Minnesota's seasons (we have 5 of them) all start on a Wednesday and close on the following Tuesday. It's much better than it was 2 years ago when each season was 4 days long, meaning that some of the seasons only had one weekend day while other seasons would run Monday-Friday. We still only get one bird a year, though.
As long as I can remember ours has opened on a Saturday. My camp is 4 hours away so can't just go any day. Easter is opening weekend and my wife unfortunately wins that weekend so my only chance to go with decent odds is if I take off that Monday. At least I can take my son on Saturday and Sunday during the youth hunt.
Alabamas is 99 percent of the time March 15 - April 30. Some years they have slightly adjusted it to add a weekend
What caliber do you guys use to deer hunt? Haven't been hunting since high school and am getting back into it.
You shouldn't hunt while you're high. My muzzle loader is a .50 cal. Southern MN is a slug zone, so I usually use a 12 gauge slug. The one year I went in northern MN (rifle zone), I used .303 British.
Bo Pelinis I think I'm going to puss out this time and pay for a guided hunt instead of doing the public land route.
I had planned on driving to Oglala national grassland and mimicking Bo Pelinis self-guided trip, camping out and spot/stalking. The more I've looked into it, it would actually take 8 days to hunt 4 days. I don't really have that kind of time. The place I'm going can pick me up and take me to the Denver airport. So, I can do 4 full days hunting spending 5 nights out there or 3.5 days spending 4 nights if I redeye home. Much more doable.
A good guide will be worth every penny in open country hunting like that. It's not to say that you couldn't put a successful hunt together, but if I remember correctly you are in Alabama. If you are on the clock for a hunt, a guide that you trust will be your greatest asset. Jealous as fuck.
Absolutely. That's kind of what I meant. If with a guide I'm looking at 60 yards, I'd be pretty fucked on my own.
Should be fun no matter what you do and it's really cool you're following through with it. I think I'll go out and do the solo thing again this fall. I need to sit quietly in the wilderness and think for a few days.
Do yourself a favor and practice in the wind before you go, particularly at 30+ yards. Draw length, poundage and arrow weight seem insignificant but are very important at distance in wind.
Appreciate it. Something I wouldn't have fully considered. Right now, my biggest issue is fatigue. I've started shooting every time I leave the gym.
Don't kill yourself. 20 arrows a day max. It's not the volume of practice that will help you, it's the amount of quality arrows shot.
Does anybody have experience with under armour hunting boots? I'm considering grabbing a pair for walking.
I know nothing about their boot quality but they've gotten huge into hunting apparel in the last few years. I wouldn't necessarily dismiss them out of hand.
They are new to the hunting gear market, especially footwear. That's like buying a brand new car design 1st year model before they have worked out the kinks. They know people will buy their product just because it's underarmour. Make sure any boot you choose is made of Rubber, as that has no scent. Muck boots are my personal favorite, that is what you should buy. Field and stream basically stole Muck boots designs for their products. Lacrosse and Cabelas are decent choices. Irish setter and Columbia are good. Under Armour are overpriced and simply just a name product.
Really just a preference. I would never buy an all rubber boot for the type of hunting I do. I own an off brand version of muck boots and love them for what they are but they don't have nearly enough ankle stability for spot and stalk hunting in hills or mountains. I personally have a pair of leather cabelas boots with rubber soles and water proofing. I've really liked them but boot weight, ankle stability, and water proofing are my most important factors for when you'll be putting on some miles. wes tegg make sure you break them shits in before you go or you'll be miserable depending on how much you're moving around.
You make a great point, it really depends on what ecosystem you are in and what you are using them for. I use Muck Pursuit Snake boots when I hunt deer. For just going around the property I use Muck Pursuit Stealth boots. I live in SC and rattle snakes and no scent are my main issues. I use other Muck Boots for tractor work that breathe easy cause we all know how hot a tractor can get. Guess it just depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
Unfortunately that type of hunting is different than what I do so my advice is probably worthless. My guess would be something with great ankle support, which is something Muck Boots aren't famous for. Good luck
And FWIW, Under Armour makes great lightweight camo and base layers (basically, the shit they were already making).
That's pretty much exactly the type of thing I have except from Cabelas in a camo pattern. Low top just above the ankle, no insulation, light as possible with good traction. I've never used them but gaiters wouldn't be a bad thing to consider. I've thinking about getting some because there's a lot of stickers and cactus and shit that can rough up your pant legs. EDIT: Like these but not so damn ugly. Boots
Not sure if it correlates at all, but UA's tactical boots are shit. They fall apart and the waterproofing is atrocious. I'd lean towards a more proven brand, but that's just me.
One other note, my brother likes his Salomon hiking boot/shoes. He's in the african bush for 8 months out of the year. He says after two years he will have to replace them but he's putting wear on them that none of us ever would (unless you're a guide).