What to Pack for Your Hunting Trip

I'm getting ready to head to the stand for the last weekend of archery season before gun season opens up here in north Texas.  A cold front is blowing through today and there's a chill in the air.  I can hardly contain myself for the anticipation of the hunt!  I finally get to see if all that time spent scouting pays off.

I've been spending all week preparing gear, washing clothes, and getting everything ready.  For my hunting clothes (don't forget your coat), I washed them in Primos Silver XP Scent Eliminator Laundry Detergent and dried them outside.  After they were dry, I wore gloves to load them into a trash bag with some leaves and dirt in it to cover any remaining human scent.  This is very important for archery hunting, but not as much if you're going to be rifle hunting.

As I'm going to be spending the next three days primitive camping, I have two lists of things I need to bring:  camping gear and hunting gear.  Always remember to leave a note and let someone know where you plan to camp and when you plan to return home.  A map of your stand location is also a good idea if you'll be hunting alone.  If you think of anything else that I need to add to the list, leave me a note in the comments. 

Camping Gear:                                  Hunting Gear:
Water jugs                                           GPS
Propane                                               Binoculars
Grill                                                     Map
Matches                                              Range finder
Garbage bags                                      Cover scents
Sleeping bag/pillows/blankets               Sharp knife and/or multi-tool
Cooking pots/plates/flatwear                 Camelback
Cot                                                     Thermocell
Food                                                   Bow/arrows/target/rifle/ammo
Dog food                                             Tree stand
Lantern                                                Flashlight/headlamp
Cooler/ice                                            Flagging
Chairs                                                 Safety harness
Clothes  (to dress in layers)                  Hunting license
Towels/rags                                         Gloves/facemask
Rain gear                                            Camo clothing for hot and cold weather
Prescription drugs/aspirin/antacid          Hot hands/hand warmers
Boots                                                  Day pack
Hand gun (if permitted)                          Hunter orange (if required)
Camera/film/video camera                     Grunt call                          
Toiletries                                             Rattling horns
Extra batteries for all electronics
Notepad/pen
Toilet paper

Tips and Tricks for Hunting on a Budget

It's no secret that the economy has everyone watching their pennies lately.  But just because disposable income has become as scarce as a big buck on opening day, it doesn't mean you have to stay home this season.  I've found a few ways to help cut down on the cost but still have fun in the field.

• Contrary to what advertisers want you to believe, you don't need the newest, latest, greatest hunting gadgets to be successful. Twenty years ago, we didn't use range finders, heaters, mechanical broadheads, trail cameras, or fancy feeders and we still managed to find deer.  If you're just starting out, the sensory overload of a Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops trip can be discouraging for your mind and your wallet.  Depending on what you're targeting this season, all you need is your gun or bow and yourself.  You have years to accumulate all the paraphernalia of a hunting junkie. 

• Time it right.  At the end of the season, retailers are trying to rid themselves of old inventory to make room for summer sports equipment.  This can be a great chance to score camo, shooting accessories, calls, and other hunting-specific gear at a big discount

• Use your email.   Many hunting gear and clothing retailers offer discounts when you sign up on their mailing list.  Womens' specialty camo sites SHE Safari and Prois both send emails to members offering sales and discounts. 

• Make it a group effort.  Network with other hunters so you can combine funds and gear.  For hunting trips out of town, fuel, guide fees, and hotel rooms can get expensive fast.  Sharing your passion with other hunters can help cut down on these traveling expenses.  Some guides will even give you a discount if you book a certain number of friends with you on your hunt.  You also get the added bonus of sharing your experiences with good friends.  

• Go public.  Guided hunts and leases can be expensive.  Though it takes a little more work, hunting public land can be rewarding and make you a much better hunter.  Make sure to read up on your state's public hunting regulations as they can change frequently.  

• If you do want to hunt with a guide, hunt during the week.  Some outfitters will offer a discount to hunters who will hunt during the week or un-popular weekends.  As an added bonus, hotel rooms can  be cheaper during the week.  

• Craigslist, garage sales, and estate sales can be a great place to find good gear at huge discounts.  For bows or firearms it's a good idea to take someone along who knows what they're looking at, but used gear can be a great way to try out different hunting and camping equipment without draining your wallet. 

With a little time and planning, you can accessorize like a pro without eating ramen five nights/week to pay for it.  Happy Hunting!

My first bow harvest!!!!!

It still doesn't seem real, but I made my first bow kill this weekend.  Friday night I set out for the Nooner Ranch in Hondo, Texas with good friend Chris.  Ranch Manager Gene Naquin greeted us and showed us to our rooms.  After we were all settled, Chris and two other hunters went to site in their rifles and  I was introduced to my guide Matt Lea, a senior at Texas A&M studying wildlife and an avid bowhunter.  I was glad to have the chance to pick his brain.  Matt watched me shoot a 3D target and we made sure my Slick Trick broadheads were shooting true.  After passing the test we all went back to the lodge to get ready for the night's hunt. 

Omar the Ringtail

We discussed what kind of deer I had in mind and ever since I was a kid, I'd had my heart set on a deer with a drop tine.  Gene and Matt knew just the deer, but told me that he usually comes out in the morning.  It was finally time, and we set out in the Rangers for our first hunt.  We jumped a big 8-point while climbing in the blind, but he came right back after we were settled.  He was quickly followed by the a gorgeous 10.  Right behind him a 230" plus came out and I don't think my mouth has ever gone drier, faster.  We watched these guys til almost dark when the prettiest 10-point I've ever seen came out showing off at least 13" G2s.  Incredible!  It was getting too dark to shoot, when two of the bucks started to fight.  All of the sudden this huge, dark deer came running out of the woods looking to fight.  His body dwarfed all the other deer in the field and he was MEAN!  He ran every single deer off the feeder...even the 200+.  He didn't even care to eat, all he wanted to do was fight, and you could tell by the way he walked that he was the dominant deer in the woods.  He was a 10-point with a drop tine and a ton of mass.  I HAD to have him!!

I couldn't even think about shooting any other deer after watching this bully.  It got too dark to see even through the optics so we wrapped it up and headed back to camp.  I couldn't stop thinking about my monster and how plain mean he was.  What a brute! 

Surprisingly, I slept well that night but not surprisingly, beat the alarm to wake up.  Up until this point in my life I'd never even seen a deer like this in the wild let alone had the opportunity to harvest one.  All I can remember is growing up watching hunting shows about the legendary south Texas whitetails.  The biggest deer I'd ever shot with a rifle barely made 100".  Needless to say, I was worried about my nerves.  The guys in camp asked if I was ready. All I could say to the was "No nerves.  Only death." 

We made it to the stand at 6:45 AM and at 7 one of the smaller bucks from the night before came out.  At 7:15 my guide tapped my knee and whispered "your deer's coming in."    He stopped at exactly 19 yards.  Near front leg reaches forward.  His head turns away.  I draw my Diamond Razor Edge bow slow and easy and can remember hitting my anchor points.  Remember to breathe.  At 7:23 the broadhead slams his shoulder and I hear a huge THUMP before he runs off to the right.  I KNEW I hit him good and the guide did, too.  One quick fist bump and my nerves cut loose.  I started to shake SO BAD! 

Two minutes later my heart sank when it started to POUR down rain.  I couldn't see my arrow and didn't think I got a pass-through so I was really worried we weren't gonna find my deer.  We got out and decided to try and get a feel for which way the deer went without pushing him.

This was the only blood trail we could find and I was really starting to doubt my shot.  I KNEW I hit him in the shoulder and I hadn't been nervous at all.  Why wasn't there more blood????








We didn't want to push him if he wasn't hit well, so I got comfortable while Matt looked for blood close to the blind.  After an hour I figured it was time and got up to find the him.   I started walking out in the direction the deer had run and it wasn't long before I saw Matt.  He was walking towards me with my arrow in his hand and it was VERY bloody.  I said "Hey!  That looks pretty good!"  He said "Yep, deer looks good, too."  WHAT!?!?  There he was.  Only about 60 yds from where he was hit.  I'd hit both lungs and he was down.

The Slick Trick broadhead did its job

I still can't believe how it all came together.  It was such a special hunt and having the opportunity to watch how this deer interacted with the other deer the night before made it even better.  I would never have known what an absolute brute he was.  It took three of us to load him in the Polaris and he ended up going 200# on the nose!




It was an absolutely PERFECT weekend that I'll remember forever.  He ended up scoring 160.1" B&C, with 7" brow tines and 14 points.  I'm hooked on this bowhunting thing BAD now.  Thank you SO MUCH to Gene Naquin and Matt Lea at the Nooner Ranch.  They made a great experience even better.  I've never had so much fun.  Wohoo!!!!!!

Scouting report

Went out to the national forest to try and find a spot to hunt next month so I loaded up the Griz and headed north.  It was SO nice to get outta the city and the cooler weather made it even better.  Since I'm hunting public land I needed to keep a few things in mind:  find a place to hunt close to camp so I don't have to drag a deer too far, find a good trail because you can't use bait, and get away from most of the high-traffic areas close to the main roads as there will be a lot of other hunters there.  Armed with a topo map and gps I headed out Saturday afternoon.

The first thing I wanted to find was water.  It's been a very dry summer so I figured if I could find water, I'd find deer.  As I walked south down a trail from camp, I followed a fenceline that was private land to the west.  There were several blinds along the fence on the private side and figured the public land must get a lot of pressure during gun season and smart private hunters sit on the property line waiting for deer to cross.  I also thought that may mean there are feeders on the private side.  So my amended game plan was to follow the property line and find a good trail running into private land.  This method paid off fairly quickly and I found a good trail headed across the property line.  I followed it south but didn't see any tracks or scat.  There was pig sign EVERYWHERE.  The trail petered out and I drifted south until hitting a big creek running east/west.

One of the buck rubs found

Running parallel to the stream was another good trail.  There wasn't any scat or tracks again, but there were fresh rubs along the trail about every 20-30 yards.  This was the most sign I'd seen all afternoon so I figured I'd follow the creekbed further west and see if I could find a good crosstrail.  Well, that plan worked great as I found a deep pool in the creek with water and lots of tracks and a HUGE doe.  Unfortunately, I'd crossed the property line without realizing it and was on private land.  I followed the creek back until I crossed the fence boundary of the national forest and started looking for more sign.  Eventually I picked up the trail with the rubs along it and there was a big, nasty thicket just north of there so I was thinking that would be a great draw for pressured deer.  Happy with finding some sign and having a rough idea of where I'd like to put my stand, I headed back to camp before dark.

Yes, I was camped out alone.  It can be done, but you have to make sure and take proper precautions.  I always leave a note at the house before I leave with where I plan to go, what I plan to do, when I left, and when I intend to return.  I have a chl and keep a gun or two handy at all times.  In the national forest you can't carry a pistol without a chl and there's a ton of pig and E Tx meth addict sign so there's no way you'll catch me out there without a blaster.  Griz makes a pretty good alarm too.  The poor thing is afraid of the dark and with the burn ban in place, we couldn't have a campfire.  Well, right at dark an armadillo decided to make a trip all the way around our campsite...what a ruckus!  Poor Griz about came unglued!  I got tired of him freakin' so grab the pistol in one hand and the six-cell mag-lite in the other and head off to chase the dang thing outta camp.  Griz was VERY worried but refused to leave the truck...little weenie.

Home Sweet Camp

The night was absolutely gorgeous and I just love sleeping out under the stars, but the weather had other plans.  Just about midnight the wind started blowing and I could smell the rain so we had to move the party into the cab of the truck.  It was still awesome to listen to the fat raindrops hitting the roof of the truck and the lightening put on quite a show. 

The next morning we headed back out with the plan of starting at the trail with the rubs and choosing a good tree to put a stand in.  The wind started coming out of the east and it looked like the buck was traveling from east to west as all the rubs were on the northeast side of the trees.  When choosing a tree I tried to find one large enough that it wouldn't sway a whole lot in the wind.  I also wanted a tree that was straight and easy to climb, but that had some branches for cover.  Luckily the trail was in a fairly open floodplain so I wouldn't need to cut any shooting lanes.  I don't want anyone to come upon my spot and decide they like it as much as I do.  Unfortunately, the wind started changing directions so I don't know how this spot's gonna work but it's the best place I've found so far.  Only time will tell...

I settled on a couple of trees...one oak that was very straight about 15 yards from the trail.  I don't want to be right on the trail as the deer would see me, but don't want to be too far so that I can't get a shot.  A cedar also looked like it'd work and I liked it for the cover-scent properties and all the little branches sticking out that I could use for cover.  I plan to go back out with my stand to practice setting it up and will end up using the tree that is the easiest to get set up in and gives me the best shooting opportunities.

Once I settled on a tree I decided to follow the creek bed back to the east and do a little exploring.  The rain the night before gave me a great opportunity to see exactly what animals were moving at what time of day and what direction they were headed.  The creek had a perfect sandy bottom and the rain was right at midnight so I knew that all the tracks I was seeing were from early that morning.  I was able to figure out that all the deer tracks were headed north, which made sense as all the fresh tracks I'd seen from the night before were headed south.

I saw lots of coyote tracks and they were moving up and down the channel all along its length.  There were a few deer tracks and tons of pigs tracks and wallows.  This creek is perfect for pig hunting because the banks are really high.  If I ever want to come and hunt pigs I know just where to go...just sit up on one of those bluffs above water and wait.

I ended up hiking about three miles southeast down the creek channel before heading back north to camp.  Unfortunately I didn't see any critters that morning.  I thought for sure we would sneak up on something in the creek with as quiet as the rain made the leaves.  All we saw was a dead armadillo, though.  I was surprised to find some cow tracks down in the creek, too.  They were very fresh and at one point I could smell the cows, but never did get to see them.

Overall it was an awesome weekend.  When we got back to camp I dozed off in the shade in my zero-gravity chair.  Heading home was so hard but I was outta food and HUNGRY.  Can't wait to go back!


On the way back we stopped at Coffee Mill Lake to see if it was holding any water.  Griz loves to pose:

The wind was blowing like crazy from the south. 

Lessons:
Don't forget the binoculars in your pack!
You can never have too much water with you.

Stephenville Pig Hunt

August 20, 2011 I drove out to Paluxy, Tx to hunt pigs with Joel and a couple guys from TFF.  Joel said he'd been seeing tons of pigs in the creek bottom.  I hunted Saturday night and didn't see anything though there was a LOT of sign.  I was hunting at the top of a bluff and just before dark Saturday night a little raccoon popped right up over the edge.  He was only about 4 feet away and way surprised to see me there!  I tried to draw on him really slow, but he ran back down the bluff and as soon as he hit the water, he let me have it!  Don't think I've ever heard a coon make so much noise.

Sunday I hunted from 6 to 3.  It hit 107 degrees.  Only saw one pig on the other side of the creek and he was moving too fast to get a shot on.  Learned I'm WAY out of hunting shape.  Was really sore for a few days after from sitting still for so long.  Saw a couple of hummingbirds and one scared the crap outta me when it appeared outta nowhere right in front of my nose. 

Joel drove me around a couple of fields after picking me up from my stand and we found a lot of fresh pig sign down the creek from where we hunted.  It looks like the pigs had moved on. 


Lessons Learned:

Thermocells ROCK.  Used it at the first sign of skeeters.  As soon as I turned it on I never saw another bug.

Those neck scarves that you put in the cooler to soak up water work great too.  Saved my rear when it was above 100 Sunday.

Used coon urine on boots as cover scent.  Also, fresh earth clip-ons and spray.   Didn't see any deer but one busted me when I was leaving the stand Sunday.