joejoe's hunting & fishing blog

Hogs are one the most ancient animals to be hunted. Man has been hunting them since early civilization perhaps.

Hog hunting is done mostly either as a recreational activity with hog hunting guides, or as a source of food. With changing times though this sport or animal act has changed. It has become more dangerous.This hunting is quite different from other types of hunting too. It involves more risks but then where there is risk, man is automatically more motivated and avid at doing it.

This type of hunting is illegal in some parts of the world but is still followed in some other parts. In India, any type of hunting is against the law and a punishable offense. If you are going to hunt hogs then you should have some specific methodology and make sure that all precautions are taken. At any cost, you should not put your life at risk. These animals become very aggressive when they are with their off spring, so make sure that you are do not tease them or anything when around them. They are known to be very good with their enemies, so you better be careful.

These animals are otherwise very dormant. So, be careful when handling them. Try to maintain a little distance from them, else your life will be at risk.

So, you should try to track their path either manually or by knowing from people or by using some technology like trail cameras, etc. The best way to go for hunting if you are amateur is to go with an experienced hunting outfitter or guide. They can track down a few tracks, and know things that you won't even be able to imagine. They will know their way out of things and also know how to read the footprints of animals. They can distinguish between old and new footprints and can relate things happening around them in the right way. Hogs always go to places which are easily accessible. So, if you find a hog at a particular place place, then you should lay your bets on the same place because the chances that another hog will come to that same spot are very high. They generally keep moving to the same place. This is one of their most important characteristic which you can bank upon.

But the worst part of hog hunting is laying the bait and preparing yourself for the hunt. It is a very tedious task and sometimes it can take away all the fun that you were intending to have. Hogs are very good at smelling their food, so you should lay a bait of their food. But sometimes they might come in large numbers which might be a problem for you again since your bait could get eaten before you get a good shot at any of them. You should also make sure that you are far away because, like all prey, your scent will scare them away. At the same time you should make sure that you are in a comfortable positions to shoot them. Its one of the oldest practices. You need to have lot of perseverance and wait for your opportunity for this. But nevertheless the hog hunting tradition stays strong and once you harvest your first big boar, you will certainly come back to try it again.

Previously I discussed how to pick the correct bow for hunting, so I thought I would do a follow up on picking the correct rifle...

Your rifle will your most important tool when hunting, which can lead you in making or breaking your hunt, so choosing the most appropriate rifle is must. Many things may happen which you may not even expect when out in the field, so it's advisable to take some time to choose the best rifle for your hunt, rather than getting into dangerous situations with an inferior rifle that jams up on you.

Many factors should be considered when choosing your rifle. As you become more experienced, you will become capable of picking your own rifle according to your needs. But, for now, it may make sense to take suggestions from experts in choosing your own rifle.

Usually hunters use bolt-action, lever-action, semi-automatic, or pump-action rifles to hunt their prey. Inclusive of these types, there is a variation in selection of various calibers. depending on the type of hunting you will be on. Through a few questions to assess your hunt, the selection of most appropriate rifle is performed accordingly.

First thing you will need to take into consideration is the location of where you will be hunting. Hunting in thick bush requires quick operation in tight spaces, so you need to choose a fast loading gun to react accordingly. You may need to have a lighter rifle to move quickly for not loosing your prey if you have a very limited visual of your hunt. Bolt-action rifles provides you very good control over longer distances, but, this type of rifle is not ideal when you come to a close-range scenario because of their complex mechanism and the movement required to load them. Your prey could catch on to your movement with the bolt-action rifle and split out of sight before you have a chance to line him up in your sights.

Many types of rifles are good to hunt hogs, deer, moose, and elk but for hunting a smaller species, we need to use a semi-automatic type rifle as they don’t take much time for controlling it while we concentrate on our target. The skittish nature of the small animals can be put to an end by a quick shot of semi-automatic rifle.

Therefore, the prey you're hunting also effects the choosing of the rifle apart from the hunting location.

After the selection of location and the prey type, its time to choose the appropriate rifle for the hunt. You will find many brands for each and every type of rifle, but your selection should be chosen in such a way that you are comfortable with the feel and performance of the rifle.

Let us assume a scenario: you know you want a bolt-action gun for their accuracy and strength, so you shop around and visit several local gun shops before choosing the best one. But, wehn you're shopping, don't forget to check for few extras such as adjustable triggers, thumb safety switches and so on, which makes your gun more safer and user friendly.

After your purchase, don’t forget to disassemble and reassemble it to learn as much as you can about it, additionally, learn how to clean it properly and maintain it well so that it will serve you for many years.

Ask your gun shop about the correct ammunition to you use in your rifle and proceed accordingly.

And last, but certainly not least, be sure to keep your rifle locked up in a gun case, away from children. Never keep it loaded when you are not using it and do not ever point it at others, even in jest.

You've spent hours hanging in your tree stand and finally bagged yourself a trophy buck.  You've taken pictures, loaded it up on your ATV or into the back of your pickup bed, bled it out and cleaned it, and now it's time to skin your deer.  It's not the most enjoyable part of the hunting experience, but after your third or fourth timer, it's really not that big of deal any longer and it really is a necessary process to get it done quickly in order to save the meat.

This is basically a beginner's guide to skinning your first deer; walking you through the major points of skinning the deer so that you're prepared to do it with the assistance of an experienced hunter or the hunting guide or outfitter you've hired.

You're going to pretend to be a butcher for a minute.  Have you ever seen those pictures of how a cow is sectioned into different areas to show where the prime rib comes from and where the sirloin comes from?  Well, that's basically what you're going to do with your deer.

The process really is not that difficult once you start cutting into the deer.  The skin will pull apart from the meat and you'll notice that there is very little fat on a deer as opposed to a cow or pig.  That's one of the benefits of deer hunting; you get healthy, lean, meat unlike what you'll find in your local grocery store. When skinning the deer, you're going to have to use some elbow grease and pull it apart with your hands, as your knife isn't going to do all of the work for you.  So be prepared to get your hands dirty.

Wherever you're cleaning and skinning your deer, you'll want to be able to hang it on a hook or with a rope in a pulley-type system.  It's usually easier to hang it by the neck, but you can also be hung it by its forelegs, it's your choice and really makes no difference in the outcome of the process.  However, what is important is to get your deer cleaned right away; no more than a couple of hours after harvesting it.

You're going to need an extra sharp knife to skin your deer, and no, the Ginsu knife you've seen advertised on TV will NOT suffice for this job.  And you will also need a hacksaw on hand for this method of skinning your deer (it just makes the process quicker and easier).

Assuming you've hung the deer by its neck...  First, you'll start with the deer's legs and remove them using your hacksaw, cutting right at the joint.  Once the legs are off, push your knife through the chest cavity and cut from the inside out (with the blade facing toward you) and cut up to the neck, then around it.  Cut in an inverted Y around the upper legs, meeting where you began your incision in the chest area.  

You'll have to make several small incisions to get the skin separated from the tissue, but once you have it loose enough to where you can grab it and hold onto something, you can begin to peel it back.  Then once you have about 12" of skin peeled back, put your elbow in space between the skin and meat and push your weight on top of your elbow and push down.  The skin will begin to peel right off.  From there it's just like pulling back a carpet.  Here's the YouTube video of the demonstration in action.  This guy skins his deer in 2 minutes flat.  Quite impressive!

There are many causes which can put a close to an exciting session of hunting. But the main reason is injury to the hunter due to improper handling of the gun by him.

Many hunters throw caution to the winds when they are on a hunt and the basic precautions which need to be taken for safety are ignored. Most of the times, the hunter doesn’t take good care of the gun.

Hunting injuries and accidents are on the rise, but most people are still not aware of the risks. But any hunter worth his salt takes good care of his gun and its safety precautions.

The first rule which comes into play during hunting is that a gun is to be treated as if it is loaded at all times, no matter what be the truth. That is one rule that applies to any gun of any make and type.

The gun is something that should be treated with care and one can’t afford to be flippant around it. There should be no waving around of the gun or pointing it on something since there is always a slim chance of it going off due to the presence of gunpowder residue.

Another thing that should be remembered is that the gun is to be kept unloaded till it is time for the hunt. There have been numerous instances of the gun going off while it is kept inside truck during the journey to the hunting grounds and causing injury to the people inside. So it is of utmost importance that the gun be kept empty until the time for the hunt is on.

There are numerous hunting safety techniques to be remembered prior to your hunting trip. The fingers are to be kept in the indexed position till it is time for firing. This is to eliminate the chances of accidental firing. The fingers are to be kept away from the trigger until the prey is within the range of the scope. One mistake is all that it takes to fire the gun accidently which could result in serious injury.

Another thing of importance is that never point the gun on anyone else. There are many examples where the pointing of the gun for fun turned serious as the gun went off injuring the person or worse. This rule is applicable whether the gun is loaded or not.

And another thing is that you make sure that you never look down the barrel of a gun to check whether it is loaded or not. One of the basic laws of hunting is that you should be ready to expect the unexpected. So never look down the barrel of a gun since a nasty surprise might be in store for you.

Always have a firm grip on the gun so as to avoid any accidental firing due to the gun being dropped on the ground. In case of the gun falling on the ground, you can never be sure as to which direction it will fire.

And never ever let a drunk or intoxicated person near a gun as his sense of reason and his judgement might be off. These are the fundamental rules to follow if are looking for a safe and enjoyable hunting trip free of unwarranted and dangerous incidents.

Have a safe day hunting. 

The long awaited hunting  season is about to begin! Now a choice is to be made between deer hunting blinds and tree stands.

Many successful hunters have used both the methods and they have their own views and experiences to share with. For some, one of these methods has not been very effective when compared to other method. So a careful choice is to be made while preparing for deer hunting season.

After initial verification about the local regulation and restrictions on your deer hunting trip, the next step is to identify which tool is to be used in this hunting season and which suits best for the person who prepares for.

Before making a choice between deer hunting blinds and tree stands, one need to identify which of these methods suits best on the place where hunting is planned. If it is dense forest, tree stand will be ideal if weather conditions are favorable and vice versa.

Tree stands are ideal where there are strong tree surrounded with smaller trees / bushes or trees with low lying branches so that stand can be placed above these branches are chosen best for tree stands. It gives a complete hide-outs required for hunting with natural means. There are portable tree stands, which are easier to install and portable, and different types of ladder tree stands- single person, two men, four legged etc. Many hunters prefer two men ladder tree stand for safety reasons.

Using a tree stand begins with first identifying a strong tree where tree stand can be placed. The tree and its surrounding should be inspected and ladder, in case of ladder tree stand, is to be installed at least 3-4 weeks before the day of hunting planned.

Also when using tree stands, hunters should be careful about the wind, ideally wind should flow in hunter’s favor, weather and body scent. Avoiding spicy foods and deo-sprays will help in eliminating body scent.

Deer hunting blinds, are more beneficial to hunters, in a way, they protect the hunters from weather, body odors, when used body odor liners, good dark hide-out. It is preferable to use natural blinds with branches of the trees, parts of ground trees.

In case of using artificial deer hunting blinds, it is ideal to be installed 4-5 weeks prior to the hunting period planned so that deer can accustom with blinds and they are more visible during the hunting period. This method comes with many varieties of hunting blinds, one of which have a mesh covering over window which gives a perfect covering and easy access to the prey.  

Any experienced bow hunter knows how important it is to select the correct hunting bow based on personal experience and preference. With the sheer number of bows and accessories that are available, it is wise for anyone looking to purchase one to consider all of the aspects that go into making a bow unique.

A good bow is a lot like a set of good hunting boots: it needs fit comfortably, be durable, and off qualities that makes it simple to use. The quality of a good hunting bow cannot be under-estimated. As with any other piece of hunting equipment, it is important to try out as many models of bows as possible before you decide which one to buy for your whitetail hunting trip.

Because there are so many available, demoing each bow will allow you to select the one that feels the best in your hands and fits your size and body type. You also need to be comfortable shooting the bow, because your performance in the field will ultimately be determined by the tools you are using. The bow you pick will end up affecting your rate of success or determining your failure.

Of all the things you should think about when getting a bow, the one that should be at the top of your list is ocular dominance, which basically means knowing which eye is stronger. By knowing whether your left or right is your stronger one, you will be able to select a bow based on this knowledge. In most cases, your stronger eye will be the same one as your stronger hand. While there are exceptions to this, it is a good rule of thumb to follow.

You can determine which is your stronger eye by focusing on something that is in the distance with both of your eyes open. After you have picked something out, point at it. Take the time to close your left eye, then, if you are still on top of the target with your finger, then it is your right that is stronger. The reverse is true for left eye. While closing your right eye, if you are still pointing directly at your target, it is your left eye that is dominant. When buying a bow, you should definitely take things like the length or your draw, the weight of your bow's draw, the A-T-A length, and the height of the brace, all into consideration.

Highly reputable companies will provide compound bows modeled with all of these attributes in mind. It is also recommended that you select a bow which  includes at least a full one year warranty. The best ones will be built and guaranteed by companies who are committed to standing by their products. Unlimited lifetime warranties should be offered, especially with bows considered to be top-of-the-line. With bowhunting season just around the corner, the more attention you pay to getting a good, solid bow, the better off you will be once you get into the field.

The more time you put into researching and selecting the bow that is perfect for you, the better luck you will have as a hunter. Your accuracy will improve and so will your load.   

Deer hunting can be a tricky game to play. You really have to be on your toes and know what your doing if you want to outsmart the deer that your trying to take home. Deer are very smart and quick too. To catch one, you not only have to be quicker and smarter but, you also have to be prepared.

This includes knowing everything you can about deer hunting, what to wear, when to hunt and where as well. Whether you have been deer hunting for awhile or you are just getting started, there are a few tips that will help you to be a more efficient hunter and also increase your chances of taking home a bigger deer.

Here are my top 10 deer hunting tips:

1. Scout and learn the deer’s movement - Just like in a game of chess, you must know your opponents moves. Your opponent being the deer, you will need to track and monitor their movement throughout the hunting grounds. Watch for sheds from antlers and other signs to show where they are going like droppings, scrapings on trees and bedding areas. Keep notes of these locations and mark a map so that you can establish a clear path and return to it later.

2. Start scouting at the right time - From January to March is going to be the ideal time to begin looking so that you can get a head-start on the deer for the upcoming season.

3. Patience is your best tool - If you are intending on getting a bigger deer, you will have to wait patiently for it. This could mean tracking a particular buck for many seasons before you even get a shot at it. Remember also that the small deer will show themselves before the bigger ones do so, don’t take a shot at the first one that you come across; there is likely a bigger one to follow.

4. Choose your stand spot wisely - Anywhere you see scraping, is going to be a good place to put up your stand especially, around rut time. If it has rained recently, this is a the right time to set up hill because the deer’s scent is washed away and they will surely come back to mark their spot again.

5. Follow the food - Food and water sources are a sure bet to finding deer. This is especially true right before a cold front when the deer are trying to build up a supply to get them through the cold.

6. Practice in every condition - You should try shooting with your thicker clothes on. You may find that you will have to adjust your shooting techniques slightly to accommodate for the extra weight and bulk from your winter clothes.

7. Keep your energy levels up- Bring along snacks such as energy bars and coffee so that you can stay nice and alert while sitting for long periods of time.

8. Wear the proper attire - Make sure that you are not too over-dressed in the hotter months nor under-dressed in the colder months. Being uncomfortable is the quickest way to miss a good shot at that buck you’ve been watching for so long.

9. Safety first- Pay attention to your surroundings, you are not the only living thing or hunter out in the woods. There are dangerous creatures and other animals like wild boar, snakes and poisonous spiders that can creep up on you if your not focused. Additionally, other hunters can mistake you for a deer if you are using an antler rattle that is not colored properly.

10. Take care of your prize - When you shoot a deer, dress it right away to keep it clean and free of bugs. This way, the meat won’t spoil before you have a chance to get it to the processor.

That wraps up my list of deer hunting tips. Remember patience, research and preparation are your biggest keys to being successful at deer hunting. If you go out one season and bring nothing back, don’t get discouraged. It may take some time but if your doing your homework and everything else right, then eventually your going to get lucky and bring home the biggest buck of them all. 

Okay, this is my first blog post on here at Posterous and I thought I would start out by talking about one of my favorite pasttimes, and that is fishing. Well, first I guess I ought to give you a little bit of background info and credentials about me... I've been a fisherman and hunter for 8 years; I've actually fished longer than I have been hunting, but on either topic I'd say that I have enough experience to write about what I know. I certainly don't claim to be an expert, but I do know a little bit about each sport to blog about it. So if you disagree with something I've said or have a different or better way of doing something than I've stated in my little blog posts, please, feel free to send me a comment because the more people that can learn better techniques and tips, the better we all are off in the long run.  So without further ado, welcome to my blog!

This first topic will be about choosing the right boat to fish with; just a quick little writing for those of you that may have found my blog and are curious about what type of boat you should use to fish with. For clarification, although you can fish from just about any boat, there are vessels that are more suitable for fishing, and that's what I'll specifically be discussing here.

Really the first point we should discuss is the size of boat you should use for fishing; now if you're talking about ocean fishing, you'll obviously want a larger boat to punch over the waves, and if you're fishing in freshwater, you can get by with a much smaller boat. So really you have to decide on what the boat's purpose is going to be. If you're inland fishing, you will probably be able to get out on just about any lake with a decent 14 foot boat. But if you're interested in reeling in mahi mahi or marlin out on the ocean, you better have a 24 foot vessel; possibly a little smaller, but I'd say 24 or bigger.

The shape of the hull on your boat is important too and like the size, choosing the shape of the hull really depends on whether you're going to be on ponds and shallow rivers or out in lakes or the ocean. If you're going to be in shallow waters primarily, you should have a flat bottomed hull so that you're not getting high-centered on rock or sandbars, as you would in a V-shaped boat.  Which brings us to our next hull design, the V-shape. These are primarily made for cutting and turning on big water, so if you're going to be on the lake or in the ocean, this is the hull design that you'll want on your boat.

Regardless of whether you're fishing in the rivers or on the ocean, it's alway preferrable to have an open deck. It's a real pain to fish when there's no room or you're catching your rod on something; that makes for a frustrating day on the water. So skip the bimini top option on your boat and wear a bucket hat instead. :)

Finally, the type of motor plays an important part as well. As long as your'e buying a boat with a stock motor you're sure to be okay, as the engineers designed it to perform with the boat under the conditions that the boat was intended to be used for. But if you've narrowed your choices down to the boat you want and are left to decide on a boat with an inboard motor vs. a boat with an outboard motor, choose the outboard motorized boat every time. They're more dependable and easier to service.