Bulls and Beavers » Outdoor News & Information

Alaska Fishing Tips

admin2 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:45:07 +0000

Salmon Fishing
While fishing in Alaska, your experienced guide exposes you to a variety of fishing opportunities and methods. Salmon fishing typically involves trolling using down-riggers, however, lead weights or deep divers are often employed to reach fish just below the surface. In Alaska, we troll with herring and artificial lures- we have a full arsenal of tools and tactics. Whatever it takes to make ‘em bite!

Sometimes, mooching or even jigging will be the method of the day for catching salmon. Typically, we use light trolling or level wind reels coupled with long (10’6) medium weight rods or, for even more excitement, salt water fly reels.

Nothing compares to the fight of a big king salmon on fly gear and light line! Be prepared for a 30 to 45 minute battle. When fish are actively feeding on the surface, casting with light tackle can be an exciting alternative. We use only high quality light tackle to keep the SPORT in your sport fishing!

Halibut Fishing
Jigging for Halibut has proven so successful we seldom do anything else. We don’t use 5 pounds of lead, a winch and a broom stick to fish like most places in Alaska. Whenever possible, we fish shallow water for these pacific monsters making the fight even more exhilarating!

When jigging, we use comparatively “light” halibut gear, but for the real “sport fishing enthusiast” we use “ultra light weight” 10-20 lb class bait casting and spinning gear. Our guides do their best to stay on the “cutting” edge of angling techniques. Our favorite method for bottom fishing incorporates the use of high quality metal butterfly and knife jigs, coupled with highly responsive light weight jigging rods and no stretch micro fiber lines. Using this system will give you the “fight of your life”, even with 20 to 30 lb fish. Occasionally we land fish in excess of 100 lbs on these light rigs. A – line class world record- fishing experience!

Dry Out Your Gear

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:39:28 +0000

Yeah, you’re gonna need to dry that gear out.

Today’s Universal Fly Fishing Tip is one that most anglers know, but few actually follow through on. After a day or a week or fishing, make sure you dry out your gear well.

Gear that gets stored wet gets nasty. Waders stink, rod socks mildew, flies rust and backing turns black. When you’re done with your fishing session, make sure you get all your gear dry.

That means…

Hang up your waders inside out so any sweaty condensation dries out. Go to the extra effort of pulling your stocking feet inside out – they’ll get really nasty otherwise.
Take your rod socks of of their tubes and unroll them.
Hang up your raincoat and take everything out of its pockets.
Set out your wading boots.
Open up your fly boxes. If you’ve got a bunch of matted down flies all crammed in there together (say with marabou or bunny fur), spread them out.
Take the covers off your reels.
Unzip the pockets on boat bags, hip packs, etc.
Open up any waterproof cases (like that Pelican case for your camera) that might have gotten a tiny bit of moisture in them – those cases keep water in as well as they keep it out.
Do your laundry right now, you slob

by Deneki Outdoors

Review: Sage Click Reels

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:37:59 +0000

Simple is good.

In lots of trout fishing situations, you don’t need a drag system that’s capable of stopping a locomotive. There, we said it!

Slapping a mega-reel on a lightweight trout rod isn’t going to result in an outfit that’s well-balanced. And really, you don’t need all that technology most of the time.

If you’re targeting trout that are less than gigantic, the drag on your reel really needs to do two things well.

Engage easily and allow line to peel off the reel smoothly, protecting light tippets.
Keep your reel from backlashing on a fast run.

For small- to moderate-sized trout and lightweight rods, one of the reels that we think you should check out is the Sage Click.

Here’s why we like Sage Click reels.

They’re lightweight.
They’re really simple and the clicker drag is super smooth.
They retain one really important element of modern reel design – a very large arbor. This allows for fast line pickup and less memory when your line and leader come off the reel.

We fished the Sage Click III with a 7 foot 4 weight on some tiny water in Southern Chile last week, and we loved it. The outfit balanced great and the drag did an excellent job, even on some fish that were quite a bit bigger than expected. Nothing wrong with that.

by Deneki Outdoors

Review: Gerber E-Z Open Knife

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:42:15 +0000

A few months ago, Rick Young of Rick Young Outdoors sent me one of his E-Z Open knives to review. It was after the hunting season, so I wasn’t sure that I would be able to use it until next spring. I did do some mountain lion hunting, but we never caught a good one. Things were looking bad for the review, but on our way to a Christmas party I got a badger. I decided that this would be a good enough test for the knife, plus I could make a cool hat for my kids.

The E-Z Open knife was invented and field tested by professional hunter Rick Young. The E-Z Open Metolius is 9” long and made from 440A Stainless Steel with a firmly embedded composite ball for guiding the blade between the animal skin and muscle structure.

By cutting from the inside outward in long continuous cuts, the tool ensures clean cuts and eliminates problems with opening the entrails during field dressing. Here are my thoughts:

Ease of Use:
Super easy to use. ‘Nuf said.

Functionality:
The knife performed exactly as it was supposed to. The ball on the end, although it looks kind of goofy, keeps the blade from getting into the guts and opened up the badger just like a zipper. Mutch better than traditional hook knives.

Is it Practical?
It is practical for most situations, although I don’t believe that I would keep one in my day pack if I was on a strenuous hunt such as archery elk. In that case it would be an extra knife and not a neccesity. That isn’t to say that I wouldn’t keep it in my truck though. If I was hunting on a stand, I would definately take it along.

Will My Buddies Make Fun of Me?
They might at first, because like I said before, it kind of looks weird with that ball on the end. Once they use it though, the jokes will be over.

TOTAL SCORE:
If you’re in the market for a good knife, check out: www.rickyoungoutdoors.com.

Simms Guide Windstopper Jacket Review

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:07:33 +0000

Softshells are a great compromise between warmth, comfort and breathability. The fact is, most of the time you’re on the water, a true hard shell like Gore-Tex is more waterproof, but less breathable and comfortable than it needs to be. Hoods are great because they keep rain, cold air, wind and badly-cast flies off of our heads and faces, so naturally we were pretty fired up a couple of years ago when Simms added a hood to their Windstopper Softshell Jacket to make the Windstopper Softshell Hoody. It’s been a real favorite – comfortable, good in a range of conditions, mellow-looking…plus it’s got a hood!

This year Simms came out with ‘version 2′ of their hooded softshell, and it’s called the Guide Windstopper Jacket.

Here’s what we like about the Guide Windstopper Jacket.

* It’s a little warmer than the Softshell Hoody. In some areas of the jacket, the softshell material has been replaced by Windstopper fleece – which makes for more warmth and comfort, if a little less water repellancy.
* It’s got 4 pockets that are easily accessible when you’re fishing. To us that’s a good, but not excessive number.
* The hood kicks butt. It’s removable, although we probably won’t ever remove it. It’s cut great, it’s really comfortable, and the stretchy non-adjustable shock cord seems to work just about perfectly, especially when you’re wearing a baseball hat.

At $249.95, this thing ain’t cheap. But you know what? We live in a part of the world where it rains so much that moss removal applies to our beards as well as our lawns, and we still wear softshells like this one more than our Gore-Tex. A high quality softshell is going to treat you right, and we like this one an awful lot.

Columbia Sportswear

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:00:07 +0000

No matter what your outdoor passion is, chances are Columbia Sportswear has apparel that will fit your needs. A very diverse brand, which makes everything from heavy hunting parkas to beach sandals, Columbia has proven itself as a leader in quality outdoor apparel.

Columbia may not be the brand of choice for the hardcore hunters out there, but for someone looking to get some decent gear for a reasonable price, Columbia is right up your ally. For you skiers out there, Columbia makes some of the best jackets and pants available, in many styles and colors.

Columbia Sportswear can be found in almost any sporting goods store across the country. So not only is it great gear at decent prices, it is also very easily accessible. How can you beat that?

Petzl Zipka Plus Review

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:36:32 +0000

Hands down my favorite headlamp. Mine has lasted me for 12+ years (I’ve lost track) and it has been through alot with me. There are brighter headlamps, and definitely ones with more features, but I’m a fan of the Zipka’s simplicity. It is super compact and bright enough in pretty much every situation we’ve been through together. This little headlamp is one of my favorite pieces of equipment and has a permanent place in my pack.

Petzl Zipka Specifications
The Petzl Zipka weighs 2.07 oz (59 g) with 3xAAA batteries. It is a 3-LED headlamp with batteries in the lamp housing (front). The headband is a spring-loaded retractable cord.

Usability
The Petzl Zipka does not have a pivoting head but I have found the natural angle of the lamp to be correct for most tasks, and some adjustment is possible by changing the location of the headlamp housing on the forehead.

The Zipka-Tikka headlamp line has always been assumed to be a short range task light. However, with fresh batteries (which last a long time), the Petzl Zipka is bright enough to illuminate a large area over a short distance and is even appropriate for off-trail navigation.

Weaknesses
The Petzl Zipka’s primary weakness is the difficulty in changing batteries in cold conditions. Its single mode of brightness may be perceived by some to be a disadvantge, but Petzl offers the Zipka Plus for those who want the advanced circuitry of a multi-mode headlamp.

Strengths
The Petzl Zipka is an outstanding performer. I have always been impressed with its beam quality, brightness, and compact form factor. Further, its cold-conditions performance is surprising, considering that it uses alkaline AAA batteries (which currently have no Lithium option). For its weight, it’s hard to find a headlamp that is as simple to operate, or is a better all-around performer.

Sworovski 8×30 Binoculars

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:02:22 +0000

Daniel Swarovski started his Austrian Precision Crystal cutting company in 1895 with the motto “Constantly improving what is good.” And they are good glass. That’s a fact. I’ve had many different brands and models of binoculars over the years as a guide and had always wanted a pair of Swarovski’s, but it just wasn’t in the budget. A few years ago while guiding, one of my hunters gave his Sworovski 8×30 SLC’s to me as a tip. I was estatic to say the least.

At the time, I thought I wanted 10×42’s but after using my “eight’s” for several seasons now and comparing them to friends’ “ten’s” I have to say that I have come to prefer them for several reasons. They are compact, light weight, offer reasonable performance in evening and early morning light, and they do not have so much magnification that a sharp image is difficult to achieve when they are handheld. With 8×32 binos, a really good depth of field is achievable with the focus set to around 150 yards, ranging from that distance to several miles in sharp focus. When the glass is set like this, for hunting purposes, one rarely needs to touch the focus adjustment at all.

Swarovski’s current binocular flagship series, the roofprism EL model have been around for several years now and if I was in the market for new binos, that would be what I’d choose, although they are NOT cheap.

Specs:

Exit pupil diameter, 4mm.
Eye relief, 15mm.
The field of view, 420 feet @ 1000yds
Close focus, 6.1 feet.
Diopter adjustment, +/- 3.
The twilight factor, 16.
Length, 5.4 inch
Width, 4.5 inch
Tube diameter, 2.4 inch
Weight, 610 grams or 21.5 ounces
Body material, magnesium alloy with a textured green rubber armor coating
Waterproof to 13 feet
Warrantee, 30 years

Improvements:
Features include twist up eyecups, Swarobright phase coated prisms, plus a new patented lens multi-coating that renders true colour fidelity. This is rather an important move for Swarovski, as the Habicht line (and the earlier SLC roof prism models) had lens surface coatings that rendered a rather warmer image than the true colors of the object being viewed.

Swarovski have put much thought into the ergonomics of the EL series and reduced quite a bit of weight (compared to their SLC range) by designing an open bridge that offers a good solid grip at all times. Swarovski make much of the fact that the ELs can be used one handed, but of course to a certain extent doing this negates the purpose of buying top line glass, because it is nearly impossible to hold any optical device steady with one hand. Nevertheless, due to their extremely intelligent design, these binos can in fact be held in many comfortable positions, courtesy of the open bridge and the tactile rubber armoring.

There are comfortable thumb depressions strategically placed under each barrel that enhance the handling of the binos. Further, the neckstrap is wide and distributes the weight well so the glasses can be carried around the neck all day without discomfort.

The objective lenses are set back sufficiently to afford good protection from the elements in general usage and have they have a hard rubber surround from the body armouring.

The eyecups are fully adjustable in any position and provide a full view for eyeglass wearers through the large diameter eyepieces; they are also removable for cleaning.

I did like the method of setting the diopter, which is incorporated into the large, finely grooved focus wheel. First, focus the binos for the left eye, (as is normal), then pull the focus wheel rearwards for about four millimetres, close your left eye and rotate the wheel until the image through the right barrel comes sharp. Push the focus wheel forward to lock the setting. There is a graduated scale on the wheel for the + – three diopter setting range. This method of setting is simple, fast and impossible to inadvertently move out of adjustment.

Some reviewers have criticized the EL series as being geared too low in the focusing wheel, others like it. I find the slower gearing excellent, the image comes into sharp focus very smoothly and easily, compared to the high gearing on my Minox 8×32 roof prisms. With these it is very easy to over-shoot the sharp focus point, which then involves a bit of back and forth readjustment of the wheel to sharpen the image.

Entirely practical front and rear caps come with these binos, they are easy to unlatch to view through and simple to click back into place. These are the first objective lens covers that I would leave in place and actually use should I ever own a pair of Els.

South Africa, Here We Come!

admin2 — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:00:34 +0000

Well, it’s official. We’re headed to South Africa. I think every red-blooded American male has dreamed of going to Africa, and We’re not any different. We’re excited to say the least. Our trip is in May and guess what? We need some people to go with me. Wanna go?

What we’ve done is work with one of our South African PH’s to secure three good blocks of time and some GREAT prices. You could do the whole trip for about the same price as a good whitetail hunt here in the states. It’s cheap!

But, there’s a catch…yeah, there’s always a catch. You have to be willing to let us film your hunt for our upcoming show. That’s not too much to ask, is it? If you agree to let us film you hunting, not only will you get a deal on one of the great packages below, but we’ll throw in an Impala and Blesbuck for FREE! So what do you think?

Rifle Hunt – Five Animals
– 7 day hunt for a group 8 hunters
– May 6-12
– 5 animal hunt *Kudu, Gemsbuck, Springbuck, Mountain Reedbuck, Steenbuck
– These animals can be substituted for animals of the same price on price list
– $4,750 *all inclusive hunt (excluding air and tip)

Archery Hunt – Five Animals
– 10 day hunt for a group 6 hunters
– May 13-22
– 5 animal hunt *Blue Wildebeest, Warthog, Kudu, Springbuck, Impala
– These animals can be substituted for animals of the same price on price list
– $6,000 *all inclusive hunt (excluding air and tip)

Archery/Rifle Combo Hunt – Five Animals
– 7 day hunt for a group 6 hunters
– May 23-30
– 5 animal hunt *Kudu, Gemsbuck, Springbuck, Mountain Reedbuck, Steenbuck
– These animals can be substituted for animals of the same price on price list
– $5,000 *all inclusive hunt (excluding air and tip)

[contact-form]

Garmin X-Series GPS Units

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:48 +0000

As GPS units have become more popular over the last few years, Garmin has established itself as the leader in consumer GPS products. Garmin not only makes a great turn by turn system for your car, they also make an exceptional trail unit for outdoorsman of all levels.

Garmin’s newest line of trail handheld GPS systems is the X-Series. The X-Series units are made for high performance and durability. These units give improved satellite reception in heavy tree cover or in deep canyons. One of the neatest features of the X-Series units is the SD memory card capabilities. This allows you to go to a retailer (Cabela’s for example) and purchase a SD card that is preloaded with detailed information on the specific place where you are hunting or hiking (trails, topography, etc). These features make the Garmin X-series a dream for any outdoorsman.

Costa Del Mar Sunglasses

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:00:07 +0000

When it comes to picking out sunglasses to wear for fishing, you won’t find a more highly recommended brand than Costa Del Mar. These polarized glasses are made specifically for fishermen to enhance vision and fish spotting capabilities.

The nice thing about Coast Del Mar glasses is that you don’t have to sacrifice style for performance. Costa Del Mar offers many frame style and sizes to fit and look great on anyone and all glasses come with their top of the line polarized lenses. Not only can you get top quality performance with Costa Del Mar glasses, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get them. The majority of Costa Del Mar’s glasses can be purchased for between $100-$200.

Under Armour Hunting Line

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:00:35 +0000

We are dedicated to bringing you reviews and recommendations on the best equipment and services that we come across, and the Under Armour Hunting line falls into that category.

Under Armour first made a name for itself by introducing it’s form-fitting, moisture-wicking apparel to athletes, to be worn under uniforms. Since then, the company has continued to evolve, branching out to meet the needs of new and unique customer bases, one of them being hunters.

Under Armour has since come out with an entire line of apparel for hunters. While everything Under Armour makes is very high quality, their best products hands down are their base layers. This was what the company was built around and once you try it, you will know why. They offer several thicknesses of base layer, but their “Cold Gear” is the most popular. Under Armour Cold Gear will keep you warm and dry in almost any condition.

Turkey Calling Tips

admin2 — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:33:01 +0000

Learn the Basics of Turkey Hunting and Calling

It’s just about that time of year. I dusted off the turkey calls last night and thought a post on turkey calling may be in order. Wild turkey calling takes time and effort to learn, and knowing the basics of wild turkey vocalizations is crucial to being able to use different calls successfully. Wild turkeys make at least eight different calls, as well as several subtypes of calls that are season specific. You don’t need to know them all, just the major ones which are:

Cluck:
The cluck consists of one or more short, staccato notes. The plain cluck, many times, includes two or three single note clucks. It’s generally used by one bird to get the attention of another. It’s a good call to reasure an approaching gobbler that a hen is waiting for him.

Yelp:
The yelp is a basic turkey sound. It is often delivered in a series of single note vocalizations and can have different meanings depending on how the hen uses it.

Kee Kee Run:
The kee kee is the lost call of young turkeys and variations made by adult birds. It’s often associated with fall hunting, but can be used successfully in the spring. This is what it sounds like. A variation of the call, the kee kee run is merely a kee kee with a yelp.

Purr:
Purring is a soft, rolling call turkeys make when content. It can usually be heard by feeding birds. This is not a loud call, but is good for reassuring turkeys as they get in close to your position.

Cutt:
A series of fast, loud, erratic single notes is referred to as cutting. It’s a modified cluck and is a distinct abrupt call with a somewhat questioning nature. It can be heard at a great distance and is often used by a single turkey looking for companionship.

How to call Turkeys:
For successful turkey calling, you should use use multiple calls. The first step would be to start with a locator call, which are used to simulate loud noises or other animals that gobblers will respond to such as owls or crows. Use short locater calls and listen for a response. Once you feel that you have found a proper location with turkeys in your range, then it’s time to use your vocalization calls.

You should start off using your vocalization calls more quietly and then gradually increase volume. A soft “cluck”, “yelp”, or “purr” are good initial calls to use. This way you won’t scare off any nearby turkeys that you can’t see with a loud call. If you hear responses from a gobbler you have to be patient as many times they won’t close in on you right away. Wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before responding to a gobbler’s call. Be sure to keep trying to call a slow moving gobbler for at least an hour before you give up.

If you hear hens, you should respond to their calls with the same number of calls and the same vocalization. For instance, if you hear a hen cluck 5 times, you should respond with 5 clucks. This will encourage her to come towards your location. This will also help to lure gobblers that are in the vicinity of the hen. There is no secret to calling turkeys. Each turkey will respond to your calls in its own unique way. Turkey calling is an art that takes time and experience to master, so get out there and have some fun!

Your Kids First .22 Rifle

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:19:18 +0000

I get asked all the time what type of .22 parents should get their kids, so I did a little research and here you go. For my kids’ first gun, we went with a cheap bb gun. Nothing fancy, just something so they could learn the mechanics of loading, cocking, aiming and firing. It didn’t take my son long and he wanted to “graduate”, so we looked at air rifles first, but then decided on a .22 rifle (I almost went with a .17, but that was more for me, so I restrained myself).

I already have 3 or 4 .22’s around the house, but they were all too long for my son and not the right gun for him. So here are some good choices for your kids.

Basically, there are a few different kinds of rifle available for the new shooter: the single-shot bolt action, the bolt action repeater, the lever action repeater, the pump-action repeater, and the the semi-auto repeater.

I’m a fan of single-shot bolt action rifles for first-time shooters, because shooting them requires several steps for loading, time to think about each shot, and the whole process is suitable for teaching. For smaller-statured kids, there’s probably no better than Keystone Arms’ Crickett, which comes in several kid-pleasing colors:

Keystone Arms’ Crickett comes in several kid-pleasing colors

The little Cricketts are just over two feet in total length, weigh pretty much nothing, and are excellent “starter” rifles.

If you’d like something a little more classy, then the Savage Cub is a pretty little thing:

The Savage Cub is a pretty little thing

…the Marlin 915Y isn’t a bad choice either:

The Marlin915 aint bad either.

If your kids are older, and close to adult size, you may want to look at the Stevens Favorite:

Try the Stevens Favorite for older kids

If the budget’s an issue, which it is for me, then a cheaper option is the H&R Sportster:

The H&R’s 5lb weight makes it a natural for kids.

When it comes to affordable bolt-action repeating rifles, my pick is the Marlin 981T. It holds 14 rounds, the action is smooth, and the trigger is good.

A very accurate rifle

For about the same money, you could look at the Savage Mk II series (the only budget .22 rifle available left-hand):

The Savage also has the excellent “Accu-Trigger”, and has a removable 10-round magazine

Lever-action repeating rifles, are more expensive than both the above types. Probably the most common is the Marlin 39A:

the action of the “39” has had the longest uninterrupted production run (since 1891) of any rifle type in existence

Speaking of old-timers, one of the oldest names in rifles is “Henry”, and the Henry Repeating Arms Company makes a very pretty (but quite spendy) lever-action .22 rifle, the Golden Boy:

A good lookin’ gun, but I’m not sure it’s a great choice for kids.

When I was a kid, I had a pump-action repeater, but sadly, the market for them is not big—and I can’t understand why because pump-action .22 rifles are a blast (pardon the pun) to shoot. Winchester no longer makes their ancient Model 62, and even Taurus’s faithful copy, also called Model 62, seems to be getting hard to find. Here’s the Taurus 62R:

Pump action .22s are my favorites

Henry also makes a pump-action rifle, and it has a cool looking octagonal barrel, but it’s more expensive.

If you want to know, I’d get a Henry Octagon in a heartbeat.

And finally, there’s the Remington Mod 572 Fieldmaster.

This is what I had as a kid. I loved this gun.

Now, the only category left is the semi-auto repeater. In my humble opinion, these aren’t the right choice for a kids first gun, so I’m not going to list my picks here. I hope this helps, and I know I’m probably going to get some argument from you. Let me know what you think.

Why Pink Salmon are Cool

admin2 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:46 +0000

by Deneki Outdoors

Pretty cool, actually. Photo: Cameron Miller

True, not many anglers head to Alaska specifically to target pink salmon. That’s OK though – we still think they’re pretty awesome fish. Here’s why.

Every other year there are billions of them. OK, not billions, but on even-numbered years on the Kanektok, our pink numbers are very, very large.
They eat poppers. Find ‘em where they’re fresh, and they’re more than happy to eat surface flies, and surface flies for salmon are cool.
They’re a ton of fun on a 6 weight. It may not be a big-game experience, but fishing a lighter-weight rod can be a nice break when you’ve spent most of your week pulling on the big boys.
They make a great shore lunch. Pinks don’t keep well in your freezer over the winter, but on the bank of the river, just minutes from swimming, they’re awfully delicious.
They’re great for kids. We love hosting family groups, and pinks are ‘friends of the family’! Easy to hook and fun to fight, but not too heavy or powerful…perfect.
Their metamorphosis is pretty amazing. All salmon change physically when they enter fresh water, but a pink’s Jekyll and Hyde transition from silver and slender to pink, toothy and humpbacked is just a neat natural thing to witness.

New Mexico Oryx License Deadline

Chris — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:14:12 +0000

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

ATTENTION HUNTERS: APPLY BY FEB. 3 FOR ORYX, WMA BEAR, SPECIAL TURKEY AND POPULATION REDUCTION HUNTS

SANTA FE — Wednesday, Feb. 3, is the deadline to apply for New Mexico 2010-2011 oryx licenses, bear Wildlife Management Area permits, population reduction hunts and special spring turkey permits. Online applications must be made before 5 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline day. Paper applications must be delivered or postmarked on or before the deadline day.

To be eligible for the drawing, all hunters must obtain a Customer ID Number — online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or by visiting a Department office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Las Cruces or Roswell. Customer ID Numbers are free and are required whether applications are made online or on paper applications.

Online applicants are encouraged to apply early to avoid missing the deadline because of forgotten passwords or other computer-related issues at the last minute. Late applications will not be accepted. Drawing results will be available March 10 on the Department Web site, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or in person at Department of Game and Fish offices. Results will be available by telephone March 25.

The Department expects to receive more than 18,000 applications for approximately 3,000 licenses and permits. About 16,000 of those applications will be for 2,215 available oryx licenses.

Hunters who held deer permits or elk licenses for the 2009-2010 season must have reported their harvest results before applying. Hunters who fail to report their 2009-2010 harvest results — successful or not — will have their 2010-2011 applications rejected. Harvest reports can be submitted online at www.newmexico-hunt.com or by calling toll-free (888) 248-6866.

For more information about big-game hunting in New Mexico, please consult the 2010-2011 Big Game & Trapper Rules and Information Booklet, available at all license vendors, Department offices, and online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Information also is available by calling (505) 476-8000.

Do You Stand Out? Why Outdoorsmen & Women Should use Social Media for 2010

admin2 — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:19:28 +0000

“People using social networks will grow from 14 million in 2007 to 600 million
in 2012.”

In the field hunters and anglers do our best not to be seen. We wear camouflage to conceal ourselves. But in the real world of fast paced business and cutting edge change, outdoorsmen and women cannot hide in the shadows…Let’s face it, we all need to rethink the importance of social media and the benefits of this powerful tool. This is particularly important for us outdoor sportsmen and women as we try to connect with others who share our similar interests.

Whether it’s hunting, fishing, camping, bird watching or just those who enjoy the great outdoors we all need to work together to help each other in this competitive market place. Hunters are a dying breed (no pun intended) as our numbers continue to shrink. But now, there are effective ways to pass on our valued traditions through our blogs and websites.

So what is social media?

Social media marketing is the process of promoting your site or business through social media channels like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
It is a powerful strategy that will get you links, attention and massive amounts of traffic.
The key is having a target audience and communicating with a message that connects with your audience through quality content.

Why should the outdoors-man or woman use social media?

The outdoor market is large and fragmented.
This fragmented market offers opportunities for us niche bloggers to communicate and offer value to our readers.
There is no other low-cost promotional method out there that will easily give you large numbers of visitors, some of whom may come back to your website again and again.
Twitter and Facebook seem to be the most popular sites that allow you to gain followers and influence your target audience.
If you are selling products/services or just publishing content for ad revenue, social media marketing is a potent method that will make your site profitable over time.
When it comes to the outdoor sportsmen we our a large an influential group that has not tapped into the power of social media.

Interesting Outdoor Industry Statistics:

On a national level 34 million sportsmen age 16 and older spent more than 76 billion in 2006, supporting 1.6 million jobs.
If a single corporation grossed as much as hunters and anglers spend. It would be among America’s 20 largest, ahead of Target, Costco and AT&T.
Outdoors enthusiasts contributed more than $56 Billion to the U.S. economy through hunting & fishing supplies alone.
More than the combined revenues of Microsoft, Ebay and Yahoo.
If they were a nation they would rank 57 out of 181 countries.
Spending by sportsman benefits not only manufactures of hunting and fishing related products, but everything from local mom and pop businesses to wildlife conservation.

Those who ignore the value of social media usually fall into three categories:

Those who don’t know much or anything about social media,
Those who are interested but don’t know how to use it
Those who don’t believe in the value that a social media strategy can bring to any site or business.
- This is particularly true for the outdoor sportsmen.
- Currently on Twitter there are 429 registered users under hunting and 1,259 under fishing.
- On Facebook there are 7,400 registered names under hunting with Hunting having 88,000 fans and fishing having registered over 2,000 and Fishing have over 153,000 fans.
- Although these numbers are encouraging there is still room to grow and take advantage of the social media outlets that we have available.

90% of businesses in 2009 failed to gain significant value from social media (Community Marketing Blog). Despite November’s 2009 statistics of YouTube’s 6.75 billion streams (Nielsen Wire) and Facebook’s 2.6 billion visits (Compete.com) many businesses are floundering with inexperienced practitioners and poor guidance for effective social media marketing.

Content =Connection = Commerce

I hope you enjoyed this post and please comment or share your story how social media has helped you and your brand.

Thanks and be sure to get outdoors in 2010 and pursue your passion -

Chris Burget, Bulls & Beavers

Hunting Ain’t just for Rednecks

admin2 — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:09:19 +0000

It seems that today’s hunters are thrown in a group associated with the term Redneck. The name is a disparaging term that refers to a person who is stereotypically Caucasian and of lower social-economic status in the United States and Canada, particularly referring to those living in rural areas.

Most people see Rednecks as people who hunt and kill any animals, drive big trucks and carry big guns in the back of their trucks while drinking a beer. Rednecks do exist and for the most part are hard working flag honoring outdoor folks that respect wildlife and would turn a poacher in if given the opportunity. Most people will tell they are proud to be a Redneck and wouldn’t have it any other way.

More and more hunters today both men and woman are involved with wildlife conservation as well land conservation and look nothing like the sterotypical name of the term Redneck. These hunters support many great causes that benefit our lands and wildlife and donate more dollars than any other group. License fees are the largest portion of the sportsman’s contributions that contribute to the state fish and game departments presently furnishing them with more than 1.1 Billion dollars a year.

Hunting means so much to so many people that it is hard to define. It is even harder to explain to people who have never hunted or never really understand its importance. Hunting is both a lifestyle and a tradition. It’s more than the morning mist, the thrill of a pursuit, the use of one’s forest knowledge. It’s primal and modern. It is raw cunning passed down from wood-wise veterans steeped in skill and interpretation of smallest details.

Hunting is more than anything, an opportunity to bond, to teach and to share. In an age of disconnected families and divorce, who could argue then with the value of a father teaching his son or daughter the respectful ways to hunt with integrity and purpose, as well as proper use and care of a firearm and cleaning one’s own catch.

On a national level 34 million sportsmen age 16 and older spent more than 76 billion in 2006, supporting 1.6 million jobs. If a single corporation grossed as much as hunters and anglers spend. It would be among America’s 20 largest, ahead of Target, Costco and AT&T. The economic stimulus of hunting and fishing equals and astounding 1.6 million a day being pumped into the state’s economy

Spending by sportsman benefits not only manufactures of hunting and fishing related products, but everything from local mom and pop businesses to wildlife conservation. Because most hunting and fishing takes place in rural areas, much of the spending benefits less affluent parts of the state. When sportsman spending is thought in business terms and compared to other sectors of the economy, it is quite remarkable. From small rural towns scattered across our country’s landscape to the bottom line of fortune 500 companies located in major cities, taking away hunting and fishing removes the equivalent of a multi-billion dollar corporation.

Made in Japan: Largemouth world record tied

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:09:34 +0000

Dania Beach, Fla. – A 22-pound, 4-ounce bass caught last summer in Japan will take its place in the record books alongside George Perry’s world record caught 77 years ago.

DNR releases additional info on St. Martin Island incident

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:09:34 +0000

Menominee, Mich. – Photographs of an Upper Peninsula island buck pole heavy with white-tailed bucks that flew around Internet sites and e-mails captivated hunters across North America and sparked a debate as to their authenticity and circumstances surrounding the kills.

Do Opposites Attract? Grow your Brand through Diversification on Twitter.

admin2 — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:25:02 +0000

In today’s world of building brands we are all looking for a target audience to market to. When I first started @bullsandbeavers www.bullsandbeavers.com. I was solely focused on finding like minded people that had a passion for hunting and fishing. As time went on I noticed a pattern of people that both followed me and retweeted and to my surprise a majority of my followers were woman and surprisingly the retweets came from people that didn’t hunt or fish.

Now I know some of you will say only to follow or be followed by people that share your same interest. To that, I would say you are really limiting yourself as to quality people and their target of influence. In March of 2009 I launched B&B with 1 follower and quickly grew to close to 19,000 followers in less than a year.

Like in the real world some would say opposites attract. There are plenty of examples when it comes to relationships. There are some couples that have big differences like a Democrat who marries a Republican or a vegetarian who ends up with a hunter. At the end of the day you might not agree with each other but at least you can walk away with a better appreciation and or understating of your differences. Of course, there are some out there that no matter what you say or do that there is no way you can even discuss some topics like the right to bear arms or hunting and those are the people I simply don’t even try to debate with.

I recently read a post from @lorimcneeartist www.lorimcnee.com that happens to be one of B&B’s “Best of the Best” artists. The post was on opposites attract in painting art http://bit.ly/6iJxym and that inspired me to write this. Lori has fast become the #2 most influential blogger on twitter for artist not to mention one of the premier wildlife and plein air painter in the country. Her secret is great content. Inspirational quotes, diverse audience and passion for what she does.

Here are several tips I suggest when trying to grow your brand and audience.

Don’t limit your followers. This simple means that if someone follows you and they may not fall exactly into your niche follow them back.
Don’t, not follow someone just because they have only a few followers. Some of the best people and tweeters are the little guys. So don’t over look them.
Find guest bloggers. I have used

@USAGhostwriter who is able to write on controversial topics like wolf control, hunting etc without offending most and actually win over people through his writing style. I have also used
@hookandhunttv for other stories like the second amendment which has been very popular and allows people to express their opinions in a civil matter.
@Dayne Shuda is another one of guest bloggers who writes on the hunting industry and has a large following.
@lorimcneeartist for both her content but more importantly her quotes. Find quotes that appeal to a mass audience and you will see how often people retweet and appreciate good quotes.

When responding to someone who disagrees I say

“Seek first to understand then be understood.” Steven Covey, 7 Habits.

For a great post on building your brand I recommend you read this article

http://www.finearttips.com/?p=1809

Here is a sample my of favorite quotes

“True friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.” —Amanda Kunkle
“Life is short, Live where you love and love what you do.” #quoteC Burget
The best things in life are not things. They are expierences with friends, family & the outdoors” CBurget #quote
Well-behaved women seldom make history ~ Laurel Thatcher Ulrich #quote
Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really. ~Agnes Sligh Turnbull
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” ~ proverb
“I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me & 90% how I react to it.” ~Charles Swindoll #quote
“The Golden Rule of Tweeter. Tweet others the way you want to be tweeted” L Mcnee

Content =Communication= Commerce

I leave with this. The goal to build ing followers is through quality content and quality tweets. Don’t be afraid to step outside the box and engage people that are in other fields than yours. I hope you enjoyed this.

Thanks,

Chris burget

The Scourge of Feral House Cats – Special News Feature

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:47:01 +0000

Felines Fatales: With something like 150 million free-ranging house cats wreaking havoc on our wildlife, the last thing we need is Americans sustaining them in the wild.

Stephens 18-point buck is bound for the record book

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:28:16 +0000

Clayton, Ohio – On Nov. 30, the opener of the statewide firearms season, 39 year-old Clayton, Ohio, resident Brian Stephens harvested a giant 18-point buck while hunting his 180-acre family owned farm in Highland County.

Blazing Saddles

Chris — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:34:03 +0000

It started as just a regular black bear hunt and it became an obsession.
I was guiding bear hunters in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains and a group of hunters from Wisconsin had sent us some trail cameras. We had six well-established baits spread over our hunting area and they were already getting hit hard even though it was only late April. I was excited to get the cameras out and early the next morning I made the rounds to see if we had any pictures. I was hoping for three or four. We had eighty. Hmmm… Who woulda guessed? One of our bears looked like a monster. It wasn’t a great picture and at first glance, isn’t very impressive until the next day when we noticed that he had been about 20 yards beyond the barrel and the tracks…. oh the tracks.

Our first glimpse of Toad

As the weeks went on we got pictures of him visiting most of our baits and we confirmed it… he was huge. We called him “Toad” and he was the type of bear you dream about. Not only was he big, but he was a deep chocolate color to boot. Our Wisconsin hunters were ecstatic. Not only because of Toad, but we had a nice blonde bear spotted for them as well.

This is Blondie and he was on the hit list too

So, our hunters showed up in mid-May and for five days they passed up bear after bear in their quest for Toad and Blondie, neither of whom showed up for the party. Hunters came and left all season and our two stars never made a showing, although they did continue to pose for our cameras. On the last day of the season we didn’t have any hunters so I hunted Toad’s favorite bait and he did come in, but it was after shooting hours. I sat in the stand watching him in the moonlight for a long time… drooling. The next two seasons were more of the same and he began to become a legend. Our hunters all left with nice bears, but not THE bear.

Toad standing in front of the bait barrel

A big bear will look long and short. That’s a big bear.

In 2007 we purchased a new hunting area in the Frank Church Wilderness and I knew that my chance to get this great bear was coming to an end, so I set our with a vengeance and hunted hard. I only put out one bait, but it was in a better area with thicker cover and much harder to get to. I figured that this would give him fewer choices and I hoped that he would feel more comfortable in the thicker cover and come in during the shooting hours. I hunted hard and I passed on a bunch of nice bears. Big ones, blonde ones, chocolate ones, red ones and even one that I called “frosted chocolate”.

I’d like to say that it ended with a hero shot of me and my bow and a big bear named Toad… but it didn’t. It did end with a BANG! though.

You’re probably asking yourself, “I thought this was about Blazing Saddles“, well, here it comes: Our bear hunting truck was an old piece of crap Toyota and it was on it’s last leg. On my final trip in to hunt Toad I was 20-some miles from the lodge when I smelled something burning. I was on an old logging road with overhanging brush, so I didn’t want to stop and burn down the whole forest, so I pushed on hoping to get to a spring that crossed the “road” a few miles below. Before long, the cab was full of smoke, my head was out the window and there were flames coming out of the passenger side floorboard. I was flying, desperate to make the spring. As I skidded around the last corner I tried to slow down, but the brakes lines had burned through I guess… uh oh. The only option I had was to run into a big willow growing out of the spring. That put a stop to things real quick.

I bailed out and tried fruitlessly to put the fire out, but soon realized that it was just too big, so all I could do was salvage what I could, back off, take pictures and try to put out any forest fire that might start. The smoke was incredible, the flames were huge and the tires blowing (I think it was the tires) were surprisingly loud. It didn’t take long for that old pickup to burn to the ground.

That old Toyota burned to the ground. It was impressive.

I’m surprised the firefighters didn’t show up

Once the fire was out, I put on my backpack and started a long walk back to the lodge. I didn’t take the roads so it was only about 15 miles as the crow flies, but it still took most of the day. I flew out the next morning to start a new adventure. My quest for Toad the monster black bear was over.

Last spring a friend of mine who hunts the same area showed me a picture of a huge chocolate bear at one of his baits. The legend continues… and since I’m not outfitting anymore, I just might re-kindle my obsession.

Browse our entire Directory of Hunts, Fishing Trips and other Outdoor Adventures

Wyoming man pleads guilty to shooting bald eagle

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:19:52 +0000

Cheyenne, Wyo. (AP) – A Northern Arapaho man pleaded guilty Tuesday in tribal court to killing a bald eagle in 2005 for use in his tribe’s Sun Dance.

Hunters take Wis. officials to task over poor hunt

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:27:42 +0000

Madison, Wis. (AP) – State conservation officials should re-evaluate their deer population formulas and stop encouraging hunters to kill antlerless deer, hunters and lawmakers said during a hearing Thursday.

Hunters lose privileges for 10 years

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:27:42 +0000

Boise, Idaho (AP) – A pair of hunters in southwestern Idaho have pleaded guilty to poaching elk.

Experts criticize Wis. DNR on CWD

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:27:42 +0000

Madison, Wis. (AP) – A panel of experts say the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources needs to be much more aggressive in tackling chronic wasting disease in deer.

Md. firearm hunters kill nearly 45,000 deer

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:27:42 +0000

Hagerstown, Md. (AP) – Maryland wildlife managers say hunters killed about 44,800 deer during the two-week firearm season that ended Dec. 12.

Illinois hunters complete muzzleloader deer season

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:27:42 +0000

Springfield, Ill. (AP) – Hunters in Illinois harvested nearly 4,700 deer during this year’s muzzleloader season.

NH offers ice fishing classes

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:27:42 +0000

Concord, N.H. (AP) – The state of New Hampshire is gearing up for ice fishing season by offering lessons in it starting next month.

Michigan files Supreme Court suit over Asian carp

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:27:42 +0000

Detroit (AP) – Michigan is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to order closure of shipping locks near Chicago to prevent Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes.

MI DNR: Internet speculation on St. Martin deer case overblown

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:20:14 +0000

Menominee, Mich. – Photographs of an Upper Peninsula of Michigan island buck pole heavy with whitetail bucks that flew around Internet sites and e-mails captivated hunters across North America and sparked a debate as to their authenticity and circumstances surrounding the kills.

Migrating whooping crane fatally shot in W. Indiana

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:36:54 +0000

Cayuga, Ind. (AP) – Wildlife officials say an endangered whooping crane was fatally shot in western Indiana during its migration south.

Hunters will reduce Wind Cave elk herd

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:36:53 +0000

Sioux Falls, S.D. (AP) – Hundreds of elk have crossed a 4-foot fence to leave Wind Cave National Park each summer and then return to the safety of the park before hunting begins. But a new management plan will block re-entry and put them in the gunsights of hunters in southwest South Dakota.

SD hunting, fishing licenses go on sale

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:36:53 +0000

Pierre, S.D. (AP) – Hunters and anglers can now get their 2010 South Dakota licenses.

NJ township eyes leasing some land to hunters

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:36:53 +0000

Washington Township, N.J. (AP) – A Morris County community is considering leasing parcels of open space to hunters as a way to boost revenues.

Youths from Saco, Glasgow convicted of poaching

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:36:53 +0000

Glassgow, Mont. (AP) – State wildlife officials say two boys from Saco and another from Glasgow have pleaded guilty to 20 misdemeanor charges for poaching deer and antelope in Phillips and Valley counties.

Mountain Lion Shot Near Marengo, Iowa

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:11:55 +0000

Des Moines – A mountain lion was shot near Marengo, Monday afternoon, by a deer hunter participating in Iowa’s second shotgun season.

More CWD cases found in S.D. wildlife

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:29:02 +0000

Pierre, S.D. (AP) – A half dozen cases of chronic wasting disease were found among 667 samples from deer and elk tested in South Dakota over a recent five-month period.

Mo. angler reels in state-record brown trout

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:29:02 +0000

Branson, Mo. (AP) – An eastern Missouri fisherman is the proud owner of a state record after catching a 28-pound, 12-ounce brown trout in Lake Taneycomo.

Nearly 99,500 deer harvested in Illinois

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:29:02 +0000

Springfield, Ill. (AP) – Illinois firearm hunters harvested nearly 99,500 deer during this year’s season.

Big Archery Arizona Mule Deer

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:33:10 +0000

All of these mule deer bucks were taken with one of our Outfitter Partners on the 2009 August archery hunt in Arizona.

33 inches wide and scores 200 P&Y as a clean 4 point typical buck

Giant 31 inch wide, 8×9 non-typical monster AZ mule deer scoring 220 P&Y

Impressive

Browse our entire Directory of Hunts, Fishing Trips and other Outdoor Adventures

Citations issued in Lake Michigan island ‘deer pole’ case

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:38:57 +0000

Lake Orion, Mich. – A series of pictures circulating on the Internet of a buck pole on St. Martin Island in Lake Michigan is creating a buzz among the hunting fraternity.

Tying Fishing Knots Just Got Easier

admin2 — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:49:05 +0000

Skepticism. That word describes how I felt about this product when I got it in the mail. A fishing hook that you don’t tie onto your line? You just wrap your line around it a few times? Yeah, right. You’ve gotta be kidding. Well, I have to admit it… I was wrong. These things are cool!

My family and I took these hooks and spent the summer fishing. From trout in the kids pond to sturgeon, these hooks fit the bill. Here’s my review:

Ease of Use:
Couldn’t get any easier. Now, I’ve got to say that I’m not going to introduce my kids to these hooks until they know how to tie “real” knots. There’s really no practical reason for this, but I just want my kids to know how to tie the knots. Maybe it’s that “old dog, new trick” thing.

Functionality:
Couldn’t get any more functional.

Are They Practical?
For sure. Not much else to say.

Will My Buddies Make Fun of Me?
I have a few friends who might make fun of me for not tying my own knots… but I don’t care.

TOTAL SCORE:
www.easy2hookusa.com

Browse our entire Directory of Hunts, Fishing Trips and other Outdoor Adventures

Cougar spotted in Champlin, MN

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:43:50 +0000

Champlin, Minn. – Footage captured on the dashboard video camera of a police squad car in the northern suburb of Champlin shows a cougar, according to the DNR.

Suffolk nontypical one of New York’s best

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:57:59 +0000

Brookhaven, N.Y. — When Bjorn Holubar entered the woods late Monday afternoon on Oct. 26, he was hoping for a big buck. What he dragged out of the woods a few hours later far surpassed his expectations.

Fond du Lac resident’s 30-point buck a new record

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:57:59 +0000

Fond Du Lac, Wis. (AP) – Two teams of certified scorers have declared a Fond du Lac resident’s 30-point buck the largest non-typical buck shot with a bow in Wisconsin history.

Elk poacher loses hunting privileges for 5 years

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:57:59 +0000

Bonners Ferry, Idaho (AP) – A northern Idaho man who pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a bull elk out of season has been banned from hunting for five years.

Utah shortens 2010 general deer hunting season

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:57:59 +0000

Salt Lake City (AP) – Deer hunters in Utah will have less time to fill their tag next year.

Fishermen netting for Asian carp in Ill. channel

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:57:59 +0000

Chicago (AP) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it could know sometime this week if fishermen caught any invasive Asian carp along a 5.5-mile stretch of Chicago’s Calumet Sag Channel.

Mich. AG says he’ll sue to protect lakes from carp

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:57:59 +0000

Lansing, Mich. (AP) – Michigan’s attorney general said Sunday he will go to court to try to force the closure of Chicago-area locks and protect the Great Lakes from the invasive Asian carp.

8th mountain lion killed in western ND

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:57:59 +0000

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s Game and Fish Department says a seventh mountain lion has been killed in the western part of the state.

Holiday Gift List for the Outdoor Enthusiast for 2009

admin2 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:15:59 +0000

Holiday Gift List

Bulls & Beavers “Best of the Best” 2009

It’s that time of the year when we are all looking to find that special gift for our family, friends and loved ones. We’ve put together the best new hunting, fishing and outdoors-related gifts for the 2009-10 holiday season.

Gift Card to Cabela’s: My personal favorite. If you have not been to a Cabela’s lately just picture stepping into a theme park like Disneyland but for the outdoor sportsman. They should charge for admission. www.cabelas.com
Subscription to a great magazine:
1. Outdoor Life Magazine: Can’t go wrong with this! www.outdoorlife.com
2. Field and Stream Magazine: A must have for all seasons.
Snowshoes: Every outdoor enthusiast needs a pair when they venture out in the snow county. It’s that time of the year to break out your snow shoes. Here is your best bet. crescentmoonsnowshoes.com
Art, Music, Photography: Get in touch with your wild side. Check out our artists on Bulls and Beavers for your wildlife art, music and photos.
1. An original Oil Painting: by fine artist, Lori McNee. My personal favorite painting is, “High Country Cattle”. Purchase now and save 20% on the price.
2. Fine Art Photography: by professional wildlife photographer, Stacey Huston. Some of the best wildlife photos around.
3. Music: Talented and beautiful Native American singer. Great music! Check out her CD!!!!

A New Shotgun: The Browning Maxus Stalker. Duck season is here and with a name like ’stalker’ you can’t go wrong with.
A GPS: The Garmin GPS. Choose from their many Global Positioning Satellites, but be prepared and don’t get lost. Another ‘must have product’ for any outdoor or back-country enthusiast!
A New Bow: Matthews Bows. Proven and reliable in the field. I took my first bull elk with this bow…

Alaska to refund nearly $70M in fishing fees

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:50:04 +0000

Juneau, Alaska (AP) – Fishermen from outside Alaska can expect nearly $70 million in refunds for commercial fishing license fees the Alaska Supreme Court says were unconstitutionally high.

Wyoming anglers get rewards, restrictions for walleye

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:50:04 +0000

Casper, Wyo. (AP) – Three years ago Wyoming Game and Fish Department workers tagged 1,000 walleye at Glendo Reservoir.

Wildlife officials extend python hunt program

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:50:04 +0000

West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP) – State wildlife officials have extended the python hunt program.

Wis. DNR: Hunters killed 29 percent fewer deer

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:35:43 +0000

Madison, Wis. (AP) – As expected, hunters in Wisconsin killed substantially fewer deer during this year’s traditional gun hunt, according to a preliminary report state wildlife officials released Tuesday.

Shepherd man denies illegally killing deer and elk

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:35:43 +0000

Billings, Mont. (AP) – A 60-year-old Shepherd man accused of illegally killing several mule deer bucks during the 2008 hunting season has pleaded not guilty.

Large fish kill in eastern Wisconsin

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:35:43 +0000

Green Lake, Wis. (AP) – The state Department of Natural Resources is trying to find out what caused as many as 2,000 fish to wash ashore on a lake in eastern Wisconsin.

It’s not about the trophy!

admin2 — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:38:41 +0000

This year will go down as one of my all time hunting experiences. When I look back at what made it so memorable it is not because I harvested a Bull elk with a bow it is because of the accomplishment of a dream of mine that I had set as a goal 12 years ago.

In this day and age people are still caught up with the notion that bigger is better, size matters, how much do you have, was it a trophy, how much did it weigh and how big was the rack. I can tell you for me, personally taking my first Bull elk with my bow was the most rewarding hunt having overcome personal challenges (total knee replacement), and spending quality time in the field, sharing it with good friends and family. All creatures are trophies and when you take a life of an animal there is no score in my book accept a personal satisfaction of matching your skills in the woods with one of god’s finest creatures. So far, I have had the pleasure of sharing Elk pasta, Elk salami and Elk burgers with many of my friends and when asked was it a trophy I simply say, it was the trophy of a lifetime not because of the rack but because of the experiences shared.

Hunting is not about the kill and has never been for me. It is about spending time in the woods and getting back to nature. After 12 years pursuing my passion of chasing elk with my bow I was able to harvest a beautiful Bull elk that in my book was a trophy and a hunt of a lifetime.

Chris Burget -Bulls & Beavers LLC

Black bear hunting proposed for Panhandle

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:34:27 +0000

Bristol, Fla. (AP) – Mickey Larkins would rather watch bears than hunt them.

N.M. Game Commission considers earlier hunt application

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:34:27 +0000

Albuquerque, N.M. (AP) – The New Mexico Game Commission meets later this week to consider earlier application deadlines for big-game licenses.

Mont. deer, elk season ends with higher numbers

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:34:27 +0000

Bozeman, Mont. (AP) – Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department officials say fewer hunters got deer and elk during the last weekend of hunting season, but the total number of deer and elk killed this fall is higher than last year’s take.

Was record Cannon Falls 8-pointer shot with gun?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:12:44 +0000

Red Wing, Minn. – The 8-point Goodhue County buck, allegedly poached by 32-year-old Troy A. Reinke, of Cannon Falls, just may have been shot with a rifle rather than a bow, as Reinke initially told DNR Enforcement investigators.

Police arrest 6 in poaching, theft case

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:09:57 +0000

Missoula, Mont. (AP) – Police in Missoula County say they have arrested six people for allegedly trying to poach deer and steal gasoline from a ranch in the Ninemile area.

2 plead guilty in 2008 caribou killing case

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:09:57 +0000

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) – Two men accused of slaughtering caribou on the tundra near Point Hope last year pleaded guilty to failing to salvage the edible meat of an animal.

Hunters struggling to fill deer tags in S.D.

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:09:57 +0000

Spearfish, S.D. (AP) – Hunters say they aren’t seeing a lot of deer this hunting season despite increased activity.

Ill. hunter gets 25-point buck with Google’s help

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:56:26 +0000

Edwardsville, Ill. (AP) – It took Google Earth, a little deer psychology and a freak shot for a bow hunter in southern Illinois to bring down one of the largest deer in the state so far this year _ a 25-point buck.

Deer hunter success affected by late corn harvest

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:56:26 +0000

Springfiels, Ill. (AP) – Officials say Illinois hunters shot fewer deer on opening weekend compared to last year – probably related to a late corn harvest.

Online hunting licenses surge in W.Va.

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:56:26 +0000

Charleston, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia Treasurer John Perdue says the purchase of hunting licenses online is growing in popularity.

1 dead, 1 shot in dispute over bear hunting in Pa.

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:56:26 +0000

Summerville, Pa. (AP) – An argument over trespassing apparently sparked a shootout in rural northern Pennsylvania Tuesday that left a landowner dead and a member of a bear hunting party hospitalized with a gunshot wound, police said.

Wis. hunters take 100,000 deer on opening weekend

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:56:26 +0000

Madison, Wis. (AP) – State wildlife officials say hunters killed dramatically fewer deer during the opening weekend of Wisconsin’s traditional gun deer season than last year.

Deer harvest dips 3 pct during Neb. firearm season

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:56:26 +0000

Lincoln, Neb. (AP) – Hunters killed more than 53,600 deer during the firearm season, down 3 percent from last year’s take.

Muck Boots Get a Thumbs Up!

Chris — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:43:07 +0000

I wanted to take a second to write a quick review about the Muck Boots I got from Hanks Clothing. I ordered the Muck Woody Max Cold Conditions Hunting Boot, and from the first time I put them on I knew that they were going to become my “old reliable” pair of boots. They were durable, good looking and best of all, they fit and were comfortable. They’re not going to work for chasing elk around, but for pretty much everything else I can’t think of a better “fit”. I’ve had slip on boots before and they were great for quick chores around the house, but not much else. That’s not the case with my new Muck Boots. They’re good for both work and play. I do wish I had gotten them 1/2 size smaller though because there was a tiny bit of slip. That would be my only advice for somebody buying a pair. I solved that problem be just wearing an extra pair of thin socks. No big deal and I usually wear two pairs anyway for just that reason.

The first chance I got to wear them was on a recent pheasant hunting trip to South Dakota. I was surprised at how comfortable they were when I wore them all day. I was hunting with Dave Olsen from Pheasant Phun and I noticed he was wearing a pair of Muck Boots as well. I asked him about them and he gave me a rave review and told me that he had been hunting in his pair for four years and they’re still going strong.

Here in Idaho, my favorite place to pheasant hunt is a cattail slough below my house. This place is thick, muddy, nasty and tough on boots. The biggest problem is the muck. It just sucks the boots right off of your feet. I thought that Muck Boots would be the same way, especially since they are slip-ons, but I was wrong. I’ve tromped all through that swamp all season and my socks come home white every time. The pheasants sure aren’t happy about it though.

I’m looking forward to wearing them goose hunting this winter. I’ve always struggled with the right kind of boot for hunting in the fields. I have a good pair of leather boots that keep my feet warm, but they’re not the best in the mud and slop. I think my Muck Boots are going to be just what the doctor ordered for goose hunting. Warm and dry.

I don’t do a lot of tree-stand hunting, I’m mostly a spot-and-stalk type of guy, but I think that this is what most people would use them for and I’m sure that they would be great for that. As soon as I get a chance to try that out, I’ll let you know. In the mean time, all I know is that I’m going to have a lot of fun trying to wear them out.

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The Bear Appeared As If By Magic

admin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:29:21 +0000

The bear appeared as if by magic, first walking, then running to where his prey, me, bawled like a frantic new-born fawn. He came with laser intent, his huge melon head allowing no shot opportunity. His trajectory put him squarely in my lap, so I quickly repositioned 10 feet to my right. What seemed like the right move turned out to be well-executed, but flawed. At 60 feet he stopped on a stump to turn broadside. As he looked for a path up the rocks to where I now softly called, and with my sights placed right in the center of his vitals, I couldn’t release the arrow. A single spindly cedar tree blocked the arrow’s path.

Prince of Wales Island, the third largest island in the United States, is the crown jewel of Southwest Alaska. Black bear grow to epic proportions. This is awe-inspiring gorgeous country. A temperate rain forest, this part of Alaska receives over 220 inches of rain annually. This is a land of snow covered peaks, emerald green cedar and spruce forests, dense vegetation and endless muskeg bogs. Fresh chrome colored salmon and steelhead crowd the many rivers crisscrossing the land. The numbers of Sitka Blacktail deer boggle the mind. There are no Brown bear on the island, so with no competition and an endless source of grasses, berries, and protein the Black bear here are numerous, and big. In fact, on POW the largest Black bear grow to rival Grizzly bear from the lower 48.

Extensive logging has created an incredible Eden for wildlife. Deer and bear numbers have soared in the wake of timber harvest. Something to make clear (no pun intended): a clear cut is anything but clear. The trees are cut anywhere from 5 to 15 feet above the ground and the slash left lying where it fell. The ground is fertile, and trees grow like weeds. What looks like an easily traversed clear cut is in reality a dense, tangled, impossibly impenetrable jungle of stumps and slash jammed with thick-as-grass 8’-15’ tall spruce and cedar.

A rifle would definitely make this easier, but that’s not the point. I was here to bow hunt for a trophy black bear, and nothing less would do. And I was here alone, hunting without a guide or hunting partner. There’s deep satisfaction to be found at the intersection between common sense and skillfully flinging razor tipped death sticks.

The hunt to this point had been a personal journey full of introspection and lessons in the humility that comes to one who hunts with a bow. Bow hunting is clearly not about killing. It is not easy. The distances must be intimately close, sometimes uncomfortable so. There is a bond that develops from understanding your prey. As an alpha predator, bears demand and deserve your respect. Not only can they quickly turn the tables to maim or kill, but they are wary to the point of seeming to possess a sixth sense to compliment their extraordinary sense of smell. They say that a bear has a sense of smell 800 times more acute than a human, and that they can not only smell your scent on the trail, but can tell how many days since you were there. A worthy quarry, with one swipe of its paw even a small 150 pound bear has the power to rip off an arm, or a head. And on POW, these are not small bears. A large bear here can grow to 500 pounds, and 400 pounders are more the rule than the exception. With this in mind, the dark end-of-day hikes back to the truck definitely reminded me that I was in bear country, in Alaska, and alone….

If you haven’t traveled on foot on the muskeg, let me tell you, it’s an unforgettable experience. The muskeg is a carpet of moss over bog. Sometimes you walk on top, sometimes not. Each step is an adventure. Even though it looks like the mossy equivalent of dead unwatered lawn, it’s not. Each step sounds like squish/suck/pop, as if you’re walking with suction cupped boot soles. With each step you sink an inch or two into the moss, into the ever present layer of bog water lying just below. And then there are the surprise holes…which innocently look like soft mud or another step on spongy moss until that weightless moment preceding a knee-jarring plunge. And though exhausted and soaked with sweat, I often found myself grinning ear to ear. This is awesome.

Hope springs eternal for the hunter. It only takes one chance intersection of game and hunter to make a successful hunt. I have to admit I wonder what will happen when (and if) I find myself 5-20 yards from a big bear: will I freeze? Get buck fever? Go brain-dead? Or find the hunter’s predator mind-set and do what needs to be done: stay calm, nock the arrow, set the release, smoothly draw back the bow, hold the tension of that deadly energy, find the magic fatal spot, center the pin, visualize the arrow slipping through the vitals, and then smoothly release the arrow to destiny. Time will tell. Hunting is part skill, part serendipity, and a large part being in the right place at the right time. Stay in the field and off the couch and it will happen. All I need is 1/5 of a second. An arrow traveling at 300 feet per second covers twenty yards in roughly .21 seconds. Just hope it happens on this trip.

Today I hunted hard. Put in the miles on the Beast (my rented 4×4 Ford F350 pick up) and on the soles of my Sta-Tuff rubber boots. Dusk found me surrounded by plenty of bear sign. Big bear sign. As I slipped over the bank to sneak into a ‘skeg clearing, I literally stumbled over bear scat the size of beer cans. Actually, bigger than beer cans. It takes a big bear to pass logs like that. It was fresh, so I knew two things: there was a big bear nearby, and if he was crapping turds bigger than bricks, he was most likely a very grumpy bear.

I set up in a clearing, let out my best imitation of a plaintive fawn call and had a revelation: I was alone, I had no idea where, when, or how a big bear would come tearing in looking for an easy meal, it was getting dark, and this was the first time in a lifetime of hunting that I was hunting with a sharp stick, on the ground, looking to match up with a 400+ pound predator. Sitting in a tree stand, spotting and then stalking, even hunting with a buddy or hunting with a high powered rifle, …that’s different. This thing about being at eye level, not knowing where he is, when he’s coming, or knowing his mood that changes the game. I have never been in deadly combat, and can only imagine that there the adrenalin and sensory acuity is ten times as intense….but for me this was definitely a moment of laser intensity. I realized that if things got “interesting”, there was no option for a “time out”. And no back up.

Its different hunting for bear. Hunting for deer, elk, wild pig, or antelope is challenging, but for lack of a better metaphor: these hunts lack teeth. Its different to bow hunt on the ground. There’s no separation. In a treestand, or in the company of a friend or guide, ……..there is a degree of separation. Alone, on the ground, there is no separation, only a tension, an awareness where every twig snap, branch break, bird call, has a larger meaning. Walking through dense cover not knowing where mister bear might be sleeping, lurking, lunching…adds a layer of adrenal excitement to a simple walk in the woods. There’s also the element of surprise. I have called from places where a bear could come to less than 30 feet before I even knew he was there. Hunting a predator brings my awareness to the greatest simplicity: be the prevailing predator.

We talk about the hunter’s senses being so keen. The mind becomes sharper too. Water splashing, a branch breaking, or the breeze whispering in the trees take on a greater significance. A soft breeze’s caress, unnoticed at any other time, looms large in the awareness of a hunter. Beyond the sensory, you realize that in addition everything has consequence: both external events and internal decisions. Every action, every choice has consequences. Go left, or right, or straight ahead. Choose to set your hidey spot at the center of a clearing, or against its edge. Choose to take an animal’s life, or let it live, or even the choice to pay attention to any of the cacophony of events in the woods, everything has consequences.

*********************************

After several days spent becoming familiar with the rhythm of the island the ubiquitous Sitka Blacktail began their annual birthing. This is why I had come. During the first two weeks of June the cycle of life jumps into high gear. As the helpless fawns are born the bears go into a post-hibernation feeding frenzy.

This particular morning I saw my first bear of the day as he ambled down an abandoned logging road. Calling as soon I was out of sight of the Beast and the bear, the bear came running back to within 20 yards. I had him dead to rights: the pin centered in the boiler room, close range, full draw, ready to release. But the bear was seriously rubbed (the coat would not have made a good rug), spotting a bear on the road just didn’t feel like the pure hunt I was after, and he was a three legged bear missing his right hind paw. For the record, he got along just fine on three legs, with no hint of handicap. I followed him into the woods, and at one point was within 15’ feet. We came to a mutual decision: time for each of us to move on.

Which brings me back to the beginning of my story. Within minutes of leaving the three legged bear I came to perfect set up overlooking a small drainage, quickly hid and started calling. Then it happened: a beautiful, large mature perfectly jet-black boar came to the call. He was so large that he appeared bow-legged, his belly seemed to drag on the ground, and he moved powerfully, effortlessly over the broken glen. His vibrant black coat glistened and rippled over hundreds of pounds of fluid muscle as if made of iridescent diamonds. He appeared like magic at 100 yards, and then with my staccato heart thumping he came straight to me, quickly closing to 60 feet. Excitement, exhilaration, heart pounding: physically and emotionally on the razor’s edge. I remember a lucid thought: what am I doing? If I just stop calling, he’ll stop coming. When a big bear is coming straight at you while you make the enticing sounds of defenseless dinner…I suppose it’s different for everyone, but for me, my mind was clear, but my heart was pounding trying to leap out of my chest. I do remember thinking that the sharp stick in my hand must be placed with great precision in a very small target area at a very small angle of arc with deadly intent. My world became very small. Every bit of my being was focused in the moment. The tree was in my way. I would not risk wounding or maiming this magnificent beast. He turned to go around the intervening rocks which would put him directly downwind of my scent. I silently raced to head him off, but he simply vanished. He must have winded me, and as quick as that, it was “game over”. As I said, the hunter is constantly aware that every single choice has consequences. This time it worked out for the bear. Had I not initially moved to the side, this would a very different story.

Despite the low odds of ever seeing him again, I went back later that evening. I knew without question that this was the bear and the hunt experience I had come for. Finding a better spot, and after calling for ten minutes, it wasn’t happening, so I took a moment to take some photos ……….and out of the corner of my eye noticed him coming fast. One again he held up at 20 yards, this time in a copse of small scrubby cedars. I knew that this time the shot would be perfect. There, at full draw, with my emotions and adrenalin at peak, ready to let an arrow fly, I was sure of the outcome. But then, as if by an act of bear Grace, the capricious evening wind swirled and my scent hit him like a Mack truck. All I saw was a black blur that slowed at 50 yards, then stopped at 80 to stare at my odious form. The let down was horrible. What words to use? Depressed. Devastated. Dejected. Disappointed. What followed were two hours of the lowest of lows. As Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”. I had had an incredible experience calling in a magnificent large bruin, but now had been busted twice, had not released an arrow, and was left with an aching hollow bittersweet emptiness. But I also had been blessed with an incredibly perfect hunt.

The next day passed as if in a waking dream. I went through the motions, but the edge was gone. I tried in vain to call him in one last time, but my plaintive bleats were left hanging in the still air. All too soon it was time to leave. I had seen bear almost daily. Bald eagles, beaver, cranes, and deer were a constant part of the dense delicious fabric of island life. Four times my bow was at full-draw, twice I let a bear go, and twice the bear I wanted got the better of me. In a lifetime of hunting, this particular hunt helped define who I am as a hunter. For me, it is the totality of the experience that I seek. For me a trophy is defined not by the size of the animal, but by the quality and purity and effort of the hunt. I once heard it said that a discriminating hunter is guaranteed only great memories. I have those, full and rich, and they are more than enough.

When I returned a good friend asked how I would score the game. When I replied that the bears won, he grinned and said “it was a tie. No one got eaten, and everyone went home unharmed”. So be it. We each return to the field yet another day.

Did I mention that I’m going back in the fall? Stay tuned. There are more chapters to be written on this journey.

~ by Eric Newman

Those interested in hunting this magnificent island may want to contact Brent Dickenson at Thorne Bay Lodge. Although professional guiding is not allowed on the central part of Prince of Wales Island, Brent’s friendly and helpful lodge specializes in providing all you need for a memorable self-guided hunt. www.thornbaylodge.com

The Urban Deerslayer

admin2 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:25:29 +0000

THE call to forge deeper connections with the food we eat has pulled thousands to the nation’s farmers’ markets, sprouted a million backyard seedlings and jump-started an interest in scratch baking, canning and other county-fair pursuits.

Now add hunting to the list. Novice urban hunters are forming classes and clubs to learn skills that a few generations ago were often passed down from parent to child.

Jackson Landers, an insurance broker by day, teaches a course here called Deer Hunting for Locavores. Mr. Landers, 31, started the classes earlier this year for largely urban adults who, like him, did not grow up stalking prey but have gravitated to harvesting and cooking their own game.

He tailored his course to food-obsessed city people with lessons on deer biology, habitat and anatomy, and rounded out his students’ education with field trips to a firing range to practice shooting and a session on butchery and cooking. One of the last lessons covered field dressing a freshly killed deer. As the students gathered around, Mr. Landers produced a hunting knife and explained its gut-hook feature, which promised to open the deer “like a zipper.”

“I’d never fired a gun before,” said Michael Davis, 44, a graphic designer and a student in the class. “I grew up in Southern California. We surfed, we didn’t hunt.”

Sixth cougar killed in western ND

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:35:26 +0000

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) – Another mountain lion has been killed in western North Dakota.

New proposal for nonresident hunting licenses

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:35:26 +0000

Helena, Mont. (AP) – The state Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission has tentatively adopted a rule to increase opportunities for resident and nonresident family members to hunt together in Montana.

Wyo. sets limits on antler, horn gathering

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:35:26 +0000

Jackson, Wyo. (AP) – The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has set an antler and horn gathering season for public land west of the Continental Divide in an effort to protect big game on winter range.

Idaho extends wolf hunt 3 more months

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:35:26 +0000

Boise, Idaho (AP) – Hunters will have three more months to hunt wolves in Idaho.

Building Trail, Fishing & Wolves

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:26:00 +0000

My buddy Kris Keller who runs Sulphur Creek Ranch invited us on a wolf hunt / scouting trip for elk season. There was one catch though. We had to help him build “a little” trail first. No problem. It was only a 3 1/2 hour ride from the trailhead, but by dark we still weren’t to base camp and a big storm was headed our way fast! Did I mention I had never been to this camp before? Kris told me to “…ride to the lodge, take a right, go to the top of the ridge and then take another right to the top of the next ridge. Once you’re there, head left down towards some lake looking stuff“. Easy right?

So, 4 hours later it was pitch dark and I was hoping we were at least getting close when the rain and hail hit… Hard. I was leading my mule and trying to track Kris’s horses (I could only see during lightning flashes after which I was blind), but their tracks were fading fast in the rain. Just when we were about to stop and make camp I spotted a flashlight a we were there. Relief, ’cause I hate long nights in the rain. Been there. Done that.

Kris and his crew helped us unsaddle and get our gear out of the rain and the saddles stashed under mannies. Camp was at a spectacular high mountain lake and consisted of a tarp stretched over our sleeping bags. Usually just fine this time of year, but we hadn’t been counting on a torrential downpour, so we spent the next hour tying down the tarp and digging ditches so we’d have a dry night.

I’m not going to go into details about the next two days because I’d rather forget. If you’ve never built trail with a Pulaski before, well… I don’t recommend it. ‘Nuff said. Even though it was hard work it was nice getting out of the office and in the evenings we fished the lake for some BIG trout. I’ve never seen such a well producing high mountain lake. Gonna have to go visit that lake again.

With trail building over, we headed back down to the lodge to start wolf hunting. This would be my first experience hunting wolves and we were all excited to get started. For the past week the wolves had been hanging out on the runway every night and hopes were high. We spent the next few days covering lots of miles on the horses. We worked a few bulls for my buddy Brent Martell who had an archery elk tag and looked over some pretty country, but we never caught up with the wolves. Oh well, so it goes more often than not when you’re hunting. All that means is that I still have a tag in my pocket. Now I get to try again.

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Signs point to fewer deer as Wis. gun season nears

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:22:56 +0000

Madison, Wis. (AP) – All signs indicate hunters will find fewer deer on the landscape when the Wisconsin gun deer season opens Saturday.

Idaho shuts another wolf hunting zone

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:22:56 +0000

Boise, Idaho (AP) – State officials say hunters have reached their limit for killing wolves in a hunting zone in northern Idaho.

Loss of federal acres hurts hunters’ public access

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:22:56 +0000

Wichita, Kan. (AP) – Some of the nation’s best hunting for pheasant, quail, turkey and deer today can be found in the vast Kansas prairie.

2 AZ men fined for illegal hunting practices

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:22:56 +0000

Tucson, Ariz. (AP) – Two Willcox men cited a combined 22 times for illegal hunting practices have been fined $12,500 and had their hunting and fishing privileges either suspended or revoked by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Long Island turkey hunt starts Saturday

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:22:56 +0000

New York (AP) – Want to bag your own bird for Thanksgiving? The Long Island turkey hunting season runs from Saturday to next Wednesday.

Rifle Case Review

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:13:11 +0000

A few months ago, T.Z. Case International (I knew them as @tzcase on Twitter) sent me a rifle case to review on this blog. When the case arrived my first impression was WOW! I just expected a regular old rifle case. I didn’t expect it to look cool and have a giraffe textured finish!

T.Z. Case isn’t just your run-of-the-mill start up Internet store. They have over thirty years of manufacturing experience, and produce quality cases that are used around the world. Including stylish beauty cases, business cases and rugged gun and bow cases. They also offer creative packaging solutions and can create custom cases to meet your specific needs.

As busy as I’ve been lately, it took me a while to take the case on a trip to test ‘er out, but when my wife and I went on a pheasant hunt in South Dakota, we were able to give it a thorough review.

HX0053 GRF
DOUBLE RIFLE CASE
OD: 53″ x 15″ x 4.25″

These cases feature a sturdy aluminum frame, combination lock, and textured PVC panels wiht the look and feel of “real” giraffe skin. The 53-inch double rifle cases roll smoothly on inline skate wheels.

Ease of Use:
I don’t know what they could do to make it any easier to use. I was able to fit 2 shotguns and a rifle into it. They were very adequately padded and the latches were strong, secure and even had a lock and key(s). With rollers and a handle, transporting my guns was a breeze!

Functionality:
I only have one complaint, and really it’s more just a case (no pun intended) of expectations. Although the case is strong and sturdy with it’s high-impact PVC shell, aluminum frame and reinforced corners, I was expecting a full aluminum shell, but it does seem very durable. Hey, I had to find something wrong with it, right?

Is it Practical?
Absolutely. As my business grows, I am beginning to travel to hunting destinations more often and now I need look no further for a good rifle case. This case is all I will ever need.

Will My Buddies Make Fun of Me?
They better not! I did have one of my buddies call me a “diva” because of the giraffe print so asked him to show me his case (which was a glorified sock). Argument over. Besides, that eye-catching pattern will be easy to spot in the airport. I’m a fan! Only problem is that since I’m primarily a bowhunter, I’m gonna have to buy a bow case from them now.

TOTAL SCORE:
If you’re in the market for a rifle case, look no further than www.tzcase.com.

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Wolf hunt shut down in MT after quota filled

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Billings, Mont. (AP) – Montana is shutting down its first public hunt for gray wolves since their removal from the endangered species list, after state officials said they expected to meet the season’s 75-wolf quota by Monday evening.

About 5 percent fewer deer being bagged in Minn.

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Bemidji, Minn. (AP) – About 5 percent fewer deer are being harvested in Minnesota this season, a trend that some sporting-good retailers say is hurting them financially.

Wis. governor vetoes DNR secretary bill

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Madison, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a bill Friday that would strip governors of their power to appoint the Department of Natural Resources secretary and give it to a citizen board instead.

Wis. hunters report seeing 1 to 3 deer per outing

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Madison, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin wildlife officials say hunters are seeing between one to three deer per outing during the state’s early hunting seasons.

Wildlife officials looking for elk poachers

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Hazard, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officers are trying to find out who’s responsible for the killing of three elk over the weekend.

Man accused of illegally hunting deer near Helena

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Helena, Mont. (AP) – A 48-year-old California man accused of illegally hunting deer near Wolf Creek north of Helena faces several charges.

Idaho may consider extending wolf hunt season

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Lewiston, Idaho (AP) – Idaho wildlife officials are thinking about extending the wolf hunting season in certain hunting zones across the state.

Changes proposed for SD turkey season

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Sioux Falls, S.D. (AP) – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has proposed some changes for the 2010 spring turkey season.

Thousands of written comments on longer deer hunt in WI

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Wausau, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is evaluating more than 6,000 letters, e-mails and online comments submitted on a proposal to start the fall deer hunt a week earlier and extend it to 16 days.

An amazing pronghorn from the Colorado plains

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:01:20 +0000

The plains of Colorado are where the deer and the antelope play, but there are some antelope living there that just don’t fit the stereotypical mold.

10 Tips to Breaking out of the Concrete Jungle.

admin2 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:51:24 +0000

10 Tips to Break out of the Concrete Jungle

The other day I spoke to a good friend who told me how lucky I am to live where I do and to not take it for granted. He reminded me of the pros and cons that come with living in a big city, commuting to work, and the stresses that go with it. Fortunately, I don’t take it for granted and I feel lucky to live in the mountains where my commute has to slow down due to wildlife encounters vs traffic jams.

I grew up in Southern California and spent many years commuting and working in downtown Los Angeles. Looking back, it was a great experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The saying is,” if you can make it in LA or NYC, you can make it anywhere”.

The city has so much to offer but the fact is, that in today’s world we are so busy that we don’t stop to smell the roses. People are so wired to electronic information that it is difficult for parents and children to keep up with their busy lives and non stop schedule of events and activities. There are several things you can do to reconnect with nature and bring the outdoors into your own urban environment.

10 Tips to Breaking out of the Concrete Jungle.

1. Easy. Anyone can step outside of the office and feel the wind and warmth of the sun. A little vitamin D never hurt anybody.
2. Bring tennis shoes to work and when you have a break go for a walk. Don’t stay in the office all day.
3. Find your local park and visit it. Suggest you bring your Starbucks and sit under a tree.
4. Plants or trees can brighten any space and I highly recommend adding a few of these living things in your office or home.
5. Put pictures in your office of your favorite spot. The ocean and islands , forest or favorite wildlife picture, let your imagination escape from work
6. An aquarium with a few fish not only adds a visual beauty but is also proven to reduce stress and lower blood pressure.
7. Add a small indoor fountain. The sound of running water is known to have a calming effect.
8. Find a friend who enjoys the outdoors and trade off who makes the weekly plan.
9. If you have kids start them early on camping trips and outdoor hikes
10. Plan an outdoor trip and have something on the calendar to look forward to a few times a year. Get out of the city and get into nature.

Let me know how these tips work for you and please share your own.

Chris

UPDATED – Trophy buck illegally shot in Minnesota

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:11:02 +0000

St. Paul – Minnesota conservation officers last week seized a record- book deer rack and on Thursday morning filed poaching charges against a man from Cannon Falls, Minn., in the case.

Trophy buck illegally shot in Minnesota

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:07:38 +0000

St. Paul – Minnesota conservation officers recently seized a record-book deer rack and filed poaching charges against a man from Cannon Falls, Minn.

Deer hunt proposal triggers verbal shots in WI

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:07:27 +0000

Milwaukee (AP) – If you want to start a fire in Wisconsin, you don’t need matches: Just start a debate about Brett Favre or deer management and wait for the sparks to fly.

Trophy poachers worry Mont. wildlife officials

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:07:27 +0000

Kalispell, Mont. (AP) – The illegal shooting of an 800-pound grizzly bear is the latest of several cases of poachers killing a trophy animal and leaving its carcass to rot, Montana wildlife officials said.

WI DNR urges deer hunters to shoot feral pigs too

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:07:27 +0000

Madison, Wis. (AP) – If you’re a Wisconsin deer hunter who also has a small-game license, the state invites you to shoot some feral pigs this season.

2 new Wyoming cases of chronic wasting disease

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:07:27 +0000

Buffalo, Wyo. (AP) – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says chronic wasting disease has turned up in two northern Wyoming hunt areas for the first time.

Wis. youth snatch up mentored hunting licenses

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:07:27 +0000

Madison, Wis. (AP) – State wildlife officials have sold more than 10,000 mentored hunting licenses.

Idaho shutters wolf hunting in McCall-Weiser zone

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:07:27 +0000

Boise, Idaho (AP) – State wildlife officials are shutting down wolf hunting in another area of the state.

Helena wants increase in deer culling quota

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:07:27 +0000

Helena, Mont. (AP) – Helena’s city manager said Tuesday he would like to see an increase in the number of mule deer the city can kill this winter.

Deer poaching leads to record Neb. fine

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:46:30 +0000

Lincoln, Neb.(AP) – The largest poaching fine in Nebraska since electronic court records began being kept in 1996 has been levied in Cherry County.

Private land gator hunt in Mississippi

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:46:30 +0000

Vicksburg, Miss. (AP) – Warren County led Mississippi’s second controlled alligator hunt on private land with 24 of the 59 killed, including the largest gator of the season – a 12-foot, 9-inch gator hauled in by a Bossier City, La., native.

Wolf hunt closing west of Glacier park

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:46:30 +0000

Billings, Mont. (AP) – State wildlife officials say they are shutting down wolf hunting along the North Fork of the Flathead River after the shooting of two wolves filled the area’s season-long quota.

Wyoming makes argument for managing gray wolves

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:09:40 +0000

Cheyenne, Wyo. (AP) – In a bid to take over management of gray wolves, Wyoming argues there’s no biological reason that the predators should be treated as a trophy game species throughout the entire state.

Officials eye fish passage on Yellowstone River

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:09:40 +0000

Billings, Mont. (AP) – State and federal officials are considering ways to create fish passage at Cartersville Diversion Dam on the Yellowstone River near Forsyth to help pallid sturgeon, an endangered species.

Man dies after shooting self while deer hunting in MN

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:09:40 +0000

Deer River, Minn. (AP) – A Minnetonka man is dead after accidentally shooting himself in the chest during Minnesota’s deer opener weekend.

Hunting safety starts early

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:09:40 +0000

Baton Rouge, La. (AP) – When Randy Young decided it was time to pass along the hunting tradition in his family, he knew where to start.

Michigan considers expansion of crossbow hunting

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:56:18 +0000

Lansing, Mich. (AP) – The state is considering expanding options for crossbow hunting.

Reward offered for info on shot NH bald eagle

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:56:18 +0000

Millsfield, N.H. (AP) – Federal wildlife officials are offering a reward to anyone with information that helps catch the person who shot a young bald eagle in Millsfield, N.H., last month.

Barbed wire fences deadly to sage grouse

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:56:18 +0000

Associated Press Writer CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – An ongoing study found that collisions with a relatively short section of barbed-wire fence killed dozens of sage grouse over a seven-month period, research that could affect a decision on whether to protect the bird under the Endangered Species Act.

Gillette mulls law to ban bow hunting in the city

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:56:18 +0000

Gillette, Wyo. (AP) – The Gillette City Council plans to decide whether bow hunting within city limits is legal.

WI DNR says deer hunter have some common questions

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:56:18 +0000

Spooner, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s nine-day whitetail deer hunt is just around the corner and the Department of Natural Resources says there are some common questions that hunters ask.

Former VP hunts pheasants in SD

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:56:18 +0000

Pierre, S.D. (AP) – This time as a private citizen, former Vice President Dick Cheney hunted pheasants in South Dakota this week.

Mont. hunter shoots threatening mountain lion

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:56:18 +0000

Billings, Mont. (AP) – A 41-year-old Florence man shot and killed a young mountain lion after it stalked his father on a hunting trip near Boulder.

Wyo. hunter bags deer, then hungry lion

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:56:18 +0000

Sheridan, Wyo. (AP) – Retired orthopedic surgeon Chris Smith thought his hunt was over when he bagged a white tail deer with a bow and arrow near Sheridan.

SD mountain lion hunt still debated

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:55:01 +0000

Pierre, S.D. (AP) – The debate continues over hunting mountain lions in South Dakota.

New plan could open Wyo. wildlife refuge to public

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:55:01 +0000

Green River, Wyo. (AP) – Federal officials are working on a new management plan for the little-known Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge that could open the property to the public.

E. Idaho wolf zone closed as hunters reach limit

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:55:01 +0000

Boise, Idaho (AP) – Hunters reached the five-wolf limit in eastern Idaho’s Upper Snake Wolf Zone, prompting state wildlife managers to close the season there.

Python hunters bag 37 in Florida hunting season

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:55:01 +0000

West Palm Beach, Florida (AP) – Expert snake hunters snared 37 pythons in South Florida during a trial hunting season to eradicate the invasive species.

ND mule deer production down

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:55:01 +0000

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) – State wildlife officials say a fall survey has confirmed that the severe winter and spring reduced mule deer production in North Dakota.

Hunters can test shotguns at state firing ranges

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:55:01 +0000

Springfield, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois State Police has announced its firing ranges will be open on Nov. 14 to hunters for sighting in and test-firing shotguns before deer hunting season.

Hunters see bountiful Miss. duck season

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:36:53 +0000

Gulfport, Miss. (AP) – This time of year, waterfowl hunters across the nation are asking the same question. “Where are the ducks?”

Gila trout to be released in Pinaleno Mountains

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:36:53 +0000

Safford, Ariz. (AP) – The Arizona Game and Fish Department plans to release threatened Gila trout into a creek in the Pinaleno Mountains near Safford this week.

Deer head samples sought from North Dakota hunters

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:38:27 +0000

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Game and Fish Department once again will be collecting deer head samples for its chronic wasting disease surveillance program.

Montana officials rule cougar shooting justified

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:38:27 +0000

Butte, Mont. (AP) – The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has determined that the shooting of a cougar by a 14-year-old elk hunter from Anaconda was justified.

Vermont issues deer, elk import warning

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:38:27 +0000

Waterbury, Vt. (AP) – Vermont officials are reissuing warnings about importing possibly tainted deer and elk meat to the state.

Hunters kill 341 moose in NH

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:38:27 +0000

Concord, N.H. (AP) – Hunters killed 341 moose in New Hampshire’s nine-day moose hunting season.

DNR says turkey reproduction down in SC

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:38:27 +0000

Columbia, S.C. (AP) – Hunters may find it more difficult to bag a wild turkey in South Carolina next spring.

Ice fishing to return to St. Paul winter carnival

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:38:27 +0000

St. Paul, Minn. (AP) – The “World’s Original Ice Fishing Contest” will return to the St. Paul Winter Carnival this year, if Mother Nature cooperates.

Another type of nontoxic shot OK’d for birds

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:38:27 +0000

Loncoln, Neb. (AP) – Another type of nontoxic shot is available to waterfowl hunters in Nebraska and other states.

NH deer season starts Nov. 11

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:38:27 +0000

Concord, N.H. (AP) – Opening day for New Hampshire’s firearms season will be Nov. 11.

Wet year has helped Wyoming waterfowl hunting