Midwest Outdoorsman

Ways to Wait..

2010-01-05T18:29:00.000-08:00

There are several ways to wait for that big claim in the woods while hunting. Someone may choose to sit, whether on the ground or in the air, or stalk it. Everyone has a different preference. It also depends on the weapon to be used.

On heavy acreage in the woods or forest, Sitting in a particular spot after preparation scouting is the most common. Many hunters just sit by a tree all camouflaged up. There are also hundreds of different styles of blinds that hide the hunter inside. These are quite common for the rifle hunter. In the air, there are stands that sit on tripods or tree stands. These are common for the bow hunter considering game has to be at a closer range. There is also a wide variety of these too.

Depending on personal preference, weapon, weather, and of course what is being hunted, there are plenty of ways in approaching your trophy. The patience just has to go a long way. For me a little comfort is always nice too. But in the end its worth it, hopefully.

Is Livestock Causing Global Warming?

2010-01-04T18:39:00.000-08:00

Apparently there is another next to leading cause of global warming. It is one of our main sources of food, livestock. Yes, from the ground meat that you buy at the grocery store. The methane (burps,farts,etc) that is let off from livestock animals is supposedly 18 times worse than auto exhaust.

Ingrid Newkirk, PETA President, said, "A tax on meat would help prevent future global warming-related natural disasters by encouraging a decrease in meat consumption.

Seriously, a higher tax on meat products is gonna help this? Not only farm raised livestock are at stake here. If commercial livestock taxes are to be skyrocketed, then alot of people would still find other means in the wild. Looking at the deer, elk, moose, and such. Then if you ended hunting, well, the population of the hunted animals would get outta control. Plus alot of angry sportsmen. You can see more about this environmental environmental issue here

Changing to Non-Lead Ammunition.

2010-01-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year the NPS(National Park Services) called for a ban on lead ammunition and fishing tackle. Saying that it will help with the contamination of park wildlife and water pollution. They are insisting on ammunition made of titanium, copper, and/or steel to be used. The NRA-ILA is disputing this because of the fact that it will make ammunition costly. Driving hunters to have to dig deeper into their pockets.

Lead ammo is used because of the lower cost and its soft, malleability. In other words, when shot the velocity actually heats up and remolds itself. Flattening to a mushroom type form. Shotguns shells are the ones with the most lead. Filled with several round lead balls.

If a bullet were to be made of a harder metal such as tungsten titanium, copper, or steel wouldn't that make it a little more lethal? Even armor piercing? That would make it a full metal jacket. They make the ballistic style bullets now that are costly. Which they are lead free. They have a hard plastic in place of the lead on the tips of center fire ammo. When shot the plastic melts giving the rest of the bullet a chance to take its form for the impact. But, if the world of ammunition is converting to these harder metals, what's the next step for them.

Feral hogs spreading

2010-01-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

For the past several years feral hogs have been spreading very rapidly throughout the midwestern states. They seem to be traveling north as the seasons change. Many have yet to see a wild hog in the woods, but soon you probably will. Many times, domestic farm pigs will get loose and start a family tree almost instantly

Feral hogs impose almost an immediate threat to everything they encounter. Even themselves in some cases. They are extremely vicious and use extreme caution if encountered. They have been known to carry diseases and will attack you. Especially a mother with her young as you are a threat. Here in Missouri if a feral hog is seen, they should be put down immediately all year round. No special hunting season is for them. They impose that much of a threat.

They severely damage the land and water sources. They tear up woodlands by uprooting all the plants and pollute the waters. They are a nuisance to farmers because they will tear up a crop field tremendously. Since they are pigs, they will eat just about anything they can find. This makes other wildlife seek food in other places. These animals need to be under a control.

Folklore of the Persimmon Tree.

2009-12-31T18:37:00.000-08:00

You know how they use the groundhog to tell how much colder weather is coming? Well this is one of the many so-called ways of predicting future forecasts by using nature itself. There are several Folklore and Farmers tales that are actually still being used today.

Well, apparently there is a new one that I had just found out about that I thought was interesting. I was reading the Missouri Conservationist and they were talking about the folklore of a persimmon tree. The U.S. Is covered with these things in the wild. They bear fruit, so they are loved by the wildlife. I see these trees everyday. Knowing this is gonna make me look at them differently.

Ok, so the tale is that the persimmon tree can predict the upcoming winter. Apparently the tree has a fall harvest dropping the little apricot-looking fruits. U will need this fruit for the prediction. The seed inside needs to be removed and cracked open carefully. The embryo inside will have 1 of 3 shapes. A fork, a knife, and a spoon. The fork represents a normal winter. The knife is for a really cold winter. And last, the spoon which signifies a shovel. Be prepared for snow.

Helping out the Monarchs!

2009-12-31T12:24:00.000-08:00

Monarch Butterflies is one of the most common in butterflies in the United States. They are known for their large size, pollination, and migration. These butterflies can live for a few years. They migrate north to the U.S. during the summer months to lay eggs and for the transformation from catepillar to butterfly. Then retreat south for the winter months.
In the past few years the population of the monarch has severly decreased. Climate changes and loss of habitat in Mexico where they go for the winter, has created a severe issue to the butterflies. But we can help...
Monarch Butterflies will only lay their eggs on Aslcepias, or milkweed; butterfly weed. Caterpillars also feed on them. They are a nice perennial flower that most gardeners already have in the garden. Doing this could help increase the numbers of monarchs. You can find places on the web that helps promote this. Livemonarch.com is a site that helps with this and you can also purchase (for almost free) milkweed plants there. This site can inform you on growing the plant at mywebgardenguide.weebly.com

Improving the Quail Count!

2009-12-30T20:20:00.000-08:00

For the past several years conservation departments throughout the midwestern states have been trying to increase the Quail population by making more suitable habitats for them. The conservations have been making brush piles for them to house in near woodlines, planting more of the annual plants for them to feed on, and clearing out areas for them to walk. They are hoping to increase the population of Quail and other grassland birds in the areas. Check with your local conservation to see if they participate in the program. If you are a landowner, you can even participate too.

What to do with the Tree?

2009-12-29T11:49:00.000-08:00

For only a little over a generation ago people have been using artificial Christmas trees to decorate their homes for the holidays. Many still traditionally use the real thing. Many of the real trees are planted and replanted yearly just for the use, keeping the wildlife from danger. The artificial tree can simply just be put back in the box. But many are wondering what to do with the real ones.

There are many of ways to dispose of a real Christmas Tree the correct way. It comes from nature, so put it back in nature. Even though the tree will no longer grow, it can still be made of critical use. Simply putting the tree back in the woods or forest will create nesting grounds for wildlife. Adding to a woodline would be best for the animals. You can even throw a real Christmas tree in a lake or small river creating spawning beds for fish. Please make sure the tree is clean in either cases.

If you are unable to place the tree back in nature, you can still do alot by having it recycled. The point is to just keep the tree from going to waste. Its better than throwing it away or dumping it somewhere. Make it of use by someone or something. Call your local conservation they can give you a designated place for disposal.

Got Minerals?

2009-12-20T15:44:00.000-08:00

When a hunter hunts, it has to be planned out. When hunting in woodlands for any game normally they will hear you before you can even acknowledge them. Stalking is almost not an option in a heavily wooded area. So you must sit.Unless you plan on just sitting somewhere where you know they are crossing or walking through on a daily basis, you have to have soemthing to draw them in. Here in Missouri you are not allowed to use a decoy for hunting whitetail. You are also not allowed to bait. Baiting is using a food source set down specifically for that hunt. But, you are allowed to use a mineral or salt lick block. There are many kinds of blocks available. Alot of the time you will find deer licking on the salt blocks that are set out in cattle fields. Almost everything in the woods will come and check out a mineral lick. It is not considered a food, just a lick that contains the essential minerals and such to help promote growth. Even if you are not into the hunting sport, blocks still help the wildlife out.

Point Restrictions on Antlered Deer

2009-12-20T12:20:00.000-08:00

This year Missouri has enforced a new 4-point restriction law for antlered whitetail deer for rifle hunting portion. The law states that no antlered deer with less than 4 points on one side can be taken. Does, can still be taken at any time throughout all the hunting seasons. The new law is supposed to encourage the growth of younger bucks.

I think that this new law can benefit both ends. I am a hunter myself here in MO and whitetail deer is the largest game that can be hunted. Every hunter at one time or another wants a trophy buck. The most common around here is your typical 8 pointer. They are larger than that, but that is just the most common ones. Larger ones are normally 10-12 points. Anything more than that is almost non-typical. But every year a buck gets a new set of antlers. Most of the time the older they are more points it will have. On the deers behalf, they will have more of a chance to grow. Also population increase may happen. Either way, this has decreased the amount of deer taken this year. Some people are in it for the trophy. Some hunt for the food. Some for both. It would be nice to have more of an abundance of deer with larger antlers in either case. I am for this new law.

Why not Muzzleload?

2009-12-18T18:43:00.000-08:00

As we know muzzloading has been around much longer than your centerfire rifles. But today, very few use one. One of the brands I use, Knight Rifles, has recently stopped producing and selling rifles and other arms. Muzzleloading is more of a challenge when hunting considering you only have one shot and you have to manually load it by the barrel or muzzle. But really how many shots do you need. Unless your hunting long range areas where rifles that can reach out and touch something. Muzzleloaders are not very accurate on long range shots. If it will even reach. Generally only good for a few hundred yards. Bullets are very heavy compared to centerfire.

Most people as I know bow hunt for the challenge. Game has to be within 40-50 yards or so for an accurate shot with a bow and arrow. I bow,rifle, and muzzleload for Whitetail deer. I even use my muzzleloader most of the time during the centerfire rifle portion. It is legal. But you cant use a centerfire for the muzzleloader portion. I try to get as much time as I can in the woods. Using the muzzleloader gives me the whole other season to hunt.With the economy going the way it is I think more hunters and other shooting sports may start bringing the muzzleloader back. With the price of ammunition skyrocketing, some may have no choice. Alot of new things are coming from the past.