About Me
- Bow4Buc
- Well what can I say, I hunt. I enjoy hunting, friends and family. I figure if I can find a way to mix them together then life is about as rich as it gets.
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Digital trail cameras come in all shapes and sizes today. If you are not making use of trail cameras in your deer hunting and scouting effor...
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A good tube of Allen Company Bow String Wax and regular applications to the string and serving will prolong the life of any bow string. Thi...
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Finding bedding areas now gives you a big jump ahead of the game come this fall. It is becoming more and more popular to hunt bedding areas....
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Remember when you first started deer hunting, not just the first time but when you began leaving the ole man behind and heading out on your ... -
Well October will finally come. Many bow hunters have been loosing sleep waiting for this time of year to come. The colors are on the trees ...
Monday, June 13, 2011
Hunting Scrapes
4:47 PM |
Well October will finally come. Many bow hunters have been loosing sleep waiting for this time of year to come. The colors are on the trees and the temps are showing signs of giving way to summer's heat.
With October also comes a shortening of daylight. These shorter days along with cooler temps will have most bucks chomping at the bit waiting for the first does to come into estrus. In an attempt to let every doe in the area know he is available for service, he will begin rubbing and scraping. Plastering these advertising billboards all over his core area in an attempt to bring the first doe in estrus into his territory to him. Did I say bring the doe to him? Yes I did but we will get to that in a moment.
Most every hunter knows scrapes can be a good place to think about hunting. Not all scrapes are created equal though. Often a buck will scrape and never revisit that location while others he will freshen during the entire rut. What makes one better over the other and how do we know which is which. I'm not sure there is really any hard quick answer to that. One thing that many writers and experienced hunters seem to agree on, is the fact that the hottest spots will most likely have clusters of scrapes in one small area. As said before, this area will usually be close to the bucks core area.
[Image]Heavy concentrations of droppings will be found near by. The other dead giveaway, the scrapes will always seem fresh. Often a dominant buck may only visit these at night. If he does visit them during daylight he will almost always approach them from down wind. Setting up shop to close to these scrapes can often get a hunter busted. Try backing off and hanging a stand 30-40 yards down wind of these scrapes.
Then there are the does, a big buck will most likely set up his core area close to or near by the does. That's the whole reason he makes these love signs, letting a hot doe know he is there. Another method of hunting hot scrapes is to run a drag past them to your hunting spot. Because the estrus cycle is pretty short, in many cases if a male companion hasn't come around the hot doe will visit his scrapes. Generally she will only visit the ones closest to his core area in an attempt to find him there. Often, mating will happen right at the scrape. In the event she doesn't find him there, she will urinate in the scrape letting him know she is ready. When the buck visits he will begin to trail the doe. Keep in mind this works best when there are hot does in the area. A lil bit of your favorite Doe-in-Heat on a drag can be just the trick to bring that big guy into bow or gun range.
Keep in mind, the idea here is to find the biggest concentration of scrapes in a small area. One or two here and there probably are not worth your time. Many hunters have found a couple scrapes and hunt them never to see the buck that made them. Begin looking in areas where you have seen many or know does often frequent, a buck will do the same. When you find the hot spots don't be afraid to pull out the bag of tricks to get him show him self. Try hunting down wind of the scrapes, run a drag from them to your stand, rattling and grunting or setting up a mock scrape are all good tactics to use when the rut begins. Scrape hunting can be very rewarding and you should spend the time to find the right ones to hunt over.....
With October also comes a shortening of daylight. These shorter days along with cooler temps will have most bucks chomping at the bit waiting for the first does to come into estrus. In an attempt to let every doe in the area know he is available for service, he will begin rubbing and scraping. Plastering these advertising billboards all over his core area in an attempt to bring the first doe in estrus into his territory to him. Did I say bring the doe to him? Yes I did but we will get to that in a moment.
Most every hunter knows scrapes can be a good place to think about hunting. Not all scrapes are created equal though. Often a buck will scrape and never revisit that location while others he will freshen during the entire rut. What makes one better over the other and how do we know which is which. I'm not sure there is really any hard quick answer to that. One thing that many writers and experienced hunters seem to agree on, is the fact that the hottest spots will most likely have clusters of scrapes in one small area. As said before, this area will usually be close to the bucks core area.
[Image]Heavy concentrations of droppings will be found near by. The other dead giveaway, the scrapes will always seem fresh. Often a dominant buck may only visit these at night. If he does visit them during daylight he will almost always approach them from down wind. Setting up shop to close to these scrapes can often get a hunter busted. Try backing off and hanging a stand 30-40 yards down wind of these scrapes.
Then there are the does, a big buck will most likely set up his core area close to or near by the does. That's the whole reason he makes these love signs, letting a hot doe know he is there. Another method of hunting hot scrapes is to run a drag past them to your hunting spot. Because the estrus cycle is pretty short, in many cases if a male companion hasn't come around the hot doe will visit his scrapes. Generally she will only visit the ones closest to his core area in an attempt to find him there. Often, mating will happen right at the scrape. In the event she doesn't find him there, she will urinate in the scrape letting him know she is ready. When the buck visits he will begin to trail the doe. Keep in mind this works best when there are hot does in the area. A lil bit of your favorite Doe-in-Heat on a drag can be just the trick to bring that big guy into bow or gun range.
Keep in mind, the idea here is to find the biggest concentration of scrapes in a small area. One or two here and there probably are not worth your time. Many hunters have found a couple scrapes and hunt them never to see the buck that made them. Begin looking in areas where you have seen many or know does often frequent, a buck will do the same. When you find the hot spots don't be afraid to pull out the bag of tricks to get him show him self. Try hunting down wind of the scrapes, run a drag from them to your stand, rattling and grunting or setting up a mock scrape are all good tactics to use when the rut begins. Scrape hunting can be very rewarding and you should spend the time to find the right ones to hunt over.....
![[Image]](http://www.huntingcircle.com/uploaded_images/IMG_0622-737519.JPG){kind=link}
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Time To Replace That Bow String
10:27 AM |
A good tube of Allen Company Bow String Wax
and regular applications to the string and serving will prolong the life of any bow string. This however does not remove the need to replace the string and or cables on a regular basis. Many manufacturers recommend replacement of the bow string annually. If you are a competitive shooter or think you probably shoot considerably more then the average hunter, this may be more often than once a year.
Strings used to show signs of wear in the form of discoloration or fraying, letting the shooter know it was time to change them. The synthetics strings like Synthetic Revolution XS String
may weaken and show no signs of wear and tear. Strings that do not get a regular waxing, will begin to wear and weaken under the serving, due to vibration between the serving and string during use. Again regular waxing will help keep the string from moving under the serving prolonging the life of the string. Other areas of wear would be under knocking points or a knocking loop if installed. The wear in these areas often goes unnoticed because they are covered. If you use a release that directly attaches to the string, this is a high use area and usually the first place to show wear.
The summer months are usually when most hunters begin shooting and tuning their bows. This is also a good time to head over to the local pro shop and get the cables checked and the string replaced. Once season rolls around the last thing you want is to find a worn string needs replaced and then set up the bow again or worse yet, having a bow explode in your face damaging your equipment or you.
Bottom line, If you don't remember having the string replaced last season, go have it done now and make it a regular practice if you already don't.
and regular applications to the string and serving will prolong the life of any bow string. This however does not remove the need to replace the string and or cables on a regular basis. Many manufacturers recommend replacement of the bow string annually. If you are a competitive shooter or think you probably shoot considerably more then the average hunter, this may be more often than once a year.Strings used to show signs of wear in the form of discoloration or fraying, letting the shooter know it was time to change them. The synthetics strings like Synthetic Revolution XS String
may weaken and show no signs of wear and tear. Strings that do not get a regular waxing, will begin to wear and weaken under the serving, due to vibration between the serving and string during use. Again regular waxing will help keep the string from moving under the serving prolonging the life of the string. Other areas of wear would be under knocking points or a knocking loop if installed. The wear in these areas often goes unnoticed because they are covered. If you use a release that directly attaches to the string, this is a high use area and usually the first place to show wear.The summer months are usually when most hunters begin shooting and tuning their bows. This is also a good time to head over to the local pro shop and get the cables checked and the string replaced. Once season rolls around the last thing you want is to find a worn string needs replaced and then set up the bow again or worse yet, having a bow explode in your face damaging your equipment or you.
Bottom line, If you don't remember having the string replaced last season, go have it done now and make it a regular practice if you already don't.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Kids and Hunting
9:28 AM |
I have spent a great deal of time in the field with all four of my children hunting everything from squirrels to whitetails. Many times after our hunts or when I have had a chance to reflect on our time together, I have often wondered if they are getting out of it what they should be. Do they know that hunting is more then taking game and have I even given them a clue to my idea of being stewards of the land. Last weekend was a defining moment that put some of those worries to rest.
It was a two day youth hunt in Wisconsin and I had two of my kids chomping at the bit, ready for their first deer. We were hunting a lease that belongs to a hunt club I joined and my kids know there is deer on the property.
We split into two groups, my daughter Amber age 12 and myself in one and my long time hunting buddy Todd and my son Nathan age 14 in the other. The first morning Amber and myself have two deer near our stand. One a mature doe and the other just wouldn't give us a look to see what it was.
Now, club rules say we can shoot nothing less then an eight pointer but kids or any indavidual taking their first deer can harvest anything. The doe in the thicket was fair game. Although we could see the doe it was to thick to take the shot and Amber knew this. She never even raised the gun to shoot. That was the first moment Poppa knew she had been paying attention to previous instructions. The doe did however begin to feed in our direction and Amber was on the ball. she stood up in the tree stand some 20 feet above the ground and turned toward the deer. She raised here gun and steadied it against the tree. Still the doe never gave her a shot and slowly walked off deeper into the thicket but as she started to leave the second deer that we could not see started to follow her and took a path just six yards from our stand. I looked to motion to Amber here it comes but seen she already had eyes on it and was ready to shoot.
This was the second proud moment for dad, as she got ready the deer stoped to nibble some browes, giving Amber a perfect quartering away shot. The deer turned it's head and we both saw it was a buck fawn. Amber clicked the safty back on and watched the little buck follow the doe into the thicket. She turned and sat back down in her stand looking at me with the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face. I think we were both shaking at the knees from the excitment and I told her I think she did a good thing letting the little buck walk and she agreed.
That afternoon back on stand again we hear a single shot comming form the direction of Nathan and Todd. Nathan took his first deer confirmed by the vibrating cell phone in my pocket. The look on Amber's face had me guessing, she was rethinking letting that deer walk that morning.
Sunday morning, the last hunt. I hear foot steps in the fallen leaves that cover the ground but can not see what is there because of the canopy of leaves remaining on the trees. The sound stops close by and doesn't move again for many minutes. Finally I hear it again and then I see the head, another doe making her way right into our set up. I motion to Amber to get ready and the doe is walking right through our shooting lane. Amber gets her gun up and finds the deer in her scope. I give the doe a bleat from my mouth stopping her right in the lane for a perfect broadside shot at ten yards. POW! My heart sank because I knew she had just shot high over the deer's back.
To make this already long story short, I think I was more depressed then she was and I was feeling bad for her. She informed me however, that she had a great time seeing deer and even getting to take a shot. I was then also reminded that we have the whole regular gun season for her to get another chance. She took it right in stride and proved to me that she really does understand that there is more to hunting then just taking game. This had to be one of the best couple days I have spent in the field with her and a weekend I'm sure neither of us will forget....
It was a two day youth hunt in Wisconsin and I had two of my kids chomping at the bit, ready for their first deer. We were hunting a lease that belongs to a hunt club I joined and my kids know there is deer on the property.
We split into two groups, my daughter Amber age 12 and myself in one and my long time hunting buddy Todd and my son Nathan age 14 in the other. The first morning Amber and myself have two deer near our stand. One a mature doe and the other just wouldn't give us a look to see what it was.
Now, club rules say we can shoot nothing less then an eight pointer but kids or any indavidual taking their first deer can harvest anything. The doe in the thicket was fair game. Although we could see the doe it was to thick to take the shot and Amber knew this. She never even raised the gun to shoot. That was the first moment Poppa knew she had been paying attention to previous instructions. The doe did however begin to feed in our direction and Amber was on the ball. she stood up in the tree stand some 20 feet above the ground and turned toward the deer. She raised here gun and steadied it against the tree. Still the doe never gave her a shot and slowly walked off deeper into the thicket but as she started to leave the second deer that we could not see started to follow her and took a path just six yards from our stand. I looked to motion to Amber here it comes but seen she already had eyes on it and was ready to shoot.
This was the second proud moment for dad, as she got ready the deer stoped to nibble some browes, giving Amber a perfect quartering away shot. The deer turned it's head and we both saw it was a buck fawn. Amber clicked the safty back on and watched the little buck follow the doe into the thicket. She turned and sat back down in her stand looking at me with the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face. I think we were both shaking at the knees from the excitment and I told her I think she did a good thing letting the little buck walk and she agreed.
That afternoon back on stand again we hear a single shot comming form the direction of Nathan and Todd. Nathan took his first deer confirmed by the vibrating cell phone in my pocket. The look on Amber's face had me guessing, she was rethinking letting that deer walk that morning.
Sunday morning, the last hunt. I hear foot steps in the fallen leaves that cover the ground but can not see what is there because of the canopy of leaves remaining on the trees. The sound stops close by and doesn't move again for many minutes. Finally I hear it again and then I see the head, another doe making her way right into our set up. I motion to Amber to get ready and the doe is walking right through our shooting lane. Amber gets her gun up and finds the deer in her scope. I give the doe a bleat from my mouth stopping her right in the lane for a perfect broadside shot at ten yards. POW! My heart sank because I knew she had just shot high over the deer's back.
To make this already long story short, I think I was more depressed then she was and I was feeling bad for her. She informed me however, that she had a great time seeing deer and even getting to take a shot. I was then also reminded that we have the whole regular gun season for her to get another chance. She took it right in stride and proved to me that she really does understand that there is more to hunting then just taking game. This had to be one of the best couple days I have spent in the field with her and a weekend I'm sure neither of us will forget....
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Find and Hunt Deer Bedding Areas
11:25 AM |
Finding bedding areas now gives you a big jump ahead of the game come this fall. It is becoming more and more popular to hunt bedding areas. This is most true when it comes to hunting large mature deer.
The further you hunt from the bedding area, the more options you give a deer to take a route that will not cross your path. By getting in close you narrow down the options he has to avoid you and put the odds in your favor. Keep in mind though, this isn't for the faint at heart. Make a mistake, and it could be your season in that area. So you better bring your "A" game.
Now, is a good time to be scouting and looking for those bedding areas, if you bump deer it will be months before you are hunting them again. Use a map to mark the beds you find and eventually a core area will emerge on the map. Then you know where to begin your search come this fall...
The further you hunt from the bedding area, the more options you give a deer to take a route that will not cross your path. By getting in close you narrow down the options he has to avoid you and put the odds in your favor. Keep in mind though, this isn't for the faint at heart. Make a mistake, and it could be your season in that area. So you better bring your "A" game.
Now, is a good time to be scouting and looking for those bedding areas, if you bump deer it will be months before you are hunting them again. Use a map to mark the beds you find and eventually a core area will emerge on the map. Then you know where to begin your search come this fall...
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