QDMA and Powderhook Announce Deer Tracker App

ATHENS, GA (August 24, 2015) – QDMA and Powderhook are pleased to offer “Deer Tracker,” a free mobile app that allows hunters to monitor deer activity and harvests in their neck of the woods and across the country. QDMA and Powderhook hope to use the data generated as part of a long-term project aiming to improve the deer hunting experience for new hunters and experts alike. 

Highlighted features of the app include a heat map optimized for daytime deer movement. Brian Murphy, CEO of QDMA, said the app is designed that way for an important reason. 

“While hunting the rut gets the most attention, research confirms that the peak of the rut often is not the best time to harvest a deer,” said Murphy. “There are plenty of windows before and after the rut that can be good times to see deer moving. Thus, we set up our heat map to indicate the likelihood of a hunter seeing a mature deer during shooting light.”

Other features include anonymous observation and harvest reports, though the app makes it impossible to pinpoint the exact location of a single report. Powderhook CEO Eric Dinger said deer hunters will appreciate the ability to contribute to the overall improvement of deer hunting while not having to give up any of their personal information.  Read more

Ameristep’s New Carnivore Hunter Blind

When you’re after game, especially the kind that wears giant antlers on its head, you’d better be able to get close and remain undetected. To be an effective predator, you need Ameristep’s new Carnivore Hunter blind.

Prey species like whitetails are built to detect predators, so the Carnivore Hunter has features to help you beat their defense systems.

The blind starts with Realtree’s newest and most effective camouflage pattern, Xtra®, printed on Ameristep’s Durashell RuggedShield HD fabric. It is custom woven with dull finish to prevent glare and is Ameristep’s most durable, abrasion- and wear-resistant shell material. In addition, the patented Edge ReLeaf 3-D system breaks up solid outlines and helps the blind blend in to any woods setting.
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Deer Hunting Made Easier: Field Day 2015

Deer hunters recently congregated at the www.GrowingDeer.tv Proving Grounds to hear expert tips, information and advice on everything from planting trees for tree plots, trapping predators, ballistics, using decoys, to food plots, prescribed fire use and tree stands at the 2015 Field Day event. Click here to watch their special feature length video that shares an in-depth look at several of the presentations today!

Be one of the first to know when the GrowingDeer.tv team releases a new video. They send out an e-mail every Monday about the new show along with a useful hunting tip. Your email address will be treated respectfully. It will not be shared or abused. Click HERE to subscribe today! Read more

Michigan DNR Asks Hunters to Kill Deer

By Glen Wunderlich

When word of the discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a free-ranging deer in Meridian Township, Michigan hit us, it struck like a sledge hammer.  Fortunately for Michigan’s efforts to combat the disease, becoming the 23rd state having been faced with the dilemma, means we don’t have to reinvent the wheel.  We must continue killing deer to save them.

Those same yearling deer, which we’ve protected through the years in an effort to allow them to grow to maturity, are now on the hit list.  Those young bucks tend to travel and that’s the fear; they must be stopped, or the disease will certainly spread.  Accordingly, hunters are being called to action by the DNR.

“We have focused our efforts thus far in the area around the first case,” Dr. Steve Schmitt, DNR wildlife veterinarian stated. ”We need individuals who have always hunted in Ingham County and surrounding counties to keep hunting.  The DNR can’t fight this disease without their support. Hunters need to have their deer checked and tested so we can determine if this disease is established over a broad area or just persisting in a local pocket.”

If there’s a better solution to the challenge, it’s yet to be discovered.  The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) hasn’t offered any financial support, even though it’s in a position to help.  That’s because its goal is to end hunting; to enlist the support of its enemies would be sacrilegious – even if it would mean the survival of a species.  Apparently, its desire to fund tens of millions of dollars in offshore hedge funds is more important.

Doing nothing – as the HSUS supports by its inaction on the issue – is doing something.  It’s conspicuous, yet predictable response, flies in the face of true conservation, and yes, humane care.  Hunters on the other hand will pay to hunt with full knowledge that their contributions in the form of license sales and excise taxes on their necessary equipment will go toward research, testing, and control of the fatal disease.

Hunters are critical to helping the DNR understand the prevalence and geographic distribution of the disease.  Even though hunting has been maligned by a recent episode of a single lion being poached in Zimbabwe, law-abiding hunters are just as outraged by the act – maybe even more so than non-hunters.  Ethical hunters hate poachers, too!

So far, a total of 3 CWD-infected deer have been found in the total of 341 tested. It’s going to take millions of dollars to proceed with the well-founded surveillance and response plan to minimize the spread of the dreaded disease.

If hunters don’t step up, who will?

Wildgame Innovations Crush Illusion 8 Lightsout and Crush Illusion 6 Trail Cameras

Weighing only 1 pound and measuring less than 6 inches tall, Wildgame Innovations’ new Illusion™ series cameras are designed for hunters looking to pack light and still have confidence in getting high-quality images.

Two models are available in the series, the Illusion™ 8 Lightsout and the Illusion™ 6.
Both have a fast 1-second trigger speed for standard motion-triggered operation, but they also offer flextime+™ time lapse technology for remote food plots or open spaces where deer might not come close enough to the camera to trigger a photo. The included FlexTime+™ software allows you to quickly view the time-lapse pictures like a video. Read more

?USDA to Invest $700,000 to Increase Recreational Public Access on Private Lands in Montana

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will partner with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to improve and increase wildlife habitat and public access for recreational opportunities on privately-owned and operated ranch lands.

“Montana will receive more than $700,000 for the purchase of conservation leases on private ranch lands enrolled in the Sage-Grouse Initiative (SGI) Program,” said Rick Northrup, wildlife habitat bureau chief for FWP. “This generous grant will benefit landowners, wildlife, and recreationists in areas that provide high quality sage-grouse habitat.” Read more

Free Big Game Decoy Setup Guide From Montana Decoy

Montana Decoys is excited to announce the launch of the 2015 Big Game Decoy Setup Guide. This downloadable guide features seven unique hunting situations that will show hunters how and when to use a decoy. With advice from some of the top hunters, this guide will help everyone become a better elk, moose or antelope hunter in preparation for the coming season.

This detailed guide illustrates common situations that hunters face each season, including how to lure a mature bull elk into a field, hunt them in the high country or during the rut. Need to know how grab the attention of an occupied bull, or use a decoy during the post rut? We’ve got you covered. Scroll on down and the guide depicts a couple scenes on luring in rutting bull moose and antelope bucks. Each scenario accurately describes which decoys to use and how they are most effective in certain situations.

The guide is free to download at www.montanadecoy.com/guides. And as a gift for doing so, users will receive a special coupon code for 15% off of their next purchase at montanadecoy.com

Nation’s best bird hunting a Michigan treasure – GEMS help connect local business and hunters

GEMS (Grouse Enhanced Management Sites) logoSeptember brings many things, but for bird hunters, it’s the month they’ve been waiting for since last year. Sept. 15 marks the opening day of ruffed grouse season in Michigan, the time when trucks hit public land two-tracks in search of prime hunting spots.

“Opening day of grouse season is a real treat – the woods are just coming alive with color, and you can smell fall in the air,” said Department of Natural Resources upland game bird specialist Al Stewart. “With woodcock season opening on Sept. 19 this year, we have two openers only a few days apart! This is going to be a really exciting fall!”

The DNR and various partners have worked together to develop and maintain Grouse Enhanced Management Sites (GEMS) to give bird hunters places to target their hunt, help other hunters give bird hunting a try, and give seasoned hunters new locations to explore.  GEMS are normally remote areas and vary in size from several hundred to several thousand acres. An intensive timber harvest schedule, closely monitored by DNR staff, helps to provide great wildlife habitat, and old logging roads are converted to walking trails that offer minimal terrain challenges and provide comfort to hunters who may not be familiar with the area. Read more

Michigan Anterless Deer License Applications On Sale Until August 15

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that the application period for antlerless deer licenses ends tomorrow (Aug. 15). Hunters may apply for one license in any open Deer Management Unit statewide; a nonrefundable $5 fee is charged at the time of application. Drawing results and leftover license availability may be viewed atwww.michigan.gov/huntdrawings beginning Sept. 2. Read more

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