Great Hunting Tips

Cut back your shooting lane during the summer months. This will have the best impact on deer if you do it right before the season starts up.

When hunting from a tree stand, get yourself situated in the stand before you bring your weapon into the stand. Tie a rope length that is longer than the stand is high, carry the rope up with you and then tie it to the stand (depending on stand type) or yourself. Once you are situated and the stand is secure, pull the weapon up to you. Please make sure if your weapon is a rifle that it isn't loaded, just in case it falls back to the ground as you're pulling.

Have you ever had an issue while looking at a deer through your scope? You know, you have it in view, then you look through your scope and you can't see it. Well, keep both your eyes open when lining up the shot, this will eliminate the problem.

Here's a quick one, but it's very handy; make a few scent bombs to place around your stand. You can use a few 35 mm film canisters filled with cotton balls and your favorite scent. They travel well, not taking up much space and they seal tight.

Use a topographic map to scout the area you want to hunt. You'll be able to see trails and roads leading in and out, you'll also be able to better figure out potential bedding areas and water sources. Doing this before you go will help you know where to look and what to expect.

Fishing with Live Worms

Fish love worms. Those night crawlers are full of protein, and they’re easy to eat. They don’t have bones or hard edges that could scrape a fish’s throat. Fish are also drawn to the squirming of live worms. This is why fish will often go for the worm before anything else. It’s just too good to pass up!

It’s just too bad that the humble worm is so often overlooked in the world of fishing. A squirmy worm is more messy and troublesome than plastic bait, and not nearly so pretty or artful as a handmade fly. But the worm can be very effective bait if you know how to use it right.

The mistake many people make is that they try to thread the worm onto a single hook. No matter how natural you try to make it appear, your worm will probably end up looking like a mushy ball of some kind to the fish. Also, if you only hook one end of the worm, it will be prone to breaking off. You don’t want that.

The solution is to use a set of gang hooks. This will be two or more hooks tied together, almost literally a “gang of hooks.” You can buy them online or tie some hooks together yourself. Either way, it’s the best way to present a worm to the fish. It will look more realistic.

If you want to catch more fish, you can’t go wrong with a worm that’s threaded right. Even a plastic worm will get results.

Largemouth Bass Fishing

The largemouth bass goes by many names. These names may include but are not limited to green trout, black bass, bucketmouth, bigmouth, and lineside bass. If you are unsure of what a largemouth bass looks like, they have dark blotches that make up a horizontal stripe running down each side of the fish. The top jaw goes back beyond the eyes hence the name "largemouth".

With the average bass weighing in between 1 and 3 pounds they can possibly weigh up to 22 pounds. The largest one on record came in at 22 pounds, 4 ounces, 38 inches.

The largemouth bass is a meat eating predator. When they are small they will feed on plankton, bugs, smaller fish, frogs and crayfish. A full size bass can hold as many as five sunfish in its mouth.

As the state fish of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida, the record holder was caught in Montgomery Lake in Georgia. Sport fisherman will get a fight when hooking one of these. Most fisherman will use plastic worms, crankbait and spinnerbait to land a largemouth. When hooked it is not unusual for them to perform acrobatic leaps across the water.

The best chance of finding a largemouth bass will be if you avoid the fast current waters and fish the slow or still water. They often will make brush, stumps or fallen trees and logs their home and frequently inhabit a shoreline where rocks are abundant.

If you are the competitive type, there are many bass clubs and tournaments you can fish in. Most of them are catch and release though so if you want to keep your fish you may want to reconsider this option.

Fly Fishing: An Overview of the Different Kinds of Flies

Although fly tying came about as a practical way to deceive and catch large fish such as trout and salmon, it has become an art unto itself. Even a purely functional fly can be a thing of beauty for its colors and textures, while others are almost indistinguishable from real insects and aquatic creatures. The latter are usually collected for display, never to be used.

There are different kinds of flies meant to attract different kinds of fish. Some flies are imitators, made to resemble insects as close as possible; some are attractors, since they rely on shape or color to arouse a fish's curiosity or aggressive tendencies. Here's a general overview of the different types of flies:

Terrestrial: This type of fly is meant to imitate an insect that has accidentally fallen into the water. It could resemble an insect that is dead or drowning. Examples include crickets, grasshoppers, etc. It can be either submerged under water or floating on the surface.

Dry: A dry fly will resemble an insect that naturally floats on the surface of the water. They may be attached to a light hook so that they float better, or they might be made with a bit of cork so that they stay buoyant. Dry flies may need to be dried from time to time.

Wet: The wet fly is submerged under water. It's usually made to mimic aquatic insects, drowned (or drowning) insects, or small aquatic creatures such as leeches.

Streamers: These kinds of flies are meant to provoke an aggressive response from the fish. They often resemble an injured minnow or some other baitfish.

Nymph: Fish often prey on aquatic nymph insects that are in the process of emerging into their adult form. Examples include mayflies, damselflies, and dragonflies.

Responsible Fishing

All fishermen should do their part to protect and care for our rivers, lakes, and other waterways. By practicing a few simple rules, we can ensure enjoyable fishing for years to come.

First, never litter. Take along a trash bag or garbage can so all refuse can be properly discarded. Tossing garbage into the water is inexcusable. Put trash where it belongs.

Always pay attention to the rules and regulations governing the area in which you're fishing. Check the regulations ahead of time. Certain places have restrictions on the size, number, and type of fish you can keep. There can even be limitations on the type of bait and fishing gear allowed. There are even more rules if you're using a boat. Respect the laws of the land.

Along those same lines, never fish in a restricted area. They're usually off limits for a reason, often serving to protect wildlife and vegetation. Sometimes it's to even protect your safety, so obey all posted signs and warnings.

When using a watercraft, pay particular attention to its proper maintenance. In some lakes, you'll be required to clean the watercraft after leaving the water. If the appropriate steps aren't taken, your craft can spread potentially dangerous conditions or non-native species, like the Zebra Mussel, to the next body of water your boat visits. If you're good to the fishing environment, the fishing environment will be good to you.

Destination, Destin FL

Destin FL has some of the most variety in fishing in the country. Of all the variety you can have in your fishing trip, one thing's for sure, none of it will be ice fishing. You can fish year round in Destin and yes it does get cold, but you won't need to pack an ice pick.

Destin has been named Best Beach in the South for four years running by Southern Living magazine. With over 500 vacation rental homes, condos and cottages, there are plenty of places to stay while you are there.

While all of this is nice, you may be wondering about the fishing itself. Well the options for fishing are abundant in the Emerald Coast waters. You don't need a boat because there is plenty of great fishing off the beach pier and jetty. Fishing in this way is best between April (when the first Pompano arrive) through October, this is when the best sport fish are caught. Besides Pompano you'll also catch these other fish Whiting, Channel Bass, Sheepshead, Blue Runner, Bluefish and more. Blue crabs can also be found along the shore.

If you're a die-hard and just can't imagine fishing without a boat, you are in luck. Deep sea fishing is also available and you'll never forget the experience. Most of the fishing fleets in Destin specialize in deep sea bottom fishing. The bottom fishing is fantastic year round off the shores of Destin. You can expect to catch Trigger fish, Snapper, Grouper, Amber jack and Cobia. Boats are available for half day, full day and even over night charter. There are even party boats that can hold 25 to 105 people.

All this and more is waiting for you in Destin, FL. It's easy to see why Destin should be your next fishing destination.

Safety Tips For Coyote Hunting

It seems as though Coyote hunting is not nearly as talked about as any other animal hunting. This is interesting considering the speed with which the coyote seems to spreading its habitat. A member of the dog family, the coyote used to be found mainly in the Northwest part of the United States. Due to human expansion and settlement, the coyote has adapted very well to these changes and has spread much further across the land.

When hunting coyote it is very important to be aware of wind direction at all times, the coyotes sense of smell is highly developed and should not be ignored. Keeping this in mind, set up with the wind at your face or ideally with a cross wind with enough room to see any coyotes that might be approaching. You may also want to set up with the sun at your back, making it more difficult for them to see you. Position yourself in the shade if possible, with the sun at your back, shadows will be in front of you, this is a bonus.

As any hunter already knows, ensuring that your camouflage matches your surroundings is also important. Equally important when hunting the coyote is to ensure that you face is camouflaged and all skin is covered. Human skin is very reflective and coyotes will spot you if it isn't covered. Stillness is another important part of this type of hunt, dedicated eyesight is something coyotes are known for and the slightest move on stand can give you away.

Always use the buddy system. Take turns calling, separating yourselves by 8 - 10 feet, backs facing. This way, what one doesn't see, the other will.