Just when we thought the P365 series couldn’t get any better, Sig Sauer announced the release of the new and improved P365 X-MACRO.

Sig released the X-MACRO in August, saying the new compact pistol was designed to include everything the best-selling P365 has to offer, and more. The X-MACRO is said to be more accurate and easier to conceal than its predecessors, all with a higher round capacity and a similar thin frame.

This slim design has landed the X-MACRO at the top of the list as the most comfortable and concealable 17-round handgun on the market.

“When the P365 was introduced, it reimagined the possibilities of everyday carry, and the P365 X-MACRO continues this tradition delivering more on everything that made the P365 the number one selling, and most award-winning gun in America,” Tom Taylor, Sig Sauer’s CFO and Executive Vice President of Commercial Sales, says in a media release. “With the P365 X-MACRO you get more of everything you want in an everyday carry pistol, and you no longer need to compromise your capacity for concealability or shootability.”

Let’s go over the specs and features that make the new Sig Sauer P365 X-MACRO one of the hottest new firearms around.

P365 X-MACRO Specs

Features

Size and Capacity

Compact with an impressive round capacity, the P365 X-MACRO is specifically designed for concealed carry – and it shows.

Weighing only 21.5 ounces and measuring 5.2” tall, 6.6” long, and 1.1” wide with a barrel length of 3.1”, this 9mm pistol is built to hold a whopping 17+1 rounds.

The firearm comes with two 17-round newly-designed Sig Sauer magazines built with high-visibility followers. These new mags were designed with the same thin frame as the traditional P365, only with the ability to hold more rounds.

The X-MACRO’s high round capacity squeezed into a 1.1” wide frame makes this weapon more comfortable and easy to conceal than any other 17-round pistol currently on the market.

Frame, Slide and Barrel

The Sig P365 X-MACRO is built with a polymer frame and a stainless steel slide coated in a durable corrosion- and scratch-resistant Nitron finish, well-designed to protect it from the elements.

The pistol comes optics-ready and features a standard 1913 accessory rail, making it easy to add various sights, lights, and lasers, depending on your preference. The X-MACRO is specifically designed to work well with Sig’s popular Electro-Optics FOXTROT1 rail-mounted flashlight.

While the firearm’s carbon steel barrel does not come threaded, it does feature an integrated compensator designedto reduce muzzle flip for faster and more accurate successive shots.

Grip

The X-MACRO has a black polymer grip and comes with Sig’s brand new Macro-Compact grip module.

The pistol also comes with interchangeable backstraps, so you can adjust the grip to be more comfortable for small, medium, or large hand sizes.

Sights

Complete with Sig’s famous X-RAY3 day and night sights, a 3-dot Tritium system designed to provide a glowing illumination in low-light conditions, the X-MACRO has a 5.1” sight radius.

The pistol is optimized for use with Sig’s ROMEOZero red dot sights, which might be a great option if you’re looking to upgrade to more compact red dot reflex sights known for their compact size.

Trigger

The striker-fired P365 X-MACRO is built with a flat trigger, providing a larger surface area and more leverage than its curved counterpart, making firing successive shots both easier and faster.

The X-MACRO’s trigger is also designed with a slight lip at the end, which more advanced shooters know can aid in indexing – or transitioning between targets.

Safety

Like the P365 and P365 XL, the Sig Sauer P365 X-MACRO was designed without a manual thumb safety.

Final Thoughts

The Sig Sauer P365 X-MACRO was designed with a small frame, high round capacity, and optics-ready build, making it an easy and comfortable choice for concealed carry – or whatever else you may need it for.

You can get your hands on this new release at Guns.com or through your local firearms dealer.

If you do decide to grab one of these pistols for concealed carry, be sure to check out our selection of Kydex and hybrid IWB, OWB, and pocket carry P365 X-MACRO holsters.

If you’re looking for belts or holsters for other handgun models, we recommend visiting our Holsters by Gun Model page if you are looking for holsters that are custom-made for your weapon of choice. For all of our belt and holster options and for more information to help you choose the carry system that works best for you, visit our Vedder Holsters website.

Looking for items beyond holsters and belts, check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, lasers, first aid, maintenance, and more.

Nightcrawlers are common earthworms that are found around the world. Rather than overspend for live nightcrawlers at a fishing supply store, you figured you’d try catching your own. Where can you find nightcrawlers to use as fishing bait?

To catch nightcrawlers, seek out a crop field or a garden with tilled soil. You can even check your own backyard. In daylight or nighttime, dig a few inches deep into the soil and it should be wriggling with live worms. That will especially be the case after it rains.

This guide to catching nightcrawlers will be chock full of information that any aspiring angler should keep handy. You’ll learn where to find nightcrawlers, how to get them out of the ground in large quantities, and how to keep them alive so you can use them as live bait later. Keep reading!

Finding Nightcrawlers – Where to Look

The Lumbricus terrestris or common earthworm-which is also known as the nightcrawler-may have originated in Western Europe, but today, the worms are anywhere and everywhere across the United States.

That’s why anglers find the prospect of catching their own nightcrawlers so appealing, as they don’t have to expend a lot of effort to track down the worms. Here are some places you can go nightcrawler hunting today.

Your Backyard

Why not start with the most convenient place you could possibly find nightcrawlers, right in your backyard?

Nightcrawlers live in loam soil, which contains 20 percent clay, 40 percent silt, and 40 percent sand. Most soil in the US is categorized as loam, but only you know what kind of soil you have around your property.

If your soil is drier and sandier than 40 percent, then you probably won’t be able to find worms in your yard. Also-although it goes without saying-if your home features asphalt or rocks rather than a dedicated yard, then you’ll also have to venture elsewhere for your nightcrawler hunting.

Just don’t start digging in your neighbor’s yard, as they’re not going to appreciate that!

Crop Fields

If you can’t find nightcrawlers right outback, you can always seek local crop fields. A crop field is a large agricultural area that usually features tilled soil.

Another feature of crop fields is dead debris such as old leaves that nightcrawlers can conveniently feast on from the safety of the tilled soil.

However, if you don’t know who the crop field landowner is, you won’t want to hunt for nightcrawlers. You could get in possible legal trouble for entering someone else’s property and technically defacing it. Ask for permission first or find yet another place to dig for nightcrawlers.

Gardens

Gardens are packed full of soil, and if that soil is loamy, then you already know nightcrawlers will be there.

As you work in your garden, you’ll want to dig strategically to avoid upsetting plants, flowers, and trees that are still growing. Try to replace the soil after making holes so your plants don’t tip over due to stability issues.

Parks

You can always find plenty of greenery at your local park. You know what we’re about to say, you can’t dig at a park without permission from the landowner or a parks and rec association at the very least.

That said, you can look under fallen trees or beneath rocks for nightcrawlers since you’re not damaging the soil. You don’t need permission for that.

Almost Anywhere After the Rain

If all the above methods sound like too much time and trouble, you don’t necessarily have to do any of it. You can always check the forecast for the next rainfall. Nightcrawlers come out in droves after the rain, especially if it rains during the evening.

You won’t have to look hard for them, as they’ll be nearly anywhere and everywhere. Check the sidewalks, the surface of the lawn or soil, and rocks and trees. You’ll see plenty of worms.

Fun fact: if you live in an area where rains are rarer, you can always trick the nightcrawlers into thinking it’s raining if you wait until dusk and water your lawn.

We recommend bringing some sawdust when you’re catching worms after the rain. The already-slippery insects will become even harder to grasp thanks to the moisture of the precipitation. Using sawdust gives you a better grip on the nightcrawlers.

Plus, the rumor is that that the worms don’t like the texture of the sawdust so they’re more eager to pop out of their holes.

How to Get Nightcrawlers Out of the Ground

Once you’ve seen at least one nightcrawler wriggling about, you can assume that more are in the area. Here are some of the avenues you can use to begin catching nightcrawlers by the dozen.

A Shovel and Bucket

The most old-fashioned method is using a gardening shovel and a bucket. The shovel is for digging into the loamy soil.

As we established earlier, you shouldn’t have to make inches-deep holes to find nightcrawlers.

By removing the top layer of the soil, you should see the worms wriggling. Pull them from the ground (more on this in a later section, so definitely check it out!) and then store them in a plastic bucket.

If you don’t have a bucket, then any similar container should work. The key is to choose a container with tall sides so the worms can’t easily crawl up and over. The container should also ideally have a carrying handle for easy transport.

In the bucket, add a bit of soil and worm food such as dead leaves. This will keep your nightcrawler alive until you get home.

Water

We already talked about this, but water is a very reliable way to get nightcrawlers to reveal themselves, especially if you’re struggling to find any worms.

Why do nightcrawlers like water so much? As worms, nightcrawlers usually stay under the soil where it’s dark and moist because there’s little risk of them drying out. They won’t poke their heads out in bright, sunny weather for that very reason.

When it rains, the worms can finally emerge from underneath the soil while staying nice and moist. The rain also accelerates a nightcrawler’s speed so it can cross greater distances.

As we mentioned earlier, watering your lawn at dusk means that by nightfall, the earthworms should be plentiful.

Worm Grunting

You can also try worm grunting, which is known as worm charming and worm fiddling. This activity is common among anglers who want to catch many nightcrawlers at once. It’s even a competitive activity!

First, you have to create vibrations in the soil. This will bring the worms nearer the surface. Then it’s a matter of catching the nightcrawlers.

Car Battery

If you don’t mind that your nightcrawlers are dead, then you can always electrocute them to the surface using a car battery.

This method is a little harsher than the ones we’ve discussed to this point, and if you do it, you should ensure that the landscape is clear of other living creatures (that you can perceive, anyway), especially those on or in the soil.

You’ll need jumper cables, metal rods, and your car battery. Please wear rubber-soled shoes to ensure your safety as you go about catching nightcrawlers like this.

Take two of the metal rods and insert them several feet into the ground, no deeper than three feet. Then attach your jumper cables to your car battery with the rubber grippers. Connect the other end of the jumper cable grippers to the affixed metal rods.

As electricity generates, the nightcrawlers will immediately spring to the surface to get away from the volts. You can catch them easily from there.

More Tips for Catching Nightcrawlers

Want even more tips to make you a nightcrawler-catching master? No problem! Here’s what we recommend.

Bring a Flashlight for Nighttime Catches

Nighttime is prime time for catching nightcrawlers. After all, these common earthworms are known as nightcrawlers for a reason. At night, when it’s usually cool, the worms will emerge to the surface of the soil. Nighttime is also a period when fewer predators abound.

You’ll need a flashlight to spot nightcrawlers on the ground. You can have a friend or partner carry the flashlight or you can bring it yourself. You can even use your smartphone flashlight, although not if you’re planning to hunt for a while. That’s a great way to drain your phone’s battery!

Headlamps Are Your Friend

Outside of flashlights, it’s a good idea to bring a headlamp as well. After all, once you find the nightcrawlers, how are you supposed to dig them up? You can’t hold the flashlight in one hand and dig with the other hand. It just doesn’t work.

Use Red Light

Nightcrawlers are adept at sensing the light. As soon as you shine a bright spotlight on a nightcrawler-such as from a flashlight or a smartphone-the worm will retreat underground.

To a nightcrawler, light = sunlight, and sunlight = danger, either from predators, drying out, or both.

Nightcrawlers are smart too, in that the one that senses the light isn’t the only worm to hide. Any other worms in the vicinity that might have been poking their heads up will also duck back down. You lose out on a lot of potential catches.

Using red light is the best way to mask the brightness of your light while still illuminating the yard. You can either buy a flashlight or headlamp with a red light or you can tape a piece of red cellophane over the light. You can even put cellophane on a smartphone flashlight.

Tread Lightly

Besides being able to sense light, nightcrawlers can detect vibrations caused by sound as well. If you usually have a heavy gait, it’s worth practicing quieter walking if you hope to be successful in your nightcrawler hunts.

We’re not saying you have to tip-toe here, but you do want to be as light on your feet as possible. If you’re not, the worms will sense you before you ever get close and you won’t see any.

The only exception to this is when it’s raining. It could be that the worms sense the vibrations of the rain falling to such an extent that your footfalls don’t stand out among that sound, but worms don’t react to heavy footsteps as much in the rain.

Wear Light Shoes

Even if you’re stealthy like a ninja, it’s still not a bad idea to wear light shoes when you’re digging for nightcrawlers. Ditch the combat boots, Timberlands, and heavy shoes like them. Wear house slippers (that you don’t mind getting muddy) or shoes with very light soles.

Skip the flip-flops though, as the flopping sound is not going to help you catch nightcrawlers.

Know When and How to Grab

As we said we would, we want to discuss is how to pull nightcrawlers out of the ground. To do so, you’ll have to get good at distinguishing the worm’s head from its rear. The head is what usually emerges first from the soil, which is a helpful hint.

The center of a nightcrawler’s body features a series of rings that allow the worm to have traction in the dirt. Then the other side of the worm is its tail.

When you see the nightcrawler emerge from its hole, grasp your hand around it and begin to pull up horizontally. Vertical pulling could cause you to tear the worm, and then it won’t be very good as fishing bait.

The body will be in the soil at an angle, so pull the nightcrawler at whatever angle it’s situated itself.

Remember to take your time when pulling and don’t use excessive force. Otherwise, you’ll kill the nightcrawler!

How to Keep Nightcrawlers Alive to Use as Live Fishing Bait

We’re assuming that you’re interested in keeping your nightcrawlers alive so you can eventually use them as fishing bait, right? Here’s how it’s done.

Move Your Nightcrawlers to a New Container

The container that will be the nightcrawler’s more permanent home should be full of loamy soil as well as worm food.

Dead debris like vegetables and grass as well as old coffee grounds (that are still moist) are recommended. The coffee grounds are easily ingestible for worms, so don’t be surprised if this is what they start with!

Refrigerate the Worms

Yes, that’s right, we’re telling you to put the nightcrawlers in the refrigerator. We know this sounds weird, but it’s part of maintaining the worms’ optimal temperature, which is between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keep the Soil Moist

Time will cause the soil to dry out, so every couple of days, you might have to add more water. You should only spill in a few drops at a time.

Add More Food

The nightcrawlers will eventually eat everything you give them, even if that takes a bit. While you’re checking the soil moisture levels, consider adding more food like coffee grounds or old leaves as well.

However, if there’s still food in the container, don’t feed the nightcrawlers yet. You could accidentally feed them too much, and then they’ll die.

If you continue doing the above, you could keep your nightcrawlers alive for weeks. Plan that fishing trip soon!

Final Thoughts

Nightcrawlers are a species of common earthworm that are prevalent throughout the country. You need only look in your backyard for nightcrawlers, although they’re common in crop fields, parks, and gardens as well.

Rainfall remains your most natural way of bringing out the greatest number of nightcrawlers, but you could always shock them out of the ground using a car battery and some metal poles if you don’t mind that your worms are dead.

Now that you know how to find, catch, handle, and keep nightcrawlers, you should never have to shop for live worm bait again!

Wondering what the difference is between crossbow broadheads vs regular broadheads? Some archers find they can accurately shoot their favorite vertical bow broadheads on their crossbow. There is a fine line, but there are differences in design to account for higher bow speeds and kinetic energy.

If you are struggling to get good groupings with your normal compound bow broadheads, then it’s time to move on to a “crossbow broadhead”. Broadhead companies are coming out with more and more products designed specifically for crossbow shooters. This guide covers all the best crossbow broadheads for deer and the various factors you should consider.

Best Crossbow Broadheads Compared

*Last updated 2024-11-10 at 11:06 / Product Links & Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Crossbow Broadheads vs Regular Broadheads

Many old-school bowhunters will tell you that crossbow broadheads are nothing but a marketing ploy, that the only difference is the word “crossbow” on the packaging. At one time that may have been true, but as crossbow hunting has exploded in popularity that really isn’t exactly true anymore. If you hunt crossbows, why wouldn’t you want to shoot broadheads made for crossbows?

1. Rage Crossbow X – Best Mechanical Crossbow Broadhead

The Crossbow X is basically the same broadhead as the regular Rage 2 blade. They don’t specifically say what the difference is, but I speculate there is a small difference in the deployment mechanism to prevent the blades from expanding in flight.

The Crossbow X broadhead has all the other great design features Rage is known for. There is the Shock Collar system that keeps the rear cam deployment consistent.

The blades are a solid .035” stainless steel, and open to a massive 2” cutting diameter. If you have trouble with mechanical blades opening early, the Rage X would be a good head to try next.

2. Excalibur Boltcutter – Best Fixed Blade Crossbow Broadhead

The Boltcutter is a beefy 3 blade, 150 grain fixed blade broadhead for crossbows. Excalibur explains the choice of a 150-grain head as a way to improve the accuracy over 300 fps by increasing the front of center balance.

The entire broadhead is constructed from high strength stainless steel to withstand the high kinetic energy impact of crossbows.

The Boltcutter is a sweet balance of the strength and durability of fixed blades, with the speed and accuracy of a mechanical.

3. Muzzy Trocar Crossbow

The Trocar is a very sharp, three-cornered stainless steel tip, which is found on an instrument used in surgical procedures, and also on the tip of these broadheads. This feature is intended to increase penetration, which I suspect it does very well. Paired with a solid stainless steel ferrule, it punches through bone without deformation.

The Muzzy Trocar uses a helix design with a right-hand twist, which combined with a rather compact profile, is intended to increase stabilization while offering less resistance to the wind, resulting in consistent flight characteristics and accuracy. Muzzy designed these especially for use at higher speeds.

These broadheads are available in either 100 or 125-grain weights, with .035″-thick blades and a cutting diameter of 1-3/16″. One nice feature is that the blades are easily replaceable if they get bent or damaged just unscrew the old one and screw a new one on.

4. NAP Spitfire Crossbow

The NAP Spitfire is a 3-blade mechanical broadhead that has gained something of a reputation for reliable functioning and great performance. The blades are sharpened with NAP’s patented Diamize process and are thus razor sharp. Another patented feature is the hardened-steel Trophy Tip to maximize penetration and decrease deflection off of the bone. It also sports a micro-grooved ferrule which is intended to improve accuracy.

The Spitfire utilizes a mechanical spring clip retention system to keep the blades from deploying in flight, so there is no need to mess with O-rings, even when using high-speed bows. Users report that this patented (boy they have a lot of patents on this) retention system is very reliable, with hardly any reports of premature blade deployment. As a matter of fact, customer reviews on these broadheads are excellent, consistently citing accuracy and superior performance.

Available in both 100 and 125-grain weights, with a cutting diameter of 1-1/2″, these can be used on both carbon and aluminum bolts. An excellent choice for deer and elk as well as a turkey broadhead.

5. Grim Reaper Crossbow Broadhead

These are nearly identical to the Grim Reaper Razorcut SS broadhead for compound bows, just modified for use with crossbows that shoot up to and beyond 400 fps.

The difference isn’t clear as Grim Reaper has next to zero info on their website. Get with the program guys.

The X-Bow heads are available in 100 and 125-grain sizes, with either Razortip or Razorcut SS tips. The cutting diameter is a large 1.5”, and crossbow hunters have been happy with the size of wound channels for humane take-downs.

6. Swhacker Two-Blade Crossbow Broadhead

Swhacker has earned a name in the industry for high quality and innovative designs, and these mechanical broadheads are good a good example of both. They feature stainless steel blades, an anodized aircraft aluminum ferrule, and a high-carbon hardened steel penetration point.

According to their website, their unique design provides two different cutting edges, a primary and a secondary attack. When the primary cutting blades are retracted, two short wing blades are deployed, much smaller than the main blades. These are for the initial assault, cutting through the dirt, hair, hide, and bones and penetrating into the interior. They point out that they use much less energy to penetrate than broadheads that open upon impact, and that they take some of the load off of the ferrule.

As they penetrate, they open the primary blades inside the body cavity, leaving them with “virgin edges” when they open. It really is a clever design. These are available in 125-grain weight, blades are .032″ thick, with an open cutting diameter of 2-1/4″. A good choice in mechanical broadheads.

7. Cabela’s Lazer Strike II Crossbow

Here we have Cabela’s brand mechanical broadhead, which is actually very popular. Normally I side with the saying “you get what you pay for”, but the Lazers have the performance and track record to push away fears of the low price.

Lazer Strike II crossbow heads are built with a hardened steel trophy tip design, with replaceable .030” stainless blades. You can tell the difference between these with the regular Lazers by the gold-colored ferrule.

These use the o-ring method for blade retention, so if you hate messing with o-rings, you may want to stick with the Rage or Reapers.

8. Muzzy Trocar HBX

The Muzzy Trocar HBX is a hybrid broadhead with a rather unique design. The hybrid construction combines the advantages of both fixed blades and expandable blades. They’re equipped with a tapered steel ferrule that is the same size as the bolt, and utilizing the same three-sided stainless steel surgical Trocar tip as used in the Trocar Xbow above. The mechanical blades are retained in a closed position using a friction washer.

The broadheads in flight with the fixed blades and the rearward-deploying mechanical blades folded are only 3/4″ x 1″ in profile, which the company says gives field tip accuracy, and by most accounts this holds true. At impact, the mechanical blades expand to a 1-5/8″ cutting diameter for a large wound channel. But here’s the twist. When the expandable blades meet bone, they close up to re-open after they have passed the obstruction, letting the fixed blades do the heavy work.

These are available in both 100 and 125-grain weights. Users report excellent results with the Muzzy Trocar HBX broadheads and they’re well worth giving a try.

9. Rage Hypodermic Crossbow

For years the Rage Hypodermic mechanical broadheads have maintained high popularity among hunters, earned by their consistent reliability of function, accuracy, and game-getting results. It’s a proven design that works well.

The simplicity of their design contributed greatly to their reputation. What the company calls Ferrule Alignment Technology (FAT) ensures proper bolt-to-ferrule alignment and contributes to the sleek aerodynamics. The steel ferrule is equipped with a very pointy hybrid tip for deep penetration. The system uses a reliable high-energy shock collar for blade retention. When deployed, the .035″ stainless blades boast a huge 2” cutting diameter for an equally huge wound channel. Available in 100 or 125 grains.

It’s hard to go wrong with this time-tested beast stopper.

10. G5 Striker Crossbow

For those who prefer fixed-blade broadheads, the G5 Striker is a top contender, known for its durability, accuracy, and stopping power.

It utilizes the unique patented ANIX blade locking system, which is basically a very sharp three-sided steel tip which locks over the lower part of the blades, taking the brunt of the impact off of the three fixed blades, protecting them from damage. The blades themselves are metal injection molded for flexibility, tapered for better aerodynamics, and honed with the company’s Diamond-Cut Sharpness sharpening technology. The whole unit is solid steel and spin-tested to ± 0.002″ straightness for maximum accuracy.

Available in either 100 or 125 grains, with a cutting diameter of 1-1/8″, the G5 Striker is an attractive high-tech alternative for the modern hunter.

A Crossbow Broadhead for Any Hunter

The selection of broadheads for crossbow hunting has never been better. Whether you prefer fixed blades like the Xcalibur Boltcutter or mechanicals like the Rage Crossbow X, or if you like a heavier 150 grain or lighter 100, there is a broadhead for you. Select the right grain and cutting diameter for the type of hunting you like to do and get out there with confidence. All of these broadheads are elite choices and fully capable of taking an animal with a good shot. If you are interested in crossbow hunting for turkey, check out our turkey broadheads guide.

*Last updated 2024-11-10 at 11:06 / Product Links & Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Brandon Burks and the 8.52 pound stare record meanmouth bass

*Editors Note: Originally reported to be the world record meanmouth bass, IGFA officials recently informed Brandon Burks that his record would not count because his Alabama Rig had five hooks instead of the IGFA maximum allowance of three. However, since Texas allows anglers to fish Alabama Rigs with five hooks, Brandon’s bass will be the state record, which now weighs more than the world record.

State Record Meanmouth Bass

The state record meanmouth bass weighed 8.52 lbs and was caught from Lake O.H. Ivie by fishing guide Brandon Burks who was using an Alabama Rig in January 2022. Meannmouth are a hybrid species usually consisting of half smallmouth and half spotted bass. However, Brandon’s fish and the previous world record were the rarer, largemouth and smallmouth combo. The last two state record meanmouth bass were both caught from O.H. Ivie Lake a little more than a year apart.

Big Bass Factory

A 10+ largemouth pulled from O.H. Ivie

Lake O.H. Ivie has become one of the most talked-about big bass lakes in the country because of the blimp-like bass being pulled from its waters. Two 14+ pound largemouth were caught within the first two weeks of 2022 and the lake has reported dozens of bass weighing over 10lbs in the previous seasons.

The Catch

The Texas Parks and Wildlife measuring board measuring Brandon’s bass at 23″ inches.

On the day of the catch, Brandon was guiding a client near specific structure areas where he noticed bluegill stacking up amongst the forest of trees left standing when the reservoir was flooded in 1990.

By making casts that stayed within view of his forward-facing electronics, Brandon and his client were working their A-rigs through the timber and among the large concentrations of baitfish without getting snagged. The target fish were suspending bass that nestled themselves within the standing timber as they waited to chow down on passing bluegill.

By using years of on-the-water experience with trophy caliber bass, Brandon applied a specific cadence and technique to help trigger the inactive fish into biting. Once he hooked the massive bass, he jacked up on the fish while simultaneously winching down on the reel handle, this technique might seem aggressive, but it was needed to help pull the big fish up and away from the standing timber.

After an epic battle, the client helped net the fish, which they both assumed to be a largemouth until further inspection. After taking another glance, Brandon was realized he had the world record meanmouth bass on his hands. Unaware of the meanmouth species, the guide client remained skeptical when Brandon claimed, “This is a world record fish.” Eventually, they made their way back to the ramp and contacted Texas Parks and Wildlife, who sent a representative to the boat ramp.

The Texas Sharelunker representative pulled a sample from the fish, confirmed its weight and length, and then watched Brandon release his world record catch back into the lake.

Big Bass Family

Before guiding full-time Brandon worked in the concrete business alongside his father who is an established Texas tournament angler himself. In fact, Brandon’s dad landed a 13lb largemouth from lake O.H. Ivie last year which was followed up by a 12lb fish reeled in by Brandon on the same day.As a guide he specializes in fishing tech and, more specifically, the Garmin Livescope and Lowrance Ghost forward-facing sonar units. With the latest electronics, Brandon can see and do things never before possible in fishing. For example, he can cast 80 feet in front of him and watch his lure being retrieved live on screen through his entire cast. He’s able to lift the lure over a brush pile, around a tree limb, or slow it down for a brief pause if he notices a trailing bass on the screen. Watching fish interact with his lures, or clients’ lures in live-action via today’s latest fishing technology is part of what makes Brandon Burks guide experience so unique. After leaving his job working in concrete and transitioning to a full-time guide, he made it his mission to differentiate himself from the crowd.

His on the water electronic demonstrations allow customers to try live sonar units before making a purchase but most commonly he’s jumping on a client’s boat and helping them dial in their new gear. System settings, on-the-water tutorials, and installation help are all common questions Brandon helps answer.

“If someone is willing to spend thousands of dollars on their electronics, why not pay a little bit more to get really dialed in with a guide,” Brandon said. “I have so much experience on the water and I can help eliminate the learning curve quickly and get guys familiar with their units”

Having the latest technologies and gear is great, but you still have to know how to use it. And that’s where Brandon comes in.

Book A Trip With Brandon: Burks Fishing Guide

Skinning your first raccoon can be a daunting task but it should not much different than skinning a coyote. Remember that a raccoon is more delicate than a coyote and you should take your time especially on the first one to make sure you get a good pelt when you are done.

The method we are going to discuss in this article is how to tube skin a raccoon. Tube skinning is one of the most common ways and it can be used when selling your fur to a fur buyer, tanning, wall hanging, or slightly modified for taxidermy purposes.

Tube skinning works for many types of animals in North America. This includes the fox, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, and anything in between. If you are looking to trap raccoon then checkout our raccoon trapping guide. It explains what traps, bait, and sets to use when trapping raccoon.

Is It Hard To Skin A Raccoon?

Skinning a raccoon can be a little hard at first. If you are skinning a raccoon for the first time it may take an hour to skin it. Take your time though you should not be in a hurry when you are first starting out and raccoon pelt will turn out good.

When I skinned my first critter I was trying really hard to do a good job and didn’t have much practice skinning. There is a learning curve to it but it is something you can learn as you watch someone skinning a raccoon and then try it a few times.

I have added several example videos at the bottom of this article so you can see when different methods of skinning a raccoon. Watch when the person skinning the raccoon is pulling and when they are cutting.

Skinning a coyote and a raccoon are very similar. Checkout our article on how to skin a coyote for more tips on skinning.

How Long Can You Wait To Skin A Raccoon?

Usually, you are hunting and trapping raccoon in the cold months. October to February is when most raccoon have the best fur.

In cold weather, raccoon will not spoil for two to three days and can be skinned. A raccoon in warm weather needs to be skinned within a few hours. Raccoon fur left on the carcass can start to spoil or get green belly and the fur will start to turn a greenish color.

Green belly is not initially bad if it is light green but as it progresses and the bacteria growing on the raccoon skin can cause the fur to slip or fall off the hide.

Green belly can be cleaned off with hydrogen peroxide and may not initially ruin a skin.

Tools For Skinning A Raccoon

• Raccoon Gambrel
• Skinning Knife
• Tail stripper
• Tail zipper or splitter

How Do You Professionally Skin A Raccoon?

Most people professionally skinning raccoon are doing it to sell the hide and make money. The tube method is the most common method when selling raccoon pelts.

Steps To Skinning A Raccoon

• Cutting Direction: When skinning a raccoon you may think the cutting direction is down so you can get the skin off but that will cause you to nick the fur and put holes in it. Your cutting direction should be perpendicular to the carcass and should cut the white membrane that appears between the carcass and the hide when pulling down on the fur.
• Nicking the hide is not a huge deal and can be fixed. Even professionals do it. It can be sewn together later in the fur preparation process but it is best to avoid it. If you have nicked the fur be careful when you pull the fur down off the raccoon that you are not making the hole bigger and stretching it out.
• Hang the raccoon up upside down by the back feet with a gambrel or rope around the legs.
• Split the fur along the back of the legs where you see a color change in the fur. Start at about the back of the knee and cut in deep. and go around the top of the anus.
• Work the sin off around the legs by spreading the hair away from where you just cut and skinning the hide around the leg.
• Split the fur at the knee of the raccoon and leave the rest of the fur on the foot. When you have enough fur worked down and pull the fur down to about the level of the tail.

How To Skin a Raccoon Tail

• Skin down around the tail creating a gap between the fur on the back and the carcass. Work and skin the fur down the tail an inch or two.
• Use a tail stripper around the meat of the tail and pull down on the fur and tail stripper while you also push up on the raccoon with the other hand right where the tail connects to the rest of the carcass.
• Use a tail zipper or knife to split the tail all the way to the bottom so the tail can dry out.
• You should now be able to grab a large chunk of fur and pull down all the way to the shoulders and maybe a little farther.
• Now you should be able to stick a bar into the flesh between the neck and shoulder on both sides and pull down until the fur on the front leg goes over the elbow joint. The fur can then be cut around the leg and pulled through the leg hole.

How To skin a Raccoon Face, Ears, Lips and Eyes

• You can now give another good tug down now that the front legs are out. The head should be the only thing left in. The fur should have stopped at the ears.
• Cut straight into the head and you should be able to cut the ear cartilage at the base of the ear on both sides. You can now stick your finger in the ear and not too hard pull down on the hide and continue skinning.
• You should start getting into the lips on the sides of the head. They should start to split from the carcass at the corners of the mouth. You can stick your finger in there and pull fairly hard and keep skinning down the rest of the head remembering to cut perpendicular to the carcass.
• Next, the eyes should be cut fairly deep keeping the eyelashes intact. Again you will cut straight keeping the cuts a little deeper around the eyes.

How To skin a Raccoon Nose and Lower Jaw

• Once both eyes are cut skin the nose all the way down the front of the head until you are about a half-inch from the end of the nose. Then cut straight towards the bottom jaw and cut the nose off. The top of the fur should now be free.
• Next, skin the bottom jaw down about two inches from the end the cut it off leaving the bottom few inches of fur on the carcass. You won’t need that piece. You should now be done.

How To Skin Raccoon Paws or Feet

In the tube method of skinning a raccoon you should not need to skin the feet. As stated above you can cut the fur at the elbows and you will be done.

If you are skinning a raccoon for taxidermy then you will need to skin out the feet or paws. You also do not want to cut and leave any of the fur on the carcass.

When skinning out the feet first you will want to split the back of the leg instead of skinning down and cutting it off. Continue skinning down the leg until you ar a few inches from the top of the foot.

You can now split the back of the leg until you come to the big pad at the bottom of the foot. You will then start to skin down the foot until you reach the tird joint on each toe.

You will need to work down and skin each toe individually as you work the hide down. Split the third joint at each toe as you reach it. The middle toes are longer and will be farther to skin than the side toes so finish out the site toes first.

Learning More

I have added a few videos here to help you get a few perspectives on and tips on how to skin a raccoon. Watch these videos and you will see that each person has their own little tricks.

How to Skin a Raccoon Fast

Raccoon Trapping Equipment

• MB 450 Traps
• Best Coyote Traps
• Pack Basket
• Trapping Bag
• Buckets
• Trapping Hammer
• Trapping Sheds
• Trapping Cabins
• More Trapping Equipment

Filleting fish is a delicate process, and having the right knife makes all the difference. If you have ever experienced a dull fillet knife, you know how frustrating it can be. Not only does it make the filleting process take longer, but it can also be dangerous.

A sharp fillet knife will easily glide through the fish, making for a much safer and quicker experience. Picking the best fillet knife for saltwater fish is critical. Use this guide to sift through the noise and pick one that will last you a long time!

7 Best Fillet Knife for Saltwater Fish Reviewed

• Gerber Controller
• KastKing Fillet Knife
• Rapala Saltwater Fillet Knife
• Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife Combo
• Morakniv Fishing Comfort Fillet Knife
• Dexter P94812 Fillet Knife
• Bubba Blade

1. Gerber Controller

Key Features:

• Finger choil
• Lanyard hole
• Sheath system with built-in sharpener, pocket, vents, and clip
• Corrosion-resistant blade
• Hydro Tread grip
• A glass-reinforced polypropylene handle
• Optimize to withstand harsh conditions

The Gerber is a newer knife on the market, and they’ve done their homework when it comes to the design. They reached out to anglers from all over to get their input on what they’d want in a fillet knife and sheath and implemented those recommendations.

The first thing they did was pick a corrosion-resistant yet sturdy steel that would hold an edge in a saltwater environment. They went with a 9Cr stainless steel that allows for flex to get every piece of meat off the fish while staying sharp.

The next best thing they did was design a grip that gives you plenty of force to cut the fish without slipping. The over-molded grip around the knife’s full tang and the different rubber pieces maximize your grip. Couple that with a hard yet easy-to-clean fishing fillet knife sheath, and you’ve got a winner.

2. KastKing Fillet Knife

Key Features:

• A protective knife sheath
• Non-slip super polymer grip
• Razor-sharp stainless blade
• It is thicker and stiffer than others

The KastKing Fillet Knife is a great option for those looking for a quality fillet knife that won’t break the bank. This knife features a razor-sharp stainless-steel blade thicker and stiffer than other knives in its class, making it ideal for larger fish.

The non-slip super polymer grip ensures that your hand won’t slip when wet, and the protective knife sheath ensures that your knife stays sharp and ready for use. Its bright color makes it easy to spot in the boat or tackle box.

3. Rapala Saltwater Fillet Knife

Key Features:

• Super sharp stainless blade
• Flexible tip
• Easy clean sheath
• It has a comfortable grip

If you are looking for a knife to fillet saltwater fish, then the Rapala Saltwater Fillet Knife is a great option. The blade is made from super sharp stainless steel and has a flexible tip that makes it easy to maneuver.

The knife also has an easy clean sheath to keep it in top condition. The comfortable grip ensures that you can use the knife with ease.

4. Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife Combo

Key Features:

• Extra length to limit wrist and hand fatigue
• Laminated and polished for a sanitary build
• Incredibly razor-sharp
• Outstanding craftsmanship
• Expertly handcrafted to handle both small and large animals

The DALSTRONG fillet knife is one of the top-rated filleting knives on Amazon for a reason. It’s a great all-around knife that will tackle any fish you put in front of it.

This knife has a blade that’s 6 inches long and extra thin to make slicing through fish a breeze. The blade is also laminated and polished for a sanitary build that resists rust and corrosion.

The handle on this knife is slip-resistant and comfortable to grip, even when your hands are wet. Plus, the knife’s extra length will help limit wrist and hand fatigue.

Also, check out our guide on some of the Top Electric Fish Fillet Knives.

5. Morakniv Fishing Comfort Fillet Knife

Key Features:

• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Exceptional toughness
• High friction handle
• Easy to clean
• Available in 3.5 and 6.1 inch

If you’re looking for a beautiful stainless-steel blade that comes in both 3.5 and 6.1 inches in length, you should consider the Morakniv Fishing Comfort Fillet Knife.

They use a 12C27 stainless steel blade which comes razor sharp, holds an edge, and fights against saltwater corrosion. We like the TPE rubber soft grip, which keeps the blade firmly in your hand and prevents dangerous slipping.

Even though this knife holds an edge, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be sharpened if you’re going through multiple fish in a row. Depending on the fish you’re cutting, the blade will benefit from a quick tune-up.

6. Dexter P94812 Fillet Knife

Key Features:

• High carbon steel blade
• Durable and slip-resistant polypropylene handles
• High quality
• Hollow-ground blades

Dexter has been making a stainless-steel fish filleting knife that everyone, from anglers to chefs, has been using for a long time. We first heard about Dexter from Anthony Bourdain, who said he used them in his kitchen to fillet fish before cooking them for his guests.

We’ve cut a bunch of fish with this knife without sharpening it often. It’s nice to have a knife that can hold an edge for a long time. The handle is barebones textured plastic, and it doesn’t come with a sheath like some of those more expensive fillet knives.

Its durability and simple design make the Dexter P94812 one of the best fillet knives for the money.

7. Bubba Blade

Key Features:

• Non-slip grip handle
• Durable
• Rust resistant
• An extra sharp tip
• Sheath with a belt loop
• Reliable

Bubba Blade has been making high-end fillet knives for some time. The distinct red handle and the titanium-nitride-coated black blade are a staple in the fishing community. You’ll need to consider this one if you’ve got some money to leverage and want a bold fishing filleting knife.

The soft grip is also non-slip, and you have a place to attach a lanyard so that you don’t lose this knife overboard. We like the trigger grip, which makes it easy to maneuver the blade to wherever you need it. The full tang design and the high carbon stainless steel blade mean it’ll last you a long time.

Everything You Should Consider Before Buying a Saltwater Fillet Knife

A quality fillet knife is a necessity for anyone who regularly cooks fish, whether they get their catch from fresh or salt water. While many types and brands of fillet knives are on the market, some considerations should be made before purchasing one to ensure it will suit your individual needs.

The following guide outlines everything you should think about before buying a saltwater fillet knife, from the blade material to the handle style.

Saltwater Fillet Knife Features

A fillet knife is part of the boning knife family and is used to make quick work of removing meat from the skeleton of a fish and the skin from the meat.

Blade Material

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a fillet knife is the blade type. The two most common materials used for fillet knife blades are stainless steel and high-carbon steel.

Stainless steel is less likely to rust than high-carbon steel, making it a good choice for those who do a lot of saltwater fishing. However, it is also more difficult to sharpen and not as strong as high-carbon steel.

High-carbon steel fillet knives are sharper and easier to sharpen than their stainless-steel counterparts, but they are also more susceptible to rusting. If you opt for a high-carbon steel knife, keep it well-oiled and clean it thoroughly after each use.

Handle Style

If you’re doing a lot of filleting, it’s essential to choose a knife with a comfortable handle. Some of fillet knives’ most popular handle styles are rubber, wood, and plastic.

Rubber handles are slip-resistant, making them a good choice for those with sweaty hands or using the knife in wet conditions. Wood handles look nicer than plastic or rubber but can become slippery when wet.

Plastic handles are lightweight and inexpensive but not as durable as rubber or wood. Also, there are two types of handles the trigger grip and the standard grip.

The trigger grip is easier to maneuver the blade with because you can place your index finger on the trigger. The standard grip is the more traditional way to hold a fillet knife.

Blade Length

You also need to consider the length of the blade when choosing a fillet knife. A longer blade will give you more leverage, making it easier to fillet larger fish. However, a shorter blade is much easier to control, making it a better choice for smaller fish or those with less experience filleting.

The thickness of the blade is also something to take into account. A thinner blade will flex more, making it easier to maneuver around the bones of a fish. However, a thicker blade will be more durable and less likely to break.

Flexibility

When you’re looking at fillet knives, you’ll notice that some are more flexible than others. A more flexible blade is better for filleting smaller fish because it can easily contort to fit around the bones. A less flexible blade is better for larger fish, as it will be less likely to bend under pressure.

Sheath

A sheath is not strictly necessary, but it is a good way to protect your knife and keep it from rusting when not in use.

Fillet knives with sheaths often have a belt loop, making them easy to carry with you when you’re out on the water. If you opt for a knife without a sheath, keep it oiled and stored in a dry place when not in use.

How to Maintain Your Fillet Knife

Once you’ve found the perfect fillet knife, it’s essential to take care of it to last for years to come. Here are a few tips on how to maintain your fillet knife:

• Clean the knife after each use. Saltwater is incredibly corrosive, so be sure to rinse the knife off in fresh water and dry it thoroughly after each use.
• Apply a light coat of oil to the blade after each cleaning. This will help to prevent rust and keep the blade in good condition.
• If the knife becomes rusty, you can remove the rust by scrubbing it with a stiff brush and some white vinegar.
• If you have a high-end knife, check if it’s dishwasher safe. Some of the more advanced grips can’t handle the dishwasher’s abuse.
• Keep your harsh detergents away from your knife. Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Sharpen your knife often with a quality sharpener or block. A sharp knife is a safe knife.
• Keep your cutting surface soft. Don’t cut on marble countertops or items that could dull or chip your blade edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Insider Advice

Saltwater fillet knives are a great investment for any fisherman or woman. They provide the perfect tool for filleting your catch and, with proper care, will last for many years.

Be sure to consider the factors we’ve discussed before making your purchase, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect knife for your needs.

Here’s whether a shark or a crocodile wins in a fight:

A great white shark may take more than one hit and a lot of biting to beat a crocodile, but eventually, the great white shark will win.

Sharks species smaller than a great white easily lose to crocodiles.

The shark is always the prey when crocodiles and small sharks fight in shallow waters.

If you want to learn all about who wins in a fight between a shark and a crocodile, then you’re in the right place.

Keep reading!

Who Wins in a Fight Between a Shark and a Crocodile?

The only place where the great white shark and the saltwater crocodile can meet is the open water.

This is the natural habitat of the great white shark and gives them a maneuvering advantage over the slower saltwater Croc.

It would take multiple hits and a lot of biting to beat the crocodile, but eventually, the shark would probably win.

If it’s any other species of sharks smaller than the great white, the crocodile would easily take the win home.

Fights between crocodiles and small sharks sometimes happen in shallow waters, and in this case, the shark is always the prey.

It’s a bit different with great whites since they are rare and can only be found in deep waters.

Sharks can swim with 25 mph (40 km/h) speed in long bursts, while crocodiles can get to 18 mph (29 km/h) but get easily tired.

That’s where the main advantage for the great white shark over the saltwater crocodile lies.

Who Has a Stronger Bite: A Shark or a Crocodile?

The great white shark does have a huge jaw, but as a result of its diet, it doesn’t have the strongest bite amongst all shark species.

It’s a lot easier to bite through a seal (great white prey) than through the shells of a turtle (tiger shark prey).

The world’s most ferocious jaws, belonging to the saltwater crocodile, can snap with a force of 4000 lbs (2 tons).

The White Shark has a bite force of only 2200 lbs (1.1 tons).

It’s not a joke when this shark bites you but compared to the crocodile, they seem toothless.

The jaw size of the shark is wide enough to bite any part of a crocodile, but it lacks the force and proper teeth to do serious damage.

Although a crocodile can bite-crush almost anything, his mouth is simply not big enough for a great white shark.

Different Types of Teeth

Since they feed on different types of animals, it’s no surprise that sharks and crocodiles have different teeth shapes.

Crocs hunt prey that is larger and with stronger skin and bones, so they need teeth rigid enough to devour their victims.

White sharks don’t need to crunch the bones of the things they hunt and go for biting rather than squeezing with huge pressure.

A shark’s teeth look like a saw, and they are a few rows of spare ones behind each front tooth.

It’s not rare for sharks to lose and replace teeth during a struggle.

Who Will Participate in a Shark vs. Crocodile Fight?

The family Crocodylidae or True Crocodiles numbers 14 animal species.

As part of the order Crocodilia, the family has caimans, alligators, and caimans as their closest cousins.

The largest of them all is the one who is going to be picked for the Shark vs. Crocodile fight.

The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile, and this ancient being is also the one causing most human deaths compared to others of its family.

There are more than 1000 shark and ray species, and new ones are discovered each year.

If we want to pick the contender for this epic fight we will probably go with the biggest shark of them all, correct?

Well, not quite!

The whale shark is the biggest fish in the world but doesn’t participate in fights.

Its megamouth serves as a filter feeder to swallow anything coming its way (possibly a crocodile even).

The real shark fighter and the one with the most recorded attacks on humans is the great white shark.

It’s the 6th largest shark species, and the only one coming near its ferocity, strength, and size is the tiger shark (4th largest).

Characteristics of the Great White Shark

Legendary for being one of the fiercest predators, the great white shark caused admiration and fear in people for many years.

This cartilaginous fish is probably causing more harm in people’s imagination than in real life.

While humans fear the great white shark expressly and consider it a man-eating predator, this powerful and efficient hunter never had a preference for people.

Attacks happen when the shark is confused or just wants to taste the moving object.

When a great white shark wants to attack, the opening of its mouth can be 3 to 4 ft (1-1.2 m) wide.

The top of the great white shark is darker in blue of gray variations, while the lower area of the body is white.

Such discoloration is a hunting advantage because prey doesn’t notice the shark’s figure, and to them, it looks like the bottom of the ocean.

White Shark Body Strength

A great white shark has a fusiform and robust body. That means it’s shaped like a spindle and big and strong at the same time.

Adult sharks can be 13-22 ft (4-6.7 m) long with an average length of 19 ft (5.8 m).

Their weight can be somewhere between 6600 and 7500 lbs (3000-3400 kg).

The adult male great white sharks are approximately 6.5 ft (2 m) smaller than their representative females.

Strong pectoral fins and a triangle-shaped back fin are placed behind its narrow and pointed snout.

There is a smaller fin near the tail which ends with long lower and upper lobes.

Whiteys have delicate skin that cannot withstand huge penetrating forces, which puts them in an inferior position compared to crocodiles.

Characteristics of the saltwater crocodile

The saltwater crocodile is believed to be the animal that is most likely to eat a human being of all other animals in the world.

At the back of their mouths, saltwater crocodiles have valves that seal off the cavity from the throat.

This way, they can open their mouth while under the water.

However, it’s not possible to eat the prey beneath the water surface because they will need to swallow and allow their throats to open and fill with liquid.

When a crocodile catches something underwater, it has to take it to land and eat it or raise itself with its head above the water and swallow.

Adult individuals can be 16-23 ft (4.8-7 meters) in length and weigh between 880-1540 lbs (400-700 kg).

The male crocodiles are much larger than the females.

Their enormous heads and broad, heavy bodies are grey to brown so that they can blend in their muddy habitats.

Having short and strong limbs, their biggest attributes are their long and strong jaws.

A croc’s skin appears as some sort of prehistoric armor. It’s not easy to penetrate through it at all.

Where Can You Find Sharks?

You can find sharks in a lot of places in the world. They inhabit tropical waters nears the coasts and even temperate and cold areas.

In the Americas, there are sharks from Alaska to Mexico in the Pacific Ocean and from Newfoundland to Mexico in the Atlantic Ocean.

Outside of America, sharks dwell in the waters of Japan, the Mediterranean Sea, Oceania, and South Africa.

White Shark Behavior

Generally, the great white shark swims and hunts solitarily. From time to time, they can reunite with others. The groups can consist of a couple of sharks or even groups of 5-6.

Females mostly take the lead in the groups because of the existing hierarchical dominance.

Larger sharks dominate over the smaller ones, and when the group accepts newcomers, the fresh ones are subdued by the old leadership for some time.

The animal is equally active day and night. In an attempt to get familiar with the surroundings or look for prey, great sharks can sometimes jump out of the water.

While not being aggressive towards others of their species, an occasional warning bite might happen.

Where Can You Find Crocodiles?

Saltwater crocs can be commonly found in and around river mouths, mangrove swamps, and coastal marshes.

They inhabit the tropical regions of Australia, Africa, South America, North America, and Africa.

When crocodiles feel capable of swimming a lot, they can travel upstream.

Seasonal floods make it possible for crocodiles to get to places that are otherwise hard to reach.

It’s not unusual for them to live in the open ocean for short periods as they are quite capable of that.

Exploring is an exciting activity that can make them cross large water expanses.

Saltwater Crocodile Behavior

The saltwater crocodile is thought of as one of the most sophisticated and intelligent reptiles on the planet.

They live in groups and communicate with each other by crocodile-barking, hissing, chirping, and growling.

Saltwater crocodiles invest a great deal of their time thermoregulating to maintain their body temperatures.

For example, when it’s too hot, they go inside the water, stick their eyes and nostrils out and just wait until they are cool.

Do Crocodiles and Sharks Meet in Nature?

Crocodiles and sharks can occasionally meet in the water and have close encounters; most of the time, the situation would end with the shark fleeing the scene or getting eaten.

It’s mostly smaller shark species since large ones don’t dwell in shallow water.

Brutus the Giant Crocodile

Brutus is an 80-year-old crocodile living in Adelaide River in Northern Australia.

He some kind of celebrity because his front right leg is missing, and there are even boat tours that take you to him.

Photographers have caught him a few times with a bull shark in his mouth freshly caught from the river.

But you know what’s even more interesting?

It is sharks that took his front leg in the first place.

Comparison of Great White Shark and Saltwater Crocodile Attributes

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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Selecting the appropriate travel bow case for your next trip is an important step for flying with your archery equipment. When purchasing your case, be sure to take into consideration the type of bow that will fit the case (hunting compound, takedown recurve, etc.), and how you will be using the case. Will it be getting abuse in the bag of pickup truck on bumpy off-road trails, or have a comfy spot inside a minivan?

You will have to decide between a soft-side and hard-sided case. For air travel, what with the way baggage is treated these days, a hard-sided cases is usually the better way to go as it offers the ultimate protection for your bow and quiver, and typically offers options for lockability. Soft cases are more comfortable to handle, may not withstand the abuse that can be dished upon your bow case by the luggage handlers at the airport.

Here we have compiled a quick list of highly-rated travel bow cases. All of these cases have been highly recommended and are some of the best-selling bow cases to be found on the market today.

List of Recommended Items in This Article

Flambeau Outdoors 6461SC Archery Safeshot Compound Bow Case

Case Club Waterproof Parallel Limb Compound Bow Cas

Plano Mil Spec Fieldlocker Compound Bow Case

SKB 3I 4214 PL iSeries 4214 Parallel Limb Bow Case

Flambeau Outdoors 6461SC Safeshot Compound Bow Case

The Flambeau Outdoors 6461SC Archery Safeshot Compound Bow Case is well-built solid archery travel case, providing protection for 1 bow and up to 12 arrows in a rubber stacking system. We’re big fans of the structural pillars that prevent the case from getting crushed, offering additional protection for your bow.

A big feature of the Flambeau Safeshot are the multiple closing latches and multiple lock hasps for additional security, especially when travelling.

View the Flambeau Outdoors 6461SC Archery Safeshot Compound Bow Case on Amazon

SKB iSeries 3i 4214 PL Parallel Limb Bow Case

The SKB 3I 4214 PL iSeries 4214 Parallel Limb Bow Case offers a rugged ultra high-strength waterproof, dustproof, immersion-proof construction for maximum protection. This case features an automatic pressure equalization valve great for air travel, and multiple re-inforced padlock locations keep your bow secure.

The SKB is on the heavier side of these travel cases, but if spending $1600 on a bow, you want maximum protection when you travel. We appreciate that this case has built-in wheels for rolling around the airport with ease.

Buy the SKB 3I 4214 PL iSeries 4214 Parallel Limb Bow Case on Amazon

Plano Mil Spec Fieldlocker Compound Bow Case

Plano is a well-know name in the sportsman world, and the Plano Mil Spec Fieldlocker Compound Bow Case offers everything you would expect. The tight-fitting closure with dri-loc gasket keeps out water and dust, and multiple lock locations keep your bow secure.

The inline wheels glide well through the airport, and the customizable foam inside will keep your bow safely in place while travelling. The arrow storage on the upper flap offers convenience and quick easy access. Like the SKB iSeries, the Plano Fieldlocker also offers a built-in pressure release valve to equalize on the go with changes in altitude.

View the Plano Mil Spec Fieldlocker Compound Bow Case on Amazon

Case Club Waterproof Parallel Limb Compound Bow Case

The Case Club Waterproof Parallel Limb Compound Bow Case is a heavy-duty, air-tight padlockable case that fits your bow and 12 arrows (no quiver). Multiple padlock locations keep your bow latched and safe at home and on the go, and the silica gel canister inside absorbs any humidity that may be inside.

It is a fairly heavy case, but offers maximum protection for all of your gear. In-built wheels make it easy to get around the airport, and it’s crush-proof design will handle any abuse the luggage handlers can throw at it. There is a reason why this case has earned a 4.6/5 star rating on Amazon.

Shop the Case Club Waterproof Parallel Limb Compound Bow Case on Amazon

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