Trail Cam Favorites

A trail cam picture doesn't have to have a huge buck in it to be good! Here's a few of my favorites from the past couple months! -Andrea

Browning Trail Cameras
Stic-N-Pic Camera Mounts

Strutters #BrowningCameras #SpecOps

Drake Mallard #BrowningCameras #ReconForce

He Told Her! #BrowningCameras #ReconForce

Pretty Doe #BrowningCameras #RangeOps

Drake Wood Ducks #BrowningCameras #ReconForce

Spread Your Wings #BrowningCameras #ReconForce

Rock Wall Tom #BrowningCameras #RangeOps

Spaghetti Squash with Venison Meatballs - Recipe

By Liz Adams, Huntress View team member

Ingredients

-Spaghetti Squash

For Meatballs:

-1 pound ground venison
-1/2 cup Italian style bread crumbs
-1/4 cup milk 
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon Worcester sauce 
-1/4 teaspoon pepper
-1/4 cup finely chopped onion 
-1 egg*

(*I used egg whites instead of an actual egg but If you want to use an egg you only need 1 if you want to use egg whites then it will be 3 tablespoons to equal 1 egg)

Directions

For Squash:

-Cut squash in half

-Take a spoon and deseed 

-Put cut side down into a baking dish and add a little bit of water to the pan. 
-Place in oven and cook for 30 minutes. If you want it to be a little softer instead of el dente cook for 45 minutes.

For Meatballs:

-Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. 

-In a baking dish put aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray down and place meatballs about 1 inch apart. 

-Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes. Depending on how large you make the meatballs you may have to cook them a little longer. 

-Top off with pasta sauce and favorite cheese. 

Women's Cold Front Boot by Noble Outfitters - Product Review

By Andrea Haas

The brand Noble Outfitters is known for making men and women's gear and apparel for equestrians and outdoor enthusiasts. I discovered this brand last year at our local farm and home store, Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply, and purchased one of their women's quilted vests. The quality and design of the vest had me interested in trying more from their line. I was also in the market for a new pair of hunting boots and the timing could not have been more perfect since they just came out with their new line of MUDS waterproof boots, the Women's Cold Front Boot.

When I got the boots in and tried them on, what stood out to me the most was the insole. They were incredibly comfortable and soft on the inside and it almost feels like a gel insole. The contoured foam interior of the boots provided a secure fit, which is needed to keep your feet warm when hunting in cold weather, but was not overly tight. 

Here are some of the features listed on the Noble Outfitters Website:

Features & Technology

• 100% waterproof construction for optimum protection
• Realtree Xtra® camo print
• Shock-absorbing, anti-microbial insole to fights odors
• Contoured foam interior provides custom and secure fit
• 5mm insulating neoprene
• Fleece lining
• Ultra breathable and moisture wicking for comfort on hot days
• Anti-slip non-marking outsole
• Ozone resistant industrial grade rubber for durability

Sizing & Fit

In my every day shoes, I normally wear a 6.5 to 7. As far as hunting boots go I normally wear a 7. In the MUDS I ordered a 6.5 and they fit perfectly, but keep in mind that I wear a very thin sock while hunting. If you prefer to wear thicker socks, I would recommend going up a half to a whole size larger. 

More sizing features include: 

• 14 ½" height
• Removable shock-absorbing, anti-microbial insole
• Sole breaks in for a custom fit to your foot

In The Field

The MUDS boots are 100% waterproof and kept me dry while hunting and checking trail cameras. I have a trail camera set up in the middle of our pond (only a foot or 2 deep) and wade out into it with no issues in these boots.  

They kept my feet warm and dry in temperatures in the teens and were also comfortable in temps near 80, thanks to their moisture wicking abilities. These will be my go-to boot this turkey season and every deer season from now on.

I highly recommend these boots to any serious female deer and/or turkey hunter. They are the most comfortable pair of hunting boots that I have tried in the 10 years that I have been hunting and seemed to keep my feet warmer than any other hunting boot. I have struggled for years to keep my toes warm during late season whitetail hunts but these worked extremely well for me, paired with a thin pair of socks and Toasti-Toes when the temperature really dropped. 

They are priced at $119.95

Fore more info on these boots go to www.NobleOutfitters.com 

Favorite Products of 2015

The 2015 season has been great for the Huntress View team! Although we believe hard work, practice and determination play the biggest role in harvesting an animal, the products included on this list played a huge part in our success in the field as well. We aren't trying to push these products on you, but just wanted to share with other women hunters what has worked well for us this season! Here they are, in no particular order. 

 ----- SCENT CONTROL PRODUCTS-----

NOSE JAMMER

"I use this every time I hunt and have yet to have a deer smell me this season! I am very particular about being scent free and Nose Jammer gives me the extra coverage to be 100% confident bow hunting no matter the wind direction" - Cara Holland, HV team member

SOUTHERN RACKS

"Absolutely LOVE this scent free shampoo, conditioner, and body wash! I have tried several different kinds and I am shocked at how AMAZING this product is! My hair in the picture is after using Southern Racks (of course I wouldn't curl my hair and nonsense to go in the woods ) This stuff doesn't dry out my hair and I don't have to use a boat load of conditioner to get a comb through my hair. It leaves my hair still heathy and soft! And FRIZZ FREE!!!!!!!! Not trying to sell the product.. Just being honest,, I was shocked myself! LOVE it! A little goes a long way!" - Britini Dunham, HV team member

----- BROADHEADS -----

AFFLICTOR HYBRID-EXT

"First time using the Afflictor broadheads and I couldn't be happier with the results! These babies did some major damage tonight dropping my deer about 70 yards from where I shot it, not to mention how true they fly to a field tip! These 2 blade steel broad heads are rear deploying and are extremely effective with bleeder blades leaving a 1.5" hole! Afflictor blades are super advanced arnd are a fixed and mechanical blade in one! Try out these Hybrid EXT's!" -Kinsey Edmunds, HV team member

FLYING ARROW ARCHERY - TOXIC BROADHEADS

"These Broadheads are amazing it leaves an amazing blood trail the hole you see in the packaging is literally the exact cut that you'll see after you shoot your animal with it" -Liz Adams, HV team member

----- APPAREL -----

FIRST LITE LARKSPUR BOTTOMS & LUPINE CREW BASE LAYERS

"The First Lite Women’s Base Layers have played a crucial role in my hunting success this season. I’ve been able to hunt more comfortably in both the cold and the heat, and have even noticed a big decrease in the amount of times I have been winded by deer thanks to the merino wool’s natural resistance to odor. I highly recommend these for any female hunter looking to extend their time in the field!" - Andrea Haas, HV Founder

PROIS HIGH PLAINS BRUSH PANTS

"The Prois Brush Pants played a huge part in my upland hunting success over the last couple of years. They are extremely comfortable and easy to move in and they do an excellent job at keeping the burrs & stickers off!" -Andrea Haas, HV Founder

FIRST LITE TALON FINGERLESS GLOVES

"The gloves have open fingers, which I prefer for bow hunting, and have worked great for me all season long. In late season when it gets colder, I recommend either a full glove, or adding a hand muff for added warmth." -Andrea Haas, HV Founder

----- DECOYS -----

AVIAN X TURKEY DECOYS

 "I love our Avian X turkey decoys. They worked amazing and are available in several different options. They look so realistic" -Heidi Swonger, HV team member

----- ARROWS -----

BLACK EAGLE OUTLAWS WITH LIGHTED NOCKS

"Black Eagle Outlaw Arrows with Nock Out lighted nocks! I have never had a better flying shaft.. So true to the definition on their site, great for any Hunter!! These lighted nocks allow me to practice without activating the light and losing battery. A simple ring on the nock will allow the nock to be off for practice or active for when you want it to light up when you let lose on any game! Then simply pulling up on the nock will turn the light off after you retrieve your arrow" -Britni Dunham, HV team member

----- ACCESSORIES -----

FIREFIELD FACE PAINT

"I've tried out a couple different brands now of face paint, all which have worked but what I really like about FireField face paint was how easy it was to apply and how well it stayed on my face! I had no problems with it breaking me out or irritating my skin. Each color comes in its own stick, making it easy to apply as much or as little of once color as you want!" -Kinsey Edmunds, HV Team Member

LAKE OF THE WOODS HANDWARMER BY BEMIDJI WOOLEN MILLS

"I have always had a hard time keeping my fingers warm while hunting but combined with my First Lite Talus gloves, Hot Hands hand warmers, this handwarmer from Bemidji Woolen Mills has done a great job this season!" -Andrea Haas, HV Founder

Women's First Lite Merino Wool Base Layers Review

By Andrea Haas

When I first started hunting about 10 years ago, my hunting attire consisted of bulky men’s camo over a couple pairs of long johns as base layers, depending on the weather. Needless to say, that system just didn’t work for me and I was happy to see that soon women’s hunting apparel companies started to appear, like SHE Outdoor Apparel and Prois. But one thing was still lacking for me: good quality women’s base layers.

Base layers are crucial when the temperatures really start to drop in the winter and can either make or break a hunt. I spend hours in the tree stand and need to be able to withstand the elements, rather than being forced to pack up and head home at prime time because I’m too cold. This happened to me last season and cost me a very nice 9 point with my bow.

Thankfully in 2015 First Lite came out with new Merino Wool base layers specifically for women and I was able to put them to the test. Over the years I have tried a few other brands of base layers but I feel none of them performed as well as the First Lite base layers did in regards to thermoregulation, scent control and moisture wicking ability, which is exactly what Merino Wool is known for. They were soft and comfortable without any itching like what you may think of when you hear the word “wool”. Not only did they perform well in the cold, they did just as well in temperatures over 80 degrees by wicking away moisture; I didn’t sweat at all while walking to my tree stand. I was extremely impressed!

Base Layer Options

Lupine Crew Top and Larkspur Full Lenth Bottoms in Sage Green

The top layers consist of the Lupine Crew Top and Artemis Hoody, and the bottom layers consist of the Larkspur Full Length Bottoms and the Syringa Short. If you are considering purchasing the base layers, I would at the very least, recommend the Lupine Crew and Larkspur Bottoms.

The Syringa Shorts can be worn underneath your full length bottoms as undergarments, or can be worn alone as a base layer in warmer weather under your outer layer pants.

The Artemis Hoody can be worn as a base layer top, or over the Lupine Crew top as a mid layer.

Artemis Hoody with Lupine Crew Top underneath, and Syringa Shorts

Sizing/Fit

I used the sizing chart on the First Lite website to determine what size I needed based on my measurements. I am 5’3”, 110 pounds and I went with an XS in the Larkspur Full Length Bottoms and the Syringa Short, and a Small in both the Lupine Crew Top & Artemis Hoody. I originally ordered an XS in the Lupine Crew top but it was just a little smaller than what I like so I ordered a small instead and it fit perfect. 

I found that the bottoms fit best when I went down a size smaller than what I would normally wear, and that the tops fit best when I went up a size larger. The bottoms seemed to stretch out just a tad after being worn a time or two, but shrink back to normal after being washed. I love that the waistband on the bottoms stretches with you and does not dig in too tight on your hips or mid section, creating the dreaded "muffin top". Both of the tops have thumb holes in the arm cuffs for added warmth and concealment, and helps keep them from rolling up whenever you put on your outer layers. 

These are available in sizes XS to XL.

Color Options

There are 3 solid colors available (Black, Golden and Sage Green) and 4 camo patterns (ASAT, RealTree Xtra, RealTree Max-1 and First Lite Fusion). I ordered my base layers in Sage Green and the Artemis Hoody in the new First Lite Fusion camo pattern. 

Artemis Hoody in First Lite Fusion

First Lite Accessories

Talus Fingerless Merino Glove in Dry Earth

There are several other First Lite apparel items that have became my hunting staples, the Talus Fingerless Merino Gloves, the Mountain AthleteCold Weather Sock and the First Lite Beanie. The gloves have open fingers, which I prefer for bow hunting, and have worked great for me all season long. In late season when it gets colder, I recommend either a full glove, or adding a hand muff for added warmth. The socks work great to wick away sweat which is great for both warm and cold temperatures. The beanie is fairly lightweight & what I like to wear during early bow season when it is still pretty warm.

First Lite Beanie and Lupine Crew

Success In The Field

The First Lite Women’s Base Layers have played a crucial role in my hunting success this season. I’ve been able to hunt more comfortably in both the cold and the heat, and have even noticed a big decrease in the amount of times I have been winded by deer thanks to the merino wool’s natural resistance to odor. I highly recommend these for any female hunter looking to extend their time in the field!

Pheasant Hunting: I wore the Lupine Crew & Artemis Hoody

Rifle season doe: I wore the First Lite Lupine Crew top, Larkspur Bottoms & Talus Fingerless Gloves

Duck Hunting: I wore the Lupine Crew, Artemis Hoody and Larkspur Bottoms

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!

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."