Western Hunter

Mule Deer: The deer draw is a two-step operation to acquire a limited-entry tag. The deer or big-game combination tag ($587/$1001) application is the first step in the process, followed by the limited draw permit choices on the same application. Prior to last year, the deer combination draw was 100%, but in 2018, it dropped […] The post Hunt Tracker: Montana Deer and Elk appeared first on Western Hunter. View the full article

Mule Deer The deer draw is a two-step operation to acquire a limited-entry tag. The deer or big-game combination tag ($587/$1001) application is the first step in the process, followed by the limited draw permit choices on the same application. Prior to last year, the deer combination draw was 100%, but in 2018, it dropped […] The post Hunt Tracker: Montana Mule Deer and Elk appeared first on Western Hunter. View the full article

Over the past 10 years or so, a Western hunter’s standard kit has evolved in many ways. All sorts of gadgets and useful equipment have flooded the market and worked their way into the kit of the average hunter. We find ourselves spending more time researching and more money purchasing pieces that we believe will […] The post Hunt with a Camera appeared first on Western Hunter. View the full article

The Outlook on Coveted Tags in 2018. Bison The massive increase in tag cost between 2017 and 2018 (+$1900 bull/$1750 cow) led to predictions of substantially increased draw odds for 2018. If you look purely at the Area 2 bull stats (the only unit that has been open over the past decade), this would bear […] The post Hunt Tracker: Wyoming appeared first on Western Hunter. View the full article

As with any pursuit, there is a tiresome amount of information to learn. Going through my fair share of hobbies, I’ve never encountered one as complicated as embarking on the journey of becoming a hunter. The topics capable of diving deep within the realm of hunting are at times overwhelming; ammunition, arrows, packs, optics, tripods, […] The post The Overwhelming Nature of Nature appeared first on Western Hunter. View the full article

The best listens for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts With this issue, we’re starting a new column that will highlight podcasts – of the hunting variety and some completely unrelated that can benefit other aspects of your life. Why are we doing this? Well, “listen up”. Podcasts are one the fastest growing segments of all media…and for good reason. Unlike […] The post Podcast Highlights appeared first on Western Hunter. View the full article

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Where to land a sheep hunt outside of state draws For many hunters, a Grand Slam of sheep is the pinnacle of mountain hunting achievement. It’s a highly sought-after goal with a price tag that can be more than an average new home. Unfortunately for many DIY hunters, there are a lot of regulation barriers that prevent you from being able to accomplish […] The post Winning a Sheep Tag appeared first on Western Hunter. View the full article

For many, planning a hunt is a bittersweet endeavor. It is as much tedious and time-consuming as it is exciting and wrought with tradition. Despite the conflicting emotions, or perhaps in part because of them, we endure the process year after year in hopes of learning more about ourselves and returning with meat for our […] The post The Tagline: Planning for Success Starts Here appeared first on Western Hunter. View the full article

In this day and age, in a world of self promotion and images that travel faster through social media than wildfire in a dry forest, how does a potential all time world record archery mule deer buck harvested in early September not be seen around the world until now? It starts and ends with a […] View the full article

When looking at candidates for “Gear Legends”, we’re looking at many possible variables. Has it been around for a significant period of time? Is it still viable? In its product category, how does it rate and how much impact did it have? Did it change the game? It could be argued that no product in […] View the full article

<p><a href="http://westernhunter.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Horn-Title.png" rel="lightbox[14504]"><img class=" wp-image-14505 aligncenter" src="http://westernhunter.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Horn-Title-1024x42.png" alt="Horn-Title" width="1000" height="41" /></a></p> <p>Horn Hunter is part of the Sportsmans Outdoor Products group based in Sandy, Utah. They have a broad lineup of hunting gear under a few different name brands.</p> <p><a href="http://westernhunter.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Horn-3.png" rel="lightbox[14504]"><img class="alignleft wp-image-14506" src="http://westernhunter.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Horn-3.png" alt="Horn-3" width="363" height="300" /></a>It never fails when doing a large review like this that you get a product that pleasantly surprises you, and the Full Curl System is just such a product. While there is some âfatâ that could be trimmed, the versatility of the system shouldnât be overlooked.</p> <p>The general theory with this system is to make it a one-stop shop for all your hunting situations, and for most purposes, it does just that. The frame is beefy and capable of packing heavy loads. You can then add a 1400-c.i. day pack that attaches directly to the frame. For longer trips, you can attach a 3000-c.i. main bag and then piggyback the day pack on it. You can also put in a large meat bag against the frame, which has attached buckles for piggybacking the other bags off of it.</p> <p><strong>Frame/suspension</strong>: The base frame is a tubular aluminum much like a traditional external frame, but with a sheath over the top that integrates with the big bag to slide over the top.</p> <p>The meat hauling system comes with a cloth load sling/meat shelf and two large vertical wings that work with compression straps to firmly secure large and heavy loads. Each wing sports a unique dropdown storage pocket for items as large as a spotting scope. There is also a dropdown water bladder pocket.</p> <p><img class="alignleft wp-image-14507" src="http://westernhunter.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Horn-2.png" alt="Horn-2" width="304" height="314" />The molded foam suspension has ample padding for heavy loads, and in addition to the three pockets we already mentioned, there are six additional pockets on the hip belt. The hip belt adjustment is a pull-forward design â a superior design for tighter fit.</p> <p>Itâs a deluxe system for any meat hauler. Overall, the frame pack itself provides 600 c.i. of pockets.</p> <p><strong>Big bag:</strong> The majority of material is a brushed Ripstop Boss/Polyester mix and micro denier. It accounts for 3000 c.i. and includes an expandable shroud. Access is gained from top and both sides. Itâs divided into a large main compartment and lower sleeping bag compartment. One more pocket in the attached lid results in three total storage compartments.</p> <p><strong>Daypack:</strong> This pack has its own shoulder straps and is designed specifically to drop the <a href="http://westernhunter.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Horn-4.png" rel="lightbox[14504]"><img class=" wp-image-14508 alignright" src="http://westernhunter.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Horn-4.png" alt="Horn-4" width="314" height="438" /></a>frame and other items and go light in a hurry. It has seven total pockets and a dropdown gun scabbard, as well as an additional hydration compartment for when leaving the frame behind. This bag is 1400 c.i., and when used only with the frame, totals 2000.</p> <p><strong>Meat bag:</strong> This bag snaps right into the top and sides of the frame and is surrounded by the shelf and wings. Itâs equipped with two additional buckles on top to buckle in the daypack, piggyback style. Itâs washable and doubles as a gear storage bag.</p> <p><strong>Color/camo options: </strong>Realtree APG, Max 1, Mossy Oak Infinity.</p> <p><strong>Best qualities:</strong> Itâs a significant number of options and tools for the price; a Swiss Army knife of packs; independent frame for packing meat; bags interchange easily; lots of compartments for organization.</p> <p><strong>Could be better:</strong> No real separation for ventilation between your back and the suspension/frame; also not a very ergonomic fit on the hips or back; really nice system, but materials could easily have been trimmed to knock a pound or better off of the total weight.</p> <p><strong>Cost: </strong>$345. <strong>Contact:</strong> <a href="http://www.gohornhunter.com">www.gohornhunter.com</a>.</p> <p><strong>Recommended accessories:</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hydro Shell rainfly</span> – $26; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Full Curl Duffle</span> (2600 c.i.) – $30; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Meat Bag</span> (2000 c.i.) – $25.99; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hydration Bladder</span> – $18.</p> <p><strong>Similar Horn Hunter options to consider:</strong> With the Full Curl system, you can order parts individually or as a package. You can get the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Full Curl Combo</span> (frame and daypack) for $267, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Full Curl Big Bag</span> only for $82.50, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Full Curl Day Pack</span> for $68, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Full Curl Frame</span> for $201, or entire <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Full Curl System</span> (frame, big bag, and day pack) for $345.</p> View the full article

“The pack out was long and gave me a lot of time to think about what a true friend I had in Justyn. He never stopped hunting, and his perseverance was the only reason I had the opportunity to harvest this buck.” A Much-Needed Spark Sometimes, as a human being, it’s easy to get stuck […] View the full article

Taking the Scrap and Making it Delicious We’ve carved up our elk and made use of all the best steaks and other cuts. Now that it’s all finished, there will be a very sizeable pile of scrap meat just waiting for you to “turn lemons into lemonade”. Wild game burger is a true staple for […] View the full article

Taking all the meat you can should always be job #1 We spend a lot of time talking about how to break down an elk on the mountain and care for the meat afterward. It’s all a practical and necessary part of elk hunting. However, in these writings, I’ve been making a very basic assumption. […] View the full article

As the light quickly faded in the Sonoran Desert, I had a decision to make; track my buck in the darkness or wait until morning. After locating a few dark reddish/brick-colored blood splatters on the desert floor, the decision was easy; I’d wait until morning to allow enough time for the obviously liver-hit buck to […] View the full article

The first elk tag I received in my home state of Nevada came well after I started elk hunting. Ten years later to be exact. By that point I had shot quite a few bulls myself in other states and guided to many more while working as an elk guide in Montana and New Mexico. […] View the full article

Preparation and knowledge determines the quality and quantity of your table fare Many times, our planning takes us only to the point where we reach our intended goal. We spend countless hours preparing to accomplish a difficult task, yet fail to recognize the elements that are often encountered after we reach our goal. Elk hunters are no […] View the full article

Selecting a Call In today’s market, hunters can choose from short, wide, fat, tapered, stacked, long and skinny reeds. I like an open barrel design or one that’s short and produces a nasally sound. Regardless of the style, the thickness of the reed is critical. Thinner reeds—those around .010 in thickness—are the easiest to blow […] View the full article

The popularity of electric bikes (e-bikes) has exploded in the recreational riding market. Within the last couple of years, hunters have now started to see the benefits, too. I saw my first e-bike a few years ago at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City. I was impressed with the technology, but […] View the full article

Get the inside track on gear that will better your performance On the mountain, your body is already being challenged. The last thing you want to do is experiment with how far you can push your health and fitness, which could lead to a major health catastrophe. Any hunt, whether it be sitting in a […] View the full article

Window mounts have been around for a long time, but the Outdoorsmans took them to the next level of quality and versatility. Most other units will mount securely to the window, but then they use a low quality head to which the scope is mounted. The Outdoorsmans already makes the best hunting tripod heads on the market, so they just made it easy to use one interchangeable head for both a window mount and a tripod. Genius, right? Step by step, hereâs how it works: 1) take an Outdoorsmans window mount base and attach the already included Quick Release Adapter to it; 2) if youâre using the new Micro Pan Head or the original Pan Head, their dovetail bases will attach directly to the Quick Release Adapter; if you use the pistol grip, youâll need a 3/8 Outdoorsmans Adapter Plate; 3) If you take a Quick Release Adapter and put it on your tripod, then you can use the same head on the Window Mount and Tripod. You donât actually have to use an Outdoorsmans head (although I highly advise it). If you want to use a different head, just give the guys a call and they can set you up with the right parts. Why a window mount: While a window mount might have a stigma attached to it, there are plenty of completely practical uses to them. I must admit I had never been a big user of window mounts. If Iâm bouncing down a dirt road, the only thing I usually wanted to do was get out of the truck and stretch my legs to glass, not just sit there and stare out of the window. Besides, I always kept my tripod and spotting scope handy, so it almost seemed lazy to not get out and use them. Then I hunted antelope in Wyoming last fall and I learned a valuable lesson about the benefits of a window mount. The season was already two weeks old by the time my son and I arrived, so the antelope were spread out and skittish. Cold air from the north was supercharged by a constant 25 mph wind and my Arizona blood was struggling to keep me warm. The âhillyâ terrain was etched by tons of ravines and cuts that were convenient places for antelope to hide. If I stopped the truck within eyesight of an antelope (which as you know is a long ways) they were immediately suspicious, and if I stepped out of the truck to set up my tripod, then they immediately ranâ¦.a long ways. By the time I was set up (after my cold hands fought with the tripod), the buck was too far to judge and the cold wind had everything shaking at 7.2 on the Richter Scale. It didnât take long to realize that if getting out of the truck and setting up in the wind is hurting your hunt, then donât do it (until itâs time to make the stalk). Hence the invention of the window mount, which essentially turns your rolled down window into a temporary tripod. Additionally, this is a great setup for cold winter days when viewing wintering wildlife, hunting coyotes, and spending the cold off-season glassing for sheds. Itâs also great for hot summer days to avoid sunburn. Finally, itâs a perfect way to reduce gear clutter in your truck! As with all Outdoorsmans products, theyâre they best quality possible, machined aluminum and made in the USA. Cost: $114.99. Contact: www.Outdoorsmans.com or 1-800-291-8065. View the full article

In todayâs hunting excursions more people are venturing out further off the beaten path in search of bigger challenges and hunts of a lifetime. There was a time when a couple of Talk-About radios would suffice, but now as hunting has evolved there are more technology options available to hunters to support safety, location, and keeping in touch. Hunting in the West has become a more populated activity, so it has become more common to have hunting partners sitting on two different ridge tops miles apart. The good news is there are cost effective options to stay in communication. Two-way radio communications has not been a widely covered solution in the hunting world. There is the Garmin Rhino with the GPS/radio combination, the Motorola Talk-About, and other GMRS frequency options. GMRS frequencies are general UHF frequencies set aside for non-commercial use. The challenge with these is that anyone and everyone can have them limiting privacy, as well as being more susceptible to interference. We are going to focus on commercial-grade radio options that will provide you as the hunter/outdoorsman the proper durability, water resistance, and quality you depend on out in the wilderness. Vertex EVX-531 There are two brands of two-way radios we tested with a commercial-grade rating, IP-57 rating, and the capabilities we see as valuable to hunters in both remote and congested areas. An IP-57 rating means that the radio, when all of the seals are properly maintained and in place, can roughly sit in a bucket of water (or up to 1m) for 30 minutes and still operate. It also defines the radio as being dust protected, but not entirely prevented. The first radio is the Motorola CP200D. This model has replaced the old âmainstayâ CP200, now offering digital capable models in both UHF and VHF. The second model tested is the Vertex EVX-531. Also a digital capable radio in VHF or UHF. Another reason we chose these two radios was due to their digital capability advantages. Motorola CP200D Digital technology in radios? Yes, thatâs correct. The main advantage of digital signal over analog is that the precise signal level of the digital signal is not vital. In other words, the digital signal is more immune to the imperfections of electronics which tend to reduce analog signals. Digital signals are also less impervious to noise. Because information is sent in a byte, as opposed to a data bit (0 or 1) it has a lower value of being affected by all levels of noise. Digital signals also enable transmissions over longer distances, meaning you get more coverage and further transmission from a digital over an analog model. Current studies show a 20%+ greater transmission distance using digital technology. Digital signals use less bandwidth, meaning you can cram more information into the same space. Whew, that was a mouthful and probably more than you wanted to know, so letâs get down to capabilities and comparisons of the Motorola CP200D and Vertex EVX-531. There are specific criteria we looked for that we believe are benefits for the hunter, ensure safety, and provide you the quality you pay for. See the chart below: Capability/Option/InfoMotorola CP200DVertex EVX-531# of channels1632VHF or UHF optionYes, both VHF & UHFYes both VHF & UHFIP-57 ratingIP-54 rated,splashproofUp to 3â for 30 minutesDigitally CapableYes both analog &digtalmodelsOne model capable of both analog and digitalBattery LifeHigh Cap Battery, 18.5hrsdigital, 14.5hrsanalog15.8hrsdigital, 12hrsanalogVariety of AccessoriesYes, many different earpiecesLimited # of earpieces# of Programmable Keys23Emergency Alert AbilityTransmit Interrupt featureYesWeight13.2 ounces9.9 ouncesBelt clip includedYesYesChannel scan capableYesYesWhisper modeNoYesFCC Licensing RequiredYesYesTransmit InterruptYesYes in emergency alertDigital Battery Life40% more than analog40% more than analogWarranty2yrmanufacturerâs warranty3yrmanufacturerâs warrantyMSRP$568.33$457.00 Now before we get too far, we want to make sure as our valued readers and supporters that you are aware of certain restrictions of using radios when hunting. Some states completely restrict the use of radios for hunting purposes of any kind. Please consult the local Game and Fish offices in the states you are going to be hunting in for their individual rules and regulations. Certain hunting and conservation organizations also restrict the use of radios while hunting in regards to the submittal of a trophy for measurement and award or recognition. Make sure you know the rules and regulations of the organizations you are part of. So what are the benefits of using two-way radios for hunting and outdoors excursions? Great question, let us answer that in kind. First and foremost is the issue of safety. Whether you are hunting with your kids, with a group of friends, or youâre a guide with clients, there is not always cellular coverage in the places you venture into. Two-way radios provide a quick easy solution to reach someone in your party easily and effectively. If you are in thick cover with multiple hunting partners, radios can also help you quickly locate someone and know if it is safe to take a shot. Safety should always be our first priority while out hunting. No game is worth someone getting wounded or even worse. The next benefit is the ability to coordinate and plan while out hunting. Have you ever harvested game and then found yourself in a situation that no one you are with is near you and you canât reach them on the cell phone or by voice? Not an uncommon predicament. If youâre dealing with an elk down and help is available, itâs certainly more efficient in contacting them on a radio to guide them in to where you are at. How about being 20 miles from the closest paved road, you have a flat tire, and thereâs no cell coverage. But, you have a buddy in a vehicle further up the road from you and he canât see you. Radios are the primary solution for such a challenge. Do you ever do any shed hunting? Shed hunting has become much more popular today, and is often an activity in which people are working together in teams to cover more ground. Two-way radios are a perfect solution for coordinating your search patterns and keeping in contact. Coordinating long distance stalks or the retrieval of downed game across a deep canyon can be another positive in using two-way radios. Often times as you close in on your target the terrain suddenly looks drastically different than from when you first started your stalk. If you have a buddy in a vantage point that communicate clearly and quietly with you along the way it can cut a lot of time off closing the gap. For retrieval of game it can cut time off as well with crossing difficult terrain. How about mountain lion hunting? Have you ever done it? If not, I highly recommend it as itâs as big of a rush in the outdoors as Iâve ever experienced. When hunting for mountain lions having radio communications has always been an advantage and benefit. It is not difficult to find yourself 10 miles away from where you started and separated from members in your group. Coordinating a plan to get back, being able to provide quick support, and having a piece of mind often only comes from two-way radios and not cell phones. An important fact to remember when considering the use of commercial grade two way radios is that the FCC does require licensing for commercial frequencies. Licensing your frequencies will run you somewhere in the realm of $300 for 1-6 channels that provide you personal frequencies other members of the general public cannot listen on. This is done with the use of DPL or PL codes in the programming of commercial grade radios. This is not a feature you can take advantage of in GRMS frequencies, such as those in the Motorola Talk-About. Remember that the GRMS frequencies are a free public use set of frequencies that anyone can use in UHF. If you value privacy in your communications, commercial grade radios are a superior option. Finally, letâs discuss the difference between VHF and UHF frequencies. VHF stands for very high frequency. This signal travels further and bounces better. This tends to be the better option in flat land or small rolling hills in which distance matters most. UHF stands for ultra-high frequency. UHF will provide you a strong penetrating signal. When hunting in canyons, thick cover, and more extremely varying terrain then UHF will provide you the superior option. Our own testing and experience has shown that UHF is a better option unless you really have the need to talk at much longer distances like 10 miles. With either set of frequencies the distance you can achieve in transmission is still determined by a combination of radio frequency interference, terrain, component quality, and objects deflecting the signals. We hope you enjoyed the information weâve provided on this topic. Two-way radios have been used in hunting for a long time, but it has always been an under-discussed topic. The reality is that most of us are able to take advantage of this technology to improve the quality of our hunts, create a safer situation, and have a peace on of mind when hunting with other friends or family. For more information on communication solutions for hunting, please contact Cody Goff at Air Comm at 602-329-1773, or cody@aircomm.com. Special thanks to Chris Denham with Western Hunter for helping me test these options of radios with him out in hunting situations and for providing his expertise in what criteria can best benefit the hunting community. View the full article

One of the most successful ways to bow hunt mule deer hunt is by stalking within bow range. In recent years, one tactic that is gaining in popularity is hunting them from blinds. This tactic works especially well, when hunting on private land. A few years ago, I hunted mule deer in Colorado in a unit that has seen deer numbers drop significantly. What started out as a trophy hunt quickly turned into a meat hunt. Although we were having a hard time finding bucks in many of the areas we had planned to hunt, we found a few deer hanging out in an old apple orchard we had permission to hunt. The problem with the apple orchard was there wasnât any good cover where a bowhunter could hide. Because of that, we decided to put up a pop-up blind and see what would happen. Whitetail bucks are often very spooky when a pop-up blind is first put up. It can take days or weeks before they will walk within bow range of it during daylight hours. That is not the case with mule deer. Within a couple hours of putting out the blind, deer were walking right up to it. The first night I hunted the blind, I had several small bucks and several does walk within shooting range. The several days leading up to this day were fruitless, so I decided as light started to fade to take a small buck because I had never shot a mule deer before. I have hunted that apple orchard many times over the years and for the most part, the deer pay no attention to the blind. Matt Guedes, who has killed many monster mule deer bucks including one over 200 inches, says killing mule deer from a blind is a great option. âA few years ago, my son and I hunted over an alfalfa field and he shot a Pope & Young buck from a blind,â said Guedes. âEarly in the season before bucks lose their velvet is a great time to hunt from blinds over food sources. Even the big bucks are fairly easy to pattern and they will walk right past a blind. It is a great option for kids or when you are hunting in an area with limited cover.â If hunting from a ground blind sounds like something you may want to do, check out the new bale blinds from Redneck Hunting Blinds(www.redneckblinds.com). They look just like a round bale, have enough room for a couple hunters and a camera man, and the deer pay no attention to them. âDeer that live near alfalfa fields pay no attention to bales of hay so hunting from a bale blind is a great option,â Guedes said. If you need a blind that is extremely portable, one of my favorite options is the Double Bull Shack Attack(www.primos.com). This hub-style blind is designed for one or two people and because of the odd shape, deer donât seem to pay attention to it the way they do blinds that are shaped like a large square. Regardless if you are hunting in an apple orchard, a hay field or even off the beaten path, hunting mule deer from a blind can be fun and effective, especially when there isnât any ground cover in the area you are hunting. Give it a try this fall and see for yourself how much fun it can be. About the author: Tracy Breen is a full time outdoor writer, consultant and game dinner speaker who often discuss how he overcomes cerebral palsy. Learn more about him at www.tracybreen.com View the full article