“Unveiling the Truth: Can You Safely Keep a PCP Air Rifle Charged? Discover the Essential Guidelines and Precautions to Ensure Longevity and Optimal Performance of Your PCP Air Rifle. Stay Informed and Make Informed Decisions for a Safe and Reliable Shooting Experience.”
can you leave a pcp air rifle charged?
Many shooters are often unsure about whether it is safe to leave a PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) air rifle charged for extended periods. The answer to this question largely depends on the specific model and manufacturer’s recommendations. However, in general, it is not advisable to leave a PCP air rifle charged for long durations.
Leaving a PCP air rifle pressurized can lead to several potential issues. One of the main concerns is the possibility of pressure loss over time. Even when not in use, small leaks can occur due to various factors, such as seal deterioration or valve malfunctions. This can result in reduced performance or complete discharge of the air reservoir, rendering the rifle unusable until recharged.
Additionally, leaving a PCP air rifle charged continuously may put unnecessary strain on its components and reduce overall longevity. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding storage and depressurization procedures. Properly venting the air reservoir after shooting sessions and storing the rifle in a cool, dry place can help maintain optimal performance and prolong its lifespan.
In conclusion, it is not recommended to leave a PCP air rifle charged for an extended period of time due to safety concerns. It is important to follow proper storage procedures and discharge the air rifle when not in use to prevent accidents or damage.
The world of hunting has witnessed an unparalleled revolution since the first introduction of hunting saddles in the 1960s. With an ever-increasing demand for reliable, comfortable, and adjustable hunting gear, the saddle market has transformed and adapted to offer some of the most versatile solutions for contemporary hunters. At the heart of this evolution, Trophyline® has carved a niche for itself, setting the gold standard in hunting saddles and creating a legacy that outshines many.
Trophyline’s® primary objective, since its inception, has always been to design a quality product that ensures the hunter remains both mobile and safe during the pursuit of their game. This commitment is reflected in the impressive range of saddles they’ve developed over the years, with a particular emphasis on the needs of hunters, Comfort, Adjustability, Customization, Mobility, Weight, Dependability, and above all, Safety. Let’s dive into the factors you should consider when finding the best saddle in 2024:
Video: Deciding on a new saddle or an upgrade to your current saddle hunting setup? Robert from Trophyline ® walks you through a a detailed guide on what saddle might be best for you.
Comfort-This factor is slightly subjective and also obvious. Can you sit in your saddle all day? Is it comfortable? Does it support you in all the right places and eliminate things like hip pinch?
Adjustability/Customization-You want to be able to streamline the saddle to your individual figure. Can you adjust it to fit your body? Are the Pouches and attachment points easy to reach? Are there enough places to attach your needed accessories?
Mobility- Can you wear your saddle when walking in miles deep? Is it cumbersome? Loud? Or too bulky to get into your hunting zone stealthily and comfortably?
Weight –At the end of the day you’re either wearing or packing a saddle in, and if it seems too heavy or bulky you won’t take it. Weight is one of the largest contributing factors for a lot of people diving into saddle hunting, so it is in the list of considerations. Too heavy? Too Light? Goldilocks zone?
Dependability-What materials are used to build the saddle and how were they tested? This is the actual physical construction of the saddle. Will it break, rip or come apart? Or was it all built to stay together.
Safety-Safety factors are the features built into the saddle, separate linemans loops, bridge loops, leg straps, fully adjustable belts. These are the things that keep you safe in the tree and should be looked at when considering your safety in a saddle.
Saddle Hunting – It’s a System Not Just a Saddle
Today, saddle hunting is no longer just about having a simple piece of gear. It’s about creating an integrated system that molds to your specific hunting style and scenario, providing an unparalleled level of adjustability and customization. A saddle is the pivot point around which your hunting experience revolves, and Trophyline® understands this better than anyone.
Whether you are walking through the woods or packing your saddle in your backpack, mobility plays a critical role. With the relaunch and introduction of the renowned Ambush saddle (which is no longer available), Trophyline® redefined the standards of mobility and safety. The Ambush saddle was a leap forward in design and technology, merging comfort and convenience seamlessly, thus simplifying the hunt and making it more efficient.
Continuing our commitment to innovation, Trophyline® has launched new additions to our saddle range, such as the Covert Lite 2.0, the Covert Pro 2.0 , and the Venatic. Each of these models has been designed keeping in mind the varying demands of hunters, from the beginner to the veteran. All three models have been rigorously third-party tested, ensuring they uphold the highest standards of safety and quality that Trophyline is synonymous with.
Judy Place describes a scene straight out of a horror movie. She was being stalked by a rabid animal, in her case, a coyote.
The deranged creature had wandered out of the woods around the river that runs behind the trailer park complex where Place lives with her mother. The coyote had been menacing her and other neighbors, turning over lawn furniture and attacking random objects.
Then one evening, she heard a couple of loud banging sounds, like something was trying to get underneath her trailer home. She went to the window, where she “saw something scurrying away. I said, ‘Oh boy, I think that’s the coyote!’”
She called the North Attleboro police, who sent over two officers. When they arrived, their flashlights revealed a large section of siding that had been pulled away, leaving a gaping hole under the house.
“I said, ‘oh my gosh, she’s in there, I’m going in the house.’”
But the coyote had slipped around the side of the house, where it was waiting for her.
Place backed away, avoiding eye contact, but the coyote came after her. “She just latched right on to my leg,” she said.
Place says that in the shock of the moment, she didn’t feel the pain from the bite. Amazingly, she managed to keep calm, and stay still.
“I don’t know what I was thinking at the time, ‘cause you know, you’re in shock. So I basically thought to myself, ‘Don’t move too much,’ because she might think I was trying to fight her…things are going through my head like I don’t even know.”
The officers shot the animal twice with a Taser. The electroshock gun can take down a large man, but the coyote would not let go. Finally one of the officers fired a shot in the air, which, “scared the coyote enough to get off of me. So I beelined back into my house.”
Once inside, Place heard another two shots. The first wounded the coyote, which then turned on one of the officers who had to fire the second, fatal shot.
Testing confirmed rabies was the reason for the coyote’s bizarre behavior and attack. Place is now getting a series of shots to prevent her from contracting the fatal disease.
The incident was terrifying, but it’s important to know that Coyote attacks are extremely rare. Place is only the ninth person bitten in Massachusetts since the state started keeping records in the 1950s. The fact is, you’re more likely to get killed by lightning than injured by a coyote.
Still, they can be intimidating animals — the Eastern Coyote is a bigger, more robust animal than its Western cousin. That’s because they’re part wolf.
“As they came east and interbred with the wolf, they became larger,” said Christine Schadler, a wild canid ecologist and the author of Becoming Wolf: The Eastern Coyote in New England.
“Our animals are 35 to 60 pounds. The largest [Eastern] coyote documented is 62 pounds, which is the same size as a small Eastern Wolf,” said Schadler.
“All the animals in New England are this hybrid animal,” said Jon Way, a researcher involved with some of the recent studies that revealed the genetic makeup of Eastern Coyotes in Massachusetts. They found that “about 25 or 30 percent of its DNA is Eastern Wolf. And a little bit of gray wolf. A total of 25 to 30 percent Wolf, and maybe 60 to 65 percent coyote, and then about 10 percent dog.” Way thinks it’s more correct to refer to this animal as a ‘coywolf,’ to recognize its uniqueness as a species.
Schadler says that the wolf DNA is behind “significant differences in the eastern coyote that makes this animal unique. One is the ability to live in a pack, which is very different than the coyote out west.”
Combined with their larger size, living in packs could make the coywolves, as Way calls them, better predators of large animals like deer. “They’re kind of genetically plastic, where they can survive on small prey,” like rodents, that typically make up the majority of the coyote’s diet. But thanks to their body size, the Eastern Coyote may be “more able to prey on deer than western coyotes are,” said Way.
Place says she could see the wolf in the coyote that attacked her.
“The face of it looked exactly like a wolf. I kept saying, ‘I don’t think we have wolves in this area,’ so thought I was losing it,” she laughed. “But yeah, it did — it resembled a wolf.”
Place says she remains spooked by the attack, and now feels a little scared outside, but still loves living near abundant wildlife, including the coyotes.
She has two more rabies shots to go before she’s in the clear.
Spring time will be upon us soon, which means gobbler chasing weekends. If you want to increase your chances of turkey harvesting success, consider investing in a turkey decoy. The purpose of using decoys is to lure in a wild tom turkey. Decoy manufactures continue to produce realistic designs. According to Audubon bird studies, turkeys have excellent eyesight. They are able to see three times more clearly than 20/20 vision. Additionally, they can also see in color and have a 270-degree field of vision. This provides them an upper hand on both predators and hunters. It can be challenging when trying to choose the right turkey decoy for you. Be sure to research the states regulations regarding the use of decoys prior to purchasing. First and foremost decide on how much you are willing to invest and set your budget. Consider the terrain and time of season you will be hunting. Scouting the turkey’s behavior in your local setting will be a benefit.
Most Realistic Tom: Avian-X HDR Strutter
You get what you pay for here, as far as realism and durability. Avian-X has created a life-like, high quality design. These decoys are made up of a molded dura-rubber material with non-chip paint. They are collapsible; yet, not the fastest to deploy in a hurry. This tom features a versatile design. You can exchange the heads between worked up tom’s red, white and blue display or a relaxed tom’s solid white head. Avian-X really added to the versatility with this bird. The adjustable synthetic tail fan and beard allow you to transform the decoy from tom to jake. This heavy-duty construction will really increase the longevity of use over multiple seasons. The cons are these decoys tend to be on the bulkier side and are an expensive investment.
Most Realistic Hen decoy: Avian-X HDR Hen or Avian-X HDR Heavy-Duty Feeder Hen
Avian-X has really put in the work creating versatile hen designs. First, the Avian-X HDR Hen, is perfect for tempting aggressive, dominant toms. This decoy includes 2 removable head designs, resting and active. Next, the Avian-X HDR Heavy-Duty Feeder Hen, showcases a relaxed hen, easily inviting on-looking toms. Both hen decoys showcase enhanced flocking and realistic paint detail, adding to the realism. Again, Avian-X has made another collapsible decoy to withstand years of use. However, these decoy are still expensive and not the most compact design.
Most Realistic and Budget Friendly Set: Primos Hunting Lil Gobstopper Hen and Jake Combo
Primos really did a good job producing an affordable decoy combo. The set can be paired together or used separately giving you variety in your hunting set up. The use of authentic colors and posturing of these birds really set a realistic unintimidating setting. Nonetheless, gobblers cannot stand seeing a jake take their place next to a mature hen. The small design and collapsible feature really makes for a convenient choice for on the go hunters. With the price point landing around $60 you really cannot go wrong. Primos set you up to get the job done with this budget friendly duo. A con here is the use of plastic stakes, you may consider upgrading to a heavier duty metal stake. Even with an upgraded replacement you would be well under budget.
Most Economical: RedHead Foam Turkey Decoy 3-Pack
If you do not want to make a big investment, the RedHead Foam Decoy 3-Pack is the way to go. These are a simple foam set that come with a two-piece metal step-on stake. RedHead offers 3 different poses and lifelike painted feather detailing. The three of them together provide a perfect flock to attract that long beard you are waiting for. This set is light-weight, inexpensive and easily packable. If you have been on the fence, purchasing these decoy would be a perfect introduction without the large investment. However, the cons are they are not as realistic, the foam is not very durable and the longevity of use is uncertain.
Best Reaping: Montana Decoy Wiley Tom 3D
Disclaimer: Turkey reaping decoys are very effective, but should only be applied on private lands with no other hunters. Be sure to refer to your sates regulations concerning this method.
The Wiley Tom 3D decoy is one of a kind. Montana Decoys set the bar with a realistic versatile decoy. This decoy offers a 2D option with a see through window, perfect for reaping. Subsequently, the 3D option offers a versatile stake designs for a traditional stationary set up. This tom has the option to add a real tail or wing feathers as a replacement. The Wiley Tom 3D is ultra-light weight and fully collapsible. This decoy gives you the best of both worlds. It displays realism; yet, is ultra-light weight for a run and gun hunt. The price of this decoy is on the higher side and the light weight construction may affect the lifetime of use
Most Compact: Miss Purrfect XD
Montana Decoy’s Miss Purrfect XD Hen is arguably the best hen decoy on the market. This compact design fully collapses and for easy totting. It is ultra-light weight, yet, they did not skip on realism. This hen offers three position adjustments: standing, feeding and breeding. Feather cuts give the added element of subtle movement, which increases the realistic effect. The price point lands under $80 making it a mild investment. The downside is this decoy is not waterproof; and, because it is made up of fabric the probability of fading is higher.
Best Motion Decoy: Higdon Outdoors Motion Full Strut Tom
Disclaimer: Refer to state regulations regarding motion decoys before purchasing. Again, when using motion decoys or reaping method, use all safety precautions. Abstain for public land hunting with either method.
Higdon Outdoors Motion Tom decoy displays realistic motion and eye catching detail. The motion paired with the full strut features will surely have that longbeard ready to engage. This motioning tom decoy really makes for an irresistible set up. This decoy is battery operated and will take a moment to set up. You can locate an easy tote hand on the bottom of the fan. A magnetic fan mount allows you the option to replace the fan with a natural fan. The cons with this bird is the high cost and some state prohibit the use of motion decoys.
Final Thoughts
It is no secret that the turkey decoy business is booming. Companies continue to produce realistic birds and I see no end in sight. Hunting over decoys adds an upper hand to the hunter trying to lure in a tom. Having a decoy or a decoy spread gives the turkeys a visual endorsement to you calls. Do you need a decoy? No, but is a good addition and may be a crucial piece to securing your harvest. As always, be cautious when transporting decoys or harvested birds through the woods. When hunting over decoys be aware if other hunters are in the area. Also consider you proximity to the decoy, better safe than sorry. Happy hunting everyone!
Exposure to noise greater than 140 dB can permanently damage hearing. Almost all firearms create noise that is over the 140-dB level. A small .22-caliber rifle can produce noise around 140 dB, while big-bore rifles and pistols can produce sound over 175 dB. Firing guns in a place where sounds can reverberate, or bounce off walls and other structures, can make noises louder and increase the risk of hearing loss. Also, adding muzzle brakes or other modifications can make the firearm louder. People who do not wear hearing protection while shooting can suffer a severe hearing loss with as little as one shot, if the conditions are right. Audiologists see this often, especially during hunting season when hunters and bystanders may be exposed to rapid fire from big-bore rifles, shotguns, or pistols.
Hearing Loss Due To Firearm Noise
People who use firearms are more likely to develop hearing loss than those who do not. Firearm users tend to have high-frequency permanent hearing loss, which means that they may have trouble hearing speech sounds like “s,” “th,” or “v” and other high-pitched sounds. The left ear (in right-handed shooters) often suffers more damage than the right ear because it is closer to, and directly in line with, the muzzle of the firearm. Also, the right ear is partially protected by head shadow. People with high-frequency hearing loss may say that they can hear what is said but that it is not clear, and they may accuse others of mumbling. They may not get their hearing tested because they don’t think they have a problem. They may also have ringing in their ears, called tinnitus. The ringing, like the hearing loss, can be permanent.
Protecting Your Hearing From Firearm Noise
The good news is that people can prevent hearing loss by using appropriate hearing protective devices (HPDs), such as earmuffs or earplugs. However, studies have shown that only about half of shooters wear hearing protection all the time when target practicing. Hunters are even less likely to wear hearing protection because they say they cannot hear approaching game or other noises. While some HPDs do limit what a person can hear, there are many products that allow shooters to hear softer sounds while still protecting them from loud sounds like firearm noise.
Two types of HPDs designed for shooting sports are electronic HPDs and nonlinear HPDs. Electronic HPDs make softer sounds louder but shut off when there is a loud noise. The device then becomes hearing protection. Electronic HPD styles include earmuffs, custom-made in-the-ear devices, one-size-fits-all plugs, and behind-the-ear devices.
Nonlinear HPDs are not electronic and are designed to allow soft and moderate sounds to pass through, while still reducing loud sounds. Nonlinear HPDs can be either earplugs that are inserted into the ear or custom-made earmolds. Nonlinear HPDs that have filters are the best choice. They are better than those that use mechanical valves. This is because the valves may not close fast enough to protect hearing from loud noise.
The U.S. military uses both electronic and nonlinear HPDs to protect soldiers’ hearing during combat and weapons training. Electronic HPDs cost from less than $100 for earmuffs to over $1,000 for high-technology custom-made devices. Insert plug-type nonlinear HPDs cost around $10-$20, while custom-made nonlinear devices cost around $100-$150 per pair. Talk with your audiologist to choose the type of hearing protection that is right for you.
Tips To Protect Your Hearing
Always use some type of hearing protection any time you fire a gun.
Always have disposable HPDs handy—make them part of your gear.
Double-protect your ears, like putting muffs over plugs, when shooting big-bore firearms.
Choose smaller caliber firearms for target practice and hunting.
Choose single-shot firearms instead of lever action, pump, or semi-automatic guns.
Avoid shooting in groups or in reverberant environments.
This elk sausage recipe is a great way to enjoy a healthy, protein-packed and delicious meal. Whether you are an experienced or new hunter – or if you bought elk at the store: you’ve come to the right place to find a recipe for elk breakfast sausage patties!
Making elk sausages is easy with this recipe because they are in patty form. This means you don’t have to buy hog casings or have fancy sausage stuffing equipment!
Elk are one of the largest types of deer, making it a wild game meat that is similar to venison.
This meat is growing in popularity because it is nutritious and lean. The first time I tried elk I bought it as ground meat and cooked it for tacos; I loved how it wasn’t as greasy as ground beef and it had such a mild, clean and almost a sweet taste!
You can substitute elk with ground venison or even ground beef in this recipe, but the cooking process will be a bit different because of the amount of fat. We suggest carefully monitoring the sausage patties on the stove with whichever meat you decide to cook.
Compared to regular beef, elk has about half the fat and more protein. It is high in B vitamins, zinc and healthy types of fat. Most farm raised elk are able to free range and have a varied diet including many different types of plant material. Make sure to look up the company and ensure they are a good farm if you are purchasing meat from the store, confirming you are buying a high-quality product.
While we don’t think many types of animal fats are bad for you (if you are eating grass-fed, grass-finished red meat and organic, pasture-raised poultry), we do think it is easy to have too much fat when eating a diet that includes animal products. For example, we include butter and cream in our diet, so we often get plenty of fat from dairy products. Having a lean meat option is a nice way to help balance the appropriate amounts of fats, carbohydrates and proteins in a meal.
Elk hunted from the wild:
As we are not hunting professionals, we don’t have instructions for how to properly skin or butcher wild game. There are many resources for this online! This recipe calls for ground meat which means you will need a good meat grinder or hand grinder if you haven’t bought it pre-ground. Once you have your ground meat, you can follow this easy recipe!
Storage:
You can freeze the prepared raw meat mixture in a non- BPA freezer bag or reusable silicone bag for up to 4 months. Make sure to seal the meat air tight to prevent freezer burn. Only keep the raw meat mixture in the refrigerator for 1-2 days in an airtight container or it will begin to spoil.
You can refrigerate the cooked sausage patties for up to 3 days by allowing them to cool to room temperature and sealing them in an airtight container or in a dish covered tightly with plastic wrap.
You can freeze cooked sausage patties by allowing them to cool to room temperature and sealing in a non-BPA freezer bag or reusable silicone bag for up to 4 months (again, sealing airtight to prevent freezer burn.)
Tips for Best results when cooking elk sausage:
Combine the dry spices in a small or medium bowl before adding the seasoning mixture to however many pounds of meat you are preparing. This will ensure your sausage seasonings will be uniform throughout your meat.
Fresh herbs can be used in place of dry by multiplying the quantity by 3. For example, instead of adding 1 teaspoon of dry thyme you can add 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme. We made this recipe in the winter so we only had dry herbs – but can’t wait to try this recipe with herbs from the garden in spring and summer!
Preheat the stove to medium heat and add butter until it begins to bubble before adding the sausage patties. This will allow better browning and less sticking.
You will want to turn the heat up to medium-high for proper browning but monitor the heat to ensure the sausages are not burning .
Carefully monitor the sausages when cooking: you don’t want to overcook these because the low amount of fat can cause the sausage to be quite dry if overly well-done.
We do not recommend using most “non-stick” pans as most have a coating made with toxic chemicals that can leach into your food. We suggest sticking with stainless steal or cast iron for cooking.
What to eat with Elk Breakfast sausage patties:
Enjoy these patties with the same sides you would normally eat with breakfast sausage. Sourdough flatbread, sourdough crepes or pancakes, crispy hash browns, sourdough bread toast with apple butter…
One of our favorite healthy side dishes for this recipe is sauteed apples in butter and maple syrup, topped with sour cream and a little cinnamon and nutmeg. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
*This is not medical advice
*None of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA
While November deer hunting gets most of the headlines, those hunters who are willing to punch the clock to the late winter buzzer can still take the trophy whitetail of a lifetime. Texas bowhunter Dale Moses did just that a few years ago, preserving through a long season of hunting that eventually culminated with a cold winter day shot that downed a big non-typical whitetail he had dubbed Captain Hook. (Photo by Lynn Burkhead)
Read deer hunting articles each fall, and you’ll see a lot of stories, a lot of photographs, and a lot of chest-thumping about the month of November. Outdoor writers are notorious for their November deer hunting praise and I’m as guilty as the rest of them.
In short, it’s the Whitetail Chamber of Commerce’s best advertising material, the month when the woods are alive with colorful leaves falling to the ground on a freshening north wind and deer-hunting prospects are at their very best.
That’s because November is when estrous does are plentiful. Mr. Big and his antlered buddies are throwing caution to the wind, and every deer trail has the potential of a whitetail love triangle straight out of the latest Yellowstone episode.
But then there’s the month of December, a time when the deer woods are suddenly as barren as Ebenezer Scrooge’s bankrupt soul, a collection of weeks as dead as the proverbial door nail pulled straight from the opening lines of Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol.”
If you find yourself hunting in December with an empty buck tag in your back pocket, well, good luck. Because you’re going to need it, right?
Not necessarily. Play your cards right in the season’s 11th hour—and follow these five buzzer-beating tips—and you just might end the season smiling as big as the redeemed soul of old Ebenezer when he hears Tiny Tim cry out “God bless us everyone!”
Curious as to what you can do to tag a late-season buzzer-beater buck? Follow these five cardinal rules for late-season success.
The first rule is to hunt the passage of strong cold fronts. Especially on the day or two leading up to the frontal passage as the barometer is falling, clouds are gathering, and wildlife are noticing that a storm is brewing.
Like humans do with their pre-winter storm milk and bread run rituals that wipe out the shelves at the local grocery store, wildlife do something similar as they get up, feed heavily and pile on the calories to prepare for the coming blast of Old Man Winter.
Read more: Tag a Whitetail When It’s Hot, Cold, Wet or Windy
That’s what a bowhunting friend of mine named Tarif Alkhatib did a few years ago when he arrowed a gnarly horned, multi-tined non-typical buck in North Texas as the first Arctic blast of the season moved in.
Bundled up in his Under Armour hunting gear as the front barreled through and dropped temps into the lower 30s with light freezing precipitation, Alkhatib downed the buck as it moved quickly by his stand.
Late-season deer are active before and after a cold front. (Photo by Lynn Burkhead)
One good shot from his Mathews bow and the dedicated archer was soon on the ground shaking from both excitement and the cold as he tagged one of several wall-hangers that he’s knocked down in recent seasons.
Keep in mind that the same principle applies to a day or two after a storm, as deer get back on their feet and come out to feed and move around when the sun starts shining, the precipitation ends, and temperatures start to slowly moderate.
2. Hunt the Food
The idea noted above leads to the second rule of late-season success — hunt near high-calorie food sources. In the Midwest, that might be a cut corn field or a snow-covered soybean field. In the Deep South, it could be a green food plot or an oak tree with a few acorns still laying around. And in Texas, where I live, it could be a corn feeder shelling out golden nuggets twice a day.
Even the buck of a lifetime can come calling if the weather is cold and there’s adequate whitetail food around. (Shutterstock image)
Hunting late-season food is exactly what Robert Taylor did at the end of the 2012 season when he arrowed a huge North Texas non-typical whitetail that was chronicled in the pages of North American Whitetail.
The key to Taylor’s hunt — which came on the evening of Dec. 29 as cold weather and the remains of the region’s 2012 White Christmas dotted the landscape — was food.
Read More: Field of Dreams Offer Food for Whitetails, Success for Hunters
That food was the combination of a feeder spitting corn out and a food plot that promised local deer high-caloric intake during the cold snap. That was enough to lure in several does, a good 10-point buck, and the huge bruiser that Taylor ended up shooting. All on a five-acre plot of land, no less.
Unfortunately, the Taylor buck rode a bit of a scoring roller coaster – it received a green score of 249 2/8 inches, then a 60-day entry score of 254 4/8 inches, and finally a revised Pope and Young Club panel score of 219 1/8 inches. While the middle number would have made it a Texas bow buck record, 219 and change is nothing to sneeze at and proof positive that even the buck of a lifetime can come calling if the weather is cold and there’s adequate whitetail food around.
3. Hunt Thick and Nasty Cover
On an outdoor writer’s deer hunt last December in Oklahoma with Kevin Reese and the Sight Mark optics crew, I pushed my hunting luck to the very end. But hunting a box-blind stand in a Sooner State pecan bottom during the final hour of the final day of my hunt at Dakota Stower’s most excellent North Texas Outfitters operation, I was rewarded for nothing more than sheer persistence. And sitting in a post-rut deer stand situated next to some of the area’s thickest and gnarliest cover.
Focus on an area’s thickest cover during the post-rut. (Photo by Lynn Burkhead)
As high cirrus clouds streamed in and muted the last hour’s shooting light that was filtering into the pecan bottom, a good 8-point buck stepped out of the creek bottom’s nasty vegetation where he had holed up and bedded down the entire day. But as he trotted through a brief window of a last-hour shooting opportunity before ducking back into the thick cover, one shot from my rifle put down the only deer I would tag in all of 2019.
A short while later, I was discarding the recipe for “tag soup” I had carried in my back pocket last fall, not to mention looking through my phone contact list for the number of a favored taxidermy shop, all thanks to my own buzzer-beater buck.
4. Hunt the Secondary Rut
A fourth rule in tagging a December bruiser is to remember that November doesn’t always have the market cornered on rutting activity.
That’s because of the secondary rut which occurs when does that weren’t bred in last month’s breeding frenzy actually cycle into estrous again approximately 28 days later.
The key to hunting the secondary rut successfully are to find scrapes that have been reopened, to identify and hunt preferred natural food sources that mature bucks tend to key on, and to be in the woods when late-born fawns come into their first estrous cycle in December. (Photo by Lynn Burkhead)
While some hunters debate the strength of secondary rutting activity and its effects on big buck hunting potential, you won’t find Dallas hunter Sherman Wyman arguing about it. That’s because Wyman capitalized on the secondary rut on Dec. 24, 2005 when he shot a B&C non-typical buck netting 226 4/8 inches on his low-fence ranch near Wichita Falls in the state’s Red River country.
Read more: Second Rut, Last Chance
“I’ve shot a lot of big deer around Christmas time,” said Wyman. “(In North Texas), everyone thinks once Thanksgiving or the first of December has come and gone, you’re done.”
Obviously not.
In Wyman’s mind, the keys to hunting the secondary rut successfully are to find scrapes that have been reopened, to identify and hunt preferred natural food sources that mature bucks tend to key on, and to be in the woods when late-born fawns come into their first estrous cycle in December.
5. Punch the Clock
A final rule to notching a tag on a December buzzer-beater buck is to employ the deer-hunting version of the photographer’s old “F8 and be there” rule.
For photographers of old-school training, that rule means to put your digital camera on manual, set the f-stop to F8 and be there for the shot.
That idea rings true for late season deer hunters too.
A deer hunting physician I once knew practiced this rule near my North Texas home many years ago just before Christmas when he carved time out of his busy holiday and professional schedule, braved some intense cold weather, and got to the nearest deer stand as the season was winding down.
Deer season, as well as the holiday season, that is.
Read more: How to Rally for a Late-Innings Whitetail
Dr. Wade was rewarded for his consistent punching of the clock that December when he arrowed a beautiful 163 5/8 inch net typical, a wide and beautiful racked buck that adorned the good doctor’s Christmas cards that year.
My good friend Dale Moses, a passionate bowhunter and retired Texas Game Warden, has taken numerous big deer over the years with his Mathews bow, a few of those wall-hangers getting tagged in the season’s final days. That includes a late-season buzzer-beater back in 2013, one that he dubbed “Captain Hook.”
Just after Christmas that year, in a frigid stretch of weather that was gripping the North Texas woods Moses had hunted all season, his cat-and-mouse game with this big non-typical finally ended. The whopper non-typical buck placed well in the Texas Big Game Awards Program that year, scoring 184 0/8-inches.
Want to do something similar as the 2020 deer season winds down? Then get out of that easy chair, leave the warmth of the fireplace behind, and get into your deer stand, even if it’s the season’s final hours.
Because when it comes to tagging a buzzer-beater buck, you just never know, right?
“How many guys do you know that were out on a (North Texas) deer stand on Christmas Eve?” asked Sherman Wyman.
The truth is, not very many.
Only the ones whose inner hunting flame still burns hot enough to drive them out the warm comfort of home and into the chill of the late-season whitetail woods.
Which is exactly where they hope to be to beat back Jack Frost’s wintertime chill while tagging a buzzer beater buck just in time for Christmas delivery.
The world’s oceans are full of fascinating creatures, including quite a few large and rather intimidating marine animals! If you love nature and the ocean as much as we do at Harbor Breeze Cruises, we hope you’ll be excited to gain some insight into two predators found in the oceans: the orca and the great white shark.
Meet These Impressive Apex Predators
Great white sharks and orcas are known as apex predators, which means that they reside at the top of the food chain. They play a crucial role in regulating the populations of other species and maintaining the balance of the world’s delicate marine ecosystems.
Because great white sharks and orcas are two of the most iconic marine mammals in the world, it’s no surprise that a debate exists over which animal is the most formidable.
Orca vs great white shark . . . which one is bigger? Which one is faster? Which one is the most relentlessly fierce and deserves to be known as the ultimate marine predator? Let’s see if this debate can be settled once and for all!
Orca vs Great White Size
On average, orcas—also known as killer whales—are twice as long and three times as heavy as great white sharks, making their difference in size and weight quite significant. The orca’s larger body mass and muscular build contribute to their ability to take down larger prey with relative ease. So, when it comes to orca vs great white size, the orca is the clear winner in this category.
Great White vs Orca Speed
Great white sharks are incredibly fast swimmers; they can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour in short bursts. It’s worth noting, however, that orcas are faster when swimming long distances. Orcas can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and, most importantly, they can maintain this consistent speed. When it comes to great white vs orca in terms of speed, the answer essentially depends on the distance they’re swimming.
Orca vs Great White Teeth and Bite Force
The orca’s bite force is estimated to be around 19,000 pounds per square inch (psi), while the great white shark’s bite is closer to 4,000 psi. An orca’s teeth are designed for tearing or shredding, but not for chewing; they consume their food in chunks or swallow their prey whole. In contrast, great white sharks have sharp and serrated teeth, making it possible for them to immobilize their prey and slice through flesh. According to Animals Around the Globe, “Great white sharks . . . have 300 sharp triangular teeth in several rows in their mouths. They also have an extraordinary sense of smell which helps them detect their prey from far away.” Though bite force and the shape of their teeth must be considered when comparing these apex predators, another comparison that needs to be made involves how they hunt.
Great White vs Orca Hunting Techniques
Orcas and great white sharks take different approaches to hunting. Great white sharks prefer to hunt alone; they use their speed and agility to ambush their predators at lightning speed. Orcas, on the other hand, hunt in pods of up to 40 whales so they can have an even better chance of taking down their prey, which often includes large mammals such as seals and sea lions. Regarded as social and cooperative hunters, orcas seem to understand the importance of underwater teamwork, utilizing their strength and size to ensure that they have the big, filling meals they need to survive and thrive.
Orca vs Great White Shark: Who’s the Apex Predator?
Are you tempted to say that the orca is the apex predator, considering its size, weight, speed, bite force, and hunting strategies? Or are you inclined to believe that even though the shark is smaller, its speed, rows of sharp teeth, and agility make it the apex predator?
If you were to cast your vote on which is the ocean’s apex predator based on appearance alone, the great white shark would surely be the winner. Their frightening appearance has even inspired Hollywood movies like Jaws and Deep Blue Sea.
Many scientists and researchers, however, seem to agree that the orca is the more ferocious predator, hunting and catching whatever type of prey becomes available to them. Orcas seem to have no fear and, of course, working together boosts their overall success rate.
All comparisons considered, it also comes down to which one could kill the other. While there is no evidence to suggest that orcas regularly prey on great white sharks, American Oceans writes, “Orcas are also the only known predators of great white sharks. Scientists have been studying this behavior for several years and have even captured video footage of orcas killing and eating great white sharks off the coast of South Africa. The orcas use their powerful jaws and teeth to inflict fatal wounds on the sharks, and then consume their liver, which is a nutrient-rich organ.” A-Z Animals also notes, “According to a 2019 report, orcas that relocate to an area to hunt seals will drive away any great white sharks that previously resided in the area. In addition, these sharks tend to keep clear of the area for at least an entire season. This reluctance to return indicates that the sharks possess some level of fear of the orcas and do not wish to chance an encounter by returning too soon.”
Interestingly, Science Focus declares orcas as the apex predator upon taking another important factor into consideration: their intelligence. Their article simply states, “Not only are orcas much bigger, they are also smarter.”
Join Us on an Unforgettable Cruise
Orcas and great white sharks—along with other marine life—remind us of the importance of respecting, protecting, and appreciating these magnificent animals and the oceans in which they live.
Harbor Breeze Cruises is proud to offer year-round whale-watching tours that are affordable and family-friendly. During your cruise, you can plan to sit back and relax while you wait to spot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. You’ll feel right at home on the water on our eco-friendly, comfortable, and state-of-the-art catamarans operated by friendly and knowledgeable crew members, including educators representing the Aquarium of the Pacific.
For more information or to book a tour with Harbor Breeze Cruises, call 562-432-4900 or purchase your tickets online. We’d be thrilled to welcome you aboard one of our whale-watching cruises. While seeing a killer whale is not guaranteed, it’s certainly a possibility! Our crew and passengers have spotted blue whales, gray whales, humpback whales, and other whale species, and we can confidently say that no matter what type of whale species you may spot during a cruise with Harbor Breeze, you’ll be humbled by and grateful for the experience.
A greenish-grayish speckled whopper the weight of a golden retriever.
That’s a big fish.
And that’s the fish that Scott Enloe reeled in from the Blue Mesa Reservoir, a man-made lake in Colorado, last week.
Enloe’s catch poses a challenge to the record set by angler Lloyd Bull, who pulled a 32.6-kilogram lake trout from waters in the Northwest Territories in 1995.
“It’s obviously the largest one I’ve ever seen,” Enloe said of his remarkable haul.
“It was exactly 47 inches long and it had a 37-inch girth … I’m a 35-inch waist and it was bigger than me.”
But Enloe’s catch may not make it into the International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) record books, where Bull holds the top lake trout spot.
That’s because the organization requires that fish be weighed on land.
Enloe weighed, measured and photographed his fish on his boat — and then he let it go.
“Whether I get my name in the books or not, that’s irrelevant to me,” he said. “I was not going to kill the fish regardless.”
Zac Bellapigna, angler recognition coordinator for the IGFA, said Enloe wouldn’t have had to kill his trout, necessarily. Fishers can bring their fish to shore, weigh them, and release them alive.
“I commend him for releasing the fish alive, that’s a good thing,” said Bellapigna.
‘One of the best fishing spots in the world’
About 3,000 kilometres north of the Blue Mesa Reservoir sits the majestic Great Bear Lake, site of an Indigenous-led UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve. It’s known for producing some of the biggest lake trout ever caught.
“Growing up, we caught a lot of pretty big trout,” said Naokah Bailes, who was raised in the Sahtu region and has been fishing in Great Bear Lake since she was small.
“Little did I know I was actually fishing at probably one of the best fishing spots in the world.”
The people who know Great Bear Lake, or who’ve visited, give many reasons for why the lake is a unique place to cast a line.
For one, it’s huge — one of the world’s largest — and there’s only one community on its shores: Délı̨nę, which has a population of a little over 600.
“It’s such a small community, right?” said Bailes. “Even if someone’s out there fishing all day, the lake is so big we would never have an actual impact on the fish populations.”
Even bigger fish netted in Great Bear Lake in 2009
Ask people in the Délı̨nę about fish, and one name comes up again and again: George Kenny.
Kenny netted a lake trout from Great Bear topping 38 kilograms in 2009.
That fish didn’t survive, and it’s now memorialized in the community’s Great Bear Lodge.
“There’s something about the genetics, also, in Great Bear Lake that produces very large fish,” said Mike Bryant, who once penned a column as the “Fishin’ Technician” and is now the group publisher for Northern News Services in Yellowknife.
Not all its trout grow to “super sizes,” he said, but a strain of them do.
Bryant, who visited the lake in 1997 and plans to return this summer, pointed out that a good chunk of IGFA’s lake trout line class records have been set at Great Bear Lake.
“Great Bear Lake is like an aquarium. It’s full of fish,” said Danny Gaudet, Ɂekw’ahtide (leader) of the Deline Got’ine government.
Gaudet also fishes — but for food, not trophies.
There’s nothing that compares to the meat on a Great Bear Lake fish, he said, and you’re always guaranteed to catch one.
Gaudet said that if more tourists travel to Great Bear Lake for fishing, and fish in a sustainable way, it could benefit the community’s economy.
It’s one reason why he says he’s actually happy for Scott Enloe, because big catches like that draw in tourism.
“If it sustains that economy for them, that’s great,” he said. “Of course, we’re from Great Bear Lake and we will break the record again.”
Hunting hours are sunrise to sunset, unless posted.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sets the frameworks for waterfowl and other migratory game birds. Migratory bird hunting is governed by both state and federal regulations. Wa- terfowl hunting is permitted when seasons are open during the youth deer gun season, the deer gun season, and the deer muzzleloader season. The possession limit for wa- terfowl and migratory birds after the second day is three times the daily bag limit.
OPENING DAY OF A SEASON
No person on the opening day of the season shall possess any freshly killed migratory game birds in excess of the daily bag limit, or aggregate daily bag limit, whichever applies.
MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING
To hunt migratory birds in Ohio, you must have the following:
A valid Ohio hunting license.
Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification.
In addition to the requirements above, to hunt waterfowl in Ohio, you must also have the following:
An Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp en- dorsement is required of all persons 18 or older.
A signed federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (Duck Stamp) is required of all persons age 16 and older.
HIP SURVEY
All hunters, including landowners, who plan to hunt migratory game birds, includ- ing mourning doves, ducks, geese, wood- cock, rails, coots, and snipe must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) certi- fication number on their hunting license. To complete the HIP certification require- ment, call 1-877-HIP-OHIO (1-877-447- 6446) or go to wildohio.gov and answer the survey questions. After the survey you will be given a certification number. Write the certification number on your annual hunting license in the space provided.
Multiyear license and lifetime license hold- ers are required to complete the HIP certifi- cation requirement annually. The certifica- tion number is required to be carried while hunting.FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING STAMP (DUCK STAMP)
Federal regulations relating to migratory game birds are located in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20.
For additional information on federal regu- lations, go to fws.gov or ecfr.gov
Hunters should know:
Federal Duck Stamps are valid from July 1 through the following June 30.
You must sign the front of your Duck Stamp in order for it to be valid. Remem- ber: only you may use your Federal Duck Stamp.
If you bought an E-Stamp, you must carry your 45-day receipt with you at all times while hunting. Once the receipt has expired, you must carry your current, signed Federal Duck Stamp. If you pur- chased your E-Stamp at a retail store, you must carry the E-Stamp/45-day receipt. Your purchase/credit card receipt from the store is not valid as a Duck Stamp.
Hunters 16 years of age and older are re- quired to purchase this stamp to hunt waterfowl. These stamps are available at many U.S. post office branches, usps.com, or duckstamp.com.
The E-Stamp available through duckstamp. com is valid immediately for up to 45 days with the receipt of the e-stamp purchase.
The Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp will not be issued at the time of purchase. A li- cense will be issued stating Ohio Wetlands Stamp. The stamp will be mailed later in the year. The stamp does not need to be carried while hunting.
MILITARY WATERFOWL HUNTING
Active duty military and veterans may hunt waterfowl on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2024. Bag limits are the same as the regular season. Active duty military and veterans and youth may hunt waterfowl together during this spe- cial season.
The hunter must be a veteran or a member of the armed forces on active duty.
YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNTING
Hunters 17 years old or younger may hunt waterfowl statewide (on public and private lands) on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2024. Ducks, geese, and coots may be taken under bag limits established for the regular season. Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sun- rise to sunset.
NONTOXIC SHOT
No person may take ducks, geese (including brant), rail, snipe, gallinules, or coots while possessing shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than ap- proved nontoxic shot. For a list of approved nontoxic shot, see fws.gov.
OPENING DAY OF A SEASON
No person on the opening day of the season shall possess any freshly killed migratory game birds in excess of the daily bag limit, or aggregate daily bag limit, whichever applies.
MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING
To hunt migratory birds in Ohio, you must have the following:
A valid Ohio hunting license.
Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification.
In addition to the requirements above, to hunt waterfowl in Ohio, you must also have the following:
A Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp endorsement is required of all persons 18 or older.
A signed federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (Duck Stamp) is required of all persons age 16 and older.
HIP SURVEY
All hunters, including landowners, who plan to hunt migratory game birds, includ- ing mourning doves, ducks, geese, wood- cock, rails, coots, and snipe must have a harvest information program (HIP) certi- fication number on their hunting license. To complete the HIP certification require- ment, call 1-877-HIP-OHIO (1-877-447-6446) or go to wildohio.gov and answer the survey questions. After the survey you will be given a certification number. Write the certification number on your annual hunting license in the space provided.
Multiyear license and lifetime license hold- ers are required to complete the HIP certifi- cation requirement annually. The certifica- tion number is required to be carried while hunting
WATERFOWL SEASONS
OPENING DATE
CLOSING DATE
DAILY LIMIT
Youth Waterfowl Season
Sept. 30, 2024
Oct. 1, 2024
Same as the regular season
Military Waterfowl Season
Sept. 30, 2024
Oct. 1, 2024
Same as the regular season
LAKE ERIE MARSH ZONE:
Geese
Oct. 14, 2024
Nov. 4, 2024
Oct. 29, 2024
Dec. 17, 2024
GEESE
5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and no more than 1 brant.
10 combined: snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose.
DUCKS
The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, which may include no more than 4 mallards (only 2 hens),
3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 2 black ducks, or 1 mottled duck. One scaup during the first 15 days of the season; two scaup during the next 45 days.
MERGANSERS & COOTS
5 mergansers (only 2 hooded), and 15 coots.
Dec. 31, 2024
Feb. 4, 2024
LAKE ERIE MARSH ZONE:
Ducks, Coots, &Mergansers
Oct. 14, 2024
Nov. 4, 2024
Oct. 29, 2024
Dec. 17, 2024
NORTH ZONE:
Geese
Oct. 21, 2024
Nov. 11, 2024
Oct. 29, 2024
Feb. 5, 2024
NORTH ZONE:
Ducks, Coots, &Mergansers
Oct. 21, 2024
Nov. 11, 2024
Oct. 29, 2024
DEC. 31, 2024
SOUTH ZONE:
Geese
Oct. 21, 2024
Nov. 18, 2024
Oct. 29, 2024
Feb. 12, 2024
SOUTH ZONE:
Ducks, Coots, &Mergansers
Oct. 21, 2024
Dec. 9, 2024
Oct. 29, 2024
Jan. 28, 2024
Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset during the regular waterfowl season, unless posted.
OHIO WETLANDS HABITAT STAMP
The Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp will not be issued at the time of purchase. A license will be issued stating Ohio Wetlands Stamp. The stamp will be mailed later in the year. The stamp does not need to be carried while hunting.
FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND FEDERAL MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING STAMP (DUCK STAMP)
Federal regulations relating to migratory game birds are located in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20.
For additional information on federal regulations, go to fws.gov or ecfr.gov
Hunters should know:
Federal Duck Stamps are valid from July 1 through the following June 30.
You must sign the front of your Duck Stamp in order for it to be valid. Remember: only you may use your Federal Duck Stamp.
If you bought an E-Stamp, you must carry your 45-day receipt with you at all times while hunting. Once the receipt has expired, you must carry your current, signed Federal Duck Stamp. If you purchased your E-Stamp at a retail store, you must carry the E-Stamp/45-day receipt. Your purchase/credit card receipt from the store is not valid as a Duck Stamp.
Hunters 16 years of age and older are required to purchase this stamp to hunt waterfowl. These stamps are available at many U.S. post office branches, usps.com, or duckstamp.com.
The E-Stamp available through duckstamp. com is valid immediately for up to 45 days with the receipt of the e-stamp purchase.
MILITARY WATERFOWL HUNTING
Active duty military and veterans may hunt waterfowl on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2024. Bag limits are the same as the regular season. Active duty military and veterans and youth may hunt waterfowl together during this spe- cial season.
The hunter must be a veteran or a member of the armed forces on active duty.
YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNTING
Hunters 17 years old or younger may hunt waterfowl statewide (on public and private lands) on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2024. Ducks, geese, and coots may be taken under bag limits established for the regular season. Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sun- rise to sunset.
NONTOXIC SHOT
No person may take ducks, geese (including brant), rail, snipe, moorhens, or coots while possessing shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than approved nontoxic shot. For a list of approved nontoxic shot, see fws.gov.
DOVE HUNTING
Hours for dove are sunrise to sunset. Doves may be hunted with lead shot. Dove field maps are available at wildohio.gov.
Doves may be hunted on areas that have been manipulated (for example, mowed or bush-hogged) for wildlife management purposes, in addition to areas that have been planted or harvested in a normal ag- ricultural manner. Neither waterfowl nor doves may be hunted on areas where grain or other feed has been distributed once it has been removed from or stored on the field where grown. Contact a Division of Wildlife district office or a state wildlife of- ficer for clarification on baiting regulations before you hunt.
Harvest Information Program (HIP) certi- fication is required to dove hunt. To com- plete the HIP certification requirement, call 1-877-HIP-OHIO (1-877-447-6446) or go to wildohio.gov and answer the survey ques- tions. After the survey you will be given a certification number. Write the certification number on your annual hunting license in the space provided.
Multiyear license and lifetime license hold- ers are required to complete the HIP certifi- cation requirement annually. The certifica- tion number is required to be carried while hunting.
TAGGING REQUIREMENT
No person shall put or leave any migratory game birds at any place (other than at his personal abode), or in the custody of another person for picking, cleaning, processing, shipping, transportation, or storage (includ- ing temporary storage), or for the purpose of having taxidermy services performed, unless such birds have a tag attached, signed by the hunter, stating their address, the total number and species of birds, and the date such birds were killed. Migratory game birds being transported in any vehicle as the personal baggage of the possessor shall not be considered as being in storage or temporary storage.
ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
It is legal to take migratory game birds including waterfowl and coots on or over the following lands or areas that are not otherwise baited areas:
Standing crops or flooded standing crops (including aquatics);
Standing, flooded, or manipulated natural vegetation; flooded harvested croplands; or lands or areas where seeds or grains have been scattered solely as the result of a normal agricultural planting, harvesting, post-harvest manipulation, or normal soil stabilization practice;
From a blind or other place of concealment camouflaged with natural vegetation;
From a blind or other place of conceal- ment camouflaged with vegetation from agricultural crops, as long as such cam- ouflaging does not result in the exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of grain or other feed; or
Standing or flooded standing agricultural crops where grain is inadvertently scat- tered solely as a result of a hunter entering or exiting a hunting area, placing decoys, or retrieving downed birds.
ILLEGAL HUNTING METHODS
NO PERSONS SHALL TAKE MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS:
With a crossbow, trap, snare, net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10 gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine- gun, fish hook, poison, drug, explosive, or stupefying substance;
From or by means, aid, or use of a sinkbox or any other type of low-floating device, having a depression affording the hunter a means of concealment beneath the surface of the water;
From or by means, aid, or use of any motor vehicle, motor-driven land conveyance, or aircraft of any kind;
From or by means of any motorboat or other craft having a motor attached, or any sailboat, unless the motor has been completely shut off and/or the sails furled, and its progress therefrom has ceased;
By the use or aid of live birds as decoys; although not limited to, it shall be a vio- lation of this paragraph for any person to take migratory waterfowl on an area where tame or captive live ducks or geese are present unless such birds are and have been for a period of 10 consecutive days prior to such taking, confined within an enclosure which substantially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally conceals such birds from the sight of wild migratory waterfowl;
By the aid of baiting or on or over any baited area.
With any device that emits recorded or electrically amplified bird calls or sounds, or recorded or electrically amplified imi- tations of bird calls or sounds. It is illegal to possess such devices while hunting waterfowl in Ohio;
By means or aid of any motor driven land, water, or air conveyance, or any sailboat used for the purpose of or resulting in the concentrating, driving, rallying, or stirring up of any migratory bird;
Shotgun: 10 gauge or smaller shotgun using nontoxic shot, includes muzzleloading shotguns. In order to huntmigratory game birds, your shotgun cannot be capable ofholding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with aone-piece filler incapable of removal without disas- sembling the gun.
Only nontoxic shot may be used to take waterfowl, rail, snipe,and com- mon gallinule. Dove and woodcock may be takenwith lead shot.
Longbow: This includes compound bows and recurve bows.
"Debate over whether a 22 air rifle can effectively take down a deer has sparked curiosity among hunting enthusiasts. With its lower muzzle velocity...
