Milonajo Outdoors

Tips for Processing your Deer Properly

2011-12-18T13:02:00.000-05:00

With hunting season in full force, knowing how to properly process your deer is important. Some people choose to send their game out for processing while many others prefer to do it themselves. Most hunters know that they should dress the carcass as quickly as possible, but once it is hanging and ready for processing, what’s next?

During the transport home, it is essential to keep the carcass as cool as possible. If placing it in the trunk of a car, allow the carcass to cool down prior to placing it in the trunk. Although it is popular to do so, it is not recommended that you tie the deer to the roof or hood of your vehicle. Doing so exposes it to heat from the sun and the engine.

Many hunters prefer to age the carcass prior to processing. If you choose to do this, keep it stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less for a period of 2 to 3 days. If possible, do not allow it to freeze during this time as doing so can cause the meat to become tough. This step is not necessary if you are using the meat to make sausage.

To freeze the meat, cut and package it into portions that are meal sized for your family. Wrap it tightly in waxed paper, freezer wrap, a heavy-duty aluminum foil, or plastic freezer bags. Ensure that all of the air has been removed from the bag prior to freezing for best results. Meat that has been properly wrapped will store in the freezer for up to a year.

Venison can be made into ground meat and jerky as well as the traditional steaks and roasts. It is important to remember that venison is very low in fat content - averaging approximately 5% body fat versus the 25% body fat found in beef cows. Most often pork is added to the venison and then they are ground together to help the meat stick together. This addition allows the cook to use venison to create hamburgers, meatballs, meatloaf and more. One advantage to making your own ground venison is that you are able to add any spices prior to freezing to save you some time when you are ready to cook.

Handling, processing, and preparing the deer properly helps to reduce the risk of any food-borne illnesses. It is essential that steps are taken to prevent contamination, starting with how the carcass is handled in the field and ending with proper handling in the kitchen. Stop by Milonajo Outdoors for all of your game processing needs! Have a question? Let us know! We’d be happy to hear from you!

Another Kind of White-Tail Trophy

2011-12-15T15:48:00.001-05:00

After deer hunting for a good 30 years or so and searching for that trophy buck, this season I came across a little guy that was a trophy in his own right. Until this year I had never heard of the skewbald deer (sometimes called piebald or referred to as pintos.) Come to find out, it is quite uncommon to see one of these beautiful creatures and so I am not likely to ever have this opportunity again!

For those unfamiliar with the term, skewbald is a genetic variation that is uncommon to white-tailed deer. It causes the areas of brown to have white mottled in, similar in appearance to a pinto pony. Many times the terms are used interchangeably but the term piebald refers to black and white while skewbald is in reference to other colors - not black.

After doing a bunch of my own research, it doesn’t seem as though there really are any answers to what causes skewbald deer. They are not, as some believe, a cross between an albino and a normal white-tail but are just a genetic defect. Some believe they are the end result of inner breeding and these animals are inferior to the rest of the herd and should be removed to prevent them from carrying on this genetic flaw.

Myself, I was happy to take this skewbald from the area. He is currently at the taxidermist where he will be preserved forever and will no doubt be an interesting conversation starter at my house for years to come! And for those that are wondering, Yes - he made for some good eating too!

Milonajo Outdoors is on Facebook!

2011-10-28T13:18:00.005-04:00

If you haven’t already joined us on Facebook, now is the perfect time for you to stop by and “like” our Fan Page! We have a lot of excitement taking place in the form of contests and free giveaways but you have to like us to enter!

The contest rules are simple! After you like our page, send 25 of your friends over to like us! Ask each friend to post on our wall telling us that you sent them! Once you have hit 25, you will be entered into our drawing. If you have more friends that want to join, we will hand you a second entry into our drawing when you hit 40! Each one of your friends that join can join in on the fun and send 25 of their friends too!

I cannot give away too much and tell you what the winners will receive, but I can promise you that it IS great gear you will want! I take a lot of pride in the items I offer in my store and you will win one of the hundreds of fantastic items that we currently stock! Hurry over to Milonajo Outdoors on Facebook and join in on the fun - we’ve almost reached enough entries to hold our drawing!

What's Been Happening at Milonajo Outdoors!

2011-10-24T10:08:00.000-04:00

At Milonajo Outdoors, we are pleased to announce that we have partnered with US Outdoorsman Central (USOC) to be able to offer you outstanding deals, opportunities to win exciting hunting trips and much more! When you join USOC, you will also receive a code that will allow you to save 10% off of your purchase in our store!

Not only are we now able to offer all of these outstanding opportunities but we are still offering competitive pricing and a large inventory for all of your outdoor sporting needs. We have expanded our selection to include Elusion Camo, archery equipment including Steel Force Broadheads, The Big Acuta knife collection and more! If you haven’t tried Proc’s Huntin’ Buddy yet, you can even find him at our store!

If you haven’t stopped by Milonajo lately, you’ve been missing out on a lot of great deals! Stop in and give us a look! Christmas is coming and we’re sure to have the perfect gift for your favorite hunter. While you’re there, why not buy yourself the perfect gift too? Don't forget to look us up on Facebook! We're excited to announce that we are offering some great giveaways on our Fan Page too. You won't want to miss out! We have been very busy at Milonajo Outdoors!

Properly Maintaining Your Hunting Rifle

2011-03-11T21:06:00.001-05:00

Maintaining your hunting rifle is not only beneficial in prolonging the life of your firearm, but also helps maintain the accuracy of your shooting. It can seem like a tedious task, but once you have become familiar with the process, it is an easy way to get the most out of your firearm.

Learning to maintain your hunting rifle can be pretty simple. There are many products on the market that are one-step total gun care products. These products are usually sprayed on to the barrel and cylinder chambers to remove any dirt and, after it sits for a few minutes, it just wipes right off. If you don’t already own one, consider buying a rifle cleaning kit. They will include rods, patches, solvent, and so on - pretty much everything you will need to clean your rifle.

You will also want to spray the action. Allow the spray to sit for a few minutes before you wipe it down. Make sure to remove all of the fluid from the parts.

Next you will want to clean your barrel. Many gun owners opt to use a bore snake versus the traditional patches. Using a bore snake is as simple as spraying the floss end of it with the solvent and then guiding it though the barrel and out of the muzzle. Pull the bore snake through a second time to make sure the barrel is completely clean.

With the help of a bore light, take a look down the barrel of your rifle to make sure that it is clean. This is also a great opportunity to inspect the condition of it and make sure that there is nothing out of the ordinary happening.

Now you will want to lubricate your rifle. If you are going to be storing it for a lengthy period of time you should also lubricate the bore, otherwise it is not necessary. Use just a small amount of gun oil when you lubricate the action on your rifle - too much oil will attract dust and gum up the works.

That is about it, in a nutshell! As we always say, if you have questions, contact us! If you have any pointers to add, please feel free to leave a comment, we’d love to hear from you! Thank you for reading our blog, we hope you have enjoyed it!

5 Duck Decoy Set Up Tips

2011-03-09T11:24:00.000-05:00

Most duck hunters have spent years trying to perfect the spread of their decoys to make sure that they are set up in a way that will attract the most duck attention. When using the right setup and the right species of duck, you will, without a doubt, harvest more ducks during the season then you ever have before. We decided to share 5 of our decoy setup tips with our readers.

#1 - Make sure that your decoy spread features a landing zone. If there is not one, you will see ducks circle around the spread and never land. The landing zone needs to be the right size and there shouldn’t be anything blocking the opening. If they do not have a place to land, it won’t matter how many decoys you set up or how real the decoys look, the ducks will not land.

#2 - Having the right decoys is important. That expression “ducks of a feather flock together” isn’t just a cute saying, but is true. Ducks are attracted to other ducks in their species. It sounds simple enough, but not everyone follows this rule. If you are hunting Mallard ducks then you should use Mallard duck decoys. If the area you are hunting has many different species of ducks that you are hunting, then you can use different species of decoys - but just keep each species in its own area of the spread.

#3 - How alive (or dead) does your decoy look? If you are hunting on a nice calm day, your decoy spread might look like a bunch of dead ducks floating around! Adding a little bit of motion to your decoys can help bring them to life and attract other ducks. Adding motion can be done with a machine, with magnets or even by using string. It really makes a difference!

#4 - To elaborate a bit on tip #3 - when buying decoys reconsider using decoys that do not have weighted keels. Although the weighted keel is a popular choice, too much weight in the decoy can hinder movement on days that only have a light breeze.

#5 - Spend some time during the season observing the ducks that you are hunting. By learning how they act on the water, how they circle, and how they react to your spread will help you place your set up in a way that will be the most effective. Pay attention and you will learn the best spread and how many decoys

We hope our tips help you have a great duck hunting season! If you have any tips to add, feel free to leave a comment - we would love to hear what works the best for our readers. As always, if you have any questions, you can always contact us!

Useful Tips for Training Your Dog to Hunt

2011-03-01T14:33:00.000-05:00

When it comes to hunting waterfowl, there is nothing quite as awesome as watching your dog swim out into the freezing cold water to retrieve your prize and swim back to the shore carrying it in his mouth. Not only is it a great feeling when you are the one that trained your dog to do this, but there are few things that you will come to appreciate as much as your 4 legged hunting partner taking the swim into that freezing cold water for you.

A well trained hunting dog will not only help you hunt successfully, but will also become an obedient, lifelong friend and a cherished family pet. The following tips are meant to help you get started in training your hunting dog. These tips may not work for all dogs but will work with Terriers, Spaniels, Retrievers and Pointers.

To begin with, make sure that you do your research. There are a lot of different breeds of hunting dogs. Each one has a reputation for being skilled at one type of hunting or another. Research the different breeds to make sure you are choosing the one that is the best suited to your hunting needs. Each breed will vary in the amount of care that it will need. Some need a lot of room to run and others lead a sedentary life so it is also important you take the needs of the dog into consideration - and remember that a cute puppy could grow into a decent sized dog.

Many people find that choosing a puppy versus an adult dog nets better results. If you are simply looking for a house pet, then you should definitely choose an older, well behaved dog. Check your local dog shelters for the perfect household companion. For hunting it typically works best if you train the animal, beginning when he is a puppy. Taking the time to acclimate your new puppy to water will help ready him to go into open water when the time comes.

Teaching them some of the most basic of commands is also beneficial. Although you may feel it is cliché to train the dog to sit, it will help set the foundation for the future when you are training her to learn and listen to more complex demands. Introduce your puppy to decoys and scents early. You want to make sure that he learns the difference between a decoy and a real duck at a young age.

Always take time to reinforce positive behavior with a positive reward. Dogs love to know when they have pleased their owner. It is important when establishing a long relationship with your dog that he knows, from an early age, when he has done something that he will be rewarded for. If it is possible, train the dog daily. Making it a fun and rewarding experience for her will help her learn quicker.

Use training tools such as decoys and scents often so that the dog will become adjusted to the scent and feel of the waterfowl (or other animal) that you want her to hunt with you. If a boat will be used, train her using the boat so she will learn how to get in and out and will not be scared of it. As the dog learns, begin taking him out into real hunting scenarios so that he will adjust to that part of the training phase. During the training, when you are training the dog to adjust to gun fire, start by shooting away from the animal and over time, make adjustments until you are able to shoot right over her head. In time she will learn not to be afraid of the sound of gun fire when she is out hunting with you.

As always, we would love to hear any feedback from our readers. If you have additional tips that will help us or other readers train their dogs for hunting, please leave us a comment that we can share with everyone. You are of course always welcome to contact us too.

How to Build a Campfire

2011-02-23T22:32:00.000-05:00

Is there anything as great as standing around a campfire on a cool evening? It is a great feeling to warm up the front of your body, then turn around and warm up your backside until you are nice and toasty warm. Sitting around a nice campfire with friends and family, toasting marshmallows, cooking hot dogs and breathing fresh air while you watch the glow of the fire is one of those moments that you just cannot beat!

Enjoying a campfire and knowing how to make a campfire are two different issues all together. Some people seem to be able to start a fire without any problems and then others seem to try and try and cannot get a campfire going, no matter how hard they try. There are a few tricks that might help you get started.

First, choose your spot. Be sure to choose wisely and think safety first. The area you choose should be away from dry grass, tree limbs, and any other debris. It is also important that it is far enough away from tents and screen houses to prevent a spark from blowing into one of them and melting a hole - or worse.

If you did not bring wood, you can normally find kindling size sticks and plenty of wood in the wooded area nearby. If there is no wooded area and you did not bring any, you can usually find a place to buy some, either a road side seller or small store.

One of the mistakes that many make is that they do not think small enough. When starting your fire, you want to use a gentle touch and start your fire with newspaper, pine needles, dry leaves, or any other item that will catch fire easily, placed under a small pile of little sticks and twigs. When the small fire is flickering and the sticks have caught fire, you can add larger sticks to it. As the fire grows, you can continue to add larger pieces of wood until you have made the fire as big as you want it.

Building a great fire is really all about common sense. Start with a small fire and add wood however you want, to make the fire you want to have. Be sure to keep your fire at a reasonable level so that it does not get out of control on you. Then sit back and enjoy the great outdoors!

If you have any tips to starting a great campfire, feel free to comment and let us know! We would love to hear your ideas.

FoxPro Prairie Blaster Game Call Quick How-To Guide

2011-02-19T17:20:00.036-05:00

As a serious predator hunter, you have probably heard about the FoxPro Prairie Blaster game call. You might not fully understand what makes it the best on the market or how to use it so you have put off buying it. One of the first things that are worth noting about this caller is that you can add sounds to this one. Some come preinstalled with 100 sounds but do not have the ability to add more. With the FoxPro Prairie Blaster you can as many sounds as you would like. More than a caller, the FoxPro Prairie Blaster also includes a decoy. You have made a great decision in buying this innovative, highly advanced, digital wildlife caller.

To fully understand the features of you FoxPro Prairie Blaster, read the manual that came with it in its entirety. In the meantime, this guide will help you to try out your new Prairie Blaster as soon as you receive it.

Battery Installation:

The Prairie Blaster will require 8 “D” size batteries; they are not included in the box so you will want to make sure you have them handy. On the side of the caller you will find the battery door. Remove it and put the batteries inside of the cavity. Then replace the door.

The transmitter will require the use of 3 “AA” batteries, also not included. For best results you should buy lithium or high quality alkaline batteries. On the back of the transmitter is the battery compartment cover. Remove it and insert the 3 “AA” batteries as shown.

Playing Sounds:

Your new Prairie Blaster can be operated with or without the transmitter. This way if you want to walk with the sound and make it appear to be moving, you can. Make sure that at least 1 speaker is in the on position. To do this, turn the on/off knob clockwise, until you hear a click. This switch also serves as the volume control. Pressing the up or down arrow, select the number of the sound you want. When you release the button, the sound will play. To choose a different sound, press the up or down button again.

Operate the Prairie Blaster by Remote Control:

Turn on the transmitter by pressing the sound selector knob down for 4 seconds. If you do not hold it long enough, the screen will display “FoxPro the caller of the wild” and will shut back off. Otherwise you will know it has turned on because the words “FoxPro the caller of the wild” will appear on the screen and then the version number of the remote will show. You will select the sound you want by turning the selector knob on the transmitter either clockwise to scroll up or counter-clockwise to scroll down. When you reach the desired sound, highlight it and press the selector knob down. Next you can adjust the sound volume using the volume up arrow. To mute the sound, press the mute button. The mute button doubles as a pause button so when you un-mute the sound, it will pick up where you left off rather than starting over.

Powering Down:

To help ensure longer battery life, shut down both the Prairie Blaster and the transmitter when you are done using them. To power off the transmitter, press and hold the selector knob until the menu appears. Then press the knob a second time to shut it off. If you do not turn it off, it will shut down itself after 2 hours of inactivity. To shut off the Prairie Blaster, simply turn the on/off switch to the off position.

We hope that this quick guide has helped you learn to use your new FoxPro Prairie Blaster. We currently have this item on sale in our store, but act quickly as supplies are limited! If you have any questions, whether to find out more about how to use it or even why you should buy this one, please feel free to contact us. We would enjoy hearing from some of our readers that own this and want to share a story or two!

Monthly Wild Game Recipes! February - Antelope Soup

2011-02-15T11:44:00.000-05:00

At Milonajo Enterprises, we know that half of the fun of the hunt is the eating! With this in mind, we have decided to start dedicating one blog each and every month to a tasty recipe for wild game. For our first recipe, we are going to feature Antelope Soup. A nice warm bowl of soup with some nice crusty Italian bread is perfect for this cold, snowy winter weather!

Antelope Soup:
1 pound Antelope, cut into bite sized pieces
1 large onion, diced
1 pound bag of baby carrots, cut into bite sized pieces
1 cup diced celery
4 or 5 Medium sized potatoes, cubed
1 TBSP sugar
1 TBSP bacon fat
1 12 ounce can of sweet corn
1 cup Lima beans
Salt and pepper to taste
oil for sauteing
water or stock (beef or chicken)

In a pot heat oil and saute the onions and antelope meat until nicely browned. Drain the oil and add the remaining ingredients. If you want to you can substitute any of the vegetables for your favorites or even add more vegetables to the pot. Use enough water or beef stock to cover all of the ingredients. Simmer over low heat until the vegetables are tender and the meat is cooked. For best flavor, allow the soup to cool and put it into the refrigerator overnight. The next day, reheat, serve, and enjoy!

Have a favorite recipe that you would like to share with our readers? If you do, contact us and we might feature your recipe in one of our upcoming blogs. We will, of course, give you full credit and will provide a link back to your blog if you would like us to! Be sure to check back for our March recipe!

Being Prepared for Spring Turkey Hunting

2011-02-13T21:16:00.003-05:00

If you are like a lot of hunters, you may already have cabin fever and you just cannot wait for the next hunting season to begin. The good news is that spring turkey hunting season is just around the corner in most states. Not only will you be able to get outside, but you will also be able to enjoy hunting in some warmer weather once again.

One thing you will want to be when the day finally comes is prepared. You will be disappointed in yourself if you get out into the field to hunt and forgot some of the essential items that every turkey hunter needs to have. You might want to consider purchasing a hunting pack to carry all of your items in.

A good backpack can be especially handy for everything from a hunting seat to some snacks. Other things that you should consider bringing are decoys and turkey calls, shells for your gun, and some water to drink. A good hunting knife has a way of being handy when you least expect it to be, and so it always a good idea to keep one of them in your bag too.

Some people also like to carry a rain parka, first aid kit, and a map or even a GPS of the area they will be hunting. If you like the idea of taking a map but do not want to deal with having to fold it up, consider using an online map service where you can print it out onto a 8” x 11” piece of paper - it will fold up much easier than a standard map does.

A few other items to take with you include a good source of light, in case it is still dark when you head out, and a good solid pair of binoculars so that you can have a great view of the turkey and you can tell if it is a tom or a hen. Bringing these items along will help ensure that you are well prepared for the hunt. Some people also like to carry a camera when they hunt. This way they can share the experience with family and friends. It is also one way to document the hunt.

Take some time, a week or so before hunting season starts, and scout the area where you plan to turkey hunt. Going out and scouting too far before the start of season might be misleading because you might see a lot of turkeys that will no longer be there since they will go a long way on their search for food. Scouting early in the morning, even before dawn might help you spot the turkeys. If you scout later that day, look for other signs such as droppings, bedding areas, scratching in the ground, and so on.

If you have any hunting stories you would like to share, we would love to hear them! We also welcome any additional tips that you might have to offer. Please feel free to leave us any comments that you might have.


Photo courtesy of Fired Up Outdoors

The Beginners Guide to Calling Coyotes

2011-02-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the excitement that it offers, coyote hunting has become quite popular in North America. The purpose of this blog post is to provide beginners with a few tips that will help ensure your success at calling coyotes.

The first crucial step to being a success is scouting the area. Keep an eye out for signs such as scat and tracks to indicate that there are coyotes present. You might consider taking notes as to where you see coyotes repeatedly so that you can target these areas specifically. Seek out areas where there is prey that coyotes will be hunting such as rabbits, deer, mice, and so on. This will help to make sure that you are able find some coyotes.

The coyote’s sense of smell is amazing. For this reason it is vital to pay attention to the direction of the wind at all times and to make sure that you position yourself with the wind in your face or in a crosswind. If you are using one of the remote controlled callers available, position it upwind of where you are positioned, putting you in the perfect spot as the coyote circles. If it is possible, you should also keep the sun at your back so that the coyote has trouble seeing you or hidden in the shadows where you will be concealed from his view.

Thirdly, camouflage is essential for successful coyote calling. Blending into the surroundings is important. You will want to also make sure your face and hands are covered as human skin is extremely reflective and the coyotes will be able to spot you easily if any skin is visible.

Finally, the calling itself, and getting it right, is vital to your success. Items that are widely available today including the Foxpro Firestorm, the Foxpro Prairie Blaster, and the 100 sound Foxpro Fury Std. make it easier than ever to sound like a distressed rabbit, a coyote cub, or other animal that these predators will be on the hunt for.

These are just a few basic tips to help the beginner. Taking some time to study them and learn their habits will help you become a successful coyote hunter. Before you know it, you will be hooked for life! If you have any questions, like always, you are more than welcome to contact us. We love to hear from our customers!

Capturing Animals with a Game Camera

2011-02-07T08:08:00.000-05:00

Spring may still be a ways away, but after plowing and shoveling what seems like the never ending snow storm here in upstate NY, I am writing this blog and testing the whole “Think Spring” theory out. The spring months are the perfect time to set up your scouting cameras and start getting some nice pictures of animals such as coyotes, grouse, pheasants, turkeys, and more.

Buck captured with my game camera

One animal I have yet to capture with my game camera is a bear. With all the state land and forest around our house, I refuse to believe that there aren’t any bears out here. Those that hunt bear find that it helps to set up a camera at one of their bait stations so that they can learn what baits are the most effective and, by using a bait drum, or other nearby object, they can also get an accurate assessment of the size of the bear.

One word of caution is that bears are known to wreck a game camera. For this reason it is generally a good idea to purchase a camera that offers a protective case that will help protect it from bears and other animals.

There is another to place your game camera at the bait station. If you set it up on a trail, you risk missing out on some of the action. Bears are smart and will often use a different route to get to the food each time. By setting up on the trail only, you will miss out on the big guys that find an alternate route to the food.

When you set up your camera near a bait station, you will want to adhere too many of the guidelines that are recommended for deer. Consider setting the timer delay to 5 minute intervals to help you avoid getting multiple images of the same animal.

Owning a good game or scouting camera as part of your hunting kit will help take a lot of the guess work out of your hunting. With tools such as this you can gain enough insight to be able to plan a better hunting strategy.

If you have any questions about this or any of the items that we have available for sale, you are always welcome to contact us - we will help you the best that we can. If you have any stories to share about your game cameras, please feel free to post them to our comments. We do love to swap good stories!

The Joys of Camping or Okay, Enough Snow Already!

2011-02-05T15:06:00.000-05:00

A lot of people love to pack up their families and go camping, or spend a weekend “roughing it” with a group of friends. There is really nothing quite like a camping trip to relax and unwind and really make you appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer. If you have not been camping in years, or have never been and cannot quite figure out the allure of sleeping outside and cooking over a campfire, it might be the year to reconsider how you will spend your summer.

Camping is one of those things that you should do before you cannot do it anymore. You should do it with your children before they have grown up and moved out. It is easy to go camping these days, even for a beginner. You can rent an RV, reserve a beautiful rustic cabin, or sleep in tents. With your down-filled sleeping bag and your portable heater, you will be camping in luxury!

Camping is one of the cheapest ways that you and your family can go on a good, quality vacation. When is the last time that you let all of your senses truly appreciate what Mother Nature offers? Waking up to the sound of a bird chirping outside of the tent is so much more pleasant than waking up to the sound of that annoying alarm clock on your nightstand. Even your favorite television show cannot stand up to the light show when you look up at a clear night sky. Sitting around a campfire at night and looking at the Big Dipper and his friends is a wonderful feeling.

If you have never eaten food that was cooked outside on an open fire, you are missing a heck of a treat. Nothing tastes as good as a hot dog that you cooked on a stick over a campfire. Nothing. If you do not want to cook like that, do not let that be the reason you do not go camping. There are all kinds of camp stoves that you can choose from to be used when you are camping. While you at it, you can even pick up a nice lantern so you will have plenty of light for those nightly card games.

Camping is one of the greatest ways to pluck your family off of all of the electronics that they are usually glued to such as gaming systems, televisions and computers. Camping allows them to use their imaginations again and to experience the great outdoors. A lot of campsites also offer boating sites and fishing holes and swimming areas so you and your family can spend some quality time with each other and put life back into perspective.

I do not know about the rest of you, but we are ready for Spring!

Considering a Spotting Scope? Read this First!

2011-02-04T13:13:00.001-05:00

If you have a good, quality pair of binoculars, why in the world would you need to have a spotting scope? For one, a spotting scope is ideal anytime that you want more magnification than your binoculars can provide. They are virtually a small telescope that has been modified in such a way that it can be used during the day. It is mounted on a small, photo tripod, and is usually built to be both water and fog proof.

Spotting scopes are used often for bird watching, hunting, viewing landscapes and wildlife, and for surveillance. They are used frequently to score targets on archery, rifle and pistol ranges, and are also used with an assortment of cameras to take long distance photos.

As you browse through the spotting scopes on our site, you might be wondering what some of these numbers mean and what the difference is between them. One thing that you will notice that is common with nearly all of them is that they each have 3 numbers. The first set of numbers represents the range of the magnification, and the final number is the size of the lens in the front. Therefore, if you are looking at the Alpen Waterproof 15-45x60 spotting scope, that means that the zoom magnification features a range of 15-45x and the diameter of the front lens is 60mm.

Even with a spotting scope, heat waves, humidity, dust, wind, and other atmospheric conditions can limit your range of magnification leaving things looking blurry, no matter how much magnification you are using. On a clear, calm day you can see great distances and, at times, even tiny details such as facial features, up to a mile or more away.

There are advantages of using a spotting scope. One of the primary advantages is that it allows people to observe wildlife from an animal-friendly distance without causing any distress to the animals. You can use them to identify a specific bird in a large flock, distinguish one species of bird from another and spot birds in the distance.

When used to capture images, because of the higher magnification, a spotting scope can produce those brilliantly colored, high-contrast photos that we all love to look at. The optical design and stability make them comparable to, and in many cases, better than a high quality camera with a telephoto lens.

The purchase of a spotting scope is sure to open up a world of new opportunities for you. It will add a whole new dimension to everything you enjoy doing from bird watching, to hunting, and photography. It may take a bit to adjust to using the spotting scope versus your binoculars, but it will be well worth your efforts!

Additionally, each one of the Alpen Spotting Scopes ship for FREE from Milonajo Enterprises!

Another Outfitter Special - Book Your Hunt Today!

2011-02-01T19:54:00.000-05:00

At Milonajo Enterprises, we are dedicated to providing our customers with quality at great prices. We are very pleased to be able to already announce another great deal on a hunt on our new Outfitter Specials Page. When you visit the page, scroll down to the Prime Whitetail Hunting section.

This is a fantastic deal. When you book a week for a group of 4 hunters, you will get a 5th spot for free!This is a great deal with a savings of up to $400 per hunter. These hunts will take place in Calhoun County, Illinois - book your hunt fast, spots are filling up quickly and there are a limited number of spots available.

Stop by our site for all of the details about this, and other hunts, that you can book right now. You will find information on contacting Ryan to book your spot, and like always, you are invited to contact us for information too. If you have never done it, you should stop contemplating it and just do it. They are a lot of fun - but be warned, once you do it once, you will want to go back and do again!

Who is Interested in Hunting Antelope in NW Nebraska?

2011-01-31T20:42:00.001-05:00

If hunting antelope in Nebraska is the kind of hunting trip that appeals to you, but you have never been quite sure how to book something like this, stop by our new Outfitter Specials page at Milonajo Enterprises. While you are there you will find all of the information that you need including pricing, amenities, and location. You will also find all of the information that you will need to contact Ryan if you have any questions or to book your hunt. Of course, you are always welcome to contact us with any questions too!

The new Promotion at the Milonajo Facebook Fan Page!

2011-01-30T22:06:00.000-05:00

At Milonajo, we like to keep our friends and our customers on the toes! When you stop by and "like" our Facebook Fan Page, you will receive a generous coupon code so that you can save some money on your next purchase from our store! This is available only to the fans that click "like" on the welcome page!

Now we have added another promo! If you are fan number 25, you will automatically receive a $10 gift card to Dunkin Donuts! So hurry, stop by and "like" our page ~ we would love to see you win! Your gift card will be mailed to you, all free of charge and is redeemable on any Dunkin Donuts purchase! Just click here to be directed to our fan page on Facebook!

Good luck everyone!

For the Love of Weimaraner's - Meet Mandy!

2011-01-30T15:25:00.000-05:00

Today we decided to introduce you to our dog, Mandy. She is a purebred Weimaraner. To say that Mandy is a happy, loving, cheerful and affectionate dog would be an understatement! As you can see for yourself, she’s all of that. She does truly love her family, everyone from the kids to the adults. She loves her cats and she loves her dog “brother”, our 15 year old black lab mix, Zeus. As is typical with this breed, Mandy cannot be trusted with small animals such as rabbits or her natural instincts will shine through and she will do what dogs do naturally, but anyone that is family, she loves with every ounce of her being.

Although these photos show off her lovable, pampered side, she is also a very well behaved dog. She was not always like that though. If you are a dog lover then you already know how stubborn some dogs can be! Weimaraner’s are no exception to that rule. When she wants to be, Mandy can be very stubborn. It took some time and some ingenuity to train her because we did not get her when she was a pup. Mandy, in fact, sadly came from an abusive home and it took her some time to realize that we would never harm her. She was a bit wary at first, and can sometimes still be with strangers, but, all in all she is a great dog that has come a long way.

Unfortunately, because of her abusive background, Mandy is gun shy and so she is not much for hunting. She does love to run and she can sniff out and find nearly any thing in record time. She has natural abilities in the field that are just fantastic and would undoubtedly make the perfect bird dog if she was not gun shy.

Our Weimaraner is a swimmer. We have a nice pond in our back yard that Mandy swims in often! She is a good girl that can be taken off of her chain to run around the yard and go for a swim and she very rarely will take off. As a natural retriever, she is happy to carry things around all day long. She is not very good at retrieving birds, rabbits or other wildlife, but when she likes something, she will carry it around all day. Mandy is not afraid to bring you her water or food dishes if they are empty. If they are not empty, she will move them to where her people are if she is hungry and not happy with the location of the dishes.

Our Mandy is a lover. It is a good thing too because she is a strong dog and could be a problem otherwise. She was not always so obedient though! There was a time she was very vocal, at times a little too much. With the proper use of an anti-bark collar, we were able to break her of that habit. We still get to hear her voice, but she has learned some self control.

There was a day that Mandy would take off and run when we would let her off of her chain, a time that she would be stubborn and not listen and would not follow the house rules, so we engaged the use of an electronic collar and, because she is a smart breed of dog, she learned very quickly.

She may not be our hunting dog, but she is a beautiful animal with a big, kind heart. She can be trusted in the house all day if we are gone and there is no doubt that she would protect all of us, including her older brother Zeus and her feline friends, with all of the strength in her body. Our only regret with her is that we did not get the opportunity to be the first family in her life. Had she not been abused, she would no doubt be a prized hunting dog as well as the perfect family pet.

Exciting News for the Milonajo Enterprises Website!

2011-01-29T15:48:00.000-05:00

If you head over to our website, you will notice some small changes. One of the changes you will notice is a page that we are going to be adding very soon - a new Outfitter Specials page! On this new page you will be able to find some great deals on guided hunting and fishing trips.

If you have always thought it would be great to hunt elk or bear but have never been able to figure out how to put a trip of this caliber together, let us help you out! On this page we will be working with some of the top Outfitters to help you find some great bargains on some hunting trips that you just will not be able to pass up.

Outfitters schedule fishing and hunting trips from Alaska to Pennsylvania and into Canada. You will have the opportunity to hunt for everything from cougars in New Mexico to buffalo in Wyoming and black bear in Canada! The possibilities are endless.

If you are interested in having your company represented on our new Outfitter Specials page, contact us. We will be happy to accommodate you.

Uses and Information About Ground Blinds

2011-01-23T11:46:00.000-05:00

When most people hear the term “ground blinds” they think of hunting. Ground blinds can be used for so much more. In fact I recently read a review from a fellow hunter who said that they use their 10 year old Ameristep ground blind for an outhouse when he’s camping! They are also a great way to get perfect photos of wild life.

When we decided to write our blog about ground blinds and the many ways that you can use them, we never thought we would run across someone that used theirs in that capacity - but it does show you just how versatile and functional one of these can be!

Ground blinds make a great alternative to a tree stand, especially if you are afraid of heights or lack large trees in the area where you hunt. Many are large enough to accommodate even a bow hunter when they draw and shoot. Some include their own fold down seat. They are a great way to teach your children how to hunt and keep them on the ground. One of the most important features of a ground blind is their ease in mobility. It is easy to pick them up and move them from one deer trail to another, even in one day.

So how do you choose a ground blind? Trying to choose one can be a daunting task. One of the things to keep in mind is the size of the blind you will need for your hunt. Smaller ones will work for rifle hunting, but if you plan to bow hunt, you will need a bigger one so that you will have enough space to be able to comfortably draw your bow. It is also important to consider the area that you will be hunting and make sure that your ground blind will blend into the terrain.

At Milonajo Enterprises you will find a great variety of ground blinds to choose from. If you have any questions and need help making a choice, you are welcome to contact us and we will provide you with some solid advice that will help you choose the right one to meet your needs.

Tips For Choosing A Tent

2011-01-20T16:40:00.000-05:00

It can be a little confusing to figure out how to choose the right size tent, especially if camping is a new experience for you. There are a lot of different styles of tents to choose from, if you are going to be camping and sleeping outside, it is important to know how to choose the right one for you and your family.

When you are shopping around and looking at all of the different tents, there are 2 questions that you should keep in mind:

1. What time of the year will we use the tent?

2. How many people will be using the tent?

Let us take a look at these two questions and why they are important when shopping for your tent.

The first question is important because there are tents that are made for many different seasons, weather conditions and climates. There are 3-season tents that are designed for use in the spring, summer and fall. There are 4-season tents can withstand harsh winter weather. They will include extra poles and feature steep sidewalls. These features help them withstand strong winds and heavy snow. They are also dome shaped to help prevent a lot of snow build up. There are also convertible tents that can be used year round and, summer or warm weather tents that are specially designed for use in the warm summer weather.

The next question regarding the number of people is important because you will want to ensure that you have enough space for everyone and any gear that they have to fit inside comfortably. It is important that you also consider the size of the people. A tent that is suitable for 2 - 3 people might hold as many as 3 or 4 children but only 2 adults comfortably.

When the time comes to buy your tent, you could take a trip to the local department store and buy the first one that looks good. Since these tents tend to be mass produced, they do not feature the same quality and the attention to detail that you will find with the tents that you can buy at Milonajo Enterprises.

With Milonajo, customer care does not stop after your purchase has shipped out. If you have any questions or encounter any problems, you can send an email and they will get right back to you. If you need help selecting the right camping gear, the folks at Milonajo will be happy to assist you. They sell the products that they use and can recommend the right gear for you if you need help.

The Benefits of Using an Underground or Electronic Dog Fence

2011-01-19T07:59:00.001-05:00

To continue on a bit about our last topic about dog training, this post will be a guide as to the benefits of using an electronic fence. Most people choose to buy an electronic fence to keep their dog in the yard when there is not a traditional fence present. Electronic fences, also known as underground fences, work by generating a mild shock if the dog tries to leave the area that has been designated.

Some of the systems use ultrasound, others use a mild electric shock, and there are some that use a combination of the two. When using the term “electric shock”, although to some it may sound a bit cruel, it really is nothing more than a mild discomfort to your dog.

There are 2 different types of electronic fences. One that requires that wire is buried underground along the perimeter of the yard. The other type is wireless and works with radio waves. Both of these electronic fences will require that the dog wear a specially made collar. For this article, we will talk about the wired systems.

As we said above, wired systems work just as their name would imply. The wire that runs this type of system is usually buried underground, and the dog needs to be wearing the collar that came with it for the fence to function as it should. As an alternative to burying the wires, they can also be installed using Sod Staples if you do not want to or cannot dig the yard up to install it underground. One of the greatest advantages of the wired systems is that they can typically cover a larger area than the wireless models.

Some of the wired systems are made to work only outside. Others, including the Innotek Contain and Train Underground Dog Fence, feature transmitters that will allow them to work both inside and outside. This type of system can be handy if you also want to keep your dog out of some of the rooms in your house, off of the couch and so on.

This type of fence, because it is hidden, can be installed even if you live in an area where zoning laws prohibit the use of traditional fences or if you have to deal with a neighborhood association that does not allow fences. If your dog barks excessively when he is tied outside, when you use this fence, tying outside will become a thing of the past.

Invisible fences require little to not maintenance. Aside from the occasional battery change, there is no painting, repairing or replacing rusted sections, and so on. These fences are available at Milonajo Enterprises for a great price. Shop with us and you can even find an invisible fence to keep your cat in the yard!

Training with Electronic Dog Collars

2011-01-18T11:02:00.000-05:00

Contrary to popular belief, electronic dog collars really are harmless and do not cause excessive pain to your dog. They are not intended to be used as an every day collar, just strictly for training your dog. They really are a safe and effective way to control your dog off of his leash. They are safe, simple to use, and they really do work.

Electronic dog collars are a valuable tool that can be used to stop many of the behaviors in your dog that are undesirable. They are especially helpful on dogs that are not responding to other forms of training. Some of the more common reasons these collars are used are to put an end to excessive barking and to stop your dog from running off.

Electronic shock collars feature a battery operated device that gives out a mild shock to the dog’s neck. Some models can be set up to automatically administer the shock. For example, after the dog barks a specified number of times, the collar will automatically administer a shock.

For basic obedience training or correcting simple behavioral issues, an electronic collar that features a remote control may be more effective. These types of collars offer many benefits including multiple levels of stimulation levels, two sets of probes for long or short haired dogs, and a waterproof receiver. These types of collars, because they are controlled remotely, your dog will not know where the stimulation is coming from and so it will not harm the relationship you have with your pet.

Electronic dog collars can be a very effective tool when you want to eliminate unwanted dog behaviors. If no other training methods have worked, an electronic dog collar may be exactly what you have been looking for.You can find a large selection of these collars and other dog training tools and pet supplies at Milonajo Enterprises.

Bird Watching and Other Reasons to Love your Alpen Binoculars

2011-01-17T14:05:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of reasons to own a good pair of Alpen Binoculars. One reason is that right now, for every pink pair of binoculars sold, Alpen will make a donation to Breast Cancer Awareness. If that is not a reason to be proud to be an Authorized Alpen dealer, I do not know what is! Alpen backs there products with a limited lifetime warranty. As long as you are the original owner, Alpen will repair or replace the product.

There are of course other reasons to own a pair of high quality Alpen Binoculars. If you love the outdoors, chances are you also love to watch birds and animals.The Alpen Shasta Ridge 10x42 are premium binoculars that are waterproof, multicoated and will provide the user with much needed eye relief. These binoculars will allow for optimal viewing regardless of the weather conditions. With their BAK4 optics, it does not matter if you are a hunter, bird watcher or shooter, you will appreciate the clear view. When your goal is top performance at a great value, Alpen Binoculars are an excellent choice and perfect for bird watching, boating, hunting, or any other outside hobby you might have.

Right now, at Milonajo Enterprises, you will find all of our Alpen products, including our selection of binoculars, on sale with FREE SHIPPING! There has never been a better time to start a new hobby enjoying the great outdoors or to renew an old love.