. If you are hunting from a ground blind, practice sitting on a chair, inside the blind. If you’re going to be hunting from a tree stand, be sure to practice at the height that your stand will be and always, always, always, wear your safety harness. Be certain to clip into a guide rope as you climb up and down from your tree stand. Learn how different angles affect arrow placement when shooting from above and don’t forget to enjoy the view. Hunting from a tree stand is my favorite type of hunting and has been the most productive for me in Northern Wisconsin. Now that we have your bow picked out and you’re shooting like Fred Bear, let’s take a look at your hunting property.

Property

You have two choices, public land or private land. If you’re fortunate to have a piece of property that you own or have been able to lease, fantastic! I prefer hunting private land or a lease for a good number of reasons. Here are just a couple.

The first and most important reason is safety. You know (for the most part) that you and/or others you may have given permission to should be the only ones on that property. I’ve had some great leases over the years that I shared with my family and friends. It’s fun, comfortable and safe. I have to say that getting these leases wasn’t very easy. I did acquire most simply by calling on a piece of property that was for sale or by knocking on doors in areas that were of interest to me. Always be kind and courteous, thanking them for their time. Be sure to leave your name and number with them. They may not want to lease this property to you this season but that may change down the road. Be able to face rejection when they tell you “no,” but keep in mind that’s all part of the process and all it takes is that one person to say “yes” to your request and you’ll be on top of the world. Hunting property is getting harder and harder to come by so be patient and put in your time.

The second reason is deer management. You will have a direct impact on the deer that reside there. I’m a firm believer in the Quality Deer Management program that more and more property owners and their neighbors are embracing. If you give these deer a chance to grow and keep a healthy buck to doe ratio in the mix you’ll experience hunting like you’ve never seen. The key to making this work is to get your neighbors involved. Experiment with food plots that will hold deer and create bedding areas for the deer, if space allows. For ten months out of the year, all a whitetail thinks about is a place to eat and sleep that is relatively safe. The other two months are spent chasing or being chased around because of the rut. This is certainly the best and most productive time of the year to hunt. And, when it’s kicked into full gear these are my two favorite weeks of the year. Be sure to put your time in on the stand to increase your chances of success. I guarantee that you will see more than at any other time of the season.

Public land is always a gamble. I will say that a good number of deer are harvested on public land. The key to success here is to get off the beaten path and go find those places that other hunters have no desire to be in. You’ll be farther away from your competition and be closer to where these big deer like to hang out. They like solitude, safety and comfort next to a feeding area. Find that place and you’ll find success. Check the laws for using and hanging stands or putting up ground blinds on public property. Know that you are not going to be the only hunter out there and be willing to accept the fact that others may wander in what you like to think is “your area.” Remember that it is public land and that’s just part of the deal. I’ve been there and done that and yes, it is frustrating, but make the best of it.

There is certainly a lot more that I could talk about in regards to increasing the odds of being successful bowhunting this fall and winter. Trail cameras, stand placement and cover scent are just a few more things to consider. Do your homework and prepare yourself to the best of your ability. Read as much as you can and don’t be afraid to ask questions. I have learned, however, that the best lessons come from just taking that first step and getting out and into the woods. Enjoy each and every moment that you’re there and I promise that you will be amazed at what you will learn and see.

One other thing to remember…don’t base your success as a hunter on the size of the deer, the harvest or lack thereof. Enjoy the hunt and the people you share it with. The harvest is just the icing on the cake.

Good Luck this season, be safe and have fun!

The post Tips For A More Successful Archery Season appeared first on Morning Moss.

from
http://morningmoss.com/tips-for-a-more-successful-archery-season/