Top 4 Dream Hunts

Every hunter has a list of dream hunts they wish they could go on. Unfortunately most of these hunts are just dreams due to expenses, time, and travel. But it is important to always keep these hunts close to you because one day if you’re able to go on one of these “dream hunts” than it will definitively be something special. Choosing a dream hunt for me is more than just looking at the game your hunting. I think about how the experience will be like with the people I’m going with. Some of the best memories I have in life is at these hunting camp with family and friends.

1. Saskatchewan Whitetails

The Whitetails in Canada are something really special. Many may think that every Whitetail looks the same but if they ever saw a big Whitetail in Canada than they would instantly change their mind. The bucks in Saskatchewan not only grow huge antlers, they have huge bodies. The weights for a live mature buck often exceed 235 pounds. This is around 80 pounds more than the average healthy buck in Virginia. Another factor that makes this hunt even more enjoyable is the weather. Hunting in the snow is often a hunters favorite. If you travel to Saskatchewan than you are almost guaranteed to be hunting in some snow.

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2. Alaskan Moose

Bow hunting Moose in Alaska is often on the top of most hunters. The experience of the hunt will definitely be something you won’t forget. This hunt requires the ability to hike miles in a day and live in a tent for days. This is definitely not a hunt for someone that just wants to sit in one spot all day. Some may ask why Alaska? Alaska is one of the last places where you can get out and hunt game with little to no human contact.

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3. Montana Elk

Elk is something that has always been on my bucket list. Hunting elk in early fall while they’re extremely vocal is a dream. Being able to call a bugling elk in close is something that would make the whole trip worthwhile.

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4. Wyoming Pronghorn

This may come to a surprise to a lot of people. Pronghorn usually all look alike so this might be because it comes to a surprise to a lot of people only chasing trophies. Pronghorn is some of the fastest and hardest game to hunt. For me this hunt would have to be a bow hunt to even add more difficulty to it. The plains are extremely flat in Wyoming so taking a rifle might be a little easier, but being able to get into bow range to a Pronghorn would be something awesome.

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4 Ways to Successfully Predator Hunt

Coyotes are one of the most populated and well known predator species. They’re also one of the few predator species where you can hunt them year round. One of the reasons many people like Coyote hunting is that they are way over populated and are easy to locate. But just because they’re easy to locate doesn’t mean they’re easy to hunt. Finding coyotes and hunting them takes preparation.

1. Calls

The main thing that anyone looking to predator hunt must have is calls. Using electronic calls has really became the normal when predator hunting. Without using a call makes locating Coyotes very tricky. Different calls work best for different areas so the best way to learn which one works best is by experimenting with them. One of the biggest mistakes people make when calling is calling too much. The point of calling is too make it sound as realistic as possible so calling too much can warn off an incoming coyote. An electronic call comes with several different calls loaded so this is why I recommend an electronic call.

2. Location

Finding a good location really depends on the time of year. In the summer time your best opportunity is the set up somewhere where you can see a good distance. This isn’t really true for the Winter time where food is scarce. For the Winter the best opportunities you will have is by finding their food source. The main food source of Coyotes in the winter is their prey. This will include rabbits, small mammals, or even livestock. Before you hunt a location you should really do some scouting first. Scout an area and make sure you find their food sources and even coyote sign before hunting it.

3. Setting Up

After finding a location to hunt you need to set everything up. The first thing I do is set my electronic call by placing it about 25 to 50 yards away from where I’m actually sitting. After this I try and find a good spot to sit. I like to find an area with a lot of brush behind me. Coyotes can spot movement really well so finding the best spot is crucial.

4. Camo

Coyotes are super skittish and alert when moving. The slightest movement or sound can warn off an incoming coyote. The best way to help this from happening is matching yourself the best you can do to the surrounding. Also just like turkey hunting, It is best to wear gloves and a face mask to cover as much skin as possible.

5 Essentials For Turkey Hunting

With Turkey season opening up in most States, hunters are out buying new products to give them the so called edge when out hunting. Most hunters wear turkey vests or take a back pack filled with all kinds of gear that never gets used. New gear might get you excited for the season but there is only a few essentials when it comes to Turkey hunting.

1. Turkey Calls

Without a doubt the first pierce of equipment you need to check off your list is Turkey calls. This doesn’t mean to just have one call and call it good. You should carry a box call, pan call, locator calls, and a few different diaphragm calls. There will be several occasions when certain calls won’t work and that’s why you should carry multiple. This is similar to a fisherman taking several lures a baits with him just in case certain ones don’t work.

Houndstooth Game Calls

2. Decoys

I never thought I would use decoys when hunting but over the past years my thoughts have changed. Decoys are a must when bow hunting or when you are trying to bring them in closer. Decoys range in prices from really affordable to somewhat ridiculous prices.

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3. Gloves and Face Mask

The hardest thing about getting close to Turkeys is that their eyesight is so good. Turkeys can catch the slightest of movements if you aren’t careful. It is important to cover all exposed skin to be the most successful. Most people skip the gloves and face mask but they are essentially the most important. A face mask also comes in handy trying to keep the bugs off of you this time of year.

4. ThermaCell

I mentioned that a face mask helps keep the bugs away but having a ThermaCell really does the trick. Nothing is more annoying when you are sitting still hunting then having thousands of mosquito’s buzzing around you. Having one of these with you makes a hunt a lot more enjoyable.

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5. Binoculars

When Turkeys aren’t responding to calls it can be a tough day. Packing a set of binoculars allows you to better scout and judge the size of a turkey when they are coming in. You should also pack a rangefinder as well if you plan to bow hunt. Judging yardages may sound easy but it can be tricky and if you are off by just a little it will show.

Aging Deer

It is becoming increasingly common to age bucks when hunting. This is a common management strategy to let the younger deer grow. To do this you must know how to accurately age bucks. Many people may think that a deer looks the same year after year but they don’t. Deer are just like humans and they develop certain characteristics as they age.

• 1 1/2 Years

Bucks at this age is the easiest to age. Not just because their antlers are relativity small but by their body structure. Bucks at this age have long legs, thin neck, slim body, and a overall lanky body structure. Their antler spread is also always less than the width of their ears. At this young age their face also looks very young. Their nose extends out and looks very long. They essentially look like a doe with antlers.

1 1/2 year old
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• 2 1/2 Years

At this age you will start to see some muscular definition in their shoulders and necks. They still have very long thin legs at this age still. Bucks at this age have antler spread to about the their ears or maybe more. Their face will also look very similar to a 1 1/2 year old deer and still seem to have a long nose. Think of bucks at this age to have the body structure of a mature doe.

2 1/2 year old
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• 3 1/2 Years

This is the time you really start seeing differences in a bucks body structure. The buck isn’t necessarily at its full potential yet but its close. The main differences between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 is the swelling of the neck and their body starting to look more muscular. At the earlier ages their belly is pretty much perfectly straight from the front legs to the back. At this age though the belly starts to sag just a little. The first thing I look at when I see a deer is the belly and the neck. If I see the belly sagging just a little then I know it’s at least a 3 1/2 year old deer.

3 1/2 year old
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• 4 1/2 Years

This is the age when most people to consider a buck to be at it’s prime and they’re mature. There are sometimes huge growth between a 4 1/2 year old and a 5 1/2, but most people harvest a buck at this age. When a deer hit this age they can be pretty much invisible. The big thing about this age is that the legs will start to look shorter because of how muscular the deer’s body starts to look. Their face also looks very shorter at this age compared to younger years. Their nose is also not long anymore but relatively short and rounded.

4 1/2 year old
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Top 5 Turkey Hunting States

Turkey season is fast approaching and this comes the opportunity to travel and hunt different states. Some may think that every state offers the same opportunity and same species of turkeys when it comes to turkey hunting. Every state can offer different species of turkeys and a higher population of turkeys for a better success rate for your booked hunt.

1. South Dakota

South Dakota is definitely a state that is not on many hunters radars. Although many hunters ignore this state, South Dakota offers superb Whitetail hunting and even better Turkey hunting. Many people book their turkey hunts in South Dakota because of the Merriam Turkey. Another thing that South Dakota offers is a ton of public land and a lot of outfitters. This makes South Dakota a cheaper option if you decide to book a hunt in South Dakota.

Nebraska Merriam Turkey
Picture: NebraskaLand Magazine

2. Florida

Many people come to Florida to hunt the Osceola Turkey, which can only be found in this state. Biologists estimate that their is roughly around 100,000 Osceola Turkeys in the bottom of the states peninsula. The success rate for hunting these birds is also very high. Florida is also a good option because of the low non-resident hunting licenses. A 10 day hunting license can be purchased which is less costly than a $300 full season license

Florida Osceola Turkey
Picture: Mossy Oak

3. Texas

Texas is one of the states that is on my bucket list hunts. Texas offers the highest population of turkeys with an estimated population of 500,000 eastern and rio turkeys. One downside to Texas is the lack of public land making this one of the more expensive hunts. Outfitters are highly populated in Texas and are often reasonably priced to book a hunt with. Texas is overall a very good turkey hunting state where you can harvest multiple turkeys at a reasonable rate.

Texas Rio Turkey
Picture:Sean Fitzgerald

2. Alabama

Alabama offers some of the best turkey hunting in the United States. The turkey population in Alabama is estimated to be around 500,000 with a limit of 5 turkeys a hunter. No other state has this generous of a bag limit except for South Carolina. Alabama also has the highest harvest each year. If you’re booking a hunt only based off of success then Alabama should be your state. Alabama only has one type of turkey being the eastern turkey but with a population of half a million and the success rate of Alabama it’s a no brainer for this state to be top 5.

Alabama Eastern Turkey
Picture: Outdoor Life

1. Missouri

Missouri is personally my favorite place to hunt turkeys. Although the hunting used to be a lot better in past years, Missouri is still a favorite. Missouri biologists estimate that they’re around 300,000 turkeys in Missouri. The best part about Missouri is that public land is very abundant with incredible turkey management. You won’t be surprised to hear multiple turkeys in a day of hunting.

5 Tips For Improving

With summer right around the corner this is the best time to start practicing and improving in archery. Many hunters practice in the summer months but focusing on finer details will drastically make your shots better. From refining your stance to improving your thought process, these details lead to more success in archery.

1. Anchoring point

Having the same anchor point every time is critical for consistency. Some people only have one anchor point that they follow at full draw but this isn’t going to give you consistent results. I follow a three-point anchoring process. The first point is the string to the tip of your nose. The second being the string to the corner of your mouth. And the third being your release under your ear. Having these three anchoring points gives you the same point of contact every shot.

2. Back Tension Technique

The summer months is a perfect time to work on the back tension form. These months leading into deer season is the perfect time to consistently work on getting used to doing this because it takes time. Back tension is the process of technically using your back muscles to execute the shot. This might sound weird but it’s really just using the push pull method. You should push on the grip and continue to pull on the back wall while at full draw.

3. Grip

Using proper form when gripping your bow is another major issue most archers do. When you are gripping the bow wrong you typically are torquing the bow and this leads to inconstancy. To keep torque minimal you should only grip the bow with one muscle. To do this you should rest your thumb at the two o’clock position, and your rest of your fingers should be tucked in behind the grip. Summer is the perfect time to get used to gripping like this if you are suffering from over gripping the grip.

4. Focus Mentally

The summer months are perfect for fine tuning your mental focus. Most people in archery suffer from target panic or have other thoughts in their head that leads to inconstancy. Also this is the perfect time to practice in stressful situations. This will help you out when you get that nervous feeling of seeing a big buck in the fall.

5. Breathing

Sometimes the most important this to your form is your breathing. Sometimes when people draw their bow they quit breathing until they execute the shot. I can see why people do this since it kind of goes back to focusing mentally. I do the same thing every time I shoot and breathing at least two times is one of them. I make sure to take a deep breath when I draw the bow, and then once my pins from the sight settles on the target I take another breath.

Extending a Bow Hunters Season

Some think that the only thing you can do in archery is bow hunt. This not true and there are several different options for people to get introduced to archery. Tournaments can lengthen a bow hunters season and make them a better archer. There is two main tournament seasons that don’t interrupt hunting season at all. This is another advantage of getting into competitive archery. The two main seasons are called indoor and outdoor competitive archery.

Indoor archery tournaments run through the winter months. This is a perfect time to continue shooting your bow after deer season. In indoor archery tournaments you are only shooting at targets at 20 yards. This distance might sound easy but it truly helps you get better at the mental side of archery. At this distance you can practice the execution of your shots more instead of focusing on aiming. The targets you are shooting at is scored from 1 to 10. A 10 is the inner circle which is called a 10 ring. Most of the archery gear you will see at these tournaments is quite different from what a bow hunter is used to seeing. A lot of tournament archers shoot with tournament archery bows and equipment. This shouldn’t scare away the inexperienced tournament archer. There are different leagues in tournaments. Most of the competitive archers that have these expensive setups are shooting in the pro league. There is also a league for bow hunters that allows you to only compete with you bow hunting setup. This allows for a fair advantage. There are also youth, 60+, and intermediate divisions. Indoor archery tournaments might seem scary for the average bow hunter but it is something to increase your skill. One of the best indoor archery tournaments is held in Lancaster Pennsylvania around January every year. This is a great one for anyone to go to because you can learn so much from going.

Lancaster Archery Classic

The next season in competitive archery is called outdoor. Outdoor is held in the Spring months. My favorite out of the two is definitely outdoor. Outdoor tournaments almost reminds me of playing golf. You are shooting at 3d animal targets setup at different distances that is unknown to the archer. Each target is different and at different distances. If you’re a bow hunter and wanted to know what tournament to get started in then outdoor is what I recommend for you. With this you’re truly practicing reading different distances without the use of a rangefinder. The scoring is similar to indoor tournaments with it being scored from 1 to 10 with 10 being the inner ring.

Anyone can get into shooting archery tournaments. I recommend finding the closest archery pro shop near you and talk to them. Most of the time the people at these shops can point you in the right direction to get you started. Also while you are there they can help you pick up your equipment and supplies that you will need.

Top 5 States For Whitetail Deer

There’s plenty of opportunity in this country to hunt whitetail deer, but what states are the best? Many factors go into making a state the best for whitetail hunting. One way to measure a state is by the hunter success rate. Most of the top 5 states to hunt in are also the top states for farming. These states offer the best food sources for the deer’s growth.

• 5) Georgia

This state may come to a surprise to many avid hunters. Georgia may not be a farming state but it did have one of the highest numbers of deer harvests. Georgia was #1 in antlerless harvests in 2011. Although your chances may be higher to harvest a older and bigger buck in these other states, the deer density is very high in Georgia. Another factor that makes Georgia a good whitetail state is that over 3% of the state is open to public land hunting. This will be very important if you’re planning a cheaper hunting trip and don’t want to pay an outfitter. Overall Georgia’s success rate is increasing each year and is a very good option to book a hunt in.

• 4) Texas

The saying “everything is bigger in Texas” is true for hunting as well. Texas is truly a different atmosphere when it comes to hunting. Hunters in Texas harvest more bucks than any other state. Of those numbers around 60% are bucks that’s at least 3 1/2 years old. Texas may also arguably be one of the best bow hunting states. You will experience very close action in Texas while sitting in a blind. Booking a trip to hunt in Texas may be expensive, but overall it will be well worth it.

• 3) Missouri

Missouri is one of the top up and coming states for Whitetail deer hunting. What makes Missouri one of the top states is the lack of hunting pressure. There are 5 to 8 hunters per squire mile in Missouri compared to Ohio having 9 to 12. The age structure of Whitetail’s in Missouri seems to be very good with 38% of the bucks being harvested being 3 1/2 years old or older. If you’re looking for a state to harvest a big and old whitetail do not overlook Missouri.

• 2) Iowa

Most Whitetail hunter would put Iowa at #1 due to its proven track record. When you ask a avid Whtietail hunter what state they want to book a hunt in they’re will probably say the midwestern state of Iowa. While the huge bucks may be in Iowa, the one problem is getting there. To hunt in Iowa you must apply and hope you get the chance to book a hunt. Even after your name is drawn you must purchase a very expensive out of state licence. While all this sounds like a headache, Iowa offers some of the best Whitetial deer hunting in the Country.

• 1) Kansas

While Kansas also suffer’s from the fact that you must apply and hope that you will be able to book a hunt. Kansas offers some of the best guided outfitters in the Country. Some outfitters may be costly but it’s almost guaranteed that they will put you on good deer. Kansas produces some of the biggest Whitetail bucks year after year. Kansas is not the state you want to travel to if you’re looking for public land though. With only .8% of the land in Kansas being public, you will have to fork over some money to hunt on private land. If money isn’t a problem to book a hunt than Kansas is one of the best spots in the Country to harvest a mature Whitetail.

Whats New For 2019

Every year around the new year there is the ATA show. The ATA show or Archery Trade Show is a yearly event where brands can show what they have been working on and unveil their new products. The most exciting part of the ATA show is seeing the new bows and new archery accessories. The show consists of other new hunting products but it’s primarily for new archery equipment. A lot of people like to get a new bow each year but for me I’ll stick with my 2015 Hoyt Nitrum.

1. Hoyt Archery

Last year Hoyts new flagship bows wasn’t very exciting because they were practically the same as their 2017 lineup. This year they came out with a bang releasing a new flagship carbon and aluminum bow. One of the big things I have found interesting about Hoyt through the years are the prices. The prices for the carbon series are usually around the $1500 range and that is what this years carbon bow retails for. The aluminum although seems to jump in price every year. I remember a couple years ago seeing the aluminum bows retail for $700-$800, but this year it is set to be $1199. Hoyt bows are always a top choice for hunters and archers because of the quality and craftmansship of the bows. When you buy Hoyt you know you’re buying a well crafted tool. The bows Hoyt has for 2019 is for anyone who wants to bow hunt to someone who wants to shoot tournaments.

2. Mathews Archery

Mathews is always a top choice for archers. It seems like the brand everyone wants to have and be partnered with is Mathews. I think it’s because of the amount of people you see at these trade shows that are sponsored by them. I have never personally owned a Mathews but I have shot a few and they are definitely a top contender. For 2019 Mathews released their flagship bow called the Vertix. This bow is marketed primarily towards the serious bow hunter. With axle to axle measurements of only 30″, and weighing only 4.6 lbs this is a very good bow for someone who likes to hunt in concealed places. The prices for Mathews is relevantly consistent each year with a price tag of around $1000. If you’re a target shooter than this bow probably isn’t for you, but if you’re an avid bow hunter than this might be the bow for you.

3. Elite Archery

Elite has climbed the ranks of archery brands to be a top brand to be considered when shopping for a new bow. They have strived themselves on being the “Worlds most shootable bow.” I remember the first time I shot an Elite and I was amazed at how it felt. I look for a bow that doesn’t just shoot good, but also feels comfortable and something that I can hold for long periods of time. Nothing has changed at Elite and they have yet designed a new and better bow they named the Ritual. The 2019 Ritual is an upgrade from the 2018 Ritual. It’s axle to axle measurement is 33″ which gives you a solid bow for hunting and target shooting. The prices have been increasing at elite through the years and this year bow will retail at $1000. If you’re looking for a bow you can bow hunt and take to competitions with than this bow is something to look at.

Curing Target Panic

Target panic is a stage everyone goes through in archery. Target panic is the panic an archer feels when the bow sight settles on the target. It’s the mental side of archery that takes time to fix. Normally you should feel relaxed and confident when shooting, but with target panic you cannot control the sudden urge to slap the trigger. You should never slap at the trigger instead you should only use back tension when shooting. With back tension you are only using your back muscles to execute the shot. That might sound confusing but it’s really only pushing on the bow grip at full draw and pulling on the back wall to get a surprise release. Reasons why you should cure your target panic is the inconsistency of your shots. There are several different ways people try and cure target panic but only a few that people most commonly use.

The first step in curing target panic is realizing you have it. Most people who have target panic don’t realize it and continue on without fixing anything which leads to bad habits. If your mind tells you to shoot as soon as your sight hits the target, or if you find yourself anticipating the shot then you have target panic.

Many people when they realize they have target panic will quit shooting at targets immediately. The sole purpose for this is to get your mind off of aiming and onto the execution of the shot. You should instead start shooting at blank targets and solely focus on shot execution instead of aiming at a target. When you start out you should only shoot at 5 yards and progressively move back throughout time. This doesn’t cure it overnight, you should continue to shoot like this for weeks to rewire your brain into only focusing on the shot execution.

Another way to cure target panic is holding your bow at full draw at a target without executing the shot. You are trying to rewire your brain for yourself to be able to hold on the target without your mind telling you to shoot immediately. Hold the bow at full draw for at least a minute and then let the bow down. Do this several times a day. Doing this only helps half of the problem though. You should also learn how to effectively use back tension

A way to practice the proper shot execution at all times throughout the day is to just use a piece of string. You can also buy something that is more expensive and represents a bow better but a string worked perfectly for me. With a string you only need to hook your release on it and practice the pushing and pulling method known as back tension.

Having target panic in archery is truly a hassle. It takes the fun out of shooting because your arrows are hitting all over the place. Getting rid of target panic isn’t easy since it’s a mental thing, but once it’s gone shooting becomes incredibly more fun. Curing target panic and being able to shoot long distances with a bow is truly rewarding.