THE BEST 10 HUNTING CAMP MEALS
Didn’t your mother ever tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Fill your belly with a good breakfast and avoid running back to camp to feed those mid-morning munchies. Wake up early and cook and you’ll enjoy rock star status with fellow campmates.
From: wideopenspaces.com
3. Bacon Okay, maybe bacon could have been included in the breakfast section, but when preparing meals for hunting camp, bacon is so much more than a breakfast food.
1. Chili A hunting camp classic that is as good today as when your great-granddaddy was the camp cook. It tastes good, is easy to prepare and is perfect for putting in a thermos and taking to the stand or blind. Put it in the crock-pot in the morning and go hunting. Cook up some cornbread for dipping, sprinkle with some shredded cheese, add a dollop of sour cream and dig in to one of the best meals for hunting camp (or home for that matter.)
2. Eggs, Home fries, and Venison Sausage
Eat it straight, make a BLT for lunch, or wrap blue cheese stuffed back straps in it. However you choose to use it, make sure you take plenty of bacon to hunting camp.
4. Deer Jerky, Peanut Butter Crackers, and Candy Bars A hunter’s lunch of champions. If you’ve eaten a proper hunting camp breakfast, you should be full until at least 2:00 P.M. If you are trying to eat healthy or think you are developing scurvy from your hunting camp diet, substitute an apple for the candy bars. A light lunch like this will ensure that you are starving when it comes time for dinner, the main event.
5. Grilled Backstraps and Potatoes This simple meal is the sign that you, or someone in your hunting camp, have had a successful hunt. Grill the backstraps to medium-rare with your favorite seasoning, bake or fry the potatoes, and enjoy the culinary spoils of the hunt.
6. Sloppy Joes “I made em’ extra sloppy for ya. I know how you hunters like em’ sloppy.” Sloppy joes are delicious and easy to prepare. They are also a good place to use up some of your ground venison. Whip up a batch at your hunting camp and watch them disappear.
7. Wild Game Stew Fill a crock-pot with whatever wild game meat you have on hand, potatoes, onions, celery, corn, tomatoes, a can of beer, a little water, salt, pepper, and whatever else is in the refrigerator or spice rack and turn it on low. When you return from hunting you will have a delicious stew to eat before processing whatever you just killed.
8. Venison Kabobs Cut up venison and vegetables, skewer with a stick, and apply heat. It’s so easy a cave man could do it.
9. Gobbler Hot Wings Not all hunting camps are deer hunting camps. To make gobbler hot wings, roll chunks of gobbler breast meat in breading and fry until breading stays on. Place the breaded pieces on a cookie sheet and drizzle with wing sauce. Bake the “wings” at 350 until they are cooked through, then give the pieces another coating of wing sauce and enjoy. Don’t be surprised if this one becomes a turkey camp tradition.
10. Pulled Pork Sandwiches There comes a time when it happens to every hunting camp — the dreaded skunking. Camp members are left sitting around with bruised egos, wildly exaggerated excuses, and growling bellies. It pays to prepare for the day when no one brings home the meat and bring some from the store. Pulled pork sandwiches are tasty enough to get even the most dejected hunter’s spirits back up and have him looking forward to the next day’s (or the next year’s) hunt.
Ginseng in Kentucky From: Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Kentucky is one of 19 states with a wild ginseng export program. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture administers and certifies all ginseng types for export out of the commonwealth. Anyone buying and selling (other than harvesters) ginseng within Kentucky needs to be a licensed dealer.
Important Dates Harvesting Season: September 1 - December 1 Buying Season:
Green Starts September 1 Dry Starts September 15 - March 31 April 15 - deadline for certifying previous fall harvest
Dealer Licenses: Dealer applications are valid from September 1 - August 31. Dealer renewal letters and applications are mailed each July. New dealers should apply after July 1 for a KY ginseng dealer's license that is valid for the current year's fall harvest. In other words, to be a KY Ginseng Dealer on September 1 of 2015, apply after July 1, 2015. This license would valid September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016. Applications received prior to June 30 each year are for a license that expires August 31 of the current year. A dealer application received on June 30, 2015 will receive a KY Ginseng Dealers that expires August 31, 2015. If you need a license valid from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016, apply after July 1, 2015.
Ginseng-Harvesters and Collectors
Harvest season is from September 1 December 1. Only harvest plants that are 5 years old or 3 pronged. Remember, this a minimum harvest age. If berries, red or green, are present on harvested root, they need to be planted within 50 feet with no tool other than your finger.
If you are harvesting on private land, no permit is required. However, we remind you to follow all trespassing laws. The ONLY public lands in Kentucky available for ginseng harvest are in the Daniel Boone National Forest. A permit is required, and ginseng harvested is for personal-use only. Sell your ginseng only to a licensed Kentucky Dealer. Do not send your ginseng by mail to an out-of-state dealer. Do not leave the borders of Kentucky with Kentucky ginseng. Important Dates
Harvesting Season: September 1 -December 1 Buying Season: Green starts September 1 Dry season: September 15 - March 31
Ginseng Growth cycle To the left are two ginseng seedlings - one year old plants. Below is an at least two year old ginseng plant that has two prongs.
At Right- Kentucky ginseng growing in the woods. This is a three-pronged plant that is at least three years of age.
The Era of Modern Crossbows By: Barry James (Pro staff at Tenpoint Crossbow) 10/11/2015 My name is Barry James, Pro Staffer for Tenpoint Crossbows from Arkansas. I received my first crossbow in 1974 at the young age of 14. Next month in November, I will be 55 years old which means I now have over 40 years experience behind crossbows! Now allow me to set the tone for this article. My goal is to NEVER imply that crossbows are the superior weapon in archery! My goal is to simply bring to light that crossbows are just another avenue in which to get more people involved in the Outdoors regardless of age or gender. I applaud those who hunt with vertical bows, be it compound or traditional. I have killed several animals with a compound bow but have always gravitated back to my 1st love which is crossbows. Crossbows are not for everyone and for those who choose never to own or hunt with one, that's ok BUT ......many people are missing out on some great hunting opportunities that the crossbow will provide them. Just because a hunter chooses to never hunt with a crossbow should never be the determining factor that others shouldn't either! Now since that is out of the way, let's look at the modern crossbow!! Since I started way back in 1974, the technical advances in crossbows has come a long way. Comparing the crossbows of yesterday with those of today is like comparing Fred Flintstone to George Jetson!! Crossbows are more advanced than ever before and are capable of delivering speeds up to 400 fps! They are narrower, lighter, and noticeably
more quite. A hunter does not not need to worry about his/her draw length with a crossbow in which allows anyone, regardless of age, or gender, to use one! And now there are cocking devices that allow anyone to cock a crossbow that may experience physical disabilities. Another advantage is accuracy with a crossbow can be mastered in a short period of time and crossbows does not demand the time needed to be accurate as does the compound or traditional bow. This does not mean that one should not practice with their crossbows. One should never go hunting without knowing that their crossbow is sighted in properly! The disadvantages of crossbows are that they are noticeably heavier and bulky. Compounds and traditional bows are way more quite than any crossbow made and just because one hunts with a crossbow does not mean they can shoot further than those who shoot vertical bows. A Hunter should never shoot pass any distance that they have not practice for. I never shoot at any animal with my crossbows pass 40 yards! Yes, crossbows can be accurate pass that distance but way too much can go wrong when shooting arrows pass 40 yards at live animals. As stated, I am not here to promote crossbows as the superior weapon but an avenue to invite those who sit at home during archery season wishing they could hunt. Crossbows can incorporate the whole family to enjoy the Outdoors and it can create memories that will last a lifetime! I highly suggest that one who has
never shot or hunted with a crossbow to visit your local archery pro shop and allow them to show you how to set up and use them. Don't allow another archery season to pass you by because you feel inadequate with vertical bows! Experience the joy of hunting with a crossbow
and creating memories with those who you enjoy being with. Hopefully in the future, I can come back and write more on these wonderful weapons. Hunt Safe!!
Please visit our Facebook and Twitter page and show off your trophy. The story you write and share will be included in our next edition of Kentucky Outdoors Shop Magazine! Make sure to include photos and equipment used in your hunt. People around the world have been reading our magazines so get your story out.
KentuckyHunting.net is a real hunter’s forum. Go visit their website and scroll around I found this amazing D.I.Y hunting blind made by Troy75 from KentuckyHunting.net
Pontoon Driver Charged After Drowning Buck in Minnesota Lake By: Johnny Carrol Sain October, 11 2015
Earlier this month Steven William Timm, of Moorehead, Minnesota, allegedly pursued and pestered a buck swimming across Tulaby Lake with a pontoon boat until the animal drowned from exhaustion. As DLOnline reports, Timm claims, however, that he was only trying to help the deer back to shore. Witnesses say otherwise, noting that it appeared as if Timms was purposefully preventing the deer from reaching land.
Timm added “What do you think I am, a deer killer?”
In an interview with the Star Tribune, witness David Kvidt said “the deer was swimming faster than heck” as Timm chased it by boat. Kvidt was taking photographs of the incident but decided to intervene and jumped into his own pontoon to confront Timm. “It probably took 20 seconds to get to him,” said Kvidt, “but by then the deer had turned upside down.”
In the DNR report, Timm stated that he “drove the pontoon between the deer and shore while trying to get around the front of the deer to turn it back to shore.” Other witnesses came forward to refute Timm’s claim and Minnesota DNR charged Timm with two misdemeanors: animal cruelty and chasing a wild animal in a motor vehicle for the purpose of hunting.
Furthermore, Kvidt said the deer was heading straight for the public landing until harassed by Timm. “[Timm] just got all excited,” said Kvidt. “You can see him in two or three of my pictures holding up a camera trying to take pictures or video.”
A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29. In an interview with 5 Eyewitness News, DNR conservation officer Bill Landmark explained the charges. “Anything that’s driven by a motor, you can't use that to chase, harass, run down, or take a wild animal.” Landmark said that other charges and fines could be issued as well.” Restitution for a deer, for example, is $500 and then it goes up from there if it is a trophy animal," said Landmark.
When confronted by Kvidt, Timm said that he wanted only to see what was swimming across the lake. Then, according to Kvidt,
Both men were angry, and Kvidt boated back to his lakeside residence. Another boater pulled the dead deer to shore and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources then investigated the scene, eventually questioning Timm after he was identified as the person seen chasing the deer.
Photo Courtesy of Minnesota DNR
This is the buck Steven William Timm pursued and drowned with his Pontoon boat.
How to Hunt Bucks in Power Lines By: Gerald Almy You may see them as a blight on the landscape, but power lines do offer one benefit: They make pretty good places to ambush a buck. Flanked by mature woods that provide little food for whitetails, these long, narrow strips of prime edge habitat abound with tender forbs and berries that deer relish. Also, because power companies don't need the ground beneath their lines to be mowed down like fairways, it's typically overgrown with low brush and saplings, which provide enough cover that deer feel safe feeding along the borders during shooting hours. Power lines funnel deer, too. In most cases, whitetails travel parallel to the wires and just inside the woods until they reach a strategic point where they cross to the other side. This travel pattern makes it relatively easy to pinpoint prime stand locations. As promising as power lines can be, though, it takes a carefully conceived strategy to hunt them successfully. Here's what to factor into your plan:
say, a white oak stand or an abandoned orchard, is on the opposite side. You're also likely to find these trails anywhere that bucks can remain hidden as they cross. Look for dense cover or a low spot such as a swampy swale. When you find large, fresh tracks or rub lines along these routes, put up a stand nearby. Also take note of trails that parallel the line and look for tracks or smaller meandering trails that lead out into the open area but don't cross. Droppings and chewed stems indicate that deer venture out of the woods here to browse on raspberry, blackberry, honeysuckle, greenbrier, forbs, and saplings. This is another prime stand location. When you're setting up, hang your stand where you'll be able to see deer feeding in the clearing as well as those milling back in the woods. Move away from the edge itself where your form would stand out.
LOCATION Not every power line promises good deer hunting, so you need to pick the right ones. Use a topo map to select a strip that passes through forested land, since those running through open areas offer little to attract deer. Also opt for a fairly remote stretch. Nearby houses or a road mean more hunters and hikers will be around.
STILL-HUNTING Power lines also provide the perfect surroundings for walking up on deer. Ease along just inside the cover, staying far enough back that animals in the clearing won't spot you. See if there's an access or maintenance trail paralleling the line where you can sneak quietly, scanning the woods with binoculars. Every 50 to 100 yards or so, loop toward the edge and cautiously check the opening for browsing or crossing deer.
STAND SITES Scout to find out where deer are moving in relation to the power line. Pay particular attention to trails that intersect it at a right angle. These will commonly exist where a major food source,
DRIVES Wherever there's good bedding cover near a power line, there's a good opportunity to drive deer. Have the drivers push the cover toward the lines. Position two posters on the edge of the clearing outside of
the drivers' positions, but on the same side of the line. This way, they can take bucks that curl to the sides or those that run across the line, without shooting toward the drivers. SAFETY AND PERMISSION Never take a shot if your bullet might hit a power line, pole, or transmission tower. Be aware that at any time there may be workers performing maintenance in the area. Wear blaze orange and always obtain permission. And when you kill your buck, remember to offer a few steaks to the person who granted it.
ATV APPROACH Done carefully, a very effective way to approach a tree-stand site
Photograph courtesy of Bossi/Flickr
without spooking deer is to have someone drive you to your hunting spot on an ATV. Have the driver wait, with the motor running, until you've climbed to your perch. When the driver rides off, deer believe the danger is gone and move normally, as though nothing has happened. Just be sure to give bedding and feeding areas a wide berth when deer are in those places. And stick to existing trails and field edges with the vehicle. This is not only the most responsible method; it also makes less noise. This same tactic can work equally well with a truck, a farm tractor, or a snow sled in winter. As long as the vehicle leaves after you get into your stand, there's a good chance the deer will go back to business as usual.
Still Hunting: Step Like A Deer When The Woods Are Loud By: Dave Hurteau In all of deer hunting, there's nothing so challenging and rewarding as walking up a big wilderness buck. Perched in a treestand, you all but deny a buck its eyes and ears. Following a track, you at least know there's a deer at the end. On a drive, you have your buddies to thank. But when you still-hunt the big woods, you usually walk alone. You don't know where the deer are—the nearest buck could be right in front of you or a mile and a half away. And it's you, as much as the deer and often more, who will skulk and slink and throw shadows and rustle leaves and brush against branches. Seeing a buck before it sees you is a serious challenge. It's a near insurmountable one if you don't know how to be stealthy in the woods. Here are two basic ways: Step silently With few exceptions, the only time you can truly walk quietly in the woods is when the woods are quiet—when the forest floor, damp with rain or melting snow or dew, absorbs the sound of your steps. But even here, drier leaves can rustle and sticks can crack loudly underfoot. The trick is to take short, balanced steps, keeping your weight on your back foot and using your lead foot to probe the ground ahead for noisy sticks or
litter. Once you find a soft, quiet spot for the lead foot, slowly shift your weight, and then repeat. Find the quietest footholds of moss, rocks, or bare earth; use rolling terrain to stay hidden; time your steps with gusts of wind; and stay in shadows. Lurk just inside the edge of thicker cover, where your movements are screened but you can see out clearly. Tread wildly On a dry forest floor, it is nearly impossible to still-hunt without making noise—so don't bother trying. Instead, walk like a deer, which after putting a front hoof down immediately follows with the opposite back hoof, in a step-step, pause, step-step cadence. Most still-hunters mimic this by stepping down sharply with the toe of the lead foot, and then bringing the heel down: step-step. Then they repeat with the other foot: step-step. I find it more comfortable and just as effective to jab my heel down first, and then drop my toe. Pause frequently at odd intervals, like a deer does. Go ultraslow in the most promising areas, and use a grunt tube or fawn bleat to further the illusion. The deer will hear you coming, but as long as they think you are one of them, they'll often let you get close enough for a good shot.