Impact Sport Earmuffs by Howard Leight by Honeywell Review

By Andrea Haas

As an avid hunter, it didn't take me long to understand the importance of hearing protection. While hunting, I rely on my sense of sound just as much as I do my eyesight. Locating turkeys, for example, would be a lot more difficult if I wasn't able to hear what direction they were gobbling in the distance! Plus, sighting in my rifles and patterning my shotguns would be a big headache (literally) if I didn't protect my hearing. One of the most important pieces of gear a hunter and/or shooter should have is some form of hearing protection. 

The Impact Sport Color Earmuffs by Howard Leight are a great option, not only for hunters like myself, but for those involved in shooting sports as well. They are electronic earmuffs, so they are doing more than just putting a barrier between your ears and harmful noise. They protect a shooters' hearing by reducing harmful sounds, like gunfire, and actually amplify low-level sounds, like conversation, so you'll be able to communicate better in a shooting environment. 

I put these earmuffs to the test while patterning my shotgun for the upcoming turkey season and had a great experience with them. While shooting I did notice a great decrease in the sound of the shotgun, and I was able to carry on a conversation easily between shots, without having to yell or ask my husband to repeat what he said. They worked exactly as advertised!  

The earcups adjusted easily and had a good, comfortable fit. They can also be folded, making them more convenient for storage or travel.

Earmuffs are folded for more convenient storage and travel

Aside from the hearing protection abilities and the fit, one of my favorite features on the Impact Sport Earmuffs is the built-in AUX jack that allows you to connect it to your smartphone or MP3 player so you can listen to music between shooting! 

Here are some more of the great features on the Impact Sport Color Earmuffs:

-Noise Reduction Rating 22 db
-Battery life of up to 350 hours
-Automatic 4-hour shut-off that extends battery life
-Convenient folding design for easy storage
-Single knob control for on/off and volume
-Air Flow Control Technology
-Black leatherette headband
-2 AAA Bateries included
-Available in Teal (shown above), Purple and Pink!


I know from my own experience that women love to have options. We love for our hunting gear to be customized to suit our own personal tastes, without sacrificing quality. The Impact Sport Color Earmuffs allow us to have just that and definitely make hearing protection more fun! 

These retail for about $59.99 at Cabelas

Turkey Hunting Tips & Tactics

By Kinsey Edmunds, Huntress View Team Member

 

Throughout the years, turkeys have become one of my favorite things to hunt after! I love being in the woods surrounded by new living things, (except snakes) and how fresh the woods smell as everything is turning green again. The sound of the first thunder chicken literally gets me so fired up, I’m like a giddy little kid waiting to unwrap a present! I’ve been turkey hunting for many years, and each hunt is never the same. That is one thing I love! Each time is a new chance to learn in a different scenario. 

If you are new to turkey hunting, you are seriously going to love it! If you already have been and are hooked, than you can probably relate to what I said about being giddy like a little kid the first time you hear the turkeys light up! I want to share with you some of the tips I have learned from personal hunting experiences, and tips that my friends have shared with me along the way that I have found to be very helpful! I still have so much to learn, but that’s the fun part!

Decoys: 

• Evaluate the time of year you are hunting and figure out what stage the turkeys are in. Are they still joined with their winter flocks? Are they henned up? Are the hens on their nest? Once you figure out what stage the turkeys are in then you can have a better understanding of how you should get set up.

• The type of decoying you can do can vary throughout the season. Think about your location. If you have a good backdrop and good cover in your surrounding area, you may not need decoys. Watch how much you are calling, and let that turkey come in and look for you.

• If you are in a taller grassy area, it might be best to use a lookout decoy so it is easier for the gobbler to see. If you are in open timber, one or two hens would work good so he has something to visually see when he hears your calling. The same could work if you are sitting on the edge of an open field. In this scenario you could also use a jake and one/two hens. 

                                                        

• Putting your decoys out front to the left or right of where you are sitting, will help lessen your chances of being seen if the turkeys are coming in directly in front of you. If you think they will be coming in at an angle, make sure you set up to where it is easiest for you to make a clear shot.

• Later in the season, depending on your location, you can try using a laydown hen and a lookout hen when calling. The look out hen shows confidence, and once they lay eyes on the laydown hen, it will help attract them to come in to breed.

Calling:

• First of all, be patient, sometimes it happens quick but other times it takes a little bit to get the gobbler to come in. Don't lose hope!

• When you first hear a gobbler and you are calling back to him, pay attention to him and what he seems to react to. Does he like the aggressive yelping, or does he respond better to a softer purr? No turkeys are the same. Try and mimic what they are doing. 

• If you have been talking with the gobbler and he is sounding closer, or you can physically see him making his way to you, let up on the calling and make him come to you. You have gotten his attention, so now allow him to come and find you. 

Beginners:

• This may be a given, but if you’ve never been around turkeys you probably don’t know just how good they can see, so STAY STILL. I read once, if you can see the turkey, he can see you much, much better. Good to remember. Make sure to wear some type of mask or face paint to hide your face.

• If you are calling and the turkeys responded to you but then stopped, don’t get discouraged. That could mean they are coming in.

• If you are trying to locate the birds on a windy day and need a louder sound, box calls are a great way to get the sound reach you might need. 

• If the turkey(s) is at your decoy set up, and you need to adjust your gun or pull back your bow, move when the turkey’s back is facing you. 

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

Sporting Clays: How To Get Started

By Andrea Haas, Huntress View Founder
Originally Posted on TheHuntersFeed Blog by EvoOutdoors

I shoulder my shotgun and yell “pull”! 

Shooting at the last station in the competition
Prois Competitor Shooters Vest

I take my aim and miss the first two clays. I’m at my very first sporting clay competition and to say that I’m nervous is an understatement. I hear encouraging words from the other competitors behind me as I shoulder my gun again and prepare for the next two clays. Again, I yell “pull”, but this time I bust both clays! The other competitors in my group start cheering for me and giving me high fives, easing my nerves as we walk to the second station.

I recently shot at the 16^th Annual Women’s Charity Shotgun Event hosted by the Ozark Shooters Sports Complex in Branson, MO. The proceeds from this shoot went to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, a hospital that provides high quality care to children in need, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

Before now my only experience in this area was shooting trap in my backyard a few times, as well as hunting doves, pheasants and crows. One thing that I truly believe is that you learn the most by forcing yourself to get out of your comfort zone. Going into this sporting clay competition by myself, not knowing what to expect was definitely a little uncomfortable for me, but I am so glad that I did it! 

The women competing in this event were not only very friendly and encouraging, they were excellent shooters and I was happy that they were willing to give me some pointers. One tip was to lift my right elbow up just a little higher & keep it parallel to the ground. This creates a “pocket” in your shoulder that the shotgun fits into better which helps with recoil, especially after shooting 50 shells. I learned that other shooters really want to help you and want to see you succeed. Sure, it’s a competition, but it’s all in good fun and for a great cause.

For those like me that are new to sporting clay shooting, here’s a basic run down on what to expect:

How It Works

Out of all shotgun sports, sporting clays is the closest thing to actual field hunting. With skeet and trap you have clays thrown at generalized distances and angles each time. Sporting clays are designed to simulate actual wing shooting of ducks, pheasants and other upland birds. The clays can be thrown from any direction, at any speed and any angle. Some clays even vary in size, giving you the next best thing to real world hunting conditions.

Sporting clays are usually shot in squads of 2-6 people and is played over a course of about 10 different shooting stations throughout fields and the natural features of the land. Being from the Ozark Mountains, our stations overlooked some beautiful scenery and was naturally, very hilly. Each person in a squad shoots a determined number of clays, usually around 4-6, before moving on to the next station.

Safety

Like all shooting sports, safety comes first in sporting clays. As soon as you remove your gun from the vehicle, make sure the breech is open and the gun is not loaded. If you shoot an over/under shotgun, make sure you break it open and the barrel is pointed down or up towards the sky. Even if you know the shotgun is not loaded, always treat it as if it is.

Ear and eye protection are also a must any time you are on a sporting clay course.

Shooting a Round

Once each squad is at their designated first station, hand the score cards to the referee. Before anyone shoots, the referee will show you the targets so you can see how they are being thrown.

Step up to the station when it’s your turn to shoot and load your shotgun. Point it safely towards the firing area and yell “pull” once you are ready. The target is considered a “dead bird” if any part of it is broken. When you are done shooting, make sure the breech is open and exit the station. Remain behind the station until everyone in your squad has finished shooting and is ready to move on.

Shooting sporting clays is a great way to sharpen your shooting skills and “extend” your hunting season. If you feel sporting clays is something you would like to get involved in, here are a few ways to get started!

Join a Local Club. Check out the National Sporting Clay Association (NSCA) website to search for clubs in your area: http://www.nssa-nsca.org/index.php/nsca-sporting-clays-shooting/clubs-associations/club-search/

Once a member, you can use your clubs facility on a regular basis and meet other shooters. Like I mentioned above, my experience with meeting other shooters was a positive one. They were very helpful, encouraging, and these ladies could shoot very well!

Join the NSCA. The NSCA is the ultimate resource for all things sporting clays. They are dedicated to getting more people involved in shotgun sports, no matter what level they are at, and promoting healthy competition within its membership.

Shoot In a Competition. I think one of the best ways to improve your shooting skills is to actually shoot in a competition, like I did. You can watch other great shooters and learn from them. Don’t worry about “not being good enough”. You only compete within your own class, so you’re only competing against others that are at the same level as you.

Keep Practicing! Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more! Experience really is the best teacher. Also, if any upland seasons are open, get yourself a tag. I ended up getting 1^st place in my class and I feel that my experience with hunting live birds prepared me the most for sporting clays.

Andrea Haas

Huntress View Founder

Eye Dominance

If you're thinking about taking up shooting it's important to know your eye dominance. I learned from watching an episode of Tips & Tactics on NRA Women's Network​ that statistically 85% of women are left eye dominant. Most are not left handed, so that puts us at a little of a disadvantage. You want to mount the gun lined up with your dominant eye to get the best possible sight of the clay or bird. Check out this short video where Jane Brown Keller shows how you can determine if you are right or left eye dominant. If it turns out your dominant eye is opposite from your dominant side (like mine is), she also has a few tips on how to overcome that! 

Here's the link: http://www.nrawomen.tv/tips-and-tactics/video/tips-and-tactics-jane-brown-eye-dominance/list/shooting

-Andrea Haas

A Lesson in Safety

Not all hunting trips are full of happy memories. Sometimes you wake well before dawn, tear yourself out of a warm bed, and set up decoys in the cold, just to watch an empty sky. Three years ago on morning goose hunt much like that made an ordinary hunt, a life lesson.

My fiance, Tyler and I, two other friends, and hunting dog Ginger, were goose hunting in a chopped hay field one morning. Between flocks of geese, we often times chat sitting up in our blinds, with the doors open. Tyler decided he needed to stretch his legs and take a walk behind us. I thought it would be a good idea to stand up near my blind just to wake up. I put my gun in my blind, with my barrel pointed up and to the rear. I was particularly bored at this time and decided to call Ginger over so I could play with her. Tyler, back and ready to get back in the blind, told me that Ginger needs to get back in her blind because it wasn't time for messing around. I leisurely told her to get back but she didn't listen and I didn't really care because she was adorable and I always let her get away with little things here and there. 

A few seconds later, Ginger was still messing around and walking all over my blind, when she steps on my safety and the trigger all at once making the safety turn off and the gun fire off to the rear. No one made a sound. Ginger took off thinking that a goose has been shot in search of the retrieve. We all looked at each other in disbelief. Just a few seconds sooner and Tyler could have been seriously injured or worse. This was the scariest moment of my life. A freak accident that could have ended a life.



I remember thinking as we were packing up that I never wanted to hunt again. I initially put the blame on myself. I knew all about gun safety from growing up around firearms and being in the military. I knew better than to have a loaded gun laying like that. After talking about how I didn't want to go hunting ever again, Tyler informed why he was firm with his dogs. It never really clicked until that day in the field. There is a time and a place for playing with a dog and it's not when your hunting with loaded guns.

It took a while for me to get back out into the field but eventually I did. I became more involved with dog training once I brought home my pointer pup Avery. Whether hunting in a boat or in a field, a dog that doesn't listen and has no obedience becomes a dangerous recipe for disaster.

From time to time it takes a potential tragedy to remind us of safety. Hopefully by sharing my story I am able to possibly help prevent a lapse in judgment like I had made that day.

Written by Samantha Bickman-

Pheasant Hunting Gear List for Women

Prois Reversible Sherpa Fleece Vest and Blaze Orange Cap

A head-to-toe pheasant hunting gear list for the ladies! All of the gear listed here are my personal favorites for pheasant hunting and would be a good option for most upland hunts. 

1) Blaze Orange Hat

• I prefer to wear a blaze orange ball cap but it's a good idea to bring along a blaze beanie as well, depending on the wind and the temperature!
• This Blaze Orange Cap with Waxed Bill from Prois is a great option, available at www.ProisHunting.com for $26.99

  

  Prois Blaze Orange Hat with Waxed Bill

  
  

2) Blaze Orange Vest / Upland Vest

• The Prois Reversible Sherpa Fleece Vest is one of my hunting staples because I can use it year round and for multiple hunts. One side is blaze orange fleece, perfect for rifle season or upland hunting. The other side is camoflauge, making it great for hunting, deer, elk and other game. It also has scapular pockets designed to hold activated hand warmers! It is available at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $170.10 

  

  Prois Reversible Sherpa Fleece Vest
  
  

• Another great vest option is the Badlands Upland Vest Pack. It's lightweight, has multiple pockets, perfect for holding shotgun shells and other loose items. It's available at www.ProisHunting.com for $179.99 

  

  Badlands Upland Vest Pack

  
  

3) Long Sleeve Shirt

• If the weather is warmer I recommend a lightweight top that wicks moisture. My favorite is the Prois Ultra Long Sleeve Shirt, available at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $50.40. You can pick from Realtree AP, Realtree Max-1 or Black. 

  

  Prois Ultra Long Sleeve Shirt

  
  

4) Jacket

• If the weather turns cool, keep the above top on as a layering piece & add a jacket. Last season on the cooler/windier days I paired the above top with the Prois Pro-Edition Jacket and that was perfect. You can find the Prois Pro-Edition Jacket at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $215.10

  

  Prois Pro-Edition Jacket
  
  

  
  

5) Brush Pants

• The Prois High Plains Brush Pants are a comfortable, yet durable option for the female upland hunter! They have Cordura facings, pleated knees, boot zippers, multiple pockets, and the waist rests at the natural waistline. These are available in Khaki at www.EvoOutdoors.com, or at www.ProisHunting.com in Olive, $161.10 to $179.99 

  

  Prois High Plains Brush Pants

  
  
  

6) Gloves

• I found on my first pheasant hunt that despite warmer temperatures, the wind can still cut like a knife! For days like this fleece gloves are perfect. The Women's Ranger Glove by Manzella are fleece with a 4-way stretch fabric for a great fit. You can find these in size S/M or M/L for $22 at www.EvoOutdoors.com

• 

  Women's Ranger Glove by Manzella

  
  

7) Socks

• A good pair of moisture-wicking socks are imperative for a long, active hunt like pheasant hunting. Whether it's warm or cold you want your feet to stay dry! The Day Hiker Sock by Minus33 is made of merino wool which is known for keeping your feet dry and comfortable in any weather condition. You can get these from www.EvoOutdoors.com for only $13.00 

Day Hiker Sock by Minus33

8) Boots

• A good pair of waterproof boots are a must for pheasant hunting. My personal favorite for pheasant hunting in the flat, Kansas plains are these SHE Outdoor Avilla 16" Waterproof Rubber Boots. They are fully lined with 5mm Neoprene and are easy to pull on & off. I like that they are taller, making it a good option for hunting in deep snow. I walked the pheasant fields for miles at a time & had no problem with them rubbing my feet or creating blisters. They are available at www.BassPro.com for $99.99 

SHE Outdoor Avilla Boot

9) Shotgun Case

• You definitely need a shotgun case to protect your shotgun while transporting it from your home to the field. The Tenzing TZ SS54 Shotgun Case has a soft water-resistant outer shell and a fully surrounding 1" foam interior padding. You can find this at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $99, BUT through October 31 use coupon code: packout14 to receive 15% off of this case and any other pack!

Tenzing TZ SS54 Shotgun Case

10) Pets

• Don't forget about your pet! If you hunt with dogs keep them protected from the elements in the Pointer Dog Vest by Rivers West. Its made with micro fleece, is very insulating and waterproof. One great feature is the top zipper has an inside fleece fly to keep the dog's hair from getting caught in the zipper! It is $49.00 at www.EvoOutdoors.com. 

I hope you find this gear list helpful when planning your next upland hunt! 

-Andrea Haas

Andrea's 2013 Turkey Hunt

Opening day of 2013 turkey season in Missouri had finally come. On this hunt I let my friend Nikki tag along with me, her first ever turkey hunt! (Yes our husbands stayed home in bed!) We got all of our gear together & headed to my hunting property down the road.

The sun was starting to come up by the time we made it to our property & turkeys were gobbling all around us so we hurried to get to the blind. My blind was set up on the edge of a small pocket field in the woods that the turkeys usually fly into off of the roost. As soon as we got set up 2 jakes flew down in front of us. I let them walk & once they were out of sight I got my hen decoy set up about 20 yards in front of the blind.

 

I started calling & the toms answered immediately. We could hear them all around us but only one got closer & closer each time I called. Finally I look to my left and am able to see the tom making his way towards the decoy, drumming and spitting the whole way. I got my shotgun ready & just waited until he came close enough to shoot. Once I did Nikki and I both jumped up & down and did a little happy dance (I admit this was a total “girl” moment). 

I was so excited & actually a little surprised that I was able to call in such a nice tom. (He was 22 lbs and had 11.5” beard, 1 ¼” spurs). This was my first time turkey hunting that I did 100% of the calling and I really didn’t have much confidence in my turkey calling skills. It made me even happier that Nikki got to have that experience on her first ever turkey hunt. Even though she didn’t do the shooting she was just as excited as I was! The Missouri turkey season opens this year on April 21^st and I can’t wait to take Nikki along with me again! 

-Andrea Haas