Thanksgiving Day!

Sorry! No posting on Thursday due to the fact that I will be to busy eating turkey.

From the Whitetail Woods family to your family!

Trivia Challenge

This weeks trivia challenge is about the whitetail deer antler. We all know that they fall off every late winter/early spring and then grow back in time for autumn. Here is some basic information for you to read,

Photo source: Buckmanager.com

As is the case with most deer species, the whitetail buck grows a new set of antlers every year, and the antlers will typically re-grow bigger every year until it passes its prime at about 5-7 years of age. Bucks under two years usually sport small, spiked antlers, although the size of a buck’s antlers is not a determinant factor of its age. Some bucks never grow antlers bigger than about 3 inches. These bucks are sometimes called “button” or “spiked” bucks. Button bucks with very small antlers, which are sometimes hidden in the hair, are often mistaken for does. It is interesting to note that the opposite can also be true, as one in about ten thousand female whitetail deer also grows antlers. This is usually the result of an abnormally high level of testosterone.

Question: How fast does a Whitetail Deer antler grow?

Mini Series comes to Whitetail Woods

Slug Guns - Are they for You?

I just wanted to leave a quick note about a mini series starting Friday November 27th. This idea came in a round about way from Gary at "Base Camp Legends" who is interested in hunting with a slug gun and asked if I could help in some way.

I will touch on a few areas such as brands of slug guns, types of slug barrels, types of slugs, pump verses automatics. So I hope some of you will find this interesting and helpful.

Tuesday's Tip's & Technique's - #65

Watch your Body Temperature:

I know this is a odd title but lately I have noticed how heated up I get while walking in to my stand location in the morning. For example, opening morning I suited up and headed in and half way there I started getting hot. Now when I left is was 30 degrees out which is cold, by the time I got to where I was going to sit I literally was soaking wet and that is not a good thing for more than one reason.

1. you can get sick after cooling off from the sweat and cold air
2. the deer will be able to smell you more easily
3. you are just plain uncomfortable

My tip is to walk in with out the heavy clothing on you might be cold at first but even if you start to heat up at least you won't be getting all sweaty. What I do is wrap and tie the upper part of my insulated coveralls around my waste. I also don't where my knit hat until I get ot where I am going. This will eliminate your body getting to hot on a very cold day.

The last thing you want to do is miss part of your deer hunting season because you came down with Pneumonia, been there and done that.

Shooting Range extends it's hours to accomadate Hunter's

I have used this range in the past. It is open to the public and it is free but is only open on Saturday's & Sunday's plus it is first come first served.

Glastonbury Shooting Range Extends Operating Hours for Deer Hunters Reservations Not Required

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that weekend shooting hours have been extended at the Glastonbury Shooting Range, Glastonbury to accommodate Connecticut’s deer hunters as they prepare for the opening of the general firearms deer hunting season on November 18, 2009.

The range, which is located off Toll Gate Road in the Meshomasic State Forest, is normally open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The new hours will extend supervised shooting to 4:00 PM each weekend day, with the 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM time period reserved specifically for deer hunters who have a valid 2009 firearms deer hunting permit. No advance reservations will be required or taken.

The range will continue to be staffed by certified Range Safety Officers through November 29, who will assign shooting positions to deer hunters on a first-come, first- serve and walk-in basis starting at 2:00 PM.

"This is a timely change that should be welcomed by those deer hunters who need to make some final adjustments on their hunting firearms," stated Mark Clavette, Range Supervisor and Administrator of the DEP’s Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program. "Finding a safe place to sight in a firearm is often difficult for the average hunter who doesn’t belong to a private club with an established range," said Clavette.

The Glastonbury Shooting Range has been in operation since 1980 and was originally developed as a site for sportsmen to practice and sight in their hunting firearms. Over the years, the site has been improved with extensive renovations and now accommodates a wider variety of recreational shooters.

All operational costs at the range are funded through a special allocation of federal funds derived from excise taxes paid on the purchase of sporting arms and equipment. Under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program (commonly called the Pittman-Robertson Act), Connecticut receives a dedicated allocation of funds that can be used for the development, operations, and maintenance of public shooting ranges.

For more information, including range rules, what to bring, and driving directions, visit the DEP website at www.ct.gov/hunting. From the Hunting and Trapping menu, click on "Trap and Target Shooting" and select the link under "Glastonbury Shooting Range."

Trivia Challenge - #3A

When I was searching for trivia Q & A's I had found the question for #3Q

Question - What animal has the highest blood pressure known to exist in any mammal?

Answer - The Giraffe!

They have the highest known blood pressure of any mammal in the world – up to 280/180mm Hg when prone at heart level (approximately twice that of an average human)

Information From: Terra Naturals.com

Saturday's deer hunt was close but not close enough

Just thought I would touch base with you all on my trial of the "Doe in Estrus" scent and Saturday's events, how little they were.

I got up at 4:30 and got dressed and headed out. It didn't take long to get to my area (it's only 10 min.) where I park my car. I popped the trunk and proceded to dawn all my apparel as I stared at the sky noticing that it was not as clear as it was opening morning. There was no frost to speak of but still fairly quiet to move in if your careful.

All suited up I grabbed my 12ga. Maverick which is made by Mossberg, I have had this gun for17 years now and it has never failed me. I walked in slowly and when I got to about the half way mark I started to dribble the doe in estrus. I would dribble here and there periodically as I went. Why I am doing it this way is because I have had success with another brand doing it this exact way.

I finally made it to where I sat opning morning but had already decided to move about 30 yards over. This is where the 3 deer busted me on opening morning because they saw me before I saw them plus it would give me better visibility on the other side of what I think is an important knoll.

I found my new spot and cleared the leaves away so I can move freely without making any noise and then i went to set out the 2 bottles of doe in estrus I had. Dribbling here and there I then took the empty bottles and stuck them upside down in a small branch 4 to 5 feet above the ground. One at about 20 yards behind me and the other about 30 yards forward and to my left.

Well day break came and the sporadic sounds of shotgun shots rang out from close to far as I sit there diligently looking for my hope at filling a tag. Finally around 8:30 I saw one to my right casually circling around this small clump of deadfall. I was thinking that if it would have to way to go after that. Either to the left into a large patch of laurels where it would be lost from my site or take a right which would bring it write up behind me and into my crosshairs.

I guess I don't have to tell you which direction it chose to go (left) as I stand there try to grunt to get it's attention. I got it to stop once but I did not feel comfortable with the shot so I let it go. That is one thing I pride myself on is I won't squeeze the trigger unless I an comfortable and confident with the shot.

I sat all morning not seeing anything else but that one deer and a few gray squirrels. I am not disappointed because I have seen deer everytime I have been out in this area and I am confident that it's only a matter of time. None the less it turned out to be a beautiful morning although it could have been a touch colder.

Oh ya, before I forget. the doe in estrus scent I feel does show potential so I will be trying it again the next time I head out.

Savory Sunday's - #41

Grill Roasted Turkey:

Try this method and you'll never use your oven again. The turkey cooks in half the time recommended for oven roasting, and it remains moist and juicy with just one basting. But stifle the impulse to open the grill lid for a peek -- the heat in the grill will drop significantly and slow your cooking.

Yield: 18 to 20 servings (with plenty left over for turkey sandwiches)

• 18- to 20-pound turkey (not self-basting)
• Olive oil spray or 1/2 cup olive or canola oil
• Salt and pepper

Thanksgiving Day:
Preheat gas grill for 10 minutes with all burners on low heat (400 degrees F). Rinse turkey and pat dry. Stuff turkey with Herb Stuffing (see recipe). Coat skin of turkey with olive oil spray or brush skin with oil. Season skin with salt and pepper. Place turkey in a disposable aluminum foil roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Create a tent of aluminum foil over the turkey and seal tightly. Place pan on the grill rack and close lid. Cook 3 hours (for a 20-pound turkey) or until popper is exposed or turkey leg can be pulled away from the body. Remove tenting. Baste turkey with drippings (remove 3 tablespoons drippings for gravy). Close grill lid, raise heat to medium, and cook 15 minutes more or until bird is golden brown. Remove turkey from grill. Allow bird to sit 10 minutes. Remove dressing to an ovenproof bowl and place it in a warm oven until serving. Carve turkey, place on a large platter, and serve.

Corn Bread Stuffing:

This quantity will stuff a 15-18 pound turkey. Cornbread stuffing is good for chicken too.

• 3 cups stale cornbread, crumbled
• 3 cups stale white bread, crumbled
• 1/2 pound butter
• 2 onions, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• I apple, cored, peeled, and chopped
• 3 sprigs parsley, minced
• 1 bay leaf, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• salt and black pepper to taste
• giblets of the bird (or 1/2 pound sausage meat)

Crumble the breads into a large bowl. Chop the giblets (or take the sausage meat) and cook with the vegetables in part of the butter until lightly browned. Melt the rest of the butter and add, with the vegetables, apple, herbs, and seasonings, to the bread. Stir to blend well and stuff into the bird just before roasting.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes (side dish):

• 1 large head of garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt & pepper
• Step Two: Mashed potatoes
• 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, quartered
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 stick of butter
• 3/4 cup heavy cream

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut head of garlic in half across the top, drizzle with olive oil, season to taste with salt and pepper. Wrap in aluminum foil and roast for about one hour until garlic is tender. Remove garlic by squeezing each clove. Set aside. Put potatoes in saucepan, cover with water, season with salt and pepper and boil 15 to 20 minutes until fork tender. Drain. Add salt, pepper, butter, heavy cream and roasted garlic. Use mixer until desired consistency.

Review of "Doe in Estrus", Does it work?

I have always had a Like or Dislike opinion when it comes to hunting scents. Some times they work and some times they don't but, I always try to keep an open mind such as in this case.

Now I went to Walmart after work last night and originally was going to get some Tink's but all I saw was empty hooks.

Wildlife Research Center had some still there called "Doe in Estrus". I heard a lot about them but honestly have not tried any of their products.





This is what they say on their website,

• Natural Doe Urine with Estrus Secretions.
• Carefully collected from whitetail does.
• Triggers the sexual attraction instinct of Whitetail Bucks.
• Brings in bucks aroused.

I figure what the heck I might as well try it. There has been other hunters in this area so I need to better my odds how ever I can to bring in a deer. Today is Saturday and I am out hunting and using the "Doe in Estrus". I hope to have good news for you later on.

Trivia Challenge - #3Q

Here we are with another trivia challenge question that will hopefully get you thinking. So post what you think is the answer in the comments section. Don't forget there are no stupid answers so put what ever you think.

Question #3

What animal has the highest blood pressure known to exist in any mammal?







If you want to put me to work than email your trivia questions and I will track down an answer for you.