Weekly Rut Report
Here is a link to the weekly rut report by Larry Weishuhn
Weekly Rut Report
Here is a link to the weekly rut report by Larry Weishuhn
Weekly Rut Report
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 5:37 PM 0 comments
When you are out hunting and need to set down your backpack or other gear it can sometimes be a challenge to find it again. A great way to make sure you can easily find your stash again is to mark its location with a flag like the utility companies use to mark underground utilities.
They are very visible and can be rolled up for easy carrying. Check your local building supply store for these flags. If you can't find them check with your utility company. They will gladly let you have one or two. Just don't take one that is already being used to mark utilities, the fine would probably pay for another hunting trip.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 8:32 PM 2 comments
Labels: Hunting

One way to determine what size bears are in your area is to hang a bait bag up in a tree. Choose a tree with fairly smooth bark. Leave the area for a day or two and come back to check the tree for claw marks. A 4 inch wide claw pattern equates to approximately a 200 pound bear. A 5 inch wide claw pattern equates to approximately a 300 pound bear and a claw pattern wider than 5 inches equates to one big bear.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 5:28 PM 0 comments
Labels: Hunting
Have you ever played a video or arcade racing game and noticed that you do better if you focus down the track rather that at the front of the car?
When shooting at upland game or clay birds, look where you expect the birds or clays to be when you shoot. Our eyes are much better at focusing from far to near than vise versa.
If you are watching the gun barrel and a bird flushes or you yell Pull at the trap range, the object you desire to hit seems to get away a whole lot faster and is normally a blur.
Try keeping your eyes focused on where you expect to shoot and your hits will improve greatly.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 7:15 AM 0 comments
Labels: Hunting
There may come a time when your 4-legged friend needs your help and knowing how to perform CPR may save their life. This process is not difficult to learn and all dog owners should know how to do it properly.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 7:22 PM 0 comments
Labels: Gun Dogs
Turkey hunters, after you have harvested your turkey keep the wings. Traditional shooters will gladly take them from you to make their own fletching from. Maybe you could even make some type of trade. If you have no one that wants them, send them to me. I'll take all of the wings you can get:)
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 2:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Hunting
If you shoot a traditional style bow there are many different methods of aiming. The two most popular ways are instinctive and gap shooting. Shooting instinctively you concentrate only on the target but your subconscious mind still sees the arrow and makes the needed adjustments to make an accurate shot. Gap shooters use their secondary vision to see the arrow while they are looking at the target. In either method the arrow is still used as a reference, whether you actually see the arrow or not.
To enhance your subconscious or conscious minds ability to see the arrow put a small wrap of white tape around the end of the arrow behind the field point or broadhead. This little extra added visibility can make a big difference in your accuracy. This becomes especially beneficial during periods of low light. Using white reflective tape may also come in handy for arrow retrieval in the event that you miss.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 7:06 AM 0 comments
Labels: Archery

If you find yourself with several turkeys in front of you and there is no safe shot available you may want to try rushing into the flock of turkeys to break them up. After they scatter, wait until they start coming back one by one or in pairs. This does not always work but it may be your only option at times. Also, turkeys are known for coming back to the location where they were broken up, just be sure to give them enough time to return. They should start coming back in about 15-20 minutes. Light calling can also get the birds returning in a timely manner.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 8:24 AM 1 comments
Labels: Hunting
One of the biggest mistakes turkey hunters make is calling too much. The idea is to get the birds attention and then let them come to you. Calling too much increases your chances of being picked out and once they spot you it is over.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 6:49 PM 0 comments
Labels: Hunting
If you have plans on going hunting in Africa, check out this new site. There is tons of good information there and I especially like the shot placement gallery.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 5:11 PM 0 comments
Labels: General
The surface of the ice is a reflection of what lies below. Pressure ridges, low spots, blow areas etc. are all structure. Fish use structure, no matter if it is from plants, sand, silt or ice. The next time you are ice fishing, look for ice structure and fish it accordingly.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 3:29 PM 0 comments
Labels: Fishing
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 4:14 PM 1 comments
Labels: Hunting
If you are looking at purchasing some hunting land, ask if you can place a few trail cameras on the property for a week or so before making an offer. Even though a piece of property looks good to you it may be devoid of wildlife activity. Remember to ask yourself why the property is for sale. Maybe the reason is that the current owner has never harvested any game from it. Don't take the word of any seller or agent. If they are not willing to let you put out a few cameras I would be hesitant. Talk to your attorney or real estate agent. It may be possible for you make your purchase offer contingent on using trail cameras for a set period of time. If the photos do not produce positive results you could withdraw your offer. Contingencies are very common in real estate transactions so don't be afraid to ask.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 2:09 PM 2 comments
Deer and vehicle accidents are up all across the country and several lives are lost each year because of these accidents. One of the problems is that our instincts induce a swerve when something presents itself in front of our moving vehicle. These swerves can put our cars into oncoming traffic or into the ditch where many cars end up rolling over.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 10:05 AM 1 comments
Labels: General
Wandering through a sporting goods store recently I walked past the shooting bags used on a bench during the sighting-in process or just plain plinking. I was shocked by the price of some of these bags. For a mere $69.00 you could have a nice sand-filled canvas bag with a nice leather accent stripe.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 8:26 AM 0 comments
To verify that you are really tracking a buck in snow, follow its tracks until you find a urine spot. A does urine spot will be in center or slightly forward of the center line between the hind legs. A bucks urine spot will be forward of the hind legs. One exception is if the buck is rubbing urine on its hind legs as part of a scenting/marking activity. Bucks also have a tendency to dribble as they are walking away. Also be on the lookout for tine impressions in the snow if the buck stopped to browse. If there are tine impressions in the snow you know you are on the trail of a large buck.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 9:11 AM 0 comments
If you are in need of a new knife check out fellow reader Kris Anderson's new website. There is plenty of selection and the prices look good also.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 6:39 PM 0 comments
Tuesday is coming fast and I must admit that I will be glad when all of the political rambling is done. I know this is a blog about outdoor tips but I want to give you some voting tips this time instead.
Posted by Craig A. Manock at 12:41 PM 0 comments