Russell Outdoors Men’s Flintlock Hooded Jacket

Russell Outdoors Men's Flintlock Hooded Jacket

The Flintlock Hooded Jacket is a basic insulated jacket is essential to any huntsman’s wardrobe. The Flintlock hooded jacket is medium weight 60/40 cotton/poly with polyester insulation. It has two exterior snap pockets and an adjustable hood. The Flintlock Hooded Jacket has a two way zipper covered with a storm flap for added protection from the elements. The rear of the jacket features a license loop.

List price: $50.00

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ACE SE Hunting Knife with Fire Starter

ACE SE Hunting Knife with Fire Starter

The thick green cord wrapped handle allows for a secure and comfortable grip while the pommel lanyard insures that your blade is always handy. The durable green nylon belt sheath features a Velcro securing strap and has eyelets for a leg tie cord. This versatile and practical field knife also comes with a magnesium alloy fire starter.

List price: $17.88

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Disease Affecting Some Deer, but Hunting Outlook Promising

Deer season is shaping up in Virginia and North Carolina. Virginia hunters in select counties and towns have a few weeks of the state’s special Urban Archery season under their belts and Matt Knox, deer project coordinator, says the harvest so far has been about 700 animals—a little higher than average. The general statewide archery season opens October 6, but young hunters will get an early opportunity this weekend.

“The youth-only season is this Saturday (September 29), and the young hunters can use any legal weapon, so long as they’re with an adult,” Knox says. “Most of them will gun hunt, and provided the weather is decent, they usually take around 2,000 deer during that season. Our bucks are all out of velvet, and I’ve heard several reports of early rubs. Reports on the mast crop are looking good, too. We’re still having problems with hemorrhagic disease (HD) in some counties, so we’re hoping for a good frost soon.”

Bow season has been open since September 8 in most of North Carolina. Though hunters in much of the state have had an average season thus far, the Foothill Region in western North Carolina—particularly Surry, Wilkes, and Caldwell counties—has been significantly affected by HD according to North Carolina Deer Biologist Evin Stanford.

“In localized areas, we’re observing some of our highest-ever rates of mortality, particularly in those counties,” Stanford says. “The archery harvest in that area is down significantly from where it was last year. We’re not to the point of making regulation changes or anything, but several landowners in the area are concerned. We’re advising folks who are worried about their deer numbers to back off on their doe harvest for the season.”

Things are looking pretty good elsewhere in North Carolina. “Although the official report won’t be available until October, it seems the mast crop is pretty good all across the state,” Stanford said. “And though much of the Mid-South was dry all summer, we actually had average to above-average rainfall here, so our crops look pretty good. Rut activity tends to be earliest on the coast out here, and progressively later as you move farther inland. We’ve already had some reports of rut activity in the eastern part of the state this season.”

Stanford added that the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is in the process of a three-year deer hunting data collection program, and he urged hunters to cooperate if asked. “Getting the participation can be a challenge, but we’re simply trying to get a better handle on the state of our deer herd,” he says. “We’re contacting successful hunters directly, in addition to working with hunting clubs and meat processors, to collect biological data.”

It’s the region that made Odocoileus virginianus famous: Classic woodland habitat with a perfect mix of ag fields and bottomland. Rut Reporter Will Brantley of Murray, Kentucky, knows the region well. He spends 40 to 50 days each season in the Mid-South whitetail woods. Brantley shot his first deer at age 10 with a sidelock muzzleloader. States covered: KY, TN, WV, VA, NC.

Source: http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/mid-south-rut-report/2012/09/disease-affecting-some-deer-hunting-outlook-promising

How To Cape A Deer For A Mount

No matter how good your taxidermist is, he needs your help to do the best job possible. That’s because the process of creating an excellent trophy whitetail mount begins as soon as the animal is on the ground. What you do from that moment until you get your deer to the taxidermy shop will impact the quality of the finished work.

deer mountWatching Wade Sehman cape out trophy whitetails in his St. Charles, Iowa, shop, you become aware of just how much extra work is required for a taxidermist when a deer isn’t properly cared for in the field.

“Right here — huge problem,” Sehman said, while pointing to the head of a 140-inch buck with precious little hide left below the neck. “People get too aggressive when they cut off the head and they don’t leave enough hide behind the shoulders. Like I always tell hunters, ‘I can trim away extra hide, but I can’t add any.’

“I might be able to salvage this cape, but if not, I’m going to have to find one from another deer. That means extra time and hassle. Everyone wants their deer back quickly, but if I have to spend time looking for another cape, that particular mount is probably going to go to the end of the line.”

“Don’t slit the throat,” Sehman said. “In fact, don’t make any cuts except the ones you need to make during field-dressing. Also, when you open the deer up, don’t cut anything above the sternum. That’s all usable cape.

Knives That Stay Sharp!

“Then, when you’re getting your buck out of the woods, don’t wrap a rope around the neck. If you must use a rope, tie it around the antlers. And if you have to drag him for any great distance, put a jacket under the shoulders. The point is to keep the hide from rubbing on the ground.”

Hunters can do the initial caping. There are only a few basic cuts you need to perform before delivering the head to the taxidermist. Leave the detail work of skinning around the mouth, nose and eyes to the professional.

Caping a buckFirst, use a sharp knife. The cape should start by making a cut through the hide behind the front legs at the midpoint of the ribs, encircling the body.

Next, slit the skin around the legs just above the knees, and then make a cut on the back side of the legs that meets up with the initial body cut.

Carefully peel the cape up toward the head until you reach the ears and jaw. Now the junction of the head and neck is exposed. About 3 inches below this point, encircle the neck muscles (No more hide cuts!) with a cut all the way down to the spinal column. Grab the antler bases and twist, separating the head (with the attached hide) from the neck.

“At this point you only have two more responsibilities,” Sehman said. “First, keep the hide clean, inside and out. There’s nothing worse than having to pick dirt and gravel out of a hide that someone tossed on the ground.

“Second, get it to your taxidermist right away if you can. But if not, simply roll up the hide and put the whole works in the freezer.”

When you get your finished trophy back from the studio, you’ll be glad you did your part to help your taxidermist do the best job possible.

The Best Skinning Knife For The Job

skinning knifeWhen you’re chasing a trophy buck, you want to have the best possible tools for the job. The same goes for after you have that buck on the ground. Deer & Deer Hunting is pleased to announce that we have teamed with Bark River Knives to produce the ultimate, custom deer hunting knife.

The Deer & Deer Hunting Hunter’s Knife is hand-crafted exclusively for us by Bark River Knives. It’s a slimmer, more compact version of a modern classic pattern that is simply the perfect for field-dressing tasks and all around use in the hunting camp.

It features a Deer & Deer Hunting logo engraved on blade and includes a lifetime warranty and a beautiful leather sheath. It is hand-crafted in Escanaba, Mich. and features an overall length of 7.875 inches.

Order the ultimate hunter’s knife HERE and SAVE $90!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DeerDeerHunting/~3/bJy9Bhjm2BM/how-to-cape-a-deer-for-a-mount

Hunters Specialties Shotgun Shell Belt

Hunters Specialties Shotgun Shell Belt

Shotgun shell belt. Adjustable belt goes around your waist for easy access to shells. Holds 25 shotgun shells.

List price: $5.76

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Russell Outdoors Men’s Drystalker Bib Overalls

Russell Outdoors Men's Drystalker Bib Overalls

The Drystalker Bib overalls are great for those cold, wet hunts. With our waterproof breathable technology you can count on staying dry, while the 4 ounce insulation is sure to keep you warm. Full length front two-way zipper along with hip-length leg zippers makes this pair of overalls easy to put on and take off. The Drystalker Bib overalls feature two chest pockets and two waist pockets.

List price: $89.99

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ANOTHER Potential Record Nontypical!

And the monster nontypical parade continues!

Last week, we told you about a possible Wisconsin record nontypical as well as a giant potential record from Minnesota. Well, add New York to the list of states on the verge of watching a freak-nasty take over the top spot.

On Sept. 27, Wayne Long of Watertown, N.Y., arrowed this potential record buck  in the town of Rodman.

It was scored by the local taxidermist with 26 points at 226-5/8 inches.

We will have more details as they become available.

Obviously, this is already turning into a monster buck season for the ages! See our breaking coverage of the other monster bucks below.

Giant Minnesota Nontypical Buck Will Vie For State Title

Potential Wisconsin State Record Nontypical

See More Recent Record-Class Bucks!

Legendary Whitetails IIILegendary Whitetails III provides snapshots of 40 of the greatest whitetails ever taken, including some of the most secretive bucks ever killed. It tells the back-story, shows the actual score sheet and other critical details.

As former editor of North American Whitetail, author Duncan Dobie knows the details behind all these deer and uniquely qualified to tell their story. Antler replicator Klaus LeBrecht has worked with each rack and has produced unique photography to show readers the full scope of these magnificent antlers. Be the first to get Legendary Whitetails III and add it to your collection today!

Order it HERE and SAVE.

 

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DeerDeerHunting/~3/v6nixy_vGec/another-potential-record-nontypical

How I Shot Dave Hurteau

Remember this buck? I showed you two trail-cam pictures of him back in July. You may remember that Hurteau had just gone off on people who name bucks. So I took him to task in my next post and asked you to help me name this double-forked 4-year-old.

Buckhunter wrote: “There is only one name to give a deer as sly, smart, and cagey as the one in the photo. Dave Hurteau. Later this fall, your blog title will say, ‘How I Shot Dave Hurteau.’”

Well, the name stuck. The real Hurteau and I have been calling him that ever since. And sure enough, on Monday evening, I shot “Dave Hurteau.”

I can’t say it didn’t bring me some satisfaction, especially after all this goatee business. Seriously, though, there are a couple of interesting points to be made about this buck.

1 – My friend Alan first saw Dave Hurteau Thursday night while combining a cornfield. On Friday, I set up an observation stand on the field edge and watched him step out to feed with another buck. On Saturday, Alan saw him again from the same stand. On Sunday, I hung a new set where the buck had been coming out. Alan hunted it that night and had him at 20 yards but couldn’t get a shot. On Monday night, I shot him at 30 yards. In almost 40 years of chasing whitetails, I have never seen a big buck enter a field from the same place five nights in a row. It goes to show just how predictable early-season bucks can be—and it shows the drawing power of a freshly combined cornfield.

2 – Generally, I am a scent-reduction skeptic. But I’ll try anything and had in fact been trying a buddy’s baking soda scent-killing system while hunting with him in northern Wisconsin the previous week. But I gave it up when I got home and was as stinky as ever when Dave Hurteau showed up on Monday evening, 35 yards away, directly downwind. When I first saw him, I thought, “This over before it starts.” I didn’t even reach for my bow. But he just stopped, looked in my direction for a while, flicked his tail, and kept coming, giving me time to grab my bow, get drawn, and make the shot.

Now, had I scrubbed down and powdered up with baking soda that afternoon, I’m sure I would have given it all the credit. I would have called my buddy and said, “Hey, you’re baking soda system really works!” I’m not saying it doesn’t, but when it comes to scent reduction, you have to beware of the self-fulfilling prophecy.

Source: http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/whitetail-365/2012/09/how-i-shot-dave-hurteau-or-beware-self-fulfilling-scent-reduction-prophe

Rivers Edge Deer Crossing Tin Sign

Rivers Edge Deer Crossing Tin Sign

Rivers Edge Deer Crossing Tin Sign features embossed boarders and ‘Bullet’ holes.   Made of Durable Steel with colorful art and rolled edges, this sign is 11 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches. It’ll look great indoors or out.

List price: $6.66

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Friday Morning Mashup 9/28/12

By Mark Kenyon It’s hunting season eve for me today! I feel like I need to have some great big way of  kicking things off here on Wired To Hunt, but I’m having a hard time describing my excitement. I’m beyond elated, I’m overly ecstatic, I’m uncontrollably thrilled….

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wiredtohuntfeed/~3/eC8iI9V28DE/