Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
Friday, October 12, 2018
First Cold Front Sit of 2018
It's still early October and this season's first cold front has swept through. These colder temperatures have been known to get deer up and moving more than usual. I'm trying to take advantage of that theory by sneaking into a back corner of some public access. Check out the video to see how this hunt turned out.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Early Season Strategy
With the opening of Oklahoma archery season only 12 days away, I've been in a mad rush to get everything "ready" for that first hunt. I'm still getting my new IQ bow sight dialed in with the new Bloodsport Punisher arrows I found a good deal on. I am waiting on my new Muddy Stagger steps and Game Winner hang on stand to arrive in the mail, along with the Nocturnal lighted nocks I found on sale. It seems like a lot of new things to worry about with less than two weeks til tree time, but that's pretty much how I operate.
I feel like a good portion of hunters out there are always looking for new gear or methods to gain an edge in the woods, and I'm one of them. Except I'm on a budget. No $300+ tree saddle setups for me, although it's definitely on my wish list. I found budget gear that should check all the boxes I need for this early season.
I'm also guilty of daydreaming about those first sits. If my season plays out like any of the halfway decent scenarios I've thought up, then I'm going to rework my budget for a new freezer! I'm an avid listener of the Wired To Hunt Podcast and have heard so many different ideas for how to hunt the early season. Mark and Dan have interviewed several of the nation's leading "professional" whitetail hunters. Not many of them seem to agree on things such as scent control, hunting early season mornings, or even how often to check trail cameras.
In my very unprofessional opinion, I say do what you think puts you in a best odds situation without mucking up your local deer routines. The herd where you hunt is used to bedding, drinking, and feeding in a pretty regular routine. DON'T MESS IT UP!!! That's my plan. I'm going to start the very beginning of the season on private land, practicing with my new stand and sticks, doing more observation and scent control testing than anything. I would like to fine-tune a few things before I take my setup to the few public spots I think will land me at the very least a fat doe.
I will be looking for transition points on edges of fields, and thick nasty cover type stuff close to any mast trees I locate along a trail. I will not be out there in the mornings until late October. I'm doing this for two reasons. First reason, I like to sleep in and will put off early mornings for after the time change. The second reason, I don't like my odds of not bumping deer going to bed. It's been much easier to get settled above a food source on a field edge before they come out to feed. The downside to hunting the evening sits is tracking a blood trail in the dark. The woods can be spooky at night, y'all. And I'm for real not trying to find come across a possessed owl or some slender man/hillbilly hybrid. I can't run fast enough for any of that.
Anyways...
Evening sits will also help determine where I orient myself regarding the sun's location. Having the sun in your eyes doesn't help you as much as the deer not looking in your direction if the sun is behind you. Keep that sweet tip in mind for hunting morning or evening. Feel free to test out any method you find most logical, but if things keep not working out for you, change your method.
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
I feel like a good portion of hunters out there are always looking for new gear or methods to gain an edge in the woods, and I'm one of them. Except I'm on a budget. No $300+ tree saddle setups for me, although it's definitely on my wish list. I found budget gear that should check all the boxes I need for this early season.
I'm also guilty of daydreaming about those first sits. If my season plays out like any of the halfway decent scenarios I've thought up, then I'm going to rework my budget for a new freezer! I'm an avid listener of the Wired To Hunt Podcast and have heard so many different ideas for how to hunt the early season. Mark and Dan have interviewed several of the nation's leading "professional" whitetail hunters. Not many of them seem to agree on things such as scent control, hunting early season mornings, or even how often to check trail cameras.
In my very unprofessional opinion, I say do what you think puts you in a best odds situation without mucking up your local deer routines. The herd where you hunt is used to bedding, drinking, and feeding in a pretty regular routine. DON'T MESS IT UP!!! That's my plan. I'm going to start the very beginning of the season on private land, practicing with my new stand and sticks, doing more observation and scent control testing than anything. I would like to fine-tune a few things before I take my setup to the few public spots I think will land me at the very least a fat doe.
I will be looking for transition points on edges of fields, and thick nasty cover type stuff close to any mast trees I locate along a trail. I will not be out there in the mornings until late October. I'm doing this for two reasons. First reason, I like to sleep in and will put off early mornings for after the time change. The second reason, I don't like my odds of not bumping deer going to bed. It's been much easier to get settled above a food source on a field edge before they come out to feed. The downside to hunting the evening sits is tracking a blood trail in the dark. The woods can be spooky at night, y'all. And I'm for real not trying to find come across a possessed owl or some slender man/hillbilly hybrid. I can't run fast enough for any of that.
Anyways...
Evening sits will also help determine where I orient myself regarding the sun's location. Having the sun in your eyes doesn't help you as much as the deer not looking in your direction if the sun is behind you. Keep that sweet tip in mind for hunting morning or evening. Feel free to test out any method you find most logical, but if things keep not working out for you, change your method.
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Bucks Be Creepin'
If you have ever had the opportunity to observe a group of unpressured deer, you may notice that young deer act a bit different than the older ones, and mature bucks act differently than all other deer. In my experience, this behavior difference is year round.
Last year was my first season to bow hunt, and I was very lucky to have a private piece of land to set up on and arrow my first whitetail. This is a two man ladder stand sitting on the edge between a large wooded area and an overgrown hay pasture, right over a food plot. I didn't know which direction the deer would come from, but I knew they like this particular spot.
I got in the stand super early and fought mosquitoes almost the entire time (that's why this year I invested in a Thermocell) and I was sweating a whole bunch from wearing long sleeve camo. As typical, that golden hour around sundown brought the first movement of the evening. It was a doe and her fawn, just out of spots, making their way to the food plot. I debated on whether to take the mother doe, and my excitement told me the fawn was old enough to run off and join up with her sisters.
Well, due to some bad luck along the lines of not making sure I had space around my cams, I missed way low. This spooked both does, but not enough to skedaddle, just enough to get the mom to stomp and snort a whole bunch. She was out of range so she got a pass. I was a bit relieved and a bit upset, but it was a new experience for me.
I still had 20 minutes of legal hunting light and decided to use it to make my way back to the truck. No way any more deer were going to come through there after that stomp and blow session.
I was wrong.
After getting down and passing the end of the food plot 60 yards ago, I see him in the corner of my eye. I froze and slowly turned to look at him. Once this 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 big bodied buck realized I was looking at him, he about-faced and crashed through the woods. I could hear the leaves and branches crunching the whole way to my truck.
That different behavior exhibited by mature bucks I mentioned earlier? They are the last ones out, almost every single time, not including the time around and during the rut. They are back in the woods, observing the does and fawns, waiting till those last few minutes of shooting light before they tentatively make their way to the food plot.
Now I know why these pro hunters wait in their stands for 30 to 90 minutes after shooting hours. They know if the buck didn't show up during daylight, then he was most likely out there after, happily grazing in the dark. You don't want to spook them from your stand, because then they will have a reason to be cautious around that area. If you can't wait that long in the stand, then have someone drive up to come get you. That way the vehicle spooks them from the opposite direction of your hunting spot.
Like a lot of the most important life lessons, this is one I've learned the hard way. So, take it from me and force yourself to be patient, and you just might give yourself an opportunity you didn't know was available.
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
Last year was my first season to bow hunt, and I was very lucky to have a private piece of land to set up on and arrow my first whitetail. This is a two man ladder stand sitting on the edge between a large wooded area and an overgrown hay pasture, right over a food plot. I didn't know which direction the deer would come from, but I knew they like this particular spot.
I got in the stand super early and fought mosquitoes almost the entire time (that's why this year I invested in a Thermocell) and I was sweating a whole bunch from wearing long sleeve camo. As typical, that golden hour around sundown brought the first movement of the evening. It was a doe and her fawn, just out of spots, making their way to the food plot. I debated on whether to take the mother doe, and my excitement told me the fawn was old enough to run off and join up with her sisters.
Well, due to some bad luck along the lines of not making sure I had space around my cams, I missed way low. This spooked both does, but not enough to skedaddle, just enough to get the mom to stomp and snort a whole bunch. She was out of range so she got a pass. I was a bit relieved and a bit upset, but it was a new experience for me.
I still had 20 minutes of legal hunting light and decided to use it to make my way back to the truck. No way any more deer were going to come through there after that stomp and blow session.
I was wrong.
After getting down and passing the end of the food plot 60 yards ago, I see him in the corner of my eye. I froze and slowly turned to look at him. Once this 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 big bodied buck realized I was looking at him, he about-faced and crashed through the woods. I could hear the leaves and branches crunching the whole way to my truck.
That different behavior exhibited by mature bucks I mentioned earlier? They are the last ones out, almost every single time, not including the time around and during the rut. They are back in the woods, observing the does and fawns, waiting till those last few minutes of shooting light before they tentatively make their way to the food plot.
Now I know why these pro hunters wait in their stands for 30 to 90 minutes after shooting hours. They know if the buck didn't show up during daylight, then he was most likely out there after, happily grazing in the dark. You don't want to spook them from your stand, because then they will have a reason to be cautious around that area. If you can't wait that long in the stand, then have someone drive up to come get you. That way the vehicle spooks them from the opposite direction of your hunting spot.
Like a lot of the most important life lessons, this is one I've learned the hard way. So, take it from me and force yourself to be patient, and you just might give yourself an opportunity you didn't know was available.
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
Thursday, September 6, 2018
My Scent Control "Strategy"
Scent control is a major portion of whitetail hunting. Hearing and scent are two powerful tools deer use to remain safe, especially during the time of year humans are flooding the woods with scary smells. Managing your scent risk by treating yourself and your gear, along with observing wind direction, can be the difference between getting close enough to harvest a target buck, or only hearing him snort and crash away through the woods.
Here is what I do to prevent getting winded.
Personal Hygiene
Since the scent coming from me is scarier than exhaust or gun oil, I like to make sure I have as many details covered as possible. I start with a shower using Scent-A-Way hair and body soap to block the odor from my "hot spots" and my hair. I also use Dead Down Wind's toothpaste because the taste isn't bad and it helps control that morning mouth funk. I'm pretty fond of the Scent Killer Gold deodorant to avoid too much odor generation. Also, to prevent cold morning winds from sapping all of the moisture from my face, I use the lotion from Nose Jammer. The lotion isn't a scent blocker or preventative. Instead, it uses natural scents to overwhelm senses to keep from spooking the animals.
Clothing
Not too long ago, most people would hang hunting clothing outside a few days or a week before heading out in order to rid the fabrics of unwelcome scents. But now there are a bunch of treatment products such as laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and field spray. I like the convenience of the laundry treatment, followed by storing with a scented wafer. There are other options such as carbon mats to absorb odors or the increasingly popular use of ozone treatment.
These methods don't take near as long and can be repeated after each outing to remove odors deposited from hiking and long sits. I also like to throw my towel in with the laundry so that I'm not using anything that fragrance has been in contact with.
Personally, I like Dead Down Wind's laundry detergent and odor-less dryer sheets. I then store them in a Hunters Specialties Scent-A-Way Scent-Safe Deluxe Travel Bag with a scent wafer. I will be looking into a small ozone generator for my storage bag instead of the scent wafers. I like "no scent" better than a cover scent for my gear to prevent my closet distinctly smelling of dirt or acorns.
Gear
Before I get all of my gear packed to go to the field, I get some scent control cloths and give everything a liberal wipe down. Anything that goes to the stand with me will get wiped down or sprayed with field spray.
In the field
Once I'm parked, and getting geared up I like to do a final spray down of everything. I especially concentrate on the soles of my boots. For this season, I have also invested in the Hunter's Kloak Electronic mist system. I will be using it for cover scent around my stand. The system also has food and estrous scents for attractants. Depending on the time of the year, I will either use earth scent or acorn scent for the system to pump downwind of my location.
I'm not gonna say that my strategy is foolproof, but it's worked for me in the past. I'm always looking to learn a bit more and invest in better equipment. The main goal is to stay off the nose radar as long as possible. Everyone who bow hunts should take some steps to mitigate how much scent you generate and leave behind, so maybe what I do can help you think of some ways to do that better.
Good luck this season!
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Getting better is my goal.
Recently I was listening to a Wired to Hunt podcast, good stuff by the way, and one of the gentlemen said something that really felt familiar to me. I believe it was Andy on episode 223 that mentioned feeling anxiety about becoming stagnant in his hunting skills. It felt familiar because I have those same types of feelings about my skills as well. I think there is a large majority of sportspersons in the field that feel this way. A feeling that what you did last year is not going to be enough to get you through this year. A feeling that this year will require a sharper skill set, or an updated skill set, or even a brand new skill set altogether.
For some people, it's the newest bow, a new ozone generator, attractants, and calls. These products are advertised by those in the industry that have proven to be entertaining when they get in front of a camera and so easily harvest a giant elk or a Booner buck. If you've ever spent a pretty penny on some of this gear, you'll have found out that it, by itself, cannot make you a better hunter. Maybe they've increased your odds... maybe not. I think the best investment is in knowledge. Scouting can tell you way more about your area than any expert on a show or podcast. What you CAN learn from those experts are things to look for while you're out there. Those professionals do have the advantage of time spent in the woods, swamps, and hills. They can tell you what they've seen and how they've found deer. These things combined with what I know of my own hunting areas are how I've been successful in the past.
The definition of success is different for everyone. Here is mine: A hunt is successful if I made it home safe, knowing more about how to harvest deer than I did before I left. Sure, it seems a bit high browed, but unless you are depending on a harvest to eat then what can be more permanent than that experience being used as a building block for more enjoyable trips in the future? Especially since that experience can't be lost or taken away.
Combine this with taking someone who is new to the hobby, like a child, grandchild, friend, or neighbor. You actually have the opportunity to experience all those firsts again and again. Hunter numbers are dwindling for many reasons. Recruiting the next generation alone can't replace all those that are leaving. Inviting friends that haven't grown up in the culture to go on an evening observation sit could be all it takes to get them hooked. You're basically investing in a future hunting buddy that knows exactly how you think things should be done. This is the same as teaching your kids, except the adults you bring in can pay for their own equipment. Teaching someone about the culture and skills needed to be a moral conservationist is one of the best ways to review and cement your own knowledge about the wonderful game species in our state.
I end up reading books, watching videos, and listening to podcasts every season, looking for the next thing to try or to get better with, trying to quell that anticipatory gut feeling. It will never end because there will always be some way to improve either yourself, your surroundings, or the next generation. This season will be my best season because I've already learned new things.
What new thing will you learn to make this your best season yet?
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
Combine this with taking someone who is new to the hobby, like a child, grandchild, friend, or neighbor. You actually have the opportunity to experience all those firsts again and again. Hunter numbers are dwindling for many reasons. Recruiting the next generation alone can't replace all those that are leaving. Inviting friends that haven't grown up in the culture to go on an evening observation sit could be all it takes to get them hooked. You're basically investing in a future hunting buddy that knows exactly how you think things should be done. This is the same as teaching your kids, except the adults you bring in can pay for their own equipment. Teaching someone about the culture and skills needed to be a moral conservationist is one of the best ways to review and cement your own knowledge about the wonderful game species in our state.
I end up reading books, watching videos, and listening to podcasts every season, looking for the next thing to try or to get better with, trying to quell that anticipatory gut feeling. It will never end because there will always be some way to improve either yourself, your surroundings, or the next generation. This season will be my best season because I've already learned new things.
What new thing will you learn to make this your best season yet?
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Deciding Where To Hunt
How often does someone need to find a place to hunt that is different from last year? So far I have been pretty blessed to have access to a private property that holds a good number of deer. I love it out there, but since it's not mine, it's not guaranteed to be available forever. Also, it's shared between several other people, some of whom are serious hunters who go out and clear brush, fix stands, fill feeders etc. While others show up the evening before opening day, smelling of cologne and corn dogs, to walk the property to find the "best spot" regardless of having done any work or not. You won't know about this latecomer until opening morning when you see him dragging his son to the stand you spent a whole weekend preparing. I would like to save myself a bit of frustration this year by starting bow season on public property.
Strangers coming in at all hours, from all directions, with all kinds of smells, is an absolute SURE THING when on public lands. I happen to think that going in with this in mind can be used to your advantage. Not everyone will be willing to put work in finding crossing routes, bedding areas, watering holes, or feed plots. You can always better your odds by outworking everyone else, which I will try to do this year. In order to put myself in the best position to see any deer, let alone the possibility of a trophy buck or a fat doe, I will put my focus will be on scouting and arrival times.
We are pretty fortunate in Oklahoma to have thousands of acres set aside for public hunting. It also increases the chances of a decent WMA or the like being a relatively short drive from your house. I have a few places like Skiatook Lake, Oologah Lake, Candy Creek, and Deep Fork Refuge all under an hour away. Narrowing it down to exactly where you hang a stand or even ground hunt is the toughest part. I'm going to start with 3 spots I think are good deer habitat, that also seems difficult to access for the normal weekend blaze orange warrior. I'm looking for creek crossings, steep hills, and long hikes. I'm willing to get in further and haul out that fat doe or mature buck the whole way back with a sweaty and exhausted grin on my face.
These hikes mean I won't be close to the vehicle for any forgotten gear or a nap, which means extra preparation ahead of time. Not only will I need my hunting stand, sticks, harness and possibly waders, but I intend to bring a small provision of emergency supplies as well. I would rather pack the extra weight back and forth without ever needing it than suffer a nasty cut without a first aid kit.
After I find my hard to reach areas on maps, I need to scout. While scouting I'm looking for Heavily used trails with deer tracks that go to and from bedding, food, and/or water. Finding and following these trails to their destinations is the most time intensive part of scouting. Knowing where they lead can tell me what times of the day or night they are most likely to be used. Signs like scrapes, rubs, and licking branches just tell me that bucks have been there, probably overnight. My money is on catching them transitioning between areas in the evenings. This also means tracking and then hauling my harvest by starlight.
The whole ordeal sounds tough, but I'm tough. And when I tell my hunting story to the guys, I'll be sure to let them know it was uphill both ways. With this being my first season, I'm expecting a few setbacks and lessons learned, but I will count eyes on deer as a win. Are you excited? Cause I'm excited.
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
Strangers coming in at all hours, from all directions, with all kinds of smells, is an absolute SURE THING when on public lands. I happen to think that going in with this in mind can be used to your advantage. Not everyone will be willing to put work in finding crossing routes, bedding areas, watering holes, or feed plots. You can always better your odds by outworking everyone else, which I will try to do this year. In order to put myself in the best position to see any deer, let alone the possibility of a trophy buck or a fat doe, I will put my focus will be on scouting and arrival times.
We are pretty fortunate in Oklahoma to have thousands of acres set aside for public hunting. It also increases the chances of a decent WMA or the like being a relatively short drive from your house. I have a few places like Skiatook Lake, Oologah Lake, Candy Creek, and Deep Fork Refuge all under an hour away. Narrowing it down to exactly where you hang a stand or even ground hunt is the toughest part. I'm going to start with 3 spots I think are good deer habitat, that also seems difficult to access for the normal weekend blaze orange warrior. I'm looking for creek crossings, steep hills, and long hikes. I'm willing to get in further and haul out that fat doe or mature buck the whole way back with a sweaty and exhausted grin on my face.
These hikes mean I won't be close to the vehicle for any forgotten gear or a nap, which means extra preparation ahead of time. Not only will I need my hunting stand, sticks, harness and possibly waders, but I intend to bring a small provision of emergency supplies as well. I would rather pack the extra weight back and forth without ever needing it than suffer a nasty cut without a first aid kit.
After I find my hard to reach areas on maps, I need to scout. While scouting I'm looking for Heavily used trails with deer tracks that go to and from bedding, food, and/or water. Finding and following these trails to their destinations is the most time intensive part of scouting. Knowing where they lead can tell me what times of the day or night they are most likely to be used. Signs like scrapes, rubs, and licking branches just tell me that bucks have been there, probably overnight. My money is on catching them transitioning between areas in the evenings. This also means tracking and then hauling my harvest by starlight.
The whole ordeal sounds tough, but I'm tough. And when I tell my hunting story to the guys, I'll be sure to let them know it was uphill both ways. With this being my first season, I'm expecting a few setbacks and lessons learned, but I will count eyes on deer as a win. Are you excited? Cause I'm excited.
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Night Fishing the Bluffs of Bull Shoals Lake
As kids, my brother and I often got to spend a week with our grandparents every summer. Over the years there were many things that we always ended up doing on those visits such as feeding the horses, checking on the cabin over at Peel, picking blackberries, and shooting a single aluminum arrow into a large chunk of Styrofoam with our beat up hand-me-down bows. But one of the most memorable things we tried to every year was to go night fishing.
Night fishing with Grandma and Grandpa was always wrapped up in a mix of feelings. From the excited anticipation of the chance to catch fish to the outright worry you might earn a "pop-knot" for stomping around the boat one too many times. I'm sure my brother would have rather not gone, but he soldiered on anyway. Grandpa was very specific about how tasks were to be completed. And there were many tasks to be completed before the actual fishing could start. Communication was key. A scowl meant you were doing it wrong. A glare meant you were flat out doing it wrong. Silence meant it was good enough. A crooked grin meant he was satisfied. If you got a half wink, well then you did exceptionally "OK". If words were used, you can be sure he was about to just come to do it his self. Pop-knots may or may not have been delivered in those cases.
After getting packed up, headed over to Bull Shoals, and the old pontoon boat loaded, it was off to our annual fishing spot. You had plenty of time for sightseeing on the way to the bluff where we would eventually tie off on the decades-old standing timber. The motor wasn't very large, so we didn't go very fast. Grandpa was never much for getting anywhere in a hurry, and Grandma preferred to proceed at a leisurely pace to make sure she didn't end up overboard. Once at our spot, we had to get through the most difficult task of the evening; tying off.
You wouldn't think tying off on some trees could be the most difficult part of the evening. Technically it wasn't, The difficulty came when you had to tie off just the exact way Grandpa wanted it. I know he had his reasons such as making sure we were secure so that we wouldn't drift or get loose while riding out the wakes of passing boats. Or worse yet, get tangled up between the timber and the looming rocky bluffs Bull Shoals is famous for. Back the boat toward one tree, tie off. Idle forward to another tree, tie off. Make sure the appropriate slack was given to maneuver between the two until reaching the correct distance between them, then take up the slack and secure the lines. Done.
After our gourmet dinner of deviled ham sandwiches, cold cucumber spears, and an icy Coke, we could bait the hooks with minnows and get our lines in the water. We were always cautioned to make sure we were keeping our bait at a deep enough level. I wasn't ever quite sure why until a long nose gar snatched my bait. If you've ever had the pleasure of fighting a gar on your line, you know that they go sideways when they have a bite. That's fine when you're bank fishing, but when you're on a boat with a dozen lines in the water you are going to be untangling lines to the random bursts of curses from a creative man who served in the military.
Barring that happening, the night was mostly quiet. After the sun set behind the hills, Grandma would help Grandpa get the Coleman lanterns pumped and primed so they could hang off the side of the boat to attract the bugs. Hanging the lanterns provided some ambient light for us, but as Grandpa explained, it also created a local and artificial ecosystem to bring crappie from the surrounding areas. Water lapping on the boat and the bluffs would be the only thing you could hear besides the faint hiss of the lanterns almost all night. At least until someone would get a bite. My brother and I would be completely beside ourselves with excitement any time something happened, it wasn't very entertaining otherwise. Grandma would have to shush us to avoid "spooking the fish" but she always did so with a wink, knowing how bored we could be. If there were no bites, we would have to settle for watching the stars or the massive ball of thousands of baitfish swimming around the boat to eat the sinking remains of bugs that got too close to the hot glass on the lanterns.
It was a yearly competition between us boys to see who could stay up the longest. The loser was generally the one who ended up at the back of the boat, under the Bimini cover to keep from being damp with evening dew. There was no prize for winning, other than viewing the sunrise. Seeing daylight meant the trip was almost at an end, except for the part I looked forward to the most: swimming.
On the way back to the dock, Grandma and Grandpa would stop at this little island and fix breakfast over an old camp stove. Not even brisk morning air and chilly water typical of that part of Bull Shoals would prevent us from getting in the water and splashing around while bacon and eggs were frying just beyond the reach of the waves. I know this pit stop on the way back was more for us kids than it was for them to make breakfast. Grandpa would occasionally wade out and throw us around while Grandma tended the skillet. We enjoyed it while we could, considering we still had a long drive home, and plenty of fish to clean after we unloaded the boat.
Looking back, I suppose getting through the tough parts at the beginning of the evening was as much a part of the ritual as the nap we all took when getting home. Nothing we had or did was fancy, but I loved every minute of those trips. I'm glad that I had the chance to spend that time with my grandparents, and that they were able to pass knowledge down to me that I can further pass down to my kids and grandkids someday.
Do your best to make good memories with those you love while you can.
As always, remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Night fishing with Grandma and Grandpa was always wrapped up in a mix of feelings. From the excited anticipation of the chance to catch fish to the outright worry you might earn a "pop-knot" for stomping around the boat one too many times. I'm sure my brother would have rather not gone, but he soldiered on anyway. Grandpa was very specific about how tasks were to be completed. And there were many tasks to be completed before the actual fishing could start. Communication was key. A scowl meant you were doing it wrong. A glare meant you were flat out doing it wrong. Silence meant it was good enough. A crooked grin meant he was satisfied. If you got a half wink, well then you did exceptionally "OK". If words were used, you can be sure he was about to just come to do it his self. Pop-knots may or may not have been delivered in those cases.
After getting packed up, headed over to Bull Shoals, and the old pontoon boat loaded, it was off to our annual fishing spot. You had plenty of time for sightseeing on the way to the bluff where we would eventually tie off on the decades-old standing timber. The motor wasn't very large, so we didn't go very fast. Grandpa was never much for getting anywhere in a hurry, and Grandma preferred to proceed at a leisurely pace to make sure she didn't end up overboard. Once at our spot, we had to get through the most difficult task of the evening; tying off.
You wouldn't think tying off on some trees could be the most difficult part of the evening. Technically it wasn't, The difficulty came when you had to tie off just the exact way Grandpa wanted it. I know he had his reasons such as making sure we were secure so that we wouldn't drift or get loose while riding out the wakes of passing boats. Or worse yet, get tangled up between the timber and the looming rocky bluffs Bull Shoals is famous for. Back the boat toward one tree, tie off. Idle forward to another tree, tie off. Make sure the appropriate slack was given to maneuver between the two until reaching the correct distance between them, then take up the slack and secure the lines. Done.
After our gourmet dinner of deviled ham sandwiches, cold cucumber spears, and an icy Coke, we could bait the hooks with minnows and get our lines in the water. We were always cautioned to make sure we were keeping our bait at a deep enough level. I wasn't ever quite sure why until a long nose gar snatched my bait. If you've ever had the pleasure of fighting a gar on your line, you know that they go sideways when they have a bite. That's fine when you're bank fishing, but when you're on a boat with a dozen lines in the water you are going to be untangling lines to the random bursts of curses from a creative man who served in the military.
Barring that happening, the night was mostly quiet. After the sun set behind the hills, Grandma would help Grandpa get the Coleman lanterns pumped and primed so they could hang off the side of the boat to attract the bugs. Hanging the lanterns provided some ambient light for us, but as Grandpa explained, it also created a local and artificial ecosystem to bring crappie from the surrounding areas. Water lapping on the boat and the bluffs would be the only thing you could hear besides the faint hiss of the lanterns almost all night. At least until someone would get a bite. My brother and I would be completely beside ourselves with excitement any time something happened, it wasn't very entertaining otherwise. Grandma would have to shush us to avoid "spooking the fish" but she always did so with a wink, knowing how bored we could be. If there were no bites, we would have to settle for watching the stars or the massive ball of thousands of baitfish swimming around the boat to eat the sinking remains of bugs that got too close to the hot glass on the lanterns.
It was a yearly competition between us boys to see who could stay up the longest. The loser was generally the one who ended up at the back of the boat, under the Bimini cover to keep from being damp with evening dew. There was no prize for winning, other than viewing the sunrise. Seeing daylight meant the trip was almost at an end, except for the part I looked forward to the most: swimming.
On the way back to the dock, Grandma and Grandpa would stop at this little island and fix breakfast over an old camp stove. Not even brisk morning air and chilly water typical of that part of Bull Shoals would prevent us from getting in the water and splashing around while bacon and eggs were frying just beyond the reach of the waves. I know this pit stop on the way back was more for us kids than it was for them to make breakfast. Grandpa would occasionally wade out and throw us around while Grandma tended the skillet. We enjoyed it while we could, considering we still had a long drive home, and plenty of fish to clean after we unloaded the boat.
Looking back, I suppose getting through the tough parts at the beginning of the evening was as much a part of the ritual as the nap we all took when getting home. Nothing we had or did was fancy, but I loved every minute of those trips. I'm glad that I had the chance to spend that time with my grandparents, and that they were able to pass knowledge down to me that I can further pass down to my kids and grandkids someday.
Do your best to make good memories with those you love while you can.
As always, remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Results Not Typical, Or Are They?
I worked harder on preseason prep than I had in any prior season. I just knew it was going to be a great year. Lot's of studying maps, wind directions, trail and lane prep, checking cams, everything. Which is why I think this story is so tied up with emotions.
Just inside the transition from a grassy field to thick trees, I saw it. A bright beautiful splotch of blood. The elation and excitement I felt propelled me uphill. This was the first time I've had to track a deer and it was so easy on the layer of fallen leaves. Between the renewed adrenaline and shortness of breath from being a fat man hurtling over typical forest ground cover with all my gear on my back, I mistook one dead tree and two piles of rocks for the deer. Three times I had to go back to retrace the blood trail before I saw her.
While hunting a weekend morning in the middle of rifle season, sitting in my brother-in-law's super ugly plywood ground blind, I was contemplating giving in to that warm lull the sunrise brings when you're out of the wind. Scanning the same view over and over again, I can't believe I almost missed the pair of doe that slowly worked their way to the tree line in which I was located. They had to have come from the creek down the sloping hill from me, but the high grass hid them very well. Two gorgeous and fat doe, out for a morning stroll, stopped right at the tree line instead of continuing into security. This was absolutely perfect luck. They were to my left, and I could still see them out of the very edge of the front window opening, just 20 yards away.
A very stubby maple tree with a mass of stubborn brown leaves masked the movement of me getting my rifle ready. In my head, I thought to lay the barrel on the edge of the window for a solid rest, and take my time with placing a shot on the bigger of the deer. Except, in order to even see the doe, I had to adjust the rifle back just far enough that it wouldn't be able to set on the window edge. On the fly, I adjusted my form to support the for-end with my hand, while my elbow rested on a knee being raised on a tiptoe. I know this is an expert level skill set, but try to follow me anyways.
This had all happened in a matter of seconds, but it felt longer.
After readjusting, I re-sighted the bigger doe. As close as she was, slightly quartered away, I aimed a bit lower than I normally do in order to preserve the opposite shoulder. I inhaled slowly, exhaled half a breath, and squeezed the trigger until the shot surprised me. BOOM! I look up and see two tails bouncing up the hill, the crashing sound of hooves on leaves and sticks echoing through the holler...
I was confused at why I saw two tails instead of one, and then when I saw what you see in the picture below. A whole range of emotions flooded my mind and my heart and sank them both.
In my hurry to readjust, I lowered the barrel too much. I missed that doe because I didn't take into account aiming lower after pulling the barrel off the window ledge. The plywood must have sent the bullet off course, or outright splintered the projectile. How Could I have been so negligent? I thought about going home right then. I text my wife and my dad, letting them both know that I screwed up. All of that preparation and I missed...
I got out of the blind and walked to where the doe had stood those minutes before. I could see the path they took up from the creek and the small clearing in the tree line they used to continue over the hill. After some mental negotiations, I decided to follow the trail uphill. Maybe I could turn this into a learning experience and find where they crossed in the power line clearing at the top of the hill.
Just inside the transition from a grassy field to thick trees, I saw it. A bright beautiful splotch of blood. The elation and excitement I felt propelled me uphill. This was the first time I've had to track a deer and it was so easy on the layer of fallen leaves. Between the renewed adrenaline and shortness of breath from being a fat man hurtling over typical forest ground cover with all my gear on my back, I mistook one dead tree and two piles of rocks for the deer. Three times I had to go back to retrace the blood trail before I saw her.
Told you she was gorgeous.
 |
After making sure she was deceased, I tied my rope to her rear legs and got to hauling. Even with the level of excitement running through me, I was still out of shape. It took me longer to pull her out than I truely care to admit. She was worth it, the fattest deer I've ever seen. When I get her to the road, and field dressed her I noticed my shot placement had been a perfect heart shot.
I am very glad I decided to continue up the hill instead of giving up and packing it in. Sometimes I just need a reminder that hunting, and being a responsible sportsman isn't about the results. It's about the experience. It's about finding your place in a wide wild world that doesn't need you in it, but needs you to take care of it.
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
-Jeremy
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Catching Bait
I'm a firm believer that live bait has a few certain qualities that you just can't duplicate with jigs or plastics, not even with scent additive. There is whole a bait industry that caters to those with the forethought to grab bait on the way to your spot. I'm sure you've seen them on the way to a lake, they are called bait shops, and you can buy live bait for a decent price. But what if I am on an impromptu trip, say on lunch break or it's super early and the family is still asleep? Well, I can just catch the bait I need for free.
The easiest bait to find and gather are worms. Under any pile of composting leaves, pine needles, and grass, I turn it over to just below the surface of the dirt. This is where I find some cranky and feisty worms, crickets, and grubs. I always bring a container with a lid, that has a few air holes on top, some of the composted dirt in the container to keep the critters happy.
During the summer, crickets and grasshoppers are plentiful. Crickets hide around woodpiles and on the ground in the tall grass. Grasshoppers like to hang out on the tops of grass and bushes. A small butterfly net can help gather these jumpers in big numbers within a few minutes. I make a point to be quick and accurate with my swipes, especially since I want the bugs to stay alive and healthy.
A more passive way of catching bait is the minnow trap. Although they make a few variations and some people have neat DIY designs, they all work about the same in my opinion and rely heavily on the type of bait you use. Some people use store bought bait or chunks of bread, but I like using bits of crappie cakes. They are made to gather bait fish with scent and sight attractors. I just bait the trap and let it soak. This could take some time to get enough, so if I don't have the patience or the time, I move on to the next method, cast nets.
Cast nets, almost every fisher has at least seen one of these bad boys in action. In the right hands, over the right spot, a skilled thrower can net a bucket full of shad with a single toss. If you aren't skilled, you can get lucky in the right spot. If you're in the wrong spot, the only thing you will catch is a sore shoulder and a wet shirt. Techniques are as varied as the fisher and as numerous as the different brand/size/material of net, so I stick with what I know best. I use a South Bend 4ft diameter net, with 3/8" monofil mesh, and a basic "hold the coiled rope and wad of net in one hand, and a couple weights in the other, and sling away" approach that isn't what I would describe as skilled. I throw a few times to get a dozen or so decent shad and toss them in an aerated bucket or bait tank.
I should note that summertime is prime time for critters such as snakes and spiders. Both of which have some downright mean versions that would love to put an early end to my fishing trip if I get too close. So, if you attempt any of these methods for catching your own bait, please be aware of those meaner creatures chasing the same bugs.
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
The easiest bait to find and gather are worms. Under any pile of composting leaves, pine needles, and grass, I turn it over to just below the surface of the dirt. This is where I find some cranky and feisty worms, crickets, and grubs. I always bring a container with a lid, that has a few air holes on top, some of the composted dirt in the container to keep the critters happy.
During the summer, crickets and grasshoppers are plentiful. Crickets hide around woodpiles and on the ground in the tall grass. Grasshoppers like to hang out on the tops of grass and bushes. A small butterfly net can help gather these jumpers in big numbers within a few minutes. I make a point to be quick and accurate with my swipes, especially since I want the bugs to stay alive and healthy.A more passive way of catching bait is the minnow trap. Although they make a few variations and some people have neat DIY designs, they all work about the same in my opinion and rely heavily on the type of bait you use. Some people use store bought bait or chunks of bread, but I like using bits of crappie cakes. They are made to gather bait fish with scent and sight attractors. I just bait the trap and let it soak. This could take some time to get enough, so if I don't have the patience or the time, I move on to the next method, cast nets.
Cast nets, almost every fisher has at least seen one of these bad boys in action. In the right hands, over the right spot, a skilled thrower can net a bucket full of shad with a single toss. If you aren't skilled, you can get lucky in the right spot. If you're in the wrong spot, the only thing you will catch is a sore shoulder and a wet shirt. Techniques are as varied as the fisher and as numerous as the different brand/size/material of net, so I stick with what I know best. I use a South Bend 4ft diameter net, with 3/8" monofil mesh, and a basic "hold the coiled rope and wad of net in one hand, and a couple weights in the other, and sling away" approach that isn't what I would describe as skilled. I throw a few times to get a dozen or so decent shad and toss them in an aerated bucket or bait tank.
I should note that summertime is prime time for critters such as snakes and spiders. Both of which have some downright mean versions that would love to put an early end to my fishing trip if I get too close. So, if you attempt any of these methods for catching your own bait, please be aware of those meaner creatures chasing the same bugs.
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
That Mid-Summer Shift
It's the middle of July and hopefully, quite a few of you have had good luck filling the freezer with fish fillets for this winter. I've not had the opportunity to get out and fish as much as I would like, but who does? The thing is, as of today there are 75 days left before Archery Season opens in most of Oklahoma. I'm already shifting to deer season preparations. To me, that means it's time to get serious about bow practice. I'm not an expert bow hunter, but I aim to be before I get too old to climb a stand. Regaining the muscle memory, tuning the bow and arrows back in to be consistent, repairing or replacing worn components, and breaking in any new toys you've picked up since January.
I have a few new toys coming in, such as the Precision Peeps Sight from Precision Peeps. I like the idea of having a wide peep for extra light, but the consistency of the center post. I'll definitely do a review once I've had time to practice with it. New gear requires set up time a patient practice. Most of my set-up is basic but will do the job I need it to do just fine.
I still need to do some scouting in my hunting spots, as well as start filling feeders and tree stand maintenance. One thing I learned from last season was that ingress routes can be blocked by a dry creek bed that isn't dry anymore, and stands can be super loud if precautions aren't taken. This means less time fishing and more time in the woods. I'm not upset about that at all.
What are some of the unique archery practices you use ahead of opening day to get ready? Only 3D targets? Shoot from the roof? I've heard stranger things.
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
75 days may seem like a long time, but if you shoot just 15 arrows a day, you can have 1125 shots in by opening day. That can do wonders for shot control and confidence when the moment of truth arrives. Spending time in your chosen hunting spots picking your angles, practicing from the stand or the blind, making distance markers for easy recognition; these are some of the other confidence-boosting activities you can do now and still have time to let the woods cool down ahead of that first evening hunt. Right now, I am just trying to eek out 20 minutes in the evenings to work on muscle memory and grouping at 20 yards.
I have a few new toys coming in, such as the Precision Peeps Sight from Precision Peeps. I like the idea of having a wide peep for extra light, but the consistency of the center post. I'll definitely do a review once I've had time to practice with it. New gear requires set up time a patient practice. Most of my set-up is basic but will do the job I need it to do just fine.
I still need to do some scouting in my hunting spots, as well as start filling feeders and tree stand maintenance. One thing I learned from last season was that ingress routes can be blocked by a dry creek bed that isn't dry anymore, and stands can be super loud if precautions aren't taken. This means less time fishing and more time in the woods. I'm not upset about that at all.
What are some of the unique archery practices you use ahead of opening day to get ready? Only 3D targets? Shoot from the roof? I've heard stranger things.
Remember to pay attention, mind your manners, and go home safe.
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Mid Summer Catfish
Right now it is HOT and HUMID here in Oklahoma! For many people that means time to hit the pools and lakes for swimming, or staying indoors like the library, mall, and movie theaters. But I like to fish, so I'm going fishing. I've said before that I'm kind of an all-purpose fisherman, meaning I like to catch what I can eat. In the summertime, that means primarily catfish from the bank and crappie if I've got a boat or kayak.
Let's talk about catching catfish.
To me, it is the easier of the two since a feeder creek or river channel can be gotten to relatively easily. Checking google maps and comparing them to the Corps of Engineer / ODWC websites I can find access to bends in rivers and feeder creeks. When I can, I use old navigation charts to find the old creek beds under lakes. These channels hold catfish pretty well since the water temps are more comfortable for them.
I usually stick with the smelly/meaty baits like chicken liver, shad, worms etc. since catfish use their smellers and feelers to find food more so than sight. I use enough weight to sling my hook to the deep parts and that will hold it there. If I'm not able to get right into the channel I will use a lighter weight and a bobber to hang my bait in a shallower dip or bend in the bank.
Equipment-wise, I have my big 8ft sturdy rods with massive spinning reels wrapped in 25lb test monofilament. I like using one of those little bells that fit on the rod tip can be helpful when I have multiple rods. I prefer using circle hooks but sometimes I feel like I miss fish because I'm not using the old-fashioned Aberdeen type hooks. If' I go too long without a bite, or I miss a bite I'm changing hooks for sure. Some sturdy rod supports are needed to keep my rigs from being sacrificed to the river spirits and the lake nymphs, but I usually just find enough sticks with a fork on one end that way I can carry less stuff in and out.
I follow all of that up with a comfy chair and a full cooler because it turns into a waiting game. I generally don't spend my time on the phone because of the sizeable distraction it provides. Instead, I read a real book, make blog notes, or have a bass/crappie rig to toss jigs along the brush and weeds. Beating the heat with some shade or some wading is a nice way to spend the time as well.
Setting the hook and landing the cats are some of the most satisfying inshore fights you can get in the south and I really enjoy it. But what I enjoy the most is having some juicy catfish nuggets fried up with hush puppies and an ice cold beer.
What are some of your thoughts on luring and landing cats on these summer days?
Let's talk about catching catfish.
I usually stick with the smelly/meaty baits like chicken liver, shad, worms etc. since catfish use their smellers and feelers to find food more so than sight. I use enough weight to sling my hook to the deep parts and that will hold it there. If I'm not able to get right into the channel I will use a lighter weight and a bobber to hang my bait in a shallower dip or bend in the bank.
Equipment-wise, I have my big 8ft sturdy rods with massive spinning reels wrapped in 25lb test monofilament. I like using one of those little bells that fit on the rod tip can be helpful when I have multiple rods. I prefer using circle hooks but sometimes I feel like I miss fish because I'm not using the old-fashioned Aberdeen type hooks. If' I go too long without a bite, or I miss a bite I'm changing hooks for sure. Some sturdy rod supports are needed to keep my rigs from being sacrificed to the river spirits and the lake nymphs, but I usually just find enough sticks with a fork on one end that way I can carry less stuff in and out.
I follow all of that up with a comfy chair and a full cooler because it turns into a waiting game. I generally don't spend my time on the phone because of the sizeable distraction it provides. Instead, I read a real book, make blog notes, or have a bass/crappie rig to toss jigs along the brush and weeds. Beating the heat with some shade or some wading is a nice way to spend the time as well.
Setting the hook and landing the cats are some of the most satisfying inshore fights you can get in the south and I really enjoy it. But what I enjoy the most is having some juicy catfish nuggets fried up with hush puppies and an ice cold beer.
What are some of your thoughts on luring and landing cats on these summer days?
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Spooking The Fish
As I grew up learning to fish, I was constantly reminded by my parents and grandparents to stay quiet or I would risk scaring off the fish. It turns out, this was a common occurrence for many people while growing up. While contemplating how I would teach my own kids how to fish, I wondered how much truth there really is to that warning and what other things could be working against me. So, being an engineer, I decided to do some research.
Turns out that since sound doesn't travel well between air and water, normal talking and carrying on doesn't typically scare fish as much as it irritates Grandpa. Fish also don't respond much too high pitch noises, so sorry about the shrieking laughter Mom and Dad, but it's not going to make a difference.
What WILL make the fish swim away is low-frequency noise, vibration, and being seen. Low-frequency noise such as boat motors and baritone voices (Grandpa yelling at us to be quiet) will translate from air or ground to water much more efficiently. These vibrations, just like dropping pliers on the deck of an aluminum boat, will be frightening to fish within reach. Other such causes of vibration are heavy footsteps or stomping. So if you're upset about missing that "monster" belonging to the tree-fish or stick-bass species, you'll need to tiptoe in exasperation instead of jumping up and down, think ballerina rather than professional wrestling. Excessive splashing, like that caused by throwing rocks or swimming, is almost always going to be too much noise and be a visual deterrent.
Many fish species are visual and use their sight for hunting and avoiding predators. So to avoid ruining chances just by showing up, here are some things to remember. Fish don't care if you're ugly, so you don't need to worry about dressing up, but what you wear DOES matter. Lot's of pro's consider water clarity for choosing bait color, but how many consider it when choosing the color of clothing and style of hat. If your clothing is in striking contrast to what is behind you, those fish will be able to spot something out of the ordinary, and will most likely consider you a predator. Instead, pick something that will blend in. Camo or dark clothing for a wooded backdrop, light blue or white to match the sky. Large or off-color hats will be just as noticeable.
Scent is also an overlooked factor. Species, like catfish, use smell more than sight to locate prey. this is also a heavy factor when fishing muddy or murky waters. We use scent attractants all the time, but did you know fish HATE the taste of sunscreen just as much as lotion, makeup, and hand sanitizer? These are things that easily transfer to bait, jigs, and bobbers that are unappetizing to fish. If you can't handle using the lake water, make sure to have a damp cloth and some clean water to remove unwanted smells from your hands before you handle your tackle. That's just plain good life advice as well. Another good reminder is not to potty where you fish. Urine in the water isn't healthy for the food that your target fish hunt, so fish won't stick around long. Please don't swim under my fishing lines to go pee, that's what the coffee can or a "terlet" is for.
To summarize, Grandpa needs to be quieter than the kids. He also needs to remain seated and stop dropping and throwing things. Blend in with your background, keep your hands clean, and don't pee on the fish. I hope knowing some things about what NOT to do is as helpful as all the hints and tricks and tips you get from the pros.
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Turns out that since sound doesn't travel well between air and water, normal talking and carrying on doesn't typically scare fish as much as it irritates Grandpa. Fish also don't respond much too high pitch noises, so sorry about the shrieking laughter Mom and Dad, but it's not going to make a difference.
What WILL make the fish swim away is low-frequency noise, vibration, and being seen. Low-frequency noise such as boat motors and baritone voices (Grandpa yelling at us to be quiet) will translate from air or ground to water much more efficiently. These vibrations, just like dropping pliers on the deck of an aluminum boat, will be frightening to fish within reach. Other such causes of vibration are heavy footsteps or stomping. So if you're upset about missing that "monster" belonging to the tree-fish or stick-bass species, you'll need to tiptoe in exasperation instead of jumping up and down, think ballerina rather than professional wrestling. Excessive splashing, like that caused by throwing rocks or swimming, is almost always going to be too much noise and be a visual deterrent.
Many fish species are visual and use their sight for hunting and avoiding predators. So to avoid ruining chances just by showing up, here are some things to remember. Fish don't care if you're ugly, so you don't need to worry about dressing up, but what you wear DOES matter. Lot's of pro's consider water clarity for choosing bait color, but how many consider it when choosing the color of clothing and style of hat. If your clothing is in striking contrast to what is behind you, those fish will be able to spot something out of the ordinary, and will most likely consider you a predator. Instead, pick something that will blend in. Camo or dark clothing for a wooded backdrop, light blue or white to match the sky. Large or off-color hats will be just as noticeable.
Scent is also an overlooked factor. Species, like catfish, use smell more than sight to locate prey. this is also a heavy factor when fishing muddy or murky waters. We use scent attractants all the time, but did you know fish HATE the taste of sunscreen just as much as lotion, makeup, and hand sanitizer? These are things that easily transfer to bait, jigs, and bobbers that are unappetizing to fish. If you can't handle using the lake water, make sure to have a damp cloth and some clean water to remove unwanted smells from your hands before you handle your tackle. That's just plain good life advice as well. Another good reminder is not to potty where you fish. Urine in the water isn't healthy for the food that your target fish hunt, so fish won't stick around long. Please don't swim under my fishing lines to go pee, that's what the coffee can or a "terlet" is for.
To summarize, Grandpa needs to be quieter than the kids. He also needs to remain seated and stop dropping and throwing things. Blend in with your background, keep your hands clean, and don't pee on the fish. I hope knowing some things about what NOT to do is as helpful as all the hints and tricks and tips you get from the pros.
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Passion or Hobby
Lot's of people in Oklahoma like to hunt and fish, but how many of those people LOVE to hunt and fish? I believe there is a big difference between those two groups. Let's discuss.
Those who like to hunt and fish might consider it just as a hobby. They aren't aware of what temperatures the crappie spawn or when opening day of deer archery is. They have a pole or two that hasn't been taken care of, with the same line that came with it when it was first bought. Maybe the tackle selection includes the remnants of a couple cheap kit-type tackle packages are all they have to choose from. Maybe the most they have for the woods is an old rifle and outdated military surplus camo.
Those who LOVE to hunt and fish have a PASSION for it, they read about it and think about it and are working towards fitting in as much of both activities as possible. Dates are memorized, temperatures are scanned multiple times per day, and we are always practicing for that specific defining moment that makes spending time in the outdoors so amazing. The sheer volume of tackle, rods, reels, cover scent, camo clothes and bags of trail cam equipment are enough to fill a mini storage. Gear has been gone over several times, has been well maintained, and maybe even a few "luxury" items, like castable fish finders, are included.
Now, there are obviously a couple groups that fall in between those extremes. Those with mixed gear and mixed feelings on how often one should be putting lines in the water or butt in a stand. I'm not concerned with them for the purpose of this discussion.
What I am wanting to discuss most here are a group of unlucky people who are passionate about the outdoors but do not get to spend the time needed to fulfill the desire. I understand that the vast majority would prefer to hunt or fish instead of work or do chores around the house, but I'm talking about those that are home in the evenings looking out of the kitchen window wondering if the bucks are in velvet yet, or whether the crappie have started moving shallow.
I fit in that group mostly because of my priorities. If I had more time in the week, I'm sure I could work out a bit more time in the woods or on the lake, but until it's my full-time job I won't be getting enough time to fill that desire in my bones to be confident of my skills and quality of outing. A seasoned sportsperson should have confidence in the quality of the outing, but know that guaranteed quarry is only a dream, especially on public access spots.
Finding that sweet spot of time spent between your passion and other things like family and obligations is a real struggle. I've learned that the way I view how my time is spent is not always how others see it. This is where the discussion comes in. I'm currently not spending very much time on the water at all. I refuse to leave my wife alone to take care of the kid by herself for more than one night a week because that is the same way she treats me. My family is more important than spending time outdoors, even though spending time outdoors is important to me. Most of my outside time is spent combining fishing while the family is playing. This has not yielded very good results for the cooler, but I know my kid is learning to swim and he watches me like a hawk while I tie on a new lure or bait a hook. In the future, I plan to focus as much on being out there as I am writing about it. I also hope that I can direct some family outings into fishing more than playing. But that is the great experiment, isn't it? Let me know what you think, leave some comments or send me a message about how you balance your love for family with your love for the outdoors.
Til next time,
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Those who like to hunt and fish might consider it just as a hobby. They aren't aware of what temperatures the crappie spawn or when opening day of deer archery is. They have a pole or two that hasn't been taken care of, with the same line that came with it when it was first bought. Maybe the tackle selection includes the remnants of a couple cheap kit-type tackle packages are all they have to choose from. Maybe the most they have for the woods is an old rifle and outdated military surplus camo.
Those who LOVE to hunt and fish have a PASSION for it, they read about it and think about it and are working towards fitting in as much of both activities as possible. Dates are memorized, temperatures are scanned multiple times per day, and we are always practicing for that specific defining moment that makes spending time in the outdoors so amazing. The sheer volume of tackle, rods, reels, cover scent, camo clothes and bags of trail cam equipment are enough to fill a mini storage. Gear has been gone over several times, has been well maintained, and maybe even a few "luxury" items, like castable fish finders, are included.
Now, there are obviously a couple groups that fall in between those extremes. Those with mixed gear and mixed feelings on how often one should be putting lines in the water or butt in a stand. I'm not concerned with them for the purpose of this discussion.
What I am wanting to discuss most here are a group of unlucky people who are passionate about the outdoors but do not get to spend the time needed to fulfill the desire. I understand that the vast majority would prefer to hunt or fish instead of work or do chores around the house, but I'm talking about those that are home in the evenings looking out of the kitchen window wondering if the bucks are in velvet yet, or whether the crappie have started moving shallow.
I fit in that group mostly because of my priorities. If I had more time in the week, I'm sure I could work out a bit more time in the woods or on the lake, but until it's my full-time job I won't be getting enough time to fill that desire in my bones to be confident of my skills and quality of outing. A seasoned sportsperson should have confidence in the quality of the outing, but know that guaranteed quarry is only a dream, especially on public access spots.
Finding that sweet spot of time spent between your passion and other things like family and obligations is a real struggle. I've learned that the way I view how my time is spent is not always how others see it. This is where the discussion comes in. I'm currently not spending very much time on the water at all. I refuse to leave my wife alone to take care of the kid by herself for more than one night a week because that is the same way she treats me. My family is more important than spending time outdoors, even though spending time outdoors is important to me. Most of my outside time is spent combining fishing while the family is playing. This has not yielded very good results for the cooler, but I know my kid is learning to swim and he watches me like a hawk while I tie on a new lure or bait a hook. In the future, I plan to focus as much on being out there as I am writing about it. I also hope that I can direct some family outings into fishing more than playing. But that is the great experiment, isn't it? Let me know what you think, leave some comments or send me a message about how you balance your love for family with your love for the outdoors.
Til next time,
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Tips For Hiking To Your Spot with Josh The_Mauka_Man Castleman
Sometimes we have to do a bit of hiking to get to our spot. Maybe it's through tick-infested tall grass or thickly wooded areas with expertly camouflaged snakes. That won't deter me from reaching that short bluff with a brush pile at the bottom or if I have a good feeling about hunting spot. I spoke to a good buddy of mine who is experienced with hiking in all kinds of terrain and conditions. He agreed to provide some info that will be useful for those who walk the bank to fill the cooler or a tag. Here are some tips that can save you time, money, frustration and keep you out of harm's way:
Pre-Planning - This can save you a lot of time and headaches and keep you safe. If someone tells you about a new spot they might have accidentally told you to turn on the wrong side road. Some quick double checking can alleviate this problem and it might even reveal some new access points or spots. I’ve headed out to some of my spots only to find out that they’ve now been fenced off to motor vehicle access due to people dumping, going mudding or the land transferring owners. So, if you’re going to try a new spot or old spot you might want to double check that you can still get to it before you plan on spending the morning or afternoon there. Or at least have a backup plan in case you can’t access it anymore. Be aware of the weather and what’s happened in the immediate past, what's happening now and what’s going to happen in the immediate future. Did it rain the last few days? Is the trail you use going to be washed out or flooded? Is it going to rain, snow or ice while you're out? Google Maps and Google Earth are your friends. It’s 2018 and everybody has a smartphone. Even my grandma who can’t work a DVD player knows how to use a smartphone. So there’s no reason you can’t utilize one for checking aerials and the weather. Some of my favorite sites/apps to check the weather include noaa.com. NOAA Radar App (Android / iTunes), windy.com and app (Android / iTunes) and OK Mesonet App (Android / iTunes)all of which are free. There's also a ton of GPS, tracking apps and other apps you have to pay for. But the ones listed here will get you started. And last but not least always let someone know where you’re going, when you’re going and when you’re coming back. This way they’ll know where to go looking for you in case you don’t come back and they can’t reach you by phone. Hopefully, they’ll find you in time before the coyotes and buzzards get at you.
Appropriate Clothes, Bug Spray and Sunscreen - Flip-flops and sandals might be good for the beach, boat or float trip but they don’t mix well with briars and overgrown trails. It doesn’t hurt to have a pair of backup shoes or boots ready to go in the car just in case you get to the parking area and realize the trail is overgrown or covered in down limbs from a storm. Flip flops aren’t the only thing that doesn’t mix with briars. Shorts are a can be bad idea as well. If your a person who wears shorts you might want to invest in some zip off pants if you plan on traveling down overgrown trails to reach that new fishing spot. If you sunburn easy bring a long sleeve shirt there's plenty of shirts made with breathable fabric. A hat and sunscreen can also limit the exposure of your skin to the sun. Bug spray is a must-have. I’ve pulled off the road and parked only to get out and realize I’ve left the bug spray at the house or in another car or backpack. Being chased through the woods by a cloud of mosquitoes is no fun. I’ve also been covered in seed ticks so bad that it made my white socks look like they were covered in hundreds of tiny brown polka dots. It doesn’t matter how good the hunting or fishing spot is if you get there and you’re literally being eaten alive and having the life sucked out of you. Go ahead and toss one of those cheap-o ponchos into your pack or tackle box. They are cheap, small and lightweight enough to carry and will help keep you dry in case you get caught out in a downpour.
Poison Oak? Poison Ivy? Or Just Virginia Creeper? - Learn the difference between poison oak or ivy. Poison oak/ivy has three leaves. Remember the old saying of leaves of three leave them be; leaves of five stay alive or let it thrive. Virginia creeper has five leaves and is often mistaken for poison oak/ivy whose leaves tend to look slick or waxy. And while Virginia creeper can cause a reaction in some people it's nowhere near the same as poison oak/ivy.
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| Virgina Creeper from UMD Ext |
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| The bad stuff |
Know Your Limitations - How far in is the walk? What’s the temperature? Did you bring enough water and cold beer to keep from getting dehydrated? Knowing your body and what it's capable of can prevent injuries, heat-related illnesses and limit your chances of having a bad trip. I’ve been to some great sand bass and catfish spots that required you to climb down a steep bank using a rope tied to a tree as a handhold. That’s no problem for the younger crowd but if your 65 years old chances are you’re “rappelling” days are behind you. Is grade of the trail too steep? Are you in shape to hike up the hill and down the hill? If you shoot a deer are you going to be able to drag it back out without having a heart attack? Know your limits. You won’t impress anyone or look macho if you have a heat stroke, twist your ankle climbing hiking through thick brush and steep terrain.
Pay Attention - Remember the way in so you can remember how to get out. The only times I’ve ever been lost in the woods was by following someone else's trail. And I use the term trail loosely for some of ‘em because I’ve been on game trails that were more well defined than some known or trails marked on maps. A little used or poorly defined trail that branches off into dozens of other trails is a quick way to get you lost or prevent you from finding the spot you’re looking for. This is where the pre-planning and even in the field checking on your phone can save you time and frustration. Learn how to walk while scanning ahead and watch for obstacles so that you aren’t always having to look straight down at the trail for every step. It’s a lot easier to take in landmarks (big trees, odd shaped trees, rocks, etc) and get a bearing on your surroundings when you can look at your surroundings and not just directly at the trail in front of your feet. Watch where you step when the snakes are out especially when stepping over logs and rocks. It’s one thing to look but don’t forget to listen. I’ve avoided a lot of bad situations by hearing the buzzing sounds of stinging insects on a large nest nearby by me. I’ve also made the mistake of not paying attention and walking up on a swarm of bees only to realize it too late and having to run all the way back to the truck. Save yourself some pain and misery and pay attention and be alert to your surroundings and what’s going on in them.
A few other things to cover here really quick to close it out. Remember it’s generally frowned upon and in many cases against the law to cut down trees and brush on public land and right-of-ways or easements. But there’s no law that I know of in using a downed limb or fishing rod to push aside briars. Go ahead and toss in small flashlight and some ibuprofen or aspirin with that poncho. It doesn’t hurt to have them and if there comes a time you can use any of it you’ll be glad you have the resources available. - The_Mauka_Man Josh Castleman
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
My Fishing Gear
I'm one of those people that like to be prepared for just about anything. So when I'm going fishing, I bring WAY too much stuff. I would rather have my truck bed full of things I won't use than an occasion arise that requires something I left at home.
Here is a generic packing list for a couple hours of fishing.
-catfish rods (painted with glow in the dark paint)
-crappie rods
-at least one bass rod
-camping and survival gear (never know what could happen, think emergency overnight camping)
-bug nets
-crappie rods
-at least one bass rod
-camping and survival gear (never know what could happen, think emergency overnight camping)
-bug nets
-minnow trap
-bug spray
-Thermocell, with at least one refill.
-sunscreen
-ice chest packed full
-tackle backpack filled with the tackle for all species, plus artificial baits
-bug spray
-Thermocell, with at least one refill.
-sunscreen
-ice chest packed full
-tackle backpack filled with the tackle for all species, plus artificial baits
I want to be able to catch any fish that the area seems habitable for, so I increase my odds with the additional equipment. I also like to have the ability to catch some live bait if the minnows or shad or grasshoppers. If any of those are particularly active in that area, it would be a good idea to use them for bait. Matching natural food sources is a great tip for catching a ton of fish.
Now, this might be a lot to most people, but usually, everything is in that truck bed because I've been an hour away from home and realized I needed something specific, like bug spray for the time the wind stopped and the mosquitoes tried to carry me away. Those instances are sometimes painful reminders to never forget those items again and earn a permanent spot in my gear.
I've found that loading and unloading all that stuff each time helps me keep it organized, and I can determine if something needs to be repaired or replaced. Spending that little bit of time before and after each outing can prevent a wasted trip from some bad fishing line or busted rod tips.
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Monday, June 18, 2018
The Cooler Conundrum
Hot and humid days in Oklahoma can be made much more bearable with an ice cold beverage and a fresh sandwich. But if you've got a ways to go between the pickup and your fishing spot is it really worth hauling all that extra weight? I have a few thoughts on which items are a must have, and which ones can be left in the truck or even at home.
My typical cooler plan is to keep a medium/large size cooler in the pickup, full of ice and holding what I'm not going to carry to my spot. I also have a water bottle with a D-ring to attach it to my person. If I'm hiking quite a way, I'll also bring a soft-sided cooler, like mine, to hold some extra items.
The first thing I consider is how many people are going to be out there, and the second thing is how long we will be. You should always pack plenty of water, more than you think you'll need. The rule I like to use is a gallon per person. You can buy those 1gal jugs, but to avoid hauling it around, be sure to portion it out into a water bottle like a Nalgene bottle or even a Stanely growler. Having two is even better, I keep the extra one in the soft-sided carrier. Something else I have thought of, but haven't incorporated yet is the use of a CamelBak to haul my hydration.
You should also pack some food, either a picnic type lunch or some snacks. Keeping a stable blood sugar is helpful to me when I'm out in the heat. This will make it easier for you not to forget to eat, which I tend to do when I'm outside working or playing. You can be as fancy or as simple as you want, but I bring stuff that won't need to be reheated or cooked because that would require extra equipment so that stuff will stay in the garage until I'm planning an overnighter.
Having extra ice in the big cooler will be good for keeping any fish I catch nice and cold until I get home to clean them, no one want's to find out their fish has spoiled on the long drive home in the back of a hot truck bed.
As far as packing the ice chest, I find it's more effective to put my water jugs, bottles, pop and/or beer in the bottom of the cooler first, followed by the ice. Make sure you bust the ice up BEFORE you open the bag so that the ice can get down in the little nooks to do its job better. I stack food on top of the ice, that way any melted ice can't work its way into my containers. The higher end coolers, like Yeti, RTIC, and Pelican, will have much less melting, but you can also reduce ice loss in typical budget coolers, like Coleman and Igloo, by limiting how often you get in the cooler and making sure it's closed appropriately.
The soft-sided cooler I bring with me will have a couple granola bars, an extra water bottle, and a few extra meds for allergies, heartburn, and headaches. This way I'm not going back to the truck for every little thing. I'm always sure to bring it with me when I need water and beer refills because it's easier to carry that way.
I think that should cover the basics, feel free to comment or message me with any of your suggestions.
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
My typical cooler plan is to keep a medium/large size cooler in the pickup, full of ice and holding what I'm not going to carry to my spot. I also have a water bottle with a D-ring to attach it to my person. If I'm hiking quite a way, I'll also bring a soft-sided cooler, like mine, to hold some extra items.
The first thing I consider is how many people are going to be out there, and the second thing is how long we will be. You should always pack plenty of water, more than you think you'll need. The rule I like to use is a gallon per person. You can buy those 1gal jugs, but to avoid hauling it around, be sure to portion it out into a water bottle like a Nalgene bottle or even a Stanely growler. Having two is even better, I keep the extra one in the soft-sided carrier. Something else I have thought of, but haven't incorporated yet is the use of a CamelBak to haul my hydration.
You should also pack some food, either a picnic type lunch or some snacks. Keeping a stable blood sugar is helpful to me when I'm out in the heat. This will make it easier for you not to forget to eat, which I tend to do when I'm outside working or playing. You can be as fancy or as simple as you want, but I bring stuff that won't need to be reheated or cooked because that would require extra equipment so that stuff will stay in the garage until I'm planning an overnighter.
Having extra ice in the big cooler will be good for keeping any fish I catch nice and cold until I get home to clean them, no one want's to find out their fish has spoiled on the long drive home in the back of a hot truck bed.
As far as packing the ice chest, I find it's more effective to put my water jugs, bottles, pop and/or beer in the bottom of the cooler first, followed by the ice. Make sure you bust the ice up BEFORE you open the bag so that the ice can get down in the little nooks to do its job better. I stack food on top of the ice, that way any melted ice can't work its way into my containers. The higher end coolers, like Yeti, RTIC, and Pelican, will have much less melting, but you can also reduce ice loss in typical budget coolers, like Coleman and Igloo, by limiting how often you get in the cooler and making sure it's closed appropriately.
The soft-sided cooler I bring with me will have a couple granola bars, an extra water bottle, and a few extra meds for allergies, heartburn, and headaches. This way I'm not going back to the truck for every little thing. I'm always sure to bring it with me when I need water and beer refills because it's easier to carry that way.
I think that should cover the basics, feel free to comment or message me with any of your suggestions.
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
ODWC Close to Home Fishing Program
You don't have to go to the big lakes to get some catching in.
Check out the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's "Close to Home" fishing program for a spot close to you. They provide good information for the popular fish in each area. Also remember to pay attention to any rules specific to the program, and definitely follow all state laws and city ordinances.
I've visited some of these local water holes on lunch breaks or while killing time before an appointment. I personally find these areas to be well kept and very safe. These are excellent spots to teach anyone how to fish, regardless of age.
If you need an idea for weekend plans consider going fishing locally with someone you care about.
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Check out the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's "Close to Home" fishing program for a spot close to you. They provide good information for the popular fish in each area. Also remember to pay attention to any rules specific to the program, and definitely follow all state laws and city ordinances.
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| Click image to visit the website. |
I've visited some of these local water holes on lunch breaks or while killing time before an appointment. I personally find these areas to be well kept and very safe. These are excellent spots to teach anyone how to fish, regardless of age.
If you need an idea for weekend plans consider going fishing locally with someone you care about.
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Can You Make It Over This Hill?
There just isn't any sense in you hauling all your gear for a quarter mile or more of ankle torturing terrain if you aren't fit enough to handle it.
Jeff over at reddirtcache.com wrote an interesting article that is more geared towards being prepared, but it sure did resonate with me when I thought about how far I have to go to access some of those brush piles or lake feeders.
Get In Shape
There is tons of free information on basic fitness routines but my favorite routine is to haul all my gear to and from the fishing hole with a few hours rest in between reps.
Like what you read? Suffer from FOMO? Subscribe to Red Dirt Cache and OKPublicLandPro on Facebook to avoid missing out on any future posts.
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Jeff over at reddirtcache.com wrote an interesting article that is more geared towards being prepared, but it sure did resonate with me when I thought about how far I have to go to access some of those brush piles or lake feeders.
Get In Shape
There is tons of free information on basic fitness routines but my favorite routine is to haul all my gear to and from the fishing hole with a few hours rest in between reps.
Like what you read? Suffer from FOMO? Subscribe to Red Dirt Cache and OKPublicLandPro on Facebook to avoid missing out on any future posts.
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Monday, June 11, 2018
Fish Where You Play, Play Where You Fish
Does anyone else have a lake loving family that won't let you get away with going by yourself? I do. My wife grew up going to the lake very often over the summers and we are raising our son the same way. She loves playing in the water, swimming around with an adult beverage and shooting the breeze with her friends and family. I would prefer to have lines in the water for me to stare at, waiting for one of them to move just a little.
So instead of having to choose whether to only fish or only play, we have been working on a combination. This last weekend, we spent several hours on the swim beach wading and drinking and generally carrying on. But off to the side, I had some poles in the water waiting on an unlucky catfish to get hungry. Also, to increase my chances, I grabbed a light action rod with a couple of lures and waded out just past the family to cast towards the channel hoping to entice a curious sand bass or crappie. I didn't catch anything, and I had a blast. Had I caught something, I would have had one more cleaning task that evening, but it would have been worth it.
Just remember that you can do both, play and fish, as long as you're fine going home empty-handed. A bucket full of fish won't last as long as those memories.
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
So instead of having to choose whether to only fish or only play, we have been working on a combination. This last weekend, we spent several hours on the swim beach wading and drinking and generally carrying on. But off to the side, I had some poles in the water waiting on an unlucky catfish to get hungry. Also, to increase my chances, I grabbed a light action rod with a couple of lures and waded out just past the family to cast towards the channel hoping to entice a curious sand bass or crappie. I didn't catch anything, and I had a blast. Had I caught something, I would have had one more cleaning task that evening, but it would have been worth it.
There is always so much going on that you can easily miss a dancing bobber or flailing catfish rod. You can stare intently at those rod tips and then hear your 14-month-old holler "da-da!" and forget ALL about why you aren't right next to him soaking up giggles and teaching him your Alumni fight song. Sure, you'll drift back to the poles to check and find empty hooks, but that's why you have all those extra worms. Someday you'll be teaching that kid the ins and outs, and maybe you will get lucky with a good attention span, but I'm not going to count on it. I'm sure my attention will be focused on him learning to ski and wakeboard. That's something I can live with. The fisherman part of him will emerge eventually.
Just remember that you can do both, play and fish, as long as you're fine going home empty-handed. A bucket full of fish won't last as long as those memories.
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
Friday, June 8, 2018
Don't Underestimate Public Land In Oklahoma
Oklahoma has thousands of acres of public hunting land, and it's increasing with the booming popularity of the OLAP (Oklahoma Land Access Program). We also have thousands of miles of shoreline surrounding our lakes, rivers, and ponds. The game and fish in our reach isn't nearly as pressured as one would imagine. If you can convince yourself to make it out to your nearest state or Corps of Engineer area, you can not only see some of the most beautiful areas being diligently maintained for people like you and me, you can experience excellent bank fishing and some truly wonderful and rewarding big game hunting.
Let's take Oologah for an example. A quick search on the Google machine yields some interesting information. Oologah Lake has 209 miles of shoreline, 18 recreation areas, provides access to the lake outlet dam that feeds the Verdigris River, and has over 29,000 acres of surface water.
From my experience, I can tell you that the recreation areas provide excellent fishing opportunities for bass, crappie, and catfish. All you need to do is find the habitat for the particular flavor of fish fry you desire. We will discuss those in another article.
What I haven't experienced yet, but I fully intend to accomplish in the 2018 deer season is to fill my tag on public land. Last season I never could get myself to grab my gear and make a real try out of it. This is the year, and I'm taking you all along with me. I've come to understand that while "deer are gonna do deer things", there is still the matter of the extra pressure, and lack of ability to prep lanes, food plots, and stand locations, to contend with. I have a game plan I think can be followed by those with the lowest budget and the willingness to put in the effort required.
We have all seen the many deer on the side of the road, both upright and not, that seems to disappear after the first few sets of bow and arrows enter the tree lines. Let me assure you of this, those deer are still there. Same goes for turkey, squirrel, rabbit, etc. Those game are there, just waiting for the right hunter to be hungry enough.
Let's take advantage of the awesome opportunity to have fun, experience nature, make memories, and to fill the freezer. Use the links below to find the nearest location to you and get out there!
https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation.aspx
https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishing
https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Hunting-Information/
https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/where-to-hunt
Remember to mind your manners, pay attention, and go home safe.
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