PSE’s Ernie Calandrelli, the Bionic Bowhunter
By Ernie Calandrelli with John E. Phillips
Day 1: PSE’s Ernie Calandrelli Takes the Biggest Buck of His Life in Kansas
Editor’s Note: When we asked Ernie Calandrelli, public relations director for Quaker Boy Calls in Orchard Park, New York, how long he had been shooting PSE, he answered, “Years and years and years.” Calandrelli can’t remember when he didn’t shoot PSE. Although he doesn’t remember the models of PSE bows he’s shot over the years, he does remember some of the better deer he’s taken with his PSE bows. As Calandrelli has gotten older, he has had medical problems that would cause most bowhunters to give-up the sport. With both shoulders completely replaced, he is still taking deer each season with his PSE bow. Ernie Calandrelli is the bionic bowhunter.
The best buck I ever took with my PSE bow was a buck I killed in Kansas that scored 176-1/2-points on Pope & Young that I took at 17 steps. I had put a climbing stand in a tree on the edge of a river bank where I had hunted the year before. I climbed into my tree stand before daylight that first morning. As the light brightened-up the sky, I did a series of grunt calls. I just had put down my call when this buck came up over the edge of the river bank. At first light, I had seen a rub and ranged it at 17 yards. When the buck came over the river bank, he walked right beside that tree, before moving to within 12 steps of me. I thought he was at least a 130-inch buck. I made the decision to take the shot, but the way he was coming, I knew he would smell me. While he moved through a thicket, I came to full draw. When the buck hit my scent line, he whirled and ran back into the thicket. I thought the hunt was over, but luckily, he stopped by the tree I had ranged and looked back at me. I put the pin right behind his shoulder and released the arrow.
I realized immediately I had the buck. I knew I had a clean release, and that my pin sight was behind the shoulder, where I needed it to be. When I touched the trigger on my mechanical release, there was no question in my mind that the buck was mine. One of the big advantages of shooting a PSE bow is if you practice with it, you have confidence and know your bow is flat-shooting and fast. You know when you touch that trigger that you’ll have your buck. I often am asked why I shoot PSE bows, and my answer always is, “They’re dependable, they fit me, and they do what they’re designed to do. They take deer and other big game.”
Day 2: PSE’s Ernie Calandrelli Takes the Same Kansas Stand and Makes the Same Shot with the Same Bow to Equal a 160 Inch Buck
One of the things I like about PSE is I have years of history with the company. I believe if something’s not broken, don’t fix it. I’m the same way about deer hunting. After I took the biggest buck of my life in Kansas, I returned to Kansas the next year. The first morning of the hunt, I went back to the same stand where I had taken the 176-1/2-inch buck the previous year. I knew when I walked into the woods I’d start perspiring. So, I carried my outer clothes with me to the stand and put them on there. On this morning, I wore a hooded sweatshirt with a Quaker Boy Ridge Runner Grunt Call in the front pocket. Before I could take my outer clothing out of my daypack, I heard something walking and cracking limbs. To be honest, I thought it was another hunter. Then I spotted a deer at about 40 or 50 yards in my peripheral vision.
I took out my grunt call. Because I was looking at the deer and trying to take out my grunt call out at the same time, somehow the plastic tube on the front of the call got hung-up in my pocket. So, when I pulled it out, I had just the call in my hand. In the early days of deer calling, grunt calls were just short calls with no hoses. So, I knew how to put my hand over the end of the call to muffle and deepen the sound. The deer turned and started coming to me. That buck walked right up under my stand. I couldn’t see exactly how big the buck was. However, I knew he was over 130 inches, so I took the shot. I waited about an hour in my tree stand, before I decided to track the deer. Instead of following the blood trail and going straight to the deer, I opted to go over the bank and walk the edge of the river.
Before I came out of the tree, I identified a tree that I could recognize from the river bank. That tree was important, because it was the last place I had seen the buck. My plan was to stay out of sight and hearing of the buck I had arrowed and walk down the edge of the river. When I got to the tree where I had last seen the buck, I started looking for my deer. I took my time and walked as quietly as possible. When I was even with the tree, I sneaked over the edge of the bank. Just as I topped the river bank, I saw a huge buck with long antlers. I said to myself, “Oh my gosh, is that the buck I just shot?” I went over the bank and put my hands on the deer’s antlers. I couldn’t believe it. This buck scored 160 on Pope & Young. When I went back to the tree and stepped-off the distance, I found the buck only had been standing 6-yards from me when I took the shot. I had used my 10-yard pin, and that PSE bow shot so flat and fast that my arrow only hit a few inches below where I was aiming.
Day 3: PSE’s Ernie Calandrelli Lets His Bow Down and Turns Around in the Tree to Get the Shot at a Missouri Buck
A week before I took the biggest buck of my life in Kansas, I had been hunting in Missouri. I had set-up a ladder stand in a creek bottom, where two or three ridges came together. This bottom was right on the edge of some Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land. During this afternoon hunt, the sun was going down over the hill behind me. I knew I didn’t have many-more minutes before dark. As the sun went down, it lit-up the CRP field behind me. Every blade of grass and every bush glowed like neon lights. In the distance, I could see something moving across the field. I picked-up my binoculars and saw it was a monster buck, and he was coming toward me but wouldn’t pass by me. I pulled my Ridge Runner grunt call out of my pocket and grunted to the deer. I hoped to get him to turn and walk to me. As soon as that buck heard that grunt call, he spun and started running straight to me.
This hunt had to be one of the most-exciting ones I ever had in my life. I never had seen a buck run as fast or as hard straight to me as this buck did. For a minute, I was dazed and couldn’t think of what I needed to do. Finally, I grabbed my PSE bow and clicked on my release. The buck stopped about 80-yards away and stood in a little draw. As I listened and watched, that buck used his antlers like a wrecking ball. He tore-up trees, bushes and everything in sight with those antlers. After the buck had done battle with all the foliage, he stopped, looked in my direction and then looked away. When the buck looked away from me, I gave him a soft grunt call. He whipped his head around and took-off running again. Leaves and dirt were flying in the air as he dug his hooves into the ground and ran full out toward me. When he got within 12 steps of my stand, he locked-up and froze like a statue.
From the position of the deer’s body, I thought he was going to walk to my right side, so I was positioned to take the shot on that side. Instead, the buck went to my left side. I had to let the bow down to turn to the other side of my stand without him seeing me. When I got around the tree and came to full draw again, the buck was 12-yards from me and walking away. I started grunting, whistling and all the things I normally would do to stop a buck. Finally, I yelled at the deer. Once he stopped, I had my pin sight right where I wanted the arrow to go. I touched my release and fired. The buck took the arrow and only ran a few yards before he piled up. When I found him, I couldn’t believe the size of his antlers. This buck scored 166 on Pope & Young.
Day 4: PSE’s Ernie Calandrelli Says All He Could See Was Antlers Coming Toward Him in Iowa
I was hunting in Iowa during early November. The temperature was 2-degrees below zero, and I was really cold. Icicles hung off all the limbs. The first time I moved in that stand, the icicles fell off and sounded like glass shattering as they hit the ground. I didn’t know what to do. I knew if a buck came in I wouldn’t be able to move without spooking him. Early in the morning, I had a 2-1/2-year-old 8-point buck walk right under my tree. I had a little trail in front of me that came out of some Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land, and there were scrapes and rubs on that trail. This 8-point was a nice deer, but I was really hoping to take a better one. As I watched the 8-pointer move down the trail, all of a sudden he stopped. Every muscle in his body seemed to lock-up. There was a ditch off the side of the trail, and this buck backed-up and went down in the ditch. Because I had the wind in my face, and I hadn’t moved a muscle, I knew the buck hadn’t seen, heard or smelled me. After the buck got down in the ditch, he took off running like a scared dog.
I looked in the other direction, and I could see horns coming towards me – big horns. This buck was monstrous. When he came to a scrape, he began to work the scrape. Finally, he was at 17 yards. Once he turned broadside to me, I thought, “Oh my gosh, he’s as big as an elk.” I put my sight right behind his shoulder and released the arrow, hoping I could put this monster down. When the buck took the arrow, he only went 50-yards before he piled-up. The buck scored 148 inches, but he weighed over 300 pounds. Because I’d taken elk with my PSE bow before, I felt certain if I could place the arrow where I knew it should be that the speed and the power of my bow could drive that arrow all the way through this big buck, which it did. That buck might be one of the biggest-bodied bucks I’d ever taken.
Day 5: PSE’s Ernie Calandrelli Downs an Iowa Buck at 20 Yards
I was hunting in Iowa, and one afternoon, I went into the woods to hang my tree stand. I had spotted a really-nice buck, but after several days of hunting, I hadn’t seen him again. I’d learned before in Iowa that those big bucks only might show-up in the same area every three or four days. Often I might go several days and never even see a deer. At about 9:30 or 10:00 am, I spotted that buck coming down a little draw. I grunted to him. He was on a hill, and I was on a bottom. After he heard me grunt, he came down the hill and went down in a little ditch. He was still coming to me. I was a little concerned I wouldn’t be able to take him. When I get in my tree stand, I wiggle around in it a little bit to see if it squeaks. Sure enough, this morning I had heard my stand squeak. I knew if I stood to take the shot, or if I had to move around on the stand to get into position, the stand would squeak and spook the deer. So, I put some cotton gloves under my stand to prevent it from squeaking. When the buck got to the bottom of the ditch, he was about 20-yards from me. I had to stand to shoot. I was hoping I had solved the squeaky-stand problem. I was able to stand-up, come to full draw and arrow the deer at 20 yards with my PSE bow. The buck scored about 140.
I don’t remember which PSE bow I was using then, and it doesn’t really matter. Over the years I’ve found one PSE bow is just as good as another. They’ve been everything I’ve ever wanted in my bows. Many years ago my friend Bill Epeards introduced me to PSE bows, and I became friends with Pete Shepley, founder of PSe. When I started having shoulder problems, Pete Shepley advised me on which bows I should use, and what poundage I should shoot. I had a complete shoulder replacement in my left shoulder 6-years ago. About 8-weeks ago I had another complete replacement in my right shoulder. Because I’ve had so many shoulder problems over the years, all the deer I’ve mentioned have been shot with a 55-pound PSE bow. I’ve learned that if you shoot a deer with a 70-pound bow and get a clean pass-through, the arrow just sticks deeper in the dirt after it passes through the deer. So, I don’t think shooting the heavier-weight bows is really necessary.
Today, you can shoot a slower arrow and still produce enough kinetic energy to take any big-game species in North America. We don’t have to shoot those heavier bows. The cams on PSE bows roll-over smoothly, and I don’t have to jerk the string back to get it to full draw. These bows are much smoother and the let-off allows you to hold less weight at full draw. I come to a solid back wall. These PSE bows are just beautiful to shoot, especially as you grow older and have medical problems. Years ago, when I had my first shoulder replacement, I thought my bowhunting would be over, but it wasn’t. I learned I still could shoot a 50- to a 55-pound bow effectively. Now that I’ve had my second shoulder replacement, I still can shoot accurately with a 45- to 50-pound bow. Because of the new innovations PSE has designed into their bows, even though I have had both shoulders preplaced, I still can shoot a compound bow, which would have been totally impossible 10-or 20-years ago.
To get “Bowhunting Deer: The Secrets of the PSE Pros” by John E. Phillips, go to
http://www.amazon.com/kindle-ebooks
, type in the name of the book, and download it to your Kindle and/or download a Kindle app for your iPad, SmartPhone or computer.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Gear Review-PSE Phantom Micro Adjustable Drop Away Rest by PSE’s Al Quackenbush
By Albert Quackenbush
Having been a fan of drop away rests for years, I have tested many with decent results. Some are cable driven and others are limb driven. The PSE Phantom™ Micro Adjustable Drop Away Rest is a cable driven drop away rest that offers much more than your everyday drop away. Reviewing the Phantom Micro was very enjoyable and enlightening.
Phantom mounted at rest and ready to shoot
The PSE Phantom Micro Adjust is our finest drop away arrow rest and features a full capture platform for the arrow. The rest falls out of the way for complete arrow clearance. The oversize screws make adjustments and tuning very easy.
Installation of the Phantom Micro is simple, but there were no instructions in or on the packaging, so you have to get them online. This would have been better if they were in the package in my opinion. Follow the directions found here and you’ll be headed in the right direction.
My favorite part is the fact that the rest itself never touches the riser. Unlike most drop away rests, the Phantom sits slightly behind the riser thus allowing it to swivel and function quietly and more efficiently. One of the best features is no aggravating slapping sound when the rest drops. I can’t tell you how much time I have spent trying to quiet down other drop away rests. When the Phantom Micro drops it is ultra-quiet and super smooth.
The curved supports on either side have a rubberized coating providing more sound-dampening when your arrow makes contact. It contains the arrow and is quiet. No more needs to be said.
I did not like that there is no glue or sticky bottom to the rubber piece that sits on your riser. This is the piece that your arrow makes contact with to keep it from making noise. In order to utilize it, you must purchase an adhesive and glue the rubber rest to the riser. If you don’t, the arrow makes constant contact with the riser and metal-on-metal makes noise.
Nice grouping after tuning the Phantom Rest
I spent two days at the range after I installed the Phantom where I shot a minimum of fifty shots. During that time I had a good friend listen to the bow while I shot. Specifically, I had him focus on the arrow rest. He said he heard no noise and was also impressed at how fast it dropped. The Phantom Micro is the quietest rest I have ever used. I plan on using this rest in 2013 as it boosts my confidence in knowing I have less chance of spooking game.
Overall, I have to say that the Phantom Micro Adjustable drop away rest is one of the best I have put to the test. I like it better than any of the other drop aways I have used and it’s a great buy at $99.99. I have and will continue to recommend this rest to my fellow archers looking for the quietest, most highly functional drop away arrow rest on the market.
Albert Quackenbush has been bowhunting for more than 28 years. He shares his adventures on his blog, www.SoCalBowhunter.com, and also writes for Bow Adventures e-magazine. He is a Pro Staff member for DIYbowhunter.com, Piranha Custom Bowstrings and Field Logic. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, and is a Life Member of the North American Hunting Club.
Albert was born and raised in New York State where he learned to hunt everything from squirrels to whitetail deer. He currently resides in Southern California with his wife and daughter and hunts year round.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
By Pedro Ampuero
http://www.adventurousbowhunter.com/
Its being a coooold winter, but that has never been an excuse to get out and try our best.
Here are some pics of the last two months of hunting with a total of 21 days out.
I ahve been after chamois, ibex, deer, boars, duck, partridges,… Had a lot of fun.
Finallly got a huge boar which was awesome!! Hope you like them.
This past weekend I have been filming a TV show, got a two deer and a wildboar, i will send you pics later.
Luck is back again! Take care,
Pedro
Pedro Ampuero was raised in Spain, a country full of hunting opportunities in which the hunting season goes year round. He spends many days each year in the field and traveling the world in search of new adventures. You will always find him outdoors scouting, hunting, filming or tracking with his Bavarian bloodhound.
Pedro is a mechanical engineer by trade and a bowhunter by heart. He is the co-founder of the blog AdventurousBowhunter.com and Cazandoconarco.es and has written many articles for the hunting industry and currently collaborates with the most prestigious companies on the industry.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
My Bow Choice by PSE’s Jared Bloomgren
By Jared Bloomgren
I am often asked what makes me decide which bow is best for me. Ever since I began shooting my first PSE nearly 25 years ago I always looked forward to the next year when the new bows were introduced. It was always like Christmas in October when PSE would introduce the new bows and that hasn’t changed one bit today! I always look forward to what PSE will bring out for new bows and technology. This last October was no different! It has came a long ways since I was shooting my PSE Deer Hunter.
I decided to give the DNA a try and I have finally gotten my hands on my own. I have only shot the DNA at 20 yards in an indoor range so I cannot say for sure how I feel about the bow at longer distances. But when I have shot it, it has felt and shot like a dream bow. Smooth draw, vibe free, and very fast. Accuracy and forgiveness will have to be determined after I get it back. I have stripped my DNA down and sent it off to Hydro-Dip in Utah to have it dipped in the new Kryptek Highlander pattern! Once I have it back in my hands and get it put back together you can expect I will be out there shooting this bow out past 100 yards to determine if it will take the place of my Omen.
DNA fresh out of the box!
Okay, I got a bit sidetracked; back to it….what makes me decide which bow is best for me? I am a spot and stalk hunter as you know if you have been following my blogs. I hunt in the west in open country often and having a bow that is fast and forgiving is what I prefer. There are times when a 70 yard shot may present itself and having a flatter, faster shooting bow can make a huge difference. Granted speed doesn’t kill but it does sure help with these circumstances! Having a faster and flatter shooting bow will make judging yardage not as critical. This also increases my maximum effective shooting range. (Watch for a future blog on Maximum Shooting Range)
Ever since the introduction of the X Force HF in 2007 I was very excited! The speed and shoot-ability of this bow was better than ever in the PSE line. Since then the X Force line has continued with new bows over the years and there is an X Force for every style of archer. The speeds are phenomenal and yes, the shoot ability is top notch!
That brings me into the year 2012. I acquired an Omen Pro, black riser with skullworks limbs and accessories. The thing looks saweet! The black and skullworks combination just pops! I was pulling 74# and shooting a 390 grain arrow around 330 feet per second. I was drilling the bulls-eye out to 120 yards and very confident in my shooting and in the bow! I have never shot another bow as good as I am shooting this bow. The thing is a dream for me to shoot!
Omen Pro
So that leads me back to the DNA. Will the DNA stack up to my Omen Pro? Time and testing will soon tell and I will keep everybody up to speed on my findings. Granted, what bow shoots best for me and what I prefer will not be the case for others. Each person needs to find the bow that compliments them. The Omen Pro has worked great for me and I look forward to trying out other bows as well. I hope to get my hands on an Omen Max too and I assume that will be just like the Omen Pro with a few refinements that I am sure will shoot just as great!
Another all time favorite bow of mine has been my 2012 Revenge. This thing is short and shoots incredibly well. I used it to hunt turkeys last spring and it will likely let the air out of a few more thunder chickens this spring! I would have to put my Revenge right behind my Omen Pro as far as shoot ability and accuracy. The Omen Pro had the edge over the Revenge as the Revenge just doesn’t have the speed and accuracy of the Omen Pro out to farther distances.
2012 Revenge
I will do another blog in the future about the DNA and what I think of it. I am pretty confident that it will be what I like in a bow as it is lighter and that would really help in my backcountry hunts. Saving every bit of weight on these hard to do hunts will help out a great deal. As a backcountry hunter I am always looking to shave weight somewhere. But the biggest question remains. Will I be able to shoot the DNA as well as the Omen? Time will tell and I will share my finding with you in the near future! Watch for a one of a kind DNA coming your way!
Jared “J-Rod” Bloomgren is a hardcore Do-It-Yourself bowhunter who strives to better himself each year in the outdoor community. As a professional hunter, freelance writer and photographer, he likes to relive his outdoor adventures through written expression and photography making the reader feel as if they were along on the hunt. He attributes much of his success to the vital education he has learned from the various big game animals that he hunts. He is quoted as saying, “In each and every hunt, success or defeat, I learn something from every outing and that I can put in my arsenal of knowledge to use at a later date, a later date that will again put my wits against that of my prey.”
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Loosen your grip by PSE’s Emily Anderson
By Emily Anderson
When first shooting a bow there is a lot to learn … stand this way, find an anchor point or two or three, back tension, don’t punch the trigger, level, breath, etc. The list goes on and on.
I remember getting so frustrated with my husband when I was first learning because he wanted me to get everything right. Now don’t get me wrong, he had my best interests in mind which is admirable. While I appreciate his concern for my accuracy and desire for excellency, it can also be exasperating when you are trying to remember everything and your spouse is whispering in your ear, “You did it wrong, again.” I know he was just trying to help, but I felt like he was secretly enjoying pointing out my errors. Ugh. I wanted to throw an arrow at him, and since I’m confessing, I think I chased him around with one at some point. Don’t worry, a broadhead was not fixed to the tip of my arrow!
Gals, if you are just learning to shoot, here’s a piece of advice: Find a non-biased friend or someone from a local pro-shop to help with your shooting technique. I’ve found that it is much easier to hear constructive criticism from a non-husband source.
With that being said, after years of shooting a bow, I am still working on perfecting my shot. I know there is always room for improvement. Sometimes a minor adjustment here or there can bring you to that next level of consistency in your shot. Since we are now in a hunting off-season where most deer hunting has come to a close, don’t put your bow away! I would encourage you to take a look at your form. Is there any room for improvement in your shot? Video yourself and evaluate your form. Have someone else give you a second opinion.
I know what I’ll be working on … how I hold my bow, specifically loosening my grip. I need to make sure I’m holding it correctly with the bow grip in the meat of my palm, letting my fingers relax, and trusting my bow sling. After a missed shot this last year, I can almost guarantee it was because I was so excited that I gripped my bow which ended up giving just enough torque to throw my shot off. So, I know I need some work in this area. I’ve asked a friend at a Pro-Shop to make sure I’m holding my bow correctly. I know it will take practice… I can consistently shoot 20 yard shots all day long, but I quickly learned the hard way that if I haven’t formed the habit of consistently holding my bow correctly, it is way too easy to grip and torque your shot during the heat of the moment when the shot counts. I have a date with an elk in about 9 months from now, and I’m not going to make the same mistake twice!
What about you? Are you taking strides this winter to improve your shot? What areas do you need to improve on?
Emily Anderson’s hunting journey began shortly after she got married. She enjoys the passions for the outdoors, hunting and fishing as a team with her husband. She established www.FromTheDraw.com as a way to share her stories as a female hunter. Emily lives in Colorado which allows her to hunt elk each September in the Rocky Mountains. She is now a PSE Staff Blogger and will be posting daily about her experiences and views on archery and hunting.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Is there really an off season? By PSE’s Al Quackenbush
By Al Quackenbush
Resolutions are tossed around at the start of each year and most last but a few weeks. The off season can seem like it lasts forever, but does it really have to? Does it even exist? For the die hard deer hunter who hunts only deer the off season can feel like an eternity. For guys like me who hunt year round to stay sharp there is no off season. I don’t hunt all the time though. Taking part in other activities not only helps me prepare for whatever hunting I will do in the Fall, but it also helps me out a great deal. Some of my shared tips not only help sharpen your skills, but you might be lucky enough to have one or two lead you to some new hunting land.
As soon as the season is over I review the data I have compiled throughout the season and set a mental note for what areas I want to research through online mapping, zoning and to see if they are private or public land. During the deer season I found areas that were posted and others that I want to explore further. The off season is a perfect time to do that. I begin by scouring the internet, finding out who owns the property and then ask permission to either hunt it or, if I am lucky, seeing if it borders public land in any way.
Take part in events that get you out in nature. What do I mean? Do some shed hunting! Find an area of land and just search for sheds. Volunteer your time in a conservation effort. Take for example the Southern California Bighorn Sheep Survey. I participated in this last year to see what the local sheep habitat looked like and to help count whatever sheep I saw. Not only did I get to meet some new people now turned hunting buddies, but I also was able to hike into an area I normally would not have access to. Come to find out the area has a public access point and there is ample huntable public land. We glassed steep, rocky hillsides for hours and didn’t turn up one single sheep, but we had a great time and knew we’d be back. You can also take in a few hunting seminars. It’s a great way to learn more about the animal you are hunting and a great way to make new friends.
- Taking part in the 2012 California Sheep Survey
Scout, hike and get in shape! Some of you are probably curious as to why this isn’t my number one recommendation. If there is one thing that I avoid is making resolutions regarding losing weight because it is usually the first resolutions I hear made each year. I am not one of the masses who vows to lose weight each year. While I can always stand to lose a few pounds, my goal isn’t to lose a set amount of body fat. I aim more to get out more and hit the trail and better yet, hit the areas that don’t have trails. Get out there and glass new areas and hike them. Get a feel for the land and be sure to take your camera and GPS. Losing fat and gaining lean muscle is an added bonus!
Hiking into new areas is good exercise and can lead to new hunting spots
You can make an effort toward conservation of the land by picking up trash. Make the hunting areas that much cleaner and safer by picking up what others have left behind. These past two years I have located some seriously trashed areas due to human negligence and we aim to clean them up. Plan a day or two with a group of friends where you hike in with trash bags and pack out every piece of movable trash you encounter. Be aware that there may be creatures making homes in certain items and you should verify each is empty before picking it up. If you can drive a vehicle into some of the areas, try to load them up with as much garbage that you can to reasonably haul it out. Sure, I know this is hard work and that it shouldn’t have to be your job, but it does give hunters a good name, and more importantly it beautifies the land, make it safer for the animals and gives you greener pastures to hunt in.
Bad luck if you break the miror but good luck if you pick up the trash in the forest.
This is also great time of year to utilize some gear you haven’t used often or a good time to pick up somethings you want to try out. Why wait until the hunting season? If you test them out now and list the pros and cons, you will be better off when hunting season comes around. I like to test out gear in the off season to see what works well or not so well in order to consolidate what is in my pack come September. You can find out what is effective for different hunting situations and remove the gear that is not.
Last, but not least is to research some new animals to hunt. Last year it was to hunt elk for the first time and that turned into one of the most memorable hunts of my entire life. This year, with the help of my friend Bill Howard, I am researching an alligator hunt in Georgia. It’s a hunt I have thought about often, but know nothing about. With his help I am going to be finding a way to bow hunt an alligator sometime in the next couple years, but it is not a hunt that I will take lightly. It’s a hunt that will take careful planning and practice while utilizing some bowfishing skills.
Researching hunts like an alligator hunt is exciting.
These are but a few of the things I do while preparing to hunt deer in the Fall. For me, there is no off season. In the Spring there are turkey’s to hunt and in Southern California you can hunt wild pigs year round. What a great opportunity to find new areas to hunt, meet some new friends and to hone my skills as a bow hunter. 2013 has much to offer and I plan to enjoy the off season as much as I possibly can.
Albert Quackenbush has been bowhunting for more than 28 years. He shares his adventures on his blog, www.SoCalBowhunter.com, and also writes for Bow Adventures e-magazine. He is a Pro Staff member for DIYbowhunter.com, Piranha Custom Bowstrings and Field Logic. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, and is a Life Member of the North American Hunting Club.
Albert was born and raised in New York State where he learned to hunt everything from squirrels to whitetail deer. He currently resides in Southern California with his wife and daughter and hunts year round.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Taking a Good Picture by PSE’s Dustin Jones
By Dustin Jones
http://www.highcountrybowhunter.com/
Nothing is more exciting than taking an animal with your bow. All of the time that you have put into scouting, preparing, and finally taking that shot has finally paid off. After all of the celebration of recovering your animal has taken place, the next step that most anyone will want to do is take a picture to remember the hunt. Something that I like to take into account is showing respect to that animal. Now I am not saying that the way I take pictures is the way that you should take your pictures, because trust me I still need some work in this area, but there are some tips that will help you capture a good trophy picture.
My first antelope.
First of all, do your best to remove any blood from the animal. If you are near water it makes it pretty easy to clean up some of the blood using a rag or something to wipe down the bloody area. If cleaning off the blood isn’t possible, usually there is one side that is less bloody than the other. Try and roll the animal or even position the animal in a way that hides most of the blood.
This is an antelope that I had taken and I was so excited to have shot my first antelope with a bow that I hurried to take the picture. You can see there is some blood that I could have washed off and I could have gotten in a better position to see the horns.
My first deer with archery equipment.
Secondly, take care of the tongue. Shove the tongue back in the mouth, hold the bottom jaw, sew it shut, or just cut it off but either way do something to get the tongue out of the picture. That has been one of the biggest things that I have learned to help make a photo look more presentable. I tend to get in a rush after I kill an animal that I forget to take the time to check for the tongue. As you can see in my picture that I could have stuck the tongue back in his mouth and it would have made the photo look a little better.
Lastly, show it off. Get down so you are able to show off the antlers (if you were blessed enough to shoot one with them) or just the animal itself. Pictures tend to look better if you are down on the same level as the animal versus you standing over top of the animal. This allows you to truly show off the animal and it just looks better.
My dad’s elk.
This is one of my favorite pictures of my dad. As you can see, he got down at the same level of his elk and you are able to see the size of the antlers, there isn’t any blood, and the elk’s tongue is not hanging out of his mouth. I’m not saying this is the perfect picture but you can tell the difference between the previous photos and this photo. This is a larger animal with a bigger rack but there were plenty of things that I could have done in my photos to be a better photo to show off.
So when that moment arrives that you get to take some pictures of your kill, take the time to prepare for a great photo that you’ll be proud to show off. You put forth a lot of effort to hunt the animal, so put forth the effort to take a great picture to show off the animal.
Dustin Jones is a passionate outdoorsman who loves to hunt, especially bowhunt. He created his blog, HighCountryBowhunter.com, to share his experiences with others. He is a Field Staff member for DIYbowhunter.com and Adventure Team member for MINOX Hunting Optics.
Dustin was born and raised in Eastern Idaho where he currently resides with his wife and two sons.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Keaton’s BC Bruiser by PSE’s Will Jenkins
By Will Jenkins
PSE got word of a monster mule deer taken in British Columbia with a PSE so I tracked down Keaton and got the story Believe it or not this is only Keaton’s second deer with a bow! His first was a 2×2 and now his second buck is a pending record book mule deer with a green score of about 219″. Keaton killed this magnificent buck with his BowMadness MC in only his second year hunting. Now for the story!
Keaton started the day with the attempted stalk of 6 different 4 points, (east coasters remember this means a 4×4 or eight total points). After a quick lunch break he was back out and spotted a 2 point and decided to go after him and see what else might be traveling with him. After 20 minutes on the stalk the buck led him to an overgrown quad trail that Keaton continued down. After walking the trail and having a close encounter with a few does he spotted the two point at about 50 yards. He continued down the trail and after making it about 100 yards he glanced to his left and there he was, staring directly at Keaton. He drew his bow and back stepped about 10 yards to get a clear shot through the trees. He settled his 60 yard pin, released the arrow and the buck took off passed him. As he passed Keaton noticed blood running down his side and knew it was a lethal hit.
After taking a moment to compose himself after some major buck fever he started to look for his arrow and the blood trail. Unfortunately he couldn’t’ find either as the hit ended up being slightly high to due to estimating the yardage a little further than it was, easy to do when a monster sneaks up on you! With no arrow and no blood trail he decided to look for sign of a dead deer. He noticed some crows circling not far away. As he arrived where the crows had been circling he again encountered the 2 point and two does. As they walked off he noticed a magpie fly up from the ground and there he was!
After 60 or more failed stalks this season, Keaton was rewarded with the opportunity at a true trophy animal and a buck of a lifetime. He was able to seal the deal using his PSE bow and not only get the trophy but create great memories of an amazing hunt and sharing the recovery with his friend Chris. Congratulations Keaton on an amazing animal!
Will Jenkins is creator of TheWilltoHunt.com and Harnesses For Hunters. He’s an avid outdoorsman who enjoys sharing his experiences through his blog. He also writes for Bow Adventures e-Magazine and is a member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association.
Will lives in Central Virginia with his wife and two kids. He hunts in Virginia and Maryland but has dreams of heading west to hunt Elk and Mule Deer.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Scouting New Hunting Ground from Afar by PSE’s Jared Bloomgren
By Jared Bloomgren
Referencing Google Earth and my map
When we decide we want to hunt in a new location we preferably like to set foot on the ground, on location, to determine the terrain features and lay of the land. But often times that is not a possibility due to limited time, resources and various logistical constraints. I have been asked numerous times, “How do you scout an area that you have never set foot on before?” “How do you decide on an area to hunt out of state when you are unable to go there yourself?” These questions have became very common with my most recent hunt where I was able to take down a 400”+ Public Land bull elk in a General Area in a location that is not known for monster bulls! “How did you find this spot to hunt?!”
I first decide on an area to hunt by calling local Wildlife Biologists in the state where I have decided to hunt. I narrow my options down by checking on which states and areas offer a good chance of drawing with at least 2 preference points. I look at past records that I can find about these areas by checking out various talk forums that are geared towards a state by state basis and my species. General tags are also easier to draw than that of a limited tag unit. This means I usually need to find where the public land and general areas are since I do not have a lot of money to throw around to pay access fees or an outfitter/guide. I am a Do-It-Yourself hunter and have extreme pride in doing my own hunts from start to finish!
Next I start making phone calls to local Wildlife Biologists in the areas that I am interested in. When talking with the local Biologists I ask various questions such as:
1) Where would you consider the healthiest animals are located this year? (For whichever species you are pursuing)
2) How have the winters treated the animals in this area and have there been any known diseases lately?
3) What is the hunting pressure like in this area?
4) What is the maturity level of the animals in this area?
5) How is the forage in this area?
6) What is the terrain like in this area? (most often found out by maps)
7) Would you hunt this area if you had the option?
If possible, I like to talk to local hunters as well that have firsthand experience about these places. Some ways to go about this is to again visit various talk forums on the internet and put a post on there. Those that are willing to share advice will do so. This can be a huge help as well! A good title for the post would be, “Looking for advice for Unit 127B in Utah. Help please!” You will find that there are many others out there that like to help others become more successful in their hunting endeavors.
I also like to take a look back at the last year and figure out what the weather was like in the past. What is a dry year, wet year, record harvest year? Etc… Much of this information can be obtained from the Wildlife Biologist that you talk to. This will also help me determine some good areas geographically where there could be a good chance to find an animal of my liking.
Mapping software and maps come in very handy.
When I have this information compiled by writing it down in a notebook, printing off maps, ordering topographic maps and having the Forest Service send me maps; I spread all the information out in a spare bedroom on the bed. This area gives me a chance to lay it all out so I don’t miss anything. I grab my computer and fire up Google Maps and Earth and start studying the lay of the land. I compare the paper maps with that of Google and get a really good understanding of the area I am most interested in. I identify the key terrain features that will likely make animals call it home!
Technology has become a great thing for us to be able to use. I like to find a location that offers everything that my prey needs to survive; everything that my prey needs to feel secure and safe. I go over my information and find areas that look promising. Google Earth allows me to start dissecting that area looking for food, water, shelter, bedding areas, and good travel corridors. When you are using Google Earth you can determine where the feeding areas are simply by looking at open meadows, timber and field edges. Finding water is easy to do as well. Look for low areas that may have plenty of run-off from higher elevations or an area that may have a spring nearby. Wetter areas on Google Earth really stand out by the brighter green shades of foliage. Look for streams or creeks. Look for small ponds; anything that will yield water. Water is essential and almost every animal you will hunt depend on a daily water supply of some sort. Locate bedding areas by looking at a topo map and also Google Earth at the same time. This will help determine potential bedding areas by locating benches, thicker cover, dark timber, rough rugged nasty terrain that pressured animals like to hang out in, etc…Now combine everything; the bedding, feeding, and watering areas will be connected by travel corridors. When looking at travel areas look for pinch points, saddles, benches, anything that will allow an animal to travel more easily.
Like stated before, I do not have all kinds of money to be able to make long trips to scout before season starts. Being able to use maps and technology really make it possible for me to scout an area without actually being there. Often by the time I step foot on the actual area I know almost as much about the lay of the land as if I would have if I have been there before. Granted, I will not know what is there for animals but if I have done the research right there will be animals there, no doubt! Doing just this allowed me to take a bull of a lifetime in 2012 and quite possibly one of the largest bulls ever taken on Public land in a General area with archery equipment! A DIY bull that will rank high in the MT record books!
This is a very low down and dirty process and a lot more details go into it. For blog purposes you get the point. Feel free to look for more detailed and future articles and stories at my web site that I am expanding called Trigger Addiction located at http://www.triggeraddiction.com. What Triggers your Addiction?
Picking out favorable terrain features that will help hold animals
Jared “J-Rod” Bloomgren is a hardcore Do-It-Yourself bowhunter who strives to better himself each year in the outdoor community. As a professional hunter, freelance writer and photographer, he likes to relive his outdoor adventures through written expression and photography making the reader feel as if they were along on the hunt. He attributes much of his success to the vital education he has learned from the various big game animals that he hunts. He is quoted as saying, “In each and every hunt, success or defeat, I learn something from every outing and that I can put in my arsenal of knowledge to use at a later date, a later date that will again put my wits against that of my prey.”
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
An Archer’s Morning by PSE’s Emily Anderson
By Emily Anderson
Blog:
http://www.fromthedraw.com/
Carrying bow in hand and arrows in the other, the archer journeys through the open field. An established target lays waiting along a well worn path. The archer doesn’t want to miss the moment. She makes an appearance briefly each morning, nods and slips away after illuminating the land with glorious stretched out rays. Each new day is introduced in morning splendor as she swings her lantern of light across the horizon. She is making her way, evidenced by the surrender of darkness, so the archer quickens his step. Dawn is drawing near and the archer will be there to greet her.
The rhythm of the draw, aim, and release is mesmerizing, which somehow pauses the spinning of the world as an arrow slices through the crisp clean air. Fingertips begin to grow numb as Jack Frost makes an appearance, but Dawn’s soft golden rays greets the archer with a kiss simultaneously as the string is anchored to lip’s edge. The favor is returned as glistening rays dance off the tip of the arrow now slicing through the thin veil of breaking light. The dance continues. Anchor. Breathe. Aim. Release.
Morning is now chasing Dawn across the prairie, threatening to snatch up her golden rays as the sun inches higher in the sky. The brilliant rays of first light has done it’s job and pierced through the archer’s heart. Dawn’s tranquility has swept by, leaving an archer in an open field thankful for another day. Through the peep hole of a bow sight, the archer winks and watches as she introduces the day gracefully. She winks back and slips away with a promise to return to catch the next arrow in flight.
The archer gathers arrows and journeys on, ready to face the day with the promise of Dawn coming again.
Emily Anderson’s hunting journey began shortly after she got married. She enjoys the passions for the outdoors, hunting and fishing as a team with her husband. She established www.FromTheDraw.com as a way to share her stories as a female hunter. Emily lives in Colorado which allows her to hunt elk each September in the Rocky Mountains. She is now a PSE Staff Blogger and will be posting daily about her experiences and views on archery and hunting.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Stalking Boars by PSE’s Pedro Ampuero
Blog:
http://www.adventurousbowhunter.com/
Wildboars in Spain have always experience a huge hunting pressure, and can get really spooky.
This pressure has made them be most of the time nocturnal, which makes really hard to hunt them.
Luckily, it has been a great year of acorns, and we have been seeing some boars at last day looking for them.
This has allowed us to spend some days trying to stalk boars, which is way more fun than waiting for them in a tree. They have an awesome nose, but the hearing and eyesight is not as good as deer, so you can get closer. I shot this young boar from 30 yards.
Its getting colder every day, and I hope to be able to drop some more during the last month of the season.
Good luck all in the woods,
Pedro Ampuero
Pedro Ampuero was raised in Spain, a country full of hunting opportunities in which the hunting season goes year round. He spends many days each year in the field and traveling the world in search of new adventures. You will always find him outdoors scouting, hunting, filming or tracking with his Bavarian bloodhound.
Pedro is a mechanical engineer by trade and a bowhunter by heart. He is the co-founder of the blog AdventurousBowhunter.com and Cazandoconarco.es and has written many articles for the hunting industry and currently collaborates with the most prestigious companies on the industry.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Holding a First Bow Kill Close to Heart by PSE’s Emily Anderson
By Emily Anderson
http://www.fromthedraw.com/
PSE’s Emily Anderson
I hope the thrill of my first deer kill doesn’t fade away too quickly from my memory. There is something truly wonderful about the whole experience, and I’m sure I am not alone in the endeavor to hold a first bow kill close to heart, and safely tucked into the deep recesses of one’s mind.
I still remember the feeling – it was as if time stood still.
Morning of First Hunt
The morning of my first whitetail deer hunt I found myself up in a tree stand for the first time in my life, and just as I was getting comfortable with the distance from my feet to the ground below, the silence was interrupted by the sound of brittle leaves being crushed. Something was making its way along the path below, and closing the distance to our stand fast. I glanced up at my husband above in a tree stand, attached to the same tree as mine, and smiled. We watched together in anticipation of what was coming our way. It didn’t take long for the disrupter of the morning silence to make an appearance, and from our perch above the ground we could clearly see the mule deer as he made his way along the path below. Our tags said “whitetail” so we watched and admired the buck as he continued on his morning journey.
As a western hunter who is used to hunting from the ground, spot and stalk style, this new view from above had me intrigued and fascinated. I loved being above the action and felt like a giddy school girl when again the sound of *crunch* *crunch* echoed through the trees, signaling the closing distance of another buck. We watched a buck work his way down from the field above and mosey around a big oak towards my side of the tree. After a brief nonverbal discussion, my husband nodded, giving me the green light to take a shot. I slowly reached for my bow, took a breath, came to full draw, picked a spot and settled my top pin. The arrow released and I watched as it made impact on the chosen spot. Thwack!
I remember looking at my husband, looking back at my deer running down the path, looking back at my husband, and then starting to shake uncontrollably. It was an adrenaline rush like none other I’ve ever experienced. I had arrowed my first buck and I was hooked! After shooting that buck, I felt a sense of relief and sheer excitement all wrapped up together in a ball of emotions. Relief due to the sense that all the practice and preparation finally had cumulated into the desired result. My arrow flew true and found its mark. Buck fever had been replaced by a calming feeling just before the shot, and the instant flow of adrenaline as I realized what I had just done, had found its appropriate time to flow through my veins … directly after the kill shot.
First Bow Kill
When I first took up bowhunting, I often dreamt about and wondered what I would shoot first with my bow. That question has now been answered for me, and I’m proud to say it was a whitetail.
What about you? What was your first bow kill? Do you still vividly remember the details of that hunt? If it is starting to fade, I would encourage you to take a moment to write it down. You’d be amazed at how that moment in time comes flooding back when you start journaling it out.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Will Jenkins-Keaton’s BC Bruiser
By Will Jenkins
http://www.thewilltohunt.com/
Keaton’s Buck
PSE got word of a monster mule deer taken in British Columbia with a PSE so I tracked down Keaton and got the story Believe it or not this is only Keaton’s second deer with a bow! His first was a 2×2 and now his second buck is a pending record book mule deer with a green score of about 219″. Keaton killed this magnificent buck with his BowMadness MC in only his second year hunting. Now for the story!
Keaton started the day with the attempted stalk of 6 different 4 points, (east coasters remember this means a 4×4 or eight total points). After a quick lunch break he was back out and spotted a 2 point and decided to go after him and see what else might be traveling with him. After 20 minutes on the stalk the buck led him to an overgrown quad trail that Keaton continued down. After walking the trail and having a close encounter with a few does he spotted the two point at about 50 yards. He continued down the trail and after making it about 100 yards he glanced to his left and there he was, staring directly at Keaton. He drew his bow and back stepped about 10 yards to get a clear shot through the trees. He settled his 60 yard pin, released the arrow and the buck took off passed him. As he passed Keaton noticed blood running down his side and knew it was a lethal hit.
Keaton’s Hunt
After taking a moment to compose himself after some major buck fever he started to look for his arrow and the blood trail. Unfortunately he couldn’t’ find either as the hit ended up being slightly high to due to estimating the yardage a little further than it was, easy to do when a monster sneaks up on you! With no arrow and no blood trail he decided to look for sign of a dead deer. He noticed some crows circling not far away. As he arrived where the crows had been circling he again encountered the 2 point and two does. As they walked off he noticed a magpie fly up from the ground and there he was!
After 60 or more failed stalks this season, Keaton was rewarded with the opportunity at a true trophy animal and a buck of a lifetime. He was able to seal the deal using his PSE bow and not only get the trophy but create great memories of an amazing hunt and sharing the recovery with his friend Chris. Congratulations Keaton on an amazing animal!
Will Jenkins is creator of TheWilltoHunt.com and Harnesses For Hunters. He’s an avid outdoorsman who enjoys sharing his experiences through his blog. He also writes for Bow Adventures e-Magazine and is a member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Jared Bloomgren’s 2012 Post Rut Whitetails
Jared Bloomgren
Laid to Rest
In December I was able to concentrate on strictly hunting whitetails in my home state of SD. November was filled with a rifle hunt for muleys where I was able to anchor an outstanding buck with over 20 miles of hiking public land in two days! Although these blogs are geared towards bowhunting and archery I think he is a worthy adversary to show here as well! It would have been a hunt completed with my bow but unfortunately forgot a very important piece to that puzzle as I snuck out of our home very quietly with fear of waking my children at 3 in the morning! Oops!
Now back to bowhunting for whitetail in December during the Post Rut. Most times the bucks are starting to get back to their routine of concentrating on food because of lost body weight and energy due to the November rut. However, the does that were missed in the first breeding cycle will come into estrus again roughly a month after their first cycle. Generally this happens during the middle of December and you can bet the bucks will still be checking for receptive does around this time.
This year in 2012 I was seeing what I had seen in previous years. The deer were starting to calm back down from the rifle season and the onslaught of bow season when most hunters are out. The deer began to move back into public land from the security of private, less pressured land. Figuring out their travel patterns became easier to do. They are back to a solid feeding and bedding area routine unless a doe comes into cycle. Then you may see an occasional buck paired up with that hot doe for a day. Otherwise the bucks will start to join back up in bachelor groups and start to let their guard down once again like in the early season. Although they might not be as relaxed as early season they will become very hunt-able with the bow again. Even those deer that were pressured a great deal during the rifle season will start to chill out! This is a great time to be out there and getting after them!
My preferred way to hunt any animal is by spot and stalk and still hunting. Treestand and ground blind hunting can be very affective too but I like to be able to move when I want and where I need to without having to move a stand or blind. I have found that being mobile really increases my odds of killing the buck that I am looking for. Numerous times in the past I have only watched as the buck I was after passed by a stand that I wasn’t in because I was in the other. The next day I would move to that stand only to watch the buck cruise by the other. Very frustrating! So I got out of my stand and was able to kill that buck by stalking him two days later! My best whitetail to date!
20 Mile Muley
Okay, focus Jared! Back to December 2012! It is hard not to reminisce about past hunts and fun times! So December 2012…..I started to hunt an area where I had seen good bucks in the past. An area that is often overlooked because many wouldn’t think this area holds the deer. At any rate I was in there again with an arrow nocked sneaking through the woods looking for a good buck. After a couple of days of hunting this area I had it narrowed down to 3 bucks nicknamed #1, #2, and #3. #1 was a stud 4×5 with an inside spread of at least 21” and the thickest palmated main beams I have ever seen! #2 was a 4×4 with exceptional mass and tall tines throughout. One brow tine had to be at least 12” and his G2’s had to be a solid 12” as well! #3 was a 6×7 with some really neat character. He was a main frame 5×5 with split brow tines and a kicker off of a G2. A great buck as well! I was hoping to get a chance at any of these bucks!
#1 gave me the slip numerous times and one evening I thought I had him but again gave me the slip. While backing out of the area I came face to face with #2 and I let him walk due to #1 being so fresh in my head! I am thinking that was a mistake! Oh well right!? #3 was showing signs of rutting activity and I passed him as well as I wanted him to breed the doe he was pushing.
Some days I would wait along a known travel corridor for the deer to begin to move. When they did I would usually make my move to position myself better or to close the distance. I am a spot and stalk hunter to the bone and that is how I was getting my chances at these 3 bucks mostly. I was also pairing that with still hunting. It goes something like this…..get the wind in your favor and start moving through known areas where the deer like to frequent. Go slow, very slow, one or two steps and glass into the trees hoping to get a glimpse of a deer. At that time if it was a deer I wanted I would change over to spot and stalk to close the distance. At times it can be frustrating because you may bump a doe and that doe may bump your buck but it is taking a chance. Hunting is the only time I gamble generally!
I may have put too much pressure on the area as the bigger bucks began to not show themselves. I have a sneaking suspicion that they went nocturnal and were onto me. This can happen very easily when these older bucks feel the pressure. I decided to give them a week to relax and went back after it.
My Omen Pro Performed Flawlessly Again!
The first morning in after a fresh snow and very chilly night I was able to sneak up a ridge in the darkness and position myself close to a known travel area. It didn’t take long for me to start seeing deer movement. It was #3 and he was pushing a doe again! I got down and belly crawled through the snow and got to a big pine and was able to stand alongside it. When I peeked around the tree he was coming at me with a doe in front of him. She turned and he stopped and rubbed his tarsal glands together at 45 yards. The doe moved off and he stood there broadside long enough for me to get an arrow nocked and move around the tree and come to full draw. Just as I was locking in my 40 yard pin he went back to chasing the doe! Aaaaahhhhhh…..
I quickly decided to kick it into full gear and move ahead of the deer. I knew where they were going to bed and I wanted to be there waiting for him! About an hour later I was creeping along to the edge of an open area where the deer usually move through. I picked out a thick cedar tree and broke a few branches and hid myself the best I could. A short time later I had slick heads moving past me at 10 yards. I could see the buck below about 125 yards away moving my way. The lead doe of 6 finally picked me out. No matter how hard I try I cannot look like a cedar tree! Someday I will figure it out! As they stood there doing their head bob action, stomping their feet and snorting at the odd looking addition to the cedar they finally moved past a little ways and stopped anywhere from 40 to 80 yards and kept looking back in my direction. #3 could see them and he too became cautious but he also had in his head that one of these does was the one he was chasing earlier and he wanted to find her! No complaints by me as he kept closing the distance until he walked right up to a doe that was standing at 41 yards. As soon as he looked away my Omen Pro came to full draw and I settling my 40 yard pin low on his vitals. Drawing back as slow as I could helped keep the does at bay long enough for the shot.
He didn’t even know what hit him. Snow, pine needles and dirt flew through the air as he headed back down the hillside on his death run! The arrow was a great double lung and he slowed to a walk 85 yards later and stopped. He was swaying side to side and I knew he would go down very soon! Then he bolted and was out of sight and in the trees. I quickly found my blood covered arrow and took up the trail in the fresh snow. Gotta love tracking a deer in the snow!
Packing Out My Prize!
About 150 yards later I was following his tracks and spatters of blood and his prints became very unsteady in the snow. I knew I was getting close. Just a little ways later there he was piled up, lying motionless. I said a quick prayer and collected my prized posession. #3 was laid to rest! Unfortunately he had broke off both brow tines on one side and I didn’t see this until now. I wondered if he broke them off fighting or rubbing a tree, I will never know. I admired his rack and snapped a few pictures before deboning his meat, caping him out, and packing him into my pack for the hike back to the truck! Another later season whitetail hunt was a success!
Jared “J-Rod” Bloomgren is a hardcore Do-It-Yourself bowhunter who strives to better himself each year in the outdoor community. As a professional hunter, freelance writer and photographer, he likes to relive his outdoor adventures through written expression and photography making the reader feel as if they were along on the hunt. He attributes much of his success to the vital education he has learned from the various big game animals that he hunts. He is quoted as saying, “In each and every hunt, success or defeat, I learn something from every outing and that I can put in my arsenal of knowledge to use at a later date, a later date that will again put my wits against that of my prey.”
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush Family Hunting
By Albert Quackenbush
www.SoCalBowhunter.com
My dad, my brother and I during the fall 2009 NY whitetail archery season
My family is extremely important to me and is my top priority. Bow hunting is a very close second! Second to the excitement of filling one of my own tags is the thrill I get when my dad, Skip, or my brother, BJ, fills one of theirs. My California archery deer season for has been open for a couple months, but theirs has been less than a month. I try to keep up on their quest by texting my brother (who I know will usually answer from the tree stand) and calling my dad during the workweek. I have been keeping up with their progress since summertime as they have shared stand locations, deer they have seen, and trail camera photos. To be quite honest, I am a bit jealous. Whitetail hunting is a passion I share with them and hearing about it makes we crave it more!
BJ and his 2012 NY archery 6-point buck
Last week, I received a text from BJ saying he had a deer down. It was followed up by one that stated he had arrowed a 6-point. Then it stopped. No more texts. What? Where were the details? Not wanting to be left hanging, I texted him back asking for the story. He said he’d be posting it online. It seemed like a week went by, but my brother posted that afternoon and here’s what he wrote:
I was in my stand this afternoon and I surveyed the area to see what spot would be the best place for me to shoot a deer. There was one spot about fifteen yards away that seemed to be perfect. Nice and open with no obstacles. Guess where I arrowed this guy?? In that EXACT spot!! No joke. He wandered in tonight around 5:30 PM and came toward my stand, but stayed just out of bow range the whole time. He started going away from me so I hit my grunt call. He stopped. I hit it again and his head whipped around toward me. He turned and walked right in the spot fifteen yards away. I stopped him with a mouth bleat and the rest is history. A short drag out of the woods and a ride back to the truck and we headed home. Best of all, my wife had a huge Crockpot of venison pot roast ready to be devoured!! Thanks to my Dad for helping me out and I give him all the credit for this one. He’s the one who found the rubs and said we should put a stand up there. He picked the stands tonight and let me have that one. Thanks!! Happy hunting!
What a bow hunters dreams seeing this from a treestand.
Knowing all the work that my dad and brother put in to hunting whitetails, this was huge for them. Getting some meat in the freezer is always a priority, but having one down with antlers is a bonus. I know they both have quite a few tags left to fill, but I also know that with the rut just kicking in and the cooler temperatures arriving that they are both fired up for the rest of the season. The best part for me is that even though I may reside 3,000 miles away, I am right there with them and I am also getting fired up for them.
My 2011 NY archery button buck
With me taking my first elk this past September and now my brother taking a buck in NY, my dad is up to bat. He has said to me that his sons have set the bar high for him this year. All I have to say is he usually takes that bar, fashions an arrow, adds some fletching and a broadhead and arrows himself a few big deer by seasons end. Don’t let him fool you, he just saves the best for last.
Albert Quackenbush has been bowhunting for more than 28 years. He shares his adventures on his blog, www.SoCalBowhunter.com, and also writes for Bow Adventures e-magazine. He is a Pro Staff member for DIYbowhunter.com, Piranha Custom Bowstrings and Field Logic. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, and is a Life Member of the North American Hunting Club.
Albert was born and raised in New York State where he learned to hunt everything from squirrels to whitetail deer. He currently resides in Southern California with his wife and daughter and hunts year round.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Dustin Jones on Trail Cameras
By Dustin Jones
http://www.highcountrybowhunter.com/
Trail Camera
Setting out trail cameras is a way to keep hunting even when the season comes to a close. To me it is just as exciting setting one out and coming back a couple weeks later to see what it has captured. I’m like a kid on Christmas as I sit and wait in anticipation. I wanted to share with you some tips to help make sure you are getting decent pictures.
The first thing is finding a spot to put the camera. Find a well-used trail, a food plot, water hole, or just a spot that looks like it has lots of activity. There are sometimes that I have set up a trail camera on what I thought to be an awesome spot and came to find out that it was used very seldom. Look for fresh sign with lots of recent activity.
Trail Cam Shot
Don’t point the camera at 90° angle to the trail unless you are using a mineral lick, scrape, or bait. Majority of hunters setting out their trail camera place it on the nearest tree to the trail and set it perpendicular to the trail. This causes frustration when you go and pick up your camera because more than likely you are going to get blank pictures or partial pictures of animals. When you point the camera at a 45° angle down the trail you increase your odds of getting a shot of the entire animal versus a partial shot.
Remove any obstructions. I know that you want to hide your camera but if there are any obstructions in the way there are several things that can happen. First you will get pictures of nothing because that obstruction may be moving in the wind causing the camera to be set off. Second, whatever is obstructing the camera will be lit up by the flash whether it is an LED or white flash. The best thing to do if you don’t want people to mess with your trail camera is to invest in a security case for the camera. The last thing you want to do is spend money on the camera just to have it stolen a couple weeks later.
Early Season Buck
Lastly, pay attention to the sun. When at all possible make sure that when you set up the trail camera not to have it be pointing in the sun. Whether it is in the morning or the evening, try to make sure that the sun rises and sets behind your trail camera. This will help reduce blank images as well as wash out images. When the trail camera is facing the sun and it takes a picture, you will have an extremely white washed out image. The best thing to remember is to have your camera point to the north. The sun’s path will be slightly to the south of the trail camera if you do so and this will greatly reduce washed out images.
One thing that is always promising yet frustrating at the same time is setting up trail cameras. The promising thing is that you are able to see if there is anything moving through that area while you hunt. The frustrating part about it as well is you get to see some of the animals that come by and with my luck I’m either there a day late or a day early. But all in all it is a great way to monitor where you are hunting and it helps you try and pattern the animals. So get out there and have some fun setting up your trail camera.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Will Jenkins on Buying Online vs. Pro Shops
By Will Jenkins
http://www.thewilltohunt.com/
The internet has changed the retail market and the hunting and archery industry is no exception. There are many deals to be had on the internet and while that may seem appealing please consider a few things before you click buy it now or send that paypal payment.
If you buy online you’re going to need your bow tuned. Even if the bow comes in your draw weight and length you still need to tune it and make sure it’s good to go. If you work on your own bow that’s a little different but it never hurts to have a pro shop take look at it. The key here is tuning isn’t free. So consider the cost of tuning at your local shop in addition to the deal you’re getting. If you aren’t sure what the tuning might cost check with your local pro shop. Conversely, most pro shops will tune any new bow purchased at no additional charge. So even if you’re saving $50 off retail for the bow but taking it to the pro shop to get it tuned is going to cost you $60, just go buy it right from them.
Also consider buying from your pro shop just to support a local business. Most pro shops are owned by the guy behind the counter who puts in a lot of hours. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to shoot several bows and make sure you like a certain model before purchasing. I’m a big proponent of shooting what feels good to you and fits you. It all boils down to what you are confident with.
Now, back to buying online. If you’re on a strict budget the internet can be ‘where it’s at’ so to speak. You can often find big discounts on models a year old or slightly used models from archery forums. This may not get you the perfect fit but it will a get a bow in your hands at a low cost. Even buying a bow a few years old can work out great just do your research on the seller.
The bottom-line, if you’re ready to spend some money and invest in a new or last year’s model bow, buy it at your local pro shop. If you can’t afford that, first check to see if your local pro shop carries used bows and skim the internet looking for deals that will get an affordable bow in your hands. If you are new to archery stick with the pro shop as much as possible!
Will Jenkins is creator of TheWilltoHunt.com and Harnesses For Hunters. He’s an avid outdoorsman who enjoys sharing his experiences through his blog. He also writes for Bow Adventures e-Magazine and is a member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Jared Bloomgren The Red Zone
By Jared Bloomgren
The “Red Zone”…..a stage in every stalk that I CRAVE! My bow is checked over one last time for anything that may have went wrong up to this point…..I recheck my position to ensure I am on track….Grab a quick drink and a take a quick stretch….Pack comes off, boots come off or booties are put over my boots, my senses enhance even further and my reaction time quickens all while slowing down. Each movement, each step, and each breathe is thought about with much more thought and concentration. Moving like a wild animal with stealth, concentration and thought out movement is a must!
Often times staying low and slow in very important.
The Red Zone can vary on the terrain but for me it is usually the last 150 yards of the stalk. You are now within easy hearing distance of your quarry and often times may be within sight as you move. Picking the best possible route is a must during the final stages of your stalk while you are in the Red Zone.
One of my favorite quotes, one that says it all and doesn’t need to be explained: “Getting close to game undetected and maintaining self control while delivering a well placed shot are the true keys to bowhunting success.” -M.R. James
Sneaky Pete Feet
Now there are a lot of things that need to come into consideration at this time and you need to become more aware of your surroundings. Like stated above, when I decide that I am in the Red Zone I remove my pack and take a quick break, grab some water and remove my boots or put on Sneaky Pete Feet or some other type of booty to help muffle the noise I may make while walking. I take a quick survey to be sure that I am on the right track. One thing I forgot to mention on my last blog is that I input the animal’s likely position into my GPS before I leave my vantage point. That way I can use that as a reference while I move helping me keep on track. I don’t rely on it solely because picking the animal’s position could be off substantially.
Twigs and branches are not your friend in the Red Zone!
Paying attention to each step is a must and vital to achieving the overall end state. It always seems that when you take that one step and you weren’t watching where you place that foot is when you find that noise maker! A twig, pine cone, leaves, etc…you get the picture. Not only must you pay attention to the ground you need to watch for tree branches and brush that may rub against your equipment or gear that would cause noise. Loose rocks can also be a nuisance. Picking a route that avoids anything that can make noise is very important. Another crucial factor is the wind and/or thermals. Have they changed? Are they still steady and in the right direction? I have had to re-plan a stalking route a time or two when I have gotten into the Red Zone because of these variants. Sometimes finishing the final stage of the stalk will require switching up the plan and making adjustments.
Stepping on this pine cone could ruin all your hard work in a hurry.
It doesn’t matter if I first spotted the animal from 2 miles away, the final 150 yards usually takes the longest. Slowing the pace 10x’s will help you move more quietly and it will also help calm your nerves. If possible I will try to get a visual on the animal to ensure that it hasn’t moved. There are times when you have to find the animal again as it may have gotten up and moved a bit before re-bedding a short distance away. Generally they won’t move too far away but may change position to get back into shade if it is a warm day. If you cannot locate em’ just keep going with the stalk, nice and slow as if it is still bedded in the same spot. Keep your eyes peeled and be ready.
It doesn’t matter how many stalks that I have done. I always get an adrenaline rush when I finally see that animal. It always requires me to take a quick break to regain composure if at all possible. My senses become even keener and movements slow even more as to not tip that animal off. When I get into position for a shot I make sure that it is a shot that I know will be a good clean kill. I take another deep breath and look at my sticker on back of my arrow rest, “Stay calm and pick a spot.” It helps to make me focus and think about the task at hand.
PSE’s Jared’s reminder.
Sometimes I have had to wait for the animal to stand in order to get that shot. There are different ways of helping to get that animal up. You could throw a rock or grunt but I have found by trial and error that that isn’t the best way. Patience is always the best option. Patience will yield you far more animals than anything! (watch for a future blog about the importance of PATIENCE) I like to wait the animal out and let it make the call. Eventually it will stand to reposition in the bed or to move to feed. Being ready during that time is a must! By throwing a rock or grunting it will give that animal an idea that something else is in the immediate area and most often they will bust out of their bed. By letting the animal decide when it is ready to stand will have them far more relaxed and allow you more time to take the necessary shot. But be patient! It could take sometimes hours for the animal to stand or it could take seconds! Nothing like gambling!
If you have been following my blogs you now know the proper way to help you become a successful Spot and Stalk hunter. Spot and stalk hunting requires the most patience in my opinion and it really pits your wits against that of your prey. It is the hardest style of hunting and the rewards are far more rewarding in the end! After 25+ years of spotting and stalking I still learn something on every outing; something that I put into my bag of tools to use on a later hunt. Never stop learning and always keep advancing! Keep your mind open to always learning more! GOOD LUCK!
Jared “J-Rod” Bloomgren is a hardcore Do-It-Yourself bowhunter who strives to better himself each year in the outdoor community. As a professional hunter, freelance writer and photographer, he likes to relive his outdoor adventures through written expression and photography making the reader feel as if they were along on the hunt. He attributes much of his success to the vital education he has learned from the various big game animals that he hunts. He is quoted as saying, “In each and every hunt, success or defeat, I learn something from every outing and that I can put in my arsenal of knowledge to use at a later date, a later date that will again put my wits against that of my prey.”
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Your Opinion Matters by PSE’s Emily Anderson
By Emily Anderson
http://www.fromthedraw.com/
PSE’s Emily Anderson Campfire
Has this ever happened to you? Sitting around the campfire the evening before the morning hunt, several hunters discuss the plan for the morning and one is strangely quiet. Maybe the “one” is new in the group; or maybe the “one” is the token girl…
The question hangs in the air…. does their opinion matter?
Okay, guys, you’ve invited your spouse, girlfriend or daughter into your hunting camp. They’ve now entered your world of hunting and all that comes with it. They no longer question the reason for all the excitement when hunting season comes around. The girls not only understand the hunting fever and all that comes with it, they now join in the fun at every opportunity. You have won over the other side and together you are now counting down the days until you can do it all again each season. Bows, Camouflage, Arrows, Range Finders, Tree Stands, Backpacks. They all come in pairs, and your designated hunting closet space just shrunk – as evidenced by heels replaced by hiking boots.
But here are some questions for you… Do you value their hunting opinion? Do the girls in your world have a say in the planning? Do they get to voice their opinion when discussing the next hunting tactic?
Guys, hear me out. I know you may be cringing a little at this point. You have been hunting a long time and we (ladies) may be presenting some bizarre ideas. However, here is your challenge… Don’t roll your eyes, discredit or discourage us from our attempt to join the conversation and offer our hunting opinion, because in doing so, you may not realize you are squashing the new gal’s attempt to simply join in. I now understand how challenging this may be, because when I started hunting I honestly didn’t know what I was talking about at times, e.g., not considering weather, thermals, hunting pressure, etc. However, my challenge to you guys is to gently explain to the newbie WHY we may be wrong. Don’t extinguish the spark! And who knows? Maybe that crazy idea will shake things up and it is just the out of the box idea that works!
On the flip side, Ladies, you need to consider a few things before just jumping in and flapping your jaw (I’m speaking from experience here). May I be a little vulnerable? At times, I remember being a bit frustrated during my first years of hunting. I wanted to not only join the conversation; I at least wanted my opinion to be valued. I’m not pointing fingers in any way here, I’m simply saying that as a girl it is easy to let your emotions / feelings rule the day and forget to balance it out with reason. So here are some tips to think about before speaking…
Camp
1. Experience – Remember that if you are new to hunting; the friends that have invited you into their camp have more experience than you. The simple fact is experience speaks volumes and demands respect. Yes, you want your opinion to be valued, but it is usually experience that is going to win the day. Don’t forget that and instead of turning a deaf ear, it would behoove you to listen to the wisdom from experienced hunters. They have already experienced the thrill of a close encounter, learned lessons during long stalks, or may even think like the animal being hunted… anticipating their next move.
2. Time – Consider the amount of time the group of hunters you are now hunting with have spent together in the woods. They may have hunted the same unit multiple years together, maybe decades. It takes time to become part of the group and develop your own hunting stories. Cherish the opportunity that you are now part of the group, but honor the memory of past hunts you were not a part of. Let them share the stories, and glean valuable information shared from previous hunts.
Outdoors
3. Territory – Respect the fact they trust you with keeping a secret. Most hunters have a favorite hunting spot which is not even whispered about to a close relative or good friend. It is the honey hole on public land that hasn’t been overtaken yet by the masses. Or even private land acquired through hard work in order to be given permission to hunt. These are the places hunters only tell certain friends about – and if you are one of the privileged ones, respect that!
After considering these things, be thankful you are now part of the team and then jump into the conversation. Your opinion does matter!
Emily Anderson’s hunting journey began shortly after she got married. She enjoys the passions for the outdoors, hunting and fishing as a team with her husband. She established www.FromTheDraw.com as a way to share her stories as a female hunter. Emily lives in Colorado and is currently on an Elk hunt. She is now a PSE Staff Blogger and will be posting daily about her experiences and views on archery and hunting.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Aloha From PSE’s Pedro Ampuero
By Pedro Ampuero
http://www.adventurousbowhunter.com/
PSE’s Pedro Ampuero Surfing
A few weeks ago I had to travel to the state of Hawaii for business. It was a great experience, since being there changed my whole picture of Hawaii as a hunting destination.
The different islands have almost every possible ecosystem, from deep rainforest to deserts and from sandy beaches to high altitude volcanic mountains. You can be surfing in the morning and hunting in the afternoon.
In these highly varied terrains, you can find species like the axis deer, hogs, goats, mouflon, sheep and turkey. It was also nice to discover that you can hunt all year, and that there were lots of bowhunters on the islands.
PSE’s Pedro Ampuero
I found some time to meet with my good friend Ryan Kohatsu to go out hunting mouflon. I was really surprised when we got up to 12.000 feet to find them! I would have never imagined myself hunting sheep at that height in HI.
PSE’s Pedro Ampuero & friend Ryan Kohatsu
So if you are planning some vacations to relax, do not forget Hawaii!
Good luck in the mountains, be safe,
Pedro Ampuero
Pedro Ampuero was raised in Spain, a country full of hunting opportunities in which the hunting season goes year round. He spends many days each year in the field and traveling the world in search of new adventures. You will always find him outdoors scouting, hunting, filming or tracking with his Bavarian bloodhound.
Pedro is a mechanical engineer by trade and a bowhunter by heart. He is the co-founder of the blog AdventurousBowhunter.com and Cazandoconarco.es and has written many articles for the hunting industry and currently collaborates with the most prestigious companies on the industry.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Constructing Ground Blinds in the High Desert By PSE’s Albert Quackenbush
By Albert Quackenbush
www.SoCalBowhunter.com
PSE’ s Albert Quackenbush’s Ground Blind
It is essential to be hidden from plain view when trying to arrow a big game animal. They are smart and have lightning fast response time. We use camouflage, face paint, natural surroundings and blinds to give us an edge. For most of us DIY hunters, saving money is also essential in keeping our wallets full and our spouse happy. Instead of buying an expensive ground blind, you can reduce the cost dramatically by making your own ground blind when in the field. I will focus on deer hunting, but these practices can be used for other game animals as well.
Trimming the dead branches to open up shooting lanes
First and foremost, you must know and understand the laws regarding hunting public and private land for your city, county and state. Believe it or not, there are laws in many places dictating whether or not you can trim a tree on public land. Common items you will find in my pack at all times are a set of pruners. On public land I will use them to trim dead branches or fallen branches. On private land, I will trim whatever the landowner allows me to. For the purpose of this blog I am going to focus on public land ground blinds.
Second is ease of use and accessibility. I don’t have the luxury of hunting close to any road. No, I have to hike in a mile or more in order to find a decent spot to set up. For that reason I don’t use a pop-up blind as they are heavy, bulky and awkward to carry over long distances. While I do a fair share of spot and stalk hunting, I do like setting up in a funnel or pinch point. In the past, I have carried in roll-up blinds to hide my shape from the deer. The drawbacks are carrying it, weight and breaking up the shape of the blind itself. You still need to brush it in when hunting deer because of the straight edges. It defeats the purpose, right? When there isn’t much cover and I have to hike in a long distance I construct my own ground blind.
Adding grass and loose weeds to fill in the gaps
Spot and stalk is one of the preferred methods of hunting out here. When I construct a ground blind I take into consideration that I may locate an animal and need to get after it quickly or get a more open area for a shot. I choose a spot that will give me plenty of protection visually, but also give me an escape without impeding my mobility. What I mean by this is that I will at least give myself an open area to dash out if need be. When choosing my spot I also make sure that I have plenty of shooting lanes.
I will find a funnel, pinch point, food source or well used trail and set up a blind in an ambush area. I am certain to choose a spot where my back is against a bush or brush so that it breaks up my outline. A tree that is as wide as or wider than my shoulders is preferred, but in the high desert where I hunt, finding a tree can prove difficult to find.
Clearing out debris for quiet movement
Clearing the ground of debris is next on my mental checklist. Loose branches and leaves are shuffled to the imaginary edge of where I think the edge of the finished blind will be.
In my pack I carry a large piece of camouflage netting. I will string this between the bushes or across the brush and anchor it. This netting will break up my silhouette and will hide me better from approaching animals. Once I get it to where it isn’t flapping around, I then spend a few minutes collecting downed branches, large and small. If I can find some with leaves on them that is a plus. When I find a branch that is too large I take out my pruning shears and clip them down to make them smaller. Stack them about two feet high if possible and be sure to make it dense enough so you can’t see through it. If you can see through, so can the deer! I collect grasses and weeds and tuck them into the crevices to be sure a deer can’t see through my set up.
Camouflage netting comes in handy for making DIY ground blinds
After the outside looks good, I get behind the blind and draw my bow. I do this to ensure I have plenty of shooting lanes and that the netting or any branches do not impeding my shooting. If I find a branch in my way I get out my pruners and trim them back. Once that is set, I am ready to hunt.
Picking up loose branches and grasses
After my hunt, I am sure to take the blind apart. I remove the branches and weeds and scatter them around. Then I take down my netting and pack it up. Because I hunt public land, most times I set up a blind it is used only once, unless I find this is a great area with little pressure. Even then, I tear down the blind so other hunters don’t spot it and also figure out it’s a good spot.
Albert Quackenbush has been bowhunting for more than 28 years. He shares his adventures on his blog, www.SoCalBowhunter.com, and also writes for Bow Adventures e-magazine. He is a Pro Staff member for DIYbowhunter.com, Piranha Custom Bowstrings and Field Logic. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, and is a Life Member of the North American Hunting Club.
Albert was born and raised in New York State where he learned to hunt everything from squirrels to whitetail deer. He currently resides in Southern California with his wife and daughter and hunts year round.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Dustin Jones Explains the Benefits of a Tree Stand
By Dustin Jones
http://www.highcountrybowhunter.com/
View From 2 5Feet
Hunting can be done in many different ways. You can set up and do a spot and stalk hunt, set up a ground blind, or even set up a tree stand. Whichever way you choose to hunt the key is to stay out of view. There are many instances where one set up would be preferred over the other but I want to focus on a couple of the benefits of sitting in a tree stand.
One of the major benefits of sitting in a tree stand is obviously being above the animal you are hunting. When you are up in a tree you are able to see further which can help you prepare for your shot. As you watch that animal make its way towards you, you can prepare yourself mentally as well as physically. When I see that deer or elk moving in closer, I start to determine where he will come walking by and where my shot will be. Then as quietly as possible I start to position myself while watching the animal so that I am not getting busted. They still look up in the trees so it is important to make very subtle movements as you are preparing for the shot.
Deadly View From TreeStand
Also being above the ground you are carrying your scent up the tree with you. I know that your scent will be dispersed as you are sitting in the tree, but you are up off the ground instead of on the same level as their nose. I’m not saying that you do not need to worry about scent control. Scent control should be a ritual no matter what style of hunting you are doing. While I am sitting in my stand I like to carry a scent wafer that I can set on a limb next to me to help cover my scent because let’s be honest, according to deer we stink.
The most important thing to remember about sitting in a tree stand is safety. Always wear a safety harness while in your stand, there is no animal worth the chance of sitting your stand and seriously injuring yourself or worse. When you are setting up your stand be sure to set it up at a distance that you are comfortable with. If you are uneasy with heights then set up your stand at a height that you are able to sit in comfortably. With this being said, I like to set my stand anywhere from 20 – 25 feet off the ground. This height for me is comfortable and it gives me a great view of the surrounding area.
Dustin Jones is a passionate outdoorsman who loves to hunt, especially bowhunt. He created his blog, HighCountryBowhunter.com, to share his experiences with others. He is a Field Staff member for DIYbowhunter.com and Adventure Team member for MINOX Hunting Optics.
Dustin was born and raised in Eastern Idaho where he currently resides with his wife and two sons.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Will Jenkins Says Don’t Stop Now!
By Will Jenkins
http://www.thewilltohunt.com/
Target Practice
Practicing that is! If you’re still toting a bow into the woods it’s likely you’ve been spending a lot of your spare time hunting rather than practicing. When really there’s no more important time to practice then right now for several reasons. If you haven’t had a very successful season have you even shot lately? Is your form staying consistent? After dragging your bow through the woods has anything shifted?
I’ll start with perhaps the one thing that is most likely to screw up your hunt if you aren’t currently practicing and it really doesn’t have to do with lack of practice. If you’ve been walking miles through the woods carrying a bow sending it up and down a pull rope from your tree stand or letting it bounce around in your truck things may have shifted. Even if you take every precaution before season tightening everything down to make sure it doesn’t move, it still can.
3D Practice Photo taken By Mark Huelsing
If there’s ever a time to practice on a 3D target it’s now. I don’t stand in the yard flinging dozens of arrows like I might do over the summer because my free time is a little short this time of year but I do try to put 5-7 arrows into a 3D target a couple of times per week. This makes sure that my form and my bow are consistent and I’m practicing shooting at the same target I hope to encounter in the woods. When hunting I don’t usually shoot more than one arrow, so I focus on making my first shot the best it can be and see how it ends up. I usually take my first shot at 20 yards because that is my most likely shot in the woods. Then I take a shot at 30, 40 and 50 yards then if time allows another shot back down at each distance back down to 20. So at most right there I’m sending 7 arrows out at varying distances and keeping check of my for the whole way.
PSE’s Will Jenkins Tree Stand
This quick practice a couple of times per week helps me ensure that my bow is in good shape, my form is consistent and it definitely helps my confidence when headed to the stand. I also try to mix in some shots from a tree stand in my back yard just to make sure that I’m still hitting where I think when shooting from elevation. While we’re heading into the end of the season, if you’re still carrying a bow to the woods it’s no time to get lazy and stop practicing!
Will Jenkins is creator of TheWilltoHunt.com and Harnesses For Hunters. He’s an avid outdoorsman who enjoys sharing his experiences through his blog. He also writes for Bow Adventures e-Magazine and is a member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association.< em>Will lives in Central Virginia with his wife and two kids. He hunts in Virginia and Maryland but has dreams of heading west to hunt Elk and Mule Deer.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Jared Bloomgren Spot and Stalking Part II
By Jared Bloomgren
Jared goes over terrain features and counts the various features to be sure where he is at once he starts the stalk.
In my last blog I covered the spotting portion and now let’s get to the really really fun part; STALKING!
After I have glassed up an animal that I want to stalk I come up with a plan of how to kill that animal. Things to consider:
1. Is the animal in a stalk-able situation?
2. Are the winds and/or thermals right?
3. Is the terrain and/or concealment adequate and passable?
4. Is there enough time in the day to complete the stalk?
5. Do you know the terrain? What is between you and the animal that you have to overcome?
6. The animal’s behavior?
Is the animal in a stalk-able situation?
I look at the animals location and can quickly determine if the stalk is do-able or not by looking at various things.
Are the winds and/or thermals rights?
Knowing the way thermals work in the area you are hunting is very important. Knowing when thermals switch directions and prevailing winds in the area are very important. This will determine which way you go about the stalk. And sometimes you may not be able to do the stalk because the winds are not correct and the terrain doesn’t give you the concealment needed for the wind direction. Wind direction and thermals will always dictate which direction you go at the animal. Sometimes that direction will not allow you a stalk because of the terrain.
Is the terrain/concealment adequate?
Think about an animal bedded on an open ridge with a gentle facing slope versus an animal bedded below a cut bank or cliff. It is obvious which one warrants a better stalk. Pick apart the terrain around the animal and find which route offers you the concealment and terrain features needed to get close enough for a shot. What is the ground like? Is it noisy? Will dry and crunchy twigs, branches, grass or even snow make it difficult? Using something to cover up noise is very important. I like to slip on “Sneaky Pete Feet” over my boots or remove my boots altogether and slip on extra socks. This will greatly cover up the noise you may make. Another thing to consider during this time is if you can approach the animal from above or below. Generally speaking an animal will be facing downhill and it seems that they usually expect danger to come from below. If possible I will always try to complete my stalk by coming from above. You need to determine if the wind direction and thermals will allow this. If not, coming from below is not out of the question either. It usually just takes more work.
Various changes in terrain make a stalk more difficult.
Is there enough time in the day to complete the stalk?
Stalks can vary greatly on how much time it will take to complete. I have had stalks that took only one hour and on the other end of the spectrum I have had stalks that have taken over 8 hours to complete. There are so many factors that come into play. I have run out of daylight before and was forced to back out of the stalk entirely. Knowing if you have enough time will help you determine if you should pursue or wait until another day. For example, this fall I found a large mule deer buck bedded in an area where I felt I could close the distance before it got dark. I had 2 1/2 hours to kill that buck and I thought I had plenty of time. Unfortunately for me I didn’t study the terrain enough to notice that there were some very large cuts between me and that buck that I couldn’t see. It caused me to run out of daylight and had to back out and wait for another opportunity, another day…….hopefully!
One you get into the cedar trees it can be easy to loose track.
Do you know the terrain? What is between you and the animal that you have to overcome?
That was a problem on that stalk. I didn’t judge the terrain accurately causing me to run out of daylight. It is very important while planning your stalk that you know what kind of terrain is between you and that animal. I often times study a topographic map so I know exactly what is between us. On that hunt I did not have my map and the various cuts and terrain changes were not visible. I know the stalk would have been successful given more time to complete it. If I would have known I simply would not have tried the stalk. Next time……hopefully! Before setting off I also like to pick some terrain features that will help me decide where I am at during the stalk. These will help keep me on track at any given time. When you get under way things will look much different when you are completing the stalk. It is mind blowing how much the look and lay of the land seems to change from what you remember when you were perched high on your vantage point. Having terrain features to reference is very important. Terrain features that are easy to identify and stand out will help you along the way.
Stalking a deer below this distant ridge requires paying particular attention to what the thermals are doing.
The animal’s behavior?
How is the animal acting? If the animal is calm and close to taking a nap that will greatly increase the odds of you making him take a dirt nap! If the animal is very skittish and nervous he will likely be on the lookout for any kind of danger! All ungulates know that in order to survive they need to be on the lookout at all times. With coyotes, wolves, bears, lions, and humans they are constantly scanning for the unknown danger. I always let an animal calm down before closing the final portion of the stalk, the “Red Zone.”
That is the low down and dirty fun part. To this day I still learn something on each and every stalk. There is one small section left and that is what I like to call the “Red Zone.” The final 100 yards to that animal. On my next blog I will talk about the “Red Zone.”
Jared “J-Rod” Bloomgren is a hardcore Do-It-Yourself bowhunter who strives to better himself each year in the outdoor community. As a professional hunter, freelance writer and photographer, he likes to relive his outdoor adventures through written expression and photography making the reader feel as if they were along on the hunt. He attributes much of his success to the vital education he has learned from the various big game animals that he hunts. He is quoted as saying, “In each and every hunt, success or defeat, I learn something from every outing and that I can put in my arsenal of knowledge to use at a later date, a later date that will again put my wits against that of my prey.”
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