The Tennessee turkey hunting season is almost approaching, and hunters are preparing for an exciting and fulfilling day in nature. The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission changed the season, so hunters must be informed of the new rules if they want to help protect the wild turkey population in the state. The modifications include a later start date, a smaller bag limit, and limitations on when birds may be collected. Despite these modifications, hunters can still anticipate a thrilling season filled with chances to put their abilities to the test and forge relationships with the natural world. This article will examine the seasons, permits, bag restrictions, and other rules for a productive turkey hunting season.

Tennessee Turkey Season 2024

A few changes will be made to Tennessee’s next spring turkey shooting season in 2024 to help the state’s wild turkey population. The season will begin two weeks later than in prior years, and the bag limit has been decreased from three to two birds. The fact that just one of such birds may be captured during the first seven days of the season should also be noted by hunters. The regular season will start the next month and last until the month after the Young Sportsman Hunt, which will take place statewide in that month. With these changes, hunters will be able to enjoy the thrill of turkey hunting while also helping protect the state’s wild turkey population.

TN Spring Turkey Season

Spring Turkey SeasonStart DateEnd Date Young Sportsman8-Apr-239-Apr-23 Shotgun/Archery15-Apr28-May-23

TN Fall Turkey Season

Fall Turkey SeasonStart DateEnd Date Archery24-Sep28-Oct Archery31-Oct4-Nov Shotgun/Archery15-Oct28-Oct

Bag Limits

TN Turkey SeasonBag Limit Spring1 bearded turkey per day Fall1 bearded turkey per county

Bag Restrictions

Spring Turkey: Hunters may take one bearded turkey every day during the spring turkey season, with two bearded turkeys taken throughout the whole hunting period. Only one of the two turkeys, however, can be a Jake. (a male turkey with a beard shorter than 6 inches). The presence of white banding on the wing feathers, tail feathers the same length, a beard longer than 6 inches, or spurs that are at least 1/2 inch long are indicators of an adult gobbler that is legal to harvest. It’s crucial to remember that every turkey taken during the Young Sportsman Hunt counts against the two-turkey quota for the spring season.

Fall Season: In the counties of Bledsoe, Bradley, Crockett, Dyer, Giles, Haywood, Lake, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lincoln, Loudon, McMinn, Monroe, Polk, Shelby, Tipton, Unicoi, and Wayne, hunting for turkeys in the fall is not permitted.

Turkey Licenses

In Tennessee, you must possess a Sportsman or Hunting and Fishing Combination license and a supplementary license, which varies depending on the hunting gear you use. The complete list of turkey hunting permits is available on the tn.gov website.

Hunting Regulations

• Tennessee’s spring statewide turkey season allows shotguns with No. 4 shot or smaller, longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows. Night vision, infrared, and other artificial light equipment are restricted; however, scopes are permitted. During the season, hunters may utilize Airbows to fire arrows.

• Hunting is only permitted from 30 minutes before dawn until legal dusk.

• Turkey’s hunting prohibits rifles, pistols, electronic calls, live decoys, and ammunition bigger than No. 4 shot. Baiting is prohibited. Dyer, Haywood, Lauderdale, Obion, Shelby, and Tipton restrict boat-based turkey hunting. The General Regulations list forbidden activities.

• Tennessee spring turkey hunting has these restrictions. A licensed hunter may help a permit holder but cannot have turkey hunting firearms. A 21-year-old non-hunting adult must accompany young Sportsman Hunt participants. Public land-hunted turkeys count against statewide bag limits and must be intact until tagged and turned in. WMAs prohibit turkey farming.

• Some Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) limit turkey hunting dates or quotas. All WMAs restrict turkey calling from March 1 until spring turkey hunts.

• An adult gobbler must have one of these: a beard longer than 6 inches, equal-length tail feathers, a spur at least 1/2 inch long, or wing feathers with white barring to the tip.

FAQs related to Tennessee Turkey Hunting Season

Ryegrass commonly grows in fields and meadows – and sometimes in our gardens. In fact, you might come across entire fields full of it – likely feeding all manner of local creatures. But do deer eat ryegrass in particular?

Deer will eat ryegrass – but it doesn’t tend to hold much nutritional value for them. Ryegrass is not the same as rye itself – and it’s important to note the distinction before you grow any of your own for deer visitors to your yard.

Is ryegrass good for deer?

Ryegrass isn’t necessarily healthy for deer to eat. While they will happily munch away at the crop, anecdotal evidence suggests that it can lead to digestion problems due to the sheer lack of nutrition available.

Ryegrass is often confused with rye grain, which is considered healthy for deer to eat. Therefore, you must choose the right crop for any plots you may be setting up for wild visitors! Rye grain is popular with deer and feeders mainly thanks to its fantastic protein content.

However, ryegrass couldn’t be much further from its namesake. It grows extremely quickly and can be hard to get rid of when it’s sprouting up in your garden. However, it’s not a good idea to let it grow rampant for deer to eat, and if they are consuming it more than any other treats or vegetation in your yard, it’s worth deterring them with healthier options.

Is ryegrass good for deer food plot?

No – ryegrass does not make for good plot food for deer. It’s likely to be an unhealthy distraction for them, meaning that while you may have left various fruits and nuts for your visitors to eat, they may instead fill up on grass beforehand.

It’s best to avoid planting ryegrass or to include it in your deer food plot because it can soon overwhelm other growths. Instead, focus on growing plants deer love – they will happily munch at a variety of common weeds, plots of wheat, and deer adore eating alfalfa, too.

It is more likely to be worth placing nuts such as acorns and beech out for deer plots and a variety of berries, oranges, and even banana chunks. If it tastes either mild or sweet and doesn’t have thorns or fuzzy leaves, deer will likely eat your crops without fuss.

Deer food plots should also be placed towards the edge of your yard – for example, where your perimeter may join with local forest or woodland – and away from bird-feeding zones so that your visitors can feast alone. The further away your plot is from your home, the better – as deer flight responses will activate if they see human activity.

Will ryegrass help to deter deer from my yard?

Ryegrass won’t deter deer from yards because they will happily eat it out of desperation. Deer normally won’t eat grass at all unless there are better things on offer, and if their local habitat is low on their favorites, they could still head into your yard for a taste. What’s more, plot owners’ anecdotes suggest that deer can grow accustomed to feeding on ryegrass – which can be dangerous.

Planting ryegrass to deter deer may be considered cruel – particularly as food with zero nutritional benefits for them could lead to digestive blockages. It could also result in serious health problems for the local herd. Ruminant diets are highly complex and should be satisfied with extreme caution.

If you’d like to deter deer from your yard, you should instead plant crops that they famously avoid. As mentioned, thorny or fuzzy plants are likely to deter their interest. Deer will avoid cucumber plants and won’t eat ferns, either – therefore, the best course of action is to make your yard as boring as possible for them, or at least to set up a tall perimeter.

What animals eat ryegrass?

Ryegrass is commonly enjoyed by a variety of grazing animals such as cattle. However, it can also attract birds hunting for seeds. Ryegrass will also attract a wealth of insect interest, meaning it can easily deplete, leaving livestock with little to feed on.

However, in some cases, landowners may wish to get rid of ryegrass completely thanks to their low nutritional base and their insect attraction. It is another firm reason why avoiding ryegrass is generally a good idea to keep your garden and local wildlife healthy. When attracting deer to your yard, it’s good to cut ryegrass down as soon as you see it emerge!

Popularity of this tuna among recreational fishing community growing.

I’m sure everyone knows how to set a trotline, but there could be some easy tricks you’re missing out on that will put more fish in the boat. I’ve been setting trotlines all my life but, through the years, my methods have improved immensely through trial and error.

To begin, think big catfish don’t taste good? Then think again. It’s all about the way you cook ’em up. Even at most restaurants when you think you’re eating small catfish, its usually big ones sliced thin. The most important factor is to cut out all the red meat.

After filleting I like to soak them in a half vinegar, half ice-water solution, and then rinse thoroughly with water before packing.

For pan frying in olive oil or deep frying, slice them really thin and marinate them with olive oil and seasonings. Baking them in the oven coated with Panko bread crumb crust works well, too.

My favorite way to eat them is in a good, spicy, slow-cooked catfish courtbouillon along with a few pounds of crabmeat and other seafood thrown in as well. If cooked down, the catfish will fall apart and blend perfectly with the crabmeat.

So try these methods before throwing that tasty fish back in the water.

The first step for a trotline is cutting your pickets. I like to have one around 10 to 12 feet and another around 15 to 18 feet depending on the depth of the water. The best way to position your pickets is to find the back of a bend in a bayou where the current cuts the bottom deep within just a few feet of the bank. The catfish are usually on these hard drop-offs.

Don’t waste your time putting the line across the canal, because as soon as a big log drifts with the current your line will break, plus you won’t have as many hooks in the prime spot.

Put the short pole close to the bank and put the longer one about a third of the way out toward the middle, stretching the line up and down the canal bank. A benefit of some of the shallower hooks is that you can catch choupic, garfish and softshell turtles, as well.

After the first few runs you’ll see if you’re catching near the deeper or shallow end of the line, and then you can reposition a picket so the majority of the line is in the most-productive area.

You may be pleasantly surprised when nearly all your hooks have a catfish on them just because of proper depth placement of the line.

I like to keep the line around 20 to 40 yards long so you keep a good, solid tension. Longer lines tend to lose their hook-setting power.

I also like to keep hooks about 3 to 4 feet from one another. I don’t like to space them too far apart in case a fish steals one bait; another bait will be close, and you’ll probably have many hooks in the best drop-off position instead of only a couple.

Tie the main line about halfway down the picket before setting it in the mud so that the line is suspended instead of too high or on the bottom. I find a bait on the bottom will be less productive because the fish won’t pull downward like with a suspended hook. When a fish takes the bait on a suspended hook and flees downward, it becomes hooked.

Next, a pull string makes checking the line a breeze. Since the main line is tied down the picket, forget trying to reach under the water with a paddle, just tie a line to the top the picket and connect it a few feet down the main line before or to the swivel leaving some slack. This quick tip will save tons of time reaching for the main line.

Always remember to set the main line before putting the hooks on.

I use a 5/0 trotline hook, which is strong enough to hold a monster fish if my pickets have enough give. But it still can straighten if I pull on a main line that is caught on a log; that way, I don’t have to cut the line.

Forget using too much terminal tackle and swivels on every hook. I use heavy rope for the main line, using a quick loop knot. For the hook line, I use a smaller nylon rope with a loop knot on the end. You quickly put the hook-line loop through the main-line loop and pull the hook through the hook-line loop, and the hook is on in a second and can be taken off just as quickly.

To keep the fish from twisting themselves on the line, I tie a big heavy-duty swivel to the main line about 3 to 4 feet away from each picket. Nothing can get twisted this way, and it makes removing the main line a breeze. I use a floating noodle to put all of my hooks on so nothing ever gets tangled.

Everyone knows catfish eat just about any bait, but what is the best? In my experience, cut mullet and perch catches big ones but not as many, while small poggies and other oily shad catch the most.

The problem is that these poggies fall off too easy, so I use the best of both worlds. I hook a small piece of cut fish, making sure to go through the tough skin, and then I take a small poggies and bury the point of the hook in it. Even if the poggie gets nibbled off that chunk of fish will remain until one bites.

Two or three throws with the cast net will usually land me several hundred small poggies. I precut the fish chunk and poggies, and freeze them in Ziplocs so my bait is always ready to go. If catching perch or mullets is a problem, I recommend cutting belly meat into 1-inch chunks, leaving the skin on, while cleaning fish. This normally wasted portion of the carcass can help you catch many catfish.

Try setting out a few trotlines this way, and your freezer can stay full of catfish filets all year long. And don’t forget to bring the landing net with you!

Gripping a compound bow is probably one of those things you don’t worry about or notice until it becomes an issue. I’ve had my fair share of grip issues and sometimes still tweak it slightly.

There are three stages you’ll need to go through to fix your grip:

• Good and bad grip
• Proper bow hand grip
• Making your grip you’re own

In this post, I will take you through what a good and lousy grip placement looks like, how to improve it if you’ve got a wrong placement, and finally, how to make your grip comfy. We’ll cover Good and bad grip placement; How to grip the bow properly, Making your grip your own.

Good And Bad Grip

So to understand what makes a bad grip ‘bad’ and a good grip ‘good,’ I’m going to talk about both so that you might be able to recognize if these are some of the things you do or don’t do. I believe it’ll be easier if I talk about the lousy grip first.

Bad Grip Placement

You’ll know a lousy grip placement when you see a guy holding onto his bow tight. The best comparison I can make to a wrong grip placement is gripping your bow as if you were gripping a baseball bat, knuckles out, fingers wrapped around, lots of tension in your hand. (pic number 1)

On paper, it sounds like it should work, right? Well, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The reason some guys do this is simply an anticipation of the shot. When their trigger goes off, they want to grab the bow subconsciously. What it’ll do is create torq in your shot. From the moment the trigger goes, your brain tells you to grip the bow.

This happens in split seconds. So the arrow is still in the bow. Your bow hand is the last thing to touch the arrow before it leaves the bow. So if you go from not gripping the bow at all to gripping it really tight, it’s going to torq the bow and change the flight of the arrow.

Good Hand Placement

So the opposite, good grip placement can be done in a multitude of ways, but the one common denominator is that the bow isn’t being gripped super tight. The bow is being held by the thumb and fingers pressing on either side of the bow.

What this does is it doesn’t create any form of tension in hand, and you are keeping the bow steady with the thumb and fingers (picture 2). Now, you can position your fingers in a load of different ways, but we will get into that later in the article.

Proper Bow Hand Grip

So here I’m going to walk you through how to get a good consistent handgrip placement. I’ll be explaining as if you are a right-handed archer (swap hands for left-handed archers). With your left hand, make an L shape with your fingers and thumb 90 degrees, then turn your hand about 30 degrees to the left.

Get your bow and slot your hand in (picture 3). Try to get some contact with the palm of your hand with your bow grip. Then what your going to do is your going to curl in all your fingers and run them at a 45 degree down from the shelf of your riser, then push your thumb along the inside of your riser.

You will achieve the best handgrip when you try to squeeze your thumb and fingers together without them actually touching. This will put pressure on both sides of the bow, putting a little torque in the bow.

Let’s say that previously you were gripping your bow last second in anticipation. You can follow the steps above to try and get used to the new idea. You can place your fingers straight out instead of curled. However, ultimately you want to be able to have your fingers curled for a better and more consistent pressure in hand.

Making Your Grip Your Own

Once you’ve gone and practiced the steps in my last heading, I almost guarantee you you’ll have said something along the lines of ‘I wonder could I move my…’, and the answer will usually be yes! A person’s grip is as individual as their thumbprint. You can move the angle of your hand down or out, move your first finger and your second finger around the front of the bow.

Like I said before, there is a multitude of things you can do. Once you’re keeping that squeeze instead of gripping, you can play around with it. All I’ll say is once you find something that you find a comfortable stick with it.

There’s no point in changing the way you hold your bow 24/7. At first, it might feel like a conscious effort to get your hand in the same spot. Over time, practice will make it subconscious action.

To give you an example of a grip, I’ll explain mine. Place the first two fingers around the front of the bow and the last two pushed up against the edge of the grip, thumb pushing onto the grip on the other side. I also use some sticky grip tape which I highly recommend.

Related Questions

Are shot trainers good? Shot trainers are suitable for practicing the execution of your shot, but sometimes, since it’s not the same pressure as a bow, the timing of your shot can be different.

You may find the following posts useful:

Should you wrap your bow grip?

Field archery shooting tips

How to hold bow arm steady?

How to use back tension with a trigger release?

What aperture for my peep?

Archery sight marks

When Browning released the X-Bolt Max Long Range back in 2019, precision rifle shooters and long-range hunters rejoiced. By combining Browning’s highly-adjustable Composite Max stock with the proven X-Bolt action, long-range enthusiasts can obtain the custom fit necessary for nearly any optic. Add in 6.5 mm Creedmoor chambering—along with old stalwarts such as .300 Win. Mag. and newer calibers such as 6.8 Western—and many shooters were lining up to get one for themselves.

I decided to pair the Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range 6.5 mm Creedmoor with Swarovski’s ds Smart Optic. Although optimized for hunting, I love the clarity this riflescope provides, along with the built-in laser rangefinder. Effective out to 700 yards and some change, the rangefinding scope was perfect for shooting that day, and most importantly—it was already mounted on the X-Bolt Max Long Range 6.5 mm Creedmoor. Of course, you don’t need a fancy optic to have a good time at the range, but Swarovski’s dS was certainly a crowd pleaser during this outing.

Repeatability, thanks to customization

Whether sitting, kneeling or prone, the foundation of any well-placed long-range rifle shot begins with a well-built “house.” A stock such as the one with the Max Long Range comes in handy here. The Composite Max stock has an adjustable comb for setting eye-to-scope alignment. An ambidextrous adjustment knob and height markings makes adjusting the comb height quick and simple. Switching between two shooters, adjusting the height to find the “sweet spot” again only takes a few seconds. Three spacers are included to customize the length-of-pull. I especially like the textured gripping surfaces, along with the vertical pistol grip and thumb rest.

With a stock that sports a target-style palm swell and a flat-bottomed fore-end, the design of this rifle can help you build a stable shooting platform using a hunting pack in the field, in a similar manner to using range bags.

The X-Bolt Long-Range’s short, 60-degree throw bolt handle is extended a bit, which is helpful for when you don’t want to get off the scope. I found it to be quite repeatable, but must admit that after the first live-fire shot, I had trouble finding it again. This was more user error than design flaw. (Note: The 2021 X-Bolt Max Long Range model has an extended bolt knob.) After that initial misstep, though, it became second-nature, and soon I was ringing steel plates at 200 and 300 yards without skipping a beat. And while punching out further, up to 600 yards (700 yards is the Swarovski dS Smart Optic’s maximum effective range), I was smacking 18-inch round plates at assorted distances with ease.

The 26-inch, stainless-steel, heavy sporter contour barrel is fluted, and includes a removable muzzle brake along with a thread protector. Disregarding my neighbors on the firing line, I kept the muzzle brake on and it performed admirably. The barrel, although hefty, gives the rifle excellent balance while standing as well. Button-rifled and fluted, with a 1:7-inch right-hand twist, this fast barrel is ideal for the high-BC bullets used in precision rifle shooting and long-range hunting.

Browning’s signature gold-plated Feather Trigger is set at the factory to approximately three-and-a-half pounds. Adjustable from three to five pounds, the trigger itself has a nice feel on the fingertip, and the amount of engineering the company put in to creating it is noticeable and appreciated.

Something to note about my gear combination—it was heavy. The Swarovski dS Smart Optic is one tank of a scope, coming in at 38.4 ounces, and the X-Bolt Max Long Range rifle itself weighs more than eight pounds without a loaded magazine. Pair the X-Bolt with a smaller scope, perhaps something with a large objective lens, such as a Leupold VX-5HD 4-20X 52 mm optic, and you will enjoy the benefits of a lighter rig.

For a rifle that offers it all, such as the Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range 6.5 mm Creedmoor, a MSRP price under $1,400 certainly makes it a best buy. In addition to 6.5 mm Creedmoor, there are 10 more calibers available, including 6.8 Western, .300 PRC and 6.5 PRC. Best of all, you know you are getting a quality rifle with Browning’s solid reputation for quality. Visit Browning.com.

Gear

• Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range 6.5 mm Creedmoor. $1,379.99, Browning.com
• Swarovski dS Smart Optic. $4,499, SwarovskiOptik.com
• Warne 40 mm scope rings. $251.99, WarneScopeMounts.com
• Talley X-Bolt Picatinny base. $63, TalleyManufacturing.com
• Armageddon Gear Squishy Rear Bag. $39.95, ArmageddonGear.com
• Phoenix Medium Ridge Runner Bag. $84, PhoenixShootingBags.com
• Berger 156-gr. EOL Elite. BergerBullets.com
• Federal Gold Medal 130-gr. Hybrid OTM. FederalPremium.com
• Hornady 140-gr. ELD Match. Hornady.com

Read more: New: Browning Buck Mark Plus Vision Americana

Odocoileus virginianus

Maine is near the northern extent of the white-tailed deer range, and they live in many habitats here, from deep woods to farmland to suburban backyards.

Habitat

Major habitats that provide food and cover for white-tailed deer in Maine are forest lands, wetlands, reverting farmlands, and active farmlands. Forest stands containing little or no canopy closure, wetlands, and reverting and active farmland yield the largest and best forage within reach of deer. However, stands made up of mature conifers with tree height greater than 30 feet, crown closure of greater than 60%, and interspersed or adjacent hardwoods for browsing provide critical winter habitat for deer. Ideal deer wintering habitat is connected by other usable habitat to aid deer in moving between them. Currently, 94% of Maine is considered deer habitat; this excludes developed parts of the state. In practice, even a portion of Maine’s developed land is currently occupied by deer. Wintering habitat is more limited in availability, comprising only 2 to 25% of the land base in various parts of the state.

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Diet

Deer are highly selective herbivores, concentrating on whatever plants or plant parts are currently most nutritious. Finicky eaters, deer opt for variety over quantity, when feeding along in the woods and fields. Deer consume grasses, sedges, ferns, lichens, mushrooms, weeds, aquatics, leaves (green and fallen), fruits, hard mast (acorns, beech nuts, etc.), grains, and twigs and buds of woody plants. Contrary to popular belief, deer consume twigs and buds of dormant trees and shrubs only when more nutritious foods are unavailable. When restricted to woody browse, deer inevitably lose weight. During the course of the year, deer may browse several hundred species of plants. A few are highly preferred; many others are consumed only when the best forages have been depleted. Overabundant deer populations can reduce the abundance of preferred forages, while causing less-desirable plants to become more common. Extremely abundant deer can literally eat themselves out of house and home. At these times, hungry deer are underweight, prone to starvation and disease, produce fewer fawns, grow smaller antlers, and create increased conflicts with homeowners, gardeners, farmers, forest landowners, and motorists.

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Distinctive Characteristics

Maine is home to one of the largest of the 30 recognized subspecies of white-tailed deer. After attaining maturity at age five, our bucks can reach record live weights of nearly 400 lbs. Most adult bucks, however will range from 200 to 300 pounds live weight and will stand 36 to 40″ at the shoulder. Does are considerably smaller; they normally weigh 120 to 175 pounds live weight. Newborn fawns begin life at 4 to 10 pounds but grow to approximately 85 pounds live weight in their first six months of life.

Whitetails have reddish brown fur in the summer switching to a grayish brown in winter. Their trademark white tail, when erected, flashes a danger signal to other deer in the vicinity. Whitetails have keen hearing, made possible by large ears that can rotate toward suspicious sounds. They have wide-set eyes, enabling them to focus on subtle movements while maintaining an excellent sense of depth perception. Whitetails have a very keen sense of smell enabling them to sense danger, even when visibility is poor. They have long graceful legs, enabling them to cover ground quickly by leaping, bounding, turning and outright running at speeds up to 40 miles per hour.

White-tailed deer communicate using a variety of sounds, ranging from explosive “whooshes” when startled, to the barely audible mews and grunts a doe uses to tend to her fawns. Deer are very expressive; they employ a large repertoire of signals using facial expressions and body language. These postures help to maintain the dominance hierarchy within all deer groups. Deer also communicate using odors, which emanate from a number of scent glands.

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Nocturnal/Diurnal

White-tailed deer are crepuscular animals, meaning they are typically most active around dawn and dusk. This does not mean that deer are not at all active during the day. Deer activity may also be influenced by weather, seasonality, and human activity. During hot summer days, for example, deer are less active during the daytime and more active at night when it’s cooler. Conversely, deer may be more active than usual during cooler weather. Deer activity may increase throughout the day during the breeding season while bucks are actively searching for does that are receptive to breeding. Areas with a lot of daytime human activity – which may include in the woods during the hunting season if hunter densities are high- may see little daytime deer activity and increased nocturnality of resident deer.

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Seasonal Changes

Summer home ranges (area that an animal lives within) for deer in Maine are generally 500-600 acres but can vary from 150 to more than 2,000 acres. Movement by deer from summer to winter range can vary from less than a mile to more than 25 miles depending on availability and suitability of the winter range. Deer are not generally territorial (defend their home range against intrusion of other deer). However, pregnant does will defend a small birthing area (less than 20 acres) against intrusion by all other deer, for about a month.

Bucks annually produce antlers, which are made of bone. Triggered by day length and maintained by hormone production, antlers begin growing in April, and are nurtured by a velvety outer network of skin tissue and blood vessels. Velvet is shed when growth is complete in late August and September. The hardened, polished antlers remain until they are shed in late December to early March. In whitetails, antlers allow bucks to advertise and demonstrate their dominance; hence they play a role in reproduction. A buck’s first true set of antlers normally is grown by age one. Buck fawns, however, begin growing the antler base at one month of age. This base develops into two or three-inch velvet-covered “nubbins” by early winter. White-tailed does sometimes produce antlers, but this is rare. Does that do sprout antlers typically are older (5 to 15 years old); their antlers are usually velvet-covered spikes. Most antlered does remain fertile.

Each year, deer produce two coats of hair, each adapted to seasonal climate. In late spring, deer grow a coat of fine, short reddish hair. This pelage allows ample air circulation and helps the deer to stay cool in summer’s heat. During September, deer molt to a highly insulative coat which consists of a dense layer of fine woolly hair under a layer of long hollow brown, gray, and white guard hairs. The guard hairs can be erected to form a very thick insulative coat, which protects against the cold winds of winter. Fawns are born with a reddish-brown coat dappled with white spots. This affords excellent camouflage against detection by predators in the summer. By early autumn, fawns grow the typical winter coat.

Another adaptation for survival is the deer’s habit of storing fat for the winter. In autumn, deer accumulate fat under the skin, in the viscera, between the muscles, and in the hollow bones of the legs. This fat layer can comprise 10 to 25% of a deer’s body weight by late fall. In winter, fat is reabsorbed to provide much-needed energy to supplement inadequate diets of woody browse.

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Reproduction & Family Structure

The peak breeding season for deer in Maine occurs during mid-November, although some breeding may occur in October and as late as January. The onset of the rut in bucks and estrus in does is controlled primarily by decreasing day length. Does in estrus are receptive to breeding for roughly 24 hours, and if not successfully bred, they will come into heat every 28 days, until early winter. Bucks establish and maintain a dominance hierarchy; typically the majority of does in an area are bred by the most dominant bucks. Gestation period for deer is roughly 200 days, after which well-nourished adult does give birth to twins, triplets, and rarely, quadruplets. Fawn and yearling does typically produce one fawn, if they conceive at all. The peak fawning season in Maine is mid-June. In a typical year, each 100 Maine does will give birth to about 130 fawns. However, early fawn losses tend to be high; only 60 to 80 of these young deer typically survive their first five months of life.

What to do if you find a deer fawn all alone

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Survival & Threats

White-tailed deer can live to 18 years, but few deer in the wild live that long. Does typically live longer than bucks presumably because rutting behavior predisposes bucks to higher losses due to hunting, motor vehicle collisions, physical injuries, and depletion of fat reserves going into the winter. Deer populations subjected to high hunting mortality are comprised of predominantly young deer. Conversely, a greater proportion of deer annually survives to older age classes within lightly hunted herds.

Causes of mortality of while tailed deer vary throughout the state. In more developed areas, deer are commonly struck by vehicles, harvested by hunters, and killed by predators. In less developed areas, human-related deaths are relatively few, and adult deer are more commonly taken by predators, particularly coyotes, lynx, and bobcats. Young fawns may also be preyed upon by black bear, fisher, and fox. Deer of any age may succumb to malnourishment of other natural causes, particularly at the end of harsh winters and in the following spring. Presently, Maine’s deer are relatively disease-free, and there are no diseases with significant negative impacts on our deer populations at this time.

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Management & Conservation

Population and Distribution Trends

Maine’s white-tailed deer population has experienced periods of boom and bust, and circumstantial information suggests that the state’s deer population likely did not exist in high abundance prior to the arrival of European colonists in the early 1600’s. With a combination of harsh winters, a higher predator population, and perhaps a lack of young vegetative growth for forage, white tailed deer may have been restricted to the southern coast until the European colonization. With colonization, settlers began clearing the landscape through small-scale logging operations, triggering an increase in the growth of undergrowth, providing white tailed deer with an optimum mix of forage and cover. From then, deer expanded their range and became more common in central and northern Maine. After the extirpation of cougars and wolves from Maine, deer were able to farther expand and increase in numbers with virtually no predation. Still, deer numbers continued to fluctuate with winter severity and large-scale events that caused significant habitat changes such as fires or spruce bud worm outbreaks.

Historical Management

MDIFW began estimating deer populations in the mid-1950’s, enabling the state to better understand the status of the populations and create a more informed management decision process. Between the mid-1950’s and early 1960’s, MDIFW estimated Maine’s deer population at 250,000. Eventually, habitat changes, severe winters, coyote colonization, and increased hunting pressure led to declining deer populations, and Maine’s deer population reached an estimated 141,000 deer in the 1960’s. Following this time and continuing through the late-1980’s, Maine’s deer population expressed slow growth, eventually causing a series of new management strategies and laws that attempted to expedite the growth of Maine’s deer population. Finally, Maine’s deer population grew prolifically through the 1990’s as a result of the regulatory system that limited doe harvest, plus a series of mild winters. During this time, Maine’s deer population grew to an estimated all time high of 331,000, however, much of the growth occurred within the southern tier of the state. Generally speaking, the Department has been successful in achieving deer population objectives in central and southern Maine, where wintering habitat and other factors were more favorable. Achieving meaningful herd increases has been less successful in eastern and northern Maine. Today, deer abundance ranges from one to five deer per square mile in the north, to 15 to 35 deer per square mile in central and southern areas. Some locations, in which access to recreational deer hunters has been limited or denied entirely, support higher deer populations that are above socially acceptable levels. These latter areas are above desired population levels, and they are the focus of most deer/people conflicts in Maine today.

Current Management

Prior to 1975, MDIFW did not set specific goals or quantified objectives for the deer population, harvest, or hunter success rates. Most regulatory actions were made by the Legislature and they were reactions to severe winters, or perceived regional declines in deer abundance. Between 1975 and 1985, MDIFW initiated strategic planning for deer, part of which involved setting publicly-supported goals and objectives. In some areas, this meant attempting to manage deer populations to specific deer densities.

With the more recent implementation of a new Big Game Management Plan, the Department no longer attempts to manage deer to specific deer densities. That approach did not adequately account for many other important aspects of deer population management such as maintaining animal health and social acceptance of deer levels and limiting negative impacts of overabundant deer. Deer management in Maine currently strives to maintain deer levels that are socially acceptable and in balance with available habitat. In areas where deer numbers are not socially acceptable or where deer are causing significant damage to habitat, the Department employs a variety of small-scale management options to try and alleviate the problems.

Each year, MDIFW staff and contractors examine roughly 6,000-8,000 hunter-killed white-tailed deer to collect data on population sex ratios, age structure, estimated mortality and recruitment rates, and body and antler size to provide a clearer picture of the size and health of both the population and habitat. From these examined deer, we also collect samples from roughly 500 deer annually to test for Chronic Wasting Disease, one of the greatest threats facing deer in this country. For more information on data collected in support of Maine deer management, please visit our Research & Management Report (PDF).

Improving deer populations in Maine’s northern and eastern forestlands depends on protecting and increasing amounts of deer wintering habitat. Protection of deer wintering habitat has historically been dependent on landowner cooperation and has not always been possible. Beginning in 2021, MDIFW gained access to funding allowing for the purchase and management of deer wintering habitat, and efforts are underway to identify candidate parcels with willing sellers.

Many Mainers in areas of low deer density have begun artificially feeding whitetails, especially in the winter, which adds an important and relatively new dynamic to the deer wintering landscape in Maine. In Maine’s heavily developed southern and coastal regions, MDIFW staff will continue to develop innovative approaches to safely manage deer harvests in order to maintain deer populations at levels that provide hunting and viewing opportunity while alleviating negative impacts from deer. In all of Maine, we will need to improve access to huntable land through proactive landowner relations programs in order to keep deer populations at tolerable levels.

Current Research in Maine

Maine Deer Winter Mortality Study

Since the early 1970’s, Maine has used a metric called the winter severity index (WSI) to describe how Maine winters impact winter mortality rates (WMR) in deer. WSI is one of the cornerstones of deer management in Maine and impacts the number of antlerless deer permits allocated for hunters each year. Because ecological relationships change over time, this metric needs to be periodically re-evaluated.

For that reason, in 2015, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) began a study to reassess the relationship between WSI and WMR. Doing so requires data on winter temperatures and snow conditions, which are used to determine WSI, and data on the survival rates of deer in the winter. Temperature data are provided by temperature loggers placed at 26 WSI monitoring stations throughout the state. Snow condition data are also recorded by biologists and volunteers at these monitoring stations. At the end of winter, in early April, data from temperature loggers and snow measurements are used to calculate a WSI value, which will inform permit allocations for the upcoming deer season.

From 2015 to 2021, MDIFW captured white-tailed deer and fixed GPS collars to them to monitor their movements and survival rates. D eer were captured in wildlife management districts (WMDs) 1, 5, 6, and 17.

The fates of these deer in conjunction with data on the severity of the winters they encounter will help to re-evaluate the relationship between WSI and WMR and help shape deer management in Maine in the future.

The major goals of this study are to:

1. Reevaluate the correlation between WSI and WMR for white-tailed deer
2. Assess seasonal survival rates for the adult deer population
3. Assess cause-specific mortality of our adult deer population
4. Reassess the current winter severity index and try to identify a new and more simplistic metric

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Living with Wildlife

How to Prevent or Resolve Conflicts with Deer

White-tailed deer are one of the most recognized mammals in Maine, with frequent sightings throughout the state. However, deer are known for entering and consuming vegetation around the home or in gardens. Learn more about how to prevent and resolve conflicts with deer

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For those unfamiliar with the world of collecting, it may be surprising to discover that anything can become a valuable collectible.

Value is ultimately determined by the demand for an item among collectors. Hence, regardless of an item’s intrinsic value, if that particular item is rare, unique, or holds sentimental or historical significance, it can become highly desirable among collectors, driving up its market value. This is the case with rare antique fishing lures.

Editor’s Note

Additionally, cultural trends and shifts in popular taste can also contribute to the value of collectibles. For example, a particular type of vintage clothing may suddenly become popular among a new generation of consumers, increasing its value among collectors.

As long as there is collector demand for a particular item, it has the potential to become a valuable collectible.

Rare antique fishing lures are vintage fishing lures that were produced in limited quantities, have unique features or designs, and are highly sought after by collectors.

These lures were often handcrafted by individual artisans or small companies and are now considered to be valuable collectibles due to their rarity, historical significance, and aesthetic appeal.

Some of the most valuable antique fishing lures were produced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by companies such as Heddon, Pflueger, and Creek Chub. These lures were often made from wood, metal, or early plastics and were designed to mimic the movement and appearance of live bait.

One reason why rare antique fishing lures are valuable is that they are highly collectible among fishing enthusiasts and antique collectors.

In addition, many of these lures are considered to be works of art, with intricate designs and details that make them highly sought after by collectors.

Another reason why rare antique fishing lures are valuable is that they are often associated with important historical events or figures. For example, some antique fishing lures were used by famous anglers or were produced during important periods in fishing history.

In this article, we take a look at some of the most valuable antique fishing lures from the rich history of fishing tool development.

History of Rare Antique Fishing Lures

Fishing lures have been used for thousands of years as a way to attract fish.

Early fishing lures were often made of natural materials such as feathers, animal fur, and bone and were designed to mimic the appearance and movement of live bait.

Editor’s Note: What are Fishing Lures?

Fishing lures are artificial baits or imitations of natural prey that are used to attract fish. They are typically made of various materials, such as plastic, metal, wood, or feathers, and are designed to mimic the appearance, movement, and scent of live bait.

Fishing lures come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and styles and are often explicitly designed to target specific species of fish or fishing conditions. Common types of fishing lures include spinners, jigs, spoons, plugs, and soft plastic baits.

The lures are attached to the end of fishing lines and are cast out into the water to attract fish.

When a fish strikes the lure, the angler feels a tug on the line and can then reel in the fish. Fishing lures can be used in a variety of fishing techniques, including freshwater, saltwater, fly fishing, and ice fishing.

In the 19th century, the development of industrial manufacturing techniques led to the mass production of fishing lures made from materials such as metal, wood, and early plastics. Many of these early lures were simple designs, such as metal spoons and spinners, that were effective at attracting fish.

By the early 20th century, the development of new materials and manufacturing techniques led to the production of more complex and realistic fishing lures.

Companies such as Heddon, Creek Chub, and Pflueger began producing lures with intricate designs and details, such as the Creek Chub Pikie and the Heddon Frog, which are now highly collectible antique fishing lures.

During this time, fishing also became an increasingly popular recreational activity, and the demand for high-quality fishing lures grew. As a result, many small-scale artisanal lure makers also began producing handmade lures, many of which are now highly sought after by collectors.

In the mid-20th century, the introduction of new materials such as silicone and rubber led to the development of soft plastic baits, which revolutionized the fishing industry. Soft plastics allowed anglers to create lifelike imitations of natural prey, and quickly became a popular and effective way to catch fish.

Today, fishing lures continue to evolve and improve, with new materials and designs constantly being developed.

However, antique fishing lures remain highly collectible and sought after by collectors and anglers alike and are considered an essential part of fishing history.

Some antique fishing lures have sold for thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars at auction, making them some of the most valuable collectibles in the fishing industry.

World’s Most Valuable Fishing Lure: Giant Haskell Minnow

Finalized Auction Price: $101,200

No discussion of the most valuable rare antique fishing lures can be completed without a mention of this giant copper Haskell Minnow which currently holds the record of the most expensive fishing lure in the world to ever be sold.

The Haskell series is a small line of antique lures created in the late 19th century by Riley Haskell, a jeweler from Painesville, Ohio, that represents some of the most iconic and highly sought-after antique fishing lures in the world.

Editor’s Note

Riley Haskell was a highly skilled gunsmith who lived in Painesville, Ohio, in the mid-19th century. He was known for his finely crafted guns, which were highly sought-after by sportsmen and collectors alike.

However, Haskell had another passion besides gun making: fishing. He loved nothing more than spending time on the water, casting his line, and trying to catch the biggest fish he could find. And as with his guns, he wanted his fishing gear to be of the highest quality.

So, Haskell decided to try his hand at making fishing lures. He began experimenting with different materials and designs, trying to create lures that would mimic the appearance and movement of live fish. He quickly discovered that his expertise in metalworking could be applied to lure-making as well, and he began producing highly detailed and realistic lures made from copper and brass.

Haskell’s lures were quickly recognized for their quality and effectiveness. They were highly sought-after by fishermen, and Haskell soon found himself making lures full-time.

One of Haskell’s most famous creations was the Haskell Minnow, a fish-shaped lure with a hollow body and finely sculpted details. The lure was designed to mimic the movements of a live minnow, and it quickly became a favorite among anglers.

Haskell continued to make fishing lures for many years, even as his gun business thrived. He remained passionate about fishing and always strove to improve his lure designs.

However, Haskell’s fishing lures were never produced in large quantities and were only sold for a short period of time, making them extremely rare and valuable antique fishing lures. Haskell’s focus was primarily on producing high-quality lures rather than mass production, and as a result, only a limited number of his lures were ever made.

It is believed that Haskell produced only a few thousand of these lures during his lifetime. Many were likely lost or destroyed over time, and only a small number of examples have survived to the present day. Of these surviving examples, most are in the hands of private collectors or museums, making them even more difficult to come by.

Furthermore, due to the fact that many of these lures were used for fishing, few of them have survived to this day. Those that have survived are highly prized by collectors and are often worth a significant amount of money.

Today, Riley Haskell is remembered as one of the pioneers of the modern fishing lure industry.

His lures are highly collectible and are prized by anglers and collectors around the world. Haskell’s legacy lives on, and his influence can be seen in the countless fishing lures that are still being produced today.

Today, this giant bronze-colored lure, a Haskell Minnow, is regarded as the crowning piece of them all after setting the all-time record for a fishing lure sold through public auction, in 2003, when it was purchased for $101,200 by an anonymous bidder.

The lure had been part of a private collection for many years before being put up for auction, and its sale generated widespread excitement among collectors and fishing enthusiasts.

The Haskell Minnow’s record-breaking sale price was a testament to its rarity and historical significance, as well as its appeal as a work of art. Today, the Haskell Minnow remains one of the most coveted antique fishing lures in the world, and its sale continues to be a benchmark for the value of rare and collectible fishing lures.

The Haskell Minnow was designed to mimic the appearance and movement of a live minnow, with a jointed body that allowed it to move realistically through the water. The lure was also hand-painted with intricate details, including scales, fins, and eyes, which made it highly attractive to fish.

Measuring at a length of 10 inches, the “Giant Haskell” is indeed a rarity among Haskell Minnows. This particular lure is nearly double the size of all other known Haskell Minnows, which are already highly sought-after and collectible among fishing enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The giant Haskell is made of thick sheets of copper and brass and features a hollow body with finely sculpted details.

The lure is fish-shaped, with textured scales and a pair of tandem angular hooks that extend from the revolving tail section and curve upward. It is believed that Haskell created this particular lure for trolling or casting, and it was intended to lure in larger fish such as bass, pike, and musky.

Although this giant Haskell minnow is incredibly rare, it is not the only oversized Haskell Minnow to have been discovered. Other examples have been found that measure up to 8 inches in length, which is still significantly larger than most other Haskell Minnows.

These larger lures are even more highly prized by collectors than the smaller-sized options due to their rarity and the skill required to create them.

Most Valuable Rare Antique Fishing Lures

Aside from the Giant Haskell, there are several other antique fishing lures that are highly valued by collectors and fishing enthusiasts everywhere. Some of the most valuable and sought-after antique fishing lures include:

Editor’s Note

The specimens we have highlighted in this list are from the records of auctions carried out by Lang’s Auction House, the world’s leading fishing tackle auction service. Lang’s first auction debuted in 1991 with the distinction of being the only auction house dedicated solely to the field of antique and collectible fishing tackle.

Since its inception in 1991, Lang’s, Inc. has become a premier auction house in the field of antique and collectible fishing tackle. Its founder Bob Lang’s vision for a specialized auction house dedicated to this niche market proved successful, and his legacy continues today under the leadership of John Ganung, who purchased the company in 2002.

Under Ganung’s stewardship, Lang’s has expanded to include three selling venues and has attracted collectors from around the globe. Lang’s has also achieved numerous world record auction prices for antique and collectible tackle, as well as for Derrydale Press books and items related to the famed author Zane Grey.

What started as a humble venture has now become a go-to destination for collectors and enthusiasts alike, offering comprehensive services for consignors and buyers at every level.

Lang’s, Inc. remains committed to its founding principles of expertise, integrity, and exceptional service, making it a trusted leader in the field of antique and collectible fishing tackle.

Unidentified Prehistoric American Wooden Minnow

Finalized Auction Price: $42,560

In the world of fishing lure collecting, there are few things more exciting than discovering a previously unknown piece of angling history. And that is exactly what happened when an unidentified wooden minnow went up for auction in 2006, selling for an incredible $42,560.

Considered the “single most historic and important wooden minnow to ever come to auction,” this lure is believed to be a predecessor of all American wooden underwater lures.

The piece was found in the tackle box of an Ohio angler, Hiram Rice, who lived in an area famous for early fishing lure makers like Pflueger and Pardee.

Despite not being able to trace the manufacture of this rare and possibly one-of-a-kind lure, historians note that it is practically identical to early Trory minnows. This particular lure is described as being in very good condition despite dating from the late 1890s.

The lure’s design is a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation of early fishing lure makers in America. It is believed to be the earliest example of an American wooden underwater minnow, which makes it a true piece of angling history.

The lure’s value is not just in its historical significance but also in its rarity and beauty. The fact that it was found in the tackle box of Hiram Rice, alongside an assortment of antique fishing tackle, only adds to its allure.

This mysterious and unidentified wooden minnow remains a highly sought-after item among antique fishing lure collectors, and its sale in 2006 set a new record for the most expensive fishing lure sold at a public auction at the time.

Chautauqua Minnow

Finalized Auction Price: $37,400

The Chautauqua Minnow, created by Krantz & Smith of New York in 1908, had a rocky start in the fishing lure market.

Anglers quickly discovered that the lure was not very effective at catching fish, and as a result, the demand for it was low. Production was eventually cut off shortly after the first few Chautauqua Minnows were made, making them exceptionally rare for collectors.

Despite the initial failure of the lure, some recognized its potential value as a line with an extremely limited supply and saved at least this one specimen from being thrown away. This particular Chautauqua Minnow was later discovered and sold for an impressive $37,400, demonstrating the incredible value of extremely rare antique fishing lures.

Collectors prize the Chautauqua Minnow not only for its rarity but also for its unique design. The lure features a unique curved, wooden body with a metal lip that creates a wobbling action when retrieved. It also has two treble hooks attached to the bottom of the body, making it suitable for both trolling and casting.

The Chautauqua Minnow may not have been successful in its time, but its rarity and design have made it a valuable piece of fishing history. It serves as a reminder that even failed products can become extremely valuable collectibles when paired with the right demand.

Rare Musky Haskell Minnow

Finalized Auction Price: $32,000

The Haskell Minnow is a highly sought-after antique fishing lure known for its intricate design and craftsmanship. But among the many variations of the Haskell Minnow available today, this Rare Dark Haskell Musky Minnow stands out as a true gem of early American craftsmanship.

Measuring 7 1/2 inches in overall length, the Rare Minnow is finely crafted down to the smallest details, from its textured scales to its finely sculpted fins.

This lure is a testament to the skill and artistry of Riley Haskell, a highly skilled gunsmith who decided to try his hand at making fishing lures in the mid-19th century.

Patented on September 20, 1859, the Rare Dark Haskell Musky Minnow is a prime example of the early American fishing lures that are highly prized by collectors today. Despite its age, this lure remains in excellent condition, a testament to the care with which it was made and the care with which it has been preserved over the years.

In 2007, this specimen went up for auction and sold for over $32,000, unsurprising, considering its rarity and the high demand among collectors for early American fishing lures.

It is not surprising that the Haskell Minnows are considered to be some of the most desirable lures in the world, given their intricate design and the limited numbers in which they were produced.

Musky Charmer Minnow

Finalized Auction Price: $25,000

The world of antique fishing lures is full of surprises, and the Musky Charmer Minnow is no exception. This unique and rare fishing lure is highly sought after by collectors due to its impressive design and rarity.

The Musky Charmer Minnow was produced by the Charmer Minnow Company, which was known for creating high-quality fishing lures in the early 20th century. However, the Musky Charmer Minnow stands out from the rest due to its larger size and distinctive design.

Measuring just over 5 inches in length, the Musky Charmer Minnow is considered the rarest of all the Charmers. What sets this lure apart from the others is its striped tail, which is unlike any other design from the Charmer Minnow Company.

It’s believed that only a few Musky-sized Charmers still exist today, making this one of the most valuable and highly sought-after lures in the world of antique fishing tackle.

In 2018, an excellent-condition Musky Charmer Minnow was sold at auction for just over $25,000, making it one of the most expensive fishing lures ever sold. This high price tag is a testament to the lure’s rarity and desirability among collectors.

For serious antique fishing lure collectors, the Musky Charmer Minnow is a must-have addition to any collection. Its unique design and rarity make it a true treasure for those who appreciate the artistry and history of vintage fishing tackle.

Shakespeare Muskellunge Minnow

Finalized Auction Price: $23,100

The Shakespeare Muskellunge Minnow, sold at auction for a whopping $23,100, is a testament to the innovative mind of William Shakespeare, Jr. As the son of a banker, Shakespeare had a passion for fishing and sought to create the perfect lure. His “Revolution” lure, introduced in the late 1890s, was a game-changer for the industry.

Equipped with three treble hooks and a propeller, the “Revolution” was one of the earliest wooden baits sold in the United States.

Over the years, Shakespeare continued to refine and improve his lures, producing several new successor variants to the Revolution, including the Muskellunge Minnow, which is now one of the most valuable in existence.

What makes this particular lure so valuable is its pristine condition. It has been carefully preserved over the years, with every detail of its construction still intact. The attention to detail and quality of materials used in its creation is a testament to Shakespeare’s commitment to excellence.

The Shakespeare Muskellunge Minnow was estimated to sell for $5,500, but auctioneers were surprised when it sold for more than four times that amount. Its high value is a testament to its rarity, as well as the skill and craftsmanship that went into its creation.

For collectors and fishing enthusiasts, the Shakespeare Muskellunge Minnow is a piece of history representing the early days of lure-making in America. Its value is not just in its price tag but in the legacy that it represents.

Heddon Dowagiac Expert

Finalized Auction Price: $19,000

The story of the Heddon Dowagiac Expert is one of perseverance and ingenuity. James Heddon, a beekeeper, and newspaperman from Michigan, revolutionized the fishing industry with his creation of the Dowagiac Casting Bait in the early 1900s. The lure was named after the town where Heddon worked, Dowagiac, and was later shortened to the Dowagiac Expert.

This lure was originally marketed as the Dowagiac Casting Bait in the early 1900s. Over time, Heddon shortened its name to the “Dowagiac Expert,” and it quickly became a favorite among anglers.

Despite being a game-changing invention, few copies of the Dowagiac Expert survived to this day, and even fewer are in good condition. It is a testament to its popularity and rarity that the white cardboard box it came in can sell for as much as $1,000 without the lure itself.

Measuring almost 6 inches long with large glass eyes, a front spinner, and an intact tail, this wooden beauty is a stunning example of the Dowagiac Expert in its natural scale finish. Produced by Heddon himself out of Dowagiac, Michigan, it is likely the best-known example of the very few of its kind.

Heddon Mohawk Minnow

Finalized Auction Price: $18,400

The world of antique and collectible fishing tackle is full of rare and valuable items, and the Heddon Mohawk Minnow is definitely one of them.

This beautiful lure, believed to have been made around 1905, is the only known example of its kind to come with a matching wooden box from the Mohawk, Florida, Heddon location. It is in spectacular condition, and the box is also in fine shape.

What makes this particular lure so special, however, is the complete paperwork that comes with it. This documentation helps to date and confirm the significance of the find, adding to its historical and collectible value. When this lure went up for auction in 2013, it fetched an impressive $18,400, a testament to its rarity and desirability among collectors.

The Heddon Company has a long history of producing quality fishing lures, and the Jeanette Hawley “Mohawk” Minnow is no exception.

With its intricate design and attention to detail, it’s easy to see why this lure is so sought after by collectors. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a passionate collector, the Heddon Jeanette Hawley “Mohawk” Minnow is a true treasure from fishing world history.

Little Wonder Minnow

Finalized Auction Price: $18,000

The Little Wonder Minnow in Box is a true rarity among fishing lure collectors.

Produced by the Clinton Wilt Manufacturing Company in Springfield, Missouri, this lure and box combination dates back to 1910 and is the only known example of a complete two-piece cardboard box for this lure to exist.

With this specimen, the lure itself is in excellent condition, and the box is also in great shape, which is unusual for an item of this age. Consequently, for a Missouri lure collector, this piece is a must-have, as it is a one-of-a-kind specimen that represents a significant part of the state’s fishing lure history.

At a 2019 auction, this Little Wonder Minnow in Box fetched an impressive price of over $18,000, which is a testament to its rarity and the value that collectors place on such unique and historically significant pieces.

For collectors, it is not just about the lure itself but also the story and history behind it, making this Little Wonder Minnow in Box a true treasure for any serious fishing lure collector.

The Clinton Wilt Manufacturing Company was a fishing lure manufacturer based in Springfield, Missouri, that was in operation in the early 1900s and was one of the more prominent names in the state at that time.

The company was founded by Clinton Wilt, who started out making lures as a hobby before turning it into a full-fledged business. Wilt was known for his attention to detail and his use of high-quality materials in his lures, which quickly earned him a reputation as a skilled craftsman.

The Little Wonder Minnow, which was first introduced in 1909, is one of the most famous lures produced by the Clinton Wilt Manufacturing Company.

This small, slender lure was designed to imitate the movement of a live minnow in the water and quickly became a favorite of anglers in the region. It was made from high-quality wood and featured a painted finish that was both durable and attractive.

In addition to the Little Wonder Minnow, the Clinton Wilt Manufacturing Company produced a variety of other lures, including the Wilt’s Economy Minnow, the Springfield Bait Company Minnow, and the Clinton Wilt Weedless Minnow. Although the company was relatively small, it quickly gained a loyal following among anglers who appreciated the quality and craftsmanship of its products.

Clay has been a Top Ten finisher in the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COYOTE CALLING CONTEST® (WCCCC) the last two years running. He has hunted coyotes all over the US. In this podcast, Clay talks in detail about coyote calling techniques in different areas of the US, how to call them, how to set up, and the advantages of using FoxPro electronic calls vs. mouth calls.

Coyote Hunting Basics by Clay Owens

• This how to call coyotes video by Clay Owens will give you the basics and have you well on your way to successfully hunting coyotes. Clay Owens is coyote calling Champion and FoxPro field staffer.
• Learn how you can go on a predator hunt with Clay for some one-on-one hunting experience. (coming soon)

Why do we hunt predators?

• To control their numbers to protect livestock and game.
• For their fur.
• Because it is fun.

Stand Strategies:

• Hunt where the coyotes are. Scout just as you would for deer hunting. Landowners are usually willing to help. Your success will decrease drastically if you are just doing cold sets.
• It is very important to have a good vantage point where you can see 360 degrees if possible.
• Set up with the wind in your face, or at the very least a crosswind. Make sure you can see downwind however. Coyotes have exceptional senses. They have great eyesight and hearing, but their nose is something you’re never going to beat. 90% of coyotes will try to work the wind and get in behind you.
• In some cases, calling with a buddy is critical.

Three things drive coyotes to come in to a call:

1. Food: Rabbit distress, fawn distress and mouse squeaks are the go-to calls you need in your arsenal. Hear Clay demonstrate in the video.
2. Fighting: Howling is more difficult. If you’re a rookie, Clay suggests you get yourself an electronic call. Listen to Clay do a location howl on the video. Clay also demonstrates the Female Challenge Howl and a pup distress call with a diaphragm call. Clay also shows us how to use the CS24 FoxPro Electronic call.
3. Sex

How to call coyotes depending on the season:

• Fall: In the fall, pups are receptive to distress calls. The pups are still young, undispersed and hungry.
• Winter: In the winter, Clay still starts with distress sounds.
• Spring: Spring is when coyotes start to pair up for breeding season. This is when howling becomes more critical. You are appealing to a single male looking for some love, or trying to pick a fight. Sometimes Clay also uses a Pair Howl. Distress calls still work well in the Spring as well.
• Clay leaves the coyotes alone in the summer to raise their pups.

Other coyote hunting tips:

• Start your calling sequence softly, stepping up the volume gradually.
• If you call a coyote to within 100 yards, SHOOT!
• Often, they come as a pair or even a pack. After the shot, be quick to get on the pup in distress call to get them to stop.
• Clay thinks that there is a big difference in hunting mountain coyotes and plains coyotes. Mountain coyotes are more difficult, in his opinion. He thinks it’s because mountain coyotes have more predators such as mountain lions, wolves, and even golden eagles to contend with, so they are more cautious.
• Western vs. Eastern coyotes. Eastern coyotes are a bit bigger, because they have more food available, but Clay doesn’t think that there is much difference in hunting them.
• Coyotes come to fight, breed or find food. Learn how to appeal to those needs, and you’ll a successful predator hunter.
• Three things you need to master in order to be a successful predator hunter:
  • 1) Good woodsmanship;
  • 2) Learn the behaviour of coyotes and how to handle them as they’re approaching;
  • 3) Practice your shooting.
• Clay scouts 75% of the time, and only spends 25% of his time actually hunting. Scouting is super important, as it doesn’t do any good to hunt where there aren’t any dogs. While he is scouting, Clay is in “stealth mode”, and usually in the dark. He likes to run up and down backroads looking for tracks and scat piles. He also likes to stop every once in awhile and howl, patterning an area where they live, and also learning the pack dynamics i.e., is there a dominant male in the area, or a bunch of pups in a big group?…hunting each will be different. While he’s scouting, he is quiet, and tries not to be seen or winded as you looks for sign and vantage points that will make good calling setups. He also takes notes of what direction the wind needs to be blowing from in order to hunt that setup and waits until the conditions are right before hunting it.
• If you find a dead cow, or a road kill deer, you know they won’t be more than a mile away from that free meal, so that’s a bonus. When he finds that situation, he calls there “pretty soon”. Coyotes will travel a long way to feed on a dead cow, so take advantage of the opportunity. You may get the chance to hunt coyotes that don’t even live in the area while they’re getting a free meal.
• Clay almost exclusively uses FoxPro electronic predator calls. With their calls, you can replicate almost any type of call you need to.
• Pack dynamics will dictate your hunting strategy.
  • If you’re dealing with a family group, he uses more vocalizations as opposed to distress sounds (excluding pup distress). Males will circle to get the wind, and females will charge right in.
  • Breeding season is late winter, through early spring (January, through early March). They will start pairing up in January, so you’ll start using more vocalizations. Family howling sequences; female single howls; male challenge howls; and female challenge howls. He will often just howl one single time, and then wait ten minutes for them to come.
  • Calling to an entire pack can sometimes be pretty easy, when you hear them howling. Clay will often just make a “desperate” distress sound for about five seconds, and then wait. If they’re within a few hundred yards, they could be in range in under a minute. If they don’t come, you might try it a few more times.
• Clay’s go-to sounds are howling (all variations); rabbit distress; deer fawn distress; any kind of bird distress sound; rodent distress; and one of his favorites is an antelope fawn distress sound.
  • Don’t start out too loudly. Start with a 30 to 60 second sequence of a super low rabbit or rodent distress calls. Then wait two minutes before starting the next sequence.
  • Then he will go into two, one minute sequences of mid-volume rabbit distress a minute each, with a two minute break between each sequence.
  • If nothing has shown up, he might throw in some howling.
  • The entire setup will last 15 to 25 minutes. Mountain coyotes however, are more cautious, and sometimes take 30 to 40 minutes to come in.

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In 2020, the term Reflex Sight sounds a little out of date. There’s something of a late-80’s to Operation Desert Storm alure hovering about the old name. Often now referred to as a Red Dot Sight, the current nomenclature of the tactically proficient inundate themselves with words like Optic, or obscure the subject with codewords like “glass.” Growing up in tandem with the internet, many remember the day they graduated from the brain-melting phase of arguing AR vs AK, through the troublesome years of 9mm vs .45 into the sure sign of adulthood: the classic Red Dot vs Holographic arguments of the early 2010’s. In those days one was forced into what could only be understood as a binary decision: do you favor the indestructibility of the Aimpoint M68 CCO, or that big-as-a-Navy-SEAL’s-ego field-of-view unique at that time to the EOTECH Holo sight?

History of the Reflex Sight

Before we dig into the characteristics, qualities, and varieties of reflex sights, a little bit of history must come first. As time passes, the integration of digital technology into projectile weapons only continues to increase, and one should expect it to continue. While Red Dot Sights are still being accepted and integrated into handguns, it didn’t take long for Iron Sights to become a secondary option to an aiming device not designed for ranged magnification. The spiritual ancestor to what is now the norm for close range combat and defense carbines came about through the use of tritium and a curious understanding of the human brain.

The OEG, or Occluded Eye Gunsight emerged around the Vietnam war and gained recognition during the Son Tay prison raid. Unlike the conventional U.S. Armed forces of the day, the soldiers in the Special Operations could be found sporting what looked like a scope with a small red object protruding out where the objective lens would sit. However, if one looked into the OEG like a rifle scope, all they would see would be a red dot in a field of black. The OEG required the shooter to keep both eyes open, manifesting a phenomenon called collimating where one eye would see the dot the target, the other eye the dot, and the brain would superimpose the two images together. This same concept when applied to the ACOG and other prismatic optics is called the Bindon Aiming Concept.

But by 1975, Aimpoint had launched their electronic Reflex Sight by bringing battery-illuminated lighting to a bloodline of engineering dating back to 1902. By reflecting a point of light off of a layer of glass, the term “reflex sight” was born. The name stuck, however, largely due to the way it was perceived to grant lightning reflexes to the shooter.

Function and Operation

The Reflex Sight plays fewer tricks on your mind than its predecessors, but holds onto the genetic development all the same. While the OEG didn’t reflect light toward the eye of the shooter, a reflex sight uses a light-emitting diode to project a small point onto a sheet of curved glass which corresponds to the desired point of impact of the shooter. This glass has a special coating that allows most frequencies of light to pass through but reflects red light back to the shooter. The wider the frequency of reflected light, the more discolored the lens will appear.

The simplicity of a single-reference point of aim as opposed to lining up a front and rear sight allows not only for easing strain on the eyes transitioning through focal planes, but also reduces the dependency of the shooter to have perfect form. The angle of the reflection functionally affords the shooter grace when aiming, for so long as the optic was zeroed, the shooter can move their head shifting the apparent location of the dot in the optic, with minimal effect on their point of impact. There is debate, however, about how much this affects the placement of the shot, if at all.

Short comment on Parallax:

Parallax is the apparent displacement of an object when viewed from two different angles. A simple example we’ve all experienced is a speedometer in a car: viewing a speedometer from the driver’s seat will give you the correct reading, whereas when it’s seen from the passenger seat it will be wrong.

The same applies to optics, regardless of marketing claims of “parallax free”. The only time a scope or red dot will not have parallax error is if the eye is perfectly centered behind the reticle, or if the reticle is focused exactly on the targeted distance. Parallax error is largely unnoticeable at magnifications under 10x, which is why you’ll have a parallax adjustment knob on any quality scope above that magnification level.

The reflex sight developed along three main paths from there: ruggedness, size, and field of view. The rugged genome gave birth to the Aimpoint T-1 Micro, and was followed by a whole list of contenders as time passed on. Micro red dot sights (MRDS) eventually could fit on a pistol and now have surpassed trending and quickly are becoming the new normal. Contending with the EOTECH for field of view are options like the Trijicon MRO that feature a design attempting to minimize how much the body of the sight blocks the shooter’s view.

The name Red Dot Sight should not be deceiving, however. Young soldiers are probably still spreading the idea that the infamous “they” chose red because of how easy the eye picks up the dot. We’re not here to comment on that at the moment, but those for those who play Call of Duty or have some colorblindness, not every reflex sight comes exclusively in Red, and with new models arriving each year, a greater variety of reticles are appearing on the market.

Even as the technology behind optics and sights continues to explore new directions, the qualities typically found in reflex sights gives them a certain dominance in the field. Most options boast nearly excessive battery life, often marketed in the years. In trunks, closets, and gun safes across the country a T-1 Micro can be found with the light on, left that way on purpose with the confidence that the car’s battery will likely need changing first.

Few alternatives can beat a Reflex Sight in weight and durability. At the same time, Low Power Variable Optics (LPVO’s) are beginning to creep in with generous fields of view, all the while offering magnification at the turn of a dial. Holographic sights still pose a threat to the hegemony of red dots by creeping down in price with the Vortex UH-1.

The State of Reflex Sights in 2021

There’s nothing like having choices, but in 2020, we’re no longer gambling with cheap knock-offs with so many legitimate contenders on the field. Remember the three main paths from earlier? In similar fashion, the three categories of reflector-type red dot sights presented are full-size prioritizing field of view, the rugged compact optics typically featuring a 20mm aperture, and the self-defined micro section popular on pistols.

Full-Size / Field of View

From the battlefield to a boar hunt, the heart and soul of reflex sights rests in the hands of these options. Old enough to be found on retro clone builds, relics like the Aimpoint M68 CCO still garner respect, and with years of use before options like the EOTECH reached the military, the design had gone through evolutions of improvement. Spiritual successors such as the AIMPOINT PRO and Vortex SPARC have survived house fires, which is more than most of us will go through, hopefully.

Even as some evolutions sought to get smaller, the desire for full-size reflex sights remains prominent as multiple companies continue to offer reputable and dependable red dot optics with aperture hovering around that 30 mm mark.

More on Full Size Reflex Sights

• This Aimpoint PRO survived a House Fire.
• Another full-cruelty demonstration of the failing to kill a Vortex Sparc.

Rugged / Compact

Perhaps it was timing, perhaps by design, when the Aimpoint T-1 Micro hit the scene in 2007, it brought with it the YouTube torture test. Millions watched in horror and anticipation as the Reflex Sight was dropped, smashed, thrown across concrete parking lots, submerged in water, and the like, only to be returned to the rifle with minimal shift in point of impact. Number crunchers claimed a 5-year battery life and quickly the optic was spotted on carbines, pistols, and shotguns. The category-defining durability spawned a host of options, with features like solar panels, reticle choices, and a steady creep towards more and more affordable options.

The trend had caught on, and rightly deserved a place in the pantheon of excellent red dot designs. Even as Aimpoint’s T-1 and T-2 Micro continue to hold a venerable place as the category progenitor, new offshoots have arrived offered with a range of dot colors, reticles, and features like solar panels to extend battery life can be found on SIG ROMEO4T and various models by HOLOSUN. In 2020, those interested in topping a defense carbine should not overlook the whole list of contenders including the STRIIKER by Atibal, Liberator by Swampfox, SPARC AR or Crossfire by VORTEX, and the TSR by U.S. Optics, just to name a few. There was a day when the naysayers could say nay, but today is not that day.

Vortex SPARC AR as low as $199 at Optics Planet

MICRO

Distinctly miniature, Micro Red Dots were not the first ones to make it on a pistol, but their popularity as a handgun optic has multiple histories. In 1970, Jerry Barnhart Before the days of sending a pistol off to get an optic cut, the most common place to find a micro reflex sight would be on a military or competition rifle mounted in tandem with some form of magnified glass. For a time, the combination of a Trijicon ACOG accompanied with an RMR caught the envy of those outside special military units, and for those interested in 3 gun, choosing to mount a second optic on your rifle will secure you a place in the high speed and punishing open devision.

In order to achieve their size, most Micro Reflex Sights feature an exposed emitter, sacrificing durability for reduced weight and size. Subject to the elements, MRDS’s require regular cleaning and maintenance, and both water and debris threaten to put them out of commission.

The Aimpoint ACRO and Holosun HE509T-RD were both designed as a sealed system, with the intent of topping common handguns. When sorting through the many options of micro reflex sights, one must pay special attention to the footprint: the pattern of bottom face of the optic that attaches to either a pistol slide or mount for use on long guns. Some share footprints, but that’s dicy business and often a point of friction between competing manufacturers.

Shop Holosun at Optics Planet

More on Pistol Mounted Micro Red Dot Sights:

• Learn how to Master Red Dot Equipped Pistols with Mike Pannone.
• For more on the history of red dots on handguns, as well as what to do when they break, read here from Concealment 9.
• For techniques on transitioning from irons to an MRDS, read more.

Holographic Sights

In 2020, no one should be faulted for mistaking an EOTech XPS series or Vortex UH-1 as a reflex sight. The distinction between a holo sight and more traditional reflex optics is found in how they go about getting a reticle to appear for the shooter. From the outside, they look and act similar, but holographic sights bring their own characteristics to the table. Though shorter battery life and wider field of view are typical of the category, that’s not all we’ll have to say on them. Keep current and we’ll let you know when there’s more content on holographic sights.

Closing Off

Having come so far, we expect the future of the reflex sight to develop in two directions: either a constant pursuit of making them smaller, lighter, and less occluding of the shooter’s vision, or ultimately relinquishing ties to their old name by giving up the dependency on reflecting light off glass all together. We’re not sure how this second option will manifest, but if it’s anything like the video games, we’d be more than interested.

For now, reflex sights continue to dominate the trend and market of close-range, quick-draw inspiring aiming devices, at least in daylight hours. Tying them into night vision operations is still a work in progress, as a red-dot mounted pistol feel like cheating they’re so easy, while the experience is opposite when trying to line up an NVG tube with a sight sitting atop a carbine. Most, in that case, opt to use IR lasers to accommodate night vision dependent military operations.

Finally, the ecosystem of available reflex sights can quick spark more than one heated debate over which is “best.” That argument, thankfully, is waning as the level of quality found across the industry continues to rise. There was a time when one ventured onto dubious ground when looking at anything other than the higher-priced names typically known to secure government contracts, but those days are passing quickly by as more and more manufacturers continue offer reliable quality optics backed up by honest warranties. Owning a dependable reflex sight need not come at a luxury cost.

More on Optics

• LPVO vs Magnifier, Pick your Poison.
• Red Dot Sight Buyer’s Guide.
• Many of the Best 9mm Pistols for 2020 come optics-ready.
• EOTech Magnifier: Force Multipliers.
• The Holographic Sight Advantage of EOTech.
• Vortex Red Dot Sight Guide.
• Aimpoint Acro vs Holosun 509T: Battle of Sealed MRDS Optics.
• Prism Scope Versatility: The Battlefield and Beyond.