Saturday, December 26, 2015

Trespassers: What Can Be Done?

By Andrea Haas

I was sitting in my deer stand last weekend overlooking the food plot where I've been getting trail cam pictures of a buck of a lifetime. I've even had several encounters with him in this spot recently and I know that if he keeps slipping up, his days are numbered. While I'm sitting there I'm reflecting on my deer season and thinking how lucky I am to have this beautiful piece of private land to hunt on. It's something that I will never take for granted.



Suddenly I hear something walking in the woods behind me. My heart starts to race, like it always does when you're anticipating seeing that big buck take his first step out of the woods. But I didn't see a buck step out, or any deer for that matter. Instead, I hear the voices of 2 people coming closer and closer, cussing, yelling, and breaking tree branches along the way, ruining my evening hunt.




There are few things that make me extremely mad and upset, but people not respecting boundaries, crossing the fence onto our property and ruining my chance at the biggest buck of my life is definitely one of them. Unfortunately trespassing is something that has become a common occurrence on our private property over the past few years. Just this spring I had a game camera stolen right before turkey season by a trespasser. We contacted the Sheriff's office and thankfully I got the camera back, as the trespasser walked by another of our game cameras with the stolen camera in hand, and was able to be identified.





I would just like to say that my husband and I have worked hard for what we have, my husband especially. We work hard to manage our land how we see fit and turn it into a haven for wildlife. We do not, however, do all this work to benefit trespassers and poachers. So what can be done about this?

As far as I know, in Missouri, we need to have no trespassing signs up around our property, as well as purple paint on the trees. You can do some research on your state to find out what the law is regarding this. Fencing off your property clearly shows the property lines and may be worth the extra effort if this hasn't been done already.


It also doesn't hurt to have a conversation with surrounding neighbors to let them know where your property line is and to let them know if they do or do not have permission to be over there. In our experience, this does not guarantee they will stay off of your property, but it doesn't hurt.

If this doesn't work you may have to resort to contacting the Sheriff's Department and or game warden. Setting up surveillance cameras to catch them in the act will help too so you can provide evidence to help support your case and help identify the trespasser or poacher.

Sometimes it's an honest mistake made by someone who really just didn't know where the property line was. But with my experience, it seems people just have a blatant lack of respect for other people's property. 
Does anyone else have any other words of advice here? If so please drop me a comment, I am all ears!

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Hunters Unite

By Andrea Haas

My friend Kinsey and I dove hunting
Every year on social media I see hunters bashing other hunters for their hunting methods. I even fall victim to this myself from time to time. It seems there's always one hunter that wants to criticize others because the buck they shot was too small or too young, they don't agree with the weapons others hunt with, or even the type of animal that is being hunted. The way I see it is, if it's legal and no laws were broken then why criticize them for hunting the way they like? 


Crow hunting is something that I catch a lot of heat for. We have a crow season here in Missouri that opens every November. For some of the benefits of crow hunting, check out this article: http://icwdm.org/handbook/birds/AmericanCrows.asp

Personally, I could care less what weapon I hunt with. If it's in season, I'll use it! I enjoy hunting deer with a bow, rifle and muzzle loader almost equally and my main goal is to put meat in the freezer. If that meat happens to be from a big buck, even better! I see a lot of people setting goals for themselves to only harvest deer with their bow, opting to forego rifle season even though their odds of harvesting a deer would be better. Let them! There's no rule that states we all have to hunt the same way and have the exact same goals for our season. And if there was such a rule, think about how boring and uninteresting that would be!


My doe from 2015 Rifle Season

In case you haven't heard of the Sportsmen's Alliance, they are a non-profit organization working to defend hunting, fishing, and trapping against lawsuits, legislation, and ballot issues proposed by anti-hunters. Another thing that they are working just as hard at is getting hunters to unite, stop bickering with each other, and accept each others differences. Last week they shared this photo on their Facebook page, along with this caption: 


"One of the greatest threats to hunting is our own inability to get along and accept each others differences. ‪#‎OurHeritageOurFight‬




I couldn't agree more with that statement! If there's one thing that every hunter has in common, I feel it's that we all want to have the right to go hunting. We all enjoy the outdoors in our own way and need to be united against those who are ready to take those experiences away from us! Embrace our differences and, as long as it's legal, respect other hunters' choices. After all, "We're all on the same team."


Monday, November 30, 2015

Smothered Pheasant In the Dutch Oven - Recipe

By Andrea Haas




Sorry I didn't take better pictures while making this recipe. It was kind of an experiment, but it turned out to be one of my favorite ways to make pheasants. 
The original recipe I found on www.allrecipes.com, titled Smothered Pheasant. I used that recipe and added my own twist to it by adding different spices & seasonings. I also added the chopped green chiles, which I feel really made the recipe. You could also use mushrooms instead. Either way would be great! 
The original recipe calls for 6 pheasant breasts and 2 cups of half and half. I only used 3 breasts and I thought the 2 cups half and half was perfect for that amount. 

Ingredients

-6 skinless, boneless pheasant breast halves
-garlic salt and black pepper, to taste
-1/2 cup all-purpose flour
-1/2 cup butter
-2 cups half and half cream

Directions

-Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

-Add flour to a plate or bowl and mix in garlic salt and black pepper.I was pretty generous with the garlic salt. Press the pheasant breast into the flour until completely coated. Shake off excess flour and set aside.

-Melt the butter in a cast iron Dutch Oven over medium heat. Cook the pheasants in the hot butter until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Careful not to overcook.

-Pour in the half and half and bring to a simmer. Add chopped green chiles.

-Cover the Dutch Oven and bake in the preheated oven until pheasant breasts are tender and no longer pink, about 1 1/2 hours. I baked my 3 breasts for just an hour and they were done. 



Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Tips For Air Travel - Part 2

Tips for Air Travel (Part 2) – Finding Flight Pitfalls – The Carry-On Conundrum

By Lora Gene Young


Your mother always said; make sure you have extra clean underwear in your carry on. Though that is still true, there are a few other things you should consider in when packing your luggage before a hunting trip.
  1. Your carry on. Yes, clean underwear is a must! But you should also consider what you will need if your luggage gets delayed and you have to hunt before your luggage is returned. First, your spare change of clothes. Most people pack a spare change of clothes in their carry on. If you are hunting, this spare change of clothes should be your most compact set of hunting clothes. Clothes are not the only important hunting gear you should pack in your carry on. Optics are a carry on must! If your checked bag or gun case is lost, chances are your outfitter will have a spare gun for you to use until yours arrives. The outfitter might also have some spare clothes you can borrow, but good spare optics… Make sure you pack your binoculars and your range finder in your carry on luggage. 
  2. Your checked bag. If you have a spare set of hunting clothes and your optics in your carry on luggage, the next step is packing your checked bag. Remember, all knives must be checked. Also, your ammunition must go in your checked bag. Ammunition cannot be transported in the gun case. Make sure you check ammunition regulations for your hunting location before you leave. Many countries have limits on amounts, calibers, and variety.
  3. Your gun case. If you are taking your own gun make sure your gun case meets regulations. It must be a hard case with locks. Your gun should be stored with bolt out. Remember, no ammunition in your gun case. Knives could be transported in here if you need extra room in your checked bag, but I do not suggest putting your optics in your gun case. If this is delays in transportation you are stuck without a gun or optics. No a good way to start a hunting trip of a lifetime.

Lost luggage is a headache, especially in a foreign country, but proper packing of your carry on can make it less of an ordeal. International travel is always accompanied with delays and hiccups, but airline troubles should not dampen your hunting experience. Hopefully these tips will ease your travelling woes and lead to a successful and carefree hunt.


Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Heritage 1865 - Hunting Outfitters and Lodge Review

By Andrea Haas


If you're looking for a great place to hunt upland birds, turkeys, or whitetail in Iowa, Heritage 1865 is the place to go! My husband and I went on an upland bird hunt there in October and were extremely impressed, not only with the hunting guides and the amount of shot opportunities at birds, but the amenities available at the lodge and the warm, friendly atmosphere as well.

Heritage 1865 is a family owned and run outfitter in south central Iowa, near Promise City. The lodge sits on 6,500 acres of prime hunting ground that is abundant with wildlife and has been managed to provide the best habitat for pheasant and quail. It's in Zone 5, which has been known to produce Pope and Young quality bucks and record-breaking eastern turkeys as well. 

The Heritage property is owned by the Ewing family and has been in their family for 150 years, passed down from one Ewing generation to the next since 1865. When we arrived at the lodge we were greeted by the owner, Travis Ewing and his grandmother Judy and could smell dinner cooking on the stove! Grandma Judy made us home cooked meals and desserts each day that were honestly the best we've ever had. We felt right at home and were treated like family!


Our guide, Tad, was very knowledgeable and familiar with the land. His hunting dogs Diesel, Hammer, and Dale didn't disappoint us either! This was our first time hunting with dogs, but it was clear that they knew what they were doing and were very well trained. We got multiple shot opportunities at quail and pheasants and the dogs were able to find and retrieve each bird that we shot.


I could not have asked for a better experience than at Heritage 1865. My pictures and review just do not do this place justice! Please check out the video on their website to see more, or better yet, book the lodge to see for yourself! The rates are all very affordable and there is a good variety of hunting packages available to best suit your needs.



Visit their website (www.heritage1865.com) for more information and to read up on some of the interesting Ewing family history that truly makes this place one of a kind! My husband and I look forward to returning there year after year to hunt and to visit with the family!



Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Buttermilk Fried Quail Recipe

By Andrea Haas



This October I went on my very first quail hunt. We ended up with 12 total, just enough for a meal! I've never had quail before so I experimented with it and tried it a couple of different ways to see how I like it. The recipe is intended for the whole quail breast, but we cut the meat off of the bone on a few and fried them that way, similar to nuggets. I personally preferred it that way, my husband liked it left on the bone (which is definitely easier and quicker). If you decide to make these into nuggets, use less oil and don't fry them as long. Once they are floating in the oil & golden brown, they are done.


Ingredients

-8 to 16 quail breasts
-2 cups buttermilk
-2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning
-2 teaspoons paprika
-1 Tablespoon garlic powder
-1 teaspoon ground white pepper
-2 cups flour
-1 Tablespoon salt
-3 cups vegetable oil

Instructions

Mix the buttermilk with all of the spices (except the salt). Dip the quail in the mixture and then set in a covered container for 1-8 hours.


When you are ready to fry, pour the oil in a large pan - I prefer a 10" cast iron pan - and heat over medium-high heat. You'll want enough oil so that it almost submerges the quail breasts.

Meanwhile, take the quail out of the buttermilk and let it drain in a colander. Don't shake the colander, just set the quail in it and leave it there.


Test the oil temperature by sprinkling a little flour into it. When it's ready, the flour will immediately sizzle.

Pour the flour and salt into a plastic baggie and shake to combine. Put a few of the quail into the bag and shake to get it coated in flour. Fry for about 4 to 5 minutes on one side. Turn the quail over and fry for another 3 to 4 minutes. You will probably fry in batches, so leave the unfried quail in the colander until you're ready to coat them in flour and fry them. You don't want the floured pieces to sit and soak up the flour.


When the quail are fried, set them on a cooling rack set above paper towels to drain away excess oil. 

Here's the finished product! It would go perfect with biscuits & gravy!









Monday, October 12, 2015

#GetThemOutdoors

Our main goal here at Huntress View is to grow the number of women hunters and outdoors enthusiasts. It’s always fun getting new people involved in the great outdoors. This season we want all of you to join us as we challenge you to introduce someone new to the outdoors. We are calling this challenge ‪#‎GetThemOutdoors‬.

Throughout this season we want to see your experiences taking someone new out, male or female! This can be done by taking them on a hunt with you, guiding them on their first hunt, or teaching them how to shoot a bow, rifle, or shotgun, just to name a few.

There will be a women's portion during October, and a youth portion in November.
Share your photos and experiences with us on Facebook to be entered to win some great hunting products!



For our women's portion of our #GetThemOutdoorscontest, we are giving away 2 Huntress View hats and 2 packs of Scent Killer Gold For Her scent control products from Wildlife Research Center, inc. ! 

All you have to do to enter is share with us how you introduced a female to the outdoors this season! Comment on this post, or post it to our wall. We will pick a winner in October and will keep you updated on when the deadline is as we go, so keep checking in with us!





Sunday, October 11, 2015

Hunter's Crate Product Review

By Andrea Haas



What is Hunter's Crate?

Hunter's Crate is the world's premiere and first ever monthly subscription box, specifically for hunters! It is a family owned business whose goal is to deliver the best hunting products and gear to hunters doorsteps all over the country, each month. 

How It Works

Purchase a subscription from Hunter's Crate to receive monthly care packages featuring high quality hunting gear and products from well-known companies, pro tips, snacks & seasonings! The value of every box is guaranteed to always exceed your monthly subscription cost.

 What's Inside

Each monthly crate has its own theme, depending on the time of year it is and what's in season! For example, in the spring you can expect turkey hunting themed boxes and in the fall deer hunting themed boxes, etc. And at the end of the year after your freezer is full of wild game, you can expect to see a variety of marinades and BBQ sauces!

Membership Perks

With a membership, you will also be entered into giveaways for prizes that may not even fit in your box, such as high-end hunting knives or even a guided hunting trip! Don't forget to share photos and/or videos on social media using #hunterscrate to earn points that can be used to receive promo codes! 

________________________________________________________________________


Opening the Crate 

Let's take a look inside our September and October crates!

- September Crate -

September's Theme: Stealth

September's theme was "Stealth". Each box has the monthly theme stamped inside, along with an insert listing each product in the box and their value. 

Insert listing what's inside September's Crate

The products are packaged neatly inside the crate, along with packing material that gives it an overall "rustic" and "outdoorsy" feel. I arranged them here so you can get a good look at what's inside!

September's Crate

Some lucky members also found this inside their September crate! Included in mine was this Trekker Series Elk Hunter knife by Knives of Alaska, a $89.99 value!

Hunter's Crate camo ticket and Elk Hunter Knife by Knives of Alaska




- October Crate -

October's theme: Open Season

October's theme is "Open Season" and is a $60 value. Included in this crate:

Adventure Game Calls Grunt Tube - $20
-
Robinson Outdoors Fleece-Lined Cap - $20
-
Mossy Oak Shell Holder - $10
-
Hunter's Crate 6oz Coffee - $7
-
Assorted Samples Courtesy of Head Country BBQ & Robinson Outdoors

What's inside October's Crate

I was very impressed with the quality of the Hunter's Crate subscription boxes, from the variety of products and their value, to the overall design and "feel" of the box. It was clear that the crew at Hunter's Crate has worked hard to find a variety of high quality products to deliver to your doorstep each month.

You can purchase subscriptions for yourself or as a gift for a friend, family member, significant other, etc. As mentioned before, the value in each box will always exceed the monthly subscription cost! You can purchase a subscription for just one month at a time, or if you plan to continue your subscription you can save money by purchasing a 6 month or a 12 month subscription.

I recommend Hunter's Crate for any hunter, male or female. It's great for both the experienced hunter and for someone who is new to hunting and is needing to build up their supply of products and gear.

For more information on the Hunter's Crate or to become a member, go to www.hunterscrate.com 

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Tips for Air Travel (Part 1) – Finding Flight Pitfalls – The Layover

By Lora Gene Young


A goodbye photo before leaving for New Zealand
Seasoned travelers and rookies alike, traveling to and from your destination dream hunt could be the most stressful part of your hunt. You do not want to start your trip with a missed flight or end your trip stuck in an airport on standby because the plane left without you.
There are so many things to consider I am going to break these tips up into parts. 

Part 1, the LAYOVER…

1 Layovers – No one likes a long layover, but too short is more detrimental to your travel than long.

a.  Remember, when you change from a domestic flight to an international flight, even though you are still in the US, you will have to change from domestic to international terminal. This takes longer than your usual flight change. Also, you will possibly be changing airlines; this could add time needed to find your correct terminal and gate. I always go for a minimum of two hours for a layover if I am changing between terminals, especially if I do not know the airport.

b.  Next, when you enter your destination country, you might have to make a connecting flight to another part of the country. You will go through customs at your first airport of call. Customs always takes time, especially when you are the foreigner. Make sure your layover in this airport takes that into account. Once again, allow at least two hours. This also applies when returning home. You will have to go through customs. If your port of entry is a large airport, such as LAX, there could be three or four additional planes landing at the same time. This means a VERY long line to go through customs. Then the terminal change. Possibly re-checking baggage. Make sure you know what you will need to do. Once again, I suggest a minimum of two hours, more if you are in LAX or re-checking luggage.



c.  One time when too long is really too long. With a layover over 12 hours your luggage will not be checked through to your final destination. You must retrieve your luggage, and then re-check it. Many times you cannot check-in until two to three hours before your flight. This means you are stuck with your luggage, limiting your site-seeing ability during this long flight. You also cannot proceed through security to your gate; you are stuck in the check-in area with very few amenities.


Bring some reading to keep you occupied in-flight or when waiting during long layovers!
d.  When it comes to layovers on a hunting trip, the last thing, and possibly the most important, your guns. If you are bringing guns into the destination country this will make your layover longer. Some countries require police to review your guns in person in order to approve your importation paperwork. Many times these officials have specific office hours. If your flight arrives at 6 am and the customs officials or police are not there to examine your guns until 8 am and you only have a two hour layover, you will miss your connecting flight. This is no way to start your hunting trip. Make sure this does not happen to you. Ask your outfitter about this or research the airport of entry.

Flying does not have to be stressful. You do not have to arrive for your dream hunting experience frazzled and on edge. Plan ahead, check the little things, ask questions, and most of all, just relax, you will get there, even with a few bumps in the road. Even if there are hiccups, one day, you will laugh about the whole experience.



Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Scent Control Tips

By Andrea Haas

We all have different views and opinions on scent control while hunting. Some feel scent control is just a way for companies to get you to buy their products and make more money. Others may not use any scent control products at all and still see deer while out hunting, feeling they don't need to follow a scent control regimen in order to harvest deer. 

Personally, I disagree with both of the above. Yes, the hunting industry is just that, an "industry". And yes I'm sure you can go hunting, using no scent control at all, and still see deer. But, there's no denying that deer use their amazing sense of smell as one of their defense mechanisms.That alone is reason enough to at least experiment with different scent control products & find something that you feel works to your advantage. 

I think that a good scent control regimen should be at the top of your list when planning out your hunting strategy, along with hunting stands only when the wind is in your favor for that specific spot. Here's a few tips & products that have worked well for me in the past!

  • Wash your clothes using scent control laundry detergent. We always wash a load of our every day clothes first using the scent control detergent to help rid the washer of the smell of our everyday detergent. Make sure the detergent does not contain UV brighteners as they can make your camo appear to "glow" to a deer in low light situations. Scent Killer Gold Laundry Detergent is a great option. 
  • Air drying your clothes outside is ideal but you aren't always able to do that. When drying our clothes in the dryer we like to use dryer sheets to help prevent static build up. I like Scent Killer Autumn Formula Dryer Sheets. 
  • Keeping your clothes scent free until ready to wear is crucial. I store mine in a Watson Airlock Bag. The "Bottomless 26" bag has 7,000 cubic inches of water resistant storage. A 4680 cubic inch scent free storage compartment gives you plenty of room to store your clothing, plus there is a separate compartment just for your hunting boots! 
  • As soon as possible before going hunting shower using scent control body care products. For women the Scent Killer Gold for her Value Pack from Wildlife Research Center works great! The shampoo has all the great scent killing abilities as the original, but this one is formulated just for women. It's safe to use on color treated hair and is a lot more moisturizing. The Value Pack contains Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Scent Killer Spray and a bath pouf. 
  • Brush your teeth with scent control toothpaste right before heading out to hunt. I like the e2 Scent Prevent Toothpaste from Dead Down Wind. 
  • Don't wear the same clothes you will be hunting in while driving to your hunting property, otherwise you will just be wasting your time with the above steps. I pick out an outfit to wear while driving to the property, wash it in scent control detergent with my camo and store it in my airtight bag until ready to head out. Keep your hunting clothes in their scent free bag or container and bring them with you but don't change into them until you are at your property & out of the vehicle. 
  • Finally, I spray myself head-to-toe with scent eliminating spray after getting dressed before heading to my treestand. These sprays help kill bacteria & limit the amount of human scent detectable to a whitetail. I use the Scent Killer Gold Spray mentioned above that is included in the Value Pack for women.
Good luck to everyone this season and I hope these tips will help you! Do you have any tips of your own that I didn't mention here? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Tips For Using Deer Scent

By ProStaff Kinsey Edmunds


If you're new to bow hunting, at first it can be a little intimidating. But think about it, it’s no different than learning to ride a bike, or learning to play guitar for example. These are all things that take practice. The more practice you allow yourself, the better you're going to be! You're going to make mistakes and mess up from time to time, but that’s how you learn! Some of the most valuable hunts I’ve been on was when I had made a mistake. Those mess ups in the field helped me to be a better hunter in the future. One of the things I love most about hunting is that there are always opportunities to learn more about the outdoors. No hunting experience will ever be the exact same. The more you get out there, the more you will experience and learn!

I would like to share a tip with you that I learned that helped me in killing my first archery buck. Last year, October 23, I was out bow hunting. I won’t ever forget it because it was the day before my birthday! Bucks were starting to chase after the does as the pre-rut was beginning, and soon the rut would be in full force. The rut really picks up in Missouri around October 31 into the first few weeks of November. Prime time :) My friend had told me that using Wildlife Research Center Golden Estrus was a great way to attract those bucks running hard in the rut. I decided to try it out. 


I started at the base of my tree stand and drug the scent wick I had dipped in golden estrus out about 30 yards in the field. I did this directly in front of my stand and then to the right of my stand as well. An important thing to remember when doing this is to start out dragging the scent at the base of your tree and then drag from there. The scent will be stronger when you first put it on the ground, than when you get done dragging it out. You want to lure the buck in closer to your stand. Which is exactly what happened with my buck! 


I was sitting over a clover and cow pea food plot which is surrounded by timber. He came out one side of the timber and crossed the field to the other side. He began marking his scent while rubbing his antlers on some trees and then proceeded into the edge of the woods that he had crossed over to. Not going to lie, I was a little bummed, but knew anything could happen. I sat eagerly in my stand hoping he might come out again. I’m pretty sure he caught wind of that estrus and went down into the timber he crossed over to. He made a circle back around putting him now directly in front of my stand where I had drug out the estrus to. He slowly walked closer towards that estrus as my heart was beating harder and harder. I couldn’t have planned it any better! He ventured in closer because the estrus lured him closer to my stand, and continued to stay on that scent. He got to around 18 yards and I shot! This was my first time using the golden estrus and I was highly impressed as it helped me shoot my first archery buck! 

Another thing you can do is dip a scent wick in the golden estrus and leave it hanging from or near your stand. There are many products out there that are the same thing, but I have only used Wildlife Research Center, and it definitely worked for me. Like I said, I killed this buck in the pre-rut and I had sat in that same stand the night before and watched that same buck I killed run those does. It was one of the coolest hunts I’ve been on. There were multiple does that night in that food plot, and he was having a hay day chasing them around! The next night he was the only deer I saw and was in search of those does to chase again. 

I hope this has been a helpful tip and got you excited to get out there and try something new! Remember, just because you didn't kill on a hunt doesn't mean it wasn't a successful hunt. Each time in the stand is a chance to observe nature. Watch and learn! That is the best way to become a better hunter, by learning first hand from personal experience. I wish you all the best this hunting season!