Archive for the ‘ Deer Hunting ’ Category

One Good Knife

It is this time of year I begin thinking about all the gear that worked well for me and some of the gear that either needs repairing, replacing or just failed to deliver.  Every outdoorsman needs at least one good knife.  Actually, you really need several.  From the trusty schrade or buck pocket knife you carry daily for minimal chores to the sheath knife that accompanies you during deer season…the knife is a very important and personal choice.

For sheath knives, my favorite is a custom made knife made by the late (and great) Eric Wiebe out of Ponca, NE.  Eric was a trusted and devoted game warden for many years and lost his battle with cancer last year.  His knife he made for me will be in my arsenal forever.  The steel is hard but holds an incredible edge.  The blade is swept for skinning and general chores with a less aggressive tip for field dressing, etc.

Another favorite of mine is the Gerber LMF sheath knife.  This is a large work horse knife that can do it all.  The clip point blade has a more aggressive tip and it holds an edge and is easy to sharpen.   It has a nylon sheath that packs well. 

Every outdoorsman needs at least one multi-tool for multiple purposes.  They work great when in a jam and the tool box is miles away.  I favor Leatherman as they are well designed, have tools that makes sense and blades second to none.

Common Steels

440C is a stainless steel that is very common.  It sharpens easy but holds a moderate edge which needs touching up from time to time.  Easy steel to work with.  If you know how to sharpen a knife, these are cost effective blades.

D-2 Steel is probably holds one of the best edges you can buy.  Not as easily sharpened but once sharp…stays that way for many cuttings.  Also a strong blade shank overall.  Very corrosion resistant although not stainless.

ATS-34/154 CM – are steels that are usually considered higher end and very wear resistant.  They hold an edge well and require only a bit of work to sharpen.

Blades

Clip Point – has the most point to the blade.  Excellent all around knife blade and can cut bacon at camp as well as remove splinters!

This clip point Gerber knife is a mammoth and can handle any chore asked of a big outdoors knife.

Drop Point – less of a point but a very good all around knife blade.  The blades are usually thicker and hardier making a good skinning, gutting and chore knife.

This Whitetails Unlimited knife has a nice drop point blade along side a saw blade for small saw chores.

Skinning Blade – generally a more up swept blade with a very soft nose.  These are great for removing hide off of big game, cutting meat and all around use.  They are not as likely to poke holes in the stomach or other organs during gutting like the clip point blade.

This custom knife has a beautiful up swept skinning blade with a hint of point.

Gut Hook Blade – usually a drop point blade with a hook on the top of the spine for unzipping the underbelly of large game when field dressing.  These work extremely well without damage to stomach and other internal organs that are best left un cut.

Every hunter needs a few good knives.  I have some for camp chores, cutting food, etc., others for skinning and boning out meat of big game.  Others ride in the pocket and probably see the most use. 

This little Schrade pocket knife gets more use than any I own.

Whether for birthdays or holidays…a good knife makes a great lifetime gift.  Every hunter needs a few…

What is your favorite knife?

Get Em’ Out There

Rawly

2010
06/06
CATEGORY
Bow Hunting
Camping
Deer Hunting
General Outdoors
hunting
Preparing Game Meat
Uncategorized
2 comments

…And Carry A Big Stick

Of all the crazy things to blog about, a walking stick would seem pretty boring but My stick is anything but.   My walking stick gets thrown into the truck for just about every outing.  It  has 1001 uses and it gives me great comfort just knowing it is there.  I use it for so many things.   It started life as a cedar branch that came off during a storm on top of a ridge overlooking the Little Nemaha River.  It must have had 15-20 good years of watching that old river flow, turkeys walking by, deer roaming underneath it…it may have even seen a mountain lion or bobcat.  It probably witnessed some pretty cool storms and Nebraska skies.  I found it lying on the ground during a turkey hunt a few years ago.  I brought it home and cleaned it up.  I sanded it down to a smooth finish and gave it several  coats of polyurethane stain.  I whittled the tip to make it a bit more narrow and I wrapped the handle in saddle  leather from an old horse saddle (another story).  I found a little device that I attached to the stick to make it a handy gun rest.   This good buddy has helped me many times:

walking stick, checking for snakes, removing webs in the woods, searching for  downed game, shooting rest, fire poke, personal protection (did I mention its a big stick?), and it was pretty instrumental last archery season when I retrieved my deer out of a crick.   At this stage, I can’t imagine life without my walking stick.   Next time your in the woods, find yourself a good walking stick.  I bet the two of you become good friends!

Get Em Out There

Rawly

A thing of practical beauty!

A perfect shooting rest!

2010
05/31
CATEGORY
Camping
Deer Hunting
Family Outdoors
fishing
General Outdoors
hunting
Predator hunting
Small Game
Turkey Hunting
Uncategorized
Youth Outdoors
Youth Shooting
3 comments

Wild Game, The Original Green Movement

Thousands of us nuts love to invest hundreds of hours each year chasing the wild turkey across all the haunts it calls home.  We do this for too many reasons to list here but one reason is because of the awesome culinary experience that wild turkeys, along with most wild game, give us.  They are tasty, nutritious, full of low fat protein and just fun to tinker with when inventing new ways to prepare them.  Their meat is lean,  and they are a part of the original organic movement!  According to the National Wild Turkey Federation, www.nwtf.org   game meat is richer in antioxidants and contains more of the healthy fats and less bad fats.  A report by the Mayo Clinic www.mayoclinic.com also suggests wild game contains lower cholesterol levels when compared to domesticated meats.  The table below from TNOutdoorsman www.tnoutdoorsman.com provides nutrition info for various wild game.

Of course, the ultimate reason we all chase wild critters is for the absolute fun, relaxation, time with friends and family, to be one with nature, develop our natural skills and be a part of a several thousand year old heritage.  The fact that all this is actually good for us just makes it all the better!

Get Em’ Out There

Rawly

Serving Size (3.5 oz)
Fat (Grams)
Cholesterol (Milligrams)
Calories
Turkey (Young Tom)
7.5
72
154
Quail (One Whole)
13.1
83
209
Pheasant
9.29
71
181
Goose (Domestic)
33.6
80
371
Duck
15.2
80
211
Dove (cooked)
13.00
116
219
Elk
1.5
55
111
Deer
2.4
85
120
Antelope
2
95
114
Wild Boar (cooked)
3.4
77
122
Bear (cooked)
8.3
98
161
Squirrel
3.2
83
120
Beaver (cooked)
4.8
117
146
Frog Legs
0.30
50
73
Turtle (green)
0.50
50
89
Rabbit
2.3
81
114
Beaver (roasted)
6.96
117
212
Muskrat
8.1
no data
162
Emu
4.03
69
134
Opossum
10.20
129
221
Serving Size (3.5 oz)
Fat (Grams)
Cholesterol (Milligrams)
Calories
Rainbow Trout
3.5
59
119
Catfish (Channel)
2.8
58
95
Crappie
.8
90
79
Bass
3.7
68
114
Carp
5.6
66
127
Drum
4.9
64
119
Walleye
1.2
86
93
Northern Pike
.7
39
88
Perch
.9
90
91
Sunfish
.7
67
89
Striped Bass
2.33
80
97
White Sucker
2.32
41
92
King Salmon (Alaska)
11.73
61
190
Mussels (blue)
2.24
28
86
Shad
13.77
75
197
Eel
11.7
126
184
Snails
1.40
50
90
Wild Game Nutrition Table
2010
05/20
CATEGORY
Deer Hunting
Family Outdoors
General Outdoors
Pheasant Hunting
Preparing Game Meat
Small Game
Turkey Hunting
Uncategorized
Women Outdoors
Youth Outdoors
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Deer Tri-fecta

…all right this might be my last post on deer hunting for a while – as the 2009/10 NE deer season has come to an end…on January 5, I filled my final antlerless permit and as I pulled the big doe back to my vehicle the realization hit me – I had succeeded in harvesting a deer with a bow, muzzleloader and finally a rifle…a deer tri-fecta of sorts…

…I find myself comparing the three harvests – and how much they were alike, and yet how different…the first came with my bow in late October when it was 50 degrees, the muzzleloader deer in mid-December around 24,  and now the rifle deer in early January at 14 degrees…

…thinking about it, between the three methods – my bow is perhaps the most advanced with its stabilizer, fiber pins, harmonic dampers, stainless steel broadhead and my fancy trigger release…and the rifle, an old 30-30 with open iron-sights, likely the least influenced by the “advancements” of the last 20 years…the muzzleloader somewhere between…

…all three shots were taken when the deer was broadside, and as luck would have it, the placement of the shots were extremely similar – though the ranges varied some: Archery ~8 yards; Muzzleloader ~35 yards & Rifle ~30 yards…interestingly the deer that ran the most after the shot was the rifle deer (~60 yards) – the least, the archery deer (~35 yards)…none of the three deer knew I was there before the shot, either…

…which was the most exciting?…that’s easy – it was a three-way tie!…

hershy

2010
01/18
CATEGORY
Deer Hunting
3 comments

Deer Camp

…what a weekend of deer hunting!…these photos are from the Cedar Ridge Deer Camp near Milligan, NE that hosted a women’s deer hunt on Jan 8-10…the women braved the elements which included a drift or two…

…this camp was part of the Beyond BO-W programs – BO-W standing for Becoming an Outdoors-Woman…I can tell you this hunt definitely was beyond any introductory deer hunt…and yes, deer were seen, shots fired and some backstraps secured…

…a big thanks to William & Tina Baxter, Mike,  Judy & Aaron Beach, Christy Christiansen, Jeane Loos & Brandy Gunnerson…

…for Beyond BO-W Programs, including the Spring Turkey Camp at Harlan County Lake check out: www.nebraskabow.com

hershy

2010
01/18
CATEGORY
Deer Hunting
Women Outdoors
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Last Chance Ladies Deer Hunt

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is looking for ladies wanting to take part in one of two “last chance” Deer Camps as part of the Nebraska’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BO-W) program.  These Deer Camps will take place during the January antlerless deer season.  Both camps are designed for women, of varying experience levels, wanting to learn more about deer hunting, experience the excitement of camp and spend time chasing deer with other like-minded women.

 In addition to the appropriate permit, stamp and rifle all participants must have proof of the successful completion of a Hunter Education course, regardless of age.  In these deer camps, participants are expected to take part in all aspects of the experience and opportunities that may present themselves while deer hunting.  During the hunt, women are paired off based on experience levels to provide informal mentoring opportunities.

 These special deer camps are kept small to maximize the fun and camaraderie so space is very limited.  To reserve your spot or to gather more information contact Aaron Hershberger at aaron.hershberger@nebraska.gov  asap.

 DEER CAMPS

 Central Deer Camp – January 8, 9 & 10, 2010

A wild retreat near Alda will have hunters prowling for deer along the mighty Platte River.  Lodging will be bunk-house style at the Whooping Crane Trust Cabin, cost $20 per night per hunter.  Meals will be a communal effort at the Cabin as well. – ~$30 to cover food.  Hunting will take place from ground blinds along the river bottom.  This hunt requires a Seasons Choice Area #1 deer permit.

Baxter Deer Camp – January 8, 9 & 10, 2010

This western Saline County deer camp will take place east of Milligan on the Baxter Family Farm with hunters staying in Geneva.  Lodging will be at the Budget Host Inn, cost $50 for both Friday and Saturday night (two per room) and individual rooms for $50 per night may be available.  Meals will be held at the Baxter Family Farm – $25 will cover Friday Lunch through Sunday Lunch.  Hunting will take place from a variety of positions including elevated, heated stands.  This hunt requires a Seasons Choice Area #20 deer permit.

2009
12/23
CATEGORY
Deer Hunting
General Outdoors
hunting
4 comments

It Worked!

…well folks even with two Christmas programs attended, family in town and actually being sick this past week I was able to put my muzzleloading deer plan into action this weekend – and it worked…with just a few hours before my kids’ church holiday performance I snuck out to a small chunk of timber that was now surrounded by corn stubble and found a decent amount of sign – good number of tracks and even some deer beds…an east wind made my approach more interesting but I decided to give it a try since I was able to find a spot under a cedar tree that afforded me a view of a couple of different trails being used in the snow…I saw my first deer just after 3:30 – well to the east of me…deer number two magically appeared in front of me in a clearing on one of the trails I was watching about 45 minutes later…it was already less than 50 yards in front of me and had no idea I was nearby…the shot was almost anti-climatic, but now I have the makings for my prime venision roast…

…keys to my success: 1) Using the snow to define my hunting strategy  2) Playing the wind game – its important even with firearms  3) Having a supportive family

…yes, I even made it to my kids’ Christmas program – with two minutes to spare…I think I was the only one wearing blaze orange, though…

hershy

2009
12/14
CATEGORY
Deer Hunting
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Dug Out – Now Deer Hunt

…with yesterday’s great dig out happening across much of the state – many of us found ourselves catching up on things at work today…but right now is the time to be out hunting deer!…think about it: the deer had to hunker down through the storm and much of yesterday’s wind – now they are really hungry and they need to stoke their internal furnace for another cold, cold night just hours away…to do that they have to eat lots of food…this means sneaking out to their feeding areas (i.e. corn fields) a little earlier in the afternoon – before the end of shooting hours…with more frigid nights coming they will feed pretty heavily the next few evenings…so if you’re like me and couldn’t get out to your favorite patch of December deer woods today, make sure you do so tomorrow – that’s why you have been saving up all those sick days for isn’t it?…in my experience evening hunts during cold weather are more productive than morning hunts, too…so you could go in, work 4 hours and then leave around lunch – but why mess up a good Friday in the woods just to get a head at work?…

hershy

2009
12/10
CATEGORY
Deer Hunting
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December Snow

…I realize that I’m probably in the minority – but I love this white stuff many of us Nebraskans are dealing with right now…unlike some others, this is the first actual snow fall/accumulation in my hunting area for the season and its the best kind – fluffy…if I was any kind of hunter I would be outdoors right now looking for tracks…no longer can pheasants, deer, quail, turkey and other critters roam around leaving little to no sign of their presence or passing – now with each step they journal a story of what they are doing…there are few ways better than a fresh snow to see if you are in prime hunting area or a critter-less expanse…my goal is to now narrow down where to focus my hunting for the next week or so…for example, my deer hunting this past weekend has shown that the deer are spread out and have moved to warmer habitats to avoid the colder temps – now I just have to find the tracks of traveling deer to find out where they are feeding, bedding and the routes they take to and from these areas…then I will pick a well used travel route and hunt – I prefer to avoid messing around in their bedding area…sounds pretty easy – let’s see if it works…

2009
12/07
CATEGORY
Deer Hunting
2 comments