Ranew’s Outdoors Hanging Judge

Milner, GA- Folks are increasingly growing, harvesting and processing their own food, particularly all-natural organic protein like venison. Meanwhile, modern hunter-conservationists are getting more serious about managing their land and the animals on it. Whether it’s part of a serious management program or merely to see who wins bragging rights, everyone wants to know how much their deer weighs.

For those who process their own game, Ranew’s Outdoors Hanging Judge Gambrel allows a secure way to hang, weigh, skin and quarter large game at a convenient height that won’t hurt your back. Ranew’s Outdoor Hanging Judge Gambrel keeps the carcass suspended off the ground to ensure the meat stays clean. That’s only part of the convenience and utility of this unique device.

The heavy duty electronic scale and gambrel combo allows the hunter to measure live weight and dressed weight and continue skinning or processing the animal without worry of damaging the scale. This removes the hassle of raising and lowering the animal to remove the scale between steps. Definitely a time and back saver! Read more

The Rut is On!

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

We hunters spend a lot of time preparing for the inevitable whitetail rut – that time of the season in which deer drop their guard for the sake of perpetuating their species.  Nothing else seems to matter, as they bypass delectable food plots, aim their noses forward like a jet fighter and press on regardless of consequences.

Although the bucks’ main breeding period may be weeks off, the action has already picked up, and this cooler weather we are now experiencing should propel them into a deeper frenzy.

This past week I took a stand high above a productive patch of turnips, where the deer have trimmed the foliage to boot-top level.  Setting up shop for an afternoon session over an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of fresh greens can be a rewarding experience, as food plots begin to lure does before dusk.  And, the females then lure the bucks into the neighborhood.

Within a half hour after climbing into my perch, several does began work on the huge salad bar and chomped leaves as large as pie plates.  They chewed the green leaves into large wads, that when swallowed appeared as sizeable, descending balls in their lengthy throats; they were dining in broad daylight – seemingly without a care.

And, then a rather large white-racked adult buck poked his nose into the open-air bonanza. The bruiser snatched up some greens and chomped away until an entire plant was forced down his throat.  But, that wasn’t all that was on his plate this afternoon.

With some fast food in his belly, he now fixed his sights on some elusive four-legged dessert.  I held onto my video camera as long as I dared and reached for my crossbow several times as the circus came nearby.  However, the big fella came to the outer limits of my ethical range, but never hesitated in his lustful ways.  I know my limitations and held off as the buck carried on.  He would vanish and reappear with his nose being moistened by his over-active tongue as he tuned his nostrils on the go.

Being my first session afield this archery season, I quickly learned that I had forgotten to consider a few tangible necessities:  a grunt call and a decoy.  I did my best to imitate some guttural semblance of a deer’s grunt, when the buck was marching away.  He turned to look a couple of times, but without the visual to coincide with the sound, he disregarded my fruitless solicitations.

I shared some pictures of the excitement with my friend, Joe, who promptly showed up the next afternoon.  Joe took a stand favorable with the prevailing wind, but we were not able to communicate, because someone forgot to check the batteries in our radios.

When Joe returned, he explained that while he was scanning the terrain for deer with his binoculars, that same buck I had seen the afternoon before, was staring him in the eyes at 20 yards.  It was as if the whitetail buck popped up from the ground!  Let me just say it didn’t work out when Joe made his move.

It only gets better, as bucks are feeling the involuntary call to reproduce.  And, that should be a hunter’s call to action, because the rut is on!

Michigan: 2020 early elk season recap

During the first hunt period of the elk season, which has concluded, 83 state hunters harvested elk (29 bulls, 52 cows and two calves), and two Pure Michigan Hunt winners harvested bulls.

The early elk season is designed to target elk outside of their traditional range over the course of 12 days. Hunters had excellent weather conditions throughout the three hunt periods (Sept. 1-4, Sept. 18-21 and Oct. 2-5.), with mild temperatures throughout the days, cool nights and little rain or wind.

Elk licenses were awarded to 100 Hunt Period 1 hunters and 160 Hunt Period 2 hunters. The late elk season will take place Dec. 12-20.

NSSF Partners with HuntWise for +ONE Whitetail Hunt Giveaway

NEWTOWN, Conn. – NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with HuntWise to promote the +ONESM Learn to Hunt initiative. In addition to collaborative work intended to spread the message of +ONE, HuntWise will be donating a five-day guided deer hunt to take place in the heart of prime Kentucky whitetail habitat.

NSSF’s +ONE Movement, launched in 2019, is intended to encourage experienced target shooters and hunters to ask someone who may have an interest in these pastimes but hasn’t yet taken part, to join them on the range or on a hunt. The initiative embraces a pay-it-forward mentality: All active and experienced hunters learned their fieldcraft with the help of others, and now is the time to pass that knowledge onto someone new.

+ONE is especially critical to engaging people who aren’t members of families who already hunt and therefore don’t have a natural entry point to hunting. Research shows an increasing interest in hunting from these non-traditional people. Part of this interest is a motivation to gather their own food, a trend better known as “field to fork” that’s now embraced by a growing number of individuals and communities across the country. However, knowing where or how to get started is not always easy which is where +ONE mentors come into play.

“We invite everyone going afield this autumn to take the +ONE Pledge, extend the invitation to a neighbor, friend, co-worker, a member of your gardening or hiking club, anyone you know that has an appreciation for the outdoors,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Retail & Range Business Development. “Take them with you hunting this year, show them the ropes and the joys of a day afield, then enter the +ONE Whitetail Hunt Giveaway for a chance at the great 2021 whitetail deer hunt from HuntWise. Even if your name isn’t drawn, everyone taking part wins when it comes to hunting.”

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, HuntWise is a digital toolset designed to help hunters pursue their passion and improve their success in the outdoors by utilizing advanced species-tracking technology to identify peak movement times and mapping features that enable hunters to strategize their next hunt. HuntWise also connects its users to a social community of dedicated sportsmen where they can seek and share experiences and advice with hundreds of passionate hunters across the country.

“For many, hunting is a way of life, but for others, it’s just not something they were exposed to or had the resources to participate in,” said Spencer L. Blanchard, HuntWise Vice President of Marketing & Growth. “That’s why we are excited to partner with NSSF’s +ONE Movement, because we believe that everyone deserves to experience the tradition and thrill of hunting.”

NSSF’s Huntwise +ONE Whitetail Hunt Giveaway includes a fully paid and guided five-day 2021 whitetail hunt in the heart of Kentucky, with all lodging, meals and beverages included in the package, a hunt package valued at $3,500. The winner of the hunt also receives a Huntwise Lifetime Elite membership, valued at $1,499. Enter here now through Nov. 23, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. for your chance to win. Read more

Senate Bill Would Permanently Remove William Pendley’s Authority to Act as Director of BLM

Pendley, a notorious anti-public lands activist, was stripped of delegated authority with BLM following district court ruling; actions from his tenure face growing scrutiny

MISSOULA, Mont. – Senate legislation introduced today would keep anti-public lands activist William Perry Pendley from resuming his illegal role exercising the authority of director for the Bureau of Land Management, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers announced.

The Public Lands Leadership Act, introduced by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), would prevent the Department of Justice from protecting Pendley as the de facto acting director and appealing a district court order that stripped Pendley’s delegated director authority for the BLM. This ruling, issued in September by Judge Brian Morris of the Federal District Court of Montana, ordered Pendley’s removal as BLM head and confirmed that Pendley had been occupying that role unlawfully. The order also called into question any decisions Pendley oversaw during this time and called for a report on all actions undertaken. Morris subsequently issued a second ruling that invalidated three Montana resource management plans approved during Pendley’s tenure. Read more

Modern Huntsman Launches Field Outrider Contest

A Creative Competition to Discover and Promote the Work of Aspiring Artists from All Backgrounds

Bozeman, MT. – MYSTERY RANCH, an industry-leading backpack company devoted to making mission-specific packs is eager to bring attention to the Field Outrider program that longtime partner, Modern Huntsman has recently launched. MYSTERY RANCH is pleased to say that the company will be involved in the project in a variety of ways, including representation on the panel of judges from Director of Marketing, Ryan Holm.

Modern Huntsman’s Field Outrider is a creative competition to discover and promote the work of established and aspiring artists from dynamic backgrounds. Hunting, fishing, and outdoor creatives are certainly welcome, but the goal of the project is to reach beyond the comfort zone of the industry and collaborate with any aspiring artist from any background. Field Outrider is a vehicle to place work in front of some of the top minds in photography, media, and marketing, and ultimately offer the opportunity to be published in Modern Huntsman.

“We want to open up our platform to a wider range of creatives, while at the same time continuing our mission to elevate the level of photography that we publish and the stories that we tell.” Stated Tyler Sharp CEO & Editor in Chief of Modern Huntsman. “We want to give opportunities to new voices for recognition, mentorship, and paid commissions.” Read more

SCI’s Hunter Advocacy Action Center a Vital Resource for Hunters Amid Election

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Safari Club International equips sportsmen and women to protect their right to hunt now and for decades to come through the Hunter Advocacy Action Center. As the only pro-hunting organization in Washington, D.C. with full-time policy experts and in-house legal counsel dedicated to protecting the freedom to hunt, SCI is uniquely positioned to connect members with elected officials to make their voice heard on issues, such as expanding hunting access, land management, trophy import bans and other important conservation legislation.

The Hunter Advocacy Action Center helps hunters take action on the issues that personally affect them with links and instructions to engage in public comment submissions and petitions, ensuring their interests are represented in the political process. The convenience of an SMS-based serviced has enabled SCI members to easily register and respond to issues, and making a difference on critically important issues. Launched in 2019, the Hunter Advocacy Action Center now has representation in all 50 states and Canada. It has already helped SCI members make thousands of direct connections with elected officials at the state and federal level. Read more

Dogs and Tracking Deer

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

Years ago, while archery hunting, I had taken a shot at a young buck and then watched as it disappeared into cover.  After climbing down from the stand, I located the arrow and found good blood covering the shaft.  And, as any experienced bow hunter knows, the work begins with tracking duties.

A friend and I scoured the tall grass and found enough blood to track the prize to a tributary of the Looking Glass River but not beyond.  After several futile hours, and as my pal was leaving for home, I remarked that I would get my dog, Leroy – a black Labrador retriever that never tracked a deer; I was desperate.

Back at the scene, the highly excitable canine, was put on the track and hurriedly pulled on the mandated leash up and through the same water where we had given up.  My heretofore inexperienced four-footed friend pulled hard right through the waterway, when I scanned the path with my light.  To my delight he was on the blood trail and within a minute he was on top of the fallen buck.  This was my epiphany moment – one never to be forgotten.

I had learned that an untrained family dog can become a successful tracker if given a chance.  From that point in time, I always allowed the dog to find any deer I had taken, even if I knew exactly where they succumbed.  I considered the exercises as refresher courses.

After Leroy went to the happy hound hunting grounds in the sky, we obtained another mutt that was struck by a vehicle in Lansing and left in the road to die.  We paid the bill for veterinary services and located the owner, who for whatever reason declined to reimburse us and gave us the dog we named Annie.  This had been a city dog tied to a chain all its life outdoors and I never considered to take it afield until one day that I had exhausted myself during another unsuccessful deer tracking adventure.

Annie had never hunted anything.  Nonetheless, she was leashed and freed to find my venison, and that she did.  Although she never showed signs of following a scent trail, she poked along without a whimper until she followed her nose to the whitetail.  Even then she exhibited no real interest but it didn’t matter; her success was my success.

Next in line years later, a friend’s beagle mix dog, Reese, became my dog (in spirit only) and was called into tracking duty.  Reese was a natural and not only found the first deer for which we needed help, but found many afterward.  As a reward, we would share a bit of fresh, wild meat with the little guy who thoroughly enjoyed it.  Reese is still alive and well but has moved to another home in Livingston County with his owner and is still my friend.

Now, my hunting partner, Joe, has had a young blue tick hound mix name Junior for over a year now and he is the heir apparent to the line of house-dog trackers.

Junior

Although he remains untested afield, he is certain to provide his nose when needed and I have no doubt as to his level of desire and ability.

In summary, if you’ve never given an available canine a chance to assist in tracking chores, leash one up and hang on.  Just make sure to check the hunting regulations, because there are many aspects of using a tracking dog legally to be aware of.

If you cannot come up with a dog to help find your fallen trophy, there is a contingent of Michigan tracking dogs available for hire on a moment’s notice.  They can be found online at https://www.michigandeertracknhounds.com.

The point is not to give up tracking unless you’ve given a dog a chance to help, because the nose knows.

Pope and Young Club Convenes Special Panel for Potential Velvet World Record Non-Typical Mule Deer

Chatfield, MN – The Pope and Young Club has announced the formation of a Special Panel to verify the potential velvet World Record non-typical mule deer taken by Justin Gordon in LaPlata County, Colorado, on September 2nd, 2018. The preliminary score of Justin’s mule deer is 338 7/8″. Justin’s incredible buck has 28 points on the right side and 19 points on the left. The Special Panel to measure this potential velvet World Record buck will convene on October 28th in Lehi, Utah.

The P&Y Club Board of Directors voted unanimously to recognize velvet World Record categories in June of 2020. If the Special Panel verifies Justin’s mammoth non-typical mule deer, it would be the first velvet non-typical mule deer World Record recognized by the Pope and Young Club.

Justin’s story: Read more

Hunt Smarter with Wildgame Innovations’ All-New HuntSmart™ App

An intelligent app that organizes and analyzes trail camera captures automatically. HuntSmart™ is self-learning; the more data it gathers, the better its predictions. The now downloadable free app’s technology will work with trail camera images from any SD card, regardless of the make or model.

Grand Prairie, TX – Wildgame Innovations introduces the ultimate scouting app. The HuntSmart™ app’s Artificial Intelligence Management (AIM) system organizes and analyzes trail camera images automatically with advanced features for as low as $2 per month. Its built-in species recognition algorithm software identifies game by species, including buck vs. doe differentiation, turkey, coyote, elk, hog and more. The app uses weather data, moon phase information and analyzed trail camera images to predict the best time and location for you to hunt. HuntSmart™ learns from trail camera captures, and more data means better predictions. Critical intel about your property and its game increase your odds of bagging bigger bucks this fall.

Monitor cameras remotely and in real-time via Live Stream to the HuntSmart™ app from up to 150 yards away when using any Insite Cell™ or Insite Air™camera. These two new models are Wildgame Innovations’ most advanced game cameras ever engineered – both are controlled and enhanced using the HuntSmart™ app. The app’s scouting features work with any trail camera you are currently running; use advanced tools like Hunt Predictor, Hit List Tracker and Buck Scoring with any standard SD card. Or manage all this intelligence wirelessly when using any Insite Cell™ camera model. Share your best photos and videos within your buddies through the ap and save locally on your phone. Read more

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