Chinese Hunting Industry

by Bryan

Want to see something scary? Follow the link below. May this never be the state of affairs state-side!

http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=74322

Hunting with the Mental Edge: Scouting Cameras

by Bryan

I’ve read column after column about how great scouting cameras are for locating big bucks, patterning deer, and scouting new stands. I’ve come across nothing so far that has pointed toward what I think is one of the biggest benefits of scouting cameras: PREPAREDNESS!!!

If you’ve been keeping up with my Tackle Buck Fever Series, you’re already aware of the importance of MENTAL preparation. Scouting cameras are a very useful device to get your mind ready for your time in the deer stand.

Why? Let’s explore this issue with a hunting scenario. Say you’re hunting a relatively new area and all of the sudden a monster whitetail is headed your way. Situations like this come way too far and few between to blow it because of nerves (i.e., Buck Fever). If this buck catches you by surprise, you’ll be more likely to get the shakes and/or make a big mistake. However, if you’ve captured this beast on film, then you’ll have had time to prepare for his arrival. That is, you’ll be expecting him — so you’ll be ready to deliver a knock-out punch.

How? Of course, cameras aren’t the answer in and of themselves — it’s what you do with them. Just like I mentioned last week with hunting videos,  you can use them to your advantage if you use them to prepare. Once you catch a big buck on film, put him in your mind! Spend time visualizing this buck approaching from different angles. Practice the skill of focus - as you imagine him walking by, picture yourself maintaining perfect focus on the buck’s vitals. Notice in your mind how you are not deterred by a fancy rack. Rather, you’re ice cold and ready to execute a perfect shot!

Case in point! This photo is from Cuddeback’s website. It’s a photo contest picture, so it’s the real deal. I don’t know about all of you, but if this guy caught me by surprise, I’d be lieing if I said I wouldn’t be a little surprised!  However, if I knew I was in his neighborhood, I would have a much better chance of being ready for this bruiser to give me a shot of a lifetime!

Sportsday: Remembering Dale Earnhardt Sr.

by Bryan

Dale Earnhardt, Sr. (April 29, 1951 - February 18, 2001). Yes, those dates are correct. “The Intimidator” crashed and died 7 years ago today on the last lap of the Daytona 500. Due in large part to the large fan-base of Earnhardt, his death triggered a very intensive focus on safety in NASCAR racing. Since this dedicated effort toward safety, drivers are now protected with mandatory HANS devices (head-and-neck restraints), SAFER barriers on oval tracks, new rules/regulations for safety belts, escape systems, and even a newly designed Car of Tomorrow. My guess is that our Blogging friend Kristine can appreciate this intense focus on safety. Though it is of course very sad that it took a tragedy to stimulate these efforts

A driver who developed an incredible fan base, even before the widespread marketing of NASCAR, The Intimidator will always be remembered as one of (if not the) greatest drivers in history.

As I’m writing this post, I’m wondering if the world of hunting has much to learn from NASCAR with respect to safety. Safety is always preached, but is it always practiced? I know that I sometimes let safety practices slide by in the heat of the moment, though I’m sure I wouldn’t if a tragedy hit home. Maybe remembering The Intimidator will remind us all to be safe when we’re driving and/or hunting…

Oklahoma Buck Update

by Steve Remington

WOW!! Now that’s what I call fast responding!! Less than 15 minutes ago I did a post about a buck that was sent to me in an email. The email had little info provided with it and simply stated it was taken by a 9 year old and had 40 scoreable points. Well, I just recieved this photo in an email by someone named Jim who says the fellas name is Baler and that the buck scored around 220BC unofficially. The “wire” is described as hot wire that was put up in an attempt to keep the buck out of a garden. According to Jim this is only the second buck this fella had ever taken.

Huge Oklahoma Buck

by Steve Remington

Here’s another buck photo that was sent to me by email. After searching around the web a bit, I ran across the same photo over at CamoGirls Blog , it appears she is looking for any input behind this buck as well. The email that was sent to me simply stated that it was killed in OK somewhere by a nine year old and had 40 scoreable points. Camogirl added in her post that it’s been rumored that Cabelas has offered $150,000 for the buck. Certainly someone out there has the story behind this buck. If so, send us a comment or hit the “contact” button at the top of my blog.

Buck Fever

by Steve Remington

After reading through a local hunting forum I visit frequently I ran across a discussion where a member had posted a topic asking “How do you deal with Buck Fever”. There was a link provided in the post and from there folks started telling their experiences of how they deal with the excitement of a huge buck in their presence. The responses were very wide ranged and for some, the feeling that I get appears to be no longer a part of their hunting experiences.

Personally, I get DEER FEVER no matter the time or place. I get a feeling that runs through me like no other when I’m in the woods and a deer is spotted. That feeling is what makes me a hunter, not a golfer. (No harm in golf, it just doesn’t do anything for me). The adrenaline rush I get whether the deer is 300yards out across a bean field or just 40 yards behind me in a thicket is what deer hunting is all about to me. I can be 15 feet up in a climber with my bow in hand and get the shakes like you’ve never seen as a lone doe makes her way towards my stand.

Knowing how to control the overall excitement and rush is where experience comes into play. I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve had to back out from shooting an animal because the shakes got the best of me. With time this all changed. I still get that initial burst of adrenaline and I still get excited, but, I’ve learned to concentrate on the task at hand which means placing my shot in the best possible area to take the animal out quickly. After the shot, I tend to make life easy on the squirrels because I usually shake all the remaining acorns out the tree before being able to climb down. Knowing that it’s my duty as a hunter to make sure I don’t wound this animal probably helps me more than anything else.

The day I lose these feelings will be the day that my hunting career will be over. I’ll gladly place my guns back in the safe, probably sale my bow, and move on to something else. Maybe I’ll try golf again?

I’m back

by Brad

Sorry for the lack of post lately. I ended up having to go through an unexpected surgery which has had me off my feet for awhile now. I’ve been up and about for a few days now but in all honesty I just haven’t had the brain power to come up with any post that I felt would be worth reading. My surgery also has prevented me from attending the hog hunt I had scheduled near the Pee Dee River here in North Carolina. The rest of my group should be en route today and return sometime Sunday. Hopefully they’ll have a great trip and send some photos into Southern Adventures!!

New Blog: The Outdoor Smorgasbord

by Steve Remington

Well we have a few new bloggers here at Skinny Moose Media. The one I would like to mention right at the moment is The Outdoor Smorgasbord. Ultimately the blog covers all things outdoors but Gabe is an avid hunter. Learn more about Gabe below. Read more

Bass Fishing Hall of Fame

by Steve Remington

Buck Perry from North Carolina will be one of four who will be entered into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame on February 21st in Greenville, SC.

Although Perry passed away at the age of 90 back in 2005 he will always be known as the “Father of Structure Fishing”. Most of you from the south probably know him for the lures he invented called a spoonplug. Mr. Perry has already been named one of the nations top 25 most influential anglers.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Four legendary figures of bass fishing who have contributed greatly to the sport through education, angling achievements, innovations and communications will join 32 previously inducted men and women into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, Feb. 21.

The class of 2008 includes Charlie Campbell and Virgil Ward both of Missouri, Nick Crème of Texas and Buck Perry of North Carolina, as the seventh group of inductees. Crème, Perry and Ward will be inducted posthumously.

Induction ceremonies Thursday, Feb. 21 will take place at the Hyatt Hotel in Greenville, S.C., the evening before the start of the 40th Bassmaster Classic’s three days of championship fishing on Lake Hartwell. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the induction banquet and ceremony in the main ballroom at 7 p.m.

LINK TO FULL STORY HERE

Mister Tenderizer Product Review

by Steve Remington

One of my favorite meals to eat is Schnitzel. My grandmother who was Austrian used to fix this meal for us growing up. I never realized how much work was involved until I got to the point of wanting to make this meal for my family. For those not fimiliar, Schnitzel is a thinly sliced piece of veal or pork. Aside from the thinly sliced meat, the real work happens when you break out the meat mallet and hammer away in an attempt to further tenderize the meat.

When I received this product I knew almost instantly what it would be used for. The thin slices of pork were rolled through with ease and without much effort. A once time consuming (not to mention rather loud) process was made almost effortless thanks to the Mr. Tenderizer. I’ve only used it for the Schnitzel dish so far, but my next dish will be thinly sliced venison which will then be breaded and fried. This product is one of those kitchen tools that you may not use all the time, but you’ll be glad you have it once it’s needed. I only wish my grandmother would’ve been around to try this product out, one of her biggest complaints about cooking Schnitzel was having to swing that meat mallet in her old age. Anyone in need of an easy way to tenderize some meat should definitely check into the Mr. Tenderizer I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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