Happy Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE !

Take a child Trick or Treating Tonight & BE SAFE !

My son Tyler with a pumpkin he carved himself (with help from Mom of course).

Day Light Savings time is here again

It is that time of year when we turn the clocks back 1 hour and change the batteries in all of our smoke detectors. It looks like I will soon be going to work in the dark and getting out of work in the dark.


Although not used by most of the world's people, daylight saving time is common in high latitudes.

• Blue = DST used
• Orange = DST no longer used
• Red = never used
  

A Deer mount that is beyond Description

I want to share this picture with you that I found from Bowhunting.com. These guys are as passionate about deer hunting as I am and they received a picture which they couldn't wait to share as I can't wait to share.



Read more:

Is This the new era of Hunting Rifles?

Now granted I am by far no expert on hunting rifles after all I didn't own one until last year but, this new style that is gaining wide popularity amongst hunters from what I have heard and read. Modeled after the AR-15 style military rifle that came out during Vietnam and is still used today is this.


Panther LR-243

The LR-243 features a 20” black Tefloned stainless steel barrel that provides ample velocity and accuracy for competition or hunting. The A3 style receiver allows for a wide range of optics or iron sights. Available with a wide range of options, it may be one of the most versatile rifles in the LR series.

Panther LR-308T

Shortly after the LR-308 came onto the scene, law enforcement personnel quickly identified it as an outstanding precision rifle. But many saw more potential than a heavy long range rifle. The LR-308T was designed to be a tactical carbine that would be more maneuverable than a larger rifle, but more powerful and versatile than a lighter, smaller carbine or shotgun. The LR-308T features a 16” heavy barrel for minimum weight and length, while still delivering 20 rounds of 308. The high ride receiver will accept a wide range of optics. That and many other available optics make the LR-308T a true tactical carbine.

Both of these are manufactured by DPMS Panther Arms. They have a bit of history with this style rifle.

DPMS Firearms, LLC, founded over 20 years ago by President Randy Luth, began as a small government contract consulting company. Luth, himself a product of a precision machine shop that manufactured M-16, M-14 and M203 parts for Army contracts. Read more history about DPMS.

It is hard for me to look at this type of rifle and think hunting because of the extensive military history that this style has but I consider myself to be widely open minded about this. Let me remind you that I am no expert on rifles but I am a long time deer hunter who is rapidly shifting interests into the rifle aspect of hunting after shotgunning for so many years it is quite interesting to me.

I certainly hope to touch on this subject more so please keep an eye out for future posts.

Google Reader, Will it help?

I have been reading this book that I got from Jody "The Hunter's Wife" and I have to say that it is quite interesting. I will admit that I normally don't read anything unless it has something to do with deer or deer hunting but I have been on a mission lately.

I have been trying to think of ways to increase my blog, meaning I want it to do better than I feel it is already doing. This book Jody gave me is very helpful and even though I loose sight of what I am reading sometimes it still helps.

I recently started up on Google Reader, thinking that it would help in a few different ways. The most important thing for me and the hardest is trying to visit all the sites I follow, I just don't have all the time to do it.

What I am hoping is Google Reader will help by keeping track of all I follow and will let me know what is new as it happens. I still am trying to figure out how it actually is going to work and in the end I might stop using it but I want to give it a chance. On my blog down in the side bar there is a block that shows you what I am saying in comments and where I am saying it.

If any of you notice anything different in like say comments or something please let me know and also Jody, thanks for the book I am trying to improve by reading it.

Click on Google Reader above to see my profile:

Tuesday's Tip's & Technique's - #61

Keeping your Hunting Clothes scent free:

You all know how important it is to be scent free when you go deer hunting. A whitetails sense of smell is second to know as far as big game goes. This is the time of year that I start to take out what I normally wear and get it prepared.

What I like to do is send it all through the wash using baking soda as detergent. Then what I do is air dry it all on the clothes line, if weather is bad I will hang it in the porch which I close up for the summer so it all stays there and is not bothered by all the household smells.

Once dry (still leaving it all hanging in the porch) I spray it down with Scent a Way from Hunter Specialties.

There is a lot of stuff this company sells that will help you eliminate scentslike, wafer, shampoo's, soap, powder and believe it or not tooth paste.

So many times I have been picked up by my scent because of one reason or another. After awhile it really get's to ya.

High School class get's the in's & out's of a Wildlife Management class

Here is some news about a wildlife class. I think this is a great idea and should be done more in other states. Please read and tell me your views.

Photo by Patrick Dove

Patrick Dove/Standard-Times

Central High School senior Jared Winger measures the antlers of a deer using the Boone and Crockett scoring method during a Wildlife and Recreation Management class. The students learn about wildlife conservation, land management and careers in wildlife.

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Unlike algebra or chemistry courses, many of the students in Wildlife and Recreation Management at Central High School bring years of experience to class, which includes hunter safety and much more.

Jackson Morrow, for one, said he has been hunting and fishing since he was little.

“My mom and dad are big outdoors people, taught me most of what I know,” he said.

Nevertheless, he is taking Ashley Kellermeier’s elective this semester.

“I learned more stuff,” he said. For one, the whitewing dove limit increased from 12 to 15 this hunting season. He also agreed he has learned more about ethics in hunting, such as that tying a fresh kill to the outside of a vehicle can upset some people.

“Not everybody is a hunter,” Kellermeier reminded the 17-year-old. “Wrap it in a tarp.”

Kellermeier said demand is high for the class. More than 20 students are in each of two sections. About a third of the students are girls.

“A lot of them are extremely knowledgeable about hunting,” she said.

Lake View High School, where more of the students might live on property with horses or other animals, offers equine science, while Central offers the wildlife course, Kellermeier said.

One of the course’s attractions is that students can get their hunter education certification, which is required by the state for most hunting licenses.

Read the complete article:

Whitetail Glands and what they can do

This was a post I dug up from my old blog that until now had completely forgot about. It is always a good idea to refresh your memory especially when it comes to the most adaptable north american big game like the whitetail deer.

Photo from MDC online:

There are five different glands in the whitetails body and each one does a different thing. By understanding these it will aide you in how they travel and communicate with each other.

1. Forehead Gland

This is located on the forehead just above the eyes. Some documentation has been written that this gland will secrete a oily substance that will darken the fur in this area, it is also said that the darken area is also caused by the type of trees that the bucks will rub. It is said that the secretion acts a indicator of what status that buck is at in the overall hierarchy of the local deer population. I personally believe that this is where the buck will leave is calling card so to speak, letting others know this is his territory.

2. Preorbital Gland

I have not found to much information on this gland other than the fact that it is another way of communicating with other deer as far as age, sex and maybe status. Some have said that it is used for visual communication mostly between doe’s and fawns.

3. Tarsal Gland

Now this is an important gland to pay attention to especially on big adult bucks. Located on the inside of the back legs half way down they will darken depending on how much the buck will urinate and rub them together as well as how old the buck is. Doe’s have been known to rub these glands together but generally it is the buck that does it. The tarsel gland will also send signals of dominance in the deer herd. These glands can also be purchased at sporting good stores to be used as scent drags to your stand. One thing I have done in the past is cut the gland from a adult buck and used that as a drag.

4. Metatarsal Gland

This is another gland that does not have much information about. It is located on the outside of the hind legs down near the hooves. Some researchers have said that it might be used to regulate their body heat and some have said that it leaves an alarm scent when the deer has been spooked. I think the debate can go on for awhile about this gland.

5. Interdigital Gland

This gland is located between the toes and is used for marking trails and locating other deer. It is said that because a fawn does not leave any scent the mother will keep tabs on the fawn by sniffing for this gland but, there is some debate about that. There is one thing that seems to be agreed upon and that is when a deer stomps the ground it is signaling to other deer that something is not right and at the same time it is leaving a scent that says danger to other deer.

Some of this makes a lot of sense to me and if you keep this in the back of your mind it could help you down th road.

Savory Sunday's - #37

Venison Meatloaf:

2 cups ground venison 1 1/2 cups seasoned bread crumbs 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix 3/4 cup ketchup 1/2 cup warm water Beat thoroughly. Put into loaf pan. Pour one 8 oz can tomato sauce over all. Bake one hour at 350 degrees. Courtesy Phyllis Britterham, Garwin, Iowa

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		3 slices dry bread 4 oz. canned milk 2 teaspoons Lawreys seasoning salt few shakes of pepper 1 small minced onion 1-2 lbs ground venison 3 slices bacon catsup Crumble bread and let soak in milk for 10 minutes. Add spices and onion, mix in meat, top with bacon and dot with a bit of catsup. Bake covered for 45 minutes, then uncovered 20 minutes at 350 degrees. This is very moist meatloaf that is great next day for sandwiches -- that is, if there is any left! Courtesy of Nick Kuipers Elburn Illinois.

Getting that Buck of a lifetime scored!

Scoring your Buck:

So, deer season is underway and you just shot a very large Buck, (just so you know I didn't call it a trophy because every deer no matter of size or sex is a trophy to me). You want to have the antlers scored which is a natural thing to do, I know I would. This is where I would recommend going, the NBBC otherwise known as "Northeast Big Buck Club". They have certified measurer throughout the northeast. If you want it scored and officially entered this organization can do it for ya.

Get your buck scored by a local NBBC Measurer!

We use the Boone & Crockett measuring system, but we record the gross score (before any deductions). We give the buck full credit for everything he grew!! Contact us for more information.

What Are The Minimums For Record Book Entry?

Any deer can be scored by the club. However, to make the record book, your buck must meet the following gross score minimum requirements:

• Archery/Muzzleloader: 100 Typical, 115 Non-Typical

• Gun/Pickup/Shed: 110 Typical, 125 Non-Typical

Getting a Deer Scored

• Any Deer Can Be Scored, From Any State. Deer are categorized as Typical vs Non-Typical, and in Harvest Categories of Bow, Gun, Muzzleloader, Pickup/Aquire, and Sheds

• $25 Entry Fee Gets You Into The Record Book

• Color, Computer-Printout Of Your Final Score

• Free 1-Year Subscription to Northeast Big Buck News - official magazine of the NBBC

• Free 1-Year Supporting Membership with Patch and Membership card

Please visit the NBBC website for further information and how-to's. You never know you just might have a world record buck.

Is it a Buck or is it a Doe?

I'm a little later than usual posting for today so I am just going to leave you with a picture I had taken quite awhile ago about this time of year. As I looked at it before posting I come to realize that it was actually a buck, at least I think so. What do you think? The picture is private land but, there is some state land right behind it. I have never hunted this part so I am making plans to scout it soon before my shotgun season opens. Maybe a new area will do me some good, that and it is closer to home.

Blog Spotlight - A Blessed Crazy Life

Yes, it is time to move the Whitetail Woods Spotlight. We are heading to the mid-west to a blog called "A Blessed Crazy Life".

Blessed just happen to be a Graphic Designer who in her own words I'm a wife & mother who enjoys reading, hunting, fishing, scrapbooking, cooking, hiking, and a whole bunch of other stuff and I am abundantly blessed and always feel just a smidge crazy.
It sure sounds like she keeps busy doesn't she. I know I look forward to her posts, she always seems to put something up that catches your interest.

Here are just a few of her recent posts that you can browse through and to read more it would be better to just visit her at "A Blessed Crazy Life".

• Pumpkin Pie Cake
• Learning things the Hard way
• Don't Forget to just have Fun
  

CT. Animal Activist keeping dead deer in back yard

Every one does and should have a right to believe in what they believe in but when it comes to animal activists I really think that they go through life with blinders on like tunnel vision. They just can not see the big picture and nothing anyone says will make them understand it. Here is an article I came across which just happens to be in my own state.

All I can say is I hope her and her husband like the rotting corpse of a deer in their backyard and I certainly hope like are ready for all the other predators that will begin to show up, I'm sure their neighbors are going to love it.

Animal Activist refuses to let Bow Hunter retrieve deer

A bow-hunter who thought he was doing everything by the book instead went home empty-handed, reports the Connecticut Post.

After mortally wounding a deer, he tracked it -- as responsible hunters should -- until it collapsed and died.

Realizing the animal had ended up on someone's private property, he went to the door to ask permission to retrieve the buck.

picture from the Connecticut Post:

"My husband told him to just go away, he couldn't have the deer," homeowner Lynn Gorfinkle said.

Gorfinkle went out into her yard and took photos of the deer. "It was a crime scene, in my opinion, the minute that it was shot," she said.

Turns out, Gorfinkle is the CEO of Animal Rights Alliance in Redding, Conn.

The state's bow-hunting season began mid-September at Bennett's Pond State Park, where hunting is allowed by the Department of Environmental Protection, though the Gorfinkles believe that the whitetail deer came from a closer tract of land.

"I will never go out [in the backyard] so casually again. It impairs the enjoyment of your own property when you feel you have to look over your shoulder or wear fluorescent orange or something," Gorfinkle said.

DEP communications director Dennis Schain said that hunting accidents by bow-hunters are rare. "I've been here four years and have never heard of such a thing," he said.

The controversy between hunting enthusiasts and animal-rights activists is nothing new in the area. Earlier this year, a deer hunt on city property in Stamford was ended early because of complaints, and even death threats, according to a city official. And nearby Fairfield is meeting opposition to their effort to open some town-owned land to deer hunting.

The DEP reports that Fairfield County, where Stamford and Fairfield are located, has the highest deer density in the state, with an estimated average of 62 animals per square mile.

The Fairfield County Municipal Deer Management Alliance still backs the culling as a way to prevent the spread of Lyme disease, over-browsing of native vegetation and deer collisions with automobiles.

Lynn and other animal-rights proponents argue that killing the deer is not the answer and that nature should be allowed to take its course to control deer numbers.

So the carcass remains in the Gorfinkles' yard, where it has been since Oct. 2. Lynn hopes that other animals will eat it because it is too big to bury.

"If someone's going to eat that deer, I want it to be natural predators, not some hunter," she said.

Her actions, meanwhile, may mean the death of another deer. "Since the hunter did not recover the deer, he did not need to tag it and it doesn't count toward his bag limit," Dennis Schain told Outposts.

--Kelly Burgess

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com

What Deer season means to Me

You know with deer season around us all and me patiently waiting for my turn to come which happens to be November 18th., shotgun/rifle season. I have been watching quite a few hunting dvd's and television shows.

I always do that especially this time of year. Getting myself pumped up like I really need a dvd to do that. What I want to mention though is "What Deer season means to me". I see these shows on TV and DVD and they always seem to put emphasis on the trophy buck and if you want to put meet in the freezer than fill a doe tag.

I'm sorry but, the way I see it is any deer no matter whether it is a 10 pointer, spike buck or even a doe they are all considered trophies to me.

I don't hunt for the antlers even though I do admit to collecting them. I am just as happy if I shoot a doe. I really don't understand why bone (antlers) is so important to a lot of people. I think if you sit back and think you will admire the Whitetail Deer for what it really is and not what it grows on their heads every year.

Please, don't get me wrong I love antlers just as much as the next guy but I also love everything else that is connected to them. The way a whitetail can adapt and overcome almost any adversity in their surrounding. They truly are in my opinion the most majestic big game animal around and should be treated as such.

The way I hunt is 100% wild and 100% fairchase which has been at the front of some discussions But that is not the point I am trying to make. I don't shoot anymore than what my family can eat in a years time. I do my best to not let any part of that animal go to waste. If I am able to tag an extra deer I donate it to a local soup kitchen.

So, I think you get the idea of what Deer season means to me. We as hunters are always in the lime light if that is what you call it. We unfortunately have to show that we are all not just out for the bone that we do admire and care about the whitetail deer and also care about the environment that they live in.

Just one more thought and that is,

BE SAFE - THINK BEFORE YOU SHOOT - GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT VENTURES OUT THIS DEER SEASON

Tuesday's Tip's & Technique's - #60

Rechecking your straps:

I don't know about you but in the past I have noticed that after being in the elements for awhile that sometimes the straps on my ladder stand or fixed position stand need to be tightened a bit. It is almost like they have stretched like a clothes line. I don't like it when I climb half way up in the dark and get that falling backwards feeling, it not pleasant.

So depending on how much you use a particular stand you might want to recheck all the straps and ties to make sure they are still tight.

Fall 2009 Reader Appreciation Giveaway

I was asked to help spread the word about another giveaway this time from Ben G. of Ben G. Outdoors. Starting today and going through up to the 31st. So please take a minute or two to visit Ben over at his site.

Ben G. Outdoors is proud to announce our Fall 2009 Reader Appreciation Giveaway.

Ben G. Outdoors a blog devoted to hunting, fishing and outdoor adventure. Will be having a reader Appreciation Giveaway. The contest will run from Monday October the 19^th through Friday October the 31^st at 5:00pm. Winners will be posted on the site Monday November 2^nd.

The list of Prizes includes Boots, Apparel, & DVD’s.

Please stop by Ben G. Outdoors for more details and your chance to win one of the fabulous prizes.

Ben G. Outdoors Fall 2009 Giveaway is brought to you in Part by Hank’s Clothing, Warrior Outdoors, & Magnet Gun Caddy.

Is Winter coming early?

I was sitting in my den half working on the computer and half watching the Verses channel and it occurred to me it was snowing out, again. This is the second time in the past week that we have gotten a covering of snow. Granted it is not a noreaster or anything but none the less it is odd for snow this time of year around here.



I'm still trying to get a few outdoor projects finished before my deer season starts up. If you follow "The Farmers Almanac" at all or some old wives tails they will vary slightly but all say winter is coming.


Northeastern U.S. Weather

October 2009
16th-19th. Blustery and cool northerly winds buffet much of New England. 20th-23rd. Cold northerly winds persist over New England, with a few locally heavy showers by the 23rd. 24th-27th. Rainy skies. 28th-31st. Nature plays a Halloween trick

: stormy, especially for New England.

November 2009
1st-3rd. Brief spell of cold. 4th-7th. Clear, crisp, then turning milder. 8th-11th. Rapid temperature changes. Storm moves east with heavy rain or wet snow. Much colder air follows. 12th-15th. Clouds, spotty precipitation. Turning progressively colder. 16th-19th. Light snow and flurries over the area. Cold. 20th-23rd. Dry and cold. 24th-27th. Wet for Thanksgiving. 28th-30th. Storm hugs the Atlantic Coast, bringing increasing winds and copious precipitation.

December 2009
1st-3rd. Rain and wet snow showers, followed by clear and cold weather conditions. 4th-7th. Storm along the Atlantic seaboard brings precipitation. Very cold air follows. 8th-11th. Dry and tranquil. 12th-15th. Widespread clouds and showers.

Frigid 2010 Forecast: How Cold will the Winter Weather Be?

Old Man Winter doesn’t want to give up his frigid hold just yet, but his hold will mostly be in the middle of the country.

According to the 2010 Farmers’ Almanac, this winter will see more days of shivery conditions: a winter during which temperatures will average below normal for about three-quarters of the nation.

A large area of numbingly cold temperatures will predominate from roughly east of the Continental Divide to west of the Appalachians (see map). The coldest temperatures will be over the northern Great Lakes and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. But acting almost like the bread of a sandwich, to this swath of unseasonable cold will be two regions with temperatures that will average closer to normal—theWest Coast and the East Coast.

What about snow/rain/ice?

Near-normal amounts of precipitation are expected over the eastern third of the country, as well as over the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains, while drier-than-normal conditions are forecast to occur over the Southwest and the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes.

Only the Central and Southern Plains are expected to receive above-average amounts of precipitation.

Blizzards?

While three-quarters of the country is predicted to see near- or below average precipitation this winter, that doesn’t mean there won’t be any winter storms! On the contrary, significant snowfalls are forecast for parts of every zone. For the Middle Atlantic and Northeast States, for instance, we are predicting a major snowfall in mid-February; possibly even blizzard conditions for New England (indeed, even shovelry is not dead).

What about spring and summer?

Find out when the first and last snowflakes may fall in your area by ordering a copy of the 2010 Farmers’ Almanac today.

Savory Sunday's - #36

Venison Marinade:

• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons dry mustard
• 1/3 cup vinegar
• 1 tablespoon pepper
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Add ingredients together in sequence, as listed, in large bowl. Stir well, pour over venison, and marinate for 24 hours in refrigerator. This marinade can be used on venison that is to be barbecued or roasted in the oven. If venison is barbecued, baste with the marinade as it cooks.

From Diana's kitchen.com

Whitetail Challenge helps another Disabled Youth

I think this is really cool. to help a youth or disabled hunter experience what most of us actually take for granted.

Contributed photo Tanner Webb, right, waits in a specially-designed, handicapped-accessible hunting blind with his guide Steve Greer of Van Meter during a deer hunt earlier this month. Webb, who has spastic cerebral palsy, participated in the hunt through Whitetail Challenge, a yearly program that assists youths and disabled participants with the hunting experience.

Hunt of a lifetime

By TYLER ELLYSON — CNA staff reporter tellyson@crestonnews.com

His heart pounding, hands shaking and nerves running on edge, 13-year-old Tanner Webb raised a 12-gauge shotgun and took aim at a whitetail doe.

During the three-week period between Sept. 19 and Oct. 4, many Iowa youths can be found experiencing the thrill of their first deer hunt. But, this trip was different.

Tanner was born with spastic cerebral palsy, a condition that has forced him to rely on a wheelchair for mobility.

Despite the physical setbacks, Tanner, a seventh-grader at Creston Middle School, was determined to partake in the family tradition of hunting.

Although he had accompanied his father Kevin Webb on deer hunting trips before, this year was going to be different.

"He's always wanted to be able to go, but we just were never able to get him set up so he could actually get down in the timber and participate," explained Tanner's mother Amy Webb.

With one goal in mind, Tanner took the Iowa hunter's safety course last spring to make him eligible for the youth and disabled hunter season in the fall.

It was in August when things really took a positive turn for the aspiring hunter.

Read the Complete Story:

Whitetail Challenge

Whitetail Challenge started as a disabled hunter experience in 2003.

Ron Mason and his neighbors Steve and Penny Radakovich donated their land and time to give these hunters a weekend deer hunt each year.

Initially sponsored by the Radakovichs and Mason with help from Wheelin' Sportsmen magazine, the event expanded to allow youth hunters in 2006. That same year, the North Branch Wildlife Foundation was established to fund the event.

Quality Deer Management Association also assists Whitetail Challenge in maintaining a good deer population on the property.

Funded solely by donations and run by volunteers, Whitetail Challenge provides the hunters and their family members with lodging, meals, transportation, a guide, helper and driver.

Each year between $2,500 and $3,500 is spent on the event.

Corporate sponsors provide hunters with vests, hats, ammunition and specially-equipment guns.

Members of the foundation attend functions to promote the hunt and encourage return trips.

Participants during Tanner Webb's hunt included Miss Wheelchair Iowa and a blind hunter. A total of five deer were harvested.

This year's hunt, including footage of Tanner, was recorded for airing on "In Your Backyard Iowa." The program is expected to run in November.

"It's by far the most rewarding thing I've ever done," said Mason. "To be able to provide an opportunity to people who have a difficult time getting outside and enjoying nature is really rewarding."

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Let us not forget that

October is

Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Show your support!

Drowning of two Whitetail Bucks on a Golf Course

Just imagine going out on a golf course to play a bit of golf and you find this floating in one of the ponds.

enlarge

The Telegraph/MARGIE M. BARNES

Carl Gamble with the Illinois Department of Conservation Police examines the teeth of one of the two bucks that drowned at Belk Park in Wood River. The two bucks most likely locked antlers while sparring for dominance, fell into the lake on the golf course and drowned. It is mating season.

Fight to the Death

Two bucks drown after antlers lock

By CYNTHIA M. ELLIS

The Telegraph

WOOD RIVER - Two bucks locked horns during a battle, then fell into a lake at Belk Park Golf Course and drowned early Thursday.

Golf course personnel found the two large whitetail bucks floating in the water near Hole No. 16 about 8 a.m.

"It appears as though the bucks locked horns and tumbled off the levee and into the water, where they drowned," golf course manager Mike Brasher said.

Brasher said it happened sometime either late Wednesday night or early Thursday.

"All I know is they weren't there (Wednesday)," Brasher said.

The bucks, an 18-pointer and 10-pointer, apparently locked horns as they were facing one another and fighting.

Large whitetail bucks will spar during the breeding season to determine dominance, which gives the winner rights to breed with does in the area.

Breeding season is throughout October and November.

Brasher said the Illinois Department of Conservation was notified, so that the deer could be tagged and then removed and taken away for disposal.

Carl Gamble of the Department of Conservation Police estimated the bucks were 3 to 4 years old, each weighing about 200 pounds.

cynthia_ellis@thetelegraph.com

2009 Mossy Oak Passion Award

For those who do not Drury Outdoors and Mossy Oak here is a release I that I just received about this years Passion Award recipient.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2009 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dustin Whitacre Assistant Brand Manager 662-494-8859 x280 dwhitacre@mossyoak.com

Pictured from left to right: Terry Drury (Drury Outdoors), Dustin "Shed" Whitacre (Mossy Oak), John Frank (Award recipient), Ben Maki (Mossy Oak), Mark Drury (Drury Outdoors), and Adam Frank, (John's brother) Press release and image can be downloaded at www.howardcommunications.com John Frank Receives 2009 Mossy Oak Passion Award WEST POINT, MS - John Frank was awarded the Mossy Oak Passion Award at the Drury Outdoors annual production meeting in St. Louis, Missouri on September 18 and 19. Each year, Drury TV Producers from all over the country gather for meetings and an annual awards banquet. Last year, Mossy Oak was honored to participate in the banquet and present the Mossy Oak Passion Award to Steve "Coon Dog" Coon. Continuing the tradition this year, Mossy Oak recognized John Frank. "The Passion Award is given to an individual that exhibits passion for the outdoors, who always works to their fullest capacity and with great excitement, and strives unselfishly to be the best at what they do," said Ben Maki, Vice President of Marketing for Mossy Oak. "It's not about taking trophy animals and having a successful hunt every time they step in the field or get behind the camera. It's about passion for the outdoors, respect for Mother Nature and unwavering energy in everything they do." Frank is from Richland, Iowa where he owns his own flooring company. He has two children. Frank's hobbies include photography, videography and Harley Davidsons. He enjoys hunting caribou, turkey and whitetail. According to Frank, "Hunting with my grandfather from age 12 provided the beginning of my hunting interests. My love for the sport has branched from well-trained hunting dogs flushing ringnecks to the gobble of a mature tom on a cool spring morning. In the last decade, my hunting sights have evolved further to include the elusive P&Y class whitetail deer. Photographing buck in velvet combined with shed antler hunting helps me to pattern mature bucks. In the future, I'd like to harvest an elk with a bow. "Recently, my son started hunting and I love to film him learning to hunt and discovering all the outdoors has to offer," he added. For more information on Drury Outdoors, visit www.druryoutdoors.com. Haas Outdoors Inc. is headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak (www.mossyoak.com). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. Haas Outdoors Inc. markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions, Nativ Nurseries and Mossy Oak Properties. ###

IT'S NOT A PASSION. IT'S AN OBSESSION

Viewer Generated Sportsman Choice Awards

I have been following the Sportsman Channel for sometime now and when I was asked to help promote the 2009 Choice Awards I did not even hesitate. You can vote on your favorite shows like "Whitetail Addictions" or "Whitetail Properties - Dreams to Reality" or "North American Whitetail" or even "The Heartland Bowhunter". There are so many shows to choose from you can just imagine the day you would have sitting back to decide who you would like to vote on. Don't forget what your eligible for for just voting, you can't go wrong.

Viewer-Generated Sportsman Choice Award Voting Begins Today!

Voters Eligible for $1000 Prize Pack

New Berlin, Wis. October 13, 2009 — The way Sportsman Channel sees it, the ultimate judges of hunt, shoot and fish programming are the viewers who make those activities the foundations of their lifestyle. And beginning today, those viewers will begin the process of deciding which shows and hosts will take home top honors in the 2009 Sportsman Choice Awards. All shows and show hosts airing on the network in 2009 are eligible for voting by viewers at http://www.votesportsman.com/


The categories are: Best Hunt Show, Best Shoot Show, Best Fish Show, Best Combination (hunting and fishing) Show and Best Show Host(s).

The first voting round runs through November 19, when the top five vote-getters in each category will qualify for a final round of viewer voting. The winners in all Sportsman Choice Award categories will be crowned in January during the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas.

“There’s no better academy than our viewers, the American sportsmen, to choose the finest in award-winning hunt, shoot, fish programming,” said Todd D. Hansen, Sr. Vice President Sportsman Channel.

As an added bonus, all voters will be entered to win a $1000 prize pack, which includes a $500 Cabela’s gift card and merchandise from Sportsman Channel and Cabela’s.

Last year’s highest vote-getters included the network’s first female show host winner: Haley Heath of “Family Traditions with Haley Heath” received Viewer Favorite Personality. Heath said she hopes to duplicate it again this year. “I was thrilled when they called my name for the award last year and it’s great knowing your fans are behind you 100 percent. I am feeling really good going into this year’s nominations,” said Heath.

About Sportsman Channel: Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel is the only television and digital company fully devoted to the more than 82 million sportsmen in the United States, delivering the most educational and entertaining hunting, shooting and fishing programming. Acquired by InterMedia Outdoors Holdings in 2006, Sportsman Channel is now a part of the nation's largest multimedia company targeted exclusively to serving the information and entertainment needs of outdoors enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com.

CONTACT:
Michelle Scheuermann, Director of Communications, Sportsman Channel
262.432.9100 ex 111; mscheuermann@thesportsmanchannel.com

I should get one of these!

This has nothing to do with deer hunting but, I found this and I have to say Wile E. Coyote is one of my favorites so I figured you would like this.









If I can do it You can do it!

Tuesday's Tip's & Technique's - #59

The Importance of Rubs:

This weeks tip comes from Buckmasters and it has a lot of great information in it.

The Importance Of Rubs
October 8, 2009

Bucks rub their antlers against brush and trees for two basic reasons. In late summer and early fall, the bucks are rubbing velvet off their antlers. This is not an aggressive rub, and you can sometimes find strands of velvet or a little blood on the brush.

Later in the fall, bucks are more aggressive. They'll tear up trees, and you'll see shavings on the ground where they've really been grinding on the wood. Aggressive rubs serve two purposes. Creating a rub gets the buck's neck muscles into shape for combat with other bucks. A buck also will tear up a bush to display aggression to a nearby rival. He's saying to the rival, "You want a piece of me?"

A buck rub tells you there's a buck in the area. If several rubs are in a sequence, that's called a rub line. You can learn something about how bucks travel by studying rub lines. If all the rubs are on the same side of the trees, you know which direction the bucks are coming from as they move through the area.

If you find what looks like a fresh rub -- the sap's still oozing, the ground is freshly disturbed -- brush the shavings out of the way and smooth out the ground. Check the rub in a couple of days to see if the buck has come back.

You can't always tell the size of a buck by the size of the rub. Big bucks are just as likely to tear up little bushes, but if you see a big tree that's torn up with nicks in the bark higher up, that's most likely a bigger buck. Pay more attention to the height of those scar marks left on a tree than the size of the tree itself, as it takes a big buck with a high rack to scar way up on a tree.

Visions of Autumn

I truly love autumn with all the changing colors and the annual decorating of the house and the pumpkin picking trip, so I thought I would share just a few pictures.

Fall colors from our bedroom window.













Scarecrow & Indian Corn to decorate our lamppost.












Tyler picking out his pumpkin at the Buell's Fall Festival this past weekend after taking a hay ride to get to the pumpkin patch.

White Oak Acorns, A Deer's favorite food

Acorns from the White Oak Tree are one of the preferred foods on a whitetails grocery list. If you can find an area where the acorns are dropping than you have a very good chance at seeing deer. This year I think just happens to be a bumper crop of acorns, at least in my area. Their dropping like rain.

Acorn crops can vary greatly from year to year. During “heavy” years, acorns can rain down from the trees, almost covering the ground beneath them. In “sparse” years, one can travel from tree to tree and have difficulty locating more than a handful. The factors determining acorn production patterns are not well understood, but Koenig and Knops (1995) have demonstrated that weather at the time of flowering is likely an important contributing factor. Since oaks are wind-pollinated species, conditions during the pollination period that promote good pollen dispersal are believed to enhance acorn production. But there may also be other factors at work also. There are probably internal rhythms present within trees that also influence how many acorns are produced. In this instance, the almost total absence of white oak acorns last year may have contributed to good crops this year since trees were able to conserve resources that they are currently using to produce this abundant crop. Koenig et al. (1994) found a strong negative autocorrelation between crops from one year to the next which – especially for blue oak - supporting the notion that crops one year (or the lack thereof) can influence crops the subsequent year.

Another interesting thing about acorn production is that there are species that take one season from flowering till acorns mature, and there are species that require two seasons. In general, species in the white oak sub-genera take a single year, while species in the red or black oak sub-genera, take two years.

States consider Banning Deer Scents

This is an interesting article I came across while having my morning coffee about Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department proposing eliminating the use of urine based scents. I have had times when I think these products actually work and I have also had times when I think they didn't work at all.

What do you think?

States Consider banning deer scents due to health risks.

When the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department recently put out a draft of its 10-year Big Game Management plan, it contained a suggestion that Vermont consider banning the use of commercial deer scents made from deer urine.

The department argues in the plan that deer-urine based scents could -- perhaps -- pose a health risk to wild deer. In the draft plan, the department suggests that deer urine scents, which use urine captured from captive animals, has the potential to spread chronic wasting disease across the Vermont landscape. And for the record, captive deer facilities have historically had the highest CWD infection rates. Now, for the non-hunting public, the very idea of dousing the soles of your boots or the hems of your pants with deer urine might seem a little, well, whacky. Or at least stinky.

But for hunters, the use of natural scents is an important tool. Urine scents help mask the human smell and doe-in-estrus scents allegedly help attract the attention of rutting bucks. Some sportsmen downplayed the state's suggestion, feeling it a little over the top and rightly pointing out there was little science to suggest the deadly brain and central nervous system disease can be transmitted through urine.

Now, it turns out, Vermont hasn't walked out on this limb alone. Saskatchewan has already banned urine lures and a former Vermont veterinarian, who now serves as the wildlife veterinarian for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, came out last week in favor of banning urine-based lures in the Keystone State.

All told, nine states are considering bans -- and Vermont is one of them.

Read the Complete Article:

From: Burlington Free Press.com

Related Articles:

• Use of Deer Urine as hunting lure could spread CWD
• CWD fears could lead to Deer Urine Ban
  

Savory Sunday's - #35

Autumn Game Casserole:

Mixed game makes a wonderfully rich-flavored dish. Use chunks of boneless and skinless turkey or pork loin as a substitute.

Yield: makes 4 servings

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1lb 2oz (500g) mixed boneless and skinless game, such as pheasant, partridge, venison, rabbit, and pigeon, diced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 parsnip, sliced
• 1 fennel bulb, sliced, fronds reserved
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken stock
• ¾ cup hard apple cider or apple juice
• 9oz (250g) cremini mushrooms, thickly sliced
• ½ tsp fennel seeds
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Prepare ahead

The casserole can be cooked, cooled, and refrigerated for up to 2 days, and will improve in flavor during that time.

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in the casserole over medium-high heat. Add the game and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer to a plate.

2. Add the remaining oil to the pot and heat. Add the onion, carrot, parsnip, and fennel and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly colored. Sprinkle in the flour and stir. Gradually stir in the stock and cider. Add the mushrooms and fennel seeds, then return the meat to the pan.

3. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover and bake for about 1½ hours, or until the meat is tender.

4. Sprinkle the casserole with the reserved fennel fronds and serve hot.

Notes

Special Equipment: flameproof casserole

Freezing Information:freeze for up to 3 months

Intriquing Aspect about Whitetail Deer Lungs

This is something I have not heard about before. I read this from Deer & Deer Hunting and thought I would share if you didn't already know. Dead space around a deer's lungs? I'm not saying Dr. Tim Lewis is wrong or right and I'm not saying that Dr. Phillip Bishop is wrong or right but, Dr. Bishop's response to this does make a lot of sense.

What do you think?

The Truth About Deer Lungs

October 08, 2009
by Dr. Phillip Bishop

Editor’s note: In light of some confusion and controversy over the D&DH article “Dead-Space Debacle” by Dr. Tim Lewis, we are allowing contributing editor Dr. Phillip Bishop the opportunity to clarify additional points on this intriguing aspect of white-tailed deer anatomy and physiology in the December issue of D&DH.

The next time you harvest a deer without hitting its lungs, take a few moments to look around for yourself. Carefully open the bottom of the chest cavity by making a shallow cut along the outer circumference of the diaphragm.

If you do this without damaging the lungs, you should be able to see a set of inflated lungs in the chest cavity. You are introducing air into the cavity by opening it, but often the lungs will stay inflated anyway because the deer’s windpipe is closed.

If you want to, you can move your hand over the surface of the lungs. The lungs will, in most cases, adhere to the chest wall. See if you can find any dead space, which would be there in a living animal. I don’t think you can.

Now remove the lungs by cutting the esophagus and the wind pipe (trachea). Note how the heart is almost entirely surrounded by the lungs. You would be hard-pressed to make a heart shot without making a lung shot, wouldn’t you?

Taking a few moments to study a deer’s heart, lungs, liver, stomach, and muscles can make us better deer hunters and increase our admiration for one of God’s greatest creations. And all we have to do is invest a little time.


Read the complete article from D&DH:

How Hard is it to Follow the Laws for Hunting?

You know every now and then I see an article about one of us, a hunter who has to do something stupid. This time it's a gentleman in New York who just had to hunt over bait, you got to read the article.

East Hampton Hunter charged for Baiting Deer

Publication: The East Hampton Press
Oct 6, 09 6:39 PM

An East Hampton hunter was charged with two violations of the state’s Environmental Conservation Laws after he was observed hunting over a baited tree stand on October 1, according to a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation press release.

Three days prior to the incident, the man, Anthony J. Weiss, 24, had exchanged e-mail with a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police Officer, in which he was informed that state regulations prohibit the use of bait to hunt or attract deer, the DEC release said.

Mr. Weiss had written to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s website to ask for the lapse in time required between baiting deer for photography and then hunting in that area, according to the press release. The response was sent on September 28 and copied to several other conservation officers around the state, including Liza Bobseine, who is based in East Hampton.

Ms. Bobseine found Mr. Weiss occupying a baited tree stand in the woods near Route 114 and he admitted that he had been made aware of the law through a recent e-mail. The press release said Mr. Weiss tried to make excuses but because Ms. Bobseine had been copied on the e-mail she was able to refute them.

Mr. Weiss was issued citations for violations hunting deer over bait and unlawful feeding of whitetail deer, the press release said. Both violations carry a maximum penalty of $250.

If you would like to leave a comment on the news website like I did than click here. Also don't forget to share your comments here.

Landscaping damage from Winter Whitetails

Here is another interesting article about suburban whitetails and winter. The more snow and the more stressful winter get's on deer will make them look for your very expensive landscaping for food.

Deter, "Deer Drama" this Season
By (ARA)

(ARA) - Deer do some of their worst damage to your garden, landscape, trees and shrubs in winter, when other food sources are hard to come by.

"In the early 1900s, there were probably only about half a million deer spread out all over the country," says James Messina of Messina Wildlife. "Today, there are more than 15 million. Deer, it turns out, adapt quite well to life in suburbia. Keeping them away from residential and commercial landscaping can help everyone - deer and homeowners - to co-exist more happily together."

With no place to go and not much left to eat in the dead of winter, deer can wreak havoc in your backyard and destroy new buds and leaves before they ever have a chance to grow. As seasons change, the preferred food sources of deer change as well.

Deer develop new browsing trails as food sources change with the seasons, and repeatedly follow them through the season until new food sources begin to appear. That's when the deer drama begins ….

Whitetail deer can consume, on average, 12 pounds of foliage a day. And in the winter, when natural food sources are scarce, they'll give homeowners more trouble than any other time of year. The more snow we get, the worse the problem becomes. A winter of consistent snow coverage is great for bulbs and perennials, but evergreens face the toughest challenge from hungry deer looking to survive.

Deer are creatures of habit, and contrary to popular belief, the majority of them do not migrate. Bucks are known to travel more than 100 miles, but does will stay within the same three to four square miles for their entire lives. This means the deer you see this year are probably the exact same deer you saw last year. It also means that once they've found a food source, potentially yours, they'll be back time and time again.

Read the complete article:
From: Creston News Advertiser

Whitetail Buck Ecology and Communication Seminar

Better late than never but here is a seminar that might be of interest to some. Get a chance to meet others and learn a bit more about America's #1 big game animal.

Deer Hunters,

Farmers, and Landowners!

Connecticut River Valley Branch of the QDMA

invites you to attend a Free Educational Seminar

Whitetailed Buck Ecology & Communication:

Hunters, landowners and anyone interested in Quality Deer Management are invited to attend a FREE seminar– Buck Ecology & Communication. Matt Ross, a trained wildlife biologist and licensed forester from QDMA, will discuss how bucks communicate with does and other bucks during the rut. He will also discuss about the different phases of a buck’s life as he goes from birth to maturity, buck breeding ecology and communication, and will explain how to interpret buck sign and behavior during the rut.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

at the

Pachaug Outdoor Club

178 Banjo Sullivan Road

Griswold, CT 06384 from 6:00-8:30pm

Club Phone # 860-564-5227

This meeting will be held at the club and is open to the public.

You do not need to be a current QDMA or POC member to attend. A roast beef dinner including potato, bread, and salad will be available for $5 starting at 5pm for anyone interested.

Directions From I-395 North or South:
Take exit 87, go right on Lathrop Rd from 395 North; go left on Lathrop Rd from 395 South past the Plainfield Dog Track for approximately 2 miles. The club is on the right.

Please R.S.V.P. to Ron to help us plan for

raffles and refreshments

Contact Ron Reaves (203-239-1106; crvb-qdma@sbcglobal.net) or Brian Nentrup (724-578-2811; bnentrup@qdma.com) for more info about the seminar or the QDMA.

Learn more about the Quality Deer Management Association: www.qdma.com

The Quality Deer Management Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting sustainable, high-quality, white-tailed deer populations, wildlife habitats and ethical hunting experiences through education, research, and management in partnership with hunters, landowners, natural resource professionals, and the