Scouting Deer During Winter Seasons

If you are a deer hunter, then winter is probably a never ending season of waiting. Since the fall hunting season is over there is not very much action related to deer hunting. In some places the winters are so rough that it can be difficult to even get outside to practice shooting your bow or rifle.

However, winter is still great in one way that you can stay connected to your hobby. Winter is really a great time to go and scout what the deer are doing around your favorite hunting spots. Scouting in the winter is not nearly as disturbing to the deer than scouting right before the hunting season begins. If the winter is so horrible that the deer are all gathered up in survival mode, then you they should be left alone.

If your idea of scouting is to go check things out right before the season is starting, then you are not helping the situation. Stomping all over the wilderness, while spreading your smell is not good for hunting. However, scoping out things during winter when the season has just ending does not disturb things very much.

This is also the case when you are trying to figure out the movements of a big buck. If you are going to follow them into their bedding area and bother them during the season then there are less chances of seeing one from the stand diminish. They are very sensitive to the presence of humans and they will certainly go hide out somewhere else.

However, if you are scouting when there is snow on the ground, you will not run into these issues. Even if you happen to scare a buck out of his secure area, then it still will not bother him by the time the next hunting season starts. Winter is the best time to learn about the patterns of behavior of the buck. This is also good time to scout out areas that are good for your hunting stands.

Winter makes it simple for hunters to find the routes deer are going through and bedding spots. Snow on the grounds also makes it a lot clearer where these routes are. Yes, the routes will change somewhat when the deer hunting season begins. Although the basic trails they are using as they leave bedding cover does not change.

There are plenty of clues to seek out during the winter, but the most obvious is a buck rub. Bucks make tons of rubs as they polish their antlers and practice sparring for the breeding season. The amount and quality of these rubs can give you a lot of information. Further, the big rub indicates that there is a good buck in the area. The rub line also gives you good information. A good rub line is a great place to have a shooting stand ready for the season.

It is also a good idea to go in early to cut shooting lanes. Sometimes the hunting area you choose can become very thick and it can make things more difficult. Finding a way to get out into the woods and staying connected with hunting can make your winter more bearable.

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How an ATV Can Enhance Your Hunting Trip

In the old days, hunters had to walk long distances to reach their prey. Often, this meant leaving camp before the break of dawn, so they would have enough time to trek several miles to their tree stands or blinds. Not only did this give hunters less time in the woods, it led to exhaustion. It also limited the areas they could hunt, which made it more difficult for them to successfully locate deer, turkey, elk or whatever else they might be after.

ATVs Make Hunting Much Easier

Nowadays, hunters utilize all-terrain vehicles to make their trips easier, more comfortable and more successful. ATVs can offer hunters a host of benefits, including:

• Less Fatigue - Instead of having to get up early to walk tens of miles to their hunting spots, modern hunters can climb aboard their ATVs and get there in a matter of minutes. This helps prevent unnecessary fatigue associated with hiking over steep ridges and through rough woodland areas.


• More Efficiency - Because they are able to easily sail across undeveloped land, ATVs allow hunters to access areas that might normally be out of reach. This opens up new possibilities, allowing hunters to follow their prey wherever they might hide out.


• More Comfort - Obviously, sore feet can make a hunting trip miserable; however, excessive walking can cause other problems as well. Because deer hunting season tends to fall in the late autumn, hunters are often forced to endure very cold weather. When they must walk long distances, people tend to work up a sweat. Unfortunately, once they reach their tree stand or blind, hunters tend to stop moving. At this point, because he or she is wet from sweat, the average hunter tends to get very cold. ATVs can help prevent this by making it much easier to get from point A to point B.

Important Considerations

While ATVs can provide hunters with a host of benefits, they can also get them in some trouble. If you take your ATV deep into woodland areas, you'd better be sure you have survival accessories with you in case it breaks down. Likewise, it is critical that you test the battery before you head out. A dead battery can leave you stranded far from help. This can be especially scary and dangerous when night falls and temperatures plummet. Before you head out on your next hunting trip, be sure to service your all-terrain vehicle and make sure it is equipped with a new or fully-charged battery.

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Eberlestock Gunslinger - Is It a Hunting or Tactical Backpack?

In the mid 80's Glen Eberle redesigned the stock of the traditional Olympic Biathlon rifle and thus reduced the weight by several pounds while making it much stronger. A big plus for a race of endurance and accuracy. It gained acceptance and became the standard for Olympic-class biathlon rifles. Eberlestock was born, although not adopted as the company name until years later. Since then the company has branched out from rifle stocks into other related areas with Eberlestock backpacks being one of those markets.

The Origins of The Gunslinger

In 2004 the Eberlestock Gunslinger was introduced as a hunting backpack. As the name suggests, it was outfitted with a scabbard in the back of the pack to accommodate a hunting rifle. However, in 2005 it was upgraded to fit a military grade weapon such as an M16 and the pack was designated the GS05. The main features of the GS05 or Gunslinger are:

• Scabbard for rifle
• Top load pack with convenient full side access
• Top cover compartment - holds ammo or small electronics
• Adjustable or removable waist belt
• Fully adjustable shoulder harness
• MOLLE webbing
• Hydration sleeve

The capacity of the pack is equivalent to about a 3 day pack or about 50 - 60 litre (3000 - 3600 cu in). The rifle scabbard folds into the bottom of the pack so a shorter weapon can be carried easily or unfolded for longer rifles. The top cover has a sleeve that unfolds and therefore can be used to cover the exposed portion of the rifle thus allowing you to fully enclose a rifle up to 60" long.

Interestingly, the GS05 is sized to meet carry-on dimensions so it can be used as a travel backpack. With the scabbard folded into the bottom it is wide enough to hold a laptop. But keep in mind that there is a difference between simply holding a laptop and being designed to safely protect a laptop while being carried. The GS05 is not a laptop backpack.

An Unexpected Need

The Gunslinger was originally designed by Eberle to be a hunting backpack and met with high approval from hunters. But early on troops in the Gulf used it in special operations because it was sturdy and durable plus comfortably handles the M16 or a sniper rifle. So it is common to find it being used by US troops. Thus the connection was made between a rifle backpack designed to improve the hunters experience and the military application by special forces that found the same pack to be highly useful for combat operations.

The New Version

Recently the Gunslinger/GS05 has been upgraded with a new version, the Gunslinger II or sometimes referred to as the Gunslinger 2. It has three primary upgrades.

1. The main compartment has been changed to feature both top load and front load capability.
2. The gun scabbard has been enlarged to better accommodate weapons with large optics or larger body.
3. The bottom of the scabbard has been widened to allow for rifles to be loaded either butt down or butt up.

The Gunslinger 2 comes in two styles, the G2H for hunters and the G2M for military. Both have Padlock (PALS) interior webbing and MOLLE exterior webbing. But the G2H comes with a familiar hunting camo patterns while the G2M has more military coloring like Dry Earth (brown); black or green.

So, is the Gunslinger II a tactical backpack or a hunting backpack? The answer is that it is whatever you need it to be. Originally it was designed as a hunters pack but practical application has made it at home in the backcountry or on the battle front.

Learning the Basics of Deer Hunting

Hunting is an activity that man has engaged in since prehistoric times. Since that time, man has developed skills and technology to make hunting more efficient. Even today, hunting equipment is being improved upon for the benefit of hunters. Of course, one of the most hunted animals is the deer. Deer hunting is a worthwhile activity for most hunters, but it is not as easy as it seems. Skilled hunters have honed their deer hunting tactics with years of experience. Often they accumulate skills over time, and they learn many tactics by observing other hunters.

The good thing today is that novice deer hunters can find so much information about deer hunting online. Many expert hunters do not mind sharing guide and tips to young hunters. Reading information online frees you from having to learn the basics the hard way. So, be thankful to generous veteran hunters who do not mind sharing what they know. These people equip you with knowledge they learned the hard way. Knowledge is now available for all hunters at the tip of their fingers, so they can do away with the hit-and-miss approach.

The most important thing to be aware of is your safety and that of everyone else. Learning about your safety involves guidelines in trekking the wilds as well as seemingly trivial issues like keeping your weapon in a gun safe. Beginners are taught when to hunt for deer and when not to. On the other hand, it is important for them to know the right places to do hunting. It is not always safe to be out in any forest where wild animals are roaming. You may end up being attacked by creatures instead of doing the hunting yourself. Many newbies invest in deer hunting instructional materials. There are books being sold, but there is a lot of free information on the web.

Why do you have to invest time learning deer hunting? Beginners know it is difficult to hunt deers without appropriate background and knowledge about deer hunting. If you do not know anything, you will be out there, not knowing what to do. You could spend much time wandering in a forest without clue what to do next. Hunting is a field that needs to be studied.

Choosing a weapon is essential in deer hunting. You cannot be a deer hunter without a weapon. There are different kinds of hunting weapons, from guns to crossbows, but you should follow state regulations regarding possession of these weapons. It may be illegal to possess certain types of guns in your state. High powered rifles, for instance, cannot be used for hunting. Before buying your hunting gear, check with the hunting regulations of your state.

To attract the deer to a specific area, some hunters use bait, such as fruit and grains. Other hunters use attractants like female deer urine if they are trying to hunt a male deer. These both have the purpose of attracting the animals to a select spot.

The most important thing you should know about being a deer hunter is that you need to have a deer hunting license. You cannot hunt deer without proper license, which is given to people who have undergone the required hunter safety training or program. It is just a ten-hour course that educates would-be hunters about deer hunting, safety precautions, and wildlife conservation.

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Brothers and Sisters at Arms: Please Use Correct Terminology and Stop Giving the Enemy Ammunition

We are constantly fighting a battle with anti-gun groups and I think we need to look at ourselves and clean up our act if we're going to win this battle. Particularly I think we should stop terming semi-auto weapons that "look like" assault rifles as assault rifles. They are not. You and I know this. But everywhere I see them advertised by firearms dealers as "assault rifles" probably to get attention and create more sales. Let me be very clear about this definition. They are not assault rifles and should not be called such. The anti-gun establishment latches onto that and creates an atmosphere of fear surrounding these firearms. It is not in our interest at all to term these semi-auto rifles as "assault rifles". I would like to make everyone aware of the uses of different firearms and their application as defined by the Second Amendment.

First, handguns and semi-auto rifles are defensive weapons used by people for protection and holding ground like your own home. This would include these wrongly termed "assault rifles" that are for sale to the U.S. public. Second, shotguns and bolt action rifles are used for sporting purposes and as such they are sporting arms, not assault weapons.These could also be used for defensive purposes and holding ground like handguns and semi-auto rifles. Third, the real assault rifles with a selector switch for safe, fire and auto. That's what an assault rifle is. It is designed for taking ground. Very hard to get without the proper paperwork. There are some weapons that cross-over between sporting and defensive uses, i.e. shotguns and high capacity handguns. There is nothing wrong with this and may help people to buy one gun to use for more than one purpose.

Considering the above definitions I'd like to propose that we call these semi-auto rifles and handguns Second Amendment Guns. That's right. Second Amendment Guns. They fit the framework of what the Founding Fathers were talking about in the Second Amendment to the Constitution. Arms to defend ourselves and our country from enemies both foreign and domestic. I'd like to see the anti-gunners draft a law to eliminate Second Amendment Guns. Then they'd have to do the explaining not us. And the terminology would get the public's attention and get them to thinking about the uses for different guns which is important. Knowing and using the proper firearm is very important if you want it for any of the above purposes.

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Managing the Bobwhite Quail

Quail have always been a favorite of mine to hunt. When I was a kid, they were found everywhere. I found it rewarding to get involved in a group that prompted Quail Hunting as a sport an also ensured the proper management of Quail habitat. In fact, I am a Charter Member of Quail Unlimited. Back in Oklahoma the quail was always a favorite of landowners and hunters. Not only are Quail a desirable prey, they also play a big role in the ecosystem. A Quail's main diet are plant, crop and weed seeds. They will also consume their fair share of insects. Working up the food chain, they will serve as a tasty meal for larger predators. Some say the common house cat is the worst enemy the quail have. You can usually tell how bountiful or stressful the ecosystem is, based on the health and numbers of the quail populations. The quail are such an important indicator of the health of the overall ecosystem.

Quail are found throughout the South. I have hunted them in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana. You can also find them throughout the Midwest states from Colorado to Indiana. Man pretty well controls the population levels of the quail at any given time. This is due to the way the land is used. Whether South. Modern farming is more intensive. The current cultivation practices are not good for quail habitats. Currently modern farmers make use of herbicides and insecticides, much more than 30 years ago. These farming methods encourage the removal of all of the edges and field borders, of course resulting in larger field sizes, but eliminating the much needed wildlife habitats.

On many farms, weedy and brushy fence lines simply don't exist. They have been replaced with smooth ground that will yield crops for the market. Farmers must remember that every action creates an equal reaction. Plating fence row to fence row will run off the wildlife. Every farmer needs the tree rows, grassy water ways, untouched creek beds and so on to maintain wildlife populations. Farming is our way of life, but if every farmer dedicated 20 acres to be untouched, the results would simply surprise you. if you have large expanses of dense woodlands on your property, you need to do some clearing of spots in those woods. Clearing of trees and letting some sunshine into that forest bed will do wonders for the wildlife.

As a landowner, you have the ability and resources to improve the bobwhite quail habitat on your property. You must understand the habitat needs for bobwhites, your local extension agent is probably the first place to start to get advice on the subject. This isn't going to work unless you commit to apply the appropriate management practices that will improve the habitat for bobwhite quail on your property.

Habitats will only be useful and rewarding to you if it fits the long term physical and protective needs of the quail. Providing habitats that are usable simply means creating and managing cover to which bobwhites can adapt to.

Food, water and cover need to be available throughout the cover area for this to work. Remember, quail rise in the morning, go to water and drink, then feed for about the next 2 hours. During mid-day to early evening they will rest, until watering again before heading to the roost to bed down. The proper arrangement of these habitat patches are important to meet the needs of the quail, or they will simply move on. I have read research that indicates a covey of quail uses an area no larger than 100 acres.

The quality and Quantity of habitat that you are able to maintain will directly affect your success at maintaining quail on your land. During winter and drought conditions, bobwhites will concentrate and stay closer to food and cover patches that are in close together. During the spring mating season and into the summer months, the quail will pair up to raise their young. Quail can have more than one hatch a year. Back home in western Oklahoma we were having a mild summer, and had plenty of water. Our home covey of quail had three hatches that year, conditions were right for multiple reproduction. On average, the quail covey population will run one covey for every 15 to 25 acres of good managed quail land. I have seen as many as 75 birds in a covey, but this is unusual. During a covey rise, the sky seems to turn black because of all the birds. Not all coveys are that big. Most will average 12 to 15 birds.

Open pastures and hayfields provide valuable nesting areas for quail. If you have mostly timber on your land, then you can still create stands of areas quail will stick to. Keep the underbrush cleaned out around the trees the best you can, Leave grasses that are in clumps. Quail are mostly ground animals that seldom fly. Quail like land, even in timber areas, where they can run around and play or flee danger in an instant. Clear several openings, one to two acres in size, that will allow sunlight into the forest floor. Quail are attracted to these types of areas. Pile the cleared wood in an out of the way place and leave it. This creates a natural area for the quail to get out of the elements and also escape danger, remember to make these clearing close to those water sources. Quail are pretty darn tough. With a little help from the landowner, areas can be made that will provide food, water, and shelter that will hold quail on the property.

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Reloading Supplies: Making Your Hobby Cheaper

If you have a handgun and you use it frequently for hunting, you know how expensive making use of completely assembled cartridges that are factory loaded can be. While reloading manually is mostly done to save on money (one can save almost 50% on cost), there are many who are passionate about reloading and get a kick out of manual reloading. For such hunters, reloading becomes a hobby unto itself that leads to enjoyment. Sometimes, reloading leads to far more accuracy of firearms as a shooter find that the best fitting cartridge for their firearm is not available in the market.

There are many casual shooters who know nothing about reloading and think that reloading is all about buying gun or the cartridges. However, reloading means manual loading not depending upon factory loaded ammunition. Upon learning the features and advantages of reloading, more and more firearm owners are today switching to reloading. This has also meant more sources of reloading supplies and competition among reloading equipment suppliers. Today people look for reloading supplies to save further on their newfound hobby.

There Are Many Avenues of Reloading Supplies Once You Have Decided On It

If you are looking for reloading supplies, there are scores of websites selling them at low prices that will bring a smile on your face. You would be pleasantly surprised to know that you can save more than 50% if you do hand loading rather than remain dependent upon factory loaded ammo. Reloading supplies include not just outer shells of brass but also the primer, the shot and the powder. It takes some time to get acquainted with the materials and the process of reloading, but once you have mastered the art of reloading, it gives a sense of being in control of your firearm which you can never hope to achieve with factory loaded ammunition.

You Will Find Reloading Almost Fun Filled Exercise While Saving On Your Money

Of course trying to reload can be dangerous if you are not aware of the basics. But once you are into reloading, you are safe as long as you follow the instructions. You can even make ammunition heavy or light as per your requirements while at the same time learning to make it more accurate than the cartridges available in the market. Imagine being able to customize the ammunition depending upon your firearm through reloading. This is like reinventing shooting as you not just save money; you master the art of making ammunition that is just right for your firearm and hunting requirements. Just get to a distributor providing reloading supplies and see the improvement in your shooting in addition to saving on your hard-earned money.

Today there are dozens of companies selling reloading supplies and there are kits available that contain everything from A to Z to start on this wonderful hobby of reloading. Just log on to one of the many websites selling reloading supplies and order ammunition that you can prepare for your firearm at home and save 50-70% on factory loaded ammunition.

Reloading is a process that is recommended for those who make use of their firearm on a regular basis and require many rounds of ammunition for their hunting excursions. For those who use firearm sparingly, reloading is not suggested as it can prove to be counterproductive and rather more expensive than factory loaded cartridges. However, with all said and done, the popularity and increasing numbers of websites selling reloading supplies seems to suggest that more firearm owners are today turning to reloading to save on their money and also to master the art of making ideal ammunition for their guns.

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A Checklist For Anyone Who Is Thinking About Joining A Deer Lease

Have you ever thought about joining a deer hunting lease? Well if you have, finding a lease should be pretty easy because they are quite plentiful throughout the South. However, if you want to get the most enjoyment and benefit from your new hunting lease, it's important that you take the time to choose the right one.

First and foremost, you should consider the location of the hunting lease. Even if you find the greatest club, with giant bucks running everywhere, you most likely will not want to travel for more than a few hundred miles to get there. Don't get me wrong; if you have the time available for traveling this far, then by all means go-ahead. Although, most guys simply do not have the funds or the fuel for long distance trips.

When you're choosing a hunting lease, try to think of any friends you have that would like to join with you. If your friends join in the same club with you, everyone can ride together and split the fuel expense. Anyhow, it's a much more enjoyable time when your friends are there to share in your hunting experiences.

In addition to the location, the price of the new hunting club is also a very important factor. Usually, hunting clubs have a yearly membership fee along with minor charges through out the year for miscellaneous expenses. Don't jump on the first club you see, but instead write down the price and give some others a call. You'll soon find out while shopping them that cost of membership varies between clubs. Also, the leaseholder or landowner may quote you a specific membership fee, but that does not mean that he will not work with you on price. Negotiate with them and see if there is some leeway when it comes down to the price.

Every hunting club offers a different type of terrain. If you are a tree stand hunter, then you will most likely want to find a property that has plenty of tall timber. You do not want to limit yourself to ground hunting if there are no trees to hunt from. On the flip side, if you like to hunt from a ground blind, then you are going want to find a club that has lots of open fields and similar areas.

Above everything else, I am sure that you want to find a hunting club that actually has whitetails on the property. Individual deer roam within a one mile range and unless they are totally spooked out of an area, they should be found on the property. Ask the owner of the club if you can scout the land before signing a deal. Look for scrapes, rubs, shed antlers, droppings and any other sign of deer.

You should have plenty of options available to you when selecting a new hunting club. Although, if you want to get the most of benefit out of your membership, you'll need to follow the advice given here. Finding any club is simple, but finding a hunting club that actually increases your chances of harvesting a trophy whitetail is not.

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Slingshot Rubber - How To Choose The Right Slingshot Rubber For Your Slingshot Bands

If you search for slingshot bands or slingshot rubber you'll most likely get taken back by the prices that you see. It's not uncommon to see slingshot bands selling for $5 or higher just for one band set. It's important to understand that while buying slingshot bands in the beginning is ok, you eventually want to start cutting and making your own band sets. Doing this will save you more money than you could ever imagine and it will also make you a better shooter. In order to cut your own slingshot bands you'll need to understand slingshot rubber so lets start there.

1. Rubber Bands - Rubber bands are not the most popular type of slingshot rubber but there are still people who use them. They are commonly found on natural forks and occasionally seen on board cuts. The type of rubber bands used for slingshot shooting are Alliance 107 rubber bands. They are about 3/4" wide and about 12" in length. They are cheap, readily available and they last a long time. The best thing about rubber bands is that they only require one real cut. All you have to do is cut them to length and you are ready to shoot. The downside is that they are very heavy to pull and I've found that they are slower than other types of slingshot rubber.

2. Latex - Latex is by far the most popular type of slingshot rubber. The reason for this is because it's cheap, widely available and it comes in a wide array of thicknesses. For target shooting most people use.030" latex. For hunting most bump it up to.050" latex. The numbers represent the thickness of the slingshot rubber. The thicker the band the faster the shot (generally). Latex has a pretty light pull weight and it is very fast but the bands usually do not last very long. Shooters I know report getting around 200 to 250 shots per band set.

3. Thera-Band - Thera-Band also comes in a variety of thicknesses. The thickness and strength is determined by the color of the band. Thera-Band Gold is the strongest and most popular for slingshot rubber. You'll also see some shooters using Black and Silver as well. Thera is type of exercise band and is widely available and almost any fitness store online. It's also realtively cheap at around $1 per foot for Gold. Thera is a slight bit harder to pull than Latex but it lasts much longer. Thera-Band Gold is what I use exclusively for all my slingshot rubber and I usually get around 600 shots per bandset.

When it comes to slingshot rubber, it's best to test out the three listed above for at least 100 shots and see which of the three you like the best. A quick word of warning though - once you find the right rubber for you, Don't Switch!

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No Time To Scout? Trail Cameras, The Need Is Obvious

Trail cameras have come a long way and are a must have for today's hunter. With the hurried up world we are living in finding time to spend in the woods scouting has taken a back burner. We all know that we should be spending quality time checking game movement in our favorite part of the woods, but who has that time? With work schedules, family activities and the unexpected always popping up we tend to procrastinate until it's too late. Hunting season is upon us and we haven't got a clue as to where we should be setting up for the best opportunity to bag that trophy.

Whether you are a seasoned hunter or just starting out in the exciting world of hunting, a trail camera will play an important part in your preparation for opening day. It doesn't matter if you are managing your property for trophy hunting or you are looking to fill your freezer for the long winter ahead. Knowing the sex, size, and age of the game you are pursuing makes the decision process easier for any hunter.

Today's trail cameras make scouting and tracking game movement easier than ever. With the options offered on trail cameras you will be able to tell the day, what time of day, and even what moon phase we are in when the game passes by the camera. The infrared technology enables these cameras to take exceptionally high quality pictures at night. The use of LED lighting ensures high quality non-glaring images. Many cameras now have video capability with audio to enhance your scouting. All digital cameras come with SD memory card and picture taking delays from 1 second to 60 minutes. Motion sensors that can detect movement up to 50 ft away. Battery life has improved with many cameras having one year picture taking capability. Some higher end cameras allow for remote checking with purchase of a wireless package. Others stamp GPS coordinates on every image to give you the exact location.

With so many manufactures and options where does the hunter start when it comes to picking out the right camera that fits their needs? The information on the internet is outstanding. Manufactures will have all of their cameras along with options available on each camera list on their web site. Comparing cameras from several manufactures will help narrow down your choices. Once you have the camera you want in mind then you can shop around for the best price on that camera.

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Wallhanger or Woods Gun?

"Here it is," Jeremiah said as he pulled the gun bag from his closet. As he unzipped it, he kept talking. "My granddaddy bought it at a gun show a few years ago. I wound up with it after he died."

Being something of an amateur shotgun collector known to haunt the clay throwers at my shooting club, Jeremiah had asked me if I would be interested in an old double barrel. Already having enough shotguns to outfit a small nations Olympic trap team and being forbidden to go gun shopping by my better half, I said, "of course."

The shotgun that Jeremiah pulled out and thrust into my hand was a beautiful example of an early Remington 1889 exposed hammer double barrel 12 Gauge break action shotgun. The firearm, more than a hundred years old had a perfect walnut pistol grip stock and forearm. All of the serial numbers matched and everything looked original. The 28" fine twisted Damascus steel barrels had a different choke on each end and were rust free. Everything was great until you looked at the breech and saw that one of the barrels was swollen and bulged out.

"What happened here?" I asked.

Jeremiah shrugged with his palms up, "After granddaddy died we took it and went dove hunting with it. After a few shells that barrel swoll up and did that."

I carefully explained to my friend that the Damascus steel barrels on the century old Remington was designed for paper shells that fired a black powder charge. Modern plastic-hulled shells, if they even fit, are too powerful for the mild steel. What had been a wonderful $500 collector's item was now junk.

What is a Wallhanger?

A true wall hanger is a firearm that is either too unsafe or impractical to shoot, or are worth too much to risk damaging them. Its days as a home defense or sporting piece have come and gone. In short, it is now a decorative piece to hang on the wall or over a mantle. However, in some cases, they can be brought out of retirement.

When is a Wallhanger still a shooter?

Since the first European settlers stepped from their wooden hulled ships onto the continent, there have been firearms. Over the course of those 500+ years, these have been in a constant state of evolution, always growing more powerful, accurate, and lighter. Modern breech loading firearms, made after about 1899, are usually designed from the ground up to use smokeless powder. In fact, although your State and local laws may vary, any firearm with a frame or receiver that actually manufactured before Jan. 1, 1899 is legally "antique" and not considered a "firearm" under Federal law.

Jeremiah's granddaddy's Remington, made before 1899 and designed for black powder, was a bona-fide non-gun under Federal law. It was not designed to handle the pressure of firing smokeless powder shells and he is lucky all it did was swell the barrel and not pepper his face. However, that same shotgun, after a competent gunsmith for any issues inspected it, could have still been put to use with black powder shotgun shells. Goex Black Dawge and Gamebore produce modern factory fresh paper and plastic hulled black powder shells that can be used for small game hunting and clays. They are more expensive than a box of regular shells, but hey, they are specially made for hundred-year-old shotguns with 2 1/2" or 2 9/16" chambers.

Century old rifles, such as old Springfield 1903s, Savage 99s, and Winchester 1895s can still be used provided they are in good shape. I currently have a Remington made M1917 Eddystone 30-06 US Enfield that was manufactured in April 1918 for the US Army. This old soldier has a modern walnut Monte Carlo stock that someone installed in the 1960s, a Redfield scope, and Leupold rings. Even though it is over 90 years old it still shoots remarkably well with off the shelf Hornady ammo and probably will continue to do so for another 90-years.

Of course have your old shotgun or rifle checked thoroughly by a professional and never use overloaded ammunition. If it is up to it, some wall hangers can still put dinner on the table every now and then.

Basic Equipments for Reloading Your Own Ammunition

Shooting guns is a daring hobby for most people. Most gun hobbyists are all enticed of the adrenaline that shooting provides. But people get lots of fun when reloading their own firearm's ammunition. Actually, hobbyists consider reloading as quite addicting. This has made the demand for reloading equipment quite significant these days. Loading your own ammunition is quite interesting and in most cases, less expensive than buying those ready-made ammunition. This is why a lot of gun owners and hobbyists prefer to load their own guns using the equipment they got for themselves. There are various firearm reloading tools and equipments that are required to properly do the task. Here is a list of the equipments that are used for loading one's own ammunition.

Press

Press is the most basic of all the reloading equipment a gun owner should have. This is where all the action is done. There are three kinds of presses, namely: single press, turret press and full progressive press. The single press can do only one bullet at a time, which means the Die has to be replaced every time. Unlike single press, turret as well as the progressive presses holds multiple dies which makes reloading faster and much convenient. But there are still many people who prioritize quality as well as detail and prefer single press over the turret and the progressive, since they are able to focus on one die at a time for maximum precision.

Case Lubricants

Lubricants are necessary when it comes to reloading. This makes sure that the brass will not be stuck in the press during the resizing process. However, not all brass needs to be lubricated such as the straight-walled cases.

Dies

Dies are basically what does the action step-by-step. Dies are responsible of the resizing of the brass, primer removal and other important steps. This equipment should be chosen according to the caliber of the ammunition being reloaded.

Case Tumbler and Trimmer

This equipment is used to fully clean up the brass. This equipment is crucial in cleaning the brass prior to the actual reloading process. If cleaning is not done properly, it may generally jeopardize the quality of the bullet. Furthermore, this reloading equipment is actually used to produce shiny and good-looking ammunition. The trimmer on the other hand is mainly used for rifles.

Powder Measure and Powder Scale

This is what gives the brass the right amount of charge. Every owner needs this equipment for accurate loading. Powder measures are either stand-alone units or units that can be installed in presses. The powder scale is used to make sure that the charge being dispensed by the measure is correct.

Caliber

After the actual reloading process is done, you need to make sure that the produced results are of the correct size. This reloading equipment will help you measure the result bullets. One should make sure that the case trim length and the cartridge length concurs to the ammunition's caliber.

Safety Equipment

Reloading might not seem to be a dangerous task compared to shooting. But still, it is better to be safe than sorry. Besides, when working with gunpowder.
• Latex / Safety Gloves
• Mask / Goggles

Shooting guns is extremely addictive and adrenaline-pumping. But when people run out of ammunition, it is either they buy new ones or reload their own ammunition. Most people prefer doing this on their own in order to save money as well as to get extra fun while at home. Now, you know the reloading equipment you need, start reloading your own ammunition today.

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The Making of a Great Food Plot

Would you go to a restaurant that has a single item on its' menu or do you prefer to have a choice when dining out? If you are like 99.9% of the population you want choices when you dine. It is the same for the deer that will be frequenting your food plot. They will be drawn to an area with variety and choices just like humans. Like humans deer prefer a place to go that has ambiance and atmosphere. It may not be air conditioned or have candles lit to create the perfect atmosphere but it will have certain fine points that make it appealing to them. It is these fine points that make a food plot the desired dining destination and keeps them coming back time and time again.

When creating your food plot don't give them one choice to eat. Instead create a food plot that has choices that will make it the destination of the biggest bucks in the area.

1. Size: When choosing a site for your food plot make sure that it is in the 1/2 - 2 acre size. Anything smaller than 1/2 acre and it won't take long for the deer to clean it off and possibly destroy it. When the open area is larger than 2 acres the larger more mature bucks may become weary and stay away during the daylight hours. The larger size will make for a killing shot that may be to far.

2. Shape: Long narrow plots are preferable to the square nature. Long skinny plots afford more edges for the deer to approach the plot. This type of plot will attract the bigger bucks as they can feed only a few steps from cover.

3. Wind Direction: Remember that you will need to approach your stands with the prevailing wind in your face or at the very least perpendicular to the plot. Choose wisely with this in mind.

4. Sun Angle: Choose a flat area when possible or a slope facing east or northeast. A site that gets morning sun and shade in the hottest parts of the day tend to survive all season long.

5. Bedding Areas: Place your plot within 100 yards of doe bedding areas and 200 yards or so from thicker more rugged and remote buck bedding areas. It your can have a funnel area leading from the bedding areas this is a huge plus.

6. Summer Annuals: To draw bucks in late summer and early fall plant lablab, cowpeas, sorghum, buckwheat, sunflowers, or a plant mixture in late spring. A few rows of corn to provide extra cover.

7. Fall and Winter Annuals: June-August, plant kale, rape and turnips. A separate planting of sugar beets and pure turnips is a plus. August-October plant wheat/oat mixes and crimson clover.

8. Tall Grasses: Planting grasses that grow 5-7 feet tall like switchgrasses, Indian and bluestern make great cover.

9. Fruit Trees: Bucks have a sweet tooth and planting a few apple, pear, or persimmon along the edge will draw them into the open.

10. Junk, Rough Edges, and Shrubs: Make the transition from woods to food plot as smooth as possible by cutting some low value trees and dragging them to the edges. Shrubs like Red osier dogwood, Tatarian honeysuckle, Chicksaw plum add security and extra food for deer when entering the plot.

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LEE Reloading Supplies - The LEE History and the Topnotch Reloading Supplies

The hobby of shooting is something a lot of people enjoy, especially with their favorite guns. However, while most people are enjoying themselves a lot with shooting guns, some people rather take the silent fun during reloading of ammunition. This is when reloading comes as a fun hobby and to power this hobby, comes the LEE reloading supplies. The name "LEE" is a renowned name in the field of reloading. In fact, a lot of people prefer this brand for their reloading equipment as well as supplies. LEE Precision has been providing the reloading supplies and equipments as per gun owner's needs since 1950's.

A Brief History

The LEE Family business started when Richard LEE invented the very first shotgun reloading equipment in 1958. This is the very first time people are able to do a faster and more convenient way of reloading their shotgun shells. In the 1960's, the loading equipment for rifle and handgun ammunition was invented by the LEE's as well. More than a million people are then using these tools back then. Ever since, the brand "LEE Precision" has become a golden name in the industry which made the LEE reloading supplies a staple name in the sport of shooting and the art of reloading.

LEE Precision Products

LEE Precision is dedicated in providing the most convenient and most innovative designs in affordable prices. Ever since their first launch in 1958, the brand has become a one-stop shop for most gun enthusiasts as well as for people who wants to reload their own ammunition.

• Reloading Dies - LEE has three kinds of dies primarily for handgun, rifle and large kinds of ammunition. The LEE reloading dies boast of the best accuracy and the highest tolerance among other competing brands.

• Reloading Presses - The LEE Precision Presses are one of a kind. LEE Precision is proud to offer three kinds of presses namely: the single stage press, turret press and progressive press. This is among the leading LEE reloading supplies in the market.

• Handling Tools - Reloading is never easy without handling tools such as scales and measures. LEE Precision also has powder scales as well as automatic powder measures for a faster and more accurate powder handling.

• Case Tools - Cleaning, trimming, shining and priming of brass is easy with LEE's case equipment.

• Shell holders - there are also shell holders that come with specific sizes and features to suit every caliber that needs reloading.

• Bullet Casting Tools - Bullet casting tools are also available in the selection of LEE Precision. This allows users to mold and create their own bullets. The tools include bullet slug mold, furnaces, sizing and lubing kit, buckshot mods and lead harness tester. Of course, there are bullet casting tools that are dedicated to other ammunition types such as rifle bullets, black powder bullets and handgun bullets.

The LEE Guarantee

LEE reloading supplies has become a top choice of most gun owners who wants to personally reload their ammunition. But what makes the LEE products one of a kind is the LEE Guarantee. All LEE reloading products are guaranteed to be in optimal working condition in two years. Otherwise, it will be repaired or replaced regardless of the age and condition. This ensures that the LEE products will deliver its maximum efficiency and will be able to provide the maximum worth of what they are paid for. Reloading your own ammunition is never an easy task. However, every hard task can be made into an easier one using various tools and equipment. In this case, LEE reloading supplies are one of the top contenders on consumers' lists.

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The 3 Best Crossbows Available For The Deer Hunter

The crossbow craze continues to grow in hunting circles. However, like most people on a budget, it's important to do your research to find out not only what is the cheapest crossbow, but what crossbow provides you the best bang for your buck.

Crossbow reviews can sometimes be confusing, especially if you are not familiar with crossbow technology. To help, we will provide an easy to read and understand review of the three best crossbows on the market for all different knowledge and skill levels.

The following crossbows provided the most forgiveness. That means their technology and design can help to compensate for human error. They also provide minimal vibration and superior ergonomics for the hunter.

The top 3 choices for the best crossbows available are:

1. Barnett Ghost 400. The Barnett Ghost 400 can only be described as a "beast." This light crossbow features a carbon riser, anti-dry fire trigger and Barnett's AVI technology molded into limbs which helps to reduce vibration. The Ghost weighs in at just under 8 lbs. has a draw weight of 185 lbs., a 15 3/4" power stroke capable of sending the bolts toward their target at 400 FPS. This crossbow retails at right about $1,000 and is deadly accurate in the hands of a season crossbow hunter. The Barnett Ghost 400 will haunt the whitetails on your property this fall.

2. Carbon Express Covert CX1. The Covert CX1 has a sleek design and is covered in Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity Camo. This crossbow can fit the needs and shooting styles of many a hunter as it has a 1" stock pad insert and a heavy trigger for the pull shooter. The Covert CX1 has a draw weight of 185 lbs. and sends the bolts down range at 330 FPS. Priced at $500, the Covert CX1 not only fits your hunting style, but your wallet.

3. Horton Ultra-Lite Express. The Horton Express weighs in at just about 7 1/2 lbs. and comes with Team Realtree Camo and a pistol grip Thompson Center inspired handle. The 175 lbs of draw weight moves the arrows at 325 FPS. This crossbow is light and easy to handle by just about any hunter and comes with interchangeable recoil pads. But you won't be feeling much vibration or recoil from this crossbow when you pull the trigger. Moderately priced, coming in at approximately $600 retail, the Express can meet your needs whether you are in a tree stand, blind or spot and stalk.

As the crossbow craze continues to dominate the whitetail hunting scene, searching for the best crossbow for your money is important. No matter your hunting style, experience or knowledge, any one of the crossbows highlighted above can fit the bill when you are looking to invest.

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Basic Deer Scents and Lures

What is a lure?

Webster's dictionary describes a lure as something that entices, tempts with the promise of pleasure or gain.

So to an extent, anything that attracts the attention of an animal, and then draws it to the source of the attraction can be classified as a lure. For example, the sound of a dying rabbit can lure coyote, fox, or bobcat to where the sound is coming from. A small round hole in the bank near water's edge would attract mink. A bundle of fur moving in the breeze would provide attraction to bobcat. And of course, a grunt from a deer grunt call could be all that it takes to attract a large buck within range.

There are a variety of lures that will attract each game animal, and each animal has specific lures that attract it best. All of the lures mentioned above appeal in some way to the animal's senses. Animals especially rely on their senses of smell, sight and hearing in order to understand things around them, to communicate and also to be warned of danger or a reward. Lures take advantage of this dependence to depict a particular "story" to the given animal and attract them to some action - typically investigating the area that is the source of the lure.

What is a scent?

The difference in hunting between a scent and a lure is very subtle, but is important. To shed some light on this difference we can get a clue from Webster's again:

One definition of scent is described as the smell remaining after an animal has passed (urine).

Commonly in hunting "lure" and "scent" are used interchangeably. It may be a semantical difference, but this is actually incorrect. A lure can include many of the senses including sight and hearing, however a scent is obviously only smell. Not only that, but a scent will almost exclusively refers to animal Urine within the context of hunting of trapping whereas a "lure" will refer to a great many types of smell-based attractants. Because animals use Urine to communicate territorial or reproductive messages, the message communicated by a scent will always be one of these two. In some instances this can be highly effective.

However there are also other messages that can be communicated, believe it or not to deer that only lures can accomplish.

Types of deer lures

GLAND LURES - Most animals communicate through the use of glandular secretions. This type of lure is usually a blend of those substances. It's made to appeal to the competitive, sexual and territorial instincts that most animals have. Most high quality gland lures, no matter what the animal, take exceptional skill, knowledge, and much experience to formulate.

FOOD LURES - Their primary attraction to an animal is food. Most food lures contain various plants, musk's, and extracts, etc. animals might find attractive. Without a doubt this type of lure plays more of a role of importance among trappers than that of hunters- particularly deer hunters. Don't confuse this with bait and check your state game laws before hunting with such an attractant. Some of the most common food odors among deer hunters are; apple, cherry, pear, sweet corn, etc.

CURIOSITY- 'Curiosity Killed The Cat'. Most all animals are curious by nature, especially the Whitetail deer. Most often this type of lure contains smells foreign to the animal's habitat. An example of one such odor might be vanilla. Many animals like its sweet odor yet seldom does an animal come into contact with it along their daily travels. You must remember that a curiosity attraction is a relatively "short lived" attraction. Once the deer has satisfied his curiosity - he loses almost total interest. If you're a deer hunter, you had best be in position when 'Mister Hat Rack' decides to respond to this type of Lure!

The "story"

When choosing a scent or lure, remember that you are telling a story. The more convincing you are of that story often will result in "luring in" that animal.

When deer hunting, some hunters strategically place a doe in heat gland lure around a tree stand. Once in the stand they will periodically mist buck urine into the air. This combination of a scent and lure more often than not has proven itself deadly because it tells a strong story. The best time to use this combination is during the rut and near existing dominant scrapes.

What message "story" do you think you're sending the buck that made those existing scrapes? Get the picture?

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Great Advances for Hunting Optics

You have spent countless hours on the shooting range honing your skills. You have adjusted your scope over and over making sure that you have the perfect grouping. Trouble is what yardage did you sight in at? It doesn't matter if it was 100, 200, 300 or even 600 yards. You are dead on at that yardage and confident that you will make a perfect shot. Trouble is what if you sighted in at 200 yards and the shot you have to make is 400 or even 600 yards. How far do you raise on your targeted game to make the perfect shot? Most times this is a guessing game and it is up to you to make the right choice based on your range experience. In the back of your mind there is always that flickering of doubt. One inch not enough, four inches too much. Sound like one of your own experiences? If you are a hunter like me you have had to make this decision. If you were as unfortunate as I was and missed that trophy you know that gut awful feeling when you see him moving out of sight.

What if you could put your mind at ease and be sure that you will be "Dead on Accurate"? With confidence you squeeze the trigger smoothly and make the perfect shot every time. Does this seem too good to be true? Think again.

The new Bushnell rifle scopes with "DOA" technology have made this possible. These scopes combine exceptional accuracy up to 600 yards and a field judging capability to size up that trophy. The new "Dead on Accurate" technology from Bushnell takes the guessing game out of making that perfect shot. With precise aiming points calibrated to the ballistics of your rifle and precise MOA dots marking yardage from 100-600 yards for your rifle and up to 250 yards for a muzzle loader. This is the most hunter friendly scope made. Simply put the correct dot on the target and ease back on the trigger.

Wondering if that buck standing in the distance is the trophy you have been waiting for? The new "Rack Bracket Technology" will enable you to judge the width of either whitetail or mule deer and assure you that this is the one that you have been looking for all these years. Feel free to take that shot knowing you have the newest technology in hunting optics to make a perfect shot every time.

If you are serious about hunting and want to make the perfect shot you owe it to yourself to check out the "DOA" technology. Why leave any doubt in your mind?

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Reasons Why You Should Belong To a Private Hunting Club This Deer Season

If you take your deer hunting seriously, you might want to think about joining a hunting club. Compared to hunting on public land that is free of charge, there are many benefits to paying for a membership in a hunting club. However, before you jump in head first and just join one, there are a couple things you might want to think about first.

As a deer hunter, you have several options when choosing a place to hunt. Based on where you reside, there might be state managed lands which are available to licensed hunters during the deer season. If you do not have any idea where they are, call the state Wildlife Division and gather more information on them. They will likely be more than happy to tell you where some public hunting grounds are located.

There are a couple of drawbacks to hunting on public grounds, though. The first is that you are less likely to see a large quantity of whitetails because they are usually way over-hunted. Thousands of deer hunters drive from all four corners of a state to hunt on these" free" wildlife management lands, and as the hunting population increases so do the issues with sportsmen hunting on these lands. Another issue with "free" public deer hunting areas is the location of the land. You can get lucky and find out that you live relatively close to one of these public hunting areas, but more than likely you are going to find out that you have quite a distance to travel to get to the state lands.

Safety is a primary concern when using public management areas. When you are hunting on public lands, you cannot be sure who else is there and whether or not they could possibly mistake your movement through the woods for a deer's movement. For this reason, you should always wear a prominent reflective vest that's easy to spot.

Private property like hunting clubs offer their members a much greater chance at success when hunting deer because of the limited number of members on that particular piece of land. With fewer sportsmen on the land, there will be less deer killed and this will keep them from being extra spooky and leaving the area due to hunting pressure.

One of the added benefits to joining a deer hunting club is the brand new friendships that are sure to be made with fellow club members. Deer hunting provides an escape from the everyday stresses in your life and provides you with an opportunity to enjoy nature and everything the great outdoors has to offer. Sure, this can be accomplished by yourself, but think about how much more fun it would be with a group of new hunting companions to share in your outdoor adventures.

New hunters might have trouble finding a deer hunting club close to where they live. If you can't find one yourself, ask around to some of your friends that hunt, maybe they know of one. Check at your local sporting goods and hunting supply retailers, many times the employees there know of several good hunting clubs in the general area. More than likely, because they deal with hunters on a daily basis, they will have a pretty good idea of where the best clubs are located at. Of course you can also create your own hunting club by leasing land from a property owner. Try and find several hunters like yourself to share in the land rental expense and you will quickly realize that you just created a new hunting club for all to enjoy.

Regardless of where you are chasing whitetails this season, public or private lands, hunt carefully and obey all the laws. If you are ever unclear about the rules, regulations or hunting lands...consult the Game and Fish Department immediately. They can update you on any changes in the hunting laws or seasons this year.

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What Is Bullet Grain?

What is grain and how is it used in firearm ammunition? Grain is just a unit of measurement for weight. There are two common uses for this unit of measurement in ammunition. First is the weight of the bullet and second is the amount of powder, by weight, used in the cartridge.

If you're buying ammunition from a supplier the only use of grain typically advertised by most manufacturers is the weight of the bullet, or the part of the cartridge that is propelled through the firearm when the powder is ignited. You should see a cartridge description on the side of most boxes of ammo that will look like this; "30-06 Springfield, 180 Gr. FMJBT." This tells you that the 30-06 cartridges are loaded with bullets that weigh 180 grains and the rest describes the other characteristics of the bullet as a "Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail." An easy way to think about it is to imagine grain as a grain of sand and that it takes 437.5 grains of sand to equal one ounce. So your 180 grain bullet weighs about four tenths of an ounce.

Why do I care what the bullet weighs? That is a good question. You might think that as long as I have the right caliber ammunition the bullet weight doesn't matter. But it actually does matter. It's not difficult to figure out why it matters if you just think about it in terms of things you deal with on a daily basis. If you want to make it difficult you could study physics and the principles of mass and momentum but you'll have to find someone smarter than me to teach it to you. So let's keep it simple.

Weight matters because it's directly related to the amount of force it delivers on impact. The easy way to demonstrate this is to imagine you want to sell something and you want to put a sign in your front yard. So you take a wooden stake and you have two hammers, one small tack hammer and one big sledge hammer. First you take the tack hammer and after a dozen times hitting the stack you realize it is just to slow so you grab the sledge hammer and with one good hit the stack is in and you're done. You learn from this that the heavier the hammer the more force it delivers on impact. This is the same with a bullet in that the heavier the bullet the more force it delivers on impact. Remember this article is about keeping it simple so if you're thinking about the forces of gravity, friction and distance you're way ahead of me.

Back to the hammer example the other thing you would have learned is that even though the sledge hammer delivered much more energy it also took a lot more energy to lift it. That is where the other measurement of grain comes in. You won't need to know this unless you start doing your own ammunition loading but just to get you familiar with grain the other use is in the amount of powder used in the cartridge. When you lifted the tack hammer it was very easy and like in ammo a lighter bullet can be propelled with a lighter amount of powder and the more energy it took to lift the sledge is similar to the more amount of powder is required to propel the heavier bullet. So for the purposes of this article there are two uses for grain and one is the weight of the bullet and the other is the amount of powder in weight it takes to propel the bullet. There are many different types of powder used in ammunition and each has different properties but regardless which powder is used the amount is measured by weight in grains.

One last thing is that I don't want to give the impression that a heavier bullet is always better. There are numerous applications where a lighter bullet is more favorable. The.338 Lapua Magnum is a perfect example. When this cartridge was developed it was based on the military needs for an accurate long range rifle. To make a long story short in the end the developer took a.416 cartridge and narrowed the necked to fit a.338 giving them a.416 powder charge with a.338 bullet. The result was a lighter bullet propelled by the powder of the heavier.416 cartridge. The lighter bullet gave them greater muzzle velocities, longer range and still delivered the required force on impact over the required long distance. The phrases "Sabot round" or "Necked Down" are describing ammunition designed to use lighter bullets. You can do your own comparisons next time you go to buy ammunition for your firearms. Look at all the different loads available for your gun and compare the muzzle velocities and force over distance. You may find that some weights will work well for you for some of your targets and others that will work better for other targets.

Back to those of you who were way ahead of me, what you were thinking about is called ballistics and a full discussion of that will have to wait for a longer article. But if you want to get started on ballistics keep yourself a record of all the different types of ammunition you shoot and make notes about how each one performs in your firearm, particularly over a variety of distances. You will be surprised how much you will learn just by reading over your notes and comparing performance and the specifics of the different types of ammunition. Not to mention how much more fun it is than reading it all from some library of ballistics tables. In time you might even love those ballistics tables like I do.

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The Benefits of Booking a Hunt at a Shooting Preserve

With the growth in population, so goes the growth of cities, towns and other municipalities. A big problem with this new construction and development is the loss of rural properties for game animals to wander. However, hunting preserves offer a natural environment for deer and other animals to thrive, as well as safe place for individuals to hunt.

A hunting preserve is a secure piece of real estate where members or guests can hunt. The number one benefit to hunting on a game preserve is the lack of hunting competition from other sportsmen along with a larger deer herd because of the absence of hunting pressure. Hunting preserves can be divided into two separate categories: non-profit and for-profit operations. Both preserve types listed above will have some sort of fee structure, daily use charge, or yearly membership dues in order for hunters to use them.

You will probably notice that game fencing goes around the entire outside border of the hunting property on most preserves. While arguably controversial to some, these fences keep wild game inside the preserve and prevent non-paying hunters from gaining access to the property. Even with large barriers all the way around the land, most preserves are made up of such large acreage that a sportsman never even sees a high fence while hunting.

On hunting preserves compared to public lands, you will notice that the numbers and the size of game animals are usually much greater. If you're a deer hunter looking to take a mature buck, you really need to look into the game preserves in your home state.

Hunting preserves are great choices when it comes to introducing new hunters or youths into the sport of deer hunting in a safe and controlled environment. On a hunting preserve you can be comfortable in knowing that the private property is secure from others and that your new hunter is safe in the woods. Nearly all hunting preserves will teach or offer free classes to their clients and guests that need instruction.

One of the great things about shooting preserves is the relaxing resort-style lodges and accommodations many of them offer. Because of this reason, it is very common for hunters to bring along family and other non-hunting friends to hang out at the lodge while they are in the field. Family members can leisurely spend the day around the lodge watching television, reading, and of course eating some fine home-cooked meals.

There are a multitude of reasons why one would hunt at a game preserve; one of the many that come to mind is the service they offer their paying customers. Knowing how to clean and care for your trophy after the kill is a very important part of hunting. If you lack the knowledge or skill to do so yourself, your guide at the preserve can do so for you. After all, a trip to a game preserve is more like a vacation then a "roughing it" hunt.

If you want to find hunting preserves close by, contact your states Department of Wildlife Resources. All preserves must register with the state, so these offices will have no problem providing you with more information about them and where they are located. You can also complete simple searches on-line by typing "game preserve" or "shooting preserve" into a search engine within your web browser. Most of the bigger hunting preserves in operation today have their own website with details and pictures about their hunts, pricing and lodging.

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Gun, Ammo Sales Sky Rocket

Although Americans who listen to the national media have been presented analyses concluding that: (a) the economy is in the tank, (b) the economy is not bad, (c) the economic recovery has ended, (d) the recovery hasn't occurred, (e), unemployment is rampant, (f) people are finding jobs and (g) everyone is out of work, one economic indicator that seems to be accurate (but unacknowledged) is gun sales are providing a large stimulus to the economy.

Gun expert Alan Korwin notes the February 2012 adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) firearm background-checks total of 1,266,344 was an increase of 31.4 percent more than the 963,746 NICS checks during February 2011.

These numbers from the National Shooting Sports Foundation were adjusted to accurately reflect actual firearms sales because some NICS checks are done for states that use NICS to get people qualified for Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permits (and other purposes)

These figures aren't exact sales numbers (one NICS check can be used for multiple weapons purposes) and some folks, after an NICS check, don't purchase a firearm (although most do).

However, if NSSF didn't carefully figure adjustments, the figures would be different.

For example, the unadjusted February 2012 NICS count is 1,734,646 background checks, an 18.6 percent increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,463,138 in February 2011.

Sarah Brady's "Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence" allegedly was nauseated the system they promulgated informed the public that 1.7 million Americans sought guns or gun-related actions in a single month.

February was the 21st straight month NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year.

The American economy may be going to Hades, but the firearms industry is a major bright spot in the economy. More information is available on line at http://www.nssf.org/bulletpoints/links/030512.cfm

Total NICS background checks from its beginning (November 1998) through March 2011 totaled 145.7 million. The most checks for any month occurred during December 2011 with 1,882,000.

Three of the top-10 days for background checks have occurred since "Black Friday" (the record sales day in U.S. history) which was November 25, 2011.

March 2012 was the 22nd straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures increased.
With 145 million background checks for firearms eligibility conducted during the past 14 years, the media's figure of 200 million guns in American hands today probably is a smidgeon low.

As a sidebar, Ruger stopped taking orders because it has more than 1 million current back orders. Ruger's firearm sales by April 2012 reportedly exceeded all sales for 2011. Smith&Wesson, Mossberg, Hi Point and others gun manufacturers face similar problems, if one can call extra orders for their products a problem (in a terrible economy).

Moreover, overall U.S. exports of arms and ammunition in six sporting categories increased 48.5 percent in January 2012 compared to January 2011. January 2012 exported units in tracked categories totaled 119.0 million units, up from 80.2 million units reported in January 2011.

However, overall U.S. imports of arms and ammunition in the same six, tracked sporting categories decreased 21.1 percent in January 2012 compared to January 2011 -- which means the U.S. balance of trade for arms and ammunition is in positive territory, a plus for the economy - and U.S. arms makers are producing guns Americans want rather than foreign-made weapons.

January 2012 imported units in the six tracked categories totaled 114.9 million, down from 145.7 million reported in January 2011. All figures are from U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC).

The six tracked categories are handguns, rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, shotgun cartridges and other cartridges. Handgun exports increased 65.6 percent from 10,557 to 17,487.

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Poachers Strike Again - One Bull Elk Down

My hunting partner and I were hunting elk and deer again in the great Colorado Mountains. The weather for the first day of the hunting season was nice. There were no clouds and the air was crisp but not too cold. There was a lot of snow on the ground from a snow storm the week before but it wasn't very deep so walking through it wasn't a huge chore. It looked like a good day for hunting ahead of us.

We heard several rifle shots off in the distance and we were hoping those other hunters would drive the elk or deer our way. I drew a cow elk tag again and Ray, my hunting partner, drew a bull elk tag and we both had deer tags. So we were ready for whatever came our way.

We were walking along an old dirt trail and all of a sudden, we heard some elk running just inside of the woods along the trail. They were running fast but we didn't see them. So we hiked into the woods and found their tracks but no elk. A great opportunity missed. We didn't see any elk the rest of the day.

The next morning, we went into the woods on the opposite side of the trail and picked up elk tracks. We must have hiked a mile looking for the elk but nothing. There was a huge rock in front of me and I creped around it to the other side hoping to find an elk resting in the snow. Once on the other side, there was a deep impression in the snow. I knelt down to feel the elk bed and noticed that the snow was melting and it was still a bit warm. We just missed another one.

The third morning, we started out early to hike to and area we thought would be a better place to see elk or deer. We walked along a rocky stream and somehow, my partner and I got separated. I walked into the woods and hoping we would meet up on the trail that went through the woods but I didn't see Ray.

I walked alone for about an hour and a half and heard something in front of me. I took my rifle off my shoulder and got ready for a shot if it turned out to be a cow elk. I slowed my pace and rounded this big bush ready and cautious. As I rounded the bush, there was a bull elk about 10 feet in front of me just standing and looking at me. I was tempted to take him down but I just had a cow elk tag. Had Ray been there with me, we would have had that bull elk.

We had to go back to work the next morning so we broke camp and headed for home. It was a long trip home but we were both looking forward to our own beds and a hot shower. While on the way home we planned to return the next weekend to finish the season and we were hoping that our luck was better.

We returned to the same camp site we had the week before and set up camp. We turned in early so we could get up early and head out to the bush where I saw the bull elk the week before.

It was a long hike along the trail. We were maybe a half mile from the spot where that elk stood there and looked at me and I said to Ray, "Do you smell that?" He said, "No" and then in a few more steps he said, "Yes, it smells like a decaying animal." I told him that we should investigate it. We walked about 100 feet off the trail and there lying on its side was the elk that I saw the week before. Someone poached the antlers off the animal and left him there to decay. I was sick that anyone could do that.

We left that trail and headed back to camp to call it a day. On the way back to camp, we saw a white pickup truck coming toward us. When it got closer we recognized that it was a state ranger. We flagged him down and told him the story and he thanked us for reporting it and that he would check it out.

We got back to camp and decided it was time to head back home. Another season we went home empty handed and thought about what we could have had if we hadn't got separated the week before.

Nobody should every kill an animal and just to take the antlers and leave the meat to just decay. Hunt with respect and integrity for nature not for monitory gain. That poacher spoiled our hunting trip.

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Let's Talk About Hunting Dogs

There are many different opinions of which breed makes the best for grouse or partridge hunting. There are magnificent pointers, setters and Brittany spaniels that are of such exceptional intelligence and ability that an ordinary man can hope for no more than one in a lifetime. Dogs exhibiting such astonishing intelligence are rare. The average individual of any pointing breed, exposed to pheasants and grouse alike, will soon find it necessary to crown a pheasant and to cover a great deal of ground in a short time. He tries similar tactics on grouse, and this proves disastrous, so you get a good performer on pheasants and woodcock and a mediocre stalker of pats.

Having investigated bloodlines and the local reputation of male and female, you should buy the dog you fancy the most, nurture him/her and pray that it will inherit the deep, intelligent eye, the unerring nose and genius of it's forebears. Natural selection is an onward and upward thing. If you are lucky you may have the makings of a champion, a gun dog that will make all previous performers look like fumblers. We all feel that way when a new puppy comes home, and one in a blue moon it comes true.

One of the best ways to train your new dog for hunting is with an electronic collar and using electronic stimulation and conditioning. Collar conditioning is basically a process of introducing and accustoming your hunting dog to e-collar corrections. It's done by using electrical enforcement with known obedience commands. You do not teach obedience with the e-collar. A dog that is not properly introduced to the e-collar may think that the electricity is coming from the environment or the spot they were standing. During collar conditioning the dog will learn that the correction is connected to the handler just as it knows that the leash and healing stick are connected to the handler. The dog should learn to avoid the pressure by swiftly performing the command by the trainer. The collar will be effective only when it is part of an overall program that emphasizes teaching in a positive environment.

The latest technology available in hunting dog e-collars would the Hawx Dog & Gun products. Whether you are a pointer trainer or a Labrador trainer, everybody realized that it wasn't practical to have your shot gun in hand, be paying attention to shooting grouse or partridge and trying to fumble for your e-collar transmitter to control your dog. With the Hawx Bluetooth technology you can mount a push button on your rifle, produce stimulation to control your dog and enjoy a successful hunt.

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Reasons to Carry a Utility Knife in the Wild

Most hunters, joggers, fisherman, mountain climbers, think of the basic reasons for having a utility knife in the wild. When it comes to thinking about needing a utility knife for safety, survival and emergencies, they sort of go into a state of denial. "That will never happen to me", "that does not happen in this day and age," or "that only happens in the movies and on television." The fact is, every year we hear about some hunter, jogger, or mountain climber on the news who gets into a situation where their outdoor activity puts them into a situation of survival. Their utility knife becomes a tool to make repairs to their gear or as a means of defense.

Remember the climber out west a couple of years ago who got his arm wedged between some rocks and eventually had to amputate his own arm to free himself. One can only wonder what went through his mind when he realized that he was not going to be able to free himself from the rocks and that he would have to cut off his own arm in order to survive. "I can't believe this," and "how could this happen to me?"

I wonder how many people have died because they found themselves in a state of denial or because they have become complacent. To illustrate how quickly a person can get themselves into a situation of survival, I will give you a couple examples that have happened to me. The most important one happened to me in my own home while watching the nightly news. My left arm started to ache and my left hand began to feel like a pin cushion. My jaw started to hurt like someone hit me, and then my face began to feel kind of flushed. I started to recognize the symptoms as a heart attack. I started to think: "No, this isn't happening to me." Then I remembered that denial is one of the symptoms of a heart attack. I took some aspirin tablets and told my wife that I thought I might be having a heart attack. We dropped everything and headed for the emergency room. I was 95% blocked down the middle artery to my heart, and needed to have several stints put in. The cardiologist told me that I probably would not have survived if I had ignored the symptoms. The cardiologist went on to tell me that I stopped a heart attack from happening and that I had no heart damage. I realized that denial was not the right way to handle the situation.

In another situation, a friend and I were in Montana hunting and we hired a young man as a guide. He insisted on driving his vehicle. We got out into Custer National Forest, about a mile off the main trail, which was nothing more than a trail, and the young man's truck would not start. I used my utility knife to clean the battery posts and there was just enough spark to start the truck. In this situation, without that utility knife, we would have been stranded in the forest and would have had to walk back to the main road, about 20 miles, or spend the night in the forest.

I remember one of the Boy Scout Mottoes: "Be prepared." When I go into the wild, I usually carry a small pocket knife and I carry another larger folding knife in a pocket. I carry a hunting knife in a sheath on my belt or in my back pack. I always carry a high quality, high carbon steel blade knife on my person, because emergencies can happen to anyone at anytime.

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Deer Antler Gifts

Deer antler gifts are perfect to give to anyone who's a hunter or someone who appreciates wildlife. They're beautiful to look at, go with just about any type of decor, and are extremely versatile. If you're interested in purchasing or making a deer antler gift, keep reading to learn more.

The great thing about making gifts from antlers is that there's no limit to what you can make; the only thing holding you back is your imagination. Deer antlers are extremely durable and waterproof, making them the perfect material to use for crafting items. Need some ideas on what types of gifts to craft? One of the easiest, yet beautiful, is a picture frame made using antlers. You can find these sold at many online shops and stores, or you can make your own. To create your own, take an old picture frame you have and superglue antlers to the sides of it. If the antlers don't fit, you'll have to either cut them down or find some smaller ones.

A slightly more difficult antler gift to make is a pen or knife. There are a few different ways to craft these, but most involve drilling out the center of it to a certain size. However, it's important not to drill too much, as your pen or knife wont properly fit. These are great gifts that will probably get more use than most other gifts. If you're having trouble making your own, you can find them for sale at a number of online shops for as low as $10 bucks.

If you only have some pieces of an antler to work with, try making key chains out of them. Take a piece and drill a small hole directly through the center. Run a small wire and attach the key chain base to it. While a key chain isn't a large gift, it's something they will always use and have on them.

Yet another easy DIY gift is an antler letter opener. To make one of these, just cut off the last 6 inches of an antler and sand it down so it looks like a letter opener. Be sure you sand down the tip, as leaving it sharp is dangerous.

If you the person you're giving the gift to is a hunter, you could make them a deer caller with the antlers. Take two antlers, cut the tips off for safety, drill a hole around the base of each antler and connect them with a shoestring. When they're out hunting, they can rattle them together.

These are just a few of the amazing antler gifts you can give someone!

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Deer Antlers For Dogs

Have you heard of deer antlers for dogs before? Some owners might brush off the thought of giving their dogs antlers in fear that it could potentially harm them. However, they are actually one of the safest and most beneficial types of treats to give your canine friend. If you want to know more about these all-natural treats, keep reading and I'll tell you why they're ideal for dogs to chew on.

If you're a deer a hunter, then you probably know that many animals seek out shed antlers. Squirrels, foxes, coyotes, wolves and rodents oftentimes scour the landscape in search of antlers. While we don't know, it's believed they eat them for the beneficial nutrients and minerals they contain, such as calcium and an array of vitamins. This powerhouse of nutrition helps the animals grow, develop, and stay healthy overall.

Dogs can benefit from ingesting these nutrients in the same way other wild animals can. In fact, most veterinarians recommend owners give their dogs extra calcium in their diet, as it strengthens their bones and teeth.

Not only are antlers nutritious for dogs, they are also long-lasting. Some dog treats such as raw hides or milk bones will only last a day or so in the jowls of a large breed dog. Antlers, on the hand, are one of the strongest formations found in nature, allowing your dog to have many hours of enjoyment from them.

Because antlers are strong and durable, they also work to clean your dogs teeth as they chew on them. Many dog breeds are prone to developing dental problems that include crowding of teeth, tooth decay and tooth loss. If you allow your dog to chew on antlers, it will help remove plaque and food that's stuck on their teeth.

Many owners refrain from giving their dogs treats because of the smell they emit. Large raw hides typically don't smell at first, but after a dog chews on them for a while, they release a pungent smell. Deer antlers, though, never smell, no matter how long a dog has chewed on them.

If you have some antlers you want to give your dog, it's recommended that you cut them up into smaller pieces first. Take a hacksaw or any other type of cutting instrument you have, and cut the antlers up into 6 inch sized pieces.

Even though antlers are strong and safe for dogs to eat, you should still supervise them when they are enjoying their treat. Dogs can choke on anything, even antlers, which is why it's important to watch over them. When the antler treat is too small for your dog to safely consume, take it from them and throw it away. Antlers are cheap and you can easily make more of these treats for your dog.

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Winchester Gun Safe: Ultimate Gun Protection

People with guns need safes that can secure and protect their firearms. There are a variety of gun safes available in the market and each gun safe caters to a specific need, and what works for one gun owner may not work for the other.

Winchester is a reputed company that has carved a niche in the market by manufacturing guns and gun safes. As the company manufactures guns, it knows what exactly is required to protect them, and therefore can make truly optimized and secure gun safes. Winchester gun safes are therefore engineered to store a variety of guns in an organized and efficient manner. These safes are also built to exacting safety and security standards.

Most people with guns opt for Winchester safes because they trust the brand. Many people swear by the Winchester safes and their testimonials speak very highly of the safes' protection-ability, utility value and easy accessibility.

As a gun owner, you want your guns to be protected from children and you want them to be easily accessible in case you are hit by a burglary. Winchester gun safes promise all this and more. In fact, Winchester has upgraded the UL burglary ratings on all its models, which has built-in more protection. All Winchester safes feature a classic, "western" design and look very elegant in homes.

Guns in homes face three different types of threats - fire, burglars and kids. Winchester safes feature a drill-resistant exterior and have special features that protect the interior, and therefore you can be rest assured that no burglar is ever going to get his hands on your guns. They are fire-proof and have automatic re-locking capabilities that turn on when someone tries to break the safe's lock.

Winchester gun safes are equipped with a UL-listed electronic keyboard that can be used set any combination. You can choose your combination and keep changing it whenever. The safes locking bolts are really thick and solid - the Supreme range of safes has 2" thick bolts while the Silverado series has 1.5" thick bolts.

These safes are heavy and cannot be moved around by thieves. Each of them weighs between 500 and 1,000 pounds and it is impossible to lift or fool around with the safe without raising a racket. These safes also come equipped with bolt holes, which allow you to securely fasten the safe on the floor and make it 100% immovable.

The adjusting shelves in these safes can be organized in any way. This allows you to change the layout of the safe and tailor it per your needs. The interior door storage system makes for additional storage and each safe features very elegant beveled edges.

Full-sized Winchester gun safes are equipped with a lifetime warranty, which is limited, and which begins on the day of your purchase. This warranty protects you against manufacturing defects, workmanship deficiencies, and damage from fire or burglar attacks.

There are 4 different models around at the present - these are the Legacy, Silverado, Ranger and the Deputy series of safes. These models fulfill the needs of every type of gun owner.

These are the reasons why it makes complete sense to buy Winchester gun safes. The safes are reliable, secure, robust, easy-to-use and are manufactured by a reputed and trusted brand, which has become the pride of America. You just cannot go wrong with it.

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Hunting Russia For Kamchatka Brown Bear

To say the least a hunting trip to the Kamchatka Peninsula in search of brown bear was an experience of a lifetime. I have taken Alaskan Brown Bear as well as Grizzlies and Black Bear with none of them approaching the suspense and thrill of harvesting a brown bear in Russia.

For a long time I had been dreaming about and planning this trip to Russia and when the time came to leave the Phoenix airport I was still in a shock. From Phoenix we flew to Atlanta then to Moscow. From Moscow we flew to Petropavlovsk (Petro) on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. After our plane trip to Petro we drove approximately 200 miles to where we met my guide. We concluded the trip arrival by going 50 miles up the Danilina river to our permanent camp. All toll, about 48 hours from home to camp. I was beat!

When we arrived at camp it was very rustic and old, but it did serve the purpose. I shared a cabin with a hunter from Chicago who was also there for brown bear. There was an eating tent, outdoor shower, outhouse and a sauna. There also were separate cabins for the cook and interpreter and another for the two guides and the two camp hands.

As in any hunting expedition there is a lot of planning. I wanted to make sure that I had the right equipment and accessories to make for a safe and successful hunt in this desolate country. I chose a 375 H&H Magnum, shooting 300 Grain Nosler Partition Bullets, Zeiss 3x9 scope and Swarovski EL 10x32 binoculars. This combination proved to work perfect for this hunt. I also chose high quality clothing, boots and gloves that were all 100% waterproof.

We hunted with snowmobiles pulling me behind on a sled. Talk about different transportation! It was early spring with lots of snow, rain, and sleet. I had to be properly dressed for the conditions or it would have been unbearable. We saw lots of bears from day one with the guide trying to get me to shoot a smaller bear then I wanted. In fact they got a little upset with me as they wanted to end the hunt and get back to their homes. On the sixth day we located a beautiful bear that we judged to be in excess of 10 feet square and decided he was the one. The bear had gone into a large stand of alders. I went to the opposite side and the guide went in to force the bear out to where I was located. As I got into position to shoot I stepped in some soft snow and fell up to my waist and couldn't move when the bear made his charge. I shot and dropped him with one shot at less than 15 yards. I was very calm while all this was happening, but when it was over I couldn't stop shaking. Talk about an adrenaline rush!

Despite all the problems with language barriers, travel inconveniences, weather and the fact that I got a detached retina in my left eye, it was a great hunt. I had just harvested a beautiful black-coated Kamchatka Brown Bear that squared 10'3". On the way back I had a layover in Moscow and was able to see the Kremlin, Red Square and sleep in a comfortable bed for the first time in 14 days. Also this allowed for some quiet time to reflect on what a great experience that I had just completed.

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How To Score Deer Antlers

Want to know how to score your deer antlers? Unfortunately, it's a little bit more difficult than simply counting the points and adding up the total. If you want to officially score your antlers, you have to follow the rules set forth by one of the accepted methods for scoring antlers.

Scoring your deer antlers allows you to see how your trophy buck compares to others. If you think you have a record-setting antler rack, you must have it officially scored to be crowned the biggest set of antlers in its respective category. If you don't, then lower-scoring antlers can steal the title away from yours.

One of the oldest and most common methods for scoring deer antlers is the Boone and Crocket or "B&C". Compared to other methods, the B&C is probably the most exact method for scoring your antlers, as they focus on the number of tines, length of the beams, circumference, and length. However, these are just a few of the factors that go into officially scoring your antlers using the B&C method.

The reason the B&C method is so popular and widespread is because the scoring is not only based on how many tines a rack has. Instead, the focus is on the overall weight and mass of the antlers. If you're a seasoned hunter, then you probably know that heavier antlers come from the larger bucks. Although, this doesn't mean the antlers will have a many tines just because they're heavy. B&C takes this into consideration by generously scoring heavy antlers.

It's important to note that the B&C method will deduct points from a rack for abnormalities. If the antlers you're scoring are unsymmetrical, points are deducted as well. This puts an emphasis on straight, more aesthetically pleasing antlers.

Many scoring methods, B&C included, separate antlers into two categories - typical and non-typical. As you may expect, typical antlers are ones that look normal with equal tines on each side. On the other hand, non-typical antlers are ones that have abnormalities, such as 5 tines on one side and 7 on the other. Non-typical antlers can also have unusual growths of tines protruding from other tines.

Founded in 1961, the Pope & Young (P&Y) is another popular method used for scoring deer antlers. Although not used as often as B&C, the P&Y method is still the second most used method for scoring antlers.

No matter which method you wish to use for scoring your antlers, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the rules and goals. Both the B&C and P&Y maintain website which have this information freely listed for personal use.

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