When it comes to hog hunting, one of the most effective tactics you can employ to bring the animals out in the open is by using hog bait. While hog bait can be bought straight off the shelf at your local outdoors store, at HOGMAN-OUTDOORS we’ve had great success in creating our own DIY hog hunting bait. Check out our tips for drawing out feral hogs below.
HOGS ARE ONMIVORESBecause hogs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals, a wide variety of baits can be used to successfully draw them in to the open. And hogs think with their stomach – the saying isn’t “eat like a pig” for nothing – meaning they’ll readily come out of cover when they smell food. That being said…
NOT ALL BAITS ARE CREATED EQUALAlthough hogs aren’t picky eaters, there are some smells and flavors that will draw their attention more readily than others.
Stick to Something FamiliarSweet corn is a staple in hog baits, because hogs can easily recognize the smell. Corn will “sour” once soaked for several days, creating a smell that will attract hogs but keep other animals, such as deer, away. Additionally, corn is a versatile bait that can be used in all kinds of different mixes (corn + Kool-Aid; corn + Jell-O; corn + beer). Hogs also have a liking to pecans and acorns, which can be used in your bait mix, or around the feeder area.
Play Up the Sweet StuffIt’s no secret that hogs have a sweet tooth, so play up the sweet stuff to really attract their attention. As mentioned above, corn can be mixed with low-budget drink powders, such as Kool-Aid, or with sweet gelatin-flavored packets. Effective hog bait can be created by mixing corn with sugar and several packets of Kool-Aid or Jell-O, and letting the mix soak together for a while. Here’s a great recipe from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources that does just that:
150 pounds of corn
8 pounds of sugar
1 packet of yeast
4 or 5 packets of grape, strawberry, or raspberry flavored gelatin or drink powder. Place the corn in a 40 gallon metal trash can and fill it with water to 3 to 4 inches above the corn. Mix in all the other ingredients. Place the trash can in the sun with the lid secured. Stir it with a shovel or paddle daily for 10 to 14 days.
KNOW THE LAWKnow what’s allowed before you make your hog bait. The use of toxicants and chemicals in the baiting of feral hogs is illegal in all 50 states; additionally, check your local hunting regulations to ensure that baiting is allowed on public lands.
PRE-BAITPre-baiting is a great way to condition hogs to associate your feeder area with a food source. This involves leaving your bait out in the open for several days (or using an automatic feeder with a timer). This will encourage hogs to lower their defenses and become accustomed to the area, making it easier for you to slide in and make the kill.
Get hunting!
ADVANTAGE: HUNTER
The HOGMAN-OUTDOORS Game Alert® Hog Hunting Light is the new generation in hog hunting technology. The low-intensity, motion-activated, red LED light is magnetically attached under a hog feeder, and provides momentary (10-second) illumination only when movement is detected within a 200-yard perimeter. The discreet light allows for hunters to remain virtually undetected by prey, keeping them hidden until the moment strikes.
In 1949, their SIG P49, which was used by the Swiss army, quickly became a legend on the battlefield as well as the competition field.
Later, they started producing hunting rifles, which were also really successful and well-known worldwide.
In 1980, they reached the US market.
The American market played an important role in making SIG an international leader in the small arms industry.
Nowadays, they produce the toughest, most precise rifles, pistols, suppressors, optics, ammunition, and airguns, many of which are used by leading global militaries.
Their brand philosophy revolves around the love of freedom, the unwillingness to compromise, and the desire to be the best.
The Sig Sauer MCX .177 is a really fun gun.
You can say that just by looking at it.
The stock is made of synthetic, and the barrel is made of rifled steel. The butt plate is made of plastic.
It comes all in black.
You can use either a Weaver or Picatinny scope on this gun.
The overall length is 34.7 inches.
The barrel length is 17.7 inches – the short length makes the gun shoot even faster.
The gun uses CO2 gas as the power source.
A CO2 air rifle has much less recoil and is much quieter than a springer, but this is still a loud enough rifle in itself.
It’s a semi-auto rifle that can unload 30 shots of .177 caliber pellets.
The max velocity is 700 fps – not so fast, but it is accurate.
The gun is used for fun plinking, not for hunting as it’s not powerful enough.
The Sig Sauer MCX .177 costs $190 and it comes in a choice of black or earth color.
In terms of enjoyment, this is the best air rifle under $200
Beeman is a brand name of Weihrauch & Weihrauch GmbH & Co. KG, a German manufacturer of sporting air rifles, air pistols, cartridge rifles, and pistols.
The company has more than 100 years of experience.
In fact, they were the first mass-produced German .22 rimfire rifle.
Nowadays, they produce innovative PCP air rifles.
Their rifles are made of proven materials.
Every component is carefully monitored by experienced specialists to be accurate in dimension and hardness.
Best Orange Hunting Vests for Deer, Upland (& Dogs!) of 2024
Just because you might be legally required to wear an orange hunting vest for the 2024 deer, elk, big game, or upland hunting season doesn’t mean that vest shouldn’t also be useful.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a close look at all different types of safety vests from around the internet to help you find the best for your needs. We found a wide array of camo, reversible, fleece, insulated, and even orange vests for dogs that all fit specific needs and hunting styles.
Some of the more straightforward options have just a few pockets, while others have blood-proof game pouches on the back for you to stash your small game haul. No matter your specific type of hunting, you’ll find a blaze orange vest on this list to keep you moving quietly, highly visible, and ultra-organized.
Because the best hunting brands make the best orange hunting vests, you can expect all the big names here, including Under Armour, Sitka, and Primos. But you’ll also find some high-quality gear from brands that might not immediately ring a bell, too.
Our pick for the best orange hunting vest on the 2024 market is the Sitka Ballistic. It isn’t the most full-featured, nor is it the cheapest, but we certainly think this could be the last vest you ever need.
What you get with the Ballistic blaze vest is a durable, snug-fitting, and quiet vest that won’t encumber your movements.
There’s nothing worse than trying to get a shot lined up only to have your safety orange vest get in the way, or worse yet, make noise as you move and scare off that deer or elk. Some vests can fit loosely and get in the way, but you’ll barely even notice you’re wearing this bad boy.
Aside from its fit, you get a few zippered pockets, an adjustable waist, a magnetic closure for quick removal, and a durable water repellent DWR finish that won’t wet out. You don’t get shotgun shell holders, a game pouch, or a license tag holder, but its fit and functionality crowned it the best orange vest of 2024 in our eyes.
If you want a few more bells and whistles than Sitka offers here, check out the Primos Gunhunter’s vest immediately below.
Pros: Great fit, zippered and handwarmer pockets, quiet, warm, durable
Cons: Expensive, not a ton of storage
Feature-Rich Runner Up Primos Gunhunter’s
If you’re looking for the most full-featured orange hunting vest on the market today, the Gunhunter’s from Primos might rank above all others.
Designed for rifle and muzzleloader hunters, you’ll find yourself equally prepared for both big game hunting and small game hunts alike. That’s because Primos included just about every imaginable loop or pocket you need for organizing your gear. With shotgun shell loops, large pockets to store binoculars, a PVC waterproof lining, and many more helpful features, the Primos Gunhunter’s vest will ensure you’re always ready for action.
This vest doesn’t feature a blood-proof game pouch, but if you want something designed specifically for small game like birds and rabbits, the Gamehide Switchgrass below fits the bill. Some hunters also think this vest fits a bit wide, so make sure you’re ordering the correct size, or consider the Ballistic from Sitka above for a more snug fit.
In all, we think this is one of the best blaze hunting vests money can buy, and if you require lots of storage, it’ll probably be the best option for you.
Pros: Tons of storage, well designed, warm, lining pulls down to create a waterproof seat
Cons: A bit wide for some, button closures not ideal for everyone, not proper small-game pouch
Our Favorite Full-Zip Safety Vest Under Armour Hunt Blaze
Not everyone wants a thousand pockets to store their stuff like you’ll find in the Primos Gunhunter’s vest. Some of you want a quiet, lightweight option that’ll fulfill your legal requirement and won’t get in the way. Check out the Under Armour Hunt Blaze vest if you’re in that camp.
We love the full-length zipper that keeps it snug, secure, and easy to remove. Its snap dump pockets are also helpful and will keep all your high-use gear close at hand. And, with pass-through hand pockets, you’ll be able to reach through the vest into your jacket pockets to grab whatever you need.
In short, the UA Hunt Blaze vest is a well-designed piece of clothing that’ll keep you safe and legal during big game rifle season. To complete the UA blaze orange combination, pair it with this hat.
Pros: Durable, lightweight, quiet, pass-through pockets are a great addition, relatively inexpensive
Cons: Not a lot of storage
VIEW ON AMAZON
Best Orange Vest for Upland Hunting Gamehide Switchgrass
The absolute best orange upland hunting vest you’ll find in 2024 is the Gamehide Switchgrass. This thing is made for shooting, and it’ll help you bag all the peasants, grouses, turkeys, and whatever other type of small game you’re after.
With padded shoulders, shotgun shell holders, and a blood-proof game bag in the back, you’ll always be prepared to shoot and stash whatever small game you take down. Plus, with its front orange accents and back panel, all of your fellow hunters should have no problems spotting you in the field.
Gamehide constructed the Switchgrass out of a warm canvas material that can stand up to all the rigors of the outdoors, all while keeping your warm and toasty as temperatures drop.
Since this vest is meant to fit over a jacket, it’ll run a bit large, so keep that in mind when ordering.
Pros: Durable, warm, functional, inexpensive, looks good
Cons: Not much
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Orange Camo for Big Game Mountain Pass Extreme Big Game
Depending on where you live, you may be able to wear orange camo to fulfill your legal requirement. While it won’t be legal in some areas, this Mountain Pass garment makes for an excellent deer, elk, and moose vest for those states which allow orange camo.
Because it’s made specifically for big game, you get all the pockets and loops you need to carry your gear with you for long days in the field. That includes rifle shell loops, a large kangaroo pouch to hold bigger items, handwarmer pockets, and zippered vertical pockets to hold valuables that you can’t afford to lose. It even has a hunter license holder.
Plus, because big game hunting can get downright cold, it’s windproof and will help keep cold gusts from penetrating your jacket below. It does fit true to size, so make sure you order a size up if you want it to fit over a thick jacket.
Some hunters say this vest appears to reflect UV light, which could alert deer to your presence. Aside from that, we haven’t noticed any other downsides. If you want to avoid any chance of a deer seeing the reflected UV light from this jacket, consider the Gunhunter’s from Primos above.
Pros: Tons of pockets, hand warmer pouch is great, front zipper makes it easy to take on and off, ammo pockets
Cons: Back pouch not blood proof, reflects UV light
VIEW ON AMAZON
Warmest Fleece for Late Seasons Sitka Stratus Windstopper
The other vests on this list are primarily designed to keep your stuff organized and help you fulfill legal requirements, but none are meant to keep you super warm. Enter the Sitka Stratus Windstopper vest.
With a GORE-TEX membrane sandwiched between layers of fleece, this insulated and windproof orange vest shuts down gusts of wind before they’ll ever have a chance to chill your bones. And with a durable water repellent DWR finish, light rain should bead off before it wets out.
Its zippered hand and chest pockets will help keep your gear close at hand, so you don’t have to fumble around for your gear during big game hunts in the freezing cold. If you want the warmest cold-weather orange hunting vest out there, the Sitka Stratus Windstopper might be just what you’re looking for.
In short, hunters love the fit, warmth, and how quiet this vest is, but they wish it were cheaper.
Pros: Very warm, windproof, water repellent, good looking, great orange color
Cons: Expensive, not as feature rich as some other vests
Inexpensive Mesh to Make You Legal Orange Aglow Lightweight Mesh
Let’s say that you don’t want an expensive vest with a bunch of pockets. Instead, you want a cheap, lightweight, and packable blaze orange vest that makes you legal and fits well. The Orange Aglow brand has you covered.
This minimalist 3-ounce vest is a no-frills piece of safety clothing that’ll make you easy to see in the field. No more, no less. And, with about 600 square inches of hunter orange, you’ll be well on your way towards legality for the 2024 season.
Though it doesn’t have many features, this vest fits well, secures over larger jackets, and can be used in for the warm weather of the early seasons over a t-shirt.
Looking for an inexpensive, lightweight orange hunting vest? You just found it.
Pros: Affordable, lightweight, packs down small, 600 square inches of hunter orange
Cons: No pockets, insulation, or valuable features
VIEW ON AMAZON
Our Choice for Reversible Orange TrailCrest
Are you averse to orange hunting clothes that are only useful in rifle season? If so, give TrailCrest’s reversible camo and blaze orange vest a close look.
With a full-zip front, you can easily remove this vest and reverse between camo and blaze orange as the seasons and legal requirements change. We also love this vest’s heavy-duty fleece lining, which will help you hunt into the late seasons without freezing your butt off.
That fleece material, while extremely warm, is also very quiet and won’t spook animals as you trudge through the forest looking for your next freezer filler. And, for you out there that want their gear to serve multiple purposes, the camo print is very effective, and the orange on the other side is bright and durable.
Though we love this vest, we wish it had zippered hand pockets. Other than that, we can’t find anything else to nitpick.
Pros: Reversible and functional, very warm, fits well, reasonably priced
Cons: No zippered hand pockets
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Youth Hunter Safety Orange Vest TrailCrest Front Loader
Don’t think we forgot about the young whippersnappers out there! Kids also need to wear safe orange clothing when they hunt, just like their parents and grandpappys.
This safe, warm vest has all the features you’d expect from a high-end adult orange hunting vest — but for kids. It features quilted shoulders, shell loops, holes for a hunting license, and even a blood-proof rear game back that can act as a waterproof seat when conditions get soggy.
With the right fit, you can expect your little ones to put this vest to use from the early to late seasons. If you want your young hunter to feel like they’re geared up just like mom and dad are, grab one of these excellent youth vests from TrailCrest.
Pros: Comfortable, full-featured, blood-proof game pocket, affordable
Cons: None to report
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Best Orange Dog Hunting Vest Carhartt Pet Harness
If you’ve got a bad-to-the-bone dog that you take on your waterfowl, duck, upland, or any other type of hunt, you might wonder if there are blaze orange vests out there for them. There are, and the best option of 2024 is from Carhartt.
This water-repellent safety jacket will help keep ol’ Fido warm and dry even when he’s out working hard. That’s because it’s made with Carhartt’s Quick Duck canvas and a water-repellent coating to insulate and trap heat while shielding your dog from the harsh elements. Plus, it comes with a pocket, so Fido can stash some cash and pay for his own dinner for a change.
In terms of comfort, it comes in sizes from small to XL, and its hook and lined straps at the chest and waist will ensure that your pup is ready to tackle whatever comes next. This vest comes in all types of colors, too, so if safety orange isn’t your thing, you still have plenty of options.
Pros: Reflective tape is great for nighttime, repels water well, pocket is handy, durable
Cons: There are more full-featured dog harnesses out there
VIEW ON AMAZON
What We Considered When Analyzing Orange Hunting Vests
There’s a lot to consider when picking our your next orange hunting vest
Like all other products in the world of hunting gear, not all vests are created equal. So, we kept our eyes on a few specific factors to ensure that we indeed have found the best of the best.
Here’s are five of the most important considerations we analyzed when making our choices.
Fit
Maybe the most important factor we considered is how the vest will fit a hunter. Floppy, ill-fitting vests are uncomfortable and will get in your way, so the product you’re after should fit snugly over your clothing and make you easy to see. Simple as that.
Materials
A vest’s materials can make or break its effectiveness in the harsh conditions of late-season hunting. For this reason, we require that all vests on this list utilize durable materials that stay quiet as you move about the field. They should also avoid snags, help protect you from the elements, and have a bright orange finish.
Warmth
Some, but not all of the vests on this list, are made with insulating materials, like fleece to help keep you warm in the late season. Some also utilize GORE-TEX to help repel water and block harsh winds, too.
If you want your vest to help keep you warm, we recommend the Sitka Stratus Windstopper above all others.
Hunting Styles
Each of the best orange hunting vests we’ve recommended has features that fulfill specific needs. For example, the Mountain Pass Extreme Big Game vest has rifle shell holders and an elastic shooting stick holder. If you’re upland or waterfowl hunting, the Gamehide Switchgrass vest has shotgun shell holders that make for a great addition to the garment.
All styles are welcome here, and it was our goal to include something for everybody, even the kids and dogs among us.
Organization
We wanted to ensure that all our fellow gear heads out there had various features to choose from when it came to organizing their gear inside their orange vest. If you use your vest to carry a rangefinder, binos, shooting sticks, or more, we wanted to include an array of products that can help you organize it all.
Which Orange Hunting Vest Will Keep You Safe (& Legal) in 2024?
Orange vests are a legal requirement in many states during rifle season
Whether you’re hunting big game like deer and elk or upland hunting for small game, you need one of 2024’s best orange hunting vests to fit well, remain quiet, stay legal, and not give your position away.
Aside from these basic requirements, we made sure to include products with features that’ll elevate your hunting experience, no matter what you’re after. Whether your future vest has the warmth and insulation of fleece, sports tons of practical pockets, or is reversible with camo, we hope we have helped you find the perfect fit.
And, though many of the vests we feature are made for big game hunters, we also made sure to include 2024’s best upland orange hunting vest with a blood-proof game pouch in the back. So, whether you’re after deer, elk, duck, quail, or whatever else, there’s likely a rough-and-tumble piece of gear for you on this list.
Regardless of what you’re hunting or which brand you prefer, we hope you get your hands on one of 2024’s best orange hunting vests to help keep you legal, highly visible, and well-organized in the field.
Related Posts
Rubber Hunting Boots for Men & Women
Hunting Pants for Men & Women [KUIU, Sitka, Etc]
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Hunting Shirts for Men & Women [Duck, Funny & More]
This post reviews the bipods the best precision rifle shooters are using. This data is based on a survey of the top 50 shooters in the 2014 Precision Rifle Series (PRS). The PRS tracks how top competitors place in major rifle matches across the country. These are the major leagues of sniper-style competitions, with targets typically in the 300-1000 yard range. For more info on the Precision Rifle Series and who these guys are, or to view the data for other pieces of gear scroll to the bottom of this article.
Although we’ve been surveying the top shooters in the PRS for a couple years, this is the first year we asked them what bipod they use. Here’s what they said:
Harris Bipod
Over 75% of the shooters were using a Harris Bipod, with the overwhelming majority of those being the Harris S-BRM 6-9” Notched Bipod (HBRMS). The official product name according to Harris is HBRMS. While that may seem cryptic, the diargram below breaks down what the letters mean and lets you see the features on the Harris S-BRM bipod compared to the standard Harris HBR model.
The Harris HBRMS is their shortest bipod with legs that extend 6 to 9 inches, and Harris refers to it as their “benchrest” model. PRS matches are clearly not shot from a bench, but many shots are taken from prone positions and the height range of this bipod is ideal for most prone scenarios.
The M in the model name indicates the bipod has notched legs. The notches provide a few preset height reference points to make it easier to adjust both legs to the same height. Virtually all of the top 50 shooters were using a bipod with these notched legs.
The S in the model name indicates the bipod can swivel, which allows you to tilt the rifle from side to side. This makes it easy to get the rifle perfectly level on uneven terrain without fiddling with the leg heights. Even a small amount of rifle cant can result in a miss at long-range, and this feature can help a shooter effectively manage that.
While most guys were running the 6-9 inch HBRMS model, there were a couple guys running the medium height Harris HBLMS model, which Harris advertises to have legs that extend 9 to 13 inches. In my measurements, it looks like the Harris HBLMS measures closer to 8 to 12 inches.
There was also one shooter in the top 50, Matt Gervais, who ran a custom Harris bipod he modified to extend from 7 to 12 inches. I have to admit, I was intrigued by the idea because it sounds like the ideal range. So I followed up with Matt and he graciously provided more detail with permission to share with fellow shooters. He found that when he used the 6-9” bipod, he never used the lowest setting, and when he used the 9-13” bipod, he never used the highest setting. Sounds familiar! As an auto mechanic by trade and tinkerer by heart, Matt’s curiosity drove him to sit down one day and take apart both bipods to compare them. After a little time, machining, and troubleshooting … viola! The ideal 7-12” Harris bipod was born. It was primarily derived from a modified 9-13” model, but there were a few donor parts taken from a Harris 6-9” bipod. Here’s a comparison of the custom Harris 7-12” bipod with a standard Harris 6-9” bipod. Note: Springs were removed from the 6-9″ bipod, and used on the 7-12″.
Virtually all of the shooters had added an after-market swivel lock to their Harris bipod (only applicable to the S series). These allow you to quickly adjust the amount of tension it takes to tilt the bipod side-to-side. The stock Harris swivel models have a fixed amount of tension that isn’t adjustable in the field, but these aftermarket levers and knobs allow you to reach up and torque down the swivel with one hand from behind the rifle. There are a few products out there that do this, such as the KMW Pod-Loc Kit, Alpha-Bravo Bipod Lock, and recently Harris introduced their own Harris lever. (Why not offer a model with the lever preinstalled?!) These handles are easy to install (watch video), and make it easier to operate the bipod swivel and ensure your rifle is cant-free before sending a round down range.
LaRue also makes an improved version of the Harris bipod. They integrated their popular, low-profile, quick-detach, picatinny mount. LaRue explains: “We have replaced the Harris OEM stud attachment base with a custom chassis … ruling-out the risk of the stud screw and grabber becoming loose. By doing so, we were able to lower the profile by roughly .25″. A large knob on the rear provides easy leverage when adjusting swivel tension.”
Note: The LaRue bipod in the photo has spikes installed. That is not part of the LaRue improved package. Those are JEC JPEGs Harris Bipod Spikes made by JEC Customs that I installed myself later. They help ensure you’re dug in and able to consistently load your bipod on any surface (sand, mud, stone, concrete, gravel, dining room table, car hood, etc.).
Atlas Bipod
The second most popular bipod was the Accu-Shot Atlas Bipod. 11 of shooters who placed in the top 50 were running an Atlas bipod.
While most are familiar with a standard bipod like the Harris, the Atlas bipod is very different. The popular standard height PSR Atlas Bipod includes a lot of unique features that aren’t available on other bipods. Here’s a few of the notable features:
Bipod can be loaded with legs straight down (90°) or 45° forward. This provides a height adjustment from 4.75-9”, which is huge compared to similar bipods.
Provides 15° of pan and 15° of tilt
Legs can be stowed forwards or backwards
Can be mounted directly to a picatinny rail
Notched legs (similar to Harris)
Since the Atlas bipod only introduced in 2010, you might not expect it to have the accessories that the community has developed around the well-established Harris bipod … like the LaRue quick detach mount, or the variety of aftermarket feet and spikes. But, B&T Industries, makers of the Atlas, seems to have thought this through as well, and they offer a wide selection. It includes adapters to connect the Atlas bipod to just about any rifle, and accessories to adapt it to any terrain or scenario. Here’s just a few of the accessories offered for the Atlas:
The quick-change feet and leg extensions can be “easily installed with the press of a stainless steel plunger,” according to the manufacturer. Having personally installed spikes on a Harris bipod … I can say almost anything would be easier. Having the ability to easily extend the legs by 3 inches seems to allow you to use one bipod for many scenarios, especially with the huge range of height adjustability the Atlas bipod already offers.
One of the attractive features of the Atlas bipod is the option for multiple leg positions (45 and 90 degrees), but could be a downside to that flexibility. The added adjustability can potentially make the bipod slower to deploy and get in position. At least during competitions, seconds count, and it’d be near impossible to top the quick and simple Harris deployment.
There are certainly other bipods out there, like the Versa-Pod bipod, the Long-Range Accuracy bipod, and the new Accu-Tac bipod … but none of those were represented among these top precision riflemen. It was a short list, with just two brands … but some of the most solid gear you can find.
Meet The Pros
You know NASCAR? Yes, I’m talking about the racing-cars-in-a-circle NASCAR. Before NASCAR, there were just a bunch of unaffiliated, regional car races. NASCAR brought structure by unifying those races, and created the idea of a season … and an overall champion. NASCAR identified the top races across the country (that were similar in nature), then combined results and ranked competitors. The Precision Rifle Series (PRS) is like NASCAR, but for rifle matches.
The PRS is a championship style point series race based on the best precision rifle matches nationwide. PRS matches are recognized as the major league of sniper-style rifle matches. At the end of each year, the scores from around 15 different national matches are evaluated and the top shooters are invited to compete head to head in the PRS Season Championship Match. We surveyed the shooters who qualified for the finale, asking all kinds of questions about the equipment they ran that season. This is a great set of data, because 50+ shooters is a significant sample size, and this particular group are also considered experts among experts. It includes guys like George Gardner (President/Senior Rifle Builder of GA Precision), Francis Kuehl, Wade Stuteville, the GAP Team, the Surgeon Rifles Team, shooters from the US Army Marksmenship Unit, and many other world-class shooters. Thanks to Rich Emmons for allowing me to share this info. To find out more about the PRS, check out What Is The Precision Rifle Series?
Other “What The Pros Use” Articles
This post was one of a series of posts that look at the equipment the top PRS shooters use. Check out these other posts:
The Crosman 1077 air gun has a plastic buttpad to absorb recoil and help you enjoy more shooting without worrying about hurting your arms.
Besides, it features non-slip checkering in the grip and forearm.
The checkerings increase friction between the shooter’s palm and the gun’s stock, add more stability to your arm when shooting, and prevent slippage from the shooter’s sweat.
Ammo
Crosman 1077 has the .177 caliber (the internal diameter of the barrel, measured in inches) so it uses .177 pellets as ammo.
.177 pellet is cheap and lightweight.
It also has various types such as wadcutter, round nose, pointed, hollow point, etc.
Paul Capello, from Airgun Reporter, examined the Crosman 1077 air rifle here:
Loading Crosman 1077 CO2 air gun
Loading the pellet:
First, put the gun on “SAFE”.
Press the release buttons on both sides of the magazine and pull it downward.
Slide the pellet clip pin forward and take out the clip.
With the clip in one hand, use your other hand to insert a pellet at one of twelve pellet chambers (with the pellet’s nose lying forward and the pellet’s skirt flying backward).
Keep inserting the pellet until the clip is full.
Put the clip into the magazine, pull the clip pin rearward, and return the magazine to the stock.
Installing CO2 cartridge:
Put the gun “SAFE”.
Unscrew the piercing tube cap below the barrel and remove it.
Insert the new CO2 cylinder into the gun with the small head pointing rearward.
Screw the cap firmly into place.
Put the gun off safe and fire.
If the gun doesn’t shoot, put it on safe and tighten the screw more (you can use a screwdriver or a coin placing in a slot of the knob to produce more force)
In summary, you can see that it takes very little effort to load the Crosman 1077 gun.
And the best part is you don’t have to break a single sweat to pump or to break down the barrel like other pneumatic rifles and springers.
The sight uses optical fiber for the dots so you could align the target faster and more accurately, even in the low-light shooting condition.
Besides, the rear sight has windage adjustment (allows you to adjust the sight left and right), and elevation adjustment (allows you to adjust the sight up and down).
It has hundreds of customer reviews without a single complaint about noise.
You don’t have to buy hearing equipment even if you have sensitive ears.
Moreover, you can be confident to shoot this gun in the backyard without disturbing your neighbors.
Shooting range and intended use
The Crosman 1077 CO2 air rifle is great for target shooting and plinking up to 30 yards.
It’s not recommended to use this gun for pest control or small game hunting unless in the close range (less than 20 yards)
Crosman 1077 Accessories
The Crosman 1077 has CO2 cartridges as the only accessory.
You can buy a speed loader and an additional pellet clip for a faster reload.
For even greater accuracy, you can buy a scope to mount in an 11mm dovetail scope rail.
Maintenance
The Crosman 1077 semi-automatic air gun requires very little maintenance.
You only need to put a drop of Pellgun Oil on the tip of every CO2 cartridge, another drop on the thread of piercing tube cap, and a light coat of oil on the barrel to prevent rust.
Specification
Caliber: .177
Power source: CO2 cylinder
Velocity: Up to 625 FPS
Barrel length: 20.38”
Overall length: 36.88”
Capacity: 12 shots
Front sight: Fiber Optic
Rear sight: Fully adjustable for windage and elevation
Scope rail: 11 mm dovetail
Safety: Cross-bolt
Weight: 3lbs 11 oz
Buttplate: plastic
Function: Repeater
Checkering: Grip and forearm
As you can see above, the barrel is not very long and the gun only weighs a little more than 3lbs
So it’s very lightweight and easy to carry around for even a 10 years-old child.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Cheap price
Lightweight
Medium velocity
Highly accurate
Great fiber optic sight
Easy to load and cock, no pumping or breaking barrel effort required
High follow-up shot speed
Impressive semi-automatic feature
Durable stock
Useful checkering in grip and forearm
Provide more shooting and more fun
Not enough power for pest control and small game hunting
Cost of CO2 cartridge can add up if you shoot a lot
Crosman 1077 Price
The Crosman 1077 price is only $70.
You can’t get a better semi-automatic CO2 air rifle at this price level.
Also remember that if you shoot a lot, you should buy numerous pellets (500-count packs at least) and a bunch of CO2 cartridges.
The cost of CO2 capsules and pellets can add up over time, though.
As of this date, the Crosman 1077 semi-automatic CO2 air rifle has a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase.
Customer Reviews
While researching this product, I always look at the trench in customer reviews.
Although the Crosman 1077 has lots of 4 stars and 5 stars, it also got a bunch of 1-star ratings.
There are 2 issues that arose with the negative reviews:
The first is the problem of leaking CO2 so the gun cannot shoot at all.
But defective products are a risk we always have to face in online buying and air rifle shopping is no exception.
The second is the pellet jamming.
The manual is very clear about how to insert the pellet into the clip properly so make sure you follow the instruction carefully to avoid this problem.
Besides, it is advised that you use only the Crosman pellet to work with the gun to get the best result and avoid any potential damage to your gun.
Shooting aids go a long way and become a great companion for a hunter. Tree stands or deer stands are placed near a tree in a hunting spot. It gives the hunter the advantage of being able to get a steady aim at their targets. When selecting one of these brands, one needs to look for stability as well as being portable and compact.
In a hurry? My favorite is this BOG FieldPodShooting Rests. See it at Amazon.
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Preview
Product
Price
Caldwell Stable Table Lite Shooting Rests CHECK PRICEApprox. $115.79CHECK BEST PRICE BOG FieldPod TreePod Shooting Rests CHECK PRICEApprox. $118.88CHECK BEST PRICE YPOD Shooting Rest CHECK PRICEApprox. $29.95CHECK BEST PRICE BOG FieldPod FieldPod Shooting Rests CHECK PRICEApprox. $96.99CHECK BEST PRICE Vanguard Porta Aim Gun Rest CHECK PRICEApprox. $44.99CHECK BEST PRICE
Reviewing the 5 Best Shooting Rests for Tree Stands
Caldwell Stable Table Lite Ambidextrous Fully Collapsible Rotating All-Weather Shooting Rest for Outdoor
This product is a weatherproof tabletop that comes with an all-weather seat. The seat is 17″ high, and the tabletop is 34’’Wx23″ L. The total weight of the product is 250 pounds. The best thing about this stand is that it is easy to use, foldable, easy to carry, and most reliable.
The total weight limit for the table is 250 pounds. It includes two cleaning forks, which fit into the carrying handles. The tabletop has push-activated buttons for folding. The molded carrying handles allow easy storage and transport.
Pros:
• It is lightweight and easy to carry.• Its weatherproof quality makes it very durable.• The seat is ambidextrous.• It is easy to set up in crowded ranges.• It gives a steady surface to the shooter.
Cons:
• It may seem a little costly.• The tabletop’s surface is very slippery
BOG FieldPod Adjustable Ambidextrous Outdoor Range and Hunting
BOG is a tree pod weighing around 15 pounds. This product is very versatile and has a dual frame construction. The height is adjustable from 20″ to 42″ high.
The pod gives a steady frame to shoot from a treestand and is very lightweight. The tension knob allows vertical lift of the upper frame, which provides a 180° horizontal panning ability. It also has a dual frame construction, which results in increased stability.
This tree pod rest has molded, non-marring rear stock and front forend support, this securely holds the gun without causing any damage. The rest supports placing the weapon such that it is in a ready position to aim and fire. The upper part of the rest is detachable to provide easy transport.
Pros:
• It is sturdy and very stable.• It gives a hands-free experience.• Tree pods offer bench rest accuracy.• Its versatility makes hunting comfortable for a variety of situations.• It can be used while sitting.
Cons:
• The chemicals used in the making are known to cause cancer and birth defects.
YPOD Shooting Rest
This is a Y-shaped shooting stand, just as the name suggests. The Y-pod is originally 8.5 inches high and can be extended up to 12.5 inches above the frame. The shooting rest fits for both rifles and handguns. The Y-pod can be placed on a table stand or a deer stand for a better aim.
It has custom height adjustment and allows free rotation while shooting. The product is fit for the use of youth and adults. It provides a comfortable grip for a steady shot. The function and operation are completely noise-less, so it is best designed for quiet missions.
Pros:
• The head of the Y-pod can swivel 360 degrees.• The height of the stand is adjustable.• It is very light, weighing only 8 ounces.• Very compatible and easy to carry around.• It gives a better aim and shooting position.• It elevates the barrel of a rifle. So, no hunching!
Cons:
• It needs a very steady/solid frame to rest on.
BOG FieldPod Adjustable Ambidextrous Outdoor Range and Hunting
A BOG FieldPod is a very versatile shooting gear and can be used in a variety of ways. It weighs 6 pounds, and its height can be adjusted from 20″ to 42″.
It comes with a dual-frame to provide extra stability and balance. It is foldable and comes with a carry strap to easily carry it around the hunting place. The product has a dual-frame construction.
The height of the upper frame can be customized and is fit for the use of any size rifles (including detachable magazine rifles or crossbows). It is a great choice for long-range hunting.
The tension knob allows quick and easy adjustment of the upper frame.
Pros:
• It is easy to carry and light in weight.• The range of height adjustment is huge.• It gives a hands-free experience to the shooter.• The FieldPOds are perfect for ground blind sitting.• The settings are easy to understand and operate.
Cons:
• The product chemicals are known to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Vanguard Porta Aim Gun Rest with Compact and Portable Bench Rest
It is a gun rest Porta-aim unit. This outdoor product can have a patented fast height adjustment. The height adjustment of the product ranges from 8.8-12.6″. It has a quick, single-handed, center column adjustment ring. The head swivels 360 degrees, without any vibrations.
The center column has an anti-vibration bag, which is detachable. The round movement of the column is smooth and can be locked to stay on target.
The design of the product is compact, foldable, and allows easy portability. It weighs only 1.7 pounds and is constructed using rugged black aluminum, which gives lasting durability.
Pros:
• It is very lightweight, just 1.7 pounds, and foldable.• The height and center adjustments are quick.• It is tiny and compact yet gives steady support to the rifles.• The rest acts as a shock-absorbent.• It helps with both speed and accuracy.• The adjustments are simple and convenient.
Cons:
• The fabric of the bag doesn’t last long.
Here are a few points to check before buying shooting rests for tree stands.
Lightweight:
This is the most important factor. You need a very lightweight shooting rest so that you can conveniently carry it while climbing. Always check the overall weight of the equipment before purchasing and go for the one that’s lightweight and durable at the same time.
Stable:
Different shooting rests have different stability mechanisms. So, it all comes down to your preference and the type of equipment you are using. If you are planning to use heavy guns with significant recoil, go for the most stable-shooting rest on the list.
Suitability:
As you can see, different shooting rests have different shapes and dimensions. For convenience, you need to choose the one that suits you well. If you are not a professional hunter, you should go for lightweight options that have easy fixing and removing mechanisms.
Durability:
Finally, always go for a durable product. Shooting takes its toll on the equipment, so if the shooting rest is not durable enough, it may not withstand the force for a long time. And you will end up losing money. Therefore, always put your money on durable, heavy-duty shooting rests.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Stands and Shooting Rests:
What is the advantage of using a tree stand, and shooting rests?
Tree stands give the shooter an advantage of moving around a little and not being seen. It provides a more extended visibility range and a better aim.
What are things that one should look for while buying shooting gear?
It should be light, easily portable, and very sturdy. One should also look at the variety of adjustments the product is giving. It should be an aid for the shooter and not a burden.
Which shooting rest is better, a standing one or a sitting one?
Both the stands give different advantages to the shooter. A standing gear will provide the shooter a better angle to look for their targets, while a sitting rest will provide ease and comfort while aiming at the targets. Consumers should choose the rest according to one’s requirement and the kind of targets one has to go after.
Conclusion:
A tree stand gives the shooter an advantage of spotting the targets earlier than the ground-level stands. It also provides the shooter with extra time to prepare and aim for their target since they spot the marks much earlier. The shooter on a tree stand is not easy to spot (not from the predators). Since treestands give so many advantages, waiting around for the targets to come around with a heavy rifle in hand can be tiring, and there these shooting rests will come to the rescue. If one is wondering which is the best shooting rest to buy before going on a hike, this is a one-stop for all the information needed.
Live-bait rigging with giant creek chubs and redtails is one of the best ways to snag a trophy fall walleye. When I say giant, I mean dragging around minnows up to 10” long, but most commonly in the 4-6” range. The bite’s just heating up now and should be phenomenal for a few more weeks.
You can catch fish all year doing this, but I really get excited for the big-minnow bite once the water has cooled down to 62 degrees…ideally 58-60. It stays good until temps hit 45 or so…after that the fish have already fed heavy for a couple of weeks and are now transitioning to winter patterns. You can still catch ‘em, just not nearly as many.
This time of year I hit the water as soon as I can be out there — especially in clear-water lakes. You’ll have your best shot at sticking a big fish during the typical low-light periods. Later in the fall you can sleep in [or get yard work done in the morning lol]. The bite will pick up later in the day after the water has a chance to warm up, and they’ll continue to bite all day.
Many weeds start to die off when the water temps drop below 68 degrees. That’s why you’ll notice piles of weeds floating around out there. A lot of the baitfish have pulled out of those dying weeds and are now schooled up in open water. The wind positions the baitfish on structure and the fish follow.
Pay attention to which direction the wind has been blowing from in the days leading up to your trip. Even fishing in deep water such as 35-50’ the fish will still typically be stacked on the windblown sides of underwater points, bars and breaks.
My rigging set-ups are 7’ medium-power rods with Pflueger reels. I’ll spool them with #6 smoke FireLine for my main line and tie on a 36-42” mono leader. The shorter leader allows the minnows to swim freely, while still keeping them in the strike zone.
Lighter leaders will absolutely get you more bites in clear water. Would say 6-lb test is probably the best all-around size, but you’d be surprised how many times I’ll drop down to a 4-lb leader [!] when fishing big, pressured fish that have seen it all.
On the business end of things you’ll want either a #1 or #2 Daiichi red hook (depending on minnow size). The red hook is a confidence thing for me…feel it gets me more bites. Pierce the minnow through its upper lip and it’ll stay alive for hours — or until the fish get to it.
One small key to my set-up is adding a red bead between my sinker and swivel. It adds a tiny bit of color and gives off a rattling sound when the bead and sinker hit. It also helps to protect your knot so you won’t need to retie as often.
Walleye prefer a larger minnow in the fall when the water temps are on the drop. It’s the 4-7″ redtails and creek chubs that seem to work best most days, but sometimes even bigger.
Why creek chubs and redtails? Because they’re hardy minnows that will often swim right along with the boat. There’s times you’ll actually feel them ‘getting excited’ down there the moment before a walleye smacks them.
You can catch the occasional fish on a sucker minnow, but they’re usually too lethargic for this technique and will end up being drug behind the boat [versus lively darting from side to side.]
I run a 1/2- to 1-oz egg sinker depending on minnow size, wind and depth. The 3/4-oz seems to be good all around, but I bump up to a 1-oz anytime I’m fishing 30’ or deeper. The bigger sinker also helps to anchor that minnow and keep it in the strike zone.
Egg sinkers because they’re super dense for their size and work perfect for this application. I’m not dragging them on bottom, I’m trying to fish the sinker like a jig — keeping it 6-18” off bottom and as vertical as possible. Occasionally drop it down to tap bottom and raise it back up.
Trolling between 0.3-0.8 mph covers most scenarios for pulling big minnows in the fall. When it’s calmer I’ll start off on the slow end of that to stay right over the tops of fish. If the wind is blowing there will be a current that seems to get everything moving down there [on the bottom] — that’s when I’ll pick up the speed.
When I’m pulling big 5-7” minnows I’ll drop the line as soon as I feel a hit and point the rod tip straight back — that way the fish feels as little resistance as possible [when pulling line out].
I start out giving them a 25-30 second count before I set the hook. It will seem like forever before you get used to it. I’ll even wait 35-40 seconds on days that they’re sluggish. That gives them more time to turn that minnow around in their mouth after they t-bone it.
A lot of guys do a low sweeping hookset, but I pick up the slack and set the hook straight up vertically. It helps to drive the hook right into the roof of its mouth. I feel it gives me a better hook-up percentage and lose less fish that I do have on.
I like tail-hooking chubs with a longer 5-7’ leader when the fish are a little more aggressive and feeding. The minnows struggle so much more when you tail hook ‘em — can actually feel that redtail get nervous and try to get away when a fish is near.
That’s when I’ll sometimes open my bail up and let the minnow go for 10 seconds…stop the line with my finger to feel if a walleye picked it up…lot of times they’ll chase the minnow down and smoke it.
Also find I have a better hook-up ratio when tail-hooking big minnows. Fish are gonna hit the chubs head first…so that hook is already in a good position to hook the fish in the top of the mouth…don’t need to let them take it as long when setting the hook.
Tends to work best when sitting right on top of fish or barely crawling along…otherwise the chubs will die more quickly from being pulled backwards.
Lot of folks hopped on the braided-line bandwagon and never left…BUT there’s times when mono can out-produce, out-catch and out-kick braid’s butt (lol).
Here’s tourney-nut Jake Caughey talkin’ why he runs mono when soaking big redtails and creek chubs for fall walleyes:
Here’s a video breakdown of my complete chubbin’ program (locations, gear, tweaks, etc) and some specifics to the tail-hooking trick that have saved my last couple of trips from picky biters. 👊 Hope you dig it!
Want to see more stuff like this? Sign up for the FREE Target Walleye emails — packed full of fishy goodness and sent straight to your inbox twice a week:
Last week, former NFL defensive lineman and Super Bowl 50 champion Derek Wolfe killed his first-ever mountain lion with his bow and some help from a buddy’s hounds — and the cat is absolutely massive.
The photo Wolfe posted to Instagram garnered plenty of attention. It takes a big guy to be an NFL defensive lineman, and at 6 feet 6 inches and 280 pounds, Wolfe is no exception. The photo (full version below) shows an absolute beast of a cat that practically dwarfs the retired football player.
“Gutted, he was 174 pounds,” Wolfe told Free Range American. “Obviously, I couldn’t weigh him up there on the mountain, so I’m guessing he had to be 200-plus.
“He was 8 1/2 feet long,” Wolfe added.
By mountain lion standards, Wolfe’s cat is an absolute monster. According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, adult males on the large side reach 8 feet in length and weigh an average of 150 pounds.
But the cat isn’t only a trophy for Wolfe with an incredible hunting story attached to it — he actually did the local community a service by taking out this particular mountain lion.
As Colorado cat populations thrive, interactions between people and mountain lions have become tenuous, with family pets often ending up on the big cats’ menu. Before the hunt, Wolfe and his buddy tracked his big cat to a den under a residential porch, and two neighborhood dogs had recently fallen prey to an area cat.
It appears the local pet population and the owner of the house attached to that porch owe Wolfe a little extra gratitude. Here’s how he got on the cat, tracked it through a residential area, and treed it, and how the former pro athlete crawled on his hands and knees to make the shot after climbing a rocky slope completely smoked him.
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Wolfe played college football as a defensive lineman for the University of Cincinnati and was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2012. He played eight years with the Broncos, helped the team win Super Bowl 50, and then finished out his career with the Baltimore Ravens.
Wolfe said he grew up hunting and killed his first whitetail with a bow when he was only 13. However, football demanded so much time, energy, and focus that he didn’t have much left for hunting. Wolfe left the NFL just before the 2022 season. While he regularly spent the off-season chasing wild hogs and axis deer, now that the 32-year-old has retired from professional football, he has plenty of time to pursue his passion for hunting.
There’s even a YouTube video series in the works, titled Wolfe Untamed, highlighting the former NFL player’s efforts to tackle new hunting challenges.
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A Mounting Mountain Lion Problem
Wolfe bagged his colossal cat in Game Management Unit 46, which includes parts of Clear Creek, Park, and Jefferson counties. The unit is not far from Nederland, where mountain lions have terrorized the small town by killing at least 15 neighborhood pets, including a 100-pound Doberman pinscher.
“We were like, ‘Oh, man. This isn’t good. This cat is way too comfortable being near people. He’s stalking something here, coming up on the porch and looking in windows. He’s looking for pets or people.’”
— Derek Wolfe
“People in parts of Colorado are really dealing with this, and [Colorado Parks & Wildlife] is only supposed to help when it comes to livestock, and they have to follow the law,” Wolfe said. “There’s nothing that protects pet owners from mountain lion attacks. If a mountain lion attacks your pet and you kill it, you could be ticketed for that.”
Wolfe had been waiting for the opportunity to get a mountain lion with his bow, partly because he had heard about the animals harassing residents and killing their pets. He passed his mountain lion certification exam and bought his license, so when his buddy Alex Nestor called him up after a fresh snow and asked him if he wanted to cut tracks on a big cat, he was ready to go.
On the morning of Jan. 18, Wolfe and Nestor drove along back roads looking for a cat sign. They found evidence suggesting a mountain lion in the area may have been targeting pets, just like the mountain lions stalking Nederland cats and dogs.
“This was for sure a mature male,” Wolfe said. “We looked to the left as we were walking up on the tracks, and there was a full-grown 300-pound 4×4 mule deer lying under a tree that this cat had dragged across the road. It was still a little warm, so we knew it was fresh from that morning.”
They followed those monstrous tracks through someone’s yard and up under their front deck.
“When we looked under there, you could see that the cat had made a little bed in there. It looked like it had been living under there,” he said. “When we knocked on the door to see if anybody was home, we saw that the cat had walked right up onto their porch.
“We were like, ‘Oh, man. This isn’t good. This cat is way too comfortable being near people. He’s stalking something here, coming up on the porch and looking in windows. He’s looking for pets or people.’”
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The Hunt and the Climb
After two hours of calling around trying to get the landowner on the phone, the two hunters finally got permission to track the cat through private property up into the adjacent public land.
“We put the dogs on the tracks, and where is the first place they went? Boom. Right under that porch. That’s where the scent was heaviest,” Wolfe said. “It’s insane. Any time this guy came walking out of his house, this 8 1/2-foot, 200-pound cat could have been lying under there.”
The dogs eventually followed the cat tracks up into the surrounding mountains, and Wolfe and Nestor followed.
“This area is super mountainous, with straight up-and-down cliffs. There was 2 to 3 feet of snow on the ground, and once the dogs were on him, we went straight up to the top and then straight down the other side.”
Wolfe described how rushing up a nearly 4,000-foot elevation change was one of the most physically and mentally challenging things he’s ever had to do.
“It took me forever to get to the top on the first climb because I was just slipping and sliding on these rocks. It’s all rocks, straight up and down, and you can’t post into it because of the snow,” he said. “The rocks just slip out from under you. So I’m crawling up the hill on one side, then basically sliding down on my back the whole way down the other side, and then trying to get up through a ravine.”
Nestor, still following his dogs, had managed to get ahead of Wolfe, so he dropped him a pin on his phone, marking the spot where the hounds had the cat treed.
“I go straight to the pin and just come out on the road. Then I got the message that said, ‘Dude, you’re, like, 1,000 yards below me.’ I could hear the dogs howling their heads off up there.
“By this point, my legs were cramping. My hamstrings, my calves, and my quads are locked up, and I could hardly walk without being in a full-body cramp. I’m gassed and sucking air. The muscles in my rib cage just locked up on me because I was sweating. It was a crazy sweat, too, because it was so cold.
“Then Alex said, ‘Dude! Get. Up. Here.’”
As a retired pro football player, Wolfe is no stranger to hard work and physical exertion, but this hunt beat him up.
“I’ve had death threats. I would definitely say defamation,” Wolfe said. “It’s these animal rights groups coming after me, trying to say I had no right to do this, that I’m a murderer, or that I’m trying to compensate for something.”
“It was the hardest hunt I’ve ever been on,” Wolfe said. “It felt like I just did a full padded practice in 90-degree heat, but it was cold and snowy somehow. It’s all right, though. You’ve got to pay the price to get to them, man. That’s just the way it goes, especially with a bow.”
Wolfe crawled on his hands and knees the rest of the way up the ridge to get to where Nestor’s dogs had the cat snagged in a tree.
“When I got to the spot, I was just laying there looking up, and there’s the mountain lion above me in the tree. And I’m like, ‘Oh, god. Don’t fall on me, please.’”
Wolfe was so exhausted he wondered if he could pull the 80-pound draw on his Hoyt Highline. Somehow, he managed to stand up and reach a good spot about 12 yards from the tree. Then, he lined up the pin on his Spot Hogg sight and sent a Sevr broadhead straight through the big cat’s vitals.
“I made a really good shot, an ethical shot, and that cat dropped right where I had just been laying.”
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The Real Work Begins
Any rocky hill that can smoke an athlete like Derek Wolfe is a serious fucking hill.
As every hunter knows, there’s only a small moment of celebration after a successful shot, and then the real work begins.
“After all that, I still had to get the cat out of there,” Wolfe said.
“We gutted it and stuffed it, long ways, in my Kifaru pack. His head was hanging out on my right side, and the tail and hinds were flapping out on my left. I put my bow on my back. Then, I got down on my hands and knees and crawled out of there backward, all the way down.
“I couldn’t stand up and walk because my legs were just locking up on me,” Wolfe said. “At one point, I fell about 10 feet down a rock face.
“Everything was straight up and down, I couldn’t get any traction, and I had to wrestle with 180 pounds of cat the whole way.”
He focused on taking one little backward step at a time, mostly on his hands and knees, until he finally made it back to the truck with his cat.
“CPW came out and checked the animal. I was laying on the side of the road because I was just wrecked,” Wolfe said.
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Keyboard Warriors Target Derek Wolfe
Now, as Wolfe spoke to me over the phone from his home in Denver, the hunt is almost a week behind him, and the cat is in various places. The mountain lion’s meat has been sent to a processor, his skull shipped off for scoring, and the hide sent to the taxidermist.
“I haven’t [eaten] mountain lion before, but I hear it’s really sweet meat, so I’m looking forward to it,” Wolfe said. “I had some breakfast sausage made so we can eat biscuits and gravy.”
While Wolfe admits this was one crazy hunt, he said the craziest part is the hate that’s been spewed at him online after the fact, despite the hunt being 100% legal. Major media outlets have been quick to cover how social media keyboard warriors have attacked everything from Wolfe’s character to his masculinity.
“I’ve had death threats. I would definitely say defamation,” Wolfe said. “It’s these animal rights groups coming after me, trying to say I had no right to do this, that I’m a murderer, or that I’m trying to compensate for something.
“I’m not trying to compensate for anything. I just love doing this. This is a lifestyle for me,” Wolfe explained. “Leave me alone. I did everything right. I did everything legal. I’m not out here poaching animals. I’m doing it the right way, the ethical way, and the way it’s meant to be done.
“It’s important to manage any herd, whether it’s deer, elk, bear, or mountain lions. They all need some kind of management because they will starve themselves out, they’ll get diseases, they’ll overkill, and they’ll harm people. There are lots of reasons.
“Hunters are conservationists. That’s what we are. We love animals, and we want them to be around for generations.
I do this because I want my kids to be able to hunt, and I want their kids to be able to hunt. I want them to be able to enjoy it as much as I do.”
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you ever find yourself wondering why deer make certain noises? Have you ever heard a clicking sound coming from a deer? If so, you are not alone. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why deer make strange noises, and specifically why they make clicking sounds. We will look at the possible scientific explanations, as well as some of the traditional beliefs surrounding deer vocalizations. the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of why deer make clicking noises and how to distinguish them from other vocalizations.
What Are The Clicking Noises? – Investigating The Different Sounds Deer Make
Have you ever heard a clicking noise while walking through a forest or field and wondered, “What are those clicking noises?” Well, you’re not alone! Many people are surprised to learn that deer can make a variety of sounds, and one of these is a clicking noise. While it may sound strange, these clicks are an important part of the deer’s communication and are used to signal danger or to let other deer know their location.
So the next time you hear the clicking noises, you’ll know that the deer in the area are communicating with each other!
How Deer Make Clicking Noises? – Exploring The Science Behind Deer Noises
Have you ever heard a clicking noise while out in the woods and wondered where it was coming from? It’s likely that it was a deer making the sound! Deer are known to make clicking noises that can travel through the air, and the science behind this phenomenon is fascinating. understanding the way deer make these sounds, we can gain insight into the behavior of these animals.
So, how do deer make clicking noises? It turns out that deer have an extra layer of soft tissue called the “phonatory apparatus” located in their larynx that vibrates and produces sound. This vibrating tissue is what creates the clicking noises that deer make.
The sound waves created by this vibration travel through the air, alerting other deer to their presence. This clicking noise is a form of communication for deer, and it can help them locate other deer and alert them to potential danger.
Why Deer Click? – Uncovering The Purpose Behind The Clicking
Have you ever been out in the wilderness and heard a strange clicking noise coming from the woods? If so, you may have been hearing the mysterious sound of a deer click. But what is the purpose behind this behavior? Let’s explore the reasons why deer make clicking noises and uncover the mystery of this fascinating behavior.
Deer clicks are a form of communication and are used to alert other deer of their presence. making clicking noises, deer can let other deer know that they are nearby and to stay away from the area.
Deer clicks can also help deer to navigate their environment and find their way back to their home range. Not only do deer use clicks to communicate with other deer, but they also use the sound to ward off potential predators. making clicking noises, deer can alert predators of their presence and alert other deer to potential danger. This form of communication is vital for the survival of deer and is an important part of their behavior in the wild. So, why do deer click? The answer is simple: deer clicks are a form of communication and are used to alert other deer of their presence, navigate their environment, and ward off potential predators. This fascinating behavior is an important part of the deer’s survival in the wild.
What Other Noises Deer Make? – Examining The Range Of Sounds Deer Create
Have you ever heard a deer in the wild and wondered what other noises they make? Deer are not typically known for making loud, boisterous sounds, but rather a range of quieter ones. From grunts and snorts to clicks and bleats, deer can make a variety of noises, each with its own distinct purpose.
While the most common sound made by deer is a loud snort or grunt, they can also make clicking noises. These clicks are generally used to communicate with other deer and can be heard from several yards away.
So, next time you find yourself in the woods, keep an ear out for what other noises deer make – you may just be surprised!
Fun Facts – Interesting Extras About Deer Sounds
Did you know that deer can make clicking noises? While most of us are familiar with the classic “moo” or “baa” of cows, deer are actually capable of producing a unique clicking sound that is distinct from other animals. This clicking noise is made by the deer’s larynx and is used as a way to communicate with other deer.
This sound is often used as a warning, or to alert other deer of potential danger. It’s an interesting sound that is often overlooked, but worth noting the next time you hear a rustling in the woods.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do Deer Make Clicking Noises?
Yes, deer make clicking noises, usually with their tongues. This is a form of communication between deer, usually used as a warning to other deer of potential danger.
2. What Does the Clicking Noise Sound Like?
The clicking noise made by deer is typically a loud, sharp, and high-pitched sound.
3. When Do Deer Make Clicking Noises?
Deer make clicking noises mostly when they feel threatened or are trying to alert other deer of a potential danger.
4. Are Deer Clicking Noises Loud?
Yes, deer clicking noises can be loud and can be heard from a great distance.
5. What Else Can Deer Do to Communicate?
In addition to clicks, deer also communicate with grunts, bleats, and other vocalizations. They also communicate through body language, such as posturing and tail movements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, deer do not make clicking noises. While it is true that some animals in the deer family, such as the muntjac, can make clicking sounds, this behavior is not common among deer. The clicking noises attributed to deer are most likely the result of another animal or an environmental noise.
So it provides a more relaxed grip on your wrist by resting the stock on your wrist, as opposed to holding up the stock with your hand.
The thumbhole stock is best for hunters and shooters who spend lots of time in shooting positions, such as bench rest shooting.
This stock has twin raised cheekpieces on both the left and right sides of the gun.
Raised cheekpieces give you firm control in the shooting.
Furthermore, it has a textured grip and forearm to add friction to your hands when shooting, prevent slippage from the shooter’s sweat, and increase stability when aiming.
The sling swivel stud is already mounted so you can put the sling on it anytime you need to carry the gun to the hunting field
Ammo
This gun uses .22 pellets as its only source of ammunition.
While .177 is lighter and sometimes doesn’t deliver enough knockdown power to kill humanely,
the .22 pellet is heavier, more stable in its trajectory, and delivers enough energy to finish the job in one clean shot.
Thus, the .22 caliber is your best bet for small games or for eliminating pests in the garden.
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This product is a weatherproof tabletop that comes with an all-weather seat. The seat is 17″ high, and the tabletop is 34’’Wx23″ L. The total weight of the product is 250 pounds. The best thing about this stand is that it is easy to use, foldable, easy to carry, and most reliable.
BOG is a tree pod weighing around 15 pounds. This product is very versatile and has a dual frame construction. The height is adjustable from 20″ to 42″ high.
This is a Y-shaped shooting stand, just as the name suggests. The Y-pod is originally 8.5 inches high and can be extended up to 12.5 inches above the frame. The shooting rest fits for both rifles and handguns. The Y-pod can be placed on a table stand or a deer stand for a better aim.
A BOG FieldPod is a very versatile shooting gear and can be used in a variety of ways. It weighs 6 pounds, and its height can be adjusted from 20″ to 42″.
It is a gun rest Porta-aim unit. This outdoor product can have a patented fast height adjustment. The height adjustment of the product ranges from 8.8-12.6″. It has a quick, single-handed, center column adjustment ring. The head swivels 360 degrees, without any vibrations.
