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Deer Hunting Hacks for Locating a Big Buck
By Buckmasters
When it comes to scouting for whitetails, good places to start include obvious trails, pinch points and heavy cover, but if you find these things around food and water sources, you’re golden. Food and water sources are the keys for locating whitetails. Just like humans, deer always need food and water. The hard part is determining which ... READ MORE
Southern Pine Beetle Assistance Available for Alabama Forest Landowners
By Alabama Cooperative Extension System
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Southern pine beetles (SBPs) have the potential to ravage pine forests and decimate the investments of timber owners. What seems to start with one infested tree can quickly multiply into a big problem. Education about this species and new relief funding are key to protecting vulnerable natural resources.
Biolo... READ MORE
Scraping the Surface
By David Hart
Forget everything you thought you knew about scrapes.
The bare spot on the old logging road wasn’t there yesterday. A closer look revealed a healthy track in the fresh dirt and a few shiny, dull-green pellets. The low-hanging branches above the clearing had been stripped bare, and the tips of the limbs had been whittled down to frayed nubs. ... READ MORE
Patterns for Success
By Tracy Breen
If you want to be like the best, act like the best.
We all know that hunter who always seems to fill his tag. It doesn’t matter if the rut is early, late or slow, some guys always manage to fill the freezer. Many such hunters seem to take bigger than average bucks, too. I’ve had the pleasure to interview many guys and gals who fall int... READ MORE
More on Movement
By Darren Warner
Bucks might move less during hunting season, but they’re still there.
My hunting setup was perfect. The wind was right, my hunting equipment was in perfect tune and my trail cameras told me I was in the right spot. It was shaping up to be my best deer season ever — until I didn’t see any bucks.
You’ve probably had similar ... READ MORE
Road Trip
By Ken Piper
Advice for getting the most from an outfitted hunt.
“Oh my God!” I had been in the stand just 15 minutes when I saw the buck. I actually said that out loud, but the stiff wind on that November afternoon covered the sound. The giant had its head down — it was probably cruising for does — and quickly closed the distance. I ha... READ MORE
Don’t Be Stubborn
By P.J. Reilly
Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy. We deer hunters sometimes get set in our ways. Year in and year out, we hunt the same areas, put our stands in the same trees, hunt the same times of day during the same periods of the season. We use the same gear and the same tactics. Often, we do this with good reason. It works, and we fill tags. But the... READ MORE
Designer Food Plots
By Steve Bartylla
A little extra thought and effort can make your food plot stand out. Just 20 years ago, leaving some standing farm crops or planting anything to attract deer was considered cutting edge. It was such a novelty that deer would come from miles to take advantage of the extra food. Ten years ago, planting one of the better food plot blends achieved equa... READ MORE
Kids and Magnums
By Ryan Noffsinger
How I built my child’s confidence in heavy calibers.
In 2015, my son Luke and I traveled from Alabama to hunt whitetails with an outfitter in western Kentucky.
It was opening morning of the youth firearm season, as we sat in a ground blind over-looking a long food plot.
Luke, 11, waited quietly with his .300 Win Mag — that’s r... READ MORE
Adrenaline Intervention
By Darron McDougal
How to close the deal when a giant buck appears I’ve heard hundreds of blown-shot stories over the years, many of which could have ended happily if the hunter had held his composure. Those accounts were from the few who were brave enough to admit they’d failed. Far more hunters keep their botched opportunities a secret. It’s heart... READ MORE
What’s for Dinner?
By Tracy Breen
Proper field care and a few simple recipes can change the minds of venison haters. We deer hunters love our venison. We grill it, fry it, grind it and turn it into jerky or chili. Unfortunately, not all venison meals turn out the way we plan them. And it only takes one or two bad dishes to turn the rest of the family against venison for good. Scott... READ MORE
What Goes Up
By P.J. Reilly
Try these safety precautions for hanging, and hunting from, treestands. Anyone who has ever deer hunted knows the excitement and joy that accompanies a season opener. In Pennsylvania, emotions for the gun season opener run especially high. Going hunting on this day is a tradition with deep roots. Today, businesses and schools still close their door... READ MORE
Turn the Tables
By Bob Humphrey
When your hunting efforts produce nothing but lemons, make lemonade. Humans, like deer, are creatures of habit. Just like a wily old whitetail, our downfall is sometimes the result of falling into a pattern. Fortunately, we have the unique ability to reason, even if we don’t always use it to our advantage. When your preferred hunting methods ... READ MORE
Seedless Food Plots
By David Hart
You don’t need a tractor to attract deer. It’s just about impossible to pick up a hunting magazine without seeing something related to food plots. Whether it’s a feature on choosing the right seed or selecting the best site, it seems like everyone is jumping on the food plot bandwagon. There’s no question food plots can impr... READ MORE
Reading Buck Sign
By David Hart
What do we really know about the things bucks leave behind? It looks like just another pile of deer poop to you, but your friend doesn’t hesitate. “That’s a giant buck,” he says. “See how it’s in a large clump? See how thick and long it is? Big buck.” You ponder his confidence, wondering if he’s about... READ MORE
Hog Control with Cellular Controlled Trapping
By Cody Hall
Wild hogs continue to spread at alarming rates throughout the southern regions of the United States, and one of the only ways proven to be effective at reducing their numbers is using remote cellular trapping. Thermal hunting can be a fun and easy way to get outdoors with friends and enjoy an almost real-life video game experience, but it is not th... READ MORE
Managing Soil Nutrients in Wildlife Food Plots
By Cole Sikes | Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Food plots need good soil and even better nutrients. These are necessities for growth. Crafting the perfect plot takes time. Simply cultivating soil and throwing out seed is not enough to lure in the perfect buck. Plots require science, which serves as the recipe for an ideal hunting experience. Soil BasicsTo get started from the ground up, every l... READ MORE
Get Bit!
By Cody Hall
You haven't fished until you've done it bare-handed! Handfishing, hogging, grabbling, noodling — whatever you want to call it, the concept is the same: go under water and catch a catfish with your bare hands! If that sounds more scary than exciting, then read on. Chances are the dangers and fears you might have about noodling are unfounded. H... READ MORE
Shed Quest
By Bob Humphrey
Who says deer hunting ends in the fall? Whether you're trying to keep tabs on which bucks made it through winter or you're just looking for a fun family-oriented activity, shed hunting is a great way to spend some quality time outdoors. Before you head out, however, what follows are a few quick tips to make your hunt more successful. WHEN You can f... READ MORE
Choosing the Right Backyard Target
By P.J. Reilly
Is there a better way to spend quality family time in the outdoors than slinging a few arrows in the backyard?
The backyard is the perfect place for archery, provided you've got the space to safely shoot. It's always open. It's right outside your door, and there's never a crowd.
All you need is a target, your bow and some arrows. Choosing the rig... READ MORE