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Laughing at Sharp-Tailed Grouse
By Christine Rowe
My dad would often take my sister and me along on surveys for his work as a wildlife biologist when we were young. One of these outings was in the northwest Wisconsin barrens, a unique habitat managed largely for sharp-tailed grouse. On that day, my dad grabbed a pizza from the gas station and brought my sister and me to a blind in the scrubby prai... READ MORE
Boots On the Ground
By Marina Childress
The importance of scouting and knowing the land you hunt
Summer finally came to an end, and our favorite time of the year has arrived. It’s officially time to put your phone on DND (do not disturb) and climb into a treestand. It’s deer season!
Even with all the hard work you did in the summer to prepare, you still have to get a go... READ MORE
Storms and Deer Seasons - The good, the bad and the ugly of major weather events.
By Marina Childress
The images of hurricane devastation are heartbreaking, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people who lost so much in the recent storms. Helene left a path of devastation through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and into the Carolinas.
Major weather events also have a big impact on wildlife, including the #1 object of most hunters’ a... READ MORE
Scent and Lure Basics
By Marina Childress,
OTR Influencer
Using deer lures and attractants can increase your chances to bag a big buck, especially during the rut. Rutting bucks become so focused on breeding that they’re more susceptible to scent-based attractants.
If using scents seems intimidating, read on. Let’s start with the basics.
What type of lures/attractants ar... READ MORE
Burn, Baby, Burn - Why a prescribed burning program is beneficial to whitetails and whitetail habitat.
By Jonah Hyatt
Prescribed burning, or controlled burning, is a valuable management tool used to enhance habitat quality for white-tailed deer by improving food availability, cover and overall ecosystem health. Properly executed, it can yield numerous benefits for deer and the habitats they rely on. Following are some key advantages of prescribed burning.
1. ... READ MORE
Upland Hunting With A Bird Dog
By Renee Flatland
Picture this: A group of men and women dressed in orange on a crisp fall morning, walking through cattails carrying their firearms, loaded and ready to take aim. But they have no dogs with them. That just wouldn’t be right. When you think about upland hunting, the first thing you will need to consider is a dog. Sure, you can walk out in a fie... READ MORE
Don’t Bug Me
By Bob Humphrey
Besides bad weather, few things can spoil an outdoor adventure, and possibly present a potential health risk, than creepy, crawling critters. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid or address the host of six- and eight-legged biting, stinging pests you may encounter.
Big Stingers
In general, large stinging insects like hornets, wasps and be... READ MORE
Cheesy Stuffed Meatballs
By Buckmasters
Tailgating and Football are huge around our house, so we are always trying to come up with tasty new snacks to try! We love having people over for game day and cheering on your favorite teams while chowing down on some awesome eats! So for this one, we wanted to try something different with meatballs and they turned out excellent. ... READ MORE
Backyard Archery
By P.J. Reily
Archery is a sport the whole family can enjoy. Whether you have girls or boys, as long as they’re at least 5 years old, archery is something they can do with mom and dad, grandma and grandpa. And under the right conditions, and with the right setup, you can shoot your bows right in the backyard.
So what do you need to have a safe, fun back... READ MORE
Late Summer Deer Watching
By P.J. Reilly
It’s the last two hours of a beautiful late summer evening. The air is still. The cicadas are singing. And the deer are filtering out of the woods into the local fields. Now’s the time to grab multiple sets of binoculars, pack the family into the truck, onto the bikes or into their boots, and head out for some deer watching.
Late sum... READ MORE
The Importance of Soil Testing in the Whitetail World
By Buckmasters
Creating a successful food plot for whitetail deer is more than just scattering seeds and hoping for the best. To attract and sustain a healthy deer population, the quality of the forage you plant is critical. One of the most important steps in ensuring the success of your food plot is conducting a soil test. This simple yet often overlooked proces... READ MORE
Choosing The Right Arrow for a Compound Bow
By Buckmasters
Choosing the right arrow for a compound bow is crucial for accuracy, effectiveness, and safety in hunting or target shooting. Several factors, such as the type of game you're hunting, the poundage of your bow, and the length of your arrow, play significant roles in this decision.
1. Type of Game You're Hunting
Small Game: If you’re ... READ MORE
Grilled Panko Crusted Red Snapper on the Half Shell!
By Buckmasters
If you ever get a chance to get your hands on some red snapper, then this recipe is a must try! The good thing is that it doesn't necessarily have to be red snapper, it can be any type of fish. We were lucky enough to go out and catch these red snappers ourselves, so they were super fresh and absolutely incredible! Now follow alon... READ MORE
The Importance of Whitetail Mineral Sites
By Buckmasters
It’s no secret, mineral sites are the way to help strengthen and grow your deer herd during any time of the year, but especially the summer months. The biggest question we get however is, what do these mineral sites consist of?
Whitetail Mineral Sites: “In case you are new here”
Whitetail mineral sites are designated are... READ MORE
Get Bit!
By Buckmasters
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 a... READ MORE
America’s Wolf: The Red Wolf
By Aspen Stevanovski
Everybody knows about gray wolves (Canis lupus), the robust canids made famous during the Yellowstone reintroduction. But what most people forget about are the critically endangered red wolf (Canis rufus) native to the southeastern and midwestern United States. Those who do know about red wolves might have questions or heard concerning things about... READ MORE
Mastering the Art of Catching Bass on Their Beds
By Buckmasters
Bass fishing during the spawning season offers anglers an exhilarating challenge: catching bass on their beds. It's a time when the bass are guarding their nests with ferocity, presenting a unique opportunity for skilled anglers. Figuring out the art of catching bass on their beds requires understanding their behavior, employing the right technique... READ MORE
Introducing Children to Fishing
By Buckmasters
Introducing a child to fishing can be a rewarding and enriching experience for both kids and parents alike. Not only does it offer an opportunity to bond with nature, but it also teaches valuable life skills such as patience, perseverance, and respect for the environment. Here are some tips on how to get kids interested and involved in fishing:
... READ MORE
Venison Coffee Cake Breakfast Fatty
By Buckmasters
A breakfast fatty is one of my favorite things to make! Just for the fact that they are so versatile and not mention, quite tasty! So for this one, we took venison sausage and stuffed it with coffee cake! It is the perfect combo of sweet and savory and makes for one incredible bite!
Nothing beats those cold mornings at the hunt... READ MORE
Beaver Trapping
By Norm Haley
Article provided by: Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Beaver play a crucial role in the ecosystems where they live, engineering habitat which generates a tremendous diversity of plants, animals, and aquatic life. However, beaver numbers in Alabama have increased to the point of causing millions of dollars in economic damage annually. T... READ MORE