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Deer Sleigh’r Game Sled helps you transport your trophies quickly and easily. Congratulations! You just bagged the buck of a lifetime! Now how are you going to get it back to the lodge? Transporting your trophies has never been easier than with the Deer Sleigh’r. The slick, tough-tested polymer construction of the Sleigh’r offers clean, simple movement of both animals and gear over nearly ANY terrain. Just strap the game to the surface, thread the included 6′ rope through the grommets, and go! You’ll be back at camp before you know it! Two sizes available. Smart sled: Slides easily over snow, gravel and light brush; Compact and lightweight; Protects meat and hide ; Goes places trucks, carts and ATVs can’t. Hauling game doesn’t have to be a “drag.” Measures 3 x 6′ h, 5 lbs. Fits large deer, bear, elk. Order your Sleigh’r today! Magnum Deer Sleigh’r Game Sled

List price: $33.00

I hope some of you jumped on the Fitbit ship and have maybe added that little fitness monitor to your plans for getting a bit healthier in 2015 and before deer season opens.

Yes, I’m thinking about deer season in autumn. It will be here before we know it. Eight, nine months? That’s not long at all. Considering what we’ll be doing in spring and summer for preparation of opening day, as well we know, deer season really is a year-round endeavor. Losing weight is a great way to help yourself feel better and also enjoy deer season more. You can move better, likely will sleep better — a big deal for health — and being less tired usually means you’ll be more alert in the stand.

At the 2015 Archery Trade Association Show in Indianapolis, I had my Fitbit with me and kept up with the daily steps. Travel day wasn’t much, just about 4,500 steps or so, but the first two show days were pretty good. Each day was about 9,500 steps to and from the show from my hotel and then on the show floor.

Some of y’all may remember the big “10,000 Steps” movement from about 10 years or so ago. At my old job we had a guy who was gung-ho about it and lost a lot of weight. Then he fell off the wagon, but that’s beside the point. He had plan, stuck with it and did well.

According to Fitbit’s blog, 10,000 steps is about five miles. Some folks try to make 10,000 steps a day and others look for three or four days a week. Whatever works best for you is the key. Last summer I was pushing too hard and injured my hip, so be sure to talk with your physician, start slowly and don’t overdo it.

I forgot my Fitbit for the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, which irritated me. SHOT is bigger than the ATA show, by far, and I usually pound the dogs into the carpeted concrete every day. Eh, maybe next year.

I’ve also taken my Fitbit on hunting trips to see how far we walk when raccoon and squirrel hunting, or when I’m deer hunting going to and from the stand. Keeping up with my steps is kind of addictive. Maybe it will be for you this year, too.

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Deer hunters are constantly wanting outstanding terminal performance from their rifles, slug guns, handguns and muzzleloaders to effectively and quickly put a buck or doe on the ground.

Whether you’re chasing big bucks in Iowa or helping with doe management in Alabama, you want to make sure you’re feeding your gun the best ammunition. Today’s options have far greater technical engineering, performance powder, tighter tolerances and years of testing. For example, the new Winchester Deer Season XP has been in testing for almost two years with nearly 200 whitetails accounted for. Winchester’s ammo gurus wanted to be sure the new tip and load was right.

Check out some of the new deer hunting ammunition introduced at the 2015 Shot Show, with availability now or later this summer from retailers:

Hornady American Whitetail Rifled Slugs
Designed for smooth-bore barrels, Hornady American Whitetail Rifled Slugs are loaded with a 1-ounce foster style slug. The hollow point style slug features a tough, lead alloy core loaded to 1,600 feet per second. The compression style wad protects the slug at ignition and helps to seal the bore for maximum velocity. Features include:

• Rifled slug for smooth-bore barrels
• 12 gauge 1-ounce rifled, foster style slug
• Hollow point, tough lead-alloy core
• 1,600 feet per second

Federal Premium Vital•Shok Trophy Copper
Federal Premium has breathed life into the venerable 30-30 Win. cartridge with a new Trophy Copper rifle load. Like the entire Vital-Shok Trophy Copper line, the polymer-tipped offering provides devastating downrange performance.

It features a tipped bullet cavity for consistent expansion across a broad range of velocities, a grooved bullet shank for increased accuracy across a wider range of firearms, and copper-alloy construction that achieves up to 99 percent weight retention—even after tremendous expansion. The nickel-plated case prevents corrosion and aids in easier, faster extraction from the chamber.

Features include a tipped bullet cavity optimized for expansion across a broad velocity range and a grooved bullet shank for increased accuracy across a wide range of firearms.

American Eagle .338 Lapua
American Eagle ammunition offers consistent, accurate performance at a price that’s perfect for high-volume shooting. For 2015, the product line has expanded to include the popular 338 Lapua Magnum. The load features a 250-grain jacketed soft point bullet in a reloadable Federal brass case. Like all American Eagle products, the 338 Lapua Magnum boasts outstanding reliability and accuracy thanks to Federal primers and a uniform bullet jacket.

The load features a 250-grain jacketed soft point bullet, reloadable Federal brass case, consistent Federal primers, uniform bullet jacket, reliable feeding and function, and is perfect for high-volume shooting.

Deer Season XP combines decades of Winchester experience into the perfect choice for deer hunting ammunition. Accuracy, combined with massive bullet impact performance means that Deer Season XP is a great choice for all deer hunters. The large diameter polymer tip accelerates bullet expansion for rapid trauma upon impact, while the streamlined ballistic profile optimizes the bullet’s downrange performance. This load was built specifically for deer hunting and taking down big bucks.

in coming up with a design for the new bullet, the engineers kept returning to the venerable .30-30, a bullet with a large meplat, or in more simpler terms, a large, flat frontal diameter that hits hard and instantly transfers an abundance of system-shocking knockdown power. In the end, Deer Season XP’s key feature is it’s large-diameter bullet, similar to a .30-30 bullet, but with a polymer tip for a better ballistic-coefficient.

The bullet expands immediately upon impact delivering significant energy that should buckle—and if properly hit, virtually anchor—any deer. According to information to appear in Winchester’s 2015 product catalog, the “Extreme Point bullet features an oversized impact diameter. A bigger impact diameter means more impact trauma, better energy transfer and larger wound cavities for faster knockdown.” In the end, that means deer won’t travel far after being hit making them much easier to find, particularly in thick cover. It’s something every deer hunter is sure to appreciate; and something nearly every one will be counting the days until it is on their local store’s shelves.

Initial offerings will include loads for .243 Win., .270 Win., .270 WSM, 7mm Rem. Mag., .30-06 Sprg., .308 Win., .300 Win. Mag. and .300 WSM.

Trophy® Copper Muzzleloader Bullets with B.O.R. Lock MZ™ System from Federal Premium® are designed to maximize the effectiveness of modern, in-line muzzleloaders. Blackpowder shooters across the nation are now redefining accuracy and performance with this bullet that delivers 200-yard accuracy in a non-sabot bullet design that is easy to load, scrubs fouling from the breech and ensures consistent seating.

The bullet’s exclusive B.O.R. Lock MZ System features an expanding and permanently attached polymer base cup that is forced onto a raised band along the bullet shank. Upon ignition, the polymer base cup expands its diameter to engage the rifling and seal the bore for increased velocity and accuracy. The rear of the B.O.R. Lock MZ cup with its hard, fiber-reinforced polymer ring scours fouling from the breech when the bullet is loaded into the breech. This reduces the need to clean between shots and helps ensure that the bullet is seated at the same depth for every shot.

With no bulky sabot in the way, Trophy Copper bullets require half of the loading force of most sabots, require less cleaning and are approved for hunting in most areas. See video of the projectile in action here.

Like other projectiles in the proven Trophy Copper line, the copper-alloy bullet features a polymer tip with a deep, hollow cavity and skiving that allows for consistent, devastating expansion and maximum weight retention. With its high ballistic coefficient, the bullets produce flatter trajectories and less wind drift to increase maximum effective range in the field.
SIG SAUER, Inc., designer and manufacturer of the world’s most reliable firearms, accessories, and ammunition, continues to expand its Elite Performance Ammunition line with the introduction of two new 10mm options – a 180gr 10mm Elite Performance V-Crown™ Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) and a 180gr Elite Performance Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) premium target load.

The 10mm Elite Performance V-Crown JHP is an extremely accurate load delivering consistent expansion. A distinct advantage of the SIG V-Crown is the toothed cannelure located halfway up the shank of the bullet.  Its location more effectively locks the jacket and lead/alloy core, providing exceptional structural integrity in a jacketed bullet.  This design ensures maximum weight retention and energy on impact.  The proprietary SIG V-Crown stacked hollow point bullet design, along with the V-shaped jacket skives, aids in providing controlled, uniform expansion.   DUCTA–BRIGHT 7A™ coated brass cases also provide enhanced lubricity, offering superior corrosion resistance, and more reliable feeding and extraction in semi-automatic pistols.

“We are pleased to add this accurate, powerful round to our Elite Performance Ammunition line,” said Bud Fini, vice president of marketing for SIG SAUER.  “The 10mm caliber with our proprietary 180-grain SIG V-Crown bullet is a great load for hunting mid-sized game and an ideal round for self-defense.   And for target shooters, we now offer a 180gr 10mm Elite Performance FMJ round.”

Want to Know What Your Shot Does to a Deer?
Find out what happens when you shoot a deer with this incredible Shot Simulator, which allows you to peel back layers of the deer’s body. Then you can find out what happens to the bones, muscles and vital organs — or see what happens if you goob up the shot! — and then learn more about making better, effective and ethical killing shots. Check it out here … 

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Acorn Rage Drop N Block 00007 – 3 lbs. Deer are naturally attracted to the sound of dropping acorns and what better way to attract deer than to have a hanging acorn block that releases and drops real acorns! Wildgame Innovations is the first to produce a time released acorn dropping block that is easy hang and attracts deer for weeks! The NEW, ACORN RAGE DROP N BLOCK is made with real acorns and will allow acorns to drop wherever you want, whenever you want. Hang the Acorn Rage Drop N Block in front of trail cameras to maximize scouting pictures or in a clear shooting lane from your tree stand. Drop the buck of a lifetime with the revolutionary ACORN RAGE Drop N Block!

List price: $17.90

Ruger’s Gunsite Scout Rifle was designed to be an all-around gun that anyone could use for self-defense, hunting or target shooting, and chambered in .308 it’s more than enough to take down deer and big game.

This year Ruger is offering the lightweight composite version, which shaves weight while retaining the durability and accuracy demanded for such a weapon. It’s a cool gun and quite versatile.

The composite stock reduces the rifle weight to 6.25 pounds, 3/4 pounds less than the popular laminate wood stock version. This new version features a forward aluminum bedding block and rear aluminum pillar that positively locate the receiver and free float the 16.1″ barrel for outstanding accuracy.

The new composite stock, available on right-hand rifles chambered in .308 Win., contains the versatile adjustable length of pull found on all models of the current Gunsite Scout Rifle. Recognizing the importance of a proper fitting rifle, Ruger developed this adjustable system, which allows the shooter to change the length of pull to fit their individual needs. The length of pull can be adjusted from 12.75″ to 14.25″ to give the shooter the proper fit with outerwear or defensive gear of varying thickness, or properly fit the rifle to different shooters.

Check out the video as Deer & Deer Hunting Editor Gordy Krahn visits the Ruger booth during the 2015 SHOT Show in Las Vegas to find out more about this hot rifle.

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If you’ve ever deer hunted in truly cold weather, and I mean 10 or more degrees south of 0° F, you’ve hoped and prayed your hunting boots would wouldn’t fail you. At the 2015 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show, I got to talk insulation with boot manufacturers and see their latest wares.

By Darren Warner 

First, no hunting boot will perform flawlessly in all hunting conditions. Select the right boot and insulation combination based on the type of hunt you’ll be doing (e.g., still-hunting vs. sitting), the weather conditions, your level of cold tolerance and even how physically fit you are. For instance, a guy on a spot-and-stalk hunt in early season will need something different than someone sitting all day in a box blind in northern Wisconsin in December. And remember that the socks you select are just as important as the footwear.

“You want a sock that’s 50 percent or more merino wool when you’re hunting in cold weather,” said Lacrosse boot technician Jeremy Scotton (lacrossefootwear.com). “If your feet sweat a lot, wear a polypropylene liner against your skin.

Cold weather hunters should also buy boots at least one size bigger than they normally wear to provide ample room for thick socks. And don’t assume that a boot with 1,200 grams of insulation will keep your feet twice as warm as one with only 600 grams. That’s not what manufacturers promise, and making this mistake could lead to frozen feet.

Also, when a manufacturer provides a rating of cold tolerance for a pair of boots, the rating is based on an active user walking down a trail, and not one sitting for hours in a treestand.

To get the right boot for your deer hunt, contact footwear manufacturers and tell them where, when and how you’ll be hunting. They’ll be able to provide helpful recommendations that’ll help you keep your feet warm and dry.

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Want to take trophy deer? Don’t just wait for them – bring them in! Reproduce the full range of whitetail deer vocalizations with the Extinguisher Deer Call. It’s the only deer call that sounds like a buck, a doe and a fawn in an instant, thanks to its patented Modislide System.

The Modislide, found exclusively on the Extinguisher, is a breakthrough in deer call technology. It glides up and down the reed assembly, giving it the wide range of tone and volume that other calls cannot match.

• Includes Illusion’s in-depth instructional DVD. Olympic gold medalist Rod White shows you how to use the Extinguisher to better communicate with deer. See exactly what you need to sound like when using your Extinguisher afield.
• FreezeFree Design – The Extinguisher’s Modislide also serves to free the call from a “freeze-up.” Perfect for extreme climates!

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The TURRET© Hunting Blind – The Turret Pop-Up Ground Blind lets you stay more mobile and hunt while staying more concealed than ever before. The Turret is and quiet and easy to set up and features a lightweight steel frame design that makes for easy and stealthy deployment in your favorite spot. The Turret’s tough, scentless, black out interior and weatherproof denier polyester fabric exterior provides a durable water-repellent finish. Four Full-View Windows with integrated portal windows and removable camo mesh coverings ensure you’re never surprised by game. A zippered door makes entry and exit a breeze. We include a convenient carry bag with shoulder strap and ground stakes at no extra charge. * Size: 5’6″ square x 5’8″ tall * Collapsed Dimensions: 24″ Diameter x 2″ Thick * Backpack Case: 42″ x 6″ x 6″ * Weight: 14 lbs. * 4 camo removable-mesh shooting turrets * Scent Dampening Stealth Protection * Black-Out interior with Open Floor * Open Woods Camo Pattern * Includes Stakes & High Wind Tie-Downs

List price: $170.99

The Scent That Smokes. Draws deer like magic for hours. Masks scent of the hunter. Aroma adheres to surrounding area. Works in the rain. Total of eight different chemical smells (aroma). Great for use in the RUT. Must use along with part A cover scent and a bucket.

List price: $10.99