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When I was a kid I practiced a version of “foxwalking” that has paid dividends in later years. I knew an area where foxes hung out. I would go there after school, slide quietly into the woods and wait. Sometimes I was rewarded with the appearance of a fox. Then it was game on: Follow the fox without it being aware of me.
The same thing can be done for any game species you care to mention, and it is as close to hunting as you can get in the off season. If you want to hunt deer/turkeys/elk/moose, etc., go “hunt” them in all seasons. You’ll eventually teach yourself how to be quiet and limit your motion. Each time you spook an animal, you’ll probably know why. Pay close attention to your scent, the wind, your movements, your noise and your outline against a background. Then next time you won’t make the same mistake.
Personally, I think the biggest challenge is to find a bear and follow it. I’ve never succeeded for any length of time, but it’s a real kick when the opportunity presents itself. But I advise against doing that in Alaska …
Constantly since I was a kid: Camping and backpacking in all seasons (winter is my favorite!), canoeing (kayaking was added recently), Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, birding. Intermittently since the onset of adulthood: outdoor photography.
For seventeen years I was a volunteer SAR dog handler, the demands of which meant that I got started as a hunter fairly late in life.
I used to fish fairly often, but living in Alaska spoiled me and I find it hard to get excited about doing that here in NH. I buy a combo hunting/fishing license annually, but the latter part usually ends up just being a donation for habitat and stocking measures by the NH Dep’t of Fish and Game.
BuckyT wrote: Are the LL Bean Boots made in China??
“Each pair is still handstitched and checked for quality right here in Maine.” Men’s Maine Hunting Shoes®, 10″
in reply to: Oldest Regular Equipment #33641Pretty sure I have all of you beat for the oldest bow being used. The one in my avatar was made for my dad when he was sixteen years old. That was a couple of years before he went into the Navy … to fight the Empire of Japan. I haven’t taken a deer with it yet, but I hope to next year – when it turns seventy. It was made by a bowyer and archery mentor of my dad named Buck Doran, in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1943. And yes, I shoot it constantly.
in reply to: Leave Strung in Woods? #53084Oops, I saw “ME” where it’s actually “MI”. Never mind. 😳
in reply to: How to find a Alaska or BC hunt #52878The aforementioned forums include one specifically dedicated to Float Hunting. The forum owner (for the entire Alaska Outdoors Forum site) has published what is probably the definitive book on the subject: Float Hunting Alaska’s Wild Rivers. I believe he has a DVD out, and I think he’s started to do online seminars on the subject as well.
in reply to: How to find a Alaska or BC hunt #49665An excellent source of on-the-ground info on Alaska hunting (in addition to input from certain busy members of this forum) is the Alaska Outdoors Forums. I’d take a look first at their excellent Hunt Planning Primer and then explore their forums from there.
in reply to: Things seldom seen or never seen before #47895Although a Kite is possible (we’ve had Mississippi Kites breeding way up here in NH the last few years), I agree that a Northern Harrier is most likely what you saw.
Just so you know: Harriers are sexually dimorphic. No, not THAT.
jaytbuzzard wrote: Also where do yall find the sno seal. I have seen it online but I would rather buy it locally. Any Ideas?
9755 Northlake Centre Pkwy.
AKA the REI store in Charlotte: http://www.rei.com/product/764880/tectron-sno-seal-waterproofing. 😉
in reply to: Nothing is wasted … #37669Excellent trail cam shot – thanks for sharing!
The Boone and Crockett Club established a “Hunt Fair Chase” website several years ago that dealt with these questions. It seems to be pretty moribund these days, but there’s still a Resources list there that might be useful for such discussions.
I’ve never worn anything else that approaches the LL Bean Maine Hunting Shoe for quietness. And this is the year I will finally quit copping out in rough terrain and switching to stiffer boots. DP, it will be your fault (and G. Fred’s) if I’m found deceased this season at the bottom of a rain-slicked gully with a sharp stick or two through my innards … 😉
in reply to: Backpacks for hauling meat… #40544Having never killed an elk or been in the company of any who have, I cannot comment usefully on hauling quarters of the same. However, I have used various packs for many years as a SAR dog handler, backpacker and hunter (all the way back to Kelty external frames like some other greybeards here …). I also sold backpacks for five years.
I bought the Eberlestock X2 a year ago and it is exactly as advertised. The one difference I noted immediately compared to high-quality backpacks was the somewhat thinner padding on the shoulder straps. That’s obviously intended to help the long gun shooters, so I can accept that. The pack is extremely versatile, surprisingly good at carrying heavy loads, and designed with hunters in mind. If you get a chance to try one on with some weight in it, you might find it a pretty good compromise.
in reply to: What are your plans? #31344wildschwein wrote: How about you?
I have a simple three-step plan:
1. Find whitetail deer sign.
2. Find a deer.
3. Shoot the deer.
Listed in order of decreasing likelihood, here in the most-forested state in the Union.
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