A deer hunting ranch gives hunters an opportunity to gather together and really enjoy hunting on a whole new level. People who deer hunt individually obviously enjoy the entire experience or they wouldn’t go. For some people it’s simply a solitary way to spend time. But a deer hunting ranch allows for a camaraderie and companionship among hunters that no other place can quite match up to.

For some people, going to a deer hunting ranch is the high point of their year. They look forward to gathering with other hunters and talking about the day’s adventures. It’s not just a place for new deer hunters to go and learn the sport. Many people enjoy going for years even if they’re so experienced they don’t need a guide or anyone to help them.

The most important thing about enjoying a hunting ranch is choosing the right one. Some of these places can all almost be considered hunter spas. Full-service ranches take care of everything for hunters like making sure the permits are correct and that the equipment is in good working order. Meals and all the amenities are included in one price, and in many cases even guided hunts are included in the price. Frequent ranch goers often skip the guided hunts and just go to gather where they’re among friends.

Decide whether or not you’re going for the guided hunts to learn about deer hunting or you’re just going for the group dynamic of it all. That will help you determine which hunting ranch might be best for you. Beyond that, you’ll want to make sure that the ranch you choose has a good history of safety. Your local wildlife Department or the state’s department should have such a record because they’re the ones who licensed the ranch.

Be sure the hunting ranch you’re looking into offers everything you want. You may want a full-service ranch with guides, horses and amenities like those you’d find at any hotel. Other people prefer a more “roughing it” kind of experience where the ranch is little more than a base camp to leave for hunts and gather after they’re over. Many people who prefer this type of experience forgo ranches altogether and instead meet up in what’s known as “deer camp.” People come and stay in trailers and tents and enjoy the camaraderie and atmosphere without all the frills.

You may also be able to find a hunting ranch designed for married couples. Very often the man, or sometimes the woman, will go for the hunting and the ranch will have other activities available for the spouse who doesn’t hunt. At the very least, it may have activities nearby for other people to enjoy while the hunters are out enjoying themselves.

When you’re looking for a hunting ranch, shop around and compare prices and remember that price alone may not be an indicator of quality. A high price doesn’t guarantee a great experience any more than a low price guarantees you’re getting a value. Look online at hunting sites and look for other people’s experiences at the ranch to get a really good feel of how much you’re likely to enjoy your experience there.

Photo Credits: gavinrobinson

Originally posted 2010-04-11 03:47:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

One of the smartest tips that you can take with you when going deer hunting is that you should absolutely know where a deer is hit once you’ve shot it before you begin to track it. If you’re wrong about where the deer was hit, you may be in for a not so nice surprise when you stalk after a deer that isn’t injured in the way that you thought it was. What you can do for this is to note the body language of the deer when it is hit in order to help you determine where the deer was hit.

The ultimate hit when it comes to any animal is the hit that puts the animal down right away, as this way you do not have to make any estimations of where the deer was hurt or whether you should track it now or once it’s had some time to calm down. If the deer that you shoot does not drop and die within sight, then you are going to need to make a guess about where the deer was shot so that you can determine what to do next. A deer that is poorly hit can easily run for miles if you push it too hard while tracking it, and you may lose it if you are not careful.

A deer that is shot in the gut will typically arch its back, trotting with stiff legs. In this case, the deer will not last long, but you may need to shoot him a second time because gut shots are not often immediately fatal.

A deer that is hit in the legs will often kick out as if it were a mule. While a deer like this will not be able to run as far or as fast, a deer bent on recovering can give you quite a chase if you are not careful. It might be best to drop back and give him some time to slow or stop before you pursue him.

A deer that is shot in the lung will not always kick out its leg, but it will probably flag up or try to run away before it dies. They do not usually travel very far at all because a lung shot deer is one that will die quickly, so this is a deer that you should not be afraid to pursue immediately.

When a hit deer runs without any bucking or jumping, it will likely run in whatever direction was being faced when you shot it, even if that means running in a counterintuitive direction such as up hill. While this is not always the case, it is a rule of thumb that you can rely on in many situations.

The ideal way to land a deer is to shoot it in the heart, but the heart is small and it is a relatively low target to hit. If you do hit a deer in the heart, it will drop relatively quickly, so tracking is not typically necessary.

Photo Credits: Emery_Way

Originally posted 2009-08-06 05:03:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Mule deer hunts are less well known than things like deer hunts and elk hunts. Mule deer seem less desirable to some people who hunt but they’re a challenging animal to hunt and many people enjoy the meet as much as venison or elk. Mule deer aren’t as plentiful as deer and they’re not as easy to find but that adds to the challenge of mule deer hunts.

Their name is a bit unfortunate because if you’re not familiar with how they look you might picture a mule. And they do look rather like a cross between a mule and a deer, but they are a much more attractive animal then you may be picturing. They have dark, thick fur and they’re fairly small and compact animals. Their ear tips are quite and their tail tips are typically black. Mule deer are also distinctive in the way they move. People who are used to hunting deer know how deer jump and run. Mule deer do something called stotting. Their legs remains stiff and they jump almost like on a powerful spring.

Mule deer hunts are challenging because the animals are also very quiet. A moose call is a popular way people attract moose. There is no such thing for mule deer because they don’t make any such noises. They also have a keen sense of hearing, even more so than their relatives the deer, elk and moose. It’s very difficult to hide from the mule deer. If you thought being quiet when a whitetailed deer approached was difficult, be aware that a mule deer’s hearing is even better than that.

They have an excellent sense of smell and can catch your scent just like a deer, causing them to bolt. You’ll want to follow the same general rules you follow when deer hunting as far as avoiding scented soaps, detergents, colognes and after shaves. You don’t want to smell like a groomed human or they are sure to catch your scent, so be sure to eliminate your scent.

They also have another advantage over other animals in that they are adept at seeing motion. Even if you manage to stay perfectly still, a mule deer that sees the slightest twitch from you can bolt. If you’ve lain in wait and a mule deer has approached, don’t try to make the shot unless it’s clearly concentrating on something else. If it’s just standing there and you make a move no matter how slight to raise your weapon, it will see you. Combine that with their keen sense of hearing, and you can see the challenge of mule deer hunts.

It also may be a change of pace for the deer hunter because you don’t need a tree stand when you’re hunting mule deer. They don’t stay in the cover and around the trees as much as white tailed deer do. They like flatter areas and rockier areas. If you’re not used to hunting in that type of area, then be sure to take someone with you who’s used to hunting mule deer and can help you learn the ropes.

Photo Credits: schmuck-by-nature

Originally posted 2010-04-12 03:57:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

When you’re ready to learn how to duck hunt, the best thing you can do is find someone in your local area who has experience and take them with you. Perhaps a good friend of yours is a duck hunter and can help you learn the basics. If not, you may be able to find a guide through a local hunting association.

Some people learn how to duck hunt simply by reading about it and going out and doing it on their own. This is not the ideal situation because there are pointers and tricks you need to pick up from other people. But whether or not you go alone or with a guide, there are several things you should bear in mind.

As with any hunting, duck hunting requires you to be camouflaged. Choose clothing that will help you blend in with your blind or the surrounding area when you’re lying in wait for ducks. Because you’ll be up in the middle of the night and duck hunting is best when it’s cold, you want plenty of warm clothes that also camouflage you. Beware of exposed skin that can become far more chilled than you realize when you’re concentrating on attracting ducks. Make sure you have your head covered to preserve warmth and extra gloves in case a pair gets wet or damaged.

Waders are another important piece of duck hunt equipment. You can get these in a camouflage print or just go with standard green or brown which blends in well also. If you’re in a warm weather area, you can find lightweight waders to keep yourself from getting too hot. In many areas, being too cold is a concern, in which case you can find insulated waders.

No information on how to duck hunt would be complete without talking about decoys. First of all, it’s important to purchase to the right decoys. Different ducks are attracted to different decoys. This is where a guide or an experienced duck hunter in your area can really come in handy. They can tell you which types of decoys work best in your area and which type work best depending on the exact area you’ll be hunting, whether you’re in a marsh or on the open lake. Decoys can prove to be expensive so you want to purchase the right ones from the beginning and not waste your money on decoys that aren’t going to work for you.

If you’re unsure about which decoys to purchase and can’t seem to find information for your area, go online and look for used decoys. You may be able to find them in places like eBay or in local newspapers. That can help you keep your costs down while you’re trying to figure out which are the best. If the seller is local ask why they’re selling to make sure that they’re not selling the decoys because they purchased the wrong kind, too.

Also, don’t forget that you’ll want to learn how to duck hunt by using a duck call. Learn to mimic the sounds that local ducks make rather than just blowing it as loud as possible. Softer sounds and shorter sounds will attract more ducks and give you a better experience.

Photo Credits: Space Ritual

Originally posted 2010-04-11 09:53:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The duck hunt is something that you must plan for and something that’s very hard to do spontaneously. That’s because there is a certain amount of equipment that you need to do a proper hunt. You can’t just wake up one day and decide you’re going to go duck hunting at night. Of course you need the proper duck hunting license and a permit for your gun. But even if you have those, you still need to do some preparation work before you go on the duck hunt.

Duck hunting gear seems to improve with each passing year. Take, for instance, the type of ammunition used. Duck hunters used to use lead shot. Today it’s common to simply use shotgun shells. While some purists still insist on using the old methods, shells will travel farther at a faster speed. So you can be farther away from the bird and still get the shot.

An important advantage of shell ammunition over lead shot is that there is no lead in the shells. Lead shot would actually leak a small amount of lead into the flesh. When you use shells, you don’t have to worry about eating lead when you enjoy your duck dinner.

When you’re planning for the duck hunt you also want to make sure you have proper camouflage. Unlike the type of camouflage hunters wore 20 or 30 years ago, today’s camouflage hunting outfits are lightweight and moisture absorbing. They’re also waterproof on the outside. This serves a few purposes. Being light weight means that if you need to wear thermal underwear beneath them you won’t feel like you’re wearing 10 layers of clothing. And if it’s warm out, you’ll stay cooler.

The fabrics absorb your sweat and pull it away from you so that you’re more comfortable while the waterproof outside keeps the rain out and keeps your sweat in. Camouflage gear like this is ideal for hunting deer and other mammals because it can help suppress your scent. This is less of a concern with duck hunting but you still want the waterproof camouflage gear to keep you comfortable.

You’ll need decoys for the duck hunt. You can get very expensive decoys that are practically photorealistic or you can get inexpensive decoys. As long as they resemble ducks and float, you should be fine.

Next comes the choice of the hunting boat or a duck blind. Duck boats are designed a little bit differently than other types of boats. They’re very flat and low to the water to give the hunter a low profile and draw less attention. Some people choose duck boats that have been painted in a camouflage manner and have all the amenities aboard like a box for gun storage, a cooler for sandwiches and beverages, and even special places to store duck decoys. Others are very basic and cost considerably less.

If you opted for a blind instead, you can find someone who already has a blind and is willing to rent or loan you time in it or you can simply get some wood and build your own.

Photo Credits: peteSwede

Originally posted 2010-04-10 09:41:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The quail is a truly interesting little board, and it has become popular for many hunters as a game bird. The numbers of quail have dwindled in recent years because their habitats have changed and the number of predators has increased. Quail are continuing to hold on, though, and when they can be found they are quite amusing to watch. Here is a guide to the quail as a game bird.

Terminology

The mail quail is called the cock, and the female quail is called the hen. Baby quail are known as chicks. Quail have both plumes and crests, where crests are feathers growing in a series along the top and the back of the head, and the plume is a small feather growing right out of the top of the male quail’s head.

Description

Quail are capable of varying both in size and in color, but they all generally run between 6 oz and 8 oz in weight. Both the males and females are generally the same size in relation to one another. The males are typically easily identifiable because they have prettier colors than the female and they also have a plume, a single feather that sticks up from the top of their head. The length of a quail can easily reach as long as 11 inches. The average quail has a mottled mix of colors, allowing them to blend in well with their natural surroundings.

Habitat

Quail tend to prefer areas that are brushy, especially areas that have areas of new growth that is relatively low, and where they can find cover as well as food. Many sources call the area that quail call their home early successional, which basically means that they like weedy areas. Quail typically live in different areas at different times, and they generally prefer to nest in areas that are not as thick, choosing areas where the vegetation has been around for a couple of years. Quail are constantly hunting for areas where they can find plenty of insects to feed on, especially areas that have low canopies without a lot of underbrush.

Traits

Quail are relatively social in nature, and they live in groups that are called covies. Quails know that there is safety in numbers, and quails know that they can achieve this safety for the most part by sticking to large groups, which they travel in and live in. When they roost in the evenings, they usually use a close packed circle, and all of the quail face outward which means if a predator comes from any side, they will have a chance of protecting themselves or saving themselves.

Feeding Habits

Quail tend to feed during the morning hours and the evening hours, and during the hours in between they tend to loaf around. They may feed during the day as well, however, depending on the needs of the group. Quail mostly eat seeds as well as insects.

Photo Credits: John-Morgan

Originally posted 2009-08-03 05:57:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Hunting ducks is typically either done in a blind or in the water or next to the bank, or in a boat. Boats for hunting ducks are set up differently than typical fishing boats or pleasure boats. These boats have a flat hull that gives them a very low profile against the water. This makes the boat and you much less noticeable to ducks and passing animals.

But when you’re hunting ducks, the type of boat you use does not determine how many ducks you get. What you do in the boat will make much more of a difference than the boat itself. First of all, you have to learn to be quiet and still. You’ve set your duck decoys and you’re ready and waiting for a shot. If you fidget very much, just the noise of your clothes brushing together may disturb nervous birds and keep them from coming near.

Don’t expect ducks to flock in as soon as you set your decoys. Once you’ve done that, you have to play a waiting game with them and simply be quiet and still is much possible to allow it to happen. If you plan on calling ducks, do it with restraint. Don’t try to out bellow the ducks thinking that the loudest call will attract them more. Try to sound like them with soft, short quacks and sounds. This will attract them much better than an unnatural sounding call.

Boats for hunting ducks do keep you very well camouflaged. Because you want to get flat in the boat, and the best time for hunting ducks is in the cold weather, be sure and bundle up. When you’re on cold water in a boat and lying in the belly of it, you can very quickly get far too cold. Flat bottomed John boats can also be used because of their flat profile and their width which makes them more stable in the water.

These type of boats let you go through high reeds and into places where traditionally shaped boats would scrape the ground. Many avid duck hunters build their own boats for hunting ducks or they do purchase a wide jon boat. Others use a traditional fishing boat to go to the blind where they lay in wait for the ducks rather than in the boat itself. Then they simply use the boat to retrieve the ducks.

Either way, you need to dress warmly and plan to be very patient. Just like the type of football or golf ball a sportsman uses won’t determine how successful he is at the sport, the type of boat or blind you choose will not determine how successful you are at duck hunting. The right kind of boats for hunting ducks can help you lay in wait in the center of the water near the decoys without being as noticeable to the ducks. But ultimately, your calling technique and your patience as well as the trueness of your aim will determine how many ducks you get more than the boat’s shape or size.

Photo Credits: Jo Jakeman

Originally posted 2010-04-05 03:50:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

For many hunters, bowhunting white tailed deer is the best hunting experience. Getting the right compound bow, the right gear and then finding the right spot from which to hunt is all part of the fun of going after the trophy deer. Don’t overlook the kinds of arrows you choose, however. The arrow has a lot to do with whether or not you simply wound a deer or you bring home a kill and get to enjoy venison for a while.

You’ll need to decide two very important things about the arrows you use for bowhunting whitetail deer. The weight of the arrows is important as is the stiffness of the arrow shaft. You want to keep in mind the pull weight on your bow and the power that it has too. If you use bow with a lot of power and you regularly shoot very light arrows, you can actually damage the mechanism of the bow. Because of the arrow is so light it can’t absorb as much of the shock when the bow releases it, that shock ends up on the pulleys of the bow and can actually damage them over time.

You’ll need to calculate your bow’s draw weight and figure out the best weight arrow from there. Arrows are measured in grains and so you’ll want to calculate six grains for each pound of pull on your bow. If you prefer hunting with lighter arrows you can go as low as five grains for each pound of pull on your bow. But going less than that is almost sure to damage your bow over time. To follow the guidelines, a 50-pound bow would need a 300-grain arrow, taking 50×6 grains.

The stiffness of the arrow shaft is important to keep your bow in top shape also. You have to judge the weight of your bow and the way you hold and release arrows. Finger released arrows have to follow different guidelines than mechanical release arrows. If you release arrows with your fingers you need a very flexible shaft because the arrow will want to bend and flex more as it leaves the string. Mechanical release bows can handle stiffer arrows because of the way they release them. When you’re bowhunting whitetail deer, you want to calculate this carefully and get the right weight and stiffness so that the arrow flies where you want it to with the power that you need.

To get the right arrows for bowhunting whitetail deer you’ll also need to consider the point weight you’ll be hunting with. This is more important if you use a finger released method rather than a mechanical release. Practice with the arrows and weights that you’ll be using to deer hunt at about 20 to 25 yards from your target to get a feel for how the arrow leaves the bow and travels at that distance. For bowhunting whitetail deer, stick with medium weight or heavy weight arrows because of the way they move through the air and make less noise in doing so.

Photo Credits: fishpickdiver

Originally posted 2010-04-04 03:24:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

A tree hunt is something that most deer hunters look forward to. Many happy hours can be spent looking at stands and deciding which one to purchase. The tree stand is a great place to hunt from because it conceals your location even more than if you were on the ground in camouflage. It minimizes the chance of the deer catching your scent, seeing you or hearing you.

Planning a tree hunt takes a little bit of time in the beginning. You have to prepare the tree with your stand and steps to make it safer. First of all, you have to consider how you’re going to get your weapon into the stand. Install a step with a pulley so that you can haul the weapon up to the stand before you climb.

Something you do not want to do is to climb your tree while holding the weapon. Even if your stand is a high and you’re very agile, that’s asking for an accident to happen. Holding your gun as you climb is simply reckless behavior. You need to make plans to get your weapon into the stand without having to do that and putting yourself in a position where you could accidentally fire the gun while climbing.

You also want to keep an eye on the weather. You don’t want to be in a tree stand if the weather drops incredibly cold or if a storm comes in. You are more exposed to the cold air and elements while in a tree stand than while on the ground. And if a fast storm whips up while you’re in a tree stand, especially if there is very much wind, it can be very dangerous.

Where you’ll put your tree hunt stand is important as well. You want to put it in an area where it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb on the side of the tree. But it also needs to be in a place where nothing is going to be hanging between you and your line of sight. You want to choose an area where there’s cover but not so much cover that it interferes. This is where an experienced deer hunter can help you. Get advice from someone you know who regularly uses a tree hunt stand about where to put it on how to set it up and it will make the whole process much easier for you.

Choosing an area with lots of cover doesn’t just help you camouflage yourself but it means they’re more likely is deer that will frequent the area. Look for deer tracks when you’re deciding where put your tree hunt stand and that will help. You may also want to look around for tracks and find a few spots to put tree stands out. If you only have one tree hunt stand prepared and the wind happens to be blowing from behind you, it’s going to be hard to get a deer with your scent blowing toward them. Having more than one stand set up will help prevent that.

Photo Credits: laffy4k

Originally posted 2010-04-08 09:48:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Hunting in duck blinds is vastly different than duck hunting in a boat. You’ll also have to take a boat to your blind, but the first step is finding a blind where you can hunt. Some people have a blind set up ahead and allow people to use it or they rent the use of it. But many duck hunting enthusiasts feel much better building their own duck blinds.

Sometimes a group of people will get together and build a duck blind and then share it. If you’re not familiar with the process of building a duck blind or you’re new to duck hunting, this will probably be the way for you to go. That way you have sort of a guide along the process. Maybe you can help someone build a duck blind which will help you learn how to do it.

If you want to build one on your own, start with some treated pieces of lumber 2×6, 4×4, and 2×4. You also need some galvanized screws and a piece of plywood, 5/8-inch is big enough, to place over your subfloor so you’ll have a flat surface. Use 2×6 planks to build the base of the floor with joists no more than 16 inches apart. Then take your plywood and make sure you have holes cut for the 4×4 posts in each corner, then screw it to your floor base.

You want your 4×4 posts to be different lengths in the front and back. The back will be much higher and probably around 50″ to 53″ tall. The roof will slope down toward the front where you want the post to be only around 48″ tall. Be sure that you cut the posts in the back at an angle so that the roof slopes forward. Use the 2×4 pieces to frame out the blind starting with the top of the front post to a back post and work from there. Continue around until you have level 2×4 posts around the outside with one side open to enter the blind.

Once you’ve built a few duck blinds the process is easier and faster. Once they’re built, you paint them with flat paint that’s dark and blends into the surrounding area like brown or dark green. Many people then use things like camouflage tarps or netting and even actual branches and natural greenery from the surrounding area to make it blend in even more.

Just be sure that you leave yourself a space to see out of so you can watch for ducks. You’ll also want to make sure that the opening in the front of your duck blinds is big enough for you to easily point the gun out without any sort of netting or shrubbery hanging down to get in your way. You want to be able to get a clear shot without jostling anything on the outside of the duck blinds and drawing the ducks’ attention. That can make them scatter and ruin your day’s hunting trip.

Photo Credits: finchlake2000

Originally posted 2010-04-05 09:54:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter