How To Stay Warm In The Late Season

Posted on January 10, 2012 by HavalonKnives

Five Tips for Battling Frigid Cold
While Hunting and Fishing

By Steve Sorensen

Five Tips for Battling Frigid Cold While Hunting and FishingReady to limber up the bow or muzzleloader for late season whitetail hunts? Dig out the predator calls for some canine calling sessions? Break out the ice fishing gear for a day on the hard water only a few hundred yards from that beach where you soaked up last summer’s sun?

Many outdoorsmen welcome the warmth of the woodstove, but winter’s bad attitude doesn’t mean you have to cower in front of the fireplace. I’ve hunted in temperatures as cold as 26° degrees below zero, and these five rules really paid off for me. They’ll pay off for you too, whatever your winter activity.

Rule #1 – Layer Up
The first rule of keeping warm in winter has a long history, going back way before the new thermally efficient fabrics came on the scene. It’s called “layering”, and it’s effective even if you don’t have Thinsulate® insulation, PolarTec® fleece, or any of the modern hi-tech products.

Your body creates heat, and you want to keep that heat where it will do you some good, so every layer will trap warm air and help prevent its transfer away from your skin. But your body also creates moisture, so put a good moisture-wicking layer next to your skin (you’ll find out the reason for that in Rule #2). Next, add a layer of fleece or very soft wool to trap air. You might want other layers to suit the conditions, but make sure you don’t get bound up like the Michelin® man. Freedom of movement is critical to keeping warm
(see Rule #5).

Rule #2 – Cotton Kills
When you’re dry, it’s hard to beat soft cotton for comfort, but during winter activities your Joe Boxers have no place next to your skin. If you work up a little sweat, cotton never dries out. That’s a prescription for hypothermia, and that’s why people who live and work in Alaska and northern Canada say “cotton kills”.

Five Tips for Battling Frigid Cold While Hunting and FishingI learned the hard way. I once sat shivering on an Alaska mountainside after a vigorous three mile hike. What a mistake! Perspiration soaked my cotton underwear! I was shivering so badly I couldn’t hold my binoculars steady to glass the opposite mountainside for black bears. After a couple of hours thoughts of “the big chill” motivated me to get that waterlogged underwear away from my body, so I pulled down my pants, pulled out my knife, and carefully but hurriedly sliced those icy underpants off (there’s a use for your Havalon knife I’ll bet you never thought of!).

Rule #3 – Beat the Wind
We hear that lesson over and over when we’re worrying about scent control in warmer weather, but in the dead of winter it means something else. The wind can rob you of precious warmth, whether it’s from exertion or a hot cup of coffee. By wearing a layer the wind can’t penetrate, you’ll keep warm air you’ve trapped in the lower layers right where it does you the most good.

Your wind-breaking layer can double as rain protection by using rain gear that has a laminated waterproof, breathable lining. Make sure it has a zipper with an easy to grab pull tab and it slides down smoothly without snagging other fabrics. A good zipper lets excess heat escape quickly.

Rule #4 – Wear a Good Hat
You lose more heat from the top of your head than you do from any other part of your body. I learned that long ago, but it really sunk in much later when I was petting my dog, Remy. She’s a miniature shorthair dachshund, and she has a hot head. Whether she’s lying in the sun or coming in from a trip to do her dutiful business in the icy outdoors, her head is always the warmest part of her body. I don’t know what it is about brain activity, but even in the dumbest of us, our brains generate lots of heat.

Back when your mother kept telling you to wear a hat even when they were out of style, she knew being fashionable was secondary to keeping warm. So, whether you favor a baseball-style hat, a stocking cap, or a fur-lined trooper style, put a lid on your head.

Rule #5 – Take Advantage of Friction
All of the preceding rules will come to nothing if you don’t make sure you have freedom to move. Movement causes friction, and friction generates heat. That’s why rubbing two sticks together can start a fire. More to the point, that’s what warms your feet when you’re walking.

You can use friction even when you’re standing on the ice or in a tree stand. Wiggle your toes inside your boots. Flex your muscles with isometric exercises. Movements, even small movements, give you a net increase in heat.

Whether your Christmas was a white one or not, it’s likely that by early January the snow is here to stay as Old Man Winter relentlessly blasts us with his arctic jet stream. Don’t let that keep you inside. The more experience you have in cold weather, the more you’ll learn how to generate heat and trap warm air. How about sharing your tips and tricks with other readers in the space below?

About Steve Sorensen…
Steve Sorensen, Outdoor Writer/HunterOutdoor writer and speaker Steve Sorensen loves the Havalon knife and has been a fan of knives since he was six, when he began begging his dad to take him hunting. His articles have been published in Deer and Deer Hunting, North American Whitetail, Sports Afield, and many other top magazines across the USA. Invite Steve to speak at your next sportsman’s event, e-mail EverydayHunter@verizon.net for information describing his programs and follow his writing at www.EverydayHunter.com.

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How To Hunt Rabbits Without A Dog

Posted on December 15, 2011 by HavalonKnives

Four Tips To Improve Your Chances For Cottontails

By John Jameson

Many hunters use dogs, particularly beagles, to hunt rabbits. A good hunting dog sniffs out or spots the rabbit and flushes it toward your gun, making it easier to get a kill shot. However, not all hunters work with dogs, and with practice, they are just as effective. There are many different methods on how to hunt rabbits without dogs, including working with a partner or going it alone. Many hunters prefer to go without dogs because they feel self-reliant, and the hunt has an enticing challenge to it. Here are some tips on what you need to know about how to hunt rabbits.

1. Understand Rabbits: Habitat and Movements

Hunting RabbitFirst, understand that rabbits circle the areas in which they live and eat. They don’t like to get chased out of this area, so if you do flush one, most likely it will circle back. Your job is to be ready. The next step is to learn where they like to live. Many prefer wooded areas that line the edge of grass fields, farmer’s fields (they especially like alfalfa, soybeans, wheat, etc.) and gardens. They hide in brush piles and tall grass. Finally, they love to spend time in the sun on the first warm day after a cold front, so make this the day you go hunting.

2. Flush-Out with a Hunting Partner

If you have the opportunity to go with a hunting partner, at least the first few times, do it. There are a couple of methods you can employ, including walking in staggered succession, about 50 feet apart, both of you with guns ready. As you both walk, take turns pausing. For example, while your buddy pauses, you walk forward a few feet, then switch. The pause may convince a hiding rabbit that you have spotted him, which will make him break cover and run.

The other method is to send your partner into the woods or on top of a brush pile to flush out the rabbits. You’ll be ready to shoot as the rabbit runs toward you. Both methods are effective; however, it is very important to practice gun safety at all times to avoid injuring your hunting partner. Know what you are shooting before you pull the trigger, never aim at a person, and keep your safety on at all times until you are ready to shoot.

3. Tracking

Hunting RabbitTracking rabbits is an enjoyable experience when you’re alone on a quiet day. The best times are immediately after a snowfall; fresh tracks mean the rabbit is nearby. Keep in mind that the rabbit circles it’s home area, so try to follow the tracks to narrow down where the rabbit lives. Then, flush it out or sit and wait.

4. Stalking

Stalk rabbits by walking slowly along the edge of a field where it might graze. Use binoculars to look for rabbits that may be in the middle of the field. Move as quietly as possible, and remember to pause every few seconds as you walk so a hidden rabbit believes you have spotted it. Whenever possible, make maximum use of cover, and even consider crawling on a final approach. But don’t let anybody catch you on video crawling around on a rabbit hunt! That’s a tough one to live down. Another option is to drive slowly up rural roads at night and watch for rabbits to run out. Mark the area on a map and return the next day to flush them out. When you flush a rabbit out, try to whistle shrilly. Some will stop and look at you, giving you the opportunity for a kill shot.

Key Takeaways
• Find the food and hunt the edges.
• Stop more often than usual. Most hunters do too much walking, and that doesn’t spook rabbits.
• Try carrying a whistle and see if it gets some rabbits to pause in their escape.
• Stagger your walk with your buddy. Walk 10 or 20 yards behind and take turns pausing for 30 seconds or more

Have fun with your rabbit hunt!

For more expert advice, click here.

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HUNTING TACTICS FOR PUBLIC LAND BUCKS

Posted on December 13, 2011 by HavalonKnives

Tips For When and Where To Hunt For Your Big Buck

By Tracy Breen

Many diehard hunters believe killing big bucks on public land is a pipe dream. However, killing big bucks on public land is something hunters can do on a consistent basis if they know when and where to hunt.

Joel Maxfield With Buck

Joel Maxfield

Joel Maxfield from Mathews Archery spends many days in the field every fall chasing big bucks. His entire family, including his wife and son, hunt whitetails across the country on private and public land. According to him, the key to harvesting big bucks boils down to hunting where big bucks live. “Certain parts of the country hold big bucks and certain parts don’t. To kill big bucks on public land you need to be in an area where big bucks live. I enjoy hunting in Kansas and Iowa,” Maxfield explained.

Kansas and Iowa are known for holding big bucks. These states have fewer hunters than many eastern states. Less hunting pressure combined with good habitat often results in bigger bucks. “Last year I killed a nice buck in Iowa on the first day of the hunt on a large section on public ground. We got the entire hunt on film for TV. It was great. The hunt didn’t cost much money and I was able to kill a nice Pope & Young buck,” Maxfield added.

To find good hunting areas, Maxfield relies on topographical maps and aerial photographs. “With today’s technology, you can use the internet to locate great hunting areas. I try to focus on big pieces on public land where I can get deep into the woods and away from other hunters. My wife has used a mountain bike to access remote locations,” Maxfield noted.

Maxfield advises hunters not to get discouraged if they see several cars parked on a piece of public ground where they plan to hunt. “I’ve found that public land is used for many things. When I see cars in an area, I realize they could be fishing, duck hunting or several other things. I often walk right by the cars and find good hunting deep in the woods,” Maxfield said.

Tom Johnson from West Michigan travels all over the country searching for big whitetails. He hunts in Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. He usually hunts on public land and hunts on a budget. “I have stayed in tents and hotels but typically I stay in a camper,” Johnson explained. Johnson has killed numerous record book bucks with a bow and gun. He believes his key to success is the result of scouting a lot and hunting for days. “When I hunt out of state, I try to spend at least ten to fourteen days in an area. The longer I spend in a certain state, the more I learn and the better chances I have of bagging a nice buck. When you hunt out of state, the hurdle you must get over is learning an area. When you spend a lot of time in an area, you can really increase your odds of success.”

You will notice that Maxfield and Johnson often hunt away from home. Maxfield lives in Wisconsin; Johnson lives in Michigan. If you are going to kill a trophy buck, it might require you to leave your home state but remember that leaving your home state doesn’t require you to break the bank. I regularly hunt out of state for under $1,000.

If you learn how to scout, read topo maps, use aerial photographs and are willing to travel, you just might kill the buck of a lifetime.

Tracy BreenAbout the author – Tracy Breen is a full time outdoor writer based out of Michigan. Tracy has cerebral palsy and often writes and speaks about overcoming physical challenges. To learn more about Tracy visit www.tracybreen.com

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10 Tips for a Great Day of Rabbit Hunting

Posted on December 8, 2011 by HavalonKnives

By Pat Carrothers

Learning how to hunt rabbits takes practice and patience, and for many, the fun of the hunt can be more relaxing than hunting larger game. Many hunters master their skills through trial and error, and over time, they can bag a rabbit every time they go out. If you’re a beginner, don’t be discouraged if you don’t have much luck busting the rabbits and or actually hitting the rabbits you shoot at. Rabbits are fast and always on the lookout for prey, so shooting them is not easy. Here are 10 tips to help you have a great day rabbit hunting.

1. Choose the Right Gear

How to Hunt Rabbit Image 1You can’t be successful on hunting day if you don’t have the right gear. Most rabbit hunters carry either a .22 rifle or a 20-gauge shotgun with improved cylinder choke. However, some also prefer pistols. I personally have never tried a pistol for rabbits. That would be some fancy shooting. Shotshells, size 6 and 7-1/2, are ideal. You’ll also want to wear thick field pants and a coat to fend off any burs and prickly branches, as well as an orange hunting vest and hat. Also, carry a game bag to take home your kill.

2. Know Where They Hide

Consider taking a sunrise or sunset scouting trip to scope out where rabbits are active. They come out most often during these parts of the day. Mark it on a map. Know that they’ll hide in brush piles and spend time in farmer’s fields, especially wherever clover and alfalfa grow. Rabbits also spend a lot of time near fence lines.

3. Request Permission to Hunt

Trespassing is a sure way to ruin your hunting day. Beforehand, ask permission to hunt if it’s private land. More often than not, farmers are more than happy to give you permission and will also point out the favorite hiding places.

4. Check the Forecast

If it’s cold, it may be easier to spot rabbits that are hiding, and they may also flush slower, giving you a better chance at a kill-shot. Hunting after a snowfall has stopped is a good time. Also consider hunting on the first warm day after a cold spell when they come out to take in some sun. A covering of snow helps you find rabbit tracks, and it also makes it easier to see the rabbit’s eyes as it’s hiding in brush. Sometimes that’s the only thing you can see since they blend in so completely. When I was a kid, my dad would stop and point to a spot for me to examine. After a while I could see the eye of a rabbit there. If you are hunting alone for rabbits, that’s about the only way you will find them because they are masters at slipping away unnoticed.

5. Take a Partner

Unless you have your heart set on a quiet day of hunting alone, take a partner who knows how to hunt rabbits, to help flush them out. Walk in staggered succession, taking turns to pause. Walk opposite sides of a hedgerow or fencerow with the shooter about 10 yards back from the flusher. Be aware that rabbits are always going to take the back door if it’s open. So leave it open and be ready for them to run on the opposite side of the flusher. However, make sure to follow all gun safety rules and always be aware of your buddy’s location, or don’t shoot.

6. Take Hunting Dogs

Hunting dogs can be a great help when hunting rabbits, but only if they are well-trained. They should know how to flush the rabbits out of hiding as well as toward you whenever possible. They should also know the “release” command so they don’t tear up your kill. However, hunting dogs aren’t mandatory for a successful hunt. You can learn to hunt rabbits without them and find the experience rewarding.

7. Position Yourself

Stay downwind from where you think they are whenever possible, and be ready to move your aim along the fence line or wherever you think they may run.

8. Be Ready for A Shot

Rabbits are fast. Keep your firearm in ready position with your index finger on the trigger guard. Swing gun across the body and just beyond the head as you gently squeeze the trigger.

9. Be Patient

Rabbits often stop and look back to see if you are out of distance, making it a great time to shoot. Alternatively, whistle shrilly or use a clicking device to make the rabbit stop and listen. Also, know that rabbits often circle back, so you can take a set up and sit as still as possible and wait.

grilled rabbit with rosemary & garlic10. Be Ready with a Great Rabbit Recipe

Rabbits are a lean, healthy meat that cook up quickly. A great rabbit recipe will make your day a complete success.

Follow this link for some great
rabbit recipes from Food.com.

Please share with us your favorite rabbit recipe.

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Deer Recipes – Killer Ways To Cook Deer Meat

Posted on December 3, 2011 by HavalonKnives

Yes, You Can Learn To Make Melt-In-Your Mouth Venison

By Pat Carrothers

Once you’ve claimed the big game, aged and processed the deer, and placed all of the meat into the freezer, you then have to figure out ways to cook venison so you and your family can enjoy the meat you provided. There are quite a few ways to cook venison. Some of the methods involve using dry heat, grilling, roasting, braising, and even stewing. Here are some guidelines to help you make sure the venison is tender and tasty.

Killer Ways to Cook Deer Meat Image 1Broiling

If you want to broil some venison, you will be most pleased if you use chops, steaks, or loins. These pieces of meat have all the fat trimmed from them and they work well when they are broiled. Since the pieces are lean, you may need to add a little salt pork or bacon fat before you place seasoning on the meat. Then, preheat your broiler and let the temperature rise before you place the meat on the rack. Make sure the rack is far enough away from the heat source so the meat does not burn or get tough. Broiled meat is usually done before you think it is so check it often.

Grilling

The best cuts for grilling are the rump and loin, but there are others that can turn out well. You want to marinate your meat before grilling, or you can simply apply cooking oil to each side. This helps ensure the texture of the meat is not tough after it is cooked. Be careful if you add salt before grilling because that can make the game meat dry out. Once the meat’s on the grill, cook it to your desired level and enjoy the great aromas.

Pan-frying

Chops, steaks, and loins work well when pan-fried. These types of meat have no natural fat, so you will likely want to add a little oil to keep the meat savory and moist. When the pan heats up, season the game as you like, or you can marinate it for a few hours before you throw it in the pan. I’ll dash a lot of tenderizer on the leanest cuts and fork it in to help prevent tough chewing. Once the pan is ready, set the meat in and watch for the blood in the cut to appear on the top. Once you see this reaction, flip the meat over and repeat the process until it’s done.

Roasting

Oven roasting is good for the rib roast or loin portion of the deer. Before you begin cooking the meat, make sure it’s free from excess fat and then season it with any herbs or spices you might enjoy. Do not add too much salt, however, because this can dry the meat out during the cooking process. Save salt for after it is cooked. That’s a good rule for any meat. If it’s a bone in roast, put the bone on the bottom of the pan. Let the meat sit in the oven at 300 degrees for 20 minutes for each pound of meat in the cut. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the center of the meat is ready before you remove it from the oven.

There are many other ways to cook venison including braising, stewing, grounding and plenty more. Experiment with small cuts of meat to find your favorite and then you can go back and cook more in the ways you most enjoyed.

Venison can be switched out for red meat in any of your best recipes, with one big warning sign, “Caution – Tough Chewing Ahead.” Venison is a naturally lean meat. That can lead to putting a hockey puck on everyone’s plate if you don’t manage it right. Here are six tips to help you serve killer venison:

Six Tips For Great Tasting Venison

1. Never overcook venison or other lean meats. They will dry out and become tough. Venison is not usually good past the medium well range. If you choose to roast the venison, try covering the pan with foil for the last 15 minutes. The juices will spread out evenly and the meat will cook with less drying.

2. Slow methods of cooking, such as roasting, are generally the best way to keep the venison moist.

3. Do not add salt to the meat before you cook it. Salt can remove juice and dry venison. Salt is for the table or at least for right before serving.

4. Make sure all the connective tissues are removed before you cook venison. These tissues leave an undesirable taste that can ruin the overall effect. Our Havalon Baracuta with fillet blades is great for trimming venison! I guarantee you’ll love it, and if you don’t, we’ll give you your money back.

5. Marinating venison is highly recommended. The acids in a marinade (like wine, vinegar or citrus juice) help tenderize the meat and add flavor. Oil in the marinade helps keep the meat moist.

6. Venison burgers taste great on the grill, but they may need extra moisture since the meat is very low in natural fat. You may want to wrap a piece of bacon around the patties or place an egg in the mixture to bind it together as it cooks. I often lay a strip or two of bacon over meat roasts too. With bacon, how can you go wrong?

Getting hungry yet? What’s your favorite way to cook venison?

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