Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas from Team HuntingLife!

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 01:37 PM | 2 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, December 21, 2009

MISSOULA, Mont.—Pennsylvania has broken into a Top 10 list of places to find monster elk, an historic indicator of successful habitat and management efforts. Keeping that conservation momentum going, both at home and across the U.S., is the goal of a newly launched Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation chapter in Bloomsburg/Danville, Pa.

“Elk have roamed the Keystone State since 1913 after a successful restoration effort led by a young Pennsylvania Game Commission, but this is Pennsylvania’s first-ever Top 10 appearance in Boone and Crockett Club records, and that’s a big deal,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

The Boone and Crockett Club has kept trophy records of North American game since 1830. In the 169 years preceding 2000, Pennsylvania produced zero record-class elk.

In 2001, Pennsylvania held its first elk hunt in over seven decades. Between then and now, the club’s prestigious records book has gained four bulls from the commonwealth, which ties it with California as America’s 10th most productive trophy elk state in the new millennium. See full lists of Top 10 Boone and Crockett elk states below.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 12:54 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, December 21, 2009

Bogart, Ga. - During a press conference on January 20 at the SHOT Show, QDMA will present the newest edition of the Whitetail Report, a comprehensive look at the status of whitetail populations and whitetail hunting in North America.

Highlighting data collected during the past year, the report focuses on the threats, concerns, successes and challenges that will shape the white-tailed deer's immediate and long-term future-and in turn, that of the entire hunting industry. QDMA's staff of professional wildlife biologists compiled the information as a useful resource for communicators, media members, industry leaders, deer managers, and hunters.

The 2010 Whitetail Report will include current issues and trends in deer management, specifically license sales, hunter effort, state agency budgets, the immunocontraceptive recently licensed for use on free-ranging white-tailed deer, fawn recruitment rates, fawn breeding rates, buck fawn harvest rates, CWD, whitetail predators, and more. The report will also contain a comprehensive analysis of state agency deer management programs.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:52 AM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Often times I am asked what in my opinion is one of the key ingredients to my shooting ability.  Is it good equipment?  Well, partially since I use the very latest recurve bows Hoyt builds and shoot the best Easton arrows I can get.  Is it my bow mechanic?  Partially.  My father sets up every stage bow I have and he's forgotten more about bow tuning than most would ever know.  Practice?  Maybe, I've been shooting a bow since 1971. 
 
My response?  I feel that each of the above factors plays a role but one of the single most important aspects of any style of shooting is "target acquisition."  I don't care how good or bad your vision is, what your method  of shooting is, or how long you have been an archer.  If you aren't effective at target acquisition, you won't be successful in the long run.  Whether you are a 3-D champ, a bowhunter, backyard archer, or someone that enjoys days afield stump shooting, you cannot hit what you cannot see.  And you must be able to do this consistently.
 
This single thing allows me to hit objects as small as a baby aspirin in mid air with an arrow.  I have tuned my eyes, mind and body through years of practice to immediately acquire the target. In the old days they called it, "picking a spot."  It is simple in theory yet hard to master.  I myself am guilty of occasionally staring at a huge set of horns and the whole animal instead of a particular spot.  I miss when I do this and I bet you do too.  You have to be able to shut out everything but where you want your arrow to land.  I think this is a mental and physical exercise.  I cannot rule out the mental side, after all, you have to be able to concentrate. 

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:53 PM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Track Em Blood Finding Agent is chemical agent that allows you to see blood on all wild game when out in the field.  It comes with seperate tablets that you mix with window washer fluid in a spray bottle and then head out on our evening track.  The agent works really well and glows blue everytime you find blood.  It is a great back up for hunters to check areas where they think they hit a deer and once you find a blood trail it allows you to see the trail easier and quickly in the dark.

I found the product to be easy to use and simple in design.  i keep a spray bottle in my car and the tablets in my glove box.  I mix the solution after I know I have hit a deer or even think I have hit an animal and need to find the trail.  As a back up agent, it helps knowing that I have that extra little option to find the game I am looking for.

if you do a lot of evening hunting and find tracking in your area to be tough, this may be a great product to add to your arsenal.

http://trackem.co.nr/

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:44 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 20, 2009

 African Indaba Volume 7 Issue 6

Download the Conservation and Hunting Newsletter put together 6 times per year by Gerhard Damm.  If you are interested in hunting Africa or  conservation in Africa you need to subscribe to this great free newsletter.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:32 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Through this deer hunting season, I was able to test some great deer scents made by Mastin's Deer Scents.  These scents are top of the line.  They offer cover scents, deer scents, and predator scents.  All of their scents are made with real glands and/or urine.  Just for a little background, Mastin's is based out of New Castle, Indiana.  The owner, Faron Mastin, is a dedicated outdoorsman who spends as much time as possible in the woods every year testing out his products.  Let me tell you, he has had some very evident success!  I was able to test their "Smell Like a Deer" cover scent and their brand new "Buck Reaper" scent.  They are a deadly combination!

The "Smell Like a Deer" helped conceal me many times and works as an attractant as well.  I had numerous deer come in downwind of me and smell the air and start running in!   I used it on my boots on the walk in and sprayed it around my treestand before I climbed up.  It worked the first week of the season and it continues to work through the remainder of the late season.

The "Buck Reaper" is great for using to bring in that dominant buck.  It uses five different glands from a buck.  I used this in scrapes and in combination with the "Smell Like a Deer."  I loved rattling and grunting while using this scent, and we had good luck with it, including having one 10 pointer come in and come right over one of the mock scrapes I made and stop to smell it.  The hairs on his back flared like you wouldn't believe! 

Both of these scents come in a very handy and portable spray bottle, which made it very easy to disperse the scent anywhere I wanted to.  Mastin's offers many easy and clean options with there scents, including scent candles and gel scents. 

If you are looking to add a new weapon to your hunting arsenal, check out Mastin's Deer Scents.  You can find their great products, along with other testimonials and information, online at www.mastinsdeerscents.com.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:10 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 20, 2009

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:52 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Washington, DC – TheSafari Club International Foundation (SCIF) is joining with renowned lion expert Dr. Philippe Chardonnet of the International Foundation for Conservation of Wildlife (IFCW)to begin one of the largest national lion conservation projects ever undertaken.
 
The project will include collecting current lion population data in Tanzania, supporting a national lion workshop to be hosted by the Tanzania government, and producing a science-based national lion management plan. Lions are an important component of the African ecosystem. Data from this project will aid in regional management, which is an essential component of ensuring long-term survival of the species across the continent.  
 
“Conservation of the African lion is a major focus of my efforts with SCIF this year,” said SCIF President Dr. Larry Rudolph. “Our hope is that this project applies much needed science to the debate on lion status and management, as opposed to the rhetorical arguments that are often heard from anti-hunting organizations.”

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:12 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 20, 2009

As a young boy growing up in the mountains of Western North Carolina, some of my fondest memories are the times I spent in the woods hunting with my father and grandfather.  Now grown with children of my own, I find the time I get to spend with my children even more precious and truly a gift from God.

My oldest, Trevor, is not almost seventeen and has been hunting with me since he was old enough to walk.  He has grown up before my very eyes and has become a fine young man as well as a very experienced hunter.

Our hunts together this year became even more special as we both became Prostaff with the HuntingLife team and were able to film one of our hunts in November 2009.  This hunt was at one of our favorite places, with Butch and Connie McElwain at Whitetail Creek Outfitters in Cadiz, Kentucky.  Cadiz is in Trigg County and is known for its world class whitetail deer.  It is also the home of David Hale and Harold Knight of Knight & Hale Game Calls and Knight & Hale Ultimate Hunting.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 09:52 PM | 5 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 20, 2009

I had been an active member of Safari Club International (SCI) and a participant of the World Hunting awards program (WHA) since 2002. One of the goals I had set out to accomplish was the Grand Slam of Whitetails of the World. Not a lofty goal, a hunter will have had to travel across the United States and collect 5 different sub-species of whitetail deer. All of these sub-species are remarkably different from one another in hunting tactics to be used, habitat they survive in and body/antler size. What it really forces a hunter to do is to adjust and learn, to experience new ideas and concepts in order to have any chance of success.

I had taken 4 different sub-species of whitetails. I have harvested a couple of Texas whitetail in central Texas, a Midwest whitetail in Iowa and Nebraska, a Northwest whitetail in Alberta Canada and in my home state of Wyoming and lastly a Northeastern whitetail in the beautiful state of Michigan. I made the decision for my last whitetail to be a Southeastern whitetail and to hunt with a good friend, Kevin Paulson in the history rich state of Virginia.

I made sure to absorb in as much information as I could as Kevin and I had spent quite a bit of time on the phone discussing what concepts would be successful and what size deer to be looking to harvest. The date arrived where Hally and I boarded a plane in Denver CO in route to Washington DC to met by Kevin and he would transport us to the area we would be hunting for the next 3 days. I knew the potential of the hunt and was looking forward to meeting Kevin and seeing some new country.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 08:34 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, December 18, 2009

Every day as a part of my job I get a chance to talk to people that I consider real heroes.  Some of them are amazing veterans who put thier life on the line for our country and some of those are folks who are battling for conservation and habitat and some of those are working to protect our youth and teach them the traditions that we all have for the outdoors.

At the RMEF Convention I had the opportunity to meet Harold Hurst and I knew in my heart that this man was a hero.  He told me about his company Stedi-Stock and I fell in love with his product.  As well he told me how he keeps all of the production in the USA because he was a veteran himself in Vietnam.  After several conversations we had the opportunity to work together with an advertisement for HuntingLife.com.  We had lots of conservations and I got to know a little bit about Harold and the more I got to know, the more I liked.

Harold had the opportunity this year to go on a hunt with Jim Zumbo and some disabled veterans in Alaska for bear and wrote a fantastic story about the expereince of getting to hunt with these heroes who gave up a part of thier body for our country in thier service for this great country of ours.

Harold goes to a lot of shows across this country and walking down an aisle one day he had the chance to meet Wes Higgins and Cody Hirt from Veterans Outdoors.  They were holding a raffle for a Critter Getter Jeep to raise money to take wounded veterans out hunting for thier television show.  Tickets were a $100.00 and Harold did not think twice and opened up his wallet and whipped out a fresh bill and walked away pleased that his investment was going to help some American Veterans.  Now Harold leaves an amazing impression on all who meet him and Cody, Wes, and Brad certainly knew they were dealing with a pretty great person and they were excited to be able to use some of Harold's product the Stedi-Stock to film with and give to the veterans.

Well that is certainly not the end of the story.

At the end of thier fishing tournament in San Leon these guys were pretty excited when they got to pull the ticket for the Critter Gitter Jeep Giveaway.  They pulled out Harold Hurst's ticket and smiled ina  knowing way that Harold certainly was a disserving winner of this great hopped up jeep.  They hatched a plan and since they were headed to South Dakota for a Wounded Veterans hunt the next week they called up Harold and asked him if they could stop by to pick up some product to take with them on this hunt.  Harold agreed but said he had to hunt and would not be back until Sunday night so they agreed to meet after dark.

The guys were pretty excited and they trailered up the Critter Gitter and towed it out to Harolds home that Sunday night with the VO truck.  They met up with Harold and discussed the Stedi-Stocks and introduced Harold to Pat who was a US Army Helicopter Pilot who was shot down and crashed in Iraq and was going on the hunt with the crew.  They then asked Harold what he thought of the jeep.  He said he liked it and had even bought a raffle ticket for the jeep and assumed they were delivering it the lucky winner.

They handed the keys over to Harold and told him he was the winner.  Harold was speechless and they filmed his great expressions and the many Thank You's.  He got in it and drove it around the block a few times and he then told them he needed to confer with his lovely wife Deb and partner because Harold wanted to donate this jeep back to Veteran Outdoors to continue to raise money for the projects they were working on.  Of course Deb agreed immediately because that is just the kind of people the Hurst's are.

Cody told me in an email, " His selfless acts still continue to this day as he turned the tides on all of us by refusing the jeep and instead gave it back to Hunts For Heroes to raffle again so that we’re able to continue helping his brother’s in arms.  There wasn’t a dry eye around…this was a complete surprise and shock to all of us! 
 
Harold and his wife Deb have helped out more people than they will ever know with this act of kindness…their generosity will enable Hunts For Heroes’ Veteran Outdoors to continue to provide a platform for our country’s heroes to tell their stories in their own words and will allow us to continue taking these deserving veterans on adventures."

My hats off to all of these great individuals... Harold Hurst, Wes Higgins, Cody Hirt and Brad and Pat...They are all heroes in my book along with the soldiers and veterans who have served our great military for 100's of years and continue each and every day in our country and in lands far far away.  I am honored for the opportunity to tell this great story, I am honored to have gotten to talk with Cody and I am honored to know Harold and Deb Hurst.  Harold you are a great man and your actions make a difference, I am proud to know you and YOU INSPIRE ME!!! -

Please go out and support these great people and thier organizations for helping to take Veterans Outdoors:

http://www.stedistock.com

http://www.veteranoutdoors.com/abouttheshow.html

http://www.veteranoutdoors.com/H4HRemodel/AboutHuntsforHeros.pdf

http://www.crittergitters.net/

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 02:01 AM | 3 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, December 18, 2009

Delaware, Ohio - December 16, 2009 - Ohio's Delaware and Franklin counties are home to the nation's newest chapter of Pheasants Forever (PF). The group, named the Central Ohio Chapter of PF, becomes the state's 30th PF chapter and the first to service the Columbus area. Chapter leaders plan to focus their efforts on connecting area youngsters to the outdoors and America's hunting heritage.
 
"The leaders of this chapter are committed to preserving our outdoor traditions for future generations," explained Rob Williams, the new chapter's president and Powell resident. "By starting this chapter, we hope we can all take the time to give something back that will benefit our children and beyond. We are dedicated to maintaining and nurturing Central Ohio’s outdoor legacy through conservation and youth education."
 
The chapter plans to hold a fundraising banquet this spring. With funds from that banquet, the chapter will design an outdoors event for area youth. PF and its quail division, Quail Forever (QF), are the only national conservation organizations that empower local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. This local control allows members to see the fruits of their chapter efforts in their own communities, while belonging to a national organization with a voice on federal conservation policy in Washington, D.C.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 01:43 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, December 18, 2009

Pana, Ill. - December 16, 2009 - On Monday evening, three dozen quail enthusiasts formed the nation's newest chapter of Quail Forever (QF). The new Tri-County Chapter of QF plans to focus their efforts on the improvement of quail habitat in Montgomery, Shelby and Christian counties. Chapter leaders also discussed their goals for introducing area youngsters to the outdoors, conservation, and bird hunting.
 
"If I don't volunteer my time on behalf of the next generation of quail hunters, who is going to do it for me?" questioned Brad Storm, the new chapter's president and lifelong bird hunter. "As a chapter of Quail Forever, we have a financial model that puts control of our fundraising dollars in our hands. We also have Quail Forever's staffing support in the form of grant writing, accounting, and insurance that allows us to focus our efforts on the habitat and youth education missions important to why we're volunteering in the first place."
 
Quail Forever was founded by Pheasants Forever in 2005 to address the nation's quail population decline. QF applies the successful Pheasants Forever model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. As a result, the organization's 125,000 members and more than 700 chapters see the fruits of their conservation efforts in their own communities, while belonging to a national organization with a broader voice in Washington, D.C. on federal conservation policy.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 01:40 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, December 18, 2009

MISSOULA, Mont.—A nine-year land conservation project has been completed near La Grande, Ore., permanently protecting habitat and securing public access on nearly 850 acres. The parcel, now part of Ladd Marsh Wildlife Management Area, has been transferred to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The area, known locally as the Glass Hill winter range, is prime elk habitat. An estimated 120 elk use the area throughout the year. In winter the herd can swell to more than 500. Upland birds, deer and several sensitive species also inhabit the area.

“Back in the late 1990s, RMEF and ODFW identified this tract as important habitat threatened by future recreational and residential development. That prediction held true. Today realtors are marketing subdivided properties on neighboring lands and no doubt the same thing would have happened here,” said Bill Richardson, RMEF lands program manager for Oregon and Washington.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 01:27 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, December 11, 2009

Late-season Western deer hunting often draws me into close proximity of ranch homes and land edges. When the season nears its end and the cold weather moves in, Ive found these tips very helpful in locating and tagging that last minute Buck!

Hunt Slopes and Drainages: The Deer tend to gravitate towards winter ranges that lay adjacent to hay and grain fields. Usually these edges have plenty of south-facing hillsides that catch the warm sun along with east and north facing drainages that produce the best forage late in the year.

Find the Hay: As ranchers start stock pilling their hay for the winter herds of Mule deer and elk descend from the high country locating these stockyards for some easy grub. Some of the biggest bucks are spotted and killed every year near these ranchers haystacks.

Hunt Forage: In the later parts of the year mule deer are shrub eaters. They key on highly nutritious plants such as bitter-brush, cliffrose and mahogany. Find stands of these shrubs and you'll find your December Buck!

Hunt Cover: In areas such as Colorado's Western Slope - Key on low elevation flats with large, woody shrubbery. Deer tend to hunker under the cover provided, which shed snow, break the wind and create pockets of insulated cover.

Watch Lookouts: Big Bucks love bedding on high ridge tops usually next to heavy cover. Glass high for sky-lined horns as they just may be attached to that mule deer buck you've been waiting for.

Seek out Cottonwood Draws: In bitter cold weather, I've found still-hunting into cottonwood draws pays off! This is where temperatures can be 20 degrees warmer than on the ridge tops and will hold enormous amounts of deer, who are seeking cover and looking to get out of the wind.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 05:26 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, December 11, 2009

Here came a couple of young bucks, after over 100 hours in the blind I was finally going to get my shot. The bucks were headed straight for the water and I got positioned to shoot. The bucks got about 80 yards from me and they just turned and walked off over the hill. I said that’s enough if they aren’t coming to me I am going after them. That is the story my buddy Virgil Larsen told me a couple of days after he got his hard earned trophy. Before we finish the story though, I need to tell you of the events that unfolded beforehand.

August 5th 2008 found my hunting buddies Virgil Larsen, my brother Jeremy and I doing our yearly tradition of putting out our antelope blinds. In Idaho you aren’t allowed to place a blind on public land until 10 days before the opening of the take season. So at daylight we were headed out ready to put them up. We got them set in our normal spots where we had been having good success the last few years. There wasn’t a ton of water, but it looked like enough and things where shaping up to be another good season. We had also gone out and put out a blind for my father in law Evan in another area I had hunted a couple years prior. This was the year we were all going to get our antelope and go 4 for 4. With all of our blinds in good spots all we had to do now was wait 10 days and those antelope were ours, or were they?

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 12:59 AM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Thursday, December 10, 2009

ACCOKEEK, MD (December, 2009) -- Phil Robertson and his Duckmen are back in the blind, and this time they're looking for more than ducks. Benelli USA is proud to offer a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those who might dream of hunting one day with the legendary Duck Commander. To enter, contestants should submit a video showcasing their personality and illustrating their deep desire to hunt with the Duck Commander. Phil and his Duckmen will view all submitted videos and choose the resourceful individual they feel is most deserving of the hunt.

One lucky winner, who along with a guest of their choosing, will enjoy an all-expense-paid Louisiana "Duck Commander" duck hunt-and get to appear on Benelli's hit TV show, Benelli Presents Duck Commander. Furthermore, the winner will receive a Benelli Super Black Eagle II shotgun, and additional prizes from Realtree®, Federal Premium® Ammunition, Kick's Choke Tubes, Burris® Optics, Realtree Foods, and Gator-Tail Outboards.

"I've hunted with the Duck Commander, and I guarantee you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll beg for more," said Stephen McKelvain, VP Marketing & Communications, "In the world of duck hunting, there's nothing like it."

All entries must be postmarked no later than January 2, 2010, so don't just sit there-enter to win a hunt with the Duck Commander! For more information on the contest, rules and prizes log on to: http://www.benelliusa.com/video_contest/

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 01:28 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Thursday, December 10, 2009

MISSOULA, MONTANA-Responding to the latest legal wrangling by environmental groups, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation again has entered into federal court an amicus curiae brief supporting wolf population management via state-regulated hunting in Idaho and Montana.

The move means U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy will consider RMEF positions against the environmental groups' request for summary judgment in a lawsuit seeking to stop the hunts and return gray wolves to the endangered species list.

A summary judgment is a determination made by a court without a full trial.

Molloy is expected to rule early in 2010.

In September, Molloy denied the environmental groups' request for an emergency injunction. Following a hearing in Missoula, Mont., Molloy ruled that plaintiffs had failed to demonstrate how hunting would cause irreparable harm to wolf populations. RMEF documents, filed shortly before the hearing, were considered in that decision.

The ruling allowed wolf hunting to proceed in Idaho and Montana. By early December, hunters had taken approximately 184 wolves out of an estimated 1,500-plus total population in the northern Rockies-a harvest well below the combined quota.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 01:25 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Senate bill would sustain public-lands sporting opportunities, fish and wildlife habitat
and jobs in the forest-products industry in Montana

WASHINGTON – The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has affirmed its support of Senate Bill 1470, the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, legislation that would fulfill twin goals of sustaining traditional conservation values and fish and wildlife resources in Montana while upholding the forest-based jobs that form the economic bedrock of communities throughout the state.

The TRCP decision heightens the ongoing efforts by a number of prominent sportsmen-conservationist groups, including the Montana Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited, the Mule Deer Foundation and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, to promote S. 1470 and furthers the TRCP’s aim of building consensus on natural resource policy issues affecting citizens in Montana and across the country. 

Introduced by Montana Sen. Jon Tester, the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act would sustain the economic development and recreational use of National Forest System lands and other public lands in Montana, add lands to the National Wilderness Preservation System, release certain wilderness study areas and designate new areas for recreation.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 01:21 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Is High Fence  “Offensive”?

Most fans of the  game of football believe that the best offense is a good defense. Do most  hunters believe that the best game fence is no fence? And if so, why?

Before, I answer  those questions, let me share with you my background. I would like to do so  for two reasons. First, to hopefully add credibility to the opinions  expressed herein and secondarily, to disclose to you up front my agenda  and/or prejudices. 
 
I  have been hunting for over 45 years. While electing to hunt with bow only  for the last several decades, in past years I have used every weapon  possible from crossbows to shotguns, from pistols to pirate swords, and for  that matter, I even tried to throw rocks at a few! I started hunting in  Florida in the early 1960’s, but since then I have hunted many States across  the USA, including Alaska, as well as several provinces of Canada, including  many trips to New Foundland. I also have ventured over the big pond to go on  safari in South Africa.  I love bow hunting big game and have taken a  wide variety of species such as whitetail deer, various exotic deer, turkey,  mountain lion, moose, caribou, wild boar, and several African species.  Personally, less than 5% of my hunting has been on high fenced properties. 

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:20 AM | 5 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Lewistown, Montana - Looking for a gift that keeps on giving? There's just one month left to purchase tickets for Montana Pheasants Forever's 2-Guns-A-Week raffle, which offers chances at winning one (or more!) of 104 firearms in 2010 and supports Pheasants Forever's wildlife habitat mission in Big Sky Country.

Tickets for the raffle, which is being supported by Don's in Lewistown, are on sale now for $50 each. A maximum of 3,000 tickets will be sold - or one gun for every 29 tickets sold - and 100 percent of the proceeds will support Pheasants Forever's conservation efforts in Montana. The impressive gun list, valued at approximately $70,000, includes firearms by Weatherby, Benelli, Browning, Remington, Ruger and more retailing in the $700 to $1,500 range. Winning ticket numbers will be placed back into the pool of tickets, so by purchasing just one ticket, you'll have a chance for all 104 firearms!

Tickets for the Montana Pheasants Forever 2-Guns-A-Week raffle are available through your local Montana Pheasants Forever chapter or by sending $50 per ticket (payable to Pheasants Forever) to P.O. Box 2157,Missoula, MT 59806. For questions regarding the raffle, contact Jon Lee at (406) 721-9919 or via email Jon@MontanaPF.org. For more details and the complete gun list, log onto www.MontanaPF.org.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:27 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

PHOENIX - The Arizona Game and Fish Commission set the 2010 elk and pronghorn antelope hunt orders on Saturday during their regular meeting, authorizing a grand total of 952 pronghorn and 26,702 elk permits.

The full regulations are anticipated to be available online at the department's Web site after Dec. 16 at www.azgfd.gov/draw. Once the regulations are posted, hunters can begin to submit their applications for the drawing process.

The application schedule listed below was also approved by the commission.

* Applications accepted - as soon as the regulations are available (anticipated Dec. 16)
* Correction period - Jan. 21
* Deadline to apply - Feb. 9

There were a couple of changes made to the proposed recommendations during the meeting for both elk and antelope.

Unit 19B antelope hunters can be thankful for an agreement arranged by Commissioner Woodhouse with the Chino Grande Ranch that will continue to allow hunters access on the ranch during the 2010 season. Closure of the property to the public would have resulted in a reduction of 45 antelope permits in the unit.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:21 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

HARRISBURG - When is the largest bear killed in Pennsylvania's bear season not the largest bear harvested? When it is the largest bear killed over bait, which equals poaching. That's what happened when Charles W. Olsen Jr., of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, decided that it'd be easier to kill a bear over a pile of pastries, rather than the method used by ethical hunters.

Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) Cory Bentzoni became suspicious when he saw a truck loaded with pastries from a local store driving along Route 309 in Dallas, Luzerne County.

"As we were about one week away from the opening of the statewide bear season, I thought that something illegal might be underway," WCO Bentzoni said. "Being that we were so close to bear season, seeing that person drive by with an unusual amount of pastries was like watching an individual go down a row of parked vehicles testing each handle to see if it were open. Something just didn't seem right."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:14 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

As every hunter knows, for a quick and clean kill, you must wait for the most opportune shot. This rings even more true for the big game archery hunter. Even with today's archery set up, despite how advanced the rigs are getting, we automatically limit ourselves to a decreased range with fewer shot opportunities.

Too many times we see people taking dicey shots resulting in a miss or even worse an injured animal. If you are not confident in a shot, will it hurt to wait? Chances are if the animal is calm, you will be presented a better shot in the following minutes. Worst-case scenario, you will have to pass on the quarry, but isn’t that far better than possibly fatally injuring and not finding the animal?

There is an obvious difference, in my mind, between taking a bad shot and making a bad shot. Bad shots are an unfortunate reality of our sport and happen to even the most seasoned hunters. There are so many things that must go right for the perfect shot, and all it takes is one out of place factor to mess things up. However, by disciplining yourself to take an ethical broadside or quartering away shot, you increase your chances of a quick humane kill.            

 The fortunate thing about bow hunting is that in most states it provides ample time in the woods. With this additional time you can learn different set up techniques and other strategies that will help generate more ethical and effective shots. In conclusion, I hope that bow hunters realize the responsibility and respect we must have while in the field. Not only does it give our sport a bad name when unethical shots are taken and animals are injured, but our game is potentially wasted, and therefore our time, resources, and efforts are lost. So please make the ethical choice, the way bow hunting was intended.

"When a hunter is in a tree stand with high moral values and with the proper hunting ethics and richer for the experience, that hunter is 20 feet closer to God".

-Fred Bear

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 00:44 AM | 2 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- With the assistance of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Arizona Fish & Game Department is working to secure the future of hunting by tapping the enthusiasm of youth and seniors.

The department announced new programs at a press conference today, with two initiatives made possible by grants provided by the National Shooting Sports Foundation totaling $82,500.

These are the first grants Arizona Fish & Game has received through NSSF's Hunting Heritage Partnership Program, which has provided nearly $3.4 million in assistance to wildlife agencies over the past seven years to create hunting and recreational shooting opportunities.

"NSSF's Hunting Heritage Partnership grants are awarded based on the potential for developing new hunters and shooters and reactivating inactive sportsmen and women," said Steve Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. "Arizona's new programs show real promise for success, and NSSF is proud to support them."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 00:33 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, December 7, 2009

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Mule Deer Foundation President and CEO Miles Moretti announced today that MDF has once again put over $1.5 million dollars on the ground in 2009 to enhance and conserve mule deer and black-tailed deer habitat throughout the western United States. The money was raised through the sale of state wildlife auction and raffle tags, local fundraising banquets, along with corporate and private donations. Despite the economic downturn, MDF has been able to exceed project funding goals for 2009.

Projects funded vary from water developments and habitat improvement projects to the purchase of land to be conserved for mule deer and other wildlife. Moretti said, "The number one goal I had for MDF when I took over the reins in 2006 was to increase MDF's presence in funding habitat projects for mule deer. We have worked with State and Federal agencies, other conservation groups and private landowners to make that happen."

In 2009, several projects highlight the organization's commitment to funding projects that make a difference. MDF, in partnership with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, purchased the Allan Smith Property in Eastern Utah. The purchase of these 5,700 acres protects a critical migration corridor between summer and winter range for mule deer and elk. The property also contributes critical winter habitat for mule deer, elk and sage grouse. MDF also partnered with Pheasants Forever to purchase 1,000 acres adjacent to the Beckman Wildlife Management Area in Central Montana. This piece of property is a key component that connects land owned by Montana FWP, Block Management land and Department of Natural Resources and Conservation land. Together, these properties total over 15,000 contiguous acres of incredible wildlife habitat, and they also provide ample opportunity for outdoor recreation and hunting.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 02:39 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, December 7, 2009

MISSOULA, Mont.-U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Patrick Zeigler, shot four times at Fort Hood, Tex., on Nov. 5, dreams of recovering well enough to go elk hunting someday.

That wish has become a welcome command for a battalion of hunters eager to help.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, an organization made up primarily of hunters focused on conserving habitat for elk and other wildlife, has adopted Zeigler as one of its own. Members have vowed to make the soldier's dream come true-as well as support him through the grueling rehab and surgeries that stand between him and his first adventure in elk country.

"When I told Patrick about the offer to go elk hunting, it was one of the few times I've seen his eyes light up since he's been in the hospital. He loves to hunt and fish and be outdoors. He always wanted to hunt elk but never had a chance. Now, that experience is one of the things he's driving for," said Zeigler's father, Pat, a career serviceman now standing vigil by his son's side.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 12:44 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, December 7, 2009

A good knife is one of the most essential tools a hunter can carry with them.  A sharp knife is essential for every hunter whether they are a waterfowl hunters, small game hunter or Big Game Hunter.  Cheap knives come at a cost...Usually that cost is dull blades and dull blades often cause more injuries then extremely sharp blades.  The duller the blade the more force you need to cut objects with the knife and this usually leads to injury.

The world is filled with great knives from really expensive custom knives to cheap knives you can pick up at the local gas station for about 10.00 or under.  Good knives usually cost a bit more then 10.00 and are worth every penny.  I am a fan of several great brands of knives out there in the marketplace and each of these companies offer great knives.  I buy certain knives from certain companies.  My pocket knife is a W.R. Cas e knife, I have a great folding knife from CRKT , my fixed blade knife is a SOG and my boning knife is from Cutco.

This Christmas I suggest one of the most important knives you can carry.  The Fixed Blade Knife is worn on your belt and will be the standard utility knife that you carry with you on most all of your hunting trips. SOG Knives has several great knives in this catagory but one of my favorites is the SOG Fleld Pup knife.  It feels great in your hands, carries a great edge, comes with a soft Nylon Carrying Case for your belt and comes at a reasonable cost.

You can pick up the knife online at SOG KNIVES and if your looking at getting one quickly Camofire is offering a One Day Deal on this knife.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 02:21 AM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, December 7, 2009

Crownsville, Maryland - The Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) has received the largest conservation easement in its 42-year history. Mrs. Louisa Duemling has donated a 2,894-acre easement to MET and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Inc., forever protecting the scenic open space, agricultural and forestland, known as Andelot Farm in Kent County. At its Wednesday meeting, the Board of Public Works ratified the donation of the perpetual conservation easement to MET.

"On behalf of the present and future citizens of Maryland, I want to thank Mrs. Duemling for her extraordinary generosity and vision in preserving this magnificent property," said Governor Martin O'Malley.

The property includes approximately 1,087 acres of forest, 1,692 acres of tilled land and 50 acres of freshwater ponds. The easement will also preserve a 200-foot vegetative buffer strip along 9.2 miles of the Chesapeake Bay, Churn Creek, Tims Creek, Worton Creek and Still Pond, protecting water quality and riparian wildlife habitat. In addition, the property contains high quality habitat for several threatened and endangered species, including the Delmarva fox squirrel.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 02:12 AM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 6, 2009

I woke in the morning and the first thing that popped into my mind was ‘This is going to be a great day!' I walked up front and got some breakfast then got ready to go to the Wheelin' Sportsman's program we had been planning for a month. All ready, mom and I headed down the road. It was just a short drive and we were soon there.

I walked over to my dad and grandpa who were going to be hunting that afternoon. I said hey and then walked over to my cousin and talked to him. I got me a bowl of stew and went back over to my parents. We ate the delicious stew and then they called out for everybody to take a picture for the newspaper. I walked over holding my camera. Everybody told me to jump in the picture, so I walked over and kneeled by my friend Linda. The picture was great and afterward daddy handed me my camera. I walked around and took plenty of pictures. Some pictures were really good and a few funny one's also. I had a fun time taking pictures and absolutely loved it when a flock of turkeys walked in the field. I took well over 15 pictures of them to make sure I was at least guaranteed to have one good picture. Well they all were very good! I also took pictures of 2 deer, a doe and a button buck, that were taken that morning by 2 of the hunters.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:48 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Hello everyone!

I hope this e-mail finds you all doing wonderful and blessed! We hope you and your families had a safe and blessed Thanksgiving holiday and we also pray you have a joyous Christmas and New Year! We also extend to you our prayer for best wishes and many special blessings ALWAYS!!!

I would like to first take this opportunity to express to each of you our deepest and most sincere appreciation for ALL the support you have given and continue to give to the Hunters for the Hungry program. You are a blessing to us and to all those whose lives are touched by your kindness and caring way. We are able to touch lives in such a wonderful way and to promote our hunting heritage in a positive light through what we give back. As I write to you we have been receiving as many deer as we ever have. It seems hunters are having great success and are sharing their bounty with us to help those who hunger. As we continue to see the deer made available we must continue to focus on our funding to make sure we can accept every deer that is given to us. As we move toward the end of the year we hope to continue to receive fianancial donations during this giving season. In addition to this funding area we have introduced our two newest raffles which we hope will help us generate additional funding to again help us keep pace with the donated deer. We once again have our FALL / WINTER RAFFLE and we are also running our 2010 HUNT RAFFLE. The Fall / Winter tickets are $2.00 each or a book of 3 for $5.00. We are giving away 10 really nice prizes this year which includes a Grand Prize of a Thompson Center Encore Pro Hunter muzzleloader, we also have a Parker Bow, a Remington 11-87 12 ga shotgun, a Knight muzzleloader etc etc. And on our hunt raffle the tickets are $5.00 each or 3 for $10.00. The grand prize here is a White-tailed Deer hunt for 2 people at Sailors Creek Outfitters in the Farmville area of Virginia. It allows both hunters to take a buck and 2 does and the winner also will receive a Savage 300 Winchester magnum rifle. There is also a Bear hunt in Maine and some other neat prizes.

However, as we must do with all our raffles we are required to follow the Dept. of Charitable Gaming Guidelines. We are not able to conduct raffle ticket sales through the mail and so we are turning to volunteers who might be able to help us sell tickets or to make some contacts with those who can assist with these important fundraisers. I am writing to ask for your help and assistance as we do many times throughout the year. IF you could sell some of these tickets for us please e-mail me back or call me by cell at (434) 665 - 7658 so we can arrange to get you a quantity of tickets. I would also like to ask if you would to send us or call us with information of any business, sporting goods store, general store, group or organization that might be willing to help us with this as well. If you know the owner of say a store or business in your area and could ask them if they might be willing to help PLEASE contact us back with the contact name and telephone number and we will follow up with them. My plan is to "hit the road" starting next week to visit as many businesses and individuals as possible to try and distribute these tickets. I have created small posters and signs that can be placed on the business window that would let people know the tickets were available there for sale and we would have the posters that I have attached that they can display or hand out that outlines all the prizes etc. for each raffle. We just need individuals and businesses that will help us sell them. To make this as efficient as possible I am hoping to get a certain area to travel to at a time, or if you would be willing to distribute them to those you know I could meet you and issue you a quantity as well. TO DO THIS AND HAVE IT BE A SUCCESS WE NEED YOUR HELP! We have some really nice prizes on these and our raffles help us raise a significant amount of monies each year. Since we cannot sell them through the mail we need to distribute them and we would love to be able to do so ALL across the state.

Anyway I so look forward to hearing from you in helping us with these important fund raisers for our program. As you know there is no shortage of the deer that we can receive but we must have the funding to accept each of them. Our funding has always been the struggle and we appreciate anything you can do in support of the program and these raffles. It is crucial we raise the monies so we cannot only accept the deer made available but to grow the program as well. We appreciate you helping us sell tickets and / or getting us contacts and locations where we can deliver them.

Thanks again for all you do and God Bless you all and your families,

We would also like to wish you and yours a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a JOYOUS NEW YEAR!!!

Gary Arrington

Virginia Hunters for the Hungry

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 10:31 PM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 6, 2009

December Link to the Barnes X Newsletter...

http://www.barnesbullets.com/resources/newsletters/december-2009-barnes-bullet-n/

OutdoorLife Magazine has also nominated Coni and Randy Brooks to the Outdoor Life 25 Most influential People in the Outdoors as the Ammo Industry's First Couple.  Congratulations to them both and to Barnes Bullets as a company.  This will be our last post for Barnes Bullets.  You can read their newsletter monthly at their website.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 09:19 PM | 1 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 6, 2009

As all hunters know, the rut triggers some big bucks to become love sick and make bad decisions that may cost them in the end. The rut also brings about a different kind of sickness, one that causes a low blow to the pit of my stomach. Road hunters, road kill headhunters, and the road side dead deer carcass cause my stomach to churn every fall. This year though I have put real thought into why this burns me to the core.

For the past few years, our economy as been disintegrating to almost nothing and it is not getting any better. Families are choosing between food and bills to survive and many have to go hungry. As a hunter every year, I feel the need to help my fellow man by donating my harvested deer to Hunters for the Hungry. This organization feeds many needy people and those people depend on hunters for most of their meat. This leads me to think how many people a dead deer on the side of the road that was shot for just the backs straps and horns could feed. It sickens me when I hear of someone's deer piles or their late night spotlighting adventures. These types of so-called hunters are not hunters in my mind at all they are just killers.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 09:06 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 6, 2009

As little ghosts and goblins readied themselves for a day trick or treating and prepared my muzzleloader for another opening day. As the alarm sounded at 5:30 am, I awoke already with the feeling of a great day. Then I looked out the window, a little rain in the forecast today I thought to myself. I headed downstairs and read the weather report and it said just slight drizzle, so I again I was filled with a great feeling about the day.

After waking up and talking to Dad about where I was going to hunt, I headed for the gunroom to load up. I made sure I had everything, loaded the truck, waited on Dad, and finally got going. I dropped dad off then head back to the barn to head to my tree stand. Well as I pulled into the barn the heavens opened up which let me know I was going to get a little wet. The rain slacked up and I headed for the woods.

About half way up my ladder I had a haunting feeling surround me and let me know that today was Halloween and the spirit of the wild was hanging like black powder smoke on a rainy morning. I situated my seat, put on my facemask and gloves, and settled down for the morning.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 09:04 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 6, 2009

October 20th. Finally, it was here. I had been looking forward to that day since last spring when it was set up for the Winona State Ducks Unlimited Chapter to go on a goose hunt in Rochester, MN with Premier Flight Outfitters. Everything came together. My alarm sounded off at 4:00 AM. I woke up Justin and got my gear together. It felt like a perfect morning for a waterfowl hunt; just a steady breeze and overcast. The forecast was rain for the morning, but we were prepared. Justin got the camera gear together and we went on our way to meet up with the rest of the crew. A total of 12 hunters and a cameraman were planning on experience this great opportunity, but as usual, a couple people had something come up and were unable to make it.

4:30 AM came around and we found ourselves in the Walmart parking lot where we all planned on meeting. I did a head count and came up with only 9 of my fellow classmates. We were missing 2 people that hadn't told me they couldn't make it. Luckily, I was able to wake at least one of them up! We waited in that parking lot for about an hour for my other buddy, but he never showed, so we got a hold of the owner of Premier Flight, Dean Tlougan. He told us to meet him at good old McDonald's in Rochester.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 08:54 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Now you did it:

As I thought when a close friend asked me how I made out on our Leopard Trip to South Africa with Motsomi Safaris ....

So I e-mailed him this response, PaulB, you brought a sore spot back out in the open. Just kidding. You're right though, you didn't see a leopard in the pictures of our recent trip to Africa. If I had gotten one of the three leopards we were hunting I would have taken out a full page add in the Wall Street Journal. I've never worked so hard to do nothing in my life. Again, Pieter and Company went all out. They had a female on bait when we arrived. We waited a few days until a male showed up. Then they hurried and built two blinds at right angles to the bait tree, cleared a shooting lane from both, and cleared a walking lane to each as not to make any noise getting into the blinds. Two were made in case of wind change.

We let the area calm down and the leopards were working it! Adrenaline time! So we went into the blinds from 8 to 12 hours at a time, depending what day and how long I (and not just me) could sit absolutely still. Not one cough, sneeze or pick your nose. Not moving was the hard part, along with the temperature chance. Going into the blinds it was 94 deg. on one day and in the evening when they had to pry me out, it was 44 deg. It's hard dressing for that kind of change.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 08:36 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 6, 2009

I have been struggling in my head for a month on how to review something in a way that didn't come across as harsh as it should, and be objective as I could at the same time. Kind of like trying to say something nice about a doctor who cut your leg off when you went in the hospital for a colonoscopy. But here goes my feeble attempt.

A little background is need first.

I bought my first Leupold VXIII 1.5x 5 w/lighted reticle last year for a pre gift/tip for my PH that was taking me on my first Cape Buffalo hunt in Mozambique in March of 2009. I bought it through one of the large sporting supply companies that had a big display at the Harrisburg Pa, Sports show in January so that my PH could take it back with him and do all the mounting and zeroing in needed before I arrived.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 08:14 PM | 3 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, December 6, 2009

This book written by two Montana gentlemen, chronicle the state's wild animal populations and the hurdles that are responsible for the current conditions. "Montana's Wildlife Legacy - Decimation and Restoration" by Terry Lonner and Harold Picton was published as a follow-up to their 2006 video, "Back from the Brink - Montana's Wildlife Legacy."

The book advertises itself as "only complete compilation of Montana's wildlife trapping and transplanting records."

Terry Lonner has been involved in wildlife conservation most of his adulthood. For 28 years Terry worked as wildlife researcher, before retiring as the Chief of Wildlife Research and Technical Services for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). While Terry was working for the FWP, he authored and co-author numerous published and unpublished reports relating to the conservation of wildlife and its habitat.

Harold Picton is a former wildlife biologist for the then Montana Fish and Game Department. Harold has written more than 100 scientific articles concerning a plethora of different species. He is also responsible for the writing the Buffalo -Natural History and Conservation and Saga of the Sun, this is the story of the Sun River game range, near the Bob Marshall Wilderness area and the reintroducing elk in that area.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 07:58 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, December 4, 2009

Dedicated sportsmen like myself are always going to hunt like myself it is a part of my make up in life.  I am a hunter through and through and I live, eat, breath and sleep hunting.  That being said there are friends of mine who sometimes hunt, and ones who never hunt and ones who might someday like to hunt but do not have the information necessary in order to make an informed decision.

Backyard Deer Hunting by Wm. Hovey Smith provides a tremendous resource to hunters and non-hunters alike.  The bi-line his book is Converting Deer to Dinner for Pennies per Pound.  With chapters like setting up your hunts, getting the gear, scouting for deer, deer hunting, humanely killing big game, Finding and extracting your deer, Skinning and cleaning, larger and smaller game, Road Kill Cafe, Long-term meat storage, and cooking.  Having spent the better part of 30 plus years hunting along side my father and now hunting for my own families nourishment, I am always excited to pick up a great book and learn something and this book has something for everyone.

The recipes in the cooking section are excellent and provide a ton of knowledge.  Wild game needs to be prepared well in order for us to enjoy it and these recipes are tried and true favorites from the author.  

In our rough economic times grocery shopping in the wild has become important for many families to augment and feed their families and with the tremendous growth of groups like Hunters for the Hungry and Hunters Feeding the Hungry more and more people are turning back to the wild in order to feed their families.

This book should be a part of every hunters personal library and it should be one of those books that is shared with all of your hunting buddies, friends who sometimes hunt and friends who have not hunted but might someday like to try.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:07 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, December 4, 2009

I often get offers to test gear from companies and some of those companies are big name corporations and sometimes they are small companies.  www.unseenontv.com has several products that they have given me a chance to test.  Over the past several months I have had the opportunity to test out four great products... Two of them are absolute favorites and the other two I have only had a couple of instances to test.

All of the products that I have tested from the InventHelp Store have been excellent in quality and have worked well for their intended purpose and the customer service has been pretty great to work with.

Air Chair

The Air Chair is a zero gravity chair that hangs from the rafters on your deck or porch and the unit they sent me actually works with a strap set up on the side of your car for you camp site.  I had a ton of pictures but unfortunately they seem to have disappeared.

The chair is comfortable and easy to set up and I enjoy relaxing on the deck in the chair after a long day of hunting.  I really enjoy the chair and my kids love it.

Moon Minnow Fishing Lure

The Moon Minnow actually catches fish....I have not fished it in complete darkness but i have used it in late late dusk after a day of hunting hard, I walked up to the pond, dropped in the small light and flipped it out there... Bang..I got a hit, and then I got 3 more...4 good fish in 10 minutes and then I got a phone call...I have not fished since..but 4 good fish in 10 minutes... I cant wait to try this once I get some time to go back to fishing... As for now there are deer and geese to kill.  Lures are always great gifts and this one should work lit or not... It just looks good, swims well and its a winner..

The Master Sharpener

Now I could speak Volumes about the importance of carrying a sharp knife or a sharp hook when you are in the woods..Knives and Hooks that are not sharpened are dangerous and while all knives should be handled with care any knife that is not sharp can hurt you..It takes only seconds to keep a good knife sharp and the Master Sharpener can help you keep a great edge on your knives and the tool is light weight and easy to use.

These are all great items for the sportsmen in your world and I look forward to seeing more great products from the team at Invent Help!!!

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 01:44 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Hunters are kind of an obsessive group of people.  In my circle of friends who hunt they are absolutely obsessed with hunting and they think about 365 days a year.  Whether it is planning the next hunt, thinking about the food plots and duck blinds or scouting for that next great hunting trip they want to take.

Dale is just one of those guys who is obsessed with hunting and while he may be working for the man in a day to day job, he is always thinking about hunting.  The Rather-Be-Hunting Guy series of artsy coffee table comic books pokes good hearted clean fun at the hunting way of life.  This series of great comic books will leave you laughing and it may even make you ask...Am I just like Dale?

Limit Out Productions is produced by a great team of working class Midwest folks who really are working for the man and huntin when they can.  They produce this great series of coffee table books that is sure to please almost any hunter who receives them.  The books are filled with great artwork, quality printing and at a fantastic price of $14.95 or 29.95 for the set.  I personally recommend the set as they fit quite nicely together.

We all have a friend who these are perfect for.....I know quite a few!!!!

Rather-Be-Hunting Guys Website

Order by no later then December 18th if you want these for Christmas!!!

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 00:39 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

MISSOULA, Mont.-Outdoor Life has named two founders of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to a list of 25 people who've had the greatest positive impact on hunting, fishing and conservation.

RMEF icons Bob Munson and Charlie Decker are part of the magazine's third annual "OL 25" list honoring leaders, innovators, conservationists and unsung heroes.

Photos and bios appear in the December/January 2010 edition of Outdoor Life.

Online voting for fan favorites lasts through late December at www.outdoorlife.com .

Outdoor Life Editor-in-Chief Todd Smith said, "When we step into the woods or wade into a clear mountain stream, we rarely stop to think about the many people who have made enjoying that experience possible. Yet there are thousands who devote their time, talents and energies to building this way of life we call hunting and fishing. Most are just ordinary sportsmen who've done extraordinary things-and Bob Munson and Charlie Decker are perfect examples."

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 11:57 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Elkton, MD - December 1, 2009 - W.L. Gore & Associates today announced that it has developed a new GORE^TM OPTIFADE^TM Concealment pattern specifically designed for tree stand hunting in wooded environments. Like the Big Game/Open Country pattern, the new Big Game/Forest pattern is based on how deer see, both spatially and colorimetrically. A new line of Sitka gear featuring the new pattern will be available at retail by summer of 2010.

Gore launched GORE OPTIFADE Concealment at retail in the summer of 2009. Developed by a group of experts, including an animal vision scientist and a leader in military concealment, the pattern was the first to consider how a hunter appears in the eyes of his prey.

GORE OPTIFADE Concealment incorporates a micro and a macro pattern. The unique micro-pattern considers the way a deer or other ungulate perceives color, the ratio of positive to negative space and other visual elements to create an effect that allows the hunter to blend with the animal's perception of the environment. The macro-pattern breaks up the symmetry of the human body so that if a hunter is detected, the animal will not be able to identify the hunter as a predator.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 01:11 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Bogart, Georgia-Each year, Budweiser Outdoors, partnering with the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), awards $65,000 through its Conservationist of the Year program. From nominations submitted by conservation partners, Budweiser chooses four finalists. QDMA's nomination, a husband/wife team of QDMA volunteers: Guy Gardner, president of QDMA's Cape Fear River Branch of North Carolina, and his wife Judy Gardner, president of the North Carolina State Chapter of QDMA, find themselves among the finalists.

With a list of awards from QDMA that speaks for itself, Guy and Judy have led their Branch and State Chapter through an astounding number of accomplishments in the name of wildlife conservation, youth hunter education and recruitment, and QDM promotion.

Some of their most significant contributions include establishing "QDM for Kids," a mentored woodsmanship program that promotes stewardship and the continuation of the hunting heritage; organizing countless educational seminars that provide hundreds of hours of educational opportunities and reach thousands of kids and adults each year; teaching official North Carolina Hunter Education Courses; organizing hunts for youth, wounded soldiers, and the handicapped; and implementing wildlife habitat improvement initiatives.

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 00:58 AM | 2 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Polarmax Mountain Skins Thermal Underwear provide hunters with a heavy weight, moisture wicking, high performance alternative to the old style thermal underwear.  The Mountain Skins fabric is made of 92% Acclimate Dry polyester and 8% Spandex for a great fit, super wicking capabilities and durability. The inside is fleeced for a cozy first layer or toasty second layer, while the outer face has a smooth technical finish that repels light rain and allows other layers to easily slide over it. Mountain Skins also feature Pick Resist for lasting good looks, Polarmax's proprietary Scent Prevent, and Clean Seams for a finished look and feel, the new Mountain Skins have been built to the highest military specs so that you can count on it when you need it.

Made in America quality from an environmentally green company that cares about conservation and the environment, scent prevent proprietary, warm, comfortable and enjoyable to wear.  I wore them in Canada and while i have not had the opportunity to test them in truly cold weather I am sold on the quality of the cloth and the great look and feel of these thermals.  I have been wearing the shirt and pants non stop and the shirt was comfortable enough to wear for 3 days on my drive home from Saskatchewan and was absolutely impressed.  The fleece lining inside is comfortable to wear and with the shiny black feel and quality zippers the Zip-T for the Mountain Skins is comfortable to wear and looks great and feels great.

Warmth is very important to me and this set of thermals is what I would consider a great mid-weight performance layer.  I do have heavier weight thermals for the stand hunting in Canada but this works for all but the most extreme cold situations I would encounter on 90% of my hunts.  The key to staying warm is layering and the I feel good in the Mountain Skins.

No Hunter is going to turn up their nose at a quality set of Heavy Weight Thermals and the Polarmax Mountain Skins fit the bill for most every kind of hunting adventure.

PolarMax

Buy Online at Dom's Outdoor Outfitters

POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 00:38 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST