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Bow Hunting Techniques and Strategies
If you are a flexible hunter, you would probably want to experiment with bow hunting. It is simply the art of employing archery in killing game animals. Bow is one of the hunting tools in the weapon arsenal of the modern-day hunter. The ancient hunters also hunted their prey with bow. It is both challenging and interesting to hunt with a bow. You need to learn the skills for using bow in hunting.
The arrows used by today’s hunters can penetrate deeper, just as they fly further. In comparison, bows are lighter and stronger. While blinds and stands provide an edge for the present day hunter over the Stone Age man, the required skill, extensive knowledge of the game, and the expertise for executing shots briskly would take some time to master.
Bow Hunting Techniques
Bow hunting requires additional techniques compared to rifle hunting. For instance, the rifle hunter can target his object perfectly from distances exceeding 550m (600 yards). But, it is a different ball game with a bow hunter who can only take shots from 2.1m (2.3 yards) range. However, there are different factors that determine an archer’s shot distance;
• The bow strength
• The target animal
• The terrain
• The arrow
• The weather
Different Bow Strengths
The draw weight for most bows used in bow hunting is 50 pounds force. It could also be more. The bow hunter can make do with this bow capacity for any type of game, except when the largest animals are involved. The 58g (900 grains) bows will work best for large animals.
Recommended Strategy
For the best possible outcome with bow hunting, get as close as you can to the prey in order to execute a clean, quick kill. Also, it is important to cripple the prey’s sense of sight, smell and hearing.
Bow Hunting Method
Consider taking slow strides along the ground as you look for game. And, when you find one, be careful how you stalk the game in the final approach. This bow hunting method that involves methodical and slow stalking is popularly known as “still hunting”. In order to stiffen the game’s sense of smell, bow hunters would usually put on camouflage outfit and take a walk upwind.
There’s also a bow hunting method known as “stand hunting”. The bow hunter would stand close to the animal’s point of attraction (e.g. food, water or trails) so that the animal will go to him. Some items such as brush can be used for a cover, including other natural materials. A waiting platform such as metal or wooden stand would be needful. Such platforms should be elevated in a tree, extending to 6 meters or slightly less.
Bow hunting is also applicable to fish, which is known as bow fishing. The equipment for bow fishing often integrates a line to a reel or spool. Obviously, it takes a slightly different approach from regular bow hunting.
Finally, don’t forget to stick to the laws and regulations governing bow hunting.
Turkey Hunting: Best Techniques and Equipment
Turkey hunting started long ago with the Native Americans, long before the arrival of the European settlers. This hunting game involves the pursuit of turkey in the woods. For success in hunting wild turkey, certain techniques have been identified. Also, some pieces of equipment are well suited for tracking and bringing down dozens of wild turkey.
Best Time to Hunt Turkey
The best seasons to hunt wild turkey are spring and fall. However, you need to check your local rules and regulations for the approved turkey hunting season. Usually, spring time turkey hunting is targeted at male turkeys known as gobblers. On the other hand, the Fall is best suited for hunting female turkeys (hens), as well as the male turkeys.
The wild turkeys are known to mate during the spring. Subsequently, it is easier for the hunter to lure the male turkeys into gun range by mimicking the sound of the female turkey with suitable calls.
Turkeys move in flocks during the Fall. This is also a great time to embark on turkey hunting. The “scatter” or “bust” is the best hunting strategy for hunting turkeys successfully.
Category of Turkey Calls
When hunting turkey, there are certain calls used by hunters. There are two basic categories of turkey call as follows;
• Air Calls
• Friction Calls
Air activated turkey calls include wing bone yelpers, diaphragms, snuff tube calls, and trumpet calls. It costs little to get these calls but requires a lot to master the calling skills.
Friction activated calls are peg scratch boxes, box calls, push-pin calls, pot and peg calls, and others. These ones are more user-friendly, making it easier for even a novice to master quickly.
Equipment and Techniques
The best time to hunt wild turkey is during spring or fall. However, your local hunting rule and regulations will determine when to hunt turkey. The gobblers (male turkeys) are targeted during winter, while the fall is best suited for the female turkeys.
When it comes to the equipment or weapon for turkey hunting, the shotgun is used by most hunters. The gauges commonly used include 10, 12,16, as well as 20. Also, hunters are beginning to use bows and arrows increasingly to hunt turkey. In some states, hunters are allowed to use small caliber rifles to chase turkeys. Just like many other types of hunting, turkey hunters wear camouflage all through, to mask themselves from the amazing vision of a turkey. Other hunters will put on a turkey vest and would have compartments to place their calls and to put the hunted game.
Turkey hunting is fun and exciting. If you are just getting started, make sure you know the local rules regulating this hunting game. For instance, in some states, the springs and falls are the only legal period to hunt turnkeys. A different rule may apply in other states.
Finally, just bear in mind that the best equipment for turkey hunting in terms of guns is the shotgun. The different gauges include 10, 12, 16, and 20.
Quail Hunting: What You Need to Know
Just like other hunting games, quail hunting is both exciting and fun. The best time to hunt quails is during the Fall. And, bird dogs are particularly trained to spot a group of quail using their strong sense of smell. Subsequently, at the command of the hunter, the dogs would invade the covey of quail. As they flap their wings into the air, it is the right time for the hunter to aim and shoot!
It appears so simple, doesn’t it? Well, if you can keep few essential rules in mind, hunting quail can be as easy as the description above.
Important Safety Tip for Quail Hunters
The best colors of clothing for quail hunting are bright colors. The close proximity of other armed hunters requires that other crew members wear bright color outfits for safety. This would prevent accidental shooting of your dog, or a member of the hunting crew.
Where to Find Quail
Quail population and habitat has declined significantly over the past couple of decades. As a result, the number of quail hunters has also declined. Some of the quail hunters resort to hunting on state approved property or taking permission to hunt in private property.
Usually, you will find quails on a land that combines woody cover and open arena. Also, quails like to congregate on fields with diverse vegetations, where they can find seeds to feed on. You can also look for quail in briars as threatened quails hide in briars for safety. So, when you set out for quail hunting, bear these spots in mind and look for quail on such spots.
Quail’s Daily Regular Pattern
You should also learn about certain daily routines identified with quail. This would help you succeed in quail hunting. Basically, the bird has a daily routine as follows;
• In the Morning: Quails move to the fields to feed on seeds.
• By Mid-Day: Quails stay under woody cover to rest.
• Late Afternoon: Quails will migrate back to the fields, particularly the weedy spots.
• At Night: Quails sleep in grassy, weedy areas.
Mastering these basic patterns about quails will aid your success in quail hunting.
Hunting Quail with the Right Gun
Quail hunting can be accomplished with a shotgun featuring 410 to 12 gauge. Just ensure that the barrel length and choke are the proper ones. Pros recommend 26 inches barrel that has a skeet. Alternatively, an enhanced cylinder choke will be just fine.
Most hunters use the 20 gauge shotgun to hunt quail. However, some hunters are beginning to use the 28 guage increasingly. The load shell recommended for quail hunting is A71/2.
Using the right kind of gun will enhance your chances of success with hunting your game, alongside mastering quail’s mode of behavior. If you are just getting started with quail hunting, you can get some valuable lessons from a pro quail hunting. Consider attaching yourself to a pro in the field to get practical experience on how quail hunting works.
Hog Hunting Tips for Beginners
If you are about to get initiated into the ancient game called hog hunting, this article would provide you with best beginner’s tips and tricks. Of all the hunting game expeditions, hog hunting is among the most exciting, and dangerous as well. Since farmers in the south suffer a lot of damage from wild hogs, they do not hesitate in opening their private properties to hog hunters.
Best Tips and Tricks for Hunting Hogs
If you are already a hunter, you probably have the basic hunting skills. This is a big plus when considering hog hunting. The following tips and tricks for hunting hog would complement your general hunting skills and provide you with success in your new hunting arena;
Tip #1: Discover Your Quarry
Discovering your quarry is probably the first step towards successful hog hunting. What does this mean? You should know where hogs prefer to inhabit and appear. And, you should also be able to trail the animals. There are different signs you can employ in reading hog trails. For instance, hog wallows and rooting would reveal a lot about hog trails.
Tip #2: Choose Your Gun Carefully
It is best to go for a gun that conveys speed, such gun should also carry enormous power. For a handgun, you can consider 0.44 Magnum. However, majority of the wild hog hunters usually go for .243 Winchester. You must practice with the gun prior to the real hog hunting adventure. Your gun should be able to stop powerfully, as well as penetrate powerfully. For the best bullet choice, experienced hunters recommend the hard flat tip or the hollow tip.
Tip #3: Use a Hound to Track a Hog
You can achieve the best tracking with hunting dogs. Hounds such as the Mountain Cur are highly recommended for hog hunting. Particularly for the beginner, hog tracking is easier and more successful with the help of a trained hunting dog.
Tip #4: Study the Territory and Place the Trap
When you go hunting a hog, you can choose to go after the prey or allow it to come to you. You can achieve better result by allowing the prey come to you. So, what do you do? Study your hunting arena earlier. Things to look out for include hogs’ trails and nesting areas. One of the sure places to find hogs is waterholes.
As soon as you spot a place that the hogs come often, go ahead and put up a blind, giving much distance as possible and enhancing opportunity for a cleaner shot. Some people prefer to hunt hogs at night. In this case, you will provide a night vision gear as well as sight for the gun. Ensure that the blind is adequately camouflaged and placed a good distance from the ground. And, don’t forget to give the hogs a treat (placing baits) as this will be one of the major attractions.
Finally, consider joining an experienced hog hunter in the field to learn some hands-on skills and tricks for hog hunting.
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