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Adhere to this bow sighting tip
Wrangler® ProGear™ pro Dean Capra reports that bow hunters are correct to be concerned about the accuracy of their bow sights when a new season approaches. "I tell hunters coming into our shop (Capra's Sporting Goods, Blaine, Minn.) they should not be checking their bow sights by shooting at targets 30, 20 or even 10 yards away,” says Capra. “Instead, I tell them to start at five yards. If they're missing at five yards consistently then it's probably the sight, not the shooter. Adjust the sight as necessary and then gradually increase target distances.”
Build a mock scrape
Building a mock deer scrape can improve your chances of taking a trophy whitetail. Mark Kayser, host of TV’s "TruckVault’s Xtreme Hunts" and member of the Wrangler ProGear Outdoor Advisory Team, explains why. "First, a mock scrape can attract bucks into an area where they might not normally visit during daylight hours,” says Kayser. “Second, a mock deer scrape creates a distraction for bucks as they busy themselves investigating the new scent. This gives you time to aim and shoot at a stationary target.”
Use binoculars more effectively
When you scan the woods with your binoculars you'll note that much of what you see is vertical in nature. Conversely, a deer's back is horizontal. That's the essence of scanning the woods more effectively, according to Ron Tussel, host of TV's “Pennsylvania Sportsman” and a member of the Wrangler ProGear Outdoor Advisory Team. When you scout with binoculars, Tussel recommends you break your scans into grids so you can methodically check each grid. Scan up and down and be especially alert for that horizontal line that seems out of place. Then confirm that it is a deer by checking for an eye, an ear, a nose or a tail.
Fertilize your hunting trees
When Woo Daves is not out on the water winning national bass tournaments he is in the woods scouting out prime hunting spots. One of his hunting tricks, believe it or not, is a bag of fertilizer. Daves, who is a member of the Wrangler ProGear Outdoor Advisory Team, says when he finds a good oak tree area to hunt he will spread fertilizer in a 20-foot circle around three or four big trees. This way the roots receive nutrients to help guarantee a supply of big, juicy acorns which, in turn, help bring deer to your hunting area.
Get hunting dogs in shape
When you're working to get in shape for hunting season, don't forget to help your hunting dog get in shape, too. That's the word from Wrangler ProGear Outdoor Advisory Team member Bodie McDowell. McDowell points out what dog owners already know: dogs love to go into fields with their owners. McDowell reports that southern bird hunters have elaborate, electrically powered units that allow their dogs to run in circles while their owner is working. It's not as much fun as the field but it is exercise.
Make your own scent dispensers
There are plenty of scent dispensers on the market but you can make your own for just pennies. Here's how Ron Tussel does it. Tussel, who is on the Wrangler ProGear Outdoor Advisory Team, saturates cotton balls with deer urine or attractant and puts them in an empty 35 mm film canister. He opens the top and places the canister in the tree just above a nearby deer scrape.
Watch ears of does, small bucks
Does and small bucks can help you detect the impending arrival of a buck. This is the how and why from Wrangler ProGear pro Larry Bozka in Texas. "Small deer in your area will detect the approach of a buck long before even the most astute hunter catches on to what is happening,” says Bozka. “Deer almost invariably look directly at any other animal that is flanking or about to enter a field or meadow. Pay particular attention to their ears. When alerted to the presence of another animal, especially bucks, smaller deer often twitch their ears forward.”
Most sportsmen know Woo Daves as a world champion angler but when he's off duty as a professional angler, Daves is a crackerjack hunter and, as a hunter, preparation is his middle name. "One of the biggest mistakes most hunters make is not spending enough time in the woods before the season," says Daves, a member of the Wrangler ProGear Outdoor Advisory Team. "Lots of deer change their paths from season to season depending on timber cutting and availability of food. Even just a few days spent scouting can put you in a prime position to score a trophy buck. If you find a good route you can also do some trimming for better shooting."
Down in the Lone Star state buck hunters have refined the art of antler rattling, according to Larry Bozka of the Wrangler ProGear Outdoor Advisory Team. He reports that since deer antlers dry out with time, some hunters soak antlers in water the night before the hunt to get just the right sound while others apply linseed oil and swear that the sound this produces is more realistic. Many hunters insist you turn the antlers in the same direction before clacking them together. While not all hunters can agree on tips, most come to the same conclusion when it comes to hand protection. You should wear gloves to protect your hands from getting pierced by a sharp antler point.
Time for Planning, by Jack Payne
Now is the time to prepare for the big gobbler we all want this spring. Besides the scouting there are a few things that we can do that we improve our success. Pattern your shotgun and getting your calls in order are easy to do and often forgotten.
There are two ways to pattern your gun. First you can hire someone like Rhino from Florida and they do a wonderful job. You will still need to shoot the gun your self but they will try various rounds of ammo and make a choke just for your gun.
The other option is trying a few chokes on your own and various types of ammo. When I use this second method I round up a few hunting buddies so we can share the cost of he ammo and see different chokes in action.
I like using the targets that splatter when hit because they really show your pattern. I normally start at 30 yards and find a round that shoots a ten inch circle nice and tight. Once done I back off to the forty yard mark.
You will quickly see that each gun is different and each brand of ammo unique. You can either tweak your gun or use the ammo and choke that works best for your gun. Often applying a bit of pressure on the barrel will move the impact location and thus delivering a dead on result. I would suggest doing this if you find a brand of ammo that shoots real tight but is not dead on. Many barrels need a slight adjustment to get the impact spot in line with the sights and barrel.
Once the ammo, barrel and choke are in alignment and performing well it is time to move to your calls. It is amazing how many slate calls and strikers are not cleaned and tuned to perfection.
Primo Calls makes a handy little tool that scuffs up slats calls in about 1-2 minutes. It also cleans the end of a striker in a minute. The change of sound and pitch is distinctive. All of your slate calls should have this done.
Once cleaned try hitting the striker in various locations. You will be surprised how one location will sound sweeter than the rest. Remember this location and remember what position you held the call in your hand. It might be a good idea to mark the outside of the call with a marker so that the call is always in the same spot. I suggest a line facing straight away form you with the sweet spot in your favorite location. I like the sweet spot near the bottom of the call or the center when working it.
Box calls need to be chalked. If they are really in rough shape very lightly sand them. Be very careful not to remove any wood, only the excess chalk. Most box calls have an adjustable cover or striker. Once again each call is unique and by adjusting the screw slightly you can find the best location for your call.
Practice with your calls and become comfortable with each one. It is best to be very good with one slate and box call than average with six of each. Each bird sounds different so you don’t have to be perfect but you should know how to yelp and cut. Drive your spouse nuts and start practicing around the house and be prepared for opening day!
Turkey TIPS
I start my search watching fields and locating fly down zones. Locating at least two or three flocks will allow you many more options.
Some hunters quit hunting after the first hour or hour and a half. If you are not successful early, be patient and listen. If that old gobbler is with some hens, he may start gobbling again later in the morning and you can call him in.
Set up where you have the best chance to be in position for shot. Understand and know where the fence line is, the creek, the deadfalls and any other obstacles that create an imaginary line that will hold a bird up.
Hiding too well in your set up loses many opportunities. If you are hidden to the point that you can’t easily swing your gun for a shot, or can’t see the approaching gobbler, you will miss an opportunity to take a bird.
Learn to use multiple turkey calls. Don’t depend on just one. Each turkey may react differently from one call to another. The same bird may like a different call on any given day.
During the late season hunters should limit their calling. Tom’s get educated fairly quick and if you call a lot they expect you to come to him. One of the birds that I killed took over an hour without so much as a peep to get into range.
The birds can become fairly predictable in their times. Constantly on the move, you might locate a field that’s hit at daybreak and another at mid-morning. The birds will come down from their roost and shortly start their way to the feeding areas. The feeding areas are where the highest concentration of hens will be located.
Locating a tree wider than your shoulders is a big help. It blocks much of your movement. Don’t forget a cushion because nothing is worse than sitting on a wet ground to make you agitated.
When scouting look for tracks on sandy areas. Two-tracks, open fields and dusting bowl areas are all good locations. Take a stick and sweep the ground clear just before dark. Check back a few hours after daylight and continue doing this every few hours.
I love fence rolls and long protruding fingers out of a woodlot. The bird that I shot on the eighth evening was at the intersection of a fence roll, a creek and a woodlot. It provides many edges and excellent vision.
Slate calls can often be used to throw the sound in a particular direction. Try aiming the bottom of your slate call a 180 degrees away from the direction of the tom. Many times the tom will move in closer thinking that his hen is about to move off. Make sure that your slate calls are sanded down. Primo makes a handy tool that roughs up a slate call, sharpens a striker and enhances a box call.
Carrying a snack and a water bottle also will keep you going throughout the day. I either shoot my tom shortly after he comes down from the tree or mid to late morning.
Staying positive is much easier when you are dry and not thirsty. Turkeys leave tracks, droppings, scratching and dusting sign, pay attention each day in the field and remember that the sign was made during daylight hours.
If the birds head in the wrong direction then a tough call must be made. Sometimes it pays to run and cut them off. I tried this on the second morning and got busted by two ducks in the creek. Three of the birds were in range as I slipped in for a good shot. When the ducks flew up the birds took off on a trot. You never know!
Try various calls, maybe start with a box and switch to a slate or a mouth call. Changing strikers can make a difference. Be flexible, start with the call that you have the most faith in and try something different if it fails.
If a tom is with a hen try this trick. Call as aggressive as you can to make the hen mad. If you can get the hen made enough she might come looking for the other hen. If this happens normally a tom will follow. It worked almost to plan for me except a second tom came in and I ended up with the hen 5 yards from me and was unable to get the gun into position.
Carry a shears during the late season to prune foliage and twigs. Remember that often the largest birds are taken during the late portion of the season.
Use a range finder. It works good once you spot a bird and I use mine on targets where I think that a bird might appear. It is helpful in knowing the distances before a bird pops into view. The Nikon Monarch range finder has proven to be an effective tool. I carry it on my scouting trips and can’t wait for turkey and deer season. Once again old age is creeping in and judging distance gets harder.
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