The UGLY of My KS Hunt - 2012

I consider myself realistic. That said, I wish I could also say all was great, perfect, and just peachy about my hunt before, during, and after. Read the following to catch up with my story, with the bloggers and tweeps that helped propel my story and passion. To them, I am so greatful!

@SoleAdventure: The story of Alex Tagle's (HuntingFreakz) giant KS buck is up on @WiredToHunt. You don't want to miss this one!... http://t.co/CT1AQCfk

@DeerPassion: "So, so, so proud of this guy and his hunt!! Read the story hereht"tp://t.co/1XJ6cOrF …
@HuntingFreakz "Pfftt.. It was your patience, your perseverance, and your knowledge.. and you rocked it. Is he gonna be a wall hanger?" "Love it! It's a great story and an awesome deer! You inspire me to keep getting out there.. despite the frustration sometimes"

NOW THE UGLY.

I won’t spend too much time on these two. Ugly 1: I was asked by a co-worker, what high fenced ranch I went to. I laughed because I thought he was joking…, HE WASN’T. He wanted to know how much the deer had cost me. Really? Ugly 2: I showed pictures of my buck to some fellow public land hunters, and they all had someone else they knew someone who'd killed a bigger buck. Really?

Ugly 3 (and the ugliest): In my story, I mentioned I was complimented by other hunters. There was a father and son team, and I nearly allowed them to steal my thunder. They congratulated me, and without my permission, the father at some point scored my buck. He downplayed the size of the brute I had just killed.., by 40 inches. Keep in mind, I did not give much importance on “score” or the size of the rack in my story. I STILL DON’T. The buck is a trophy TO ME in so many other categories. His actions felt invasive. Adding to the ugly, the day after I tagged out, they announced they were leaving because they were not seeing much activity. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? They were reporting more activity, “pushing”, bedding near them, etc. I nearly allowed myself to feel guilty for having killed such a buck, but I was better than that. The son, very young, was the driving force behind the, IMO, naive father’s feelings. The father disclosed the young man was very intelligent, well versed, and educated on hunting, via internet “hunting stuff”, TV hunting shows, etc.

A-ha!!

Are celebrities who choose to stage hunts to sell product to blame? Are TV and internet “Hunting Professionals” at fault for setting unrealistic expectations (there is a show I REFUSE to watch, showed an arrogant hunter in Iowa passing up 170” & 180” class bucks, because “that’s not what he was after” – he killed a bigger buck, never broke a sweat)? OR is it the RESPONSIBILITY of the hunting teacher, role model, mentor, father/mother, etc. to prepare future and/or beginner hunters? I’ll let you answer the questions. I can tell you this, I always told my older children, “Spiderman is not REAL, and it’s just a movie. Those are stunts, and it’s staged by trained people”…..

The young man came to KILL A BIG KANSAS BUCK! They spoke with “friends” that were in another fully-guided-more-expen$ive-food-plot-stands-placed-for-you deer camp and got great reports of deer activity (note: I am not against those kinds of camps – to each his/her own, it’s their business and it’s a business). Did I mention this was a DIY (do it yourself) hunt. No food plots, no baiting, no stands placed for you, no lanes cut for you, no dropping you off near your stand, no telling you what deer you have to pass or shoot, no trophy fees, just a small access fee to the leased farms, lodging, maps, at a ridiculous low cost! Forget the cost, IT’S HUNTING. Let me repeat it one more time…., IT’S HUNTING!!!! As I am writing this, my blood is boiling. I get so upset with hunters that have “experience”, have killed deer, go out of their domain to other states and expect to kill deer, expect the same deer numbers, expect the same deer behavior, EXPECT, EXPECT, EXPECT!

Besides the unrealistic expectations, let me share other facts, NOT judgement. The father-son team were waking up at 5:30 - I was on my stand (40 minute one way drive included) by 6 a.m. I used scent-free soaps, deodorant, and sprays - they used Suave and Old English products. I was getting off to be strategic and eat a quick sandwich late morning – they were at the lodge by 10 a.m. (when I was quartering my buck, my jaw dropped when I saw them back at 9:15 a.m.!) I hunted a total of three different spots, one farm – they hunted on three different farms, moving stands constantly within those farms. The father accused Dave, Abilene Outdoor Adventures of misleading them. The son told me Dave was a good salesman. Never did they make themselves accountable for their actions!

Months ago, on my YouTube channel, I wrote: “My hunting philosophy: If you WANT to kill something, don't hunt - if you want to hunt, welcome to my world.” Does it make sense?

On an old blog, I quoted: “‘We are losing a young generation to apathy and twisted values of entitlement’. I don't want to be part of that sick bandwagon nor my son a victim!”

IMO, this father really needed to take his son to a fully guided hunt, maybe even a high fenced, 100% success guarantee hunt. God bless, and kid…, welcome to hunting!

- "Don't Quit!", just saying.

RUDY'S HUNT VID & HIS #PUBLICLANDPAINS

Amigos, you may end up seeing more vlogs/vids of “failures” of attempts to have a hunt resulting in a kill, and containing what most would not share. IMO, I’m already successful being afield, enjoying the outdoors!! I have been using a hash tag I created, #PUBLICLANDPAINS, because it depicts some of the woes, challenges, adversities, and “hunt killers” (NO pun intended) we experience as public land hunters. If you’ve read some of my past blogs, I have referenced Public Land hunting multiple times. If you have seen some of my past “vlogs”/hunt vids, you have seen some funny, BUT frustrating #PUBLICLANDPAINS I’m talking about. Past comments on what I write and/or talk about have been very positive on Twitter – some with funnies, some angry on my behalf.

“I will never complain again of the challenges I face on our leases and private grounds…” “Man, I would watch of show like this – of all the things that happen to you on public lands…” “Alex, you have a great attitude after all the b@!!$#:+ you go through…” are some of those comments. Thank goodness I have not filmed the Horse backriders, trappers, bird & waterfoul hunters, trail walkers, drunky monkies, illegal four-wheeling, and let me not forget, anti’s I’ve dealt with!! hahaha  God Bless the Outdoors!

Check out the following vid, where you will see HFA member, Rudy, going after his first whitetail with a bow. Check his encounters - no kill, but hey, his no pro, cameraman is no pro, they are HuntingFreakz! After all, if you want to see a kill or pro's, you are in the wrong place! This is a place for average ppl like Rudy and yours truly. With that said – GREAT JOB , Rudy S., and what a pleasure it was to enjoy the outdoors on your hunt! Keep your eyes open as you watch the vid, because I post a few tips learned the hard way. Rudy also experienced one #PUBLICLANDPAINS issue: He did run into a bird hunter, but unfortunately, the “camera man” didn’t have the camera on “ON”. I had to let his hunt be as it was meant to be – REAL & NATURAL! I just had a camera with me.  Enjoy!!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH RUDY’S HUNT

Another Public Land "ENCOUNTER"

Put together this quick short vid for your entertainment of what really happens to ME. Public land hunting is tough, but I'd like to share what is not usually shared nor what is very popular...., because no kills are recorded. These are events that would be usually get cut on a hunting show. NOT ME. Armed with a small camera, amateur filming skills, BUT WITH TONS OF PASSION - I want to tell my stories. I edit my hunts with my real expensive program - my free "windows movie maker", bwahahahaha!!!

Enjoy the following clip of another encounter I had. I was 40 yards from having an opportunity for some backstraps. The doe was at 70 yards, and I will shut up so you may see this vid of some #PUBLICLANDSPAINS! Enjoy!

Another Public Land "ENCOUNTER". This one happened on my second hunt following the one below. CLICK HERE TO WATCH



And IN CASE U MISSED IT - MY FIRST "encounter" (CLICK HERE)

MY 2012 Bowhunting Opening Weekend

Well, season is here. MO bowhunters, if like me, probably did not get much sleep. All the tips, all the advice, training, fine tuning equipment – down to scouting, preparation of hunting spots ready to be tested. Oh, how about food plots, application for tags and /or managed hunts? Did I forget to mention work and family “brownie” points’ grueling process? Haha. Food plots and managed hunts don’t apply to me because once again, I failed to secure hunting land, don’t own hunting paradise, and did not get drawn for an exclusive managed hunt. However – the adventure has begun and dared not to stop for me…, let the show begin - “ lights, camera, action!”

We have lots of catching up to do with the likes of fellow tweep and blogger – Rob Freyer, @BigBuckPW (click here to read his blog). He has set a high standard for all, particularly his success stemming from hard work and passion in pursuing the ever-so-mystical whitetail.

PUBLIC LAND PAINS

Opening weekend for me was not as expected. I’d planned to film a fellow tweep and good friend on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, he got called to work. That left me with little time to prepare my own gear, buy my tags, and choose where I was going to hunt.

DAY 1: I chose an area I know doesn’t get too crowded, and quite frankly, I’d be tickled pink if I, at minimum, got to see a deer. I arrived, went thru my scent ritual, set-up quietly, etc. Awesome morning, perfect wind. Saw a couple of does, fawns, and a small buck, but too early for camera. Nevertheless, a phenomenal morning. At what I consider “prime time”, the action took a turn:

I heard some twigs break, leaves rustling - the sound that makes experienced hunters’ heart skip a beat. Bow in hand, I positioned the camera to capture the shot I was going to put on “it”. Then, with my release on the loop, ready to draw – “it” STARTS WHISTLING! Whistling, I tell you. “It” was another hunter I know had to have walked a significant distance, loud, and carelessly – HUNT OVER! He stood on top of a levy, private side, whistling, and getting “tore up” by mosquitos. I recorded him on and off for what seemed 15 minutes. When I had enough, laughed a bit, and scared the shit out of him. I yelled at him that he was officially trespassing; he apologized and went his way. I wished I’d recorded that, too.

All was good. After all, I got to see wildlife and was, at one point, ready to draw my bow. I later shared the story with social media friends, and this is some of the stuff that made me laugh so much: Rudy “b” said – “Alex, you must have spent $10 on scent spray, walked in without shoes, and probably even camo painted your face as serious as you are”. He did have the camo part right. Another funny (and my favorite) was from @k_ruck83. She wrote – “did u tell him to shut up? Lol. He must never hunt. Tell him when Andy Griffith walked thru the woods whistling, THEY WERE GOING FISHING!!!” My response – LMAO!

(TO SEE A CLIP OF THE “HUNTER”, CLICK HERE)

Fun, ups & downs, excitement, laughter, sunrise & sunset, in touch with myself and nature – can’t ask for more. A kill would’ve been a bonus. (ON A SAD NOTE: I took a scouting trip to IL and found a dead buck. Respectable in size, disappointing in the way his life ended – possibly EHD or "blue tongue".

Day 2: Well, the hunter I was to film wanted to meet at 3:30. I said 4:00. He said deal. I arrived at 3:45 a.m., texted him at 3:50 a.m., called him at 4:04 a.m., I went back home at 4:50 a.m. I lost a hunt, or better yet, I lost an opportunity to wake up with my family. All along, he meant P.M., oops, a slight misunderstanding.

A lost hunting opportunity was not lost in vain - I spent an awesome day with my son Marko (favorite time, by the way). Ate a fantastic breakfast with the family, and even heard good news from my friends in Kansas that big bucks are being spotted.

Last but not least, how can I forget what day it was: 16 de Septiembre, or Mexican Independence Day. Can’t deny English is my second language, and that the beautiful USA welcomed this country boy from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, MX. Good thing is, white, black, and brown, even some Asian were partying and paying their respects to the celebration. Look at it this way, ANOTHER REASON for the melting pot TO PARTY, lol!

The season has just commenced. Illinois is next, then off to Kansas, then back to IL. Happy and safe hunting to all, and may your adventures become lifetime memories. God bless!

Everyday Wildlife Encounters Remind Us How Far We've Come | Missouri Department of Conservation

Everyday Wildlife Encounters Remind Us How Far We've Come | Missouri Department of Conservation

SECOND REVIEW: NAP's KILLZONE broadhead

FIRST AND FOREMOST: I AM A BOTTOMLINE BELIEVER IN SHOT PLACEMENT! A SHOT WELL PLACED IN THE KILLZONE (no pun intended) with ANY BROADHEAD WILL KILL ITS TARGET! WE ALL KNOW NOT ALL SHOTS ARE PERFECT AND NOT ALL BROADHEADS PROVIDE A QUALITY BLOOD TRAIL FOR THAT IMPERFECT SHOT.

I’ve been searching for a mechanical broadhead that gives me confidence when I walk afield: larger cutting diameter, great performance, and reliability. I’ve tried ONE, before! It made me sick how much I had to “baby sit” it. Pre-deployment, dry rot o-rings/band failure, hard to replace blades, NOISY while in quiver…, ugh! Did I kill game with it? Yes, but I may have killed more!

I currently shoot a fixed blade broadhead -no moving parts, less chances for failure. With a fixed blade broadhead, the only way I will fail, IMO, is due to shooter error and lack of woodsmanship and archery skills (bow tuning, broadhead alignment, fletching, etc.) This is not a post to “educate” you on broadhead selection or tips on tuning your bow, but to give a humble opinion.

The following is my SECOND IMPRESSION on NAP’s KILLZONE broadhead – and to be honest, there will be no THIRD REVIEW – NOT ON A LIVE ANIMAL:

My “FIRST IMPRESSIONS” on KILLZONE broadhead were great. I will spare repeating myself, but quick recap: I was impressed with their options on tips – chisel OR cut-on-contact. Their potential 2” cutting diameter is enough to impress anyone. Now the other “stuff”…….

I wrote about how impressed I was with how quiet they are, no o-rings or rubber-bands. Well here is the result from me shooting the broadhead on a new Block Target. DISAPPOINTED! The broadheads out of the pack flew true with any shaft I used. The reason they ARE SO QUIET, DON’T NEED O-RINGS OR RUBBER-BANDS, AND DON’T PRE-DEPLOY EASILY? – the broadheads' blade retention/locking mechanism is too tight. Too tight for comfort. On their video, they say it leaves a special mark to show they indeed deployed. The video was very specific. Not one broadhead had “that” mark after I shot them multiple times. In addition, the 2” cutting diameter shown on the same video was not present after 12 well placed shots on my target. The actual cutting diameter going in was ½” up to 1 at best. Will it kill a deer if shot is well placed? YES IT WILL! But that’s not the point here. It did not perform as advertised – that’s the point. I will not take these broadheads to the field and test on a live animal!
The NAP’s KILLZONE left much to be desired. I hope they improve on the blade retention/locking mechanism to where it isn’t TOO tight. Mechanical, equals moving parts, equal increased chance for “murphy’s law” to play a role!! In the meantime, I will stick with my ole trusted and proven fixed broadheads. Mark, from SoleAdventure.com, did a test on the Solid Broadhead. Fixed, flew true, and performed as advertised. Sorry mechanical broadheads, IMO, because it’s 10% shooting and 90% mental, I can’t be uncomfortable, unsure, low on confidence, and worried about my broadheads when I am afield.

HuntingFreakzAdventures.com is not affiliated with NAP. This is an independent opinion/review.

2012 MO TWEEP SHOOT Results

The 2012 "MO Tweep Shoot was a success!! We had 10 shooters attend, seven of them from social media Twitter: @SoleAdventure (Mark), @Viper_Venom89 (Rudy), @slsgdad (Joe), @stlsprtshntr (Justin), @speedyarrow73 (Bryan), @bobbyjrhester (Bob) and yours truly - @HuntingFreakz (Alex). @gjonsey (Gregg) honored us with his presence and could not shoot due to work commitments. Guests included: Al LaChance, Donnie Roam, and Northside Archery Club member, Gary Vogel.

(note: to view pictures of winners, visit www.huntingfreakzadventures.com from a computer for best results)

BRAGGING RIGHTS CHAMP award goes to @SoleAdventure!! He scored an impressive 502 with over 20 x's to his credit. He started off a little slow, but didn't take him long to turn it up. Congratulations, Mark!

First Kill of the year goes to Gary Vogel. He shot a beautiful Pronghorn buck in Wyoming that green scored over 74”, easily making it possible for a Pope & Young entry. Congatulations, Gary! Now the pressure is on the rest of the gang to score on some big brown critters!

Door Prize Winners were: @slsgdad: Moultrie decal, cap, & Vapor Trail’s cable & string combo. @Viper_Venom: Moultrie decal, cap, & a Silent Retriever. @stlsprtshntr: Moultrie decal, cap, & a Silent Retriever. @speedyarrow73: Moultrie decal, cap, & the Ultimate Deer Hanger. @bobbyjrhester: Moultrie decal, cap, & Ozark Custom Calls shirt. Alan Lachance: Moultrie decal, cap, & pack of Super Sonic Broadheads. @SoleAdventure: man this tweep had a field day (no pun intended) won a Moultrie decal, cap & a Silent Retriever. (I should have pulled out his name, hahaha)

What a blast. Weather was favorable. We all gathered to shoot the breeze, talk some hunting, archery, and even got a change to make a few announcements of fellow tweep Mark and his involvement with @huntography. I had the pleasure to learn about a possible new ARCHERY SHOP coming near us soon. The shoot could not take place without the famous TRASH TALK, of course. Don’t forget the “sun was in my eye” excuse. Some targets did claim the lives of a few arrow shafts that refused to fly straight (pun intended). Hoyt shooters got a lot of grieve, now I understand why, LOL! Just kidding JOE and Al . We had a Diamond, Elite, Hoyt, BowTech, RedHead, Mathews, and my favorite, G5’s Quest Primal bows making a presence. Believe it or not, Will’s (@TheWillToHunt) name came up a few times.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Bob Brumback of Northside Archery Club. He took some time from his Saturday to help with the shoot. All the funds he collected will be put to good use on the park’s archery range. The range is maintained by the club, for club’s use AND the community. Also want to thank Steve Peacock for volunteering his time to take some pictures to share with (southern way) y’all. Last but not least, “Friends of the Shoot”. Go to my website and CLICK on their link and pay them a visit. They truly are supporters of events for average people that share the passion for the outdoors.

Overall, everyone at the shoot was a winner and that’s what made this event a success. Met new people, put names on faces, and started another network of friendships. Social media is powerful, but we make it powerful. I truly am blessed to have been able to be a part of this, to have been able to see fellowship and laughter, and realize that, yes, as common folks that we are, we sure are special.

God Bless and hope more states, more tweeps and friends pick up on this idea. I’m already brainstorming for next year. There will be some improvements, more prizes, and hopefully more participants. Oh, yeah, I’m making it my goal to dethrone Mark.

Alex - HuntingFreakzAdventures

PART II: "Bow Gear DISASTER PREVENTION" - PEEP SIGHT

HOW TO AVOID PEEP SIGHT DISASTER - Murphy’s Law blog follow-up! I WILL OPEN UP THIS BLOG BY QUOTING MIKE STANDLUND, AGAIN:

“Few things in this world seem as susceptible to Murphy’s Law as bowhunting…If something can go wrong in bowhunting, it will.
With the combination of many components, complicated gizmos, the importance of details and the need for near perfection, if something in bowhunting can go wrong, it will. If you’ve bowhunted very long, you’ve likely had an opportunity spoiled by some type of equipment failure.
What’s the best way to avoid it? Anticipation and prevention. If you take a look at your full array of gear, consider the weak links, anticipate the problems that might occur and how they might be prevented in the first place and quickly fixed in the second, you will prevail. The best way to do this exercise is by isolating components and problems. Here are some examples:
1. Peep Tubes: some of you already know why this item is the first on the list. Peep tubes are the fastest-deteriorating component on your bow and more prone to failure. You can avoid this problem by using a tubeless sighting system, or checking your tube frequently, replacing it and keeping a spare. Tip: make sure the replacement is exactly the same as the original, or it can change the arrow’s point of impact".....

NOW HUNTING FREAKZ IMPUT, TIP, AND ADVISE ON THE PEEP SUBJECT, BECAUSE TUBLESS OR NOT, FAILURE IS PREVENTABLE. READ ON:

A tweep friend and I got together on a Saturday, just recently, to meet and shoot our bows. We had a fantastic time, even though we shot in the rain (goes to show how dedicated we are about our passion). It was also a great time for me to sight in my bow with the new arrows I had. He, on the other hand, thought he was sighted in – NOT! We both noticed how inconsistent he was on his groupings. His form was superb. His consistent anchor points, according to him, hadn’t changed –he’d just shot a few days before and was nailing his targets. We inspected his bow to determine what possibly could have been going on, and everything seemed normal. Coincidently, later that same day, at a 900 round shoot, a veteran shooter found himself in a similar situation – inconsistent groups. His frustration was evident. Too, everything appeared to be normal on his set-up.

What went wrong with both bow shooters? You see, their peep sights were tied in such a way, that if bumped just right, shot so many times, the peeps were loose enough to move up or down in a bow phenomenon called creeping. Both archers in their sport, respectively, realized their peep had moved. I was floored as to how easy it was able to be moved up or down. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way years ago when one day I was shooting tight groups on my first few shots, and after a few rounds – I was way off! My peep had crept up on me. I took action!
The following doesn’t require “L” wrenches, but does require special attention via a little extra serving around your peep sight. Many archers serve ONLY above and below the peep, which, the larger the peep, the greater chances for it to move. I don’t have the scientific terms for this, that what I called it a phenomena.

SOLUTION: Go above and beyond to secure your peep sight or it could spell a bad tournament performance, or better yet, a MISSED SHOT at a dream whitetail! Have your outfitter or professional archery shop start on the top (or vice versa) and continue with the same serving string to the opposite site, not before wrapping though AND around your peep a few times. Now you have a true continuous serving working in such a way that it will reduce the chances of any creeping/inadvertent moving. This will not add the kind of weight that will destroy your speed or kinetic energy. Today’s bows are so fast; it behooves us to take this added measure/precaution. (PICTURES BELOW)

I shared this bit of a tip with both archers and they were impressed. After our shoots, they both went straight to work and solving their silent, but impactful problem. Good for them.
(GOLD NUGGET ADVISE!! Since I am writing on this subject, PLEASE try this exercise to determine your peep alignment, if you have not already. The following may take a few tries: CLOSE YOUR EYES and follow your draw cycle as you normally would. Feel your stance, feel your nock points- very important. After you have done all that, open your eyes. Taking into consideration you are shooting according to your dominant eye, you need to make sure that your “20” yard pin is centered without having to make un-natural adjustments like lowering your head, adjusting your release hand, etc. When you feel like you’ve found “the spot”, take a break and repeat the drill, IMO at least three more time. Then you WILL be certain your peep is where it needs to be. Finally, follow it up with SECURING your peep sight properly!)

"Tweep Bowhunter Shoot"

HuntingFreakz and Northside Archery Club are hosting a just-for-fun bowhunter archery shoot! Our goal is to have an opportunity for social media friends (Twitter AND FB) to meet, greet, and share our passion. It will even be a great time to share and/or learn new tips, and of course - show off your skills Invite your friends. CONTACT me if you plan to attend. Hoyt shooters, u may participate, too, LOL! j/k ;)

WHEN: Saturday, August 25, 2012
WHERE: CREVE COEUR PARK, 2143 Creve Coeur Mill Rd.
Saint Lous, Mo 63146 (Maryland Heights area)
TIME: Shoot begins at 9 a.m.
(registration between 8-9 a.m.)
COST: A stunning $3.00
(helps cover target cost & maintenance)
FOR FUN!: NO OFFICIAL scoring although we will follow a similar format. 14 target, 4 arrows per target, 2 rounds. We will take a break between rounds. Adjustable hunting sights ok (remember, it's not an official tourney, only for fellowship and fun). Distances are from a few steps, up to 80 yards. C-ya there! Contact me at alex@huntingfreakz.com or visit www.huntingfreakzadventures.com

NAP's "KILLZONE" BROADHEAD: First Impression (IMO)

FIRST AND FOREMOST: I AM A BOTTOMLINE BELIEVER IN SHOT PLACEMENT! A SHOT WELL PLACED IN THE KILLZONE (no pun intended) with ANY BROADHEAD WILL KILL ITS TARGET! WE ALL KNOW NOT ALL SHOTS ARE PERFECT AND NOT ALL BROADHEADS PROVIDE A QUALITY BLOOD TRAIL FOR THAT IMPERFECT SHOT.

I’ve been searching for a mechanical broadhead that gives me confidence when I walk afield: larger cutting diameter, great performance, and reliability. I’ve tried ONE, before! It made me sick how much I had to “baby sit” it. Pre-deployment, dry rot o-rings/band failure, hard to replace blades, NOISY while in quiver…, ugh! Did I kill game with it? Yes, but I could have killed more!

I currently shoot a fixed blade broadhead -no moving parts, less chances for failure. With a fixed blade bh, the only way I will fail, IMO, is due to shooter error and lack of woodsmanship and archery skills (bow tuning, broadhead alignment, fletching, etc.) This is not a post to “educate” you on broadhead selection or tips on tuning your bow, but to give a humble opinion. So here I go with my “FIRST IMPRESSION” on NAP’s KILLZONE broadhead:

1. Tips: I was pleased the KILLZONE gave me options in that department. I chose the chisel tip over the cut-on-contact, because I want it to crush though a bone in case of an imperfect shot to the near shoulder, for example. This happened with its competitor - the tip bent preventing it from potentially reaching vitals.
2. Noise: IT’S QUIET! This bh remains so even when shaking it vigorously. I tested the broadhead inserted to an arrow shaft, swung the shaft hitting my fingers and palm of my hand – never made unwanted noise! The other bh I used prior, same test, rattled and made too much noise.
3. Feel: I am not a scientist, but just touching the blades, I felt the difference in sturdiness. They did not feel fragile!
4. No o-rings, No rubber bands!: With its locking mechanism, no noise & no blade pre-deployment.
5. Cutting diameter capability: Are you kidding? Like its competitor’s, a 2 inch cutting diameter is HUGE! Blood trail – are you kidding me? The only way to miss the blood trail is if you are color blind. NOTE: A debate I had in the past – THIS IS NOT A “LICENSE” TO TAKE BAD/LOW PERCENTAGE SHOTS!!! A reader on another site misunderstood (and eventually he saw my point and gave in, lol). A larger cutting diameter may turn that marginal shot into a better shot. Maybe it reaches that artery the 1-1 ¼” could not. It will open the wound more as to prevent coagulation, thus loss of blood trail.
6. Weight: I shoot 100 gr, so I’m am fine, but I’d like to see 85 gr or 125 gr options for others.

I have not shot this broadhead…., YET. I want to be clear, I do not know how it performs when shot. My next review will be on its flight and impact on practice targets. Let’s see where it takes us.

Visit: http://newarchery.com/products/1-67/broadheads/killzone.html
HuntingFreakzAdventures.com is not affiliated with NAP. This is an independent opinion/review.

One-Shot Exercise

Well, fellow bowhunters and huntresses, season is approaching upon us. Are you ready for the moment of truth - to make the first shot count?

Personally, early season is my favorite time to hunt, second to pre-rut and late season. The rut is phenomenal, and is when most deer take a dirt nap, but very unpredictable. IMO, when it comes to predictability, there's most certainly a rush when it comes to hunting whitetails, especially in public land. To predict deer movement, I must depend on my woodsmanship via scouting, understanding food source, stand placement, scent control etc., not just luck - hoping I'm in the right spot, at the right time.

I say the above to say this: I've prepared all off-season by participating in my archery clubs. Besides staying in "bowhunting" condition (back muscles/tension, breathing, muscle memory, etc.), I've really worked on my mental aspect by putting myself in the presence of pressure shots. That means shooting in front many eyes watching, shooting next to archery experts in tournaments, you get the point. I was able to block out the surroundings as to allow me to focus on shot placement and follow through. Yes, I am talking about reducing the "buck fever" phenomena!

Now that I've got that somewhat in control, lol, I love to follow and strongly recommend what whitetail and archery expert, RANDY ULMER, talked about a few years back to get prepared for THE shot: for five days, after work (or what not), shoot one arrow ONLY! This has a few intentions:

1. It prevents you from making unconscious adjustments on your second, third, plus shots - instead of making "REAL" adjustments. Meaning, you don't adjust your anchor point, your grip, bow arm. You don't "stretch" or lower your head to see better through your peep. You don't hold "just a little" to the right or left, up or down. Assuming (I hate that :/) that you have stayed in bowhunting condition, your adjustment will be on your pin - "follow the arrow". If you shoot left of the target, move your pin to the left. If you shoot high, move your pin up, and so on and so forth.
2. It allows to deepen your connection with your bow and its feel before and after the shot. You'll pay more attention to sound, slight rattles, etc. It will help notice the condition of our strings, rest, etc. more in depth.
3. It mocks an actual and more realistic situation -a one shot opportunity! It's rare you get a second chance shot at a deer when bowhunting. I've had them, I won't deny it, but they are rare. So you have to make that first shot count!

Don't forget to practice the way you are going to play (like my football coach used to say)- in this case, hunt. You may do this one shot exercise from your blind, tree stand, or a combination of. Remember, it is very tempting to shoot multiple arrows, but at the end of the day, this is just a suggestion. Whatever ups YOUR game, good luck, be safe, and God Bless!

"Bow Gear DISASTER PREVENTION", by Mike Strandlund

A note from Hunting Freakz: Last year, second week into the IL season, I’d been seeing a couple of bucks come out from their staging area. Wind right, I decided to move in, set up my stand and hope for their continued routine. Finally, with an hour left of legal shooting light, out they came. The more dominant buck sent out what I call the “tester” buck. The tester buck scoped the scene, checked wind, and started to head my way. They were reading the script. The dominant buck felt at ease, comfortable, but stayed about 25-30 yards behind on a constant basis. When the tester buck finally got to the base of my tree, he bolted after he caught some of my scent. Big daddy just picked his head up, looked confused, and just stood there broadside long enough for me to draw my bow, settle the pin, and shoot. Low and behold, MURPHY’S LAW STRUCK!!! My release FAILED! I squeezed the trigger and the arrow did not go off. In shock, I let down and as soon as I relieved a bit of pressure – the arrow went somewhere. That 135”-140” class Public Land brute was gone! Second blown opportunity for me to have a second P&Y. Thus, the following article by Mike Strandlund, member of the National Bowhunters Hall of Fame, is a must read:

“Few things in this world seem as susceptible to Murphy’s Law as bowhunting…If something can go wrong in bowhunting, it will.”

“With the combination of many components, complicated gizmos, the importance of details and the need for near perfection, if something in bowhunting can go wrong, it will. If you’ve bowhunted very long, you’ve likely had an opportunity spoiled by some type of equipment failure.

What’s the best way to avoid it? Anticipation and prevention. If you take a look at your full array of gear, consider the weak links, anticipate the problems that might occur and how they might be prevented in the first place and quickly fixed in the second, you will prevail. The best way to do this exercise is by isolating components and problems. Here are some examples:

1. Peep Tubes: some of you already know why this item is the first on the list. Peep tubes are the fastest-deteriorating component on your bow and more prone to failure. You can avoid this problem by using a tubeless sighting system, or checking your tube frequently, replacing it and keeping a spare. Tip: make sure the replacement is exactly the same as the original, or it can change the arrow’s point of impact.
2. Bow String & Cables: These are high-risk components – one kiss from a broadhead blade and your bow will fly to pieces. Once, I unknowingly got a branch stuck in an eccentric wheel, and as I drew, it guided my bowstring off track. Keep extra parts on hand and get portable bow press, and know how to use it (which means practicing at home). Keep records of bow setup data so you can return draw length, brace height, tiller, nock-point locations, cam timing, and etc. back to the original position.
[Hunting Feakz note: Maintain your string waxed after every practice session. Check for wear & tear on a regular basis if you shoot frequently]
3. Sights and Rests: These mechanical devices involve many components and often moving parts, which makes them susceptible to failure. I’ve written before about how I’ve had good hunts ruined by faulty arrow rests. Sights have also done me in. One fateful day I draw on the biggest buck I’d ever seen, only to have my bottom sight pin come loose and land on top of my arrow shaft, making it impossible to shoot! Obviously, the first thing on my list is to periodically check that all sight and rest screws are as tight as secure as they can be. Use stout equipment and sight pin covers.
4. Releases: Begin by using a reliable product and maintain it well, and always keep a spare in a pocket or backpack.
5. Broadheads: Even something as simple as a broadhead can fail. Some models can lose blades if the heads become loose. Others can suffer different problems. Use failsafe heads and keep them sharp and inspected.
[Hunting Feakz note: mechanical broadheads are getting better. However, if they are reliable on rubber bands or o rings, be careful they are not torn, dry rotted, or simply missing. Others, just simple have a problem of premature deployment, shake loose walking to your stand, or open with a simple bump and don’t know it until it’s too late!]
6. Accessories: I always bring a kit of small parts and tools with me. This includes any Allen wrenches that apply to my rig, extra bowstring, serving material, a nock point, some extra screws, and tape. I also keep a Judo point or blunt tip handy so I can check my bow’s zero, whether I have a real target or not.
[Hunting Freakz note: always carry some sort of target to check your bow, shooting an arrow or two before you go afield, if possible. I once was checking my bow; a friend decided to check his and realized he was not sighted in properly. A few tweaks, Allen wrenches handy, we got him back into business!]
7. The Right Attitude: This deals with minding maintenance, being careful and generally using due diligence in handling your equipment. It will pay off in saved opportunities. What this all leads to is simply being prepared – having the knowledge, spare parts and tools available to fix your problem… It’s best to anticipate, prevent and be able to repair. Sometimes that doesn’t work, but a tenacious spirit will. Persistence can often be the most valuable tool in your arsenal.”

Share this with your fellow bowhunters. It may apply to firearms, too. Pay attention specially to novice hunters. Happy and Safe hunting to all!

All Over Again..., & I Love It!

I have a 22 & 19 yr old set of older kids, Alex and Whitney, respectively.  My third treasure of a two year old, Marko, came along just when I was beginning to focus more deeply into traveling, vacationing, hunting more around the states throughout the year.., but God had a plan for me, for us.  Marko is so awesome!  Of course, nobody is surprised I would say that.  I have slowly been introducing him to the outdooors, as I'd wish my father had.  I never did meet my father, so I have used that as a motivation to be the best father, the best daddy I may possibly be.  Today I took Marko to Bass Pro to buy his first fishing pole,  a big step in my relationship with him, as it was with my older two children.  Although my older two are not as "outdoor-ish" as I would have hoped for, they have long lasting memories! That, my friends, is a winner for me!!!  Well, I am starting all over again, if you will, but now more knowledgeable, with superior patience, and with a stronger conviction of unselfishness.   We are losing a young generation to apathy and twisted values of entitlement.  I don't want to be part of that sick bandwagon nor my son a victim!  That is why I take Marko to simple excursions at Bass Pro, Cabela's, parks, lakes, to look at fish, watch birds, help me buy hunting stuff, play with my calls, throw sticks & rocks in the water, feed the ducks, help me in my garage organize my hunting backpack.., just to keep him In touch with nature, the outdoors, with our relationship. 

This, AMIGOS, is about Marko.  I dedicate this thought on life & the outdoors to my God sent little man.  I started all over again and I Love It!

5 Tips for Scent Management

This day in age, there are a million & 1 tips and experts on scent control. Some, IMO, are more credible than others. Micro fiber this - electro fiber that, this chew – that smoke, spray this, wash that…, you get the point. Some buy into high dollar clothing promising to eliminate detection from the weariest free ranging whitetail. Truth be known, I am guilty of falling for some of the latest & greatest in the past. Anything to up my chances, right? Well, through my years of hunting public land, extremely pressured (thus educated) whitetail, l try to toot my own horn by saying I have selected a few tips (of the many) that have made me successful in the woods.
(Disclaimer: I am not en expert, I am not a scientist, I am not a “professional” – I AM A HUNTER with experience!)

Bowhunters, especially, tend to spend countle$$ of money, time, and effort in trying to up our chances to bag our dream buck and/or fill our freezer year after year. The greater part should be in scent “management”! It does absolutely ZERO good to have that fanciest of everything if you can’t put it to use. Sometimes, we blame soaps, sprays, carbon clothing, for our failures. Scent control/management means that – NOT eliminating! We will never get rid of human scent 100%. But how we manage human scent, can make the difference of a deer smelling you way before you even know it’s there or getting it close enough for a bowshot because it thought you were still far away or long gone.

I am not going into the obvious hoping you have already looked in to the following: washing clothing with scent eliminating products, shower with scent eliminating products, “hunt” the wind, keep your clothing in scent free bins/bags, so on & so forth. There are a lot of quality books/authors that get into depth with the topics above. However, I want to throw in some food for thought:
• Wallet & Cell Phone: Do you follow a strict scent management regime only to take your STINKY wallet & phone into the woods with you? Think about placing these items (or just your DL, Hunting license, etc.) in a scent free zip-loc. We pull the wallet, especially the cell out during work, shopping, etc., carry them (in my case) in a Tide washed & Bounty tumbled dried pants. A touch of cologne and what not are odors we don’t pay mind and will get you picked off before you know it. (Don’t forget to set your phone on vibrator)
• Jewelry: I love my bracelet, watch, necklace, and wedding ring my wife gave me with so much love. HOWEVER, but (I love those but’s), these are items that are exposed to foreign scents you just might want to consider leaving behind every time you hit the woods. Thank goodness my wife is familiar with the deer’s smelling phenomena, because it is the only exception she makes in allowing me to remove that significant hardware on my left index finger. Too, make sure you don’t lose anything or your significant other might start to object.
• Undies & socks: If you are like me, have a full time job, don’t have time to go home & do the shower thing, but head straight to the woods to sneak in a hunt – CHANGE YOUR undergear, too! Always keep a few extra in your scent free bin/bag. You’re already in a hurry, probably broke a sweat (or two, lol!), chances of doing your “business” have occurred, REFRAIN from changing into your scent-free hunting clothes while keeping your stinky undergear on. Don’t be afraid of a sponge bath with some moist scent- free field towels.
• Bike ride, long walk?: Consider going afield with the bear minimum on and changing a couple of hundred yards away from your hunting spot. Make sure where you do the changing is not a travel path for deer. Example, I load up my bike with my bow, stand, and backpack. I take 1.5 mile bike ride to reach the spot where I change. I cool off, re-spray, and change as needed to allow me to walk without breaking a sweat.
• Bottle your Business: A tough topic. I’ve argued this one with many a hunters that swear it makes no difference (not to mention it may be more difficult for a female). However, because I hunt pressured public land whitetails, human urine is just an added foreign odor that NEEDS to be kept out of your hunting equation and be made part of scent management. Period! 10 hours in the stand only to blow a dream whitetail because we are confident our business doesn’t matter or too lazy to take an extra step. Really?!!! Not me. It may be mental, but I put in too much work and time to ruin a hunt over an added (in the scope of things) few minutes of effort per hunt.

Hunting is special. Bowhunting is even more special due to the proximity of shot execution for a quick, clean, and humane kill. For a fact, all tips are good until they don’t work, lol! But on a serious note, nothing is a guarantee, just a chance to increase your odds. In all, the most critical point (or advice) I strictly preach is to pay attention to the wind. The wind is, AND WILL ALWAYS BE a hunter’s best friend!! Good luck this season, and happy & safe hunting to all.

POISON IVY: Bad For You, "Good for Wildlife"

"Irritating to Humans but Good for Wildlife"

"Poison ivy is a woody shrub or vine with hairy-looking aerial roots. It grows to 10 feet or more, climbing high on trees, walls and fences or trails along the ground. All parts of poison ivy, including the roots, are poisonous at all times of the year.

The toxin in poison ivy is an oil which causes an irritating skin reaction on many people. The reaction, an itchy rash with clear blisters, is variable in severity among people, and can vary from year to year on the same individual.

The poison ivy reaction can be reduced if you change clothing immediately and wash the exposed skin with soap and water. if you can wash all the oil off exposed skin within five minutes of contact, no reaction will occur. Even water from a running stream is an effective cleanser. The oil from poison ivy can remain active on clothing and footwear as long as a year so be careful not to expose yourself to the oil again. The oil can also be transmitted on pet fur and in the smoke of burning poison ivy.

You can use various products such as MultiShield applied prior to anticipated exposure or Tecnu Skin Cleanser to cleanse exposed skin. However, the best way to avoid the irritating rash is being able to identify poison ivy.

Leave Some for the Birds

Poison ivy is a nuisance to people, but it provides considerable wildlife value.

The white, waxy berries are a popular food for songbirds during fall migration and in winter when other foods are scarce. Robins, catbirds and grosbeaks especially like the berries. Many birds feed on insects hiding in the tangled vines. Small mammals and deer browse on the poison ivy foliage, twigs and berries. If you can leave thickets or swags of this plant in remote areas on your property, your wildlife will appreciate it.

Control

Poison ivy control can be done at any time of the year, but is best achieved May through July while the plants are flowering. Poison ivy should be accurately identified before you attempt any control measures. Spraying is recommended over burning because poison ivy oil vaporizes when hot, carries in smoke and can cause a severe rash.

Poison ivy foliage within reach can be sprayed with glyphosate (sold under the trade names Roundup, Kleenup and others) according to label directions. When using this or any herbicide, always read and follow label directions carefully. Take care to avoid other plants and do not spray so heavily the herbicide drips off the leaves. Glyphosate is a nonselective herbicide and will kill any vegetation it contacts.

To kill poison ivy that climbs high into trees, cut the vine off 6 inches above ground level. Treat the stump with glyphosate (according to label directions) immediately after cutting to kill the roots and prevent sprouting. If re-sprouting does occur, treat the leaves with glyphosate.

Poison ivy can be very persistent, so you may have to spray the vines two or more times for complete control. Poison ivy can spread along fence or hedge rows and under trees by birds dispersing the seeds. Treating young seedlings with glyphosate will kill them and limit the spread of poison ivy."

- MO Dept. of Conservation

"SPOT SHOOTER" ROOKIE!

Yes, I repeat myself on my hunting trajectory…, 15 years of bowhunting. But even a bowhunter (at least in my case) gets stuck in a paradigm. “I am a bad a--shooter”, “I don’t need a scope – it’s too easy”, “I prefer to score lower than ‘those’ target shooters”, etc., etc. IGNORANCE flowed through veins like watered down blood. I don’t apologize for my ignorance, but instead appreciate God for giving me the opportunity to try something new. I did it! I broke free from that paradigm that held me captive in the same world that I love.., the world of archery. Hunter set-up vs Target set-up - WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! I also appreciate God for the patience shooters in my archery club have extended me – not one has told me “I told you so” (in reference to letting me know it not as easy as it looks). Please understand I was not arrogant with my refusal to try a target set-up, but possibly scared of letting my “bowhunter” guard down. Maybe I just wanted to preserve what I consider the “bowhunter machismo”.

This past Tuesday, I shot my first “official” 14 target, 56 arrow outdoor round. I shot a lower score with my Sure-Loc, 4x scope, top of the end sight than my typical “bowhunter” set-up. I was floored. I was humbled deeply, and was vocal with my fellow archers how much respect I have gained for their shooting skill, for their precision. I told a fellow twitter blogger that a 50-60 yard paper plate is acceptable when preparing for a 20-30 yard hunting scenario. If we don’t hit dead center of the plate, we (at least I do) say, “It’s still a dead deer”. It’s almost like we are in denial that a few inches may end up being a missed shot, or worse, a wounded and/or lost animal. I failed to push myself to a higher quality of shooting, to a higher standard of precision.

Target shooting, even with a sight with all the bells and whistles, means nothing with without the purest forms of stance, form, breathing, CONCENTRATION, squeezing the trigger, respecting the bubble (level), feeling the shot, etc., etc. I have lowered my draw to 60 lbs. from 70 lbs. “Don” and “Bill”, tournament shooters, some of the best target shooters I personally know in their respective age groups, and fantastic individuals, have taken me under their wings. Although they know my “hard-core-hunter” status, they also know I am a beginner…., again. This new challenge I have taken on by no means signifies I will be a tournament champion. I am doing this for fun, for me. I also know this will make me a better bowhunter in the sense of precision shooting. I realize I have a lot of work ahead of me, and have lots of room from improvement, no doubt. Hey, what can I say, there's no shame to say - I am a proud “SPOT SHOOTER” ROOKIE!.

SCOUT & IGNORE THE "BUCKET DIPPER"!!

I WROTE THE STORY BELOW ON MY SON’S FIRST BIRTHDAY. LOTS OF EMOTIONS. BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES. BUT WHAT IF I HAD LISTENED TO THE ARROGANT, “KNOW-IT-ALL-NOW-PRIVATE-LAND” “BUCKET-DIPPER” HUNTER? THIS HUNTER TOLD ME I WAS WASTING MY TIME. WELL, I’M GLAD I PAYED HIM NO MIND OR I WOULDN'T HAVE A STORY TO TELL. SCOUT, SCOUT, SCOUT! DO YOUR HOMEWORK, EVEN IF IT’S PUBLIC LAND. ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC LANDS TO UP YOUR CHANCES. CREATE YOUR OWN STORY, YOUR OWN SPECIAL MOMENT, PERSONALIZE YOUR OWN TROPHY! AS HUNTERS, WE HAVE TO BE OPTOMISTIC EVERY TIME WE GO AFIELD.., OTHERWISE, WHY DO IT? LATER I WILL SHARE HOW I SCOUT PRESSURED PUBLIC LANDS. “DON’T QUIT!”, JUST SAYING.

Published by lxtagle on 24 Feb 2011
Lucky the Tree
I’ve hunted for many years. I’ve been blessed to have successfully filled my freezer and share that blessing with church members and friends. Happy the 2008-09 season finally came around, I could not wait to hit the woods hard that first opening week hoping to have a shot at a wall hanger. Little did I know this year was going to be an emotional roller coaster. My wife Alex (yes, we have the same name) and I had scouted hard during the off season and had spotted a great bachelor group and thought we had patterned them well. During one of our scouting trips, we looked for a good tree to prepare. While helping cut shooting lanes, she found a rack of a non-typical 20 yards from “the” tree. WHAT A MOMENT and what a sign of what was to come!

On IL opening day, October 1st, I was able to leave work early, pick my wife up, and try to beat the rush of hunters for the afternoon hunt. Thank God we were there early, because there were some hunters that had not done their off season “homework” and looked like lost kids. We had to “shoo” them off and hoped they had not bumped all the deer to the next county. We finally settled in at about 12:30 p.m. and got our bows ready. At the base of the tree, I set up our blind. When 5:00 hit, deer were moving. It looked like a hunting show. A few does came out first and were using the trail we’d seen. Then, thirty minutes later, a shooter (130 class) finally stepped out, and wouldn’t you know it, it stopped right at a lane we had not cleared well. A few vines covered his vitals. I maintained drawn for what seemed forever. Sweat was seeping like never before, and I could almost hear my pulse! My wife ranged him for me at 22 yards – 3 yards inside my comfort level. He finally spotted us, new something was not right, never took that one step and blew right out of there! My heart sank. I told my wife why I couldn’t shoot and quickly got out of the blind with my pruners, and snipped those vines.

15 minutes later, more deer started coming out. We were waiting for the right one. A spike buck finally walked the same route the 130″ class did. Stopped exactly on the same spot! He was about to start walking, but I threw a short grunt; he stopped and looked our way. My beautiful wife released that arrow and made a perfect shot!!! Her first deer. Her first buck. Her first experience in understanding the “THE FEELING”.

Later that week I had several encounters off the stand on the tree. It was on October 8th that I harvested a beautiful buck. I’ve harvested more deer since then. My wife skipped the next year because of her pregnancy, and on Feb. 24, 2010, my son Marko was born!!!! Happy birthday, son!

Hunting is a big part of my life, but only because of God and my wife’s support. We plan to teach our son about the outdoors, and that it’s not the size of the rack that’s most important, but moments like that one mamma and I shared that led to her successful hunt, down to how we “met” that tree. The spike she shot, her first deer, is literally……, our millennium buck. That experience was the trophy for me. That was the “wall hanger” in my heart. I will NEVER forget October 1, 2008, nor that tree we named “Lucky”.

"DON'T RUSH THE SHOT"

Because I don’t claim to be an expert, I don’t feel the need to re-invent the wheel on important tips. Below is an outstanding tip Randy Ulmer shared years ago. Had I followed it on November 12, 2010, I would have had my second Pope & Young killed on my favorite Public Land I hunt religiously. The rut was in full effect. This three year old buck came in following, believe it or not, the scent of my bike’s tires! It had its nose to the ground. At 20 yards, he stopped without offering me a good shot, lost interest, and headed back to his original destination. I let out a social contact grunt with my mouth, and he came back. This time he stopped at FIFTEEN YARDS. Just legal shooting hours, no hot doe running around, he was not nervous…, I had time. I had time to settle the pin, but for some reason, I had a sense of need to shoot “now”. I punched the trigger, pulled the shot, and hit its shoulder. I KNEW I’d blown the shot before it hit the shoulder. Worst of all, besides feeling sick to my stomach for the missed opportunity, I felt even more sick knowing I rushed a shot without need and wounded an animal. I did see the buck two weeks later with a noticeable limp, but still feeding well. He made it, and will forever stay away from tire scents! On a serious note, I knew better. The famous “buck fever” and pressure equated to poor form and a lost opportunity.


“DON’T RUSH THE SHOT” By Randy Ulmer

“WHEN AIMING AT A BIG BUCK, I’M PROBABLY LIKE MOST BOWHUNTERS IN THAT I FEEL AN ALMOST OVERWHELMING URGE TO GET THE SHOT OVER WITH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. HIT OR MISS, I JUST WANT THE SHOT OVER WITH. BUT GIVING IN TO THIS IMPULSE TO HURRY IS THE SUREST WAY TO MISS AN IMPORTANT SHOT. I’VE SHOT IN A FEW HIGH-PRESSURE TOURNAMENTS, AND I’VE SHOT A FEW BIG ANIMALS, AND THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE TAUGHT ME THAT YOU CAN STILL MAKE A GOOD SHOT EVEN WHEN YOU’RE SHAKING IN YOUR BOOTS. YOU JUST HAVE TO STICK WITH THE FUNDAMENTALS AND FOLLOW THE SAME STEPS YOU ALWAYS USE. A LOT OF BOWHUNTERS THINK THEY HAVE TO BE STEADY TO SHOOT WELL. IT REALLY DOESN’T WORK THAT WAY. IF YOU CONCENTRATE ON GOOD FORM AND SQUEEZE THE TRIGGER INSTEAD OF PUNCHING IT, YOUR ARROW WILL FIND THE CENTER OF THE TARGET ALMOST AS IF IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. IN SHORT, DON’T LET PRESSURE CAUSE YOU TO CHANGE ANYTHING IN THE WAY YOU SHOOT. AIM AND SQUEEZE JUST AS YOU ALWAYS DO. MAINTAIN YOUR VERY BEST FORM, AND YOU’LL BE AMAZED AT HOW WELL EVEN THE MOST TERRIFYING SHOTS TURN OUT. TRY TO RESIST THE TEMPATATION TO RUSH THE SHOT. OCCASIONALLY, AN ANIMAL IS GOING TO MOVE WHILE YOU’RE SETTLING IN AND SQUEEZING THE TRIGGER, BUT 90 PERCENT OF THE TIME THE OUTCOME IS GOING TO BE BETTER IF YOU JUST HAVE PATIENCE”.

IT'S PUBLIC LAND!!

“I arrived one hour before daylight to set up where you told me you’d seen some birds. There was one hammering away and I began to work him. That gobbler was coming in on a B line and outta nowhere, comes this yahoo walking the field with all his hunting gear, at prime time, just after the birds had flown off the roost. This bird was already at about 75 yards and he flew to the private side and out of sight. The guy didn’t show a care in the world, and went about his business !!” This is the reason many hunters have only bad things to say about public land hunting. If you hunt public land, you’ve probably heard similar stories to this before. This one (I summarized and clean up to serve the purpose) was told by my dear friend on his last day of IL season. He called me while still afield. Needless to say – he was fuming. Sadly and to no surprise, I felt his pain, for many of my hunts have ended in similar fashion. Here is my story, one of the stories: I was in a prime location on opening day last year. I’d scouted, cut shooting lanes, planned my entry, and anxiously awaited the moment. My set-up (NOT MY SPOT), was in a transition point deer were using to head back to bedding. However, this public land spot was twenty yards from a levy used as an access route by dove, duck, turkey, squirrel, anything legal hunters, including me. I, too, was in place and arrow knocked by 5:15 a.m., allowing plenty of time for things to settle down. At what I considered “prime-time”, does began heading my way. All of a sudden, a young man (hunter) comes walking up the levy with bow in hand, blind on his back, full camo, and a buck decoy. No attempt on his behalf to be discrete on his approach. NO ATTEMPT. All I heard was some blowing and saw white flags scattering away. Hunt was over. I ripped into this hunter. “What are you doing?!! I know this is public land. I know this is your land – but it is mine, too!! Do your homework like I do. Get up early like the rest of the hunters you’ve just ruined the hunt for and don’t even know it!! Learn about deer and about hunting them before you come out!!” blah, blah, blah. I was super ticked. I also cleaned up this story a bit  All I have to say is, I know how my friend felt. I know how frustrated he was. In reality, I hope “those” “hunters” learned a valuable lesson. God bless the young man that I lashed at, because now that I think about it, he really was into it. His heart was in the right place. He walked quite a bit, loaded with all the gadgets, maybe he’d just finish watching a hunting TV show the night before. No lack of motivation on his end. Moral of the story: “It’s public land!” That’s what I keep reminding myself. Chances are it won’t be the last time it happens. Public land blown hunts by others is like missing; if you have hunted enough - IT WILL HAPPEN! I will say this, IMO, that’s why public land success feels so rewarding. I feel like an accomplished hunter, a bowhunter for that matter. I feel grateful for all the memories and friendships I’ve developed on all public lands. I mean, am I not blessed to even be able to hunt, from rights to health? Public land blown hunts are a small price to pay. What would you do? How would you react? I can’t imagine land owners having their hunts ruined by trespassers. In that aspect, my buddy and I don’t have it as bad. "Don't Quit!", just saying.

"CANNED KILLING" vs HUNTING

I wrote on a newly found respect for outfitters. The following blog is what I perceived as ALL outfitters to be. That folks, is not the case!!! The outfitter I used, Abilene Outdoors Adventures fits the true definition of a free chase outfit - as does Tombstone Creek Outfitters. Both outfitters, respectively have guaranteed me one thing..., THERE IS NO GUARRANTEE I WILL KILL AN ANIMAL!! That's what I am talking about! "Don't Quit!", just saying. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-petersen/canned-killing-dont-call-it-hunting_b_1480296.html

WHY I HUNT

I'm in my blind right now.  Thoughts running through my mind.  I look at the field, at the trees, and process the thought of how lucky I am to witness the sunrise & how it illuminates mother earth.I am listening to the birds decorate the wind.  I am beathing the perfume of the dirt, trees, and other vegetation.  I am thinking of my wife and children, as I am sure they a just waking up.  I just got done thanking God for all the blessings he has provided me, from family, work, friends, health.  A few minutes ago, I witnessed the ritual of procreation, a hen and a turkey - nature at its best.  I tried calling in the gobbler to no avail.  Still, even though the hunt did not end up with a kill, my spirits are high.  I feel free.  I feel content with myself and surroundings.  In all this, I give thanks to this country, the wonderful US of A for having embraced me.  I am from Mexico, and believe me, I wouldn't have been able to do this, like this, in peace.  Having come from  very humble beginnings, I have learned to value the little things I do have.  I value this moment, for it is during these moments that I run with these emotions.  When I am afield, it is literally my "me" time.  I forget the daily grind and praise my blessings.  I forget the "preparation" for the hunt, for that in itself may be a  stress. I love creating memories & sharing my hunting stories.  I love to meet people with a similar passion .  When I am afield, I know I am alive!  The above may be just tip of the iceberg.  So this, my friends, is the reason why I hunt.

"Don't Quit!".  Just saying

To Bottle or Not To Bottle (your "business")

I hunt public land - lots of it, nearly 100% of the time. Needless to say, whitetail hunting on these pressured public lands is a different animal, no pun intended. These deer I hunt are spooked by their own shadow by the time the second day of the season rolls around. They have ZERO tolerance for intrusions into their domain! So, like smoking/tobacco (another topic) produces a foreign smell equated as a danger. Again, zero tolerance. Long ago, I posted a thread with this same title. The response was phenomenal, both in amount and in context! From MEDICAL SUPPORT to HUNTER EXPERIENCE. Here's my take (IMO). I follow a strict regime when it comes to scent control, from dedicating a shower/restroom just for hunting season to soaps, shampoos, plastic clothing bin with branches & leaves, cleansed towels, blah, blah, blah...., you get it. So, I am not going to take a chance doing "#1" out of my tree stand and let it be. I will not do it in my ground blind unto the ground. In short, I carry my bottle to do my business. A hassle? Maybe. However, a few ounces of weight are not going to kill me. I will try to do all I can within my ability to control all human scent & minimize it as best as possible. I hear stories of how guys with cologne, coming from an all-nighter, have killed booners. Well, God bless them. A lucky vs good argument. But since I know I hunt some honey holes multiple times, rotate spots - I don't want to be careless by the tinkle-tinkle factor. I want to hear your take. Whether public land or private land, "scientific" to personal. I will respect your "habbit" or "practice".., I mean, to each his/her own. Right? Please share. "Don't Quit!", just saying.

MY 4 Reasons Why Outfitters Are Good For Hunting

This is my 15th year hunting and had never been to an outfitter, not until April 1, 2012, when I attended turkey camp in Kansas with Abilene Outdoor Adventures. It came about at the annual boat show in St. Louis, MO. In the past, I’d always walk past outfitters’ booths because I figured (like many still do), they were a sham. My ignorance allowed me to resist any outfitter as to not compromise the “purity” of hunting over “pay-to-kill”. Boy, how far from the truth I was! I was humbled and gained new perspective as to what many outfitters are about. A dear friend of mine invited me to this boat show, where we met Dave, co-owner of AOA. We decided to stop and get some information & see what they were all about. They encouraged us to enter our names at no cost for a change to win a turkey hunt. We hesitated at first, but they reassured us they were not trying to sell a gimmick of any sort. I filled out the card, and literally said, “What the heck, I never win anything, anyway”. Let me be clear, had I not won this hunt, I probably would not be writing about this. God had a plan. Besides Dave & the gang being knowledgeable hunters – they are outstanding, down to earth individuals. They did what they said they’d do - gave me a free hunt, set me up on “them birds”, and absolutely gave me no guarantee I’d tag out. I hunted hard for days, long hours in the blind. On the last day, last minutes of the hunt – I bagged a nice jake. The whole experience was fantastic. It was FREE CHASE at its best and not easy at all!! Here’s what I took from this experience (I had lot of time to think during all day sit outs), and I will give you the just of it: 1. There are outdoor lovers, passionate hunters - from parents to professionals, with no spare time to dedicate to their own land or their local public lands in terms of scouting, food plots, etc. Outfitters work hard to do just that, allowing these type of hunters to just forget about “whatever”, and enjoy the moment - which takes me to : 2. Another outfitter that I’ve never hunted with, but through reputable networks know, Tombstone Creek Outfitters/A-1 Archery do a heck of a job with youth hunts. Paul Korn and the team go as far as filming the hunts. Heck, watching some of their videos on YouTube put a knot in my throat. I frequently used the old cliché, “It’s not about the kill, it’s about the hunt”. Now, I take it a step further. It’s about the moment, the long lasting memories created. While in AOA camp, a father-son team arrived. What a sight to see them together, and enjoying it! A second father-son team made their presence for the third year in a row, have never shot a turkey, BUT they proudly share how they love getting away to spend time together. The hunt & kill would be just icing on the cake. Wow! I pray I have that opportunity with my two year old when his is old enough. But It was phenomenal sitting down, talk hunting, hear their stories – which takes me to: 3. The new friendships. The opportunity to meet strangers that love the same thing you do. Indeed, there may be some arrogant hunters, but hey, enjoy the moment. Learning! When I got together with the campers and Dave, it was not only an opportunity for fantastic fellowship, to talk about the day, but to share tips & advice – which takes me my last opinion: 4. How about the first time hunter? How awesome it is to up their chances for success and get hooked for lifetime. What a great opportunity to learn from other hunters and guides. To learn from the experience. This, folks, makes both experienced and novice hunters better hunters. I know it made me. Needless to say, my time with AOA has broken the paradigm I was stuck in as a hunter/outdoorsman. I now look beyond the hunt and see the impact outfitters have on personal growth, fellowship, in the “moments” those children, parents, professionals, even beginners. Just do your homework before booking with an outfitter; they are not all the same. As for AOA, they have in me a friend, a client…, YES, I will use an outfitter again! www.AbileneOutdoorAdventures.com www.Tombstonecreekoutfitting.com

So far - So good

My weekend warrior hunting adventure went well. I bagged my second turkey of the season on public Land, April 21, 2012. The first one out of KS, and this second one in MO. What was special about my second turkey was a few things. First,and foremost, I dedicated the hunt to my neighbor, Charlie, who suffered a heart attack last week. Secondly,it was my first time hunting with a shotgun: my choice for this special hunt - a Remington 870. What a piece, tipped with a True Glo turkey choke. Thirdly, I got it all on film! I used locator calls to no avail. The birds were quiet. For a minute, there, I thought I had to woods all to myself. I proceeded to execute a "fly down" series, flapping my cap, followed with an aggressive sequence of yelping & cutting once "on the ground". Still, silence. Every half hour after that I'd go with some soft calling. My old Primos freak slate call still does the trick for some awesome purring. Finally, after over two hours waiting for something to happen, butt-cheeks cramping and not feeling my legs, I saw what all turkey hunters have (or at least should) experience.., a bird's face with the RED "spot" sticking out of the wood'd edge. Bingo, what a sight! Now, it was a matter of getting its attention, and did just that loudly with my mouth diaphram reed. Adding to the realism, the Primos Killer B full strut decoy, a bedded hen, and a Jake worked like a charm. 20+ minutes of making his way seemed like hours! After going postal on the jake & hen, the roar of the ole Remi was all that that was heard echoing. I WILL be posting the video soon. Lastly, how blessed I am to have the opportunity to do what I love, to share my story with friends & family!

I have two tags left - one for KS & one for MO. I am on a mission to tag out using my favorite archery equipment: My Quest Bow, Carbon Express Arrows tipped with the Shred'r bh. Lethal, I'm telling you. Just saying. -"Don't Quit!"

Public Land Honey-Hole

Why do many of today's hunters complain about not having grounds/land to hunt? Maybe because if you live in a state such as TX, and you are like me (can't afford a large piece of Hunter friendly property, nor lease it), majority of such land is privately owned. Too, it's just hard to get permission to hunt without buying or leasing. Can't blame those complaining, but it is what it is.

(CLICK HERE TO SEE A SIMPLE SCOUTING TRIP TAKEN 9-18-12)


However, majority of other states have outstanding public access hunting lands. There are awesome honey holes on public lands. Big "booners", trophy game, many P&Y AND B&C record book entries HAVE come out of such lands. There is one true fact, sorry to burst your bubble: hunters MUST do their homework in researching their region, Public Land availability thru their respective DNR/conservation offices, and their regulations. Hey, it's Public, free!!!! What else do we want?!!! Use it and shut up, already! (And believe me, not ALL private land are all that.., been there done that ONCE). Hunting on Public Lands is not easy, but hey, is this not all about the hunt, the outdoors? Besides, there are some "honey holes" out there!!! Hunting strategies on PL is another story - NOT AS SEEN ON T.V., and to that I say - HUNT THE HUNTERS AS YOU HUNT THE WIND - SCOUT!

Just saying. -"Don't Quit!"