Fishing Trip Tips » Hunting

Tips to Trail the Animals

admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:50:04 +0000

When it is time to tracking or trailing the animal, sometimes it is not as easy as we read from the detective story. Find out some tips to recognize the tracks when you go for hunting.

You may not always be lucky enough to find traces or tracks immediately. Often you will have to be content just to recognize a set of prints, as sportsmen call the imprint of all four feet of an animal. A set of prints calls for careful interpretation.

Only occasionally do you have such a clear footprint in front of you that from the single impression you can tell with certainty what animal made it. When you are interpreting tracks, first take in the whole picture, looking at them in their entirety, before concentrating on the details. The tracks or traces animals make clearly show how they walk. Some small game animals, such as foxes and wildcats, are able, because of their size, to place one paw directly in front of the next, as if they were walking along a tightrope. Others, the big game animals, set their feet next to each other. These hoofed animals walk as if straddling a straight line, leaving what are called cross traces.

You will find such prints when the animal was moving along at an easy, comfortable pace. If the animal was running away or jumping, you’ll find sets of prints at intervals. In the case of stags, the prints may be 25 feet apart. The prints of hoofed big game animals resemble the prints a rabbit makes. From the type of traces or tracks you find, you can determine whether you are dealing with a big or small game animal, and whether the animal was springing or just walking along easily. The length of the jumps or the side-to-side distance between hoof prints will tell you something about the size of the animal. The bigger, taller and older an animal is, the greater the distance from side to side (the cross trace). In general female animals have a smaller cross trace.

Animals Footprints
You are not likely to come across the footprints of whole hoofed animals wild horses for example. The cloven hoofed animals leave prints of their two toed hoofs.

Small game animals, such as badgers, rabbits and squirrels, have paws. They walk on the soles of their feet as well as on their toes, and often leave clear imprints of the entire sole and toes. When you find paw prints, look first to see if the animal has “toenails,” that is, whether there are prints of its nails. Badgers and porcupines press their claws into the ground as they walk, but cats and lynxes do not.

Of the big game animals, the deer leaves the smallest tracks. If it is walking undisturbed and easily, the two toes of the hoofs leave a closed imprint. If it is fleeing and jumping (up to 15 feet), it leaves a “rabbit jump” set of prints. The toes are pressed apart by the force of the jump and imprinted more deeply in the ground than usual. In fact, you will usually find an impression of the dew-claws, the “extra” toes or “false hoofs” higher up on the feet.

Suppose you find “rabbit-jump” prints. From the size of the set of prints, you can eliminate certain animals, but you might narrow your “suspects” to a fox, a deer, or even a rabbit. If the two front footprints are larger, then it was a rabbit. But if all four prints are equally large, you have to search further. Perhaps you can find a print that is clearly impressed. If you see two toes of a hoof, it was a deer. If you see a paw print, you have to conclude that it was a fox or a rabbit.

The problem of finding the tracks or trail will be solved if you can find a stretch with either straight line or straddling prints. If that is not possible, examine the individual prints. From this article we learnt that the paws of rabbits and foxes are so different, that it should be impossible to confuse them.

About the Author

Mitch Johnson is a regular writer for http://www.best-scopes-n-binoculars.com/, http://www.guidestocamping.info/, http

Small Game Hunting Weapons – Rifles

admin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:11:56 +0000

by: scarob

Small game hunting involves pursuing small animals like rabbits, squirrels, and ducks. Since these animals are small, high power weapons are not needed to hunt them. You are better off investing in a weapon that has greater accuracy to be able to target the small game better.

Also, the price of ammunition should be considered, too, since a hunter can take a great number shots in one day.

Under these conditions, a rim-fire rifle would be perfect weapon to use in the small game hunting category. When selecting a rifle, you must consider the following – its fit, sights, weight, its action and caliber. A gun that fits properly will help assure you of getting more accurate shots.

When using a rifle with a stock that is too short, the scope might hit your eyebrow, giving you \”scope bite,\” while one that is too long could get caught in your armpit if you are wearing a heavy jacket.

A full size stock is better for adult hunters because of its perfect fit. Good balance and stock design is vital for a small game rifle so that it can be handled quickly and readily. When you are small game hunting, most shots are done from a short distance where the animal can possibly detect the hunter, and small animals do not sit still for very long once they sense danger.

It is better to get a light rifle rather than an ultra light one, because ultra light rifles are difficult to keep the balance and make accurate shots. An ideal weight should be about 6 pounds. The rifle\’s action can be either repeater or single shot as long as it gives you a more accurate shot. Barrel length also needs to be considered – mostly for balance more than for ballistics. A medium weight barrel of about 20-22 inches in length is ideal.

A perfect small game rifle should have a small action to match its cartridge and a good, solid feel. A rifle with a smooth action is always best with a clean and light trigger pull, which is needed for accuracy. Given the standards of production today, a trigger revamp might be needed for every new rifle.

It is much more important for a small game rifle to be accurate, rather than fancy. There are various different types to choose from: auto-loading, lever, pump, and bolt action repeaters. Among the widely known calibers are the .22 WMR, .17 HMR and .22 LR, from manufacturers such as Anschutz, Ruger, Browning, Kimber, CZ, Winchester, Henry, and Savage, among others.

A quality rim fire rifle deserves to have a quality scope. A fixed power scope of around 4 times or a variable one in the 2 to 7 times range can serve a small game rifle well. Good rim fire scopes are not inexpensive, but are not overly costly either.

A first-rate small game rifle should be:

- as accurate as possible, but not necessarily too powerful. It can be as powerful as .22LR, but no more powerful than .30 Carbine
- light: for carrying ease and fast handling, but not ultra light
- well balanced and able to swing properly
- with a smooth action and a stock that perfectly fits the hunter
- with light and terse trigger pull
- with a scope of good quality and medium power

A superior rifle may be a little too high priced for a amateur hunter but its quality will prove to be rewarding in the long haul.

About the Author

Hunting Dogs – Do You Really Need One?

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:40:38 +0000

by: scarob

Hunting dogs are an exclusive breed of canines that have been trained to work with humans when they are hunting. They are immeasurably beneficial to humans because they can perform numerous tasks that are useful to people.

They are especially beneficial to hunters during hunting expeditions; since they can aid them locating their prey. Hunting dogs come in varied classifications such as: hounds, gun dogs, terriers and curs.

Hounds- These dogs are grouped into sight hounds and scent hounds.

–Sight hounds are especially adept in tracking down their prey by keeping them in their view. They are experts when it comes to detecting motion because they have superior vision.

Characteristically, they have long legs, ears that have little flaps, and a very strong cardiovascular system. They are incredibly agile, which is valuable since they have to pursue fast animals on the run.

–Scent hounds hunt using their keen sense of smell to seek their prey. They have large nasal cavities which allows them to follow the scent of the killed or wounded prey, or fallen game. These hunting dogs are trained to do these tasks starting when they are only pups.

Some hunters train their dogs to follow smells by familiarizing them with the scent of the blood of the animal. They leave a blood trail to a piece of meat on the field and leave it sit out for a time: then they command their hunting dogs to track down the scent of the blood. When the dog finds the end of the trail, they are rewarded with signs of affection and praised by their owner.

The intent of this teaching is to familiarize the dog with trailing the blood and the scent of a fallen prey, so they will be ready when the time comes to go on a real hunting expedition.

In some states, such as New York, Wisconsin, Indiana, Texas, Vermont and Michigan, just to name a few, using dogs to retrieve deer, and other large game has been legalized. In other states this custom has not been adapted, so hunters who are thinking about taking their hunting dogs with them on their expedition for this reason, need to check the regulations and rules of the state, pertaining to this matter.

–Gun Dogs are hunting dogs that help their owner retrieve their downed game, including birds. They are also often called bird dogs.

–Terrier is a type of dog that was originally bred for the purpose of hunting and slaying vermin.

–Curs is the term usually used for dogs that are not purebred and are quite often deemed unworthy. But cur also applies to the types of hunting dogs that have been developed in the United States for the purposes of assisting in hunting. They are recognized for their superior hunting skills and abilities.

Caring for Hunting Dogs

Hunting dogs need to be kept in excellent shape, so it is imperative for their owners to carefully attend to their health. They should be provided a healthy diet. There is always the risk of the dog becoming overweight if its food intake is not carefully supervised.

Some dogs, such as greyhounds, require special attention when it comes to their diet. They are better off eating three small meals a day, because they have the tendency to become bloated if they try to eat heavy meals. Greyhounds are exceedingly susceptible to pesticides, chemicals, and medication; even flea collars could be harmful to a greyhound.

Hunting dogs continually need to exercise to sustain their agility and keep them in top condition. Their nails need to be trimmed at least every 2-3 weeks and they should be given regular baths to keep them clean.

Socialization

Hunting dogs should be trained to socialize with people, particularly if the dogs are also the family\’s\’ pets. Owners should get them used to interacting with various types of people. Many hunting dogs are just sociable by nature, such as a greyhound.

Don\’t forget that hunting dogs are predatory by nature. They could pose some danger to small animals, pets, and even small children if they have not been trained to keep from acting upon these instincts.

Hunting dogs are a wonderful companion for any hunter since they can perform tasks that humans find rather difficult. This is why hunting dogs are priced according to their capabilities. They are truly remarkable creatures that will be useful to any hunter.

About the Author

Learn expert hunting tips and strategies that will make your next animal hunting expedition much more

Good Quality Hunting Supplies

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:28:35 +0000

by: pitorian

Have you ever been hunting? Well, if the answer is yes, then you probably are a regular. Growing up I knew a whole slew of hunters. That’s what it’s like in the small towns of Iowa.
While I’m certainly not one of those vegetarian extremists who will rant and rave till the sun goes down about shooting Bambi, I do however believe in laws. This is the result of having a Game Warden for a father. He always taught me about hunting and nature and how to stick within the laws.

You certainly should respect all creatures, whether you can outwit them or not. It’s not about killing, but about eating. Think about it. Many of us purchase a deer license for the new season and get our shotgun or bow ready for a good hunt, which in turn gives us a lot of meat.
This is a cheaper way to acquire that year supply of venison. Anyway, regardless of your reason for hunting, one thing is for sure. You are going to need some decent hunting supplies.

What do you hunt for? Rabbit, squirrel, deer, or maybe turkey? Each and every one of these game will require hunting supplies to some extent. The first thing you need to be sure of is the law. Make certain you purchase the correct hunting license for the correct game. This is imperative so that you can avoid being fined.

Once you have this process down, you’ll need to browse for hunting supplies. Are you hunting that deer with a shotgun or bow? Well, this is probably something you’ve already contemplated. So be sure to practice your shot before the big hunt. A target is much different than a live animal. Setting your sights on that deer or turkey can cause you to tremble a tad.

Other hunting supplies you will need are proper clothing, possibly a tree stand, animal call, whether deer or turkey, and a scent to blend in and attract that game. Once you’ve purchased these hunting supplies, you’re pretty much good to go for next time. Hunting is not too pricey if you do it right.

If you’re in search of some quality, yet inexpensive hunting supplies, your best bet these days is the Internet. Try a variety of outdoor websites like Cabela’s. Regardless of your hunting and fishing needs, you will find what you’re looking for in cyberspace. Happy hunting folks.

About the Author

Chris Kennelly is a writer for our article resources and directory submission services at Talkinmince Article Directory Find out more about our top articles on our Article Directory Blog.

How To Become An Expert Game Hunter

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:17:48 +0000

by: scarob

Have you ever met a self-proclaimed expert hunter? One that knows every trick in the book and uses them all equally well? Neither have I.

No one hunter is perfect at everything. But the really successful ones have many things in common. First of all, even the greenest beginners have a natural born instinct to hunt. It’s in their blood. But in the beginning they lack the knowledge of this wonderful outdoor sport.

Hands-on experience is the only way to become a successful hunter, but there are some vital things every hunter must learn before he takes one single step into the woods.

A person needs persistence as well as patience when he is on a hunt to become successful in any season. The capacity to sit still and wait in his position until the right opportunity to fire at his prey is necessary. Some animals, such as deer, will become very much aware of danger and wait until they think the time is right before trying to escape.

A successful hunter must have the decisiveness to act when the perfect situation arises. There are situations in the course of his hunting when he needs to be decisive before catching the attention of his prey. A hunter may have the game in his sight but feels that his shot will not have the correct angle to give him a direct hit on the animal. He may also think twice because the animal could be too large for his ammunition. Being undecided will cause the hunter not to pull the trigger and the opportunity will be missed.

A hunter needs to be patient and calm when hunting. Hunting may be compared to a combat fight and he may spend hours waiting for his prey to come. He will be unsure whether or not he will have the opportunity for a clear shot. A hunter must always be alert as well as hopeful and at the same time be thankful for whatever prey may come his way.

He should be in very good physical condition allowing him to be prepared for any circumstances that he may encounter during the hunt. He must set boundaries and limitations for what he can do.

He should be determined and focused in aiming for his prey. Determination in hunting is the desire to sit still and wait for long hours despite missed opportunities, fatigue, and the frustrations that occur.

Most importantly, a successful hunter should have very good shooting skills. The ability to be steady and accurate when aiming at the target will ensure a successful hit on any target.

Every gunslinger from every old western movie started out by shooting at tin cans on a fence post. That’s a great place to start. When you become good at shooting stationary objects, only then will you be ready for live animal hunting.

There are basic steps to make game hunting a fun and enjoyable activity. But you need to know what you are doing, why you are doing it, and just how to go about it.

About the Author

Rediscover the fascinating world of live animal hunting. From small game hunting to hunting tips, strategies, and safety, find it at HuntersAlley.com.

Tip for Whitetail Deer Hunting

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:55:04 +0000

by: niles877

The best tips for whitetail deer hunting often come from other experienced hunters. It is also really cool when you discover techniques that work best for you from your own personal experience. Every hunter seems to have their own deer hunting tips and secrets. I have included some basic deer hunting tips.

1) Deer are the most active at dawn and dusk. It seems that most of my fellow hunters have gotten their deer at dawn or dusk over the years. This does not mean that dear are not active during the day. But, your chances are greater at dawn and dusk. So, make sure you get up early enough, and do not leave until quitting time. It is often easy to get frustrated if you have not seen anything all day long. But, make sure that you stay until the last minute. I have gotten a few deer five minutes before quitting time.

2.) It is a good idea to find the deer’s source of food. In my state, corn is the main food source. So, it is a good idea to watch the edge of the cornfields.

3) It is nice to have a tree stand. This will make it easy to see in all directions. Be careful getting in and out of your tree-stand. Some hunters build permanent stands if they own the property. But, you can also buy a nice portable stand. Make sure you practice getting in and out of your tree stand before the season starts. Always wear a harness for safety.

4) Make sure your rifle is sited in and ready to go. Also, make sure you have plenty of ammunition, warm gloves, boots, hat, compass, GPS. (optional but not a bad idea, if you are in an unfamiliar area), cell phone (make sure your turn it on vibrate), food, thermos, rope, knife, hand warmer, Ziploc bag, etc.

5) Make a checklist before leaving on your hunting trip to make sure you do not forget anything.

6) Always make sure you ask the property owner for permission before hunting. This is a common courtesy.

7) While waiting in your tree stand, make sure that you are extremely quiet and do not move. Deer have an extremely good senses.

Make sure that you understand the laws and regulations of your state. If you have not hunted in a while, it is a good idea to take a refresher course.

In conclusion, the best deer hunting tips often come from other experienced hunters and from your own personal experience. It is a good idea to make a checklist before leaving on your hunting trip to make sure you do not forget anything. Also, make sure that you get up early enough to be at your spot before sunrise and do not leave one minute before quitting time. Many times I was ready to throw in the towel after not seeing anything for hours. However, I always try to stick it out until last minute. This is when deer become most active.

About the Author

William Miller Get more Deer hunting
secrets and tips at http://www.tipforwhitetaildeerhunting