After bow hunting one day I was heading back out to my truck in the dark when I kept hearing something behind me. When I finally turned around with my headlight I could see 4 pairs of eyes glowing about 25 yards behind. After staring for couple minutes I realized that I was being followed by coyotes. Not having a gun to scare them off with all I could do was have my knife out and keep walking back to my truck. I tried yelling at them a few times but they followed me 3/4 of a mile back out to my truck. Luckily In the end I had no problem but it could have been much worse. A little nerve racking and fun at the same time.
What are some things you guys have had happen or have seen while hunting? Leave your stories in the comment section.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Cold Water Bass
When I refer to cold water bass I'm talking about the period just after the ice has melted up to the pre-spawn. Until the water reaches 60 degrees bass will remain sluggish and lethargic. Bass will not want to work hard for a meal and they are more opportunistic feeders at this time. There are two main ways to get these lazy fish to bite. The first is my favorite and is the simplest, you play to the nature of the beast and their basic instinct to a reaction strike. In order to get these strikes I like to use a simple jig with a trailer. I prefer a black and blue jig as well as a pumpkin colored jig. Now you will have to play around with the different weighted jigs and trailers mainly because of the speed which they sink. In your area a faster sinker jig may get more of a reaction than a slower sinking jig. A nice starter kit that is offered by Bass Pro is
Bass Pro Shops Stacey King 31-Piece Jig and Trailer Kit
Work the jig by pitching the jig off points, under docks, and any other heavy cover. The idea is to have the jig drop right in front of the fish quickly causing a reaction strike. Pitch the jig out and let it hit the bottom. Leave it there for a good 5 to 8 seconds bounce it a few times towards you and then retrieve the bait. Don't take to long between cast, the object is to get a reaction strike and if that doesn't happen within the first 10-15 seconds try pitching it again.
The other way I like is to give them and easy meal. This is where a suspending jerkbait comes in handy. A suspending jerkbait can be adjusted to pretty much hover at any depth. Again these baits come in many variations such as size and color so you will have to play around and find whats best for you. I nice kit available from bass pro is the
Bass Pro Shops XPS 5-Piece Suspending Jerkbait Kit
The way this bait is worked is simple cast the bait out and real it quickly down to the depth you want usually between 2-6 feet deep and just leave it there. Give the bait a swift jerk and again leave it there, dont be afraid to leave it there for as long as ten seconds. Just make sure you watch your line. The bass may pick up your bait and start swimming with it so pay attention. The idea is to mimic an injured bait fish and then to give the slow lethargic bass a chance for an easy meal.
Both these baits can be found at Bass Pro Shops
and I believe should be apart of everyone's tackle box. You can buy them individual or in kits. For the value the kits are definitely the way to go. If you are interested select one of the kits I recommend below. FYI There are now specials on both items I have listed well below normal cost.
Bass Pro Shops Stacey King 31-Piece Jig and Trailer Kit
The other way I like is to give them and easy meal. This is where a suspending jerkbait comes in handy. A suspending jerkbait can be adjusted to pretty much hover at any depth. Again these baits come in many variations such as size and color so you will have to play around and find whats best for you. I nice kit available from bass pro is the
Bass Pro Shops XPS 5-Piece Suspending Jerkbait Kit
Both these baits can be found at Bass Pro Shops
Derby on Winni
Here's and interesting article I found, it doesn't have anything to do with bass but it does show the importance of wildlife management.
By ROGER AMSDEN
New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent
A continuing decline in the number of trophy-size salmon being landed in Lake Winnipesaukee has caused the cancellation of May's 29th annual Winni Derby.
"We have come to the difficult decision that this year's event has the potential to further damage the salmon fishery," said Rick Davis, executive director of the Winni Derby since its inception. "We also understand that the amount of fishing pressure is way up and it stays that way all season long.''
He said that members of the derby committee met with biologists at one of their netting sites in mid-November to observe the fish being measured and weighed.
"At this net site there are normally 400 to 500 salmon, and in 2009 we counted just over 70. There was only one fish that weighed over three pounds, and by actual count, 30 percent were hook-wounded,'' Davis said.
The number of hook-wounded salmon has doubled over the last five years, according to Don Miller, fisheries biologist with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
He said the catch-and-release practiced by many fishermen is playing a major role in reducing the size of the salmon in the lake. Hook-wounded fish are shorter and weigh less, he said
The same situation prevails on Squam Lake and Lake Sunapee according to Miller.
He said the decline in size of the salmon is taking place despite the presence of a large and healthy forage base of smelt and smaller fish species.
The Fish and Game department stocks 24,000 year-old salmon each year; it takes three years for them to approach trophy size.
Davis said the size of the winning fish in the derby has dropped almost in a straight line, from 6.02 pounds in 2003 to 4.74 pounds in 2007, 4.28 pounds in 2008 and 4.12 pounds in 2009.
He said the expansion of charter boat services around the lake appears to be a contributing factor in the decline, along with the use of increasingly sophisticated fish-finding devices.
►NH Fish and Game Web site
"No one seems to know how many charter boats are fishing the lake and, in some cases, two charters per day. Reports of 20 to 40 fish a day being caught are not uncommon,'' Davis said.
100115A1FISH_275px (COURTESY NH FISH AND GAME)
Hook damage to the eyes, jaws and cheeks can stunt the growth of trout and other species, part of the problem that led to the cancellation of this year's Winni Derby tournament. (COURTESY NH FISH AND GAME)
He said the derby results in about 225 fish being killed, but there are no records showing how many are caught and released during the three-day event.
"We do know that the derby does not kill as many fish as any busy weekend right after ice-out,'' Davis said.
The derby has had as many as 2,700 entrants in a year and has been slightly under 2,000 in recent years, according to Davis. He noted the event brings in hundreds of thousands of tourist dollars before the start of the summer season.
Derby officials hope to revive the derby in 2011, but that will be dependent on the condition of the salmon population, Davis said.
Miller said the department is looking at a number of proposals to ease pressure on the lake, including a lower daily limit and adjustments to the length of the season.
Salmon season runs from April 1 to Sept. 30. The Fish and Game Department conducts netting during spawning season in October and November to check on the health of the fisheries and gather eggs, which are fertilized and taken to the Powder Mill Hatchery in New Durham. They are raised a year before being stocked.
Landlocked salmon were introduced to the state from the St. Croix River in New Brunswick in 1866 and released into the Cockermouth River, a tributary of Newfound Lake. The following year they were introduced into Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam and Sunapee lakes, and have become one of the state's most popular game fish.
Miller and fellow biologist John Viar are calling on fishermen to use caution when releasing hooks and to use rubber nets when landing fish to help prevent the loss of the slime coat, which protects them from infections.
Fishermen are also urged to harvest severely hook-damaged fish rather than continuing to seek larger fish.
NH, Union Leader
By ROGER AMSDEN
New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent
A continuing decline in the number of trophy-size salmon being landed in Lake Winnipesaukee has caused the cancellation of May's 29th annual Winni Derby.
"We have come to the difficult decision that this year's event has the potential to further damage the salmon fishery," said Rick Davis, executive director of the Winni Derby since its inception. "We also understand that the amount of fishing pressure is way up and it stays that way all season long.''
He said that members of the derby committee met with biologists at one of their netting sites in mid-November to observe the fish being measured and weighed.
"At this net site there are normally 400 to 500 salmon, and in 2009 we counted just over 70. There was only one fish that weighed over three pounds, and by actual count, 30 percent were hook-wounded,'' Davis said.
The number of hook-wounded salmon has doubled over the last five years, according to Don Miller, fisheries biologist with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
He said the catch-and-release practiced by many fishermen is playing a major role in reducing the size of the salmon in the lake. Hook-wounded fish are shorter and weigh less, he said
The same situation prevails on Squam Lake and Lake Sunapee according to Miller.
He said the decline in size of the salmon is taking place despite the presence of a large and healthy forage base of smelt and smaller fish species.
The Fish and Game department stocks 24,000 year-old salmon each year; it takes three years for them to approach trophy size.
Davis said the size of the winning fish in the derby has dropped almost in a straight line, from 6.02 pounds in 2003 to 4.74 pounds in 2007, 4.28 pounds in 2008 and 4.12 pounds in 2009.
He said the expansion of charter boat services around the lake appears to be a contributing factor in the decline, along with the use of increasingly sophisticated fish-finding devices.
►NH Fish and Game Web site
"No one seems to know how many charter boats are fishing the lake and, in some cases, two charters per day. Reports of 20 to 40 fish a day being caught are not uncommon,'' Davis said.
100115A1FISH_275px (COURTESY NH FISH AND GAME)
Hook damage to the eyes, jaws and cheeks can stunt the growth of trout and other species, part of the problem that led to the cancellation of this year's Winni Derby tournament. (COURTESY NH FISH AND GAME)
He said the derby results in about 225 fish being killed, but there are no records showing how many are caught and released during the three-day event.
"We do know that the derby does not kill as many fish as any busy weekend right after ice-out,'' Davis said.
The derby has had as many as 2,700 entrants in a year and has been slightly under 2,000 in recent years, according to Davis. He noted the event brings in hundreds of thousands of tourist dollars before the start of the summer season.
Derby officials hope to revive the derby in 2011, but that will be dependent on the condition of the salmon population, Davis said.
Miller said the department is looking at a number of proposals to ease pressure on the lake, including a lower daily limit and adjustments to the length of the season.
Salmon season runs from April 1 to Sept. 30. The Fish and Game Department conducts netting during spawning season in October and November to check on the health of the fisheries and gather eggs, which are fertilized and taken to the Powder Mill Hatchery in New Durham. They are raised a year before being stocked.
Landlocked salmon were introduced to the state from the St. Croix River in New Brunswick in 1866 and released into the Cockermouth River, a tributary of Newfound Lake. The following year they were introduced into Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam and Sunapee lakes, and have become one of the state's most popular game fish.
Miller and fellow biologist John Viar are calling on fishermen to use caution when releasing hooks and to use rubber nets when landing fish to help prevent the loss of the slime coat, which protects them from infections.
Fishermen are also urged to harvest severely hook-damaged fish rather than continuing to seek larger fish.
NH, Union Leader
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
2010 gear is here.
Hey guys just letting you all know that the new 2010 fishing gear has arrived at Bass Pro Shops
And all other fishing equipment is 20% to 50% off.
Product Review
So today is all about deer calls. There are literally hundreds of different calls out there ranging from 5 dollars to 30 dollars. So which ones do you choose? Well I'm gona go over some basics with you. When hunting you should always have at least two different calls on you. Personally I like to carry two different grunt calls as well as a doe bleat. When it come to doe bleats and estrus calls a small Primos Can Call will do just the trick. They have many different varieties but if your hunting the rut your gona want the estrus bleat or try the
Primos The Can Family Pack. I also like to use
Primos Buck Roar? Deer Call it sounds natural and really projects itself.
There's one problem with most all grunt calls and that is operator error. Even with people that have experience with grunt calls can make the mistake of blowing to hard and getting a weird high pitch raspy grunt. Every time i do this I just picture in my head that big ten pointer running off. Knight and Hale has designed a new grunt system that uses a special chamber to completely stop this from happening. It's called the
Knight & Hale Blasting Chamber System Deer Call with DVD
and its available at Bass Pro Shops along with all the other calls I listed. Just click the sign below
Primos The Can Family Pack
Primos Buck Roar? Deer Call
There's one problem with most all grunt calls and that is operator error. Even with people that have experience with grunt calls can make the mistake of blowing to hard and getting a weird high pitch raspy grunt. Every time i do this I just picture in my head that big ten pointer running off. Knight and Hale has designed a new grunt system that uses a special chamber to completely stop this from happening. It's called the
Knight & Hale Blasting Chamber System Deer Call with DVD
What can go wrong will go wrong!!
I always enjoy searching youtube for hunting and fishing videos and every now and then I find one that I would like to share with you guys. Here is a classic blooper real from Bill Dance himself.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
A little Bass Fishing Help
Hey guys I just wanted to put this out there for any one who is interested in seriously getting into bass fishing. Last year I became a member of B.A.S.S. and joined a local club. I've fished practically my entire life and I've watched all the shows and have heard all the tips but there is still so much more to know about fishing Bass. And I know it sounds like another pitch but I'm not telling you if you want to become the worlds greatest fisherman you need this E book. Because it takes a lot more than a few tips to start fishing well but if you want a place to start or even just to give yourself a slight edge the ebook I will show you will give even a veteran angler something they could try their next time out with out breaking the bank. Ignoring all the sweet talk on their website bottom line is they actually have some pretty decent info most may not even have thought of. Click Here!
Warm Weather VS the Rut
Fighting an unusually warm rut in New England can be both disappointing and tough. During the rut in New England I believe in order to have high activity we need temperatures to be below fifty degrees. Unfortunately for any hunter in the woods this year during the rut knows that it has been too warm. I hunt in North Andover Mass and I can remember sweating in my suit while climbing into my stand. I wear a scent lock suit but these suits only work so much. Scent control will be one of the biggest challenges, even with all of the odor control precautions we can take when we sweat you might as well be hunting in your birthday suit, you simply can’t mask all of that scent, so already the deer have the advantage.
How heat affects the rut: I know a lot of people say that when bucks are rut crazed it makes no difference how the weather is, the deer will move. In my area I never have any problems seeing deer but this year was different, either the deer have just completely left my area or their just not moving. For me I was attempting the Rut during an average afternoon temp of 55 and on two days it even reached 60. I don’t care what anyone says when it’s that warm deer simply don’t move in New England. And for those of you who say that the bucks will always chase a doe in heat your right I completely agree with you. Unfortunately the does actually determine how many deer you see during the rut. In hot weather the does have no reason to move and when the does don’t move the bucks bed down right next to them. Now I can see lots of deer movement in my area via tracks, droppings, and scrapes. So why aren’t I seeing any deer, it seems to me every day I go in there it had been all torn up again. Well after setting up my trail cams it’s easy to see the big bucks have gone nocturnal and for the majority doing all of their rutting at night when temps have dropped down back into the 30’s.
I will admit that I can’t read a deer’s mind and that everything I have said is just my observations. To throw a wrench into my own theory here’s a little story for you. On Wednesdays I usually get to hunt around noon after leaving work early. On this particular day it was 54 degrees and I decided I wasn’t going to waste my time in the woods, so I went home. Now here’s the kicker I got home and standing in my back yard was a beautiful eight pointer just looking at me and I swear he had a smirk on his face. In conclusion it goes to show you even though you’re telling yourself it’s too warm for the deer to move you just never know and the only way to better chances is to just put the time in and to hunt the cooler mornings.
I encourage comments from other hunters experiences VS warm weather Rut in northern states in order for every to hear other opionons.
If you would like some great information and great techniques for hunting Whitetails I would take a good look at the ebook I have here. The bonuses that are included is worth the price alone and with a money back satisfaction guarantee what is there to lose. To check it out Click Here!
If you would like some great information and great techniques for hunting Whitetails I would take a good look at the ebook I have here. The bonuses that are included is worth the price alone and with a money back satisfaction guarantee what is there to lose. To check it out Click Here!
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