The Rub Line - News, Notes, and Hunt Reports from the Deer & Deer Hunting Staff

Sheboygan Buck Not a World Record

DDH Staff — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:50:47 GMT

Claims that a buck shot near Sheboygan, Wis., is a world record are unfounded, says Deer & Deer Hunting Editor Dan Schmidt. Although impressive, the buck (which can be seen here) will not score 217 5/8 as asserted by the hunter who shot it.

"Although this Sheboygan Falls, Wis., buck is incredibly massive, we highly doubt it will live up to what early reports claim to be a 230-class nontypical and/or a 218-inch typical," Schmidt said.

"It appears to us that the buck’s rack will be subject to large deductions from at least one common base, possibly two, and major side-to-side differences.

"In any event, the hunter who shot this buck should not let those differences detract from taking such a fine whitetail."

Congratulations to him from the entire D&DH staff!

Buck Killed in Staff Food Plot

DDH Staff — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:06:55 GMT

The staff food plot produced another memorable moment when friend Jennifer Bates killed her very first buck with a bow. She made a perfect shot as the buck fed just 5 yards from her stand. Congratulations Jennifer!

The Staff Food Plot Hunt

DDH Staff — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:03:02 GMT

On Oct. 27, D&DH managing editor Jake Edson returned to the staff food plot with designer Dusty Reid and a video camera. The pair watched as a breeding frenzy exploded in the woods around the plot.

Up to eight bucks converged on a doe that must be coming very close to estrus. Then, one large-bodied 3-year-old staked a claim to the food plot, centering himself in the field and snort-wheezing every few minutes to assert his status.

Unfortunately, the only buck that came in range of Reid's bow was a 2-year-old. With breeding activity ramping up, the duo plan to spend a lot more time around the plot this week.

Here's that 2-yo they saw last night.

Photo: 11 Year Old Kills First Buck

DDH Staff — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:57:09 GMT

Samantha P. killed her first buck this season in Ohio with a crossbow. The burgeoning hunter is only 11 years old, so this surely isn't her last buck. She gets big thumbs up from everyone at D&DH.

$5 Off Auto Service with Unused Deer Tag

DDH Staff — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:30:59 GMT

This business in Appleton, Wis., shows how seriously Wisconsinites take deer management. The Earn-a-Buck changes sparked strong feelings in areas beyond the sporting outdoors.

Video: 90-Year-Old Hunter Finds Success

DDH Staff — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:20:58 GMT

Staff Food Plot Update: First Success

DDH Staff — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:48:32 GMT

Those of you who watched the progress of our food plot this summer, saw as the staff prepared a new hunting area, planned layouts and planted (with a lot of luck) at almost the perfect time to take advantage of summer rains.

Now, the staff is beginning to reap the rewards of that hard work.

On Sept. 29, D&DH managing editor Jacob Edson killed this 8-pointer on the edge of the Frigid Forage Big-N-Beasty plot planted in late July.

Trail camera photos showed several nice 8-pointers were using the plot, and with a perfect wind, he headed out to hunt the plot for the first time.

Temperatures had dropped more than 20 degrees in 48 hours and Edson was sure deer would be on their feet early. He was right. The first deer -- a
yearling 8-pointer -- entered the plot 2 hours before sunset. After feeding
for a while in the rye that abuts the BNB plot, the little buck looked into
the far corner and began to posture.

Soon, the buck we photographed on Sept. 4 appeared. The larger buck
stiff-legged his way down to the smaller deer and a light pushing match
ensued. Then both bucks entered the Frigid Forage plot and began to nip the carrots that are part of the BNB mix.

After feeding for a few minutes, the bucks were startled by a fawn that
entered the field at full sprint. Luckily for Edson, both bucks charged
toward his stand, then stopped to offer a 25-yard shot when he drew his
Reezen. Edson's arrow entered on the edge of the closest shoulder and the
Rage broadhead lodged in the far shoulder after severing the aortic arch at
the top of the heart. The buck ran 30 yards and died within sight.

Next up is graphic designer Dustin Reid. Stay tuned as he takes his turn in
the stand.

First Hunt at Staff Food Plot

DDH Staff — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:04:46 GMT

by Ben Sobieck, online editor

F&W Media designer Dusty Reid took to the D&DH staff food plot yesterday as part of its inaugural hunt. Amongst the Big 'n' Beasty Brassica, he counted 20 deer from his stand 26 feet up on the side of a hill.

"I mostly saw young ones. One had a nice rack," Reid said.

Reid reported several young bucks fighting in the plot. He said he held out in hopes the noise would attract a more mature buck. That did not happen. Although he came back back empty-handed, Reid said he did not feel disappointed.

"It was really satisfying to see that many deer on a food plot we worked hard on all summer," he said.

Reid snapped several images of the deer with his cell phone. The resolution was not high enough to post here.

"Take my word for it," Reid said. "It's going to be a great season."

Look for more reports about hunts at the D&DH staff food plot in the future.

Post your hunting stories on the forum.

Buck Killed Near D&DH Offices

DDH Staff — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:36:40 GMT

This buck was killed Sept. 12 mere miles from the D&DH offices. A hunter doesn't have to travel far in central Wisconsin to see quality deer, but this buck is truly exceptional. It scored 208 B&C.

Ever Heard of NASP? You Should

DDH Staff — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:59:27 GMT

The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) aims to put bows in the hands of youngsters across the country. Haven't heard of NASP? Here's what it's all about, in its own words:

The Mission

It started with a simple question. How could we engage a ‘lost generation’ of young people who did not grow up in rural America in wildlife conservation and shooting sports? Most of ‘us’ grew up in areas near or in the middle of rural communities. We knew how to entertain ourselves with nature. In fact, nature was the focus of our outdoor pastimes including hunting, fishing, hiking, catching frogs, and butterflies, beetles and turtles.

The generation of young people today are more urban and ‘city kids.’ How could we engage them in outdoor shooting sports , teach outdoor skills and encourage interest in other activities. Roy Grimes and I hit on the idea that was not new. It is old…….archery.

In our public school days archery was commonly taught in the physical education classes.    Mostly, the boys gravitated to it because of the sheer, brute strength it took to shoot the recurve bow. So, we started researching   ways to assure that every child in school could learn archery. Archery is fun and safe and for many of us is the first shooting sport we learn.

After much research and discussion with school administrators, teachers, curriculum writers, archery industry leaders and state officials we began a pilot program with a simple ‘Mission’: Promote the teaching of target archery as a part of the in-school curriculum to improve educational performance of students and encourage their participation in the shooting sports. It was from this simple goal that the Kentucky Archery in the Schools Program was born. Because sister agencies in other states agreed with our strategy, within a year KASP became the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).

Some basic operating principles were established and implemented in twenty one pilot middle schools in Kentucky in March, 2002. These same operating principles remain constant today and account for the steady growth and continued interest in 5400 schools in five countries. More than a million students will learn archery from their teachers this school year.

The Operating Principles

First and foremost in each NASP school program is Safety.   It just so happens that according to the National Safety Council, archery is safer than every ball sport offered in schools except….table tennis. Safety and range set up is replete throughout NASP Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) courses.

NASP is oriented to ‘target archery.’ NASP founder are lifetime hunters but NASP is strictly target archery. Archery is a lifetime skill and is safe, wholesome, and non-controversial. The program is designed to reach all students whether rural, urban or special needs. Teaching a lifetime skill will give the individual the ability to choose whether to continue target shooting or try other venues.

The equipment designated for use in NASP is suited for the typical 4th-12th grade physical education class. No matter the students size, ability, or gender every archer in NASP uses an identical bow, identical arrows, and learns to shoot at distances that guarantee immediate success. The lessons are designed for safe shooting indoors our outside. NASP courses are presented as a part of the in-school curriculum. The course is designed to be at or above national curriculum standards and must be taught in school during the day as a part of the school curriculum. This assures that archery is offered to all students. This in-school teaching principle is why 77% of NASP graduates report this was their first time to experience archery. Because NASP isn’t an “after-school-only” effort, we are not simply preaching to the choir.

NASP training is consistent, comprehensive, and current. Range set up, operation and training methods are standard in each school. Specific training methods assure the proficiency of the teacher and their graduation from Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) class is a prerequisite to offering NASP courses in schools.

NASP teaches a lifetime skill. In doing so we stress the teaching of skills over technology. Each student learns on identical equipment which is safe, universal fit, modern looking, affordable, durable and interesting for the teacher and student to learn. This levels the playing field for all archers and encourages focus on technique and form instead of equipment and technology.

NASP is a 501.c.3 non-profit organization governed by a national board of directors. NASP works with states, provinces, and countries and seeks to establish partnerships with institutional partners on a state or country-wide basis. In doing so, NASP partners are asked to endorse a simple “Letter of Understanding” which confirms the mutual interest in adhering to the NASP mission and these operating principles. This also confirms that NASP is a gateway activity which creates opportunity for state agencies to engage students in afterschool or special events which may include their interest in other outdoor activities.

About a third of the 5400 NASP schools offer an ‘after school archery program.’ NASP operating principles require that NASP first be offered in-school to every student before starting an after school club or activity. This assures that any NASP activity is conducted fairly and uniformly to assure that it is inclusive and suited for all ability levels.

Many schools and most states are experiencing interest in competitions between schools, in their state or province, nationally and for the first time internationally. NASP will conduct its first ever “WORLD TOURNAMENT’’ at Disney World Wide World of Sports®, on October 8-11, 2009.

NASP funding partners and sponsors are keys to the growth and stability of the program. Recently, four other organizations were added to the three NASP mainstays of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Safari Club International, and the Mule Deer Foundation. Those four new partners are the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Quality Deer Management Association, the Pheasants Forever, and Quail Forever. Clearly, these organizations recognize the “Mission” of NASP and the opportunity for archery to be a gateway to other outdoor activities.

NASP is the fastest growing shooting sport in history. It has a spotless safety record and surveys indicate wide spread support from teachers, parents, administrators, and students. We do what we do best-teach the lifetime skill of archery to every child in the school.

We focus on the mission.

Food Plot Update: Brassicas Booming

DDH Staff — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:10:49 GMT

The Big 'n' Beasty Brassicas Blend from Frigid Forage has taken well to the staff food plot. The brassica is a half-kid high, right on target.

The young lad in these photos, Reed, sampled the foliage on a recent trip to the plot with a D&DH staff member. Maybe the fact his name is "deer" backward has something to do with it.

Post your food plot update on the forum.

Reader Trail Cam Photos: Must See!

DDH Staff — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:55:19 GMT

A reader sent in these terrific trail cam shots. Now that's up close and personal!

Post your trail cam photos on the forum.