An often over looked, but important technique is to observe and scout for whitetail in the pre-season. Why is this so important? Because by learning the bucks rub-route trails you will learn not only where, but also when the bucks use the trails. Thus improving your success rate and decreasing the amount of time wasted during the regular season. Let’s take a look at how to effectively scout for whitetail in the preseason.

You should begin scouting in late summer by finding and observing likely food sources. Finding the rub route and knowing when the buck uses it helps you choose the right time and place to hunt. Find areas with berries, grasses, grains, and sedges. Try driving around country roads or known hunting areas with a set of binoculars near crops and meadows during the morning and evening to find which fields the bucks use.

Whether you catch a buck at the food source in the morning or the evening, stay long enough to see which way they leave. Buck’s don’t travel too far from their bedding area during this time of year so they are likely to go back there. It’s this route that they take to and from their bedding area that you will want to set up and hunt during open season. Be sure to observe these area’s all the way up till your state’s hunting season begins so you have the most accurate and up to date idea of the buck’s rub route’s. Check with your state’s DNR or outdoor recreation agency for exact dates.

Keep in mind that it can be difficult to track the bucks route back to their bedding area in the morning because they like to travel in the early morning darkness. This makes them more prone to stray from their usual route because they feel safe enough to travel out in the open.

If you find it difficult to track the buck back to his bedding area or you don’t have time to watch the trail you can use a Trail Timer or Camera. This is an easy way to let you know when the buck comes through the area and gives you a good idea of the direction the buck is moving.

By spending extra time observing and scouting the whitetail’s travel and rub routes before the hunting season, you will stay a step ahead of others all the while increasing you’re your chances of successfully bagging your buck and saving yourself a lot of time in the process.

by Rick Ross

Edited by Admin.

Rick Ross is an avid outdoor enthusiast, writer and contributor to DNR-Pro.org’s Hunting, Camping & Fishing Forum

Original article source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Ross

I have learned many lessons over 19 years of turkey hunting - most of them by doing something wrong. As a matter of fact, I must sheepishly admit that it took 6 years of mistakes before I connected with my first gobbler. Luckily for me, I have not been blanked since. But does luck really have anything to do with it? By a frustrating process of elimination, I’ve found out the hard way that successful turkey hunting is a matter of avoiding a few simple but very natural mistakes, and by doing so, makes for a story that ends with pulling the trigger, rather than a heavy-footed sulk to the truck. So, here are the seven mistakes that people make while turkey hunting and the reasons they are unsuccessful.

1. Movement. Turkeys are not inherently smart creatures, but they were granted a few blessed traits that help keep them alive. One of them is vision. I’ve gotten away with a shift here or a lean there, but if you move, I promise more often than not, you will be seen, and turkeys will become much more scarce. I actually think that staying completely still is more important than camo. I’d bet on a statue in blaze orange over a fidgety hunter in a ghillie suit every day of the week. Turkeys key on movement as danger. Period. So don’t move.

2. Over-Calling. Who in their right mind doesn’t enjoy a fired up tom ripping gobbles back to your every peep? But if you turkey call too much you are going to build that bird’s ego to the point that he may just stop and wait for you to come to him. That is how nature works. If you have turkey hunted enough, then you know you want the Tom to have an idea of where you are and that you are available–that’s it. Leave the rest to his imagination  (or your decoys).

3. Sleeping In. You are not a Ninja. Turkeys can see when it’s daytime, when it’s light outside. So, get into position in the morning when it’s not. Enough Said.

4. Poor Preparation. If you wait until the last night before season to gather calls, shells, camo, blind, decoys and such, you will inevitably enter the woods short an item or two. Have you ever tried calling in a bird by mouth because your diaphragm call is lying in a box in your basement? Don’t ask. Just make a list and make sure that everything on it is within reach.

5. Laziness. If the best approach to a bird on the roost is across the river and from the other side of the mountain, take it. A spooked bird doesn’t respond well to the opposite sex.

6. Calling it Quits Too Early. I have killed nearly as many birds in the afternoon as morning while turkey hunting. They tend to gobble less, but often have been abandoned by their female friends. A lonely tom is a vulnerable one. Stick it out if the weather is stable and there is little wind.

7. Sticking with Tactics that Aren’t Producing. By definition, it is insanity. If you get close to a tom on the roost two days in a row, and he answers every call you make, but doesn’t come in, DO NOT keep doing it. Come in from the opposite side of the farm, switch calls, try decoys, get rid of the decoys, whatever. Switch it up. A change in tactics might be his death sentence. But you will never know unless you go the extra mile and try it.

To be a successful turkey hunter, regardless of the game, “YOU GOTTA WANT IT!” Live and hunt by that mantra, and I promise you a wall full of trophies and a mind full of great memories.

by Louis J. Foggia III

Edited by Admin.

An avid outdoorsman and hunter with more than 19 years of experience, specifically within the turkey hunting field, Louis Foggia elaborates on his turkey hunting tips. He is a contributor to the Trophy Room blog. Trophy Room is an online video destination and information source for hunters and fishermen. Their mission is to entertain, inform, educate, and connect you with the most serious outdoorsmen on the Web–all for free.

Original article source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louis_Foggia

Black powder is commonly called gunpowder. It is a mixture of explosive substances which consist of charcoal, sulfur, potassium nitrate and saltpeter. The mixture can instantly burn when ignited, capable of propelling bullets. Black powder is commonly used for firecrackers and also with the traditional muzzle loading firearms.

Black powder was first discovered during the 9th century in China. The mixture was discovered by a Taoist monk who is also an alchemist. The discovery has resulted in the development of gunpowder weapons of the Chinese.

The modern technology has developed the black powder used in modern firearms. The traditional black powder is still in use by many owners of the old muzzle loading firearms.

As many states provide muzzle loading hunting seasons, there are many hunters becoming interested in using muzzle loading guns also. These guns have been favored by many hunters tracing back during the Civil War.

Many people would like to know what muzzle loaders are. This question has been raised due to the issues concerning the use of other firearms instead of the traditional muzzle loaders for muzzle loading seasons. The classification of this type of firearms is usually related to its characteristic in terms of its type of ignition, style and projectile. They are commonly defined based on biased experiences of individuals rather than on facts of its ballistic power.

Hunters or users of the muzzle loading guns seem to be divided in two groups; the hunters who are just interested in hunting and the traditional hunters who value the history associated with these guns. Though these groups have different views with the firearms, they have common interests and to have a good hunt.

The reason behind the division of the two groups is the introduction of the firearm called by many as the in-line type firearm. This type employs a striker system mechanism common to recent bolt action firearms. The controversy has also been caused by advertising made by gun manufacturers which claims that the in-line types of firearms are much better in terms of ballistic power than the traditional muzzle loading firearms.

Questions have been raised that if such firearm is more powerful than the traditional ones, these types of guns should not be used for muzzle loading seasons. Due to this issue, many of the state banned the use of in-line guns for the specific hunting season.

The reason why a lot of hunters are interested with the in-line types of firearms is that these guns are similar to the new models of rifles in terms of its feel and look. All its parts such as the trigger, safety lock and the cock are located in common places which everyone is familiar. Beginners will be more comfortable with these types of rifle than the muzzle loading guns.

Another reason is the loading mechanism of in-line rifles. They are a lot easier to load than the traditional rifles. The bullet used is longer rather than the traditional round shape ball bullets.

However, the style and look of a firearm has nothing to do with its ballistic performance. It is the same with its firing mechanism whether it uses flintlock, side hammer lock, percussion cup or fuse; it does not have any relationship with its ballistics. The power of a rifle depends on the depth and twist of the barrel.

Although in-line firearms are advantageous in many aspects and are favored by hunters who are new to the game, traditional hunters still prefer to use muzzle loading guns as their primary hunting weapon because they value the history related to these firearms.

For more information on Muzzle Loader and Loading Black Powder Rifle please visit our website at blackpowder-guns.com.

by Wasim Ahmad

Edited by Admin.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wasim_Ahmad

There is a surprising variety of survival and hunting knife types on the market today. Each is designed for a specific purpose. If you are an outdoor enthusiast it is especially important to own a hunting or survival knife; they are also popular among knife collectors. Whether you are a knife enthusiast or collector, or use the knives for hunting, camping, or other outdoor activities, it can be helpful to learn about the design and purpose of each knife type.

There are hunting and survival knives in both fixed and folding blade styles. Fixed blade knives require more space when carrying them, and this can be important if you’re traveling in the wilderness. However, they are generally sturdier than folding knives. On the other hand, folding knives are more compact, making them easier to carry with you. Bigger is not always better with hunting knives. A 3-5 inch blade is about what you will need for most applications, though hunting and survival knives are also made in much larger sizes.

When choosing the blade finish, there are many choices, including black, stainless steel, and powder coated. The black coating on a blade will eventually wear off, especially if the knife is used frequently, but it can keep down glare, which can be helpful in hunting or survival applications. Powder coated blades and stainless steel will help keep the blade from rusting. A high quality blade that is specifically designed for hunting or outdoor use should be able to withstand frequent use without chipping, cracking, or rusting.

Besides the blade type, you’ll also want to choose a handle. If your knife will be used in inclement weather, a rubberized handle can help you maintain your grip. If your hunting or survival knife will be more of a collectible, other choices such as bone, horn, or exotic wood are available. Many high-quality hunting knives are made using one solid piece of steel for the blade and the handle; this can ensure that the joint between the blade and the handle does not break when the knife is put to the test. Other hunting and survival knives have hollow handles for carrying emergency supplies.

Most hunting and survival knives can be distinguished from each other by the blade shape. Choosing the right blade shape is important because an outdoor knife must be able to stand up to typical activities like stabbing, hacking, and slicing. A drop point blade is very popular because it is so versatile. This blade style has a sharp curve. It is useful for almost any task, and is known to stand up to plenty of abuse without cracking or chipping. The alternative to a drop point blade is generally a Bowie knife. These are often preferred by hunters, although they are not as versatile for camp chores or skinning as a drop point blade.

Clip point blades, made of thinner steel, are known for having a very sharp point. Not as versatile as a drop point or Bowie style blade, they are a bit more fragile. If you try to pry anything with the sharp point, it may break off. Skinning blades are more specialized blades, designed for skinning animals. These are usually used in addition to a general-purpose hunting knife.

Survival blades usually have serrated edges, which are ideal for cutting through tough materials, like bone or wood. Although a straight edge is easier to sharpen quickly, serrated edges are quite useful, and can still be sharpened with practice. Hunting blades may also have gut hooks, which are special features for gutting kills quickly. These hooks are located on the end of the knife blade, on the opposite side as the cutting edge.

by James Shaw

Edited by Admin.

Original article source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_R_Shaw