Hunting Gear

We all know that shooting from the offhand position is very unstable, and that we should try to avoid it. Some of us have actually gotten pretty good at getting in the habit of trying to get down lower for a kneeling or sitting shot, or looking for a tree, fence or rock to lean on whenever possible. But when there isn't anything like that close at hand, we still tend to blaze away from a standing position, and even if we are able to get down for a kneeling or even sitting shot, it's not always very stable.

Hunting from a hunting tree stand is one of the most effective ways of bagging a big buck, especially for the bowhunter, but certain tree stands are better suited to certain hunting situations. Here's what you need to know to make a wise purchase.

With hunting seasons fast approaching, here are two offerings to check out from a pair of topnotch optics companies: Leica and Bushnell.

The frost-covered ground crunched under my insulated boots no matter how hard I tried to sneak to my deer-stand. The rut was in full swing and I had high hopes of filling a buck tag. Nearly as an afterthought, I grabbed a set of rattling antlers as I got out of the truck.

Dental-product engineer Dean Reidt began tinkering with the idea of recording deer movements in 1985 and soon launched a new industry. The idea started when Reidt, a bowhunter, was waiting along a deer trail wondering what deer hunters have wondered for generations: How many deer use this trail when I'm not here?

Today's game cameras feature so many innovations that buying one can seem overwhelming. Which camera should you go with? Which features are necessary and which are not? This guide will run through the various functions of game cameras and key points to consider when purchasing one.  The good news is there are trail cams available for just about every budget.

During deer season, I hunt with my sons Matt and Zach in an area that encompasses tens of thousands of acres of bottomland hardwood forest. The three of us keep in touch on our stands using two-way radios.

Growing up in a farming environment, I learned the importance of having the right tool for the job. Part of my self-imposed duties involved walking the field edges in search of groundhogs. It was my job to try to eradicate the vermin as they wreaked havoc on the local farmer's equipment. Groundhogs didn't do the livestock any favors either, whenever the livestock happened to stumble into one of their holes.

I can't tell you how many times I've been in a hunt camp where someone had a problem with their hunting boots. Usually the boots weren't dry or warm enough, but other times they didn't offer enough support or traction for hunting in rugged terrain or were brand new and simply hurt the wearer. Unfortunately any one of these problems can ruin a day in the field.