THRIFTY NICKEL’S HUNTING GUIDE 2011-2012 HUNTING& TRAPPING DATES ON PAGE 3! Big Game Hunting Tactics and Strategies Tree stands are mostly used for deer hunting. The location of the tree stand is crucial to the success of the hunt. To pick out the best spots for setting up a tree stand it first necessary to scout before the start of the season to find out locations where deer hang out. Look out to spot important features that would point to a good location for setting up a tree stand. Some critical terrain features to help determine an ideal setting up spot would be hedgerows, steep cliff areas or bottlenecks of timber and draws that narrow down should be noted as important. It is not advisable to start hunting too early because there is a possibility that deer may change their routes. Once decided on the best location for the tree stand it should be put up much before the actual hunting starts. The reason is that deer become familiar with its presence and start ignoring it. Once the tree stand is put up, the hunter should get down on all fours and look up at the stand to see how it would appear to an animal looking up at it. This will help repair what is wrong. In case of a ladder stand, the ladder is more visible to the animal. Therefore it should be concealed using brush or small trees available nearby so that it is camouflaged in a manner that
makes it inconspicuous in its surroundings. This should be done in a manner that does not hinder using the tree stand. Deer usually prefer to rest and sleep in areas having thick brush. This is a good location for setting up a tree stand. Trails from such areas can be found leading to deer feeding spots. If a tree stand is placed
around such places there is distinct possibility of deer being spotted from the stand. Hunting requires strict odor control. A hunter must exercise due care not to leave behind too much of his scent around the tree stand which will scare away deer. It is crucial to maintain good hygiene and use scent free bacterial destroying
soaps and scent covering products available in the market. It is also necessary to set up tree stands at multiple locations and not use one stand too much. Scouting and setting up tree stands should preferably begin about a month before the beginning of the hunting season. Decoys are great for hunting from treestands.
However setting up a decoy does not mean that you will have the game animal come running right up to your tree stand though it does have quite a good success rate. A decoy should be set up in a manner that makes it visible to game being hunted on welltraveled game routes affording good visibility from the tree
stand. Buck are especially cautious and would circle around a number of times before approaching the decoy to trash it. The tree stand should therefore be at a distance of at least twenty to twenty five yards from the decoy in a convenient tree. Decoys work quite well all through the season though for different reasons. In
deer hunting doe decoys work best in the early part of the season before the rut. Set up in some established feeding area the deer decoy will make deer fell comfortable as it mimics deer presence. Deer will come to investigate the decoy. However, it must be visible to deer. It is to be understood that deer stand only about
three feet tall and simply because the decoy is visible to the hunter from the tree stand does not necessarily mean that it is visible to the deer moving about at ground level. Buck decoys work best during the heat of the rut and bucks will approach with a display of aggressive behavior towards the decoy.
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How to Make the Best Tasting Venison Sausage Ever and Venison Sausage Recipes By Marty Prokop Many members of the Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com community have asked me for recipes and directions to make sausage from their deer. I have made over 991, 990 pounds — yes, that’s nearly a million pounds — of sausage, smoked meats and jerky. You can make great tasting venison sausage right in your own kitchen. In this www.FreeDeer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter I will reveal to you the secrets. Today we will discuss two types of venison sausage, Italian sausage and bulk breakfast sausage. During my years of processing deer, these were two of the most popular venison sausages deer hunters requested. The Equipment To make great tasting venison sausage from home, you will need a few pieces of equipment. 1.) A meat grinder. This can be electric or a manually operated, hand-crank meat grinder. If you do not have access to a meat grinder, you can still make great tasting sausage from home. You can use a sharp knife to cut your meat into pieces as coarse or fine as you desire. 2.) 2-Large mixing bowls. One bowl for mixing your seasonings. The other bowl for catching the venison as it is ground. 3.) Sharp knife 4.) Measuring spoons 5.) Measuring cup 6.) Rubber gloves Making Bulk Sausage Bulk sausage is one of the most versatile types of sausage you can make. You use bulk sausage much like you use ground venison or ground beef. Bulk sausage is sausage not stuffed into casings. Cooking with bulk venison sausages offer near endless possibilities. Bulk sausages can be used as burgers, as meatloaves, in meat sauces and in casseroles or hot dishes. Any place you use ground meat, you can substitute bulk venison sausage.
OCT. 13-OCT. 19, 2011
Bulk Breakfast Sausage This recipe will make ten pounds of venison sausage. You will be using 6 pounds of venison and 4 pounds of beef or pork. The beef or pork you add to your venison sausage should be no more that 70 percent lean. 1.) Place meat into the freezer while you mix your seasonings and set up your grinder. Placing the meat into the freezer before you grind will make it easier to grind. 2.) Mix spices: • 5 Tablespoons Salt • 1 Tablespoon ground white pepper • 2 Tablespoons rubbed sage (if you do not like the taste of sage replace with garlic powder or minced garlic) • 1 teaspoon ginger • 1 Tablespoon ground nutmeg • 1 Tablespoon ground thyme • 1 Tablespoon crushed red pepper (optional) Mix spices and 1 pint ice water in large bowl. Make sure all the salt has dissolved. 3) Set up grinder. Use a grinder plate with 3/16 inch holes. 4) Remove meat from freezer. Put on rubber gloves. 5) Grind meat through the 3/16 inch grinder plate into the empty mixing bowl. During grinding, alternate venison and beef or pork. To every three or four pieces of venison, grind one to two pieces of beef or pork. This will help distribute the beef or pork more evenly. If you like sausage with a finer texture, grind the meat a second time. 6) Pour the seasoning mixture over the ground meat. With your glove covered hands, mix the seasonings into the meat. Make sure all meat and seasons are thoroughly and evenly mixed. 7) When you think you have mixed the meat enough, mix the meat again. Mixing a ten to fifteen pound batch of meat by hand will take at least 5 to 7 minutes. Thorough and even mixing is important. If the meat and seasonings are not thoroughly and evenly mixed, your venison sausage will have bites that taste great and bites with no flavor. 8) When you are sure meat and seasonings are mixed well, wrap the venison sausage in butcher paper and place in freezer. You can also vacuum seal your venison sausage. Six Steps to Perfect Sausage Patties by Marty Prokop If you like sausage patties, try these simple tips for making perfect patties every time. 1.) Take the lid off a wide-mouthed jar, such as a mayonnaise jar. Wash and dry the lid well. 2.) Spray the inside of lid with nonstick cooking spray. 3.) Place small amount of sausage mixture into lid (enough to fill the lid to the top edge). 4.) Press and pack the sausage mixture so it is flush with the top of the lid. 5.) Turn lid upside down onto butcher paper for wrapping. If you plan on stacking and freezing two or more layers of patties, place two sheets of waxed paper between each layer of patties. 6.) Wrap your sausage patties in butcher paper and place into the freezer. Special Tip: If you plan on vacuum sealing your venison sausage patties, place the sausage patties onto a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper. Place the cookie sheet in freezer for 20 minutes. Remove from freezer and vacuum seal your venison sausage patties. Partially freezing the sausage patties before you vacuum seal them will prevent them from smashing. About Marty Prokop Deer hunting expert Marty Prokop reveals closely guarded deer hunting secrets on how to get deer every time. Get his Free Deer Hunting Tips Newsletter, free deer videos and free online deer hunting game at Free Deer Hunting Tips.com Marty Prokop has 24-years experience deer hunting, processing deer for deer hunters and venison sausage making . Marty P rokop teaches deer hunting, hunter safety, deer processing and deer sausage making classes. Marty Prokop has processed 7,805 deer, field dressed 422 deer and made over 991,990 pounds of sausage, smoked meats and jerky. Marty Prokop worked with Minnesota DNR programs. His deer hunting videos are used in statewide advanced hunter education classes. Marty Prokop is a successful speaker, outdoor writer and published author.
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Muzzleloader Deer Hunting by Marty Prokop Do you want to lengthen your time in the field deer hunting? My state offers a nine-day deer hunting rifle season. Although nine days deer hunting may seem like a lengthy season, I want to hunt more. Maybe you do too. The solution? Muzzleloader season. Most states offer a separate season for deer hunters who choose to deer hunt with a muzzleloader. In my state of Wisconsin, muzzleloader deer hunting season begins at the end of the regular rifle season. When the regular deer hunting firearms season ends, and most deer hunters are hitting the road and heading home, muzzleloader deer hunters are heading into the woods for a big buck. For years I shied away from muzzleloaders. Why? I had heard too many stories of how the gun didn’t go off, the powder got wet and the down range accuracy was very poor. But… Times Have Changed I recently purchased a new muzzleloader. Today’s muzzleloaders closely resemble the deer hunting rifles being used during rifle season. Many look similar to other deer rifles and handle equally as well. When I took my muzzleloader to the range to sight in, I was getting a 2-inch group at 100 yards shooting freehand. Not bad, considering I hadn’t
fired a muzzleloader in years. After my first three-shot group, everything I had come to believe about muzzleloaders being not accurate faded quickly. Muzzleloaders in Wet Conditions Some muzzleloaders are equipped to fire the 209 primer. This insures a positive ignition of black powder even in the wettest of conditions. The 209 primer burns hotter. It is placed directly behind the powder charge resulting in quicker ignition. The advances in black powder and black powder substitutes have been remarkable over the years. You can choose to shoot the preformed pellet-type black powder, which can make loading quicker. Or you can choose a black pow-
der substitute that boasts a cleaner burn, resulting in easier and quicker muzzleloader cleaning. Loading Your Muzzleloader Loading your muzzleloader with high performance sabots and magnum powder charges can produce 100 yard shot groups that rival many of today’s deer hunting rifles. Of course, make sure your muzzleloader is capable of firing magnum loads before loading a magnum charge. Always follow the manufacturers’ recommendations for the type and amount of black powder or black powder substitute you use in your muzzle loader.
Fewer Deer Hunters in the Woods Fewer deer hunters in the field during muzzleloader deer hunting season could offer you the chance at a big buck. Fewer deer hunters mean less pressure on skittish whitetails. During muzzleloader deer hunting season you may be able to set up a deer hunting tree stand in places normally occupied during the regular rifle season. Since most muzzle loader deer hunting seasons begin at the end of the rut, look to deer hunt food sources and good bedding areas. A big buck will need to rest and recuperate after the main breeding season ends. Locate your deer hunting tree stands or deer hunting blinds near these places. If you are looking to extend your time in the field deer hunting with a firearm, buy a muzzleloader, and hit the woods when most hunters are heading home. You could bag the big buck of your dreams. Good Luck and Great Hunting! About Marty Prokop Deer hunting expert Marty Prokop reveals closely guarded deer hunting secrets on how to get deer every time. Get his Free Deer Hunting Tips Newsletter, free deer videos and free online deer hunting game at Free Deer Hunting Tips.com Marty Prokop has 24-years experience deer hunting, processing deer for deer hunters and venison sausage making. Marty P rokop teaches deer hunting, hunter safety, deer processing and deer sausage making classes. Marty Prokop has processed 7,805 deer, field dressed 422 deer and made over 991,990 pounds of sausage, smoked meats and jerky. Marty Prokop worked with Minnesota DNR programs. His deer hunting videos are used in statewide advanced hunter education classes. Marty Prokop is a successful speaker, outdoor writer and published author.
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THRIFTY NICKEL’S HUNTING GUIDE Can Squirrels Help You Bag More Deer? By Marty Prokop In a prior blog post at www.martyprokop.com, one of our Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com community members, Marcel, asked a great question regarding chattering red squirrels and squawking jays warning deer hunters of approaching deer. This particular question has been a topic of deer hunting debate for years. It is always a great idea to keep your eyes and ears searching for any sign of deer activity when you are sitting in your deer hunting treestand, deer blind or out deer hunting. Red squirrels are notorious for chattering when something new is in their territories. I can not recall one instance when I did not have a red squirrel chattering at me while I was sitting on my deer hunting tree stand. It is just the squirrel’s way of letting you know it sees you. I have had squirrels alert me to approaching deer on more than one occasion. In these cases, the squirrels were 50 to 100 yards distance from me when they started to chatter. At times, when I turned toward the squirrels’ callings, deer were coming from
their directions. Did this happen every time? No. Many times the squirrels were simply chattering to let me know they saw me. I have heard squirrels chatter at other animals like fishers, mink and coyotes too. Nonetheless, I believe squirrels could alert you to something approaching your location. Jays, on the other hand, are opportunists. They will fly in and around your deer hunting area looking for food. When food becomes a bit more difficult to find, jays can be territorial, squawking to chase off other birds or squirrels. I have listened to and followed the calls of jays and crows to help me find downed deer. A few years back I had taken a nice buck toward the end of the deer hunting day. I knew I had a good hit but could not find any sign. I tracked the deer for an hour. Finding no sign, I opted to let the deer go over night. It was the only deer I have ever let go over night. Talk about a sleepless evening. The next morning, I went back to where I saw the deer go into the woods. I stood
on the edge of the tree line looking in. I noticed about 60 yard in the woods, two bald eagles were perched high in one tree, and crows and jays filled the next tree over. The eagles were quiet. The crows and jays were squawking. I walked towards the tree the crows and jays were calling from. Twenty yards into the woods, I picked up a good blood trail. Forty yards further
into the woods, right below the jays and crows, was a nice 10-point buck. Always pay close attention to the sights and sounds when you are out deer hunting. Although squawking jays and chattering squirrels don’t always alert you of approaching deer, there are times they will. The next time a squirrel chatters in the distance, he could be telling you a big buck is heading your way.
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WOODLAND GAME HUNTING DATES Wild Turkey
OCT. 13-OCT. 19, 2011
BAG LIMIT
Youth Spring Spring
Apr 21 and 22, 2012 Apr 25, 2012 - May 13, 2012
Fall - Archery (including crossbows)
Oct 1, 2011 - Oct 30, 2011 & Dec 3, 2011 - Jan 7, 2012
Fall - Firearm1
Oct 19, 2011 - Oct 23, 2011
Fall - Firearm2
Oct 19, 2011 - Oct 30, 2011
Squirrel
Aug 15, 2011 - Jan 31, 2012
Ruffed Grouse
Oct 1, 2011 - Dec 31, 2011 (on privately owned lands only) Oct 1, 2011 - Nov 11, 2011 (on publicly owned lands) 2 per day
1 bearded or male turkey per season
1 bird of either sex per hunter for fall season
5 per day
1
HUNTING & TRAPPING SEASONS 2011-2012 FURBEARERS HUNTING DATES Red and Gray Fox ...................................... Oct 15, 2011 - Feb 28, 2012 Coyote, Striped Skunk ............................. Oct 15, 2011 - Mar 15, 2012 Raccoon and Opossum .............................. Nov 8, 2011 - Jan 31, 2012 Dog Running (Raccoon, Opossum) ......... Feb 1, 2011 - Oct 25, 2011 TRAPPING DATES Beaver ........................................................ Nov 15, 2011 - Mar 15, 2012 Weasel (Long-tailed only), Mink, Muskrat ........................................... Nov 15, 2011 - Jan 31, 2012 Coyote, Striped Skunk .............................. Oct 15, 2011 - Mar 15, 2012 Red and Gray Fox ..................................... Oct 15, 2011 - Jan 31, 2012 Raccoon and Opossum ............................. Nov 8, 2011 - Jan 31, 2012 FURBEARER HUNTING HOURS: Hunting/Running–noon of first day to noon of last day, Trapping - 8 a.m. of first day to noon of last day. There are no daily bag or possession limits for furbearers.
Oct 19 - 23, 2011 in the following counties only: DeKalb, LaGrange, LaPorte, Marshall, St. Joseph, Starke, and Steuben 2 Oct 19 - 30, 2011 in the following counties only: Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Dubois, Fayette, Floyd, Fountain, Franklin, Gibson, Greene, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson,Jennings, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Ohio, Orange, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Putnam, Ripley, Scott, Spencer, Sullivan, Switzerland, Union, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, Warren, Warrick, Washington No more than one bird of either sex may be taken in the fall turkey season, regardless of method. A separate turkey license is needed for the spring and fall turkey season, regardless of success. For example, if a hunter is not successful for the spring turkey season, the purchase of a fall turkey license is still necessary to hunt turkeys in the fall. DEER Youth ............................................... Sept 24 and 25, 2011 Early Archery ................................. Oct 1, 2011 - Nov 27, 2011 Firearms .......................................... Nov 12, 2011 - Nov 27, 2011 Muzzleloader .................................. Dec 3, 2011 - Dec 18, 2011 Late Archery .................................. Dec 3, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012 Urban Archery ............................... Sep 15, 2011 - Nov 27, 2011 ......................................................... Dec 3, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012 (Continued on next page)
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SEEING DEER
The possession limit on pheasants, All harvested deer and turkey must be checked within 48 hours of har- quail, rabbits, squirrels, ruffed grouse, and frogs is two times the vest at an official deer or turkey check station. daily bag limit. Deer hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Turkey hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. 1 Rabbit seasons on some Fish and Wildlife Areas and Reservoir propUPLAND GAME SEASONS HUNTING DATES DAILY LIMIT erties. Pheasant (statewide) Nov 4, 2011 - Dec 18, 2011 2 Quail (North of SR 26) Nov 4, 2011 - Dec 18, 2011 5 Quail (South of SR 26) Nov 4, 2011- Jan 15, 2012 8 Rabbit Nov 4, 2011- Feb 15, 2012 5 Rabbit 1 Oct 1, 2011- Jan 31, 2012 5 (Continued from previous page)
MISCELLANEOUS GAME Crow (early) Crow (late) Green Frog and Bullfrog
HUNTING DATES DAILY LIMIT Jul 1, 2011 - Aug 15, 2011 No limit Dec 13, 2011 - Mar 1, 2012 No limit Jun 15, 2011 - Apr 30, 2012 25
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This may sound funny to someone who has never hunted deer, but one of the hardest things in deer hunting may be simply to see a deer that’s there to be seen. Mature bucks are seldom caught standing in the open inbroad daylight. Instead, learn to look into and through bushes instead of at them. Try to pick bits and pieces of a deer out of the bush. With your eyes and binoculars, look not for a deerbut for something different; a shape, color, line, shadow, reflection, or mass that doesn’t quite fit into the scene. The clue may be nothing more than a few inches of antler, a white horizontal belly, or the shiny blackness of an eye, and then all of a sudden the whole animal takes shape. Did You Ever Think of This? Try wearing a pair of amber shooting glasses when hunting on dull days. The glasses will aid in spotting movement, from cottontails to whitetails, by increasing contrast and brightening the woods. Old socks are great for slipping over the stocks of your guns. They will prevent scratches during storage, when in gun racks, or when traveling. R emember that farmland whitetails and mule deer quickly become accustomed to the smell of cow poop. Although not very appealing, step in one on your way to the stand and it will aid in masking your scent.
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OCT. 13-OCT. 19, 2011