Snakes. Just the thought of them makes some folks quiver in their boots. But, thanks to the irresistible lure of the longbeards, even the most snake-wary turkey hunters find themselves trekking through prime snake habitat come spring. If you’ve turkey hunted long, you’ve no doubt had some snake encounters —...
Not every spring day is clear, calm and warm. In fact, those days are the exceptions. But never fear. Here's your guide to turkey hunting in any weather. Even in the worst weather conditions, turkeys are out there somewhere. But finding them requires thinking like those birds. Paying close attention...
As the saying goes, "If you haven't missed a turkey, you aren't hunting enough." I did plenty of research to write this piece – all of it unintentional. Lessons learned from such experiences follow here . . . 1. Shooting Too Fast The flock suddenly appeared, materializing on the high...
Deer hunting is a game of odds. It’s also a game of decisions. Knowing when to hunt, when not to, and when the conditions are best for you is all part of the process. In my book, there are 10 times, conditions, or situations when odds become more favorable for...
Hunting gear, it can be flat out addicting for guys and gals like you and me. We love testing out the new gadgets that hit the market — especially the ones that have promise to actually work or do something for us. But taking a garage full of hunting toys...
As a teenaged turkey hunter, my late dad imparted words of sage turkey hunting advice to me. One of his insights has served me well over the years: "Sometimes turkeys that have been gobbling will go silent on the way in." You, in turn, might also want to shut up...
Hunting a new piece of dirt can be overwhelming — whether private or public land. But if you’re like us here at Realtree.com, you relish in it. You welcome the challenge. And you appreciate the rewards all the more for it. If you plan to scout, and hunt, a new...
The off-season is a time for work. It's a time for preparation. And if you aren't willing to do it, you could experience less success next season than you would have if you'd made an effort. Here are three interesting things to get done this off-season. Set a Beaver-Pond Treestand...
It's the little things that mean so much when it comes down to tumbling late-season turkeys or arrowing a monster whitetail. Learn some sneaky tips from our cagey veteran outdoorsman. 1. Build a Food Plot for Fall If you have food plots, or are planning on putting one or more...
Often, as that gobbler struts toward us, wheels and turns, we first glimpse leg spurs on the bird. Wild turkey spurs are expected and common on male wild turkeys, though some atypical specimens are occasionally spurless. We often age a gobbler by spur length: 1-inch long or so at two...
Urbanization. Urban sprawl. Habitat Destruction. It goes by different names. But its true name — the death of deer hunting. Or is it? That’s what we’re here to discuss. Before we delve in, it’s important to note that whitetails thrive on early successional edge habitat. And edge habitat often comes...
