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Tuning Broadheads Is Key To Good Arrow Flight
By Ken Piper
Most bowhunters today realize the importance of tuning their bows and testing their broadhead flight before hunting. Just because one broadhead flies well doesn't mean that you are done tuning, however. Three different broadheads from the same package often will fly differently on your arrows. Install your broadheads and give each one the spin test... READ MORE
Go With Layers, But Don't Overdo It
By Ken Piper
This is the time of year when weather starts to really get nasty on deer hunters. Most know to dress in layers, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind when trying to keep out the cold. Your feet are one of the hardest body parts to keep warm, and if you put on too many socks (layers) you'll really suffer. Your feet need at leas... READ MORE
Concealment As Needed
By Patrick Dunning
I recently relocated my cell camera and established a fresh feed site on a property I have permission to hunt and received photos that night of some decent bucks and one three-year-old in particular that has my attention right now.
I need a north or north, northwest wind to hunt this buck, maybe getting away with wind out of the south, and... READ MORE
The Rut Is Here -- Get Back To The Main Trails
By Ken Piper
The peak of the rut is here, or will come soon just about everywhere hunters pursue whitetails. It's an exciting time to be in the woods, but we sometimes tend to complicate it more than necessary. Scents and lures can work during this vulnerable time for the bucks, but you still need to be in the right place. Now is a great time to head back to th... READ MORE
If You Have To Ask, The Answer is "NO!"
By Ken Piper
We've all heard horror stories of wounded deer, and bowhunters in particular are prone to be the subject of these sad tales. The real statistics show that wounded deer are far less common than stories indicate, but a common theme of many of these stories is that the shooter took an "iffy" shot -- maybe the distance was a little too far or maybe the... READ MORE
Close Your Eyes To See The Light
By Ken Piper
Here's a tip to use when setting up a bow or gun for hunting. When drawing a bow to set a kisser button and/or peep sight, close your eyes before you draw. The same holds when setting up a scope on a gun or when testing stock length -- close your eyes and pull up the gun. It's amazing how many compensations you make when your eyes are open -- and y... READ MORE
Big Bucks Can Hide in Small Places
By Ken Piper
Most hunters tend to look for big bucks in the most remote, nasty and impenetrable places -- and it's certainly true that your odds of taking a bigger buck are better in places other hunters refuse to enter. There are some very successful deer hunters, however, who take record-book bucks using a different tactic with the same principle. Look for sm... READ MORE
Rangefinders: A Hunter's Best Friend
By Ken Piper
In recent years, the proliferation of the laser rangefinder has given hunters a tremendous tool to hunt more responsibly and increase their success. Laser rangefinders give hunters previously unheard-of ability to accurately measure distance to ranges of a half mile or more.
This allows all hunters, whether they shoot rifle, bow or muzzlel... READ MORE
How Much Is Enough?
By Ken Piper
With so many great scent, grunt and rattle products out there, it's tough to figure out the right mix. I mean, how much scent is too much, and how much rattling or grunting, or rattling AND grunting is enough?
The problem is that the answer could be different on any given day -- it's up to the deer. With that in mind, though, it's safe to ... READ MORE
You Can Conquer Buck Fever
By Ken Piper
It's amazing how all those hours and hours of steady-handed practice go out the window when a deer actually appears under your stand. Buck Fever can strike veteran or novice hunters, and the deer doesn't have to be a buck -- but it's certainly more severe and harder to overcome when the deer has antlers on his head.
Experience and time spe... READ MORE
If You Have To Ask, The Answer is "NO!"
By Ken Piper
We've all heard horror stories of wounded deer, and bowhunters in particular are prone to be the subject of these sad tales. The real statistics show that wounded deer are far less common than stories indicate, but a common theme of many of these stories is that the shooter took an "iffy" shot -- maybe the distance was a little too far or maybe the... READ MORE
After the Shot
By Ken Piper
We all put a lot of preparation into having our equipment sighted in and ready. As a community, we hunters have done a great job of educating one another about the importance of making a good, clean shot on our deer. Many of us in the outdoors media have been so focused on that issue that we've forgotten the second part of each successful deer hunt... READ MORE
The Shift
By Ken Piper
This is the time of year when many hunters become frustrated. You did your scouting and you had been seeing deer, but now you are struggling. What happened? First, the deer are probably reacting to hunting pressure. Second, they might be shifting their feeding habits. As acorns and other mast crops become available, and as farm fields are harvested... READ MORE
Warm Weather Deer Care
By Buckmasters
Many archery seasons have begun across the country, and the way the weather has been the past few years, warm temperatures can carry on well into the gun seasons. Proper care of your harvested deer is essential. Buckmasters Online volunteer biologist Dana Johnson says it is critical to get your deer meat cooled down as quickly as possible.
... READ MORE
Watch for Unwanted Guests in Treestands
By Buckmasters
Many hunters either leave treestands up from year to year or use permanent stands. When going to check your stand for the first time in a few months, always be prepared for unwanted guests. Bees, ants, spiders, snakes and other critters find treestands even more comfortable than we do, and they will look upon your return as an intrusion.
If you a... READ MORE
Keep 'em Cool
By Buckmasters
This is the time of year when many hunters hesitate to take a deer for the freezer because of the temperature. Indian Summer days can cause a deer to spoil quickly, but there are things you can do to help keep your deer in great eating condition.
First, getting the hide off the meat is ideal because it holds in the heat. If you have a port... READ MORE
Buck Hideouts Come in Small Packages
By Buckmasters
Most hunters expect to find deer in the more remote places where they hunt, but bucks -- and pressured deer in general -- have a knack for finding small hidey-holes where hunters don't look. Small patches of woods, windbreaks and fence rows make great deer hideouts. The deer can see and hear danger coming from far away, and often these locations ke... READ MORE
Think About The Angles
By Buckmasters
Often we get so focused on hitting a certain spot on a deer that we fail to think about the angles. It is important to remember that deer do not usually stand perfectly broadside, and the entry and exit holes of your shot need to be taken into consideration. For example, the archer who shoots at his backyard 3-D deer every day zeroes in on that vit... READ MORE
Use Deer Obstacles to Your Advantage
By Buckmasters
Obstacles, both man-made and natural, can be great deer funnels. Did you ever notice how several deer trails will come together at certain crossings along a stream? How about a fence-crossing? Whitetails tend to pick certain spots to cross or go around these obstacles, and setting up near one of these funnel-points can increase your odds. Just as d... READ MORE
It Won't Be Long Now; It's Time to Tune
By Buckmasters
Whether you use fixed-blade or mechanical broadheads, tuning your bow will make your arrows fly better.If you have access to a paper tuning device, by all means use it.A paper-tuned bow will shoot almost any broadhead with minimal, if any, adjustment. If you can't use a paper tuner, shoot your arrows with a head identical to one you'll be using in ... READ MORE