EP123 Are Big Deer Antlers More Than Just Bones?

Show Notes:

Everyone wants to take a buck with big antlers, but why? On this episode I talk about why the quest solely for big antlers is folly, while being honest about the nature of whitetail deer and what really makes a mature buck a true trophy.

In many ways antlers do not matter at all.

  • The hunt matters.
  • The skill, effort, and planning of the hunter matters.
  • Matching wits against wary quarry on its home turf matters.
  • Having fun matters.
  • For many the meat matters.
  • And taking a trophy that means something to you matters.

However there are reasons why the antlers do matter.

  • Mature bucks (relative to your area) are the most experienced and strongest deer in the woods.
  • These bucks are the hardest to find, hardest to get a glimpse of in daylight, and hardest to kill.
  • Taking mature bucks with any consistency takes a lot of skill, patience, woodsmanship, and planning.
  • Mature bucks usually have bigger antlers.
  • These antlers (no matter how big) are a trophy that represents the accomplishment of the hunter.

The importance of antlers rests solely with the hunter.

  • Antler size is relative to the area. In some areas a 3 year old buck is a mature deer. In other place a mature whitetail is 5 or 6 years old or older.
  • In some states a moderate 8 point is the king of the forest. In other states, hunters pass on large 8 points all day long looking for something more impressive.
  • When you know your area, you know when a deer is a personal accomplishment to you and that deer means something to you.
  • If you chase the approval of others you will always be empty and without joy.
  • Even a 2 point spike can be a trophy, if it is a trophy to you.
  • Antlers are more than just bone, they mean something, if they mean something to you.
  • We get into all kinds of trouble when we try to make antlers mean something to someone else. 

Listen to the episode for more.

 

EP122 How To Succeed Still Hunting Deer – The Walk & Hunt

Show Notes:

While prevailing wisdom says sitting in trees or on the ground is the most effective way to hunt whitetails, it is certainly not the only effective way to hunt. On this episode I talk about the strategies and ideal circumstances that can help make still hunting an effective tool in your deer hunting toolbox.

There are several situations when still hunting is the best way for you to hunt, such as:

  • When there are no trees or good locations for blinds.
  • You are exploring new territory.
  • You just hate sitting to hunt.
  • You get tired of sitting.
  • You get cold, sore, hungry or impatient sitting.
  • You are moving from a morning hunting area to an evening area.
  • It’s fun. Even if your chances of success are a little lower, what good is a miserable hunt with better odds?

To maximize your chances of success still hunting you should:

  • Always walk into the wind, either directly or at an angle.
  • Be as quiet as possible. You do not need to be 100% silent, but you cannot make more noise than a deer walking.
  • Always be ready. Always have your weapon in your hand so you can shoulder it and fire without delay, movement, or noise.

Listen to the episode for more.

 

EP121 Making Sense Of Insulation For Hunting Gear – Thinsulate, Primaloft, Cocona, Down, Fleece, Polyester, Cotton, Wool, and More

Show Notes:

Hunters should be able to focus on hunting without needing a graduate degree in thermodynamics, but if you want quality gear that performs under icy conditions you need to know the basics of how different insulations work and what is on the market. On this episode I talk about the major types of natural and synthetic insulation used in hunting gear so you can make informed decisions when considering what gear to buy and use.

Types of Insulation & Insulating Materials:

  1. Cotton – The worst material for cold weather hunting gear hands down. It is only warm until it gets wet, then it drains the warmth out of you.
  2. Wool – Very warm, preforms well when wet, but you need a lot of it for outer layers. Merino wool is revered as the best for socks and base layers.
  3. Down – The gold standard by which all insulation is measured by. Warm enough to keep a goose alive flying at 3,000 feet at 50 MPH when it is 20 degrees outside. And thin and light enough to still enable a bird to fly 1,000 miles in a single day. But it is not very warm if it gets wet.
  4. Treated Down –  Chemically treated goose down designed to keep the insulation from getting wet to improve warmth in moist conditions.
  5. Fleece – Specially knit polyester that is good at keeping wind out and great at trapping heat in while wicking away moister. Makes a great mid layer and liner for an outer layer.
  6. Polyester Fill – A no frills and no special brand generic inter-garment insulation that helps keeps you warm and dry.
  7. Thermolite – Slightly more frills and fancier branding than Polyester Fill. Geared at providing lightweight insulation.
  8. Primaloft – Essentially a synthetic goose down developed for the military, designed to be as warm as down but also retain its insulating properties when wet.
  9. Thinsulate – Another down alternative, this insulation is best known for its thin fibers and thus thinner overall profile making it ideal for many specialty applications ranging from pants to gloves.
  10. Cocona – A science heavy synthetic insulator that focuses around helping maintain an ideal core temperature. If you are cold it helps you warm up, if you are hot it helps you cool down.

Most synthetic insulations are geared to help deal with moisture and retain much of their warmth when wet. But each has its strengths. It is hard if not impossible to definitively say which synthetic insulation is warmest. It more so depends on the application, the amount used, and all the other factors that go into garment construction. And of course, you can find quality gear without spending excessive sums of money. You just need to understand what you are looking for, what kind of gear construction is ideal, and where to look. Here is another episode I did about How To Find Super Cheap Hunting Hear. 

Listen to the episode to learn more about each type of insulation and what types activities they are best used for.

Here is my episode I referenced about hunting bibs that provides some of the back story and why I found a need to start learning about these things.

 

EP120 All About Deer Hunting Bibs – Stay Warm & Dry

Show Notes:

When the temperature drops and the wind blows you need to dress for the weather in order to have a comfortable hunt. On this episode I talk about the niche that bibs fill and what features are important for helping you pick out a pair that is right for you this deer season. 

The difference between the best bibs and the worst bibs are two-fold, it is a factor of the construction and materials.

The main elements of bib construction include some or all of the below:

  • Outer finish – This is the texture and ultimately the noisiness of the garment.
  • Outer layer – This provides wind and/or rain resistance.
  • Insultation – This determines how warm the bibs are and what conditions you can expect that warmth to function under.
  • Inner layer – This is the part the touches you and should hold warmth and wick away moisture 

The materials most often used for bibs include:

  • Natural fibers like cotton or wool.
  • Natural or treated goose down.
  • Cheap polyesters, usually with no fancy brand names.
  • Better polyesters like fleece.
  • Fancy synthetic insulation, like Primaloft, Thinsulate, Cocona, etc. 
  • Weather proof membranes like nylon, Gore-Tex, etc.

Cost is mostly a factor of construction and materials. For new hunters I recommend gear with the right construction for your hunting needs while not worrying about the fanciest of materials. This helps you find something that is built for your activity but is still relatively affordable.  

Listen to the episode to hear how these elements work together and find out which are most important for your specific needs.

 

EP119 Tree Stands For People Afraid Of Heights

Show Notes:

There are few things that help with whitetail hunting more than getting into a tree, but what can people do if they are uncomfortable with heights? On this episode I talk about multiple deer hunting strategies and alternatives for people who are afraid of heights. 

Here are four options for people who are afraid of heights:

  1. Double up on safety and consciously work on pushing through your fear. (It worked for me.)
  2. Try a fully enclosed tree stand or elevated blind setup.
  3. Scout for high hillsides that have fallen trees where you can hide behind the overturned root balls.
  4. Work on playing the wind and brushing in ground blinds to get the most possible out of ground hunting. 

Listen to the episode to hear about how you can implement each of these strategies and the pros and cons for each. 

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