Whitetails Country

Best Deer Skinning Knife – Maybe…

Whitetail's Country — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:22:04 +0000

So I went to the Virgina Outdoor Sportmans Show this past weekend in Richmond. It was a good show with a great mix of vendors, guides and gear. And like I said earlier I am a gadget freak and I knew this wasnt good to be good for my wallet. Always interested in knives and came across VA Blade (http://vablade.com) and who could turn down another knife right? I think I might have found one of the best knives so far. Take a look…

What I like about it is its lightweight and packs easily. The other thing is the ring in the handle that allows you to continue to have control of the knife, and grab the hide without having to set the knife down all the time. Its easy to keep in your palm and not worry about your knife getting slippery and constantly drying the knife handle off. More control means faster proccessing of the game. It isnt just deer, but this knife can be perfect for rabbit, ducks, and more – small game and big game. The gut hook is a plus where most other knives of this style lack a gut hook.

Its got a great edge to it and we will see how well the edge holds up – but so far its got a lot of upsides to it. Is it the perfect deer knife – maybe…

Trail Camera Tip: Placement Along a Game Trail

Whitetail's Country — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:00:33 +0000

We have all been pre-scouting and come across a game trail that looks like a highway. These are the things that get get us excited – we know the deer are using this corridor and we want to know more! Most people would be inclined to place a game camera across the trail to see whats happening. Chances are you will end up with plenty of pictures – however those pictures will most likely be of beautiful trees, plants etc – but no deer. The reason for this is that most trail cameras have a triggertime that can be 1 to 3 seconds or even more. Trigger time is the time it takes from the camera to recognize heat and/or movement and to “wake up” and snap a picture. So when a deer is walking down a game trail and the camera is perpendicular to the trail, the deer can be past the camera before it has a chance to snap a picture. In order to take advantage of that game trail, your best option is to either have the game camera facing up a trail or down a trail. This way, the camera has a longer time period to wake up and take a picture.

5 Must Have Gadgets and Gear for 2011

Whitetail's Country — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:52:56 +0000

I dont know about you all but I am a total gadget freak – it doesn’t matter what it is – its the accessories and the add on’s and the extra’s. I am always willing to try something out and see if I like. So I went shopping this past weekend as I have a great local store, a Gander Mountain and a Bass Pro Shops – all within about 5 miles of each other. Kinda makes it tough to not buy something from all of them. Here are the cool things I picked up that you might be interested in as well. Bear in mind some are gadgets and some are more like toys (a little more expensive)!

Moultrie M80 Game Camera

This is about as great a trail camera as I have owned. What I love about it is being able to use in plot mode to watch over my secluded pond as well as being able to use it as a regular game camera. There is also a third option which allows the camera to be used in plot mode all day long and then switch to regular game camera mode at night. Great pictures and the IR flash has incredible depth and brightness to it with out spooking game. Check it out and at under $130 or so at most places it cant be beat – Moultrie M80 Game Camera!

Buck Bomb Scrape Tape

Willing to give this one a shot for some early season patterning. I have regularly seen bucks working the same areas regularly. Looking to see how well this will work and whether or not it actually will do what I want which is to make the bucks believe another buck is moving in to his territory. My question is that its synthetic and are synthetics really up to the challenge of mature whitetail bucks? Buck Bomb Scrape Tape

Buck Knives PakLite Fieldmaster

Ok this one I wasnt able to get my hands on but I have more order in with a friend at a distributorship. Like I said before – you cant have too many knives right! When I saw these I had to get my hands on them. My buddy saw these at the SHOT show but they arent available to the public just yet. This comes with 3 knives, a caper, a skinner and a gut hook. All skeletal frames and lightweight. Definitely a must have from Buck Knives! Check out the knives on Buck Knives website.

MTM Broadhead Box

When you talk about gadgets and add on’s you certainly can lump in trying out multiple broadheads in archery. But what the heck do you do with the ones not in use? If you are like me you probably have a small box you toss them in which isnt exactly the best thing. I did pick up a new case for storing my spare broadheads that I am not using – cheap and easy. MTM Broadhead Box

Streamlight ProTac 1L C4 LED Tactical Flashlight

Come on who doesnt need another flashlight – its like saying you have too many knives! Flashlights have been becoming absolutely rediculously priced and I wasnt going to spend more than $40 to $50 for a good flashlight. I have several that are around the 100 lumen mark and thats definetly what I wanted. the Streamlight ProTac Flashlight was small, lightweight and has 110 lumens – bright enough to blind yourself (or an intruder) but more importantly bright enough to work in the woods at night or look for downed game. The good news it has a low setting so I dont eat up batteries as fast and its not as bright when moving in to my stand in the morning. Streamlight ProTac 1L C4 LED Tactical Flashlight

Hunters Safety – 10 Treestand Safety Tips

Whitetail's Country — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 01:35:46 +0000

Its early season and most guys dont often think about hunters safety or treestand safety measures but its as good as any time to think about these things. Trail cameras and bucks in velvet tend to be whats on everybody’s mind. But here are some preseason hunters safety ideas to help keep you safe this season.

Treestand Safety Tips

Ladder treestand’s should be checked over carefully. Double check the ratchet straps and make sure they arent deteriorated or damaged. If they have been secured for several years the tree most likely has grown and is putting excessive pressure on the ratchet mechanism and strap – and should be released, inspected and replaced as necessary.
Check the tie down ropes and insure they are secure and tight as well on ladder style treestand’s.
Double check the cross bar support that attaches to the ladder on ladder treestands. Make sure that its properly connected and secure.
Double check the expiration date on your safety harness – yes they expire. Be sure to look closely at all the webbing and buckles. Replace if any seem damaged or not working properly.
I use the Hunter Safety System Quick Connect Tree Strap with my treestand harness. Make sure that there is no damage and still works as designed and replace as needed.
Double check all connections, cables, and nuts for tightness and any damage.
Make sure that you have an adequate rope in order to pull gear up instead of carrying everything in tot he stand with you.
Double check the health of the trees you plan to either climb or have ladder style treestands connected to. Make sure the tree is damaged or has any dead or dying limbs overhead.
If using screw in tree steps or climbing sticks/ladders that use ratchet straps, make sure all are secure and replace or reset as necessary.
Go back to number and double check each step and each piece of equipment again!

Game Camera Pictures: 6 Point Buck is Back

Whitetail's Country — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:28:36 +0000

Here is the wide 6 point buck we have been following for a while. Has real nice heavy mass and a solid width – think he will be somewhere around 20″ wide or so.

Hunting Tip Of the Day: Using Screw in Tree Steps

Whitetail's Country — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:19:07 +0000

As everyone starts hitting the woods and thinking about this years stand locations just remember its still warm outside and come hunting season you will be wearing more layers and bulkier clothing. When setting the distance between your screw in tree steps, like the ones below, a good way to judge distance is to space them roughly from your elbow to the tips of your fingers apart. This way when you have on heavier clothes in wont be uncomfortable to take larger steps – his will also keep you safer when climbing.

EZY Climb Tree Steps – Click here for more details

Reviews of Trail Cameras: Moultrie M-80 Trail Camera

Whitetail's Country — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 00:41:47 +0000

So I recently put out one of the new Moultrie M-80 game cameras. I have a secluded pond covered with deer tracks with a mineral site off to one side. I have plenty of bucks moving through the area but my issue is understanding where they come in and come out of the areas around the pond. The game camera on the mineral site only shows me what is in its proximity. In the short video clip attached the mineral site and game camera is on the far left side of the screen. None of the activity seen in the video will be picked up on that particular camera because the deer dont pass in front of it. This is why using a camera with plot time lapse video is important – to truly understand the bigger picture.

Remember this – these initial views are only for the plot stalker mode – trail camera mode to come.

Here is what I like so far. The camera is tiny and lightweight – half the size of other Moultrie game cameras. The settings for this plot mode were resolution so only 1.5 megapixels and an entire day only consumed 200MB. The software that threads the pictures in to a video is simple and easy to use. The camera itself is very intuitive and easy to program.

And the downsides – this camera eats batteries for breakfast lunch and dinner. But let me say this, in one day it took roughly 2500 pictures so I shouldnt be surprised to see the AA batteries go from 96% to 42% in 24 hours. This camera in plot mode needs rechargeable’s and a solar panel.

Here is the activity that my other Moultrie on the mineral pit wont be showing…

Iowa Deer Hunters Receive More Good News

Whitetail's Country — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:27:40 +0000

Test Results Negative for Chronic Wasting Disease in Iowa Deer

DES MOINES – Tissue samples collected from more than 4,700 Iowa deer in 2010 and 2011 have all tested negative for chronic wasting disease (CWD).

The majority of the samples were collected during the fall firearms season from seven counties in northeast Iowa, which is the area nearest to the CWD outbreaks in Wisconsin and Illinois.

The DNR also focused on collecting samples in south central Iowa, north of the area where the positive CWD deer was found in the captive facility in Missouri.

Since 2003, Iowa has tested 38,031 wild deer and 1,350 captive deer and elk. All tests have been negative.

Food Plots: Elderberry – Shrubs and Edging

Whitetail's Country — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 02:19:49 +0000

If you are looking for great cover, provide browse for deer and want a shrub that will provide fruit for wildlife then you should consider planting Elderberry. Elderberry is a fast growing plant in full sun and great for edging to provide cover and often found flourishing in clear cuts or hinge cutting areas when the tree canopy is opened up.

Immature wild elderberry plant

Elderberry plant post fruit – there are still a few berries on the plant.

Food Plots: Buttonbush – Shrubs and Edging

Whitetail's Country — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 17:54:43 +0000

Many people consider food plots but dont always consider other beneficial tree’s shrubs and plants. By developing areas that benefit wildlife you will attract and retain wildlife much better than just planting food plots. One way to do this is to plant beneficial shrubs and woody plants that not only provide cover but also browse material.

The buttonbush is a great brushy shrub that enjoys damp areas and soil that is not well drained which include stream edging, lakes and low lying areas that do not drain well. The buttonbush can grow to roughly 12-15′ in height in perfect conditions but in most cases range from 4-6′ to around 8′ in height. The plant produces white flowers from June through August which then produce seed ponds eaten by a variety of wildlife. Deer tend to browse the tips and use the buttonbush for cover when tightly planted.

At a glance:

Size can vary from 4-6′ to as high as 12′ plus
Likes damp soils and areas that do not drain – lake edges, streams etc
Full sun to part shade
Deer tend to browse and use for bedding/cover when tightly planted