By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

With the realization that I had evolved as a hunter over the years, I never understood that a subtle transformation was only natural.  In fact, after learning that there are five distinct stages a hunter experiences in a lifetime, I found myself within the uncanny descriptions to a large extent.  Also, what I did not know is that these stages are commonly introduced to those who attend Hunter Education classes throughout the country.  A review of these phases may not only define where each of us is in the process, but may foretell one’s future.

• The Shooting Stage.  A hunter wants to shoot something – anything to show he was successful.  All I have to do is look on the garage wall where many deer antlers are hung to understand that things have changed.  I was proud to have taken any of them – even the spikehorns.
• The Limiting-Out Stage. Here the hunter’s focus and definition of success is measured in the amount of game he takes – especially if it involves a legal limit of game.  Using a shotgun to take squirrels can put them in the bag and may be good for the brag, but my fascination with .22 rimfire rifles and handguns meant less game.  Also, the delicate meat was always no-lead, so one here and there was success enough for me.
• The Trophy Stage. The metamorphosis finds a hunter pursuing certain characteristics of prime animals such as extraordinary antlers or unusual beards on turkeys.  To be the envy of fellow hunters and to earn bragging rights, a record-book entry will do the trick.  I’ve never been hung up on trophies, although I have a couple in the books; rather, I’ve found that prized animals come along now and then, but it takes a strong amount of faith to believe they will.
• The Method Stage. Using archery gear in firearms season or even a handgun puts one in this box.  There is a certain challenge that is coupled with this stage but there is a tradeoff that must be understood.  One must be accomplished in his method or he runs the risk of making hunts too difficult for ethical reasons.  This stage must include the 9 out of 10 rule:  If you can’t make the shot 9 out of 10 times, you are only kidding yourself.  Stay within your known limitations above all else.
• The Sportsmen Stage. Hunters will eventually arrive at their peak or are approaching the final years of hunting.  The hunt is not as important as the pursuit and fellowship with other hunters.  Working a dog on a trail or within a duck blind is the ultimate thrill.  Heck, sometimes older hunters don’t carry guns and spend more time with newer hunters ensuring long-time traditions are upheld.

The Giving Back Stage.  This stage is often omitted in hunter education manuals, but I find myself here, as well.  Food plots are one example of giving more to wildlife than mere taking.  As the snow cover makes foraging difficult for whitetails, the turnip plots are still providing nourishment when deer need it most.  Planting beneficial shrubs or trees fit into this category, too.  Even though we may not see them mature, we do it for the animals’ future welfare.

The circle is completed when hunters pass on knowledge and skills to others in a responsible and ethical way.  By so doing, we ensure that our unique traditions will continue beyond our time on earth.

Excerpt from Chris Dorsey’s latest column

Fresh off my annual multi-state fall hunting tour—part of the occupational hazard of being an outdoor television host, former magazine editor and book author (I know, it’s a dirty job…)—it seems an opportune time to assess the state of hunting. That is, with more Americans than ever ditching daily commutes for the chance to finally live where they can celebrate their lifestyle rather than simply earning a living, let’s countdown the 10 best states to be a hunter. This highly subjective dream list of places to move to if you love to hunt—or have always wanted to source tenderloins yourself—is derived from a couple of decades of traveling with rifles and shotguns, staying in motels that didn’t mind Labradors all the while visiting remote corners of our country. This ranking is based on the variety and abundance of available species, quality of game (size matters, after all), access to both public and private ground, hunting culture, and the simplicity—or complexity—of game laws in each state. Drum roll, please….

To read the rest of the column click here

Make your next bobcat hunt a success, with these tried-and-true strategies.

Euless, TX — Notoriously wary, bobcats challenge the most experienced hunters. Because of bobcats’ fine-tuned senses, they can certainly be difficult to call in. Even so, successfully calling in one of these wary cats provides an adrenaline rush unlike any other, as many hunters have discovered.

While calling in a bobcat is anything but easy, a few simple strategies can help you get the most out of your next hunt.

First, up your game by using a higher quality electronic call that produces better sounds. Many older electronic calls feature a horn-style speaker system and run off of AA batteries; neither is ideal for creating a premium sound quality. Convergent’s Bullet HP, however, features a powerful, integrated Li-ION rechargeable battery and conical speaker design, which is the style of speaker most often used for the best sound quality today. Because it produces a more vibrant, fuller sound, the Bullet HP is a simple yet effective way to draw in those leery, call-shy bobcats that never present a shot.

Second, don’t give the local bobcat population a free education. With so many new and inexperienced hunters heading afield, it’s common to see older, cheaper calls getting a lot of airtime in the field. The result is a highly call-literate population, making these notoriously skittish critters even more challenging to call into shooting range. A call with poor sound quality is a great way to give a free education, which is why a quality call, like the Convergent Hunting Solutions Bullet HP Bluetooth electronic call, is so crucial to the success of your next hunt.

Third, stick to the basics. Instead of getting fancy with exotic call patterns and advanced hunting strategies, the best way to improve your bobcat hunting game is to drill down on the fundamentals. The fundamentals include setting up appropriately for wind direction, maintaining concealment and mastering the use of an electronic call with a few go-to, high-quality sounds. A premium electronic call helps newbies, and hunters of all experience levels, to produce the most consistent calls. Available in the Google Play or Apple App Store, Convergent’s Predator Pro app features a sound library with the most reliable calls, from distress sounds to different bird noises. In addition, the app can be used to pair your smartphone with the Bullet HP calls wirelessly up to 300 feet away, with four presets to save your favorite calls.

Bullet HP Bluetooth Game Call Features: Read more