Hunting Gear
2023 Hunt Recap | Pure Hunting
The 2023 hunting season was filled with lots of highs and a few, I wouldn’t call them lows, but disappointments. I don’t need to kill an animal to call a hunt successful or enjoyable, but sometimes you’re just bummed with a lack of opportunity, especially with a tag that isn’t over the counter and you can’t get every year.
I started the year early with a late-season Iowa muzzleloader tag for whitetails. We had one good day of weather and then it changed, getting warm and I never had an opportunity at a buck. In fact, I only saw one buck that was mature and he stayed out at about 300 yards on the second to last evening. Our annual wall tent turkey camp was another great time. It was a smaller group than the last few years, by design, and was filled with great friendship and camaraderie. I was successful, hunting solo without a cameraman and the rest of the camp had success as well. It’s always been a special time of year and a great hunt with good friends.
The start of the fall season was a bit disappointing. I helped Chris Nowak in NM, who drew a unit 30 tag. I was only able to go down for the last 4 days of his hunt and the weather was too nice for the first two. When we finally had a change in the weather, it was good action. I called a couple bulls in for him and when he finally released an arrow, the bull moved as the arrow was in flight and he hit him poorly. No fault of his own, I was over his shoulder and saw the whole thing, but we didn’t recover the bull and he burned his tag. I hunted on the same place in NM as the previous 3 years. Since Chris hunted unit 30, I invited Jason Matzinger to take Chris’ spot and it was a challenging hunt with the elk not being vocal at all for 3 full days. We were seeing elk, seeing fresh sign, but there was ZERO bugling, even distant bugles. I finally had an encounter on our last morning but the bull stayed just over a rise and I never had a shot. That evening, our last and the last of the season, I called a bull in for Jason and he killed it. The true bottom of the ninth success story.
I didn’t hunt any other species except for whitetail after the elk season and it was a pretty good one. I hunted on an outfitted hunt in Kansas, a lease in Ohio, my whitetail lease in my home state of Montana and wrapped up with an invitation in Oklahoma.
I was successful taking nice bucks in Ohio with archery gear and in Montana and Oklahoma with a rifle. I missed a true Kansas giant with my bow. The jury is still out on what happened but after talking to a lot of people about it, it was likely an improperly seated nock on my string. I shot right under him and I am still reliving that shot today. I was self filming that hunt and captured it all. I filmed each of the other hunts as well and all will be short films coming out on the website in the coming months, including Jason’s kill in NM.
I don’t know what the 2024 fall season has in store, but the spring is going to be fun. Jason and I are heading to Patagonia in March to hunt Red Stag together and I drew an Iowa turkey tag and will be hunting with Tom Petry in early April. I’m hoping the summer is filled with camping, fishing and golf before chasing elk in Montana for the month of September.
Source link: https://www.purehunting.com/2023-hunt-recap/ by WDC at www.purehunting.com
Hunting
Capturing the Hunt: Using Trail Cameras for Turkey Hunts
In the excitement of a successful hunt, it’s easy to forget to capture the moment with a photo. This can be a missed opportunity, especially for someone who always carries camera gear on hunts. But there’s a simple and effective way to ensure you get those memorable shots: using trail cameras.
The Role of Trail Cameras
Trail cameras have become essential tools for many hunters, not just for scouting but also for capturing the action during the hunt. Setting up a trail camera can provide you with extra memories and a unique perspective on your hunt. If you already own a camera, it’s a cost-effective way to enhance your hunting experience.
Choosing and Setting Up Your Camera
Whether you’re using traditional cameras or cell cameras, most can be set up to function like a traditional trail camera. This means you don’t need to activate your data plan if you’re using cell cameras. The key is in selecting the right settings.
Camera Settings
- Video Duration: Opt for the longest video clip your camera offers. This ensures that even if a hen arrives before the longbeard, you’ll still capture the entire sequence.
- Recovery Time: Set this to the shortest possible duration. You want the camera ready to record a new clip immediately.
- Resolution: Choose the highest video quality available. This will provide the best footage, assuming you use a large-capacity SD card.
- Trigger Sensitivity: Adjust based on your environment. In a windy field, use the lowest sensitivity to avoid endless clips of moving vegetation. On calm days or in confined spaces, increase the sensitivity to ensure the camera captures all movement.
Positioning Your Camera
One common mistake is placing cameras too close to the decoys. Turkeys tend to focus on the jake decoy, so your camera placement should account for this. Positioning the camera 10 to 20 feet away from the decoys is often ideal. This distance allows you to capture the entire bird as it approaches, rather than just its feet.
Consider the Approach Path
- Anticipate Entry Points: Aim your camera in the direction you expect the turkeys to approach from. This ensures a better overall shot.
- Mind the Sun: Position the camera to avoid sun flares on the lens, which can disrupt your footage.
- Camouflage: While turkeys don’t seem to mind trail cameras, it’s wise to reduce the chances of reflection or glare. Pile up some debris around the camera to help it blend in with the environment.
Benefits of Trail Camera Footage
Using a trail camera is a straightforward way to capture high-resolution video of your hunt without investing in additional gear. This method allows you to focus on the hunt itself while the camera takes care of recording the action.
Practical Tips for Use
- Quick Setup: Setting up a trail camera is quick and easy. Even when running and gunning and changing spots frequently, it takes only seconds to set up the camera from your pack.
- Capture Every Moment: The effort pays off when you get high-quality footage of a strutter attacking your decoys. These videos provide lasting memories and a unique view of the hunt.
Incorporating trail cameras into your turkey hunts can enhance your experience and provide invaluable memories. By choosing the right settings, positioning the camera thoughtfully, and blending it into the environment, you can capture the excitement of the hunt without missing a beat. This approach not only adds an extra layer of enjoyment to your hunting trips but also ensures you have a visual record of those special moments.
Do you have any tips for trail cameras? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Archery
Can You Hunt Enough To Feed Your Family For YEARS?
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As masters of the hunt, you understand the thrill and satisfaction of providing for your family through your skills in the wilderness. However, relying solely on hunting and trapping may not be enough to ensure your family’s well-being in times of crisis. The stark reality is that whatever you’re able to hunt may not be sufficient to feed yourselves and your loved ones. At Survival Cave Food, we recognize the importance of having a reliable backup supply to augment your hunting efforts and provide peace of mind during emergencies.
Why Survival Cave Food?
Our commitment to providing the best survival foods is driven by a deep understanding of the challenges hunters face. While your hunting skills are impressive, unpredictable circumstances such as extreme weather, dwindling game populations, or even natural disasters can significantly impact your ability to procure food. Survival Cave Food offers a range of premium emergency food solutions meticulously crafted to augment your hunting efforts and provide long-term sustenance for you and your famil
A Reliable Backup for Your Hunting Success
Survival Cave Food stands as your dependable backup supply for the best survival foods. Our freeze-dried meals and high-quality canned meats are carefully crafted to provide essential nutrients and support your family’s well-being, complementing your hunting skills. Don’t let uncertainties in the wilderness leave you and your loved ones hungry – our products offer a reliable solution to ensure your family’s needs are met, no matter the circumstances.
Supporting Your Hunting Lifestyle
As skilled hunters, you’ve honed your craft and pride yourselves on providing for your family. Survival Cave Food aligns with these values, empowering you to maintain your independence and self-sufficiency while also being prepared for the unexpected. Our products not only offer sustenance but also peace of mind, knowing you’re prepared to support your family’s needs through any challenge.
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Hunting
Rangefinders: Advanced Techniques for Enhanced Hunting Success
The utility of rangefinders in hunting extends far beyond their fundamental purpose of determining accurate distances for shooting. While commonly associated with aiding marksmanship, rangefinders can be leveraged in innovative ways to optimize hunting strategies and increase efficiency in the field. For both novice and seasoned hunters alike, mastering advanced techniques with rangefinders can significantly enhance the overall hunting experience. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into two distinct but invaluable techniques for utilizing rangefinders to their fullest potential.
Strategic Stalking: Planning with Precision
One of the most profound realizations among hunters is the strategic value of rangefinders in planning stalks. Beyond mere navigation toward the prey, identifying optimal shooting positions can be a game-changer in hunting success.
Consider a scenario where a hunter spots a deer bedded downhill, with a prominent boulder positioned behind it. Traditional wisdom dictates estimating the distance to the deer and planning a route accordingly. However, the innovative use of a rangefinder elevates this approach to a new level of precision.
By ranging both the deer and the boulder, the hunter gains critical insight into the landscape’s geometry. Suppose the deer is determined to be 500 yards away, while the boulder registers at 547 yards. This data reveals that reaching the boulder would position the hunter approximately 47 yards from the deer. Armed with this knowledge, the hunter can strategize the approach, confident in the understanding of potential shooting distances.
Dynamic Distance Assessment: On-the-Move Tactics
In dynamic hunting scenarios where targets are mobile or their exact locations are uncertain, rangefinders emerge as indispensable tools for real-time distance assessment. Rather than relying on fixed objects for reference, hunters can adopt a proactive approach by utilizing rangefinders while on the move.
Imagine stalking a buck actively rutting in dense woodland. In such scenarios, maintaining situational awareness and adaptability are paramount. Here, the continuous use of a rangefinder proves invaluable.
Equipped with a rangefinder, the hunter can seamlessly integrate distance assessment into their movements. With each step, the hunter periodically scans the terrain ahead, utilizing the rangefinder to gauge distances to potential targets. This streamlined approach minimizes unnecessary movement and ensures readiness for decisive action.
In the dynamic and unpredictable world of hunting, mastery of advanced techniques with rangefinders can be a game-changer. By embracing strategic stalking and dynamic distance assessment, hunters can optimize their hunting strategies and increase their chances of success in the field.
Whether planning meticulous stalks or maintaining situational awareness on the move, the versatility of rangefinders empowers hunters to navigate diverse hunting scenarios with confidence and precision. As hunters continue to explore the boundless possibilities of rangefinder application, the pursuit of the game becomes not just a challenge, but a deeply rewarding adventure fueled by innovation and expertise.
Do you have any tips for using rangefinders? Leave them in the comments below.