Freak Friday!!

You're not going to believe this....

Wow.  That pretty much sums up my thoughts about this monster.  With twenty countable points this buck scored an astonishing 238 and 5/8 inches Boone and Crockett.  This deer is what Freak Friday is all about.  When I first saw this picture my jaw hit the ground.  I was purely amazed.  This is why we hunt, to someday have a shot at the buck of a lifetime.

Hunting Strategies - Part 1

I hope all you hunters out there had as much luck and success as my brother and I had on opening morning.  If not, I hope you stay patient because your turn will come.  Right now I would like to take the opportunity to go over one of the more useful hunting strategies that I have used over the years, stand hunting.  Nearly every hunter has probably hunted out of a stand at one point or another during his/her lifetime, but if you are one that hasn't you need to try.  Stand hunting, in my opinion, is the easiest strategy to employ.  You just set up your stand in a prime location (we'll go over that a little later) and you're ready to go.  This strategy forces the hunter to be patient because in most cases there is not continuous deer movement.  When sitting in the stand you need to constantly be checking for movement.  The easiest way to spot a deer is to see them when they are moving.  In the mornings I usually get into my stand about 30 minutes before first light and sit until about 9 o'clock.  I am training myself, however, to sit longer because I hear all the big bucks move from 10 AM to 2PM (they must know all the hunters are eating lunch around that time).  Also, I recommend using a safety harness.  Better safe than sorry, right?  Lastly, it is good to bring some kind of pad to sit on because your backside is sure to fall asleep.  Like I said earlier, if you haven't ever hunted out of a tree stand I suggest you try it.  It might change your luck!

Freak Fri...MONDAY!

Since I didn't post a freak last Friday I thought I would share with you the successes by brother and I had on opening weekend 2010.  Hope you enjoy the pics!

Intro to Firearm Season and Different Hunting Strategies

Boy I can’t wait until Saturday!!  At the end of this week the firearm portion of deer season opens, and you can bet that I will be out in a tree.  Hunters all across the state wait in great anticipation for the opening day of deer season, hoping they will get lucky and score a big buck.  Among those hunters are a few different strategies on how to hunt bucks, or deer in general.  Over the next few days I am going to introduce you to some methods that I personally have used and some that I have only read about.  My hope is that you will be able to take these methods, put them into practice, and score a nice buck at some time during the ten day season.  Until then, make sure to get your rifles cleaned and sighted in because it is nearly that time!

Picture taken from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25403537@N08/4198993586/

This buck is an absolute monster!  I would love to shoot a buck like this someday.  Check out the mass that he carries all the way through his antlers.  Once you are done gawking at that, check out this dude's brow tines!  Wow.  What an impressive deer.  To top it off, he is definitely old enough shoot.  I think he would look real good above my fireplace.

Safety Tips for Upcoming Firearm Season

Last time I touched on a few safety procedures that hunter should note when preparing for the upcoming firearm season.  Today I would like to focus on another basic concept, wearing the proper clothing.  It is imperative that hunters remember to wear their hunter orange vests and hats during the firearm season, that way they will be noticed by other hunters.  It is also required by the Department of Conservation, and failure to wear hunter orange can result in tickets and fines.  If you ask me, wearing the orange and being noticed is better than being mistaken for a deer!!  Just remember, be smart and cooperate with all state regulations.  Better safe than sorry I always say.

A Few notes on the Upcoming Firearm Season

It’s that time of year again, when the leaves start to fall, temperatures dip to below freezing, and several thousand deer hunters prepare to take to the woods.  Hopefully they have done their research and located a nice buck in their area.  With firearm season only thirteen days away there is not much time left to properly scout your hunting property.  For the next few days I would like to take some time to go over a few safety procedures that all hunters should follow when preparing for the upcoming firearm season. 

First, remember to practice good gun safety.  We all have a general idea of what gun safety is, but do not always practice it.  For instance, keep the barrel of the gun pointed in a safe direction, and never keep a bullet in the chamber unless you are ready to fire.  Never try to cross a fence with a loaded gun, even if it is on safety.  Accidents can and do happen, but you can take the steps to avoid them.  Lastly, remember to pick your shots carefully.  Never shoot up a hill, or toward another hunter’s stand.  Also be sure to avoid shooting in the direction of any livestock, be it horses, cows, pigs, or sheep. 

On that note make sure your guns are clean and sighted in.  Happy hunting!!