One of the greatest ways whitetails communicate with each other is through the scent they leave behind. Throughout the year bucks are constantly marking their territory with scent, and scraping behavior is one of the chief ways they do it. Though bucks will work a scrape’s overhanging licking branch throughout the year their most aggressive scraping is done from October to December, when testosterone levels are highest.

Bucks will work prime licking branches 365 days a year with 80% of scraping behavior in the North occurring from mid-October to mid-November.

When a whitetail buck makes a scrape he does so where there is an attractive branch hanging along a roadway, at the edge of a field, on a well-worn trail, or in a random area he’s walking through.

In most cases a buck begins the scraping process by rubbing his forehead, preorbital, and nasal glands on the branch and in some cases will actually lick and chew on the overhanging branch. Once done, most bucks will paw the leaves and other debris from the ground under the branch, then urinate into the pawed out earth. The process usually takes less than two minutes, but during this time a buck will leave liberal amounts of scent behind. Scraping, like rubbing, allows a buck to make his presence known by dispensing scent throughout his area.

Typical scraping behavior involves leaving scent from a buck’s nasal, preorbital and forehead glands. When done working the branch bucks will paw the ground and urinate into the ground.

Hunters debate whether scraping is primarily a “buck thing” or if it’s done to attract does. During my years of photographing and hunting whitetails throughout North America, I’ve seen many does work a scrape’s licking branch. Only twice have I actually seen a doe paw the ground below the licking branch after scenting the licking branch. However, I’ve killed several does in archery season that were working a scrape’s licking branch when I released the arrow. On the other hand I’ve seen and photographed hundreds of bucks making scrapes during my career. So, based on this, it’s my view that scraping is primarily a buck behavior, a behavior they use to dispense scent and show dominance.

Though they seldom paw the ground does will actively work a scrape’s overhanging licking branch.

I believe scraping is also a satisfying, conditioned response for bucks. When working an overhanging licking branch, a buck is greatly satisfied by the branch massaging his forehead, preorbital and nasal glands. I don’t believe a buck consciously knows he is spreading his scent to other deer.

Judging from the hundreds of photos I’ve taken of scraping bucks, it appears the satisfying and stimulating aspects of scraping might explain why a buck performs scraping behavior so frequently. I’m not saying scent-depositing isn’t a big part of scraping, because it is. But I’m convinced the dynamics of scraping are incredibly complex and serve several functions, probably more than we’ll ever realize.

The age structure of a buck population heavily influences the amount of scraping that will take place. If yearling bucks dominate an area, scraping behavior will not be great. However, if there are an abundant number of 2+ year old bucks in the population, scraping sign will be very evident.

In 1990 I was a part of a scrape research project conducted on the Avery Estate in New York State where deer could be closely monitored in a natural setting. We discovered that during the two weeks leading up to peak breeding mature bucks made 6 to 12 scrapes every hour they were on their feet.

During the two weeks leading up to peak breeding mature bucks can be expected to make between 6 and 12 scrapes every hour they are on their feet.

Classifying Scrapes

The way I classify the scrapes I find has evolved over the years. When hunters began to understand the whitetail’s scraping process in the early 1970s scrapes were commonly described as “boundary, secondary and primary.” Though I’ve used these terms, I learned along the way that there was a clearer way of defining what I was finding and photographing. In order to make the scraping process easier to understand I’ve settled on referring to the scrapes I find as boundary, random and primary.

Boundary scrapes: Boundary scrapes are made as bucks travel through their territory. These scrapes often show up along the edge of fields, fence rows and old roadways. Those made along field edges are nearly always made at night. Because of this I pay little attention to these scrapes except for checking the track size. If the track is more than 2 ¼ inches wide (with no more than a ¼ inch split in the toes) the buck is probably over 2 ½ years old and nearing maturity. Such bucks will also tip the scales at over 175 pounds (live weight) in the North.

Random scrapes: Random scrapes are just that—scrapes that are made spontaneously as a buck cruises his territory. A buck will often make a random scrape whenever he comes upon an attractive licking branch and is “moved” to work the site. Seldom will they be reused and in most cases are not serious candidates for a hunting set up.

Primary scrapes: Primary scrapes are the ones hunters need to pay attention to. In many ways they are the “mother lode” of whitetail scrapes, with some having the potential of becoming very attractive to whitetail bucks. They are most often found in strategic locations—inside corners, ridge lines, and especially along well-worn trails between bedding and feeding areas during the rut.

In many instances bucks will make a line of scrapes (20 to 50 yards apart) along such trails. Because many primary scrapes are found along well-worn trails, more than one buck (and does) will work and rework them during the seeking, chasing and breeding phases of the rut. I’ve probably killed more bucks over primary scrapes along well-used runways than any other place.

Hunting scrapes in prime travel corridors can be a very successful strategy in the days leading up to peak breeding, when bucks are on the move.

Timing

Though bucks work licking branches 365 days to leave their scent, prime scraping behavior occurs in the 30 day window leading up to peak breeding, especially during the last 10 days. Once breeding kicks in scraping behavior drops off drastically. During the post-rut scraping still occurs, but it is only a fraction of what it was before the rut.

Bullwinkle Disease in Deer

The term “Bullwinkle disease” sounds more like a joke about someone than an actual ailment. As it turns out, Bullwinkle disease in deer is a thing. It’s a true-to-life disease that can impact deer. Although quite rare, it seems white-tailed deer can get an infection that causes their muzzle to swell. In turn, their face looks more like the cartoon moose Bullwinkle than that of a normal, healthy whitetail.

Wildlife vets know that the head swelling is caused by a long-term bacterial infection in soft tissues of the afflicted deer’s face. However, the most fascinating part of Bullwinkle disease is that no one knows how deer get it. Or even where the bacteria comes from.

Bullwinkle Deer

Source: “The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) has been studying the parasites and diseases of white-tailed deer for more than 56 years. With so much time and effort invested in this area, one would think that few surprises would be left, but that doesn’t ever seem to be the case. Since 2005, we have received samples from ten deer with oddly deformed muzzles, as well as reports of several other affected deer. The swollen muzzles give them a strange appearance and prompted someone to call them “Bullwinkle deer,” based on their resemblance to the 1960’s cartoon character.

Although the cases reported to us are uncommon, they occur over a wide geographic area. In fact, affected white-tailed deer have been submitted to SCWDS from as far north as Michigan and as far south as Alabama. Furthermore, the condition also has been confirmed in a mule deer buck in Idaho.

Bullwinkle Disease in Deer & Head Swelling

The swollen faces are the result of chronic inflammation in the soft tissues of the muzzle. Deer with lumpy jaw can also have swollen jaws, but not to the same extent. The inflammation also is seen in connective tissues in the oral cavity, but it is much more severe on the nose and upper lip. All of the deer examined have had similar colonies of bacteria within the inflammatory infiltrates. Attempts to culture the bacteria have been frustrating. This is possibly due to chronicity of lesions, freezing and storage of samples prior to submission. Alternatively, it may be due to excessive growth of secondary bacterial contaminants.

Staining characteristics and DNA sequencing of the bacterial colonies observed suggest they differ from other organisms known to cause problems in deer. Investigations continue into the bacteria’s potential role in the development of this condition.

So far, all of the reported cases have been in hunter-killed deer or deer observed in the wild. Some deer have been thin, but there have been no reports of mortality directly attributed to this disease. One landowner reported having seen the same affected deer at a backyard feeder for nearly two years. Many of the deer observed or killed have been known to visit feed sites. However, the association with feeding is anecdotal. At this time, we do not know the factors that may predispose a deer to develop this unusual condition.

The lesions are certainly dramatic, but this disease does not appear to have any negative consequences for deer populations. Cases are relatively infrequent and are not clustered. It is possible that this problem has always occurred in deer, but at a very low prevalence. However, it has become very easy for photographs to be widely circulated among hunters and biologists in a very short period of time. We can attribute that to hunters, trail cameras and the internet.

This rapid sharing of information may have increased the detection and submission of rare and unusual cases, such as the Bullwinkle disease in deer we see here. Prepared by Kevin Keel, University of California-Davis”

fPorcupines are rodents, and the name porcupine comes from Middle French porc espin, meaning “spined pig.”

There are two families of porcupines: Old World and New World porcupines. The old world porcupines are found in Africa, Asia, and South Europe, while the new world porcupines are found in North, Central, and South America.

This article provides a detailed explanation of what porcupines eat and where they live, among other things:

Facts About Porcupines

There are several interesting facts about porcupines. Here are some of them:

Habitat

Porcupines can be found in different locations depending on the species. For example, the North American porcupines live in coniferous and mixed forest habitats in Canada, Northern Mexico, and the North Eastern United States.

These animals are nocturnal and spend most of their time on trees. However, they will come down to the ground to look for food or during the winter season when there is little foliage on trees.

The Old World porcupines live in terrestrial regions such as deserts, hillsides, and woodlands. Some of these porcupines are excellent swimmers and climbers and spend most of their time in trees.

Characteristics

Porcupines are medium to large-sized animals. They have a round body with short legs and a long tail. The Old World porcupines are larger than the New World porcupines, with some weighing up to 77 pounds, while the North American porcupine is smaller, weighing between 12-35 pounds.

Porcupines have black or dark brown fur. The quills on their backs are stiff and sharp, and they use them for self-defense and to deter predators.

Reproduction

Porcupines are generally solitary animals. The male and female come together only during the breeding season between mid-summer and early fall to mate.

The gestation period for porcupines is about seven months, giving birth to one or two offspring at a time. The young ones are born with soft quills that harden after a few days.

The mother takes care of the young for about 18 months until they are ready to fend for themselves.

The Old World Porcupines VS. The New World Porcupines

In several ways, the old world porcupines(Family Hystricidae) are different from the new world porcupines(Family Erethizontidae). We discuss how the two porcupines differ below.

Old World Porcupines

There are 11 species of old-world porcupines that are classified into eight genera. These porcupines are found in Africa, Asia, and Southern Europe.

The Old World porcupines have longer and thinner quills than the new world porcupines. The quills on their backs are used for self-defense and to deter predators. These porcupines are generally larger than the new world porcupines, with some weighing up to 77 pounds.

New World Porcupines

There are 18 new world porcupines species classified into three genera. These porcupines are found in North America, Central, and South America.

The New World porcupines have shorter and thicker quills than the old world porcupines. The quills on their backs are also used for self-defense and to deter predators.

These porcupines are generally smaller than in the old world, with some weighing up to 35 pounds.

What Do Porcupines Eat?

Porcupines are herbivorous animals, and their diet consists of plants, fruits, and vegetables. They use their sharp incisors to bite off pieces of bark from trees. They also eat the leaves, stems, and roots of plants.

In the wild, porcupines eat just about anything they can find, including insects, rodents, and small reptiles. However, in captivity, their diet is much more regulated and consists mainly of plants and vegetables.

But while the diet of porcupines is general and may seem the same all through, they vary depending on the season and the types of porcupines. Here is a breakdown of what different porcupines eat:

• North American Porcupines

The North American porcupine is a herbivorous animal, and its diet consists of plants, fruits, and vegetables such as apples, bananas, sweet potatoes, and carrots. They also eat the leaves, stems, and roots of plants.

• Brazilian Porcupines

The Brazilian porcupine is omnivorous and will eat both plants and animals. Their diet consists of fruits, vegetables, insects, rodents, and small reptiles. They are expert climbers, which comes in handy when looking for food, allowing them to feed on a wide range of plants and small animals.

• African Brush-tailed Porcupines

The brush-tailed porcupines are one of the largest in Africa and can weigh up to 77 pounds. They are nocturnal animals and spend most of their time on trees. The African brush tail porcupine is a herbivorous animal whose diet consists of plants, fruits, and vegetables. They are also known to feed on animal carcasses.

• Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupines

These porcupines are fairly small compared to other old-world porcupines but larger than the new world porcupines. They are primarily herbivorous and feed on fruits, grubs, and bamboo shoots. However, they can also feed on insects and scavenge on bones and hones.

• Sumatran Porcupines

These porcupines occupy the Surmattan region, which is the island of Sumatra. They are the largest porcupines in Asia and can weigh up to 60 pounds. The Sumatran porcupine is a herbivorous animal, and its diet consists of plants, sugarcane, melons, and bean. However, they will also eat insects, and other animal remains to get sodium and potassium.

• South African Porcupines

The South-African porcupines, or the Cape porcupines, are the largest of all the porcupines. They can weigh up to 110 pounds, and their quills can be up to 13 inches long. The South-African porcupine is a herbivorous animal, and its diet consists of plants, fruits, roots, bulbs, and vegetables. However, they will also eat carrions.

• Mexican Dwarf Hairy Porcupines

The Mexican dwarf hairy porcupine is one of the smallest species of porcupines. They weigh between two to four pounds and are found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. The Mexican dwarf hairy porcupine is a herbivorous animal, and its diet consists of sweet potatoes, tree leaves, carrots, and bulbs.

• Bristle-spined Porcupines

The bristle-spined porcupine is found in Central and South America. They are nocturnal animals and spend most of their time on trees. The bristle-spined porcupine is a herbivorous animal, and its diet consists of plants, fruits, vegetables, peanuts, and insects. However, their favorite diet is cocoa nuts, and they prefer to live in areas close to cocoa plantations.

• Thick-spined Porcupines

The thick-spined porcupine is found in Africa and Indo-Malayan Asia. They are nocturnal animals and spend most of their time on trees. The thick-spined porcupine is a herbivorous animal, and its diet consists of plants, fruits, vegetables, and insects. However, they are not good climbers and prefer to eat fallen fruits.

Porcupines’ Diet During Seasons

Porcupines are mostly herbivorous animals, but there are some exceptions. Depending on the season, porcupines will change their diet to include more fruits and vegetables or meat.

In the winter, porcupines will eat more bark and twigs because they are looking for food that is high in calories. In the summer, porcupines will eat more fruits and vegetables because they are looking for food that is high in water content.

What Animals Kills Porcupines?

Other animals do not often kill porcupines, but there are some exceptions. This is because the quills on a porcupine can be up to 13 inches long and are very sharp, forming one of the best defenses in any animal.

One of the most common predators of porcupines is the African leopard. Other predators include the cheetah, lions, and hyenas. There have also been spotting of quills on foxes, wolves, wolverines, bobcats, fishers, lynxes, coyotes, owls, and even dogs.

Humans also kill porcupines for their meat and quills. Porcupine meat is considered a delicacy in some cultures, and the quills are used to make porcupine quill art.

Are Porcupines Good For Anything?

Porcupines have many benefits. They are a food source for many animals and provide nutrition to the animals that feed on them. Additionally, they have quills that are used to make porcupine quill art. Porcupines are also known to eat the ticks off of other animals, which helps to control the spread of Lyme disease.

Moreover, porcupines can help the forest ecosystem by eating the bark of trees. This helps to control the growth of trees and prevents forest fires. They also help in pruning trees which allows new growth. The best part is that they aren’t as problematic as other wild animals and aren’t predators.

Final Words

Porcupines are often misunderstood as dangerous because of their quills. However, they are gentle animals that mostly keep to themselves. They are interesting creatures with a surprising diet and many benefits to the ecosystem. They eat leaves, small insects, fruits, and vegetables depending on the season.

What Expert Had to Say: Back when I wrote my slightly controversial and proverbial pot-stirring article rating the Top 5 9mm Pistols, I gave Honorable Mention to three particular pistols, among them the legendary SIG Sauer P210. Although many consider the SIG Sauer 210 the most accurate 9mm pistol ever, I rationalized my mere Honorable Mention ranking because I hadn’t yet been able to fire and adequately evaluate the 210. For a long time, it was so goshdarn expensive that none of the gun ranges I frequented throughout the US of A over the past three decades made one available for rental. The pistol took on an aura of Unobtainium, and the Holy Grail all rolled into one.

A Brief History of the SIG Sauer P210

The SIG Sauer P210 has been likened to a Swiss watch of handguns, and that’s not just because Switzerland is the country of origin, though that certainly helps.

As noted by Sean Murphy of Outdoor Life, “While the Swiss aren’t known for a large military force, their arms are known to be high-quality for soldiers that know how to use them. Originally adopted in 1949, the SIG P49 (later renamed P210), featured a steel frame and slide that have full length contact, with a high-quality barrel and superb trigger. With match-grade ammunition, the specification for the original SIG P210 was a five-shot group measuring two-inches or less at 50 meters. Most pistols would struggle to offer this level of precision at half the distance.” (emphasis added)

Eventually, the SIG Sauer P220 replaced the P210 as the Swiss Army pistol. Remarkably, the pistol remains standard issue for Danish Defence (the unified armed forces for the Kingdom of Denmark), despite the overwhelming prevalence of higher-capacity double-action and striker-fired 9mm auto pistols; the P210 is a single-action autoloader with a modest 8-round magazine and an old-school European-style butt-heel magazine release that has long since fallen out of favor for the far faster push-button mag releases located behind the trigger guard.

The standard P210 weighs 970 g (34 oz), has an overall length of 215 mm (8.5 in), and a barrel length of 120 mm (4.7 in).

SIG Sauer P210: My Personal Shooting Impressions at the Range

So, as luck would have it, as I was taking some hard-earned Labor Day weekend vacay in my old childhood hometown of Los Angeles, I decided to visit one of my favorite old SoCal haunts, the good ol’ Los Angeles Gun Club in Downtown L.A…and I discovered to my delightful surprise that the LAGC folks actually had a SIG P210 available for rental! It would be a major understatement to say this was way too good and rare an opportunity to pass up!

After 33 years of aura of mystery surrounding this previously unobtainable pistol, the act of dispelling that aura was…good but not spectacular. (“And the crowd goes…mild.”) Definitely not a bad experience, but not one that blew me away either (bad pun intended).

Slide manipulation was delightfully smooth, probably at least partially because the slide rides inside the frame rails rather than atop them the way most semiautomatic pistol slides do, which also at least theoretically contributes to the gun’s intrinsic accuracy; relatively few other auto pistols emulate this feature, the CZ-75 being amongst those few.

The trigger was also remarkably smooth and worthy of the “Swiss watch” label. The frame-mounted safety flicked downward from the “Safe” to “Fire” position slickly and smartly…but going the opposite direction – such as for cocked-and-locked carry mode – was rough and gritty.

And then there was the aforementioned butt-heel magazine release. On this particular P210 (not sure if it’s a universal design flaw or just unique to this individual specimen), it was extremely stiff and awkward. My shooting buddy and I both struggled with it, and mind you, we both weigh over 200 pounds and work out regularly. Definitely not a desirable feature in a real-world gunfight or even a high-stakes competitive match wherein speed reloads AKA emergency reloads are called for.

(As a sidebar note, SIG did recently release their so-called P210 Carry version, which has the more desirable push-button mag release.)

As to accuracy, the basis of the SIG Sauer P210’s legend, I have to throw out a couple of caveats here. First of all, LAGC is only a 50-foot range, so in fairness, that limited my ability to do a true hard-core test of the gun’s long-distance dialing (so to speak) ability. Second of all, this was a range rental gun, so it’s got some wear & tear on it. That said…at 21 feet, all 25 rounds fired struck the ICE-QT target in the head, but the rounds strayed considerably to the right, clustering around the left eye of the target as opposed to the bridge of the nose that was my aim point. At the 50-foot mark, all 25 rounds were in the 5-zone of the torso, but only 8 rounds landed in the tiebreaking 5x zone, with the rounds once again straying noticeably to the right. The groups were pleasantly tight but nowhere near as tight as the kind I routinely score with my beloved Beretta 92FS/M9, Glock 17, Glock 21SF, Glock 26, or my WWI-vintage Colt M1911 that I fired at this very same range session.

The ammo used was the Remington Range 115-grain full metal jacket (FMJ).

SIG Sauer P210: Bottom Line

So then, I’m not planning to save up money to buy a SIG P210, as many other firearms remain higher-ranked on my Wish List. That said, it is still definitely a high-quality firearm and one of these days, I’d relish the chance to test the gun’s capabilities at 25 and 50 yards (as opposed to 21 and 50 feet). And the good news is, though the pistol is pricey, the price tag actually appears to have gone down compared to the $2,500.00 – $3,000.00 USD that was the norm back in the 1990s.

If you have the desire to own one of these legendary pistols, I definitely recommend it.

Bonus: Sig Sauer Photo Essay

Christian D. Orr has 33 years of shooting experience, starting at the tender age of 14. His marksmanship accomplishments include: the Air Force Small Arms Ribbon w/one device (for M16A2 rifle and M9 pistol); Pistol Expert Ratings from U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP); multiple medals and trophies via the Glock Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) and the Nevada Police & Fires Games (NPAF). Chris has been an NRA Certified Basic Pistol Instructor since 2011. In his spare time, he enjoys (besides shooting, obviously) dining out, cigars, Irish and British pubs, travel, USC Trojans college football, and Washington DC professional sports.

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

About Frogs

Bullfrogs and green frogs look similar but are easy to tell apart from other frogs in Missouri, due to their relatively large size at maturity. They prefer aquatic edge habitats that offer still, shallow water with aquatic and/or terrestrial vegetation. This provides both cover and food, such as insects and nearly any other small animal that will fit in their mouths. Ponds, lakes and river banks, wetlands, and other vegetated waterways are all great places to find frogs.

Frog Hunting

Methods

Frogs can be hunted in Missouri using many different methods.

With a fishing permit, frogs may be taken by gig, trotline, throw line, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or pole and line.

With a hunting permit, frogs may be taken by crossbow, pellet gun, or .22 or smaller caliber rim-fire rifle or pistol.

With either permit frogs may be taken by hand, hand net, bow, or atlatl.

When to Hunt Frogs

• Frogs may be pursued during the day or at night with an artificial light.
• During a full moon frogs are typically more skittish because they feel more exposed, and are thus more difficult to approach.
• During a new moon it is usually easier to get closer to them.

Because frogs are amphibious and must keep their skin moist, they spend more time in the water and weeds during the day and are generally less visible around the banks than at night. Whether they’re hiding or not, their location is often given away by their assertive croaks.

Getting Started

Frog-Hunting Gear

• Rubber knee boots or hip waders
• Flashlight
• Gig or net
• Something to keep your harvested frogs in

Choosing a Location

Public and private landowners typically do not manage for frogs. Instead, frog populations are often the result of management for another species such as waterfowl or fish. Frogs are also common in aquatic edge habitats not subject to management or maintenance of any kind.

Waters with few to no predators will yield the best frog populations, which is why newer ponds or very old ponds are generally plentiful with frogs. Bullfrogs and green frogs can be found along nearly all waterways on MDC conservation areas but especially on wetland areas and along rivers and lakes.

Bullfrogs are ambush-style predators that will eat any live prey they can fit in their mouths, including insects, fish, mice, birds, and snakes! Focus on shallow water areas and mud flats along the margins of ponds, lakes and wetlands where cattails, willows, grasses, and other aquatic vegetation is present.

Tips and Tricks

• If you are hunting with a partner, have them blind the frog using a light so that you can stalk the frog from behind. Frogs can feel the vibrations of you approaching on foot, sometimes causing them to flee before you locate them.
• Consider using a canoe to stealthily locate and get close enough to grab, net, or gig.

Try Hunting During the Day

Most frogs are caught with the use of a gig or by bare hands at night. For a little different experience, try fishing during the day. Simply use a long fishing pole, like a cane poll or crappie rod, with a short piece of fishing line and a small treble hook tied to the end. Attach a small piece of red cloth to the hook and dangle in front of the frog. Often temptation will get the best of the frog and it will strike at the cloth. The only thing left to do is set the hook.

By Jason Vincent

The world is full of ugly rifles…and so is my gun safe.

The truth is, I like them. I appreciate the durability of synthetics, I value a weather resistant stainless barrel and, in the field, the practicality in the shape of a more tactical stock opens up more shooting positions.

But these are not my favorite rifles.

My favorites all have classic lines, wood stocks, and blued barrels. I’m willing to forgive them a little if they’re not surgically accurate.

The Winchester Model 70 has always been my favorite sporting rifle and I’ve been chasing deals on the pre-1964 versions for a long time now. These guns were designed right, built right, and they almost always offered surprising accuracy.

And then Winchester bastardized them in 1964 to cut costs and compete with Remington’s cheaper and less refined push-feed Model 700 -which they were having huge success with.

Model 70 purists – guys like my grandad – vomited as they lost their reliable control round feed actions and watched Winchester’s overall quality take a nose-dive. But the side effects only lasted a short 28 years before Winchester listened to their customers and in 1992, the company started producing control round feed actions again.

Today, the Winchester Model 70 may be the best rifle the company has ever made. They beat the pants off anything Remington has ever produced, and they’ve turned many of us into believers in their rifles again.

I own several of these newer guns.

Before our last trip to Africa, I sent my current catalog model .30-06 M70 Supergrade off to a company that manufactures and installs iron sights. I like hunting with irons when I can get away with it and the lack of them on most of the new M70’s bothers me.

When I got back the rifle back, the crew that did the work clearly beat my Supergrade up in the shop. There were scratches in the bluing and even a small gouge on the barrel. Mind you, these rifles are designed to be head turners, so I wasn’t thrilled with the way they treated it, but I don’t own safe queens and I knew I’d be putting new scars on it soon.

I’d shot this beauty before having the sights installed and knew it to be an accurate rig, but while it was off being thrown around the sight installer’s workshop, Unknown Munitions sent me some 180gr Barnes loads for our safari. When the rifle came back, I mounted a Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8×36 in Talley quick-release rings and hit the range.

I’d never tried 180’s in this gun and with a max power of 8x in the optic I had to look through my spotting scope to see my first 3-shot group.

I knew at first glance that the cluster had to be ½” or less. I let things cool for a few minutes then shot again. Slightly larger group but still less than the ¾” mark. I zeroed the scope and dead centered the bullseye. I fired one more round to confirm zero and then packed everything up.

I went back to the office and used the velocity info from the doppler I set up on the shooting bench to update my Sig Kilo 2400ABS rangefinder with the data that would allow me to stretch the Supergrade out in the field. Since first using this system a few years ago, I haven’t taken a trip without it.

Fast forward to the shooting range in safari camp. We all uncased our rigs to check zero before hunting. I center-punched the target with two rounds and put the rifle away. Almost everyone commented on how good looking the rifle was and I think I was the only hunter in camp that didn’t need to make scope adjustments on the bench.

Over the next two weeks, the Winchester took a beating in the Landcruiser between the shots that downed game from 60 yards to 332 yards. The last round I fired was on a smaller animal at 470 yards. The blesbok died with a single round to the heart while my buddies drank beer and watched.

Several people have tried to buy this rifle from me since.

It will never be sold.

Summary:

The current Winchester M70’s are rifles to own. People bitch about the newest models being made in Europe these days, but I don’t want to hear about it. My Portuguese models are as good or better than anything Winchester has ever put their name on. If I have one gripe, it’s the lack of iron sights on all but the Safari Express models. Winchester really should make a series of the rifle in .270 and .30-06 to mimic the classic pre-64 design. They’d sell the hell out of them.

Pros:

Beautiful. Accurate. Control round feed for ultimate reliability.

Cons:

They need iron sights for us purists.

Knowing what basic turkey talk sounds like and being able to mimic these sounds will make the difference between a fan bobbing over your shoulder and tag soup.

by Scott Haugen

As I write these words, spring turkey season is only a few days away. Where I live in the Pacific Northwest, it’s believed to be our most harsh spring conditions since the early 1980s. I’m scouting for turkeys daily, and what I see is far different from last season.

Many hens and juvenile birds are still in large family flocks. Several toms are in bachelor flocks of the same age class, and their strutting and gobbling have been very subdued. We’re supposed to have freezing temperatures and snow the next few days, which may further delay turkey courtship and breeding activity.

Knowing this, I plan on hunting on opening day in some extensive stands of Douglas fir timber. We’ve had constant rain for days, and this is where many of the turkeys have been seeking shelter. The hens spend a lot of time preening, and because they’re in family flocks, the birds are vocal when there’s a break in the weather.

On opening day, I plan to emulate what I hear from turkeys, such as soft hen yelps with more kee-kees than I usually use this time of year. I’ll also use deeper-sounding tom yelps, which I’ve detected on my Stealth Cam trails cam video clips lately. For my decoy setup, I’ll use a new Preening Hen from Dave Smith Decoys and possibly an Upright Hen if birds hang out in big numbers and the rain continues to fall.

I’ve been fortunate to hunt turkeys in many places around our great country, and I base much of my calling on what the birds do at the time and place I’m hunting.

One season began in Florida in 80-degree temperatures, and I also hunted on a 16-degree day with snow in Washington state a few days later. Knowing what sounds turkeys make, and more importantly, what they mean, has dramatically impacted my nearly 40 years of turkey hunting.

While turkeys are vocal all year long, here are some sounds to tune into this spring.

Hen Yelp

The hen makes the most commonly heard sound in the turkey woods, called a hen yelp or plain yelp. Toms and jakes also yelp, but it’s louder, raspier, and usually more drawn-out than that of hens.

The hen yelp is an introductory call and the most straightforward sound. I’d say 80 percent of the toms I’ve called in — and seen called in — have come to a hen yelp. These sounds are usually delivered in a series of one-note tunes and occur when turkeys are within sight of one another. It sends the message that everyone is safe and lets one another know where they are.

Yelps can range from three to seven notes, even up to nine or ten as hens get more excited. The pitch and volume remain constant, with three to four notes created per second and each burst lasting up to .10 seconds. The sequence is simple and resembles a chirp, chirp, chirp, or a yup, yup, yup sound.

Yelps are easily made with box calls, slates, diaphragms, and push-pull calls. The yelp is a good call to bring birds in close, whether you can see them or not. Should birds appear edgy, plain yelps can help calm them. Yelps will also bring in hens, and toms will likely follow them.

The Cluck

The cluck is one of the most basic sounds in the turkey woods, but it still carries a strong meaning. The one to three-note sequence goes like tuck…tuck,…tuck. Its purpose is to get another bird’s attention or reassure an approaching tom that a hen is waiting. It’s a pleasing, attention-grabbing, simple, yet powerful sound when bringing in a tom.

Clucks are made up of one to three single, staccato notes, usually separated by two to three seconds. A cluck’s sharp, crisp sounds are mainly used when an approaching tom hangs up in sight of your setup.

Often, hens are called in with clucks, and I think this is because when turkeys cluck, they like hearing others respond in the same way; it’s their way of saying, “I’m here, and all is safe.” This is true with hen yelps, too. Clucks are not as intense or abrupt as putts, which is an alarm call.

When birds feed, clucks are often made in conjunction with purrs. Clucks and purrs send a message that all is safe and the birds are content, especially in a flock situation. Clucks and purrs, together, sound something like tuck, tuck, errrrr…..tuck, errrrr…tuck, tuck, tuck, errrrr, tuck. Using the cluck and purr together is natural and convincing if looking to pull in wary toms or hens. They’re also good, calm sounds to stop a tom for a shot.

The Purr

As with the cluck, purrs can easily be made on slates, box calls, and push-pull calls. Purrs are tougher to make with diaphragm calls but are worth mastering when you find yourself in the open and need to call hands-free to bring a tom in closer or stop him for a shot.

Purrs are relaxing, almost bubbly sounding, reassurance calls. They send the simple message that birds feel safe. When a flock of birds spreads out, feeding in early spring, purrs can continually be heard. Purrs are soft sounds that roll in a smooth, calming fashion, thus, are not very loud. The purr is a single, drawn-out note that sounds like, errrr. This is a great call to offer when toms are close, especially if they seem nervous.

Kee-Kee

The kee-kee is a call commonly associated with fall turkey hunting. But I’ve had great success with it early in the spring when conditions are cold and wet, and birds are in large flocks. The purpose of the kee-kee is to reassemble broken flocks, and the sound is largely made by young birds who’ve lost track of the congregation and are looking to reassemble with adult birds. Adult birds, primarily hens, also make variations of these sounds, and this is what toms will often respond to.

The kee-kee is usually made up of three relatively coarse and somewhat unevenly spaced kee, kee, kee sounds that, in total, last just over a second. The key to making this call work is sticking to the magic three-note sequence, not extending it. As birds mature, the kee-kee sounds become slightly raspier, which is what you’ll hear in early spring.

The Cutt

Cutts are a series of loud, insistent, fast-paced, single-note sounds turkeys use to announce their presence, often hoping to hear another turkey’s response. It says, “If you hear me and are ready to breed or simply socialize, come find me.”

Cutts are easy sounds on a box or slate call, but diaphragm users may find it challenging due to the complex, stop-start, and rapid pace. Cutts are made in fast bursts of two or three notes, usually followed a second or so later with more of the same. The sequence sounds something like; tut…tut….tut, tut, tut, tut…tut…tut…tut…tut. tut. tut, tut, tut. The sequence varies widely, so if offering these sounds, don’t feel like they have to be exact.

Many hunters like using cutts to locate toms by getting them to shock gobble early in the morning. I use cutts any time of day, all season long, because they are natural turkey sounds used to announce their presence and because they are loud and carry well in the big terrain of the West where I do much of my hunting.

There are other sounds turkeys, and turkey hunters make, many more. But the ones we’ve looked at here are the basics hunters should be able to recognize in the woods and create on their own at any moment.

This turkey season, listen closely to the birds in your area. Know that their sounds — especially in the early season — can vary daily, even hour to hour on those stormy days with momentary sunlight breaks. Being equipped with the right calls, and making the right sounds at the right time, can make a big difference when bringing in a boss tom.

Open sights have been a crucial component of firearms for centuries. Despite advancements in technology, they remain a popular choice among shooters of all skill levels. Whether you are a seasoned marksman or a novice, having a solid understanding of the different types of open sights, their workings, advantages, disadvantages, and how to use them effectively can significantly improve your accuracy and overall performance.

In this article, we will delve into the world of open sights and provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you make the most out of this crucial component of your firearm.

What Are Open Sights?

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Open sights, also called iron sights, are an integral part of rifles, shotguns, and handguns. They offer a straightforward aiming mechanism that does not rely on batteries to function. They are often mandatory by law in specific hunting situations and are typically made of robust metal materials to withstand the rigors of regular use.

Open sights are made up of two components: a front sight and a rear sight. The front sight is a fixed post or bead that is positioned at the end of the barrel or on a ramp near the muzzle. The size and shape of the front sight can vary depending on the type of firearm and its intended use. For example, a shotgun used for bird hunting may have a larger front bead, while a rifle used for precision shooting may have a thinner, more precise front post. The rear sight, on the other hand, is typically a notched plate or aperture that is mounted on the barrel or receiver. Some open sights may have a basic notch in the rear sight, while others have a more complex aperture that can be adjusted for windage and elevation.

To aim using open sights, a shooter lines up the front sight with the rear sight, aligning them with the target. This process is known as “sighting in” the firearm. Once correctly aligned, the shooter can aim and discharge the weapon.

The Benefits of Using Open Sights

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Open sights offer several benefits compared to other types of sights. Some of these benefits include:

1) Cost-Effective

Open or iron sights are generally much less expensive than other types of sights, such as telescopic sights or red dots, making them a popular choice for beginner shooters or those on a budget. By choosing these sights, shooters can enhance their accuracy and shooting skills without breaking the bank.

2) Lightweight

Other types of sights, such as telescopic or red dot sights, tend to be heavy which can be burdensome, causing discomfort and strain on the shooter’s arms, shoulders, and back. Open or iron sights, on the other hand, are significantly lighter, allowing the shooter to move and aim their weapon with greater ease and accuracy. This reduction in weight also reduces the likelihood of fatigue on the shooter’s body, enabling them to remain focused and alert for more extended periods, resulting in better shooting performance.

3) Does Not Require Batteries

Open sights have a significant advantage over electronic sights in that they do not require batteries or electricity to function. This means that they can be used in any environment, without the worry of the batteries running out or malfunctioning.

Additionally, since these sights do not have any electronic components, they are not susceptible to electronic interference. This makes them an excellent option for shooting in areas with high levels of electromagnetic waves, such as areas with high-voltage power lines or around electronic devices.

4) Quick Target Acquisition

One of the key advantages of open or iron sights is their ability to facilitate quick target acquisition. In hunting or self-defense scenarios, every second counts, and the simplicity of open sights can prove to be a vital factor in reacting quickly. By merely aligning the front and rear sights with the target, the shooter can quickly and efficiently acquire their target, without the need for additional adjustments or sighting mechanisms.

5) Durability

Open sights are renowned for their durability, making them an excellent choice for shooters who require a rugged and reliable aiming device. Unlike electronic sights, which can be sensitive to impacts or exposure to harsh environments, these sights are typically made of high-quality materials and designed to withstand the rigors of frequent use in various environments. The robust construction also makes them less likely to malfunction or require maintenance, providing shooters with a reliable and low-maintenance aiming device.

6) Consistent Accuracy

Open or iron sights are simple and reliable, which can lead to consistent accuracy in shooting. With practice and proper alignment, shooters can achieve consistent accuracy with open sights, even at longer distances. This consistency can be particularly important for hunters or target shooters who need to hit their target with precision.

The Different Types of Open Sights

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The four main types of open sights are v-notch sights, u-notch sights, buckhorn sights, and semi-buckhorn sights. Here’s a brief description of each:

1) V-Notch Sights

V-notch sights are one of the most common types of open sights, and they’re often found on pistols and rifles. As the name suggests, they feature a V-shaped notch cut into the rear sight, which serves as the aiming point. The front sight is typically a post or bead that is centered in the V-notch. To aim, you need to align the top of the front sight with the bottom of the V-notch on the rear sight, and then center the front sight in the notch.

V-notch sights are popular for their simplicity and accuracy at short and medium ranges. However, they are not very precise, and you cannot adjust them for windage or elevation.

2) U-Notch Sights

U-notch sights are similar to V-notch sights, but they feature a U-shaped notch instead of a V-shaped notch. This type of sight is often found on shotguns and rifles intended for target shooting or hunting purposes. To aim, you need to align the top of the front sight with the top of the U-notch on the rear sight, and then center the front sight in the notch.

The U-shaped notch on U-notch sights offers an advantage over V-notch sights by helping to frame the target, simplifying the aiming process. While these sights are not as precise as other sighting options and cannot be adjusted for windage or elevation, they still offer greater precision than V-notch sights.

3) Buckhorn Sights

Buckhorn sights are a type of open sight that is often found on lever-action rifles. They feature a curved notch with a small protrusion in the center that serves as the aiming point. To aim, you need to align the front sight with the center of the buckhorn notch.

Buckhorn sights are well-suited for fast shooting at close to medium ranges, but they can be challenging to use for more precise shooting at longer ranges.

4) Semi-Buckhorn Sights

Semi-buckhorn sights are similar to buckhorn sights, but they have a flatter, less curved notch. This type of sight is often found on bolt-action rifles, and it’s preferred by some shooters for its versatility and accuracy at longer ranges. To aim, you need to align the front sight with the top of the semi-buckhorn notch.

Which Open Sight Should You Choose?

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The type of open or iron sight that you should choose depends on a variety of factors, including personal preference, shooting style, and the intended use of the firearm.

For those who prioritize simplicity and ease of use, V-notch sights are a good choice. They are suitable for handguns and rifles and are commonly used for close to medium-range shooting, including self-defense, hunting, and recreational target shooting. They are also ideal for shooting in low-light conditions, as the contrast between the front and rear sights is easy to see.

For those who require greater precision and accuracy, U-notch sights are a better option. They are particularly useful for shotguns and rifles that are used for target shooting or hunting, where precise aiming is critical. The U-shape of the notch provides a more precise aiming point than V-notch sights, making them suitable for longer ranges.

Buckhorn sights are ideal for shooters who need to quickly acquire and aim at targets at close to medium ranges. These sights are frequently used in lever-action rifles used for hunting or fast-paced shooting sports. However, they are not recommended for precise shooting or longer ranges because the curved notch can make it challenging to align the front sight with the target accurately.

On the other hand, semi-buckhorn sights provide a more versatile and accurate open sight for shooting at longer ranges. They are commonly found on bolt-action rifles used for target shooting or hunting. The flatter, less curved notch on the rear sight provides a more precise aiming point than a buckhorn sight. Although these sights are suitable for longer ranges, they can also be used for close to medium-range shooting.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use Open Sights Effectively

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Now that you know the different types of open sights and which one is best suited for you, here is a step-by-step guide on how to use them effectively:

1) Begin by Properly Aligning the Sights

Before using open sights, make sure they are properly aligned for your firearm. Adjust the rear sight so that the front sight post is centered in the notch. If the sights are misaligned, you will not be able to aim accurately, and your shots will miss the target.

2) Assume a Stable Shooting Position

Stand in a stable position with your feet shoulder-width apart and your body slightly leaned forward. Place your dominant hand on the grip of the firearm, and your non-dominant hand under the barrel or foregrip for support.

3) Bring the Firearm Up to Your Shoulder

Bring the firearm up to your shoulder while maintaining a stable shooting position. Ensure that the butt of the firearm is pressed firmly against your shoulder, and your cheek is resting against the stock of the firearm.

4) Focus on the Front Sight

When aiming with open or iron sights, it is important to focus on the front sight. The target and rear sight should be hazy while the front sight should be clear. This helps you aim accurately.

5) Maintain a Consistent Sight Picture

Once the sights are aligned and you have focused on the target, focus on maintaining a consistent sight picture. This means keeping the front and rear sights in the same position relative to each other and the target throughout the firing sequence.

6) Squeeze the Trigger

With your sights aligned and your firearm aimed at the target, squeeze the trigger gently. Avoid jerking or flinching, as this can cause your shot to miss the target.

7) Follow Through

After firing the shot, continue to focus on the front sight and keep the firearm steady for a moment before lowering it. This helps you to ensure that your shot was accurate and can help you make any necessary adjustments to your aim for future shots.

3) Practice, Practice, Practice

Using open or iron sights effectively takes practice. Make sure to spend time at the range honing your skills and becoming familiar with the sights and the shooting process. Shooting at different distances and in different lighting conditions can also be beneficial. By practicing frequently, you can develop muscle memory and ultimately enhance your precision.

Summary

Open sights are an integral component of firearms, and selecting the appropriate sight is vital to improving your shooting experience. With a diverse range of open sights available, it’s crucial to evaluate your shooting needs and preferences. Whether you use your firearm for hunting, target shooting, or self-defense, there’s an open sight that suits your requirements.

Once you have selected the right open sight for your firearm, it’s time to practice your shooting skills. That’s where EasyShot shooting targets come in handy. At EasyShot, we offer a variety of high-quality shooting targets that can help you improve your accuracy and precision. With durable construction and multiple designs, our targets are perfect for all types of shooting practices. Check us out today!