#AnArrowADay Wrap Up

By team member Sarah Honadel

Lessons from #AnArrowADay

Every bow hunter knows that hunting with a bow—whether compound or traditional—takes dedication and constant practice. This year marks my fifth year bow hunting, and every summer, I’ve spent countless evenings shooting arrows in my backyard, at my Block target, deer target and bales of hay. The goal: make sure I’ve had enough practice so if and when a deer steps within range, I can make a clean shot. But I’ve never had an actual plan for practicing. I wasn’t consistent with it. I’d shoot for 5 days straight, then not pick up my bow for a week. 

2016 was different. This year, the Huntress View team had “An Arrow A Day” challenge, with the goal of shooting at least one arrow every day during the month of August. 

Here are a few things I learned during An Arrow A Day:

Taking pictures and videos while practicing is beneficial 
 
Pictures and video help identify consistencies or inconsistencies in your shooting. If you’re having a good day—or bad day—of practice, it’s not easy to see yourself to identify what you’re doing right or wrong. A slight change in posture, footing, stance, etc. can have a major effect on your aim and outcome of the shot. Getting pictures and video from different angles and positions gives you a full view of yourself so you can properly evaluate your shooting. And they make for good social media posts too!

One thing I noticed in my own practice was the placement and movement of my trigger finger. I keep it behind my release trigger until I’m ready to shoot, and then bring it forward and immediately release. This small movement was causing inconsistencies in my groupings.

Know that everyday won’t be perfect
 
There were several days during the month that I shot one round of five arrows and called it quits for the day. Sometimes you just have a bad day. You might be doing everything technically right, but your mind is somewhere else, so your shooting is bad.

Some people argue that you should still practice because it builds muscle strength. Personally, I get discouraged when I’m really inconsistent and would rather just stop for the day and come back the next day with a clear mind and fresh start.

Shooting doesn’t always go according to plan
 
When I started the challenge, I had plans to shoot in my camo that I’d be hunting in. Well, that didn’t work out. August is hot in Kentucky. And this year, we had quite a bit of rain, making the humidity almost unbearable. Most evenings, I found myself in a tank top and shorts during practice. Not quite what I’ll be hunting in, but I wasn’t going to let the weather stop me from getting in my practice.

Make time for practice 
 
I wasn’t able to shoot every day of the month, but I was able to get 25 of 31 days. You don’t have to spend hours practicing. If you have 10 minutes, you can shoot a round or two of arrows. It doesn’t take long; it’s not a huge time commitment. There were several days I knew I wouldn’t be able to practice in the evening, so I shot a few rounds off my back porch in the morning before work (I was even in my work clothes!).

Don’t immediately adjust your bow if you see inconsistencies in your shooting 
 
If your shooting seems off—maybe too high, low, left or right—it’s easy to start to think it’s the bow, and not you. Don’t jump to fast at adjusting your sights or rests. Again, sometimes you’re going to be off. Stop, and come back the next day. If you continue to see the same inconsistencies, then consider making adjustments.

Change up your practice to keep it interesting 
 
I don’t have any indoor or outdoor archery ranges or 3D ranges nearby, so I’m only able to practice in my yard. To keep from getting burned out shooting the same thing every day, I have multiple targets to shoot. To make it even more interesting this year, I decided to shoot at apples and tomatoes. Aim small miss small, right?! I did put my actual targets behind these in case of a miss!

My biggest lesson learned: Practice makes progress, not perfection.
I found that my shooting was more consistent by the end of the month, and I had better groups at further distances and had an easier time pulling my bow back. But even with that practice, I know my shooting isn’t perfect. I will continue to practice frequently throughout, and beyond, archery season to continue building upon what I have already learned and the progress that I have made. 

May your arrow fly straight and your aim be true! 

Hunting Industry Job Opening in Indiana - Sales Rep - Odle Sales

This is a great opportunity for the right candidate! We just wanted to pass this job opening along to our hunting industry friends & followers. 

Turkeys - 1, Me - 0

By Andrea Haas

While out turkey hunting this past weekend I called in 2 very nice toms and came SO close to harvesting one of them. I couldn't help but think of how successful that hunt was, despite of the fact that I didn't give one a ride home in the back of my truck. It's so easy to get down and kick yourself when a hunt doesn't go as planned. When this happens (which is quite often), I think it's best to just learn from it and apply what you've learned to your next hunt.

Saturday morning I got to my hunting property well before sunrise and setup in the woods within 100 yards of where I knew the turkeys were roosted. I called a couple times as the sun was coming up and the sky started to turn pink. They answered me, so I shut up for a while until I knew they flew down.

Once they flew down they followed a hen, which I definitely couldn't compete with, and went into our field planted in Boneyard Seed clover and chicory. I snuck down to the edge of the woods and watched them strut around for well over an hour and waited, hoping once the hen left that I'd be able to call them in. 

The hen finally left so I started calling again. Both of the Toms answered and started looking around for a hen. I tried getting my hen decoy setup earlier, but the ground was so rocky that I wasn't able to get the stake far enough in the ground to keep the decoy from falling over. Unfortunately that hen decoy being set up would probably have sealed the deal on this hunt.

#ProisHunting #MuckBoots #AvianDecoys #EvoOutdoors #FirstLite

Both of the Toms made their way to the opening in the woods leading them right where I needed them to be, but they got spooky without seeing a hen and turned around, just a few steps shy of where I would have had a clear shot.

As luck would have it, I wasn't able to harvest a turkey that morning, but I was just as excited as I would've been if I had gotten a shot at one. I did bring home some pretty great memories from my solo hunt, learned a few lessons, and went home feeling like a million bucks, ready to try again.That, in my book, was a successful hunt!

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 

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."

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. 

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.

#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!

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

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Robinson Outdoors Fleece-Lined Cap - $20

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Mossy Oak Shell Holder - $10

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Hunter's Crate 6oz Coffee - $7

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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 

Dove Hunting Gear & Apparel List for Women

By Andrea Haas

Dove season is one of my favorite hunting seasons. It marks the beginning of deer season here in Missouri, and around much of the U.S. It's a bit more relaxed than deer or turkey hunting, which I feel is much needed after months of being so serious in the woods. Not only that, hunting doves is one of the best ways to sharpen your shooting skills.

I put together a head to toe gear & apparel list with what I feel are great options for women dove hunters, as well as a list of some hunting equipment that may come in handy on your hunt.

Uninsulated Hunting Clothing

Prois Ultra Short Sleeve Shirt

• This shirt is lightweight & easy to move in. It's made of 100% polyester, which wicks moisture away to keep you dry. It does have an athletic cut, which makes it a tad shorter than most shirts, so I recommend going up a size or 2. Still, it fits great & is very comfortable! 
• Available for $39.60 at EvoOutdoors 

Prois Pro-Edition Pants

• Made of 100% Polyester Tricot, these pants have the "4 S's" - soft, sturdy, silent & snag resistant. 
• Knee pleats added for enhanced movement and comfort while sitting, squatting or stalking
• Available for $152.10 at EvoOutdoors

Hearing Protection

Howard Leight Women's Super Leight Earplugs

• I personally prefer earplugs over earmuffs due to the comfort. Plus dove season is usually warmer & earmuffs tend to make you sweat more.
• These earplugs by Howard Leight offer a better fit for women who are smaller framed, like me, & come in a pack of 14 for $4.49 at Cabelas

Hunting Boots

Women's Pursuit Stealth Boots by Muck Boot Company

• These boots have 5mm of Neoprene with a fleece lining that is actually very breathable in warmer temperatures and during active hunts
• Check out my full Product Review
• Available for $209 in women's sizes 5 to 11

Shooting Vest

Prois Competitor Shooter's Vest

Front

Back

• You may or may not want to wear the whole vest while dove hunting. If you do, it has bilateral shoulder padding, for both left and right handed shooters. This vest is also great for those who enjoy shooting sporting clays, skeet, trap, etc. 
• If you choose not to wear the whole vest, just unzip it at the waist and it converts into a shooting apron. It has a rear mesh pouch to hold spent shells and large front pockets that will each easily hold a box of shotgun shells.

• Available for $215.10 at EvoOutdoors

Stools/Chairs

Dove Shooter by AlpsOutdoorz

• You could easily tuck this chair into the edge of a woodline, in a blind, etc. 
• Includes an easy-carry shoulder strap, has a cooler underneath the seat, and 2 large front pockets to store your ammo or a few dove decoys!
• At AlpsOutdoorz for only $54.99

Concealment

2 Piece Shotgun Cover Kit by Beartooth Outdoors

• I don't have a camo shotgun so when dove hunting, I prefer to cover up my shiny shotgun with the 2 Piece Shotgun Cover Kit by Beartooth Outdoors
• It protects my shotgun from the elements and has a few slots to hold your shotgun shells
• Available for just $34.95 at www.beartooth-products.com   

 

Decoys

Lucky Duck Clip-On Dove Decoys, 4 Pack

• We purchased a couple packs of these decoys last year & they seemed to work well for bringing doves in closer. My husband made a "tree" out of re-bar and put it in the field where we dove hunt. We attached the doves to this "tree" using their steel clothes-pin style clips and they stayed attached to it well. 

• Available for $14.99 at Cabelas

Hunter's Edge Dove Feeding Frenzy

• We also purchased this rotating decoy system last year and it seemed to work good as well for bringing the doves in
• It rotates the doves around in a realistic motion and seems to catch their eye better than the non-moving decoys.
• It's also available at Cabelas, for $79.99