Getting Odors Out of Your Hunting Clothes

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by Wade Middleton

Spraying Atsko Odor Destroyer on Hunting CLothes

When it comes to getting odors out of your hunting clothes before heading into the woods, I personally try to take every opportunity that I can. While knowing that I can’t totally eliminate odors, I can try to lessen them to gain a minor advantage at times. 

One of my first strategies is washing my clothes in detergent that helps lessen or eliminate odor. Then I like to place my clothes in Ziploc bags and put them in a scent control bag, I then try to never take those clothes out or into a hunting camp unless I have to.  I’ve stripped down and changed into my hunting cloths on side of road a lot in my day. 

After I get dressed, I then spray myself down with my chosen scent killer. Now, I know what you might be thinking; some hunters have successfully taken down impressive deer with a lit cigarette hanging from their mouth. However, on the flip side, there have been hunters who’ve been smelled by deer several hundred yards away. After I arrive at my spot I deploy a mix of items from Conquest Scents such as Evercalm or VS-1.   These are both cover and attractant scents.

I believe it’s simply a matter of taking advantage of what’s available to you to help reduce your scent profile, so to speak, in your favor. Whether I’m trying to conceal a camera guy in my hunts or when I get the chance to hunt solo, I want to stack the odds in my favor as much as possible while I’m out in the field.

Play the Wind

Playing the Wind is crucial. My strategy to do so is using as many things as I can to tip the scales in my favor. My goal is to hopefully keep a whitetail or other game animal from smelling me. The obvious plan is to play the wind and keep it in your favor but since deer and other game tend to not follow a script on what direction they come in from, you have to expect something to come in downwind at anytime and catch our scent.

We also all know that the wind will switch and swirl on us as well carrying whatever foreign smell there is in a direction that we don’t want it to go. I avoid hunting in risky stands unless it’s the last possible moment when bow hunting. We know deer are likely to come up close and personal often less than 10 yards away.

Furthermore, even as a rifle hunter, when you’re targeting deer at long distances, you can never be certain when a doe might sneak up on you while you’re focusing on your target buck 200 yards away.

But when your buck is at 200 yards and that doe suddenly spooks at 20 yards and blows, it alerts everything in the area and your hunt is over.  

Washing Your Hunting Clothes

ATSKO Sport-Wash Laundry Detergent

I use ATSKO Sport-Wash ZERO laundry detergent to ensure my hunting clothes come out of the washer without any scent such as the flowery smells my wife loves. My wife and I argue about this all the time. She says, “That’s not cleaning your clothes!” and I respond with “I’m not trying to make them smell minty fresh; I’m trying to eliminate all minty scents.”

After they’re done in the washer and dryer, I place them in Ziploc bags and then put those Ziplocs in my scent control bag.

Prepping Your Clothes in the Field

Hunter Spraying ATSKO Scent killer on clothing

Spraying your hunting clothes down is another important step. When I arrive at my hunting camp, I spray all my clothes with a scent killer. I particularly like ATSKO Zero N-O-DOR Oxidizer Spray. This time proven product deodorizes clothing, hair, skin, and all wettable surfaces quickly and safely. It does so by permanently oxidizing all organic molecules into odorless, non-volatile compounds, essentially destroying them.

We do a lot of early-season hunting where we start sweating even before climbing into the stand. Even in Texas, where we primarily hunt, it can still reach 90 plus degrees in December! In such situations, I want to use every advantage I can even if it’s just giving me a minor advantage while sweating in a tree stand I’ll take it.

Scent control can lead to spirited debates at deer camp, with everyone having their different opinions and views. But if I can increase my odds by 5, 10, or 15% to avoid getting spotted, I’m going to do just that.

Recommended Gear

Cabela's Scent Control Bag

Cabela’s Scent Control Bag

ConQuest Scents

ConQuest Scents Products

ATSKO Zero N-O-Dor Oxidizer

ATSKO Zero N-O-Dor Oxidizer

How to Break-In and Practice With a New Handgun

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by Wade Middleton

Preparing and practicing with a new handgun is essential for any new firearm owner. For me personally, this could mean a lot of things from adding and learning new sights, how new grips feel, adjusting the trigger pull, and of course, spending time shooting with it. It’s all a process that takes time however, it’s a fun and enjoyable journey.  

Step 1: Clean and Lubricate the Handgun

man cleaning handgun

Before you start to practice and literally begin the break-in process, I suggest you make sure your handgun is clean and lubricated. This is especially important for new handguns because they may have excess oil, grease, or other residues from the manufacturing process. Use a cleaning kit to thoroughly clean the gun and apply a light coat of lubricant to all moving parts. I find this process very enjoyable and a great way to get used to the new handgun and how it feels in my hands(I also find myself daydreaming about upcoming hunts I may be able to do with that gun as well).  

Step 2: Purchase the Right Ammunition

handgun moon clip

When learning about any new firearm, it’s important to use the right ammunition. I suggest doing some research to see what various manufacturers are saying as well as other shooters and hunters. Finding the right ammo often takes time to ensure you know what will perform the best. Shooting and practicing allows you to see what ammunition gives you the best groups and patterns. This process allows you to choose the best ammo for the game you’re hunting.   

Step 3: Shoot the Gun

man aiming handgun on gun range

I suggest you begin by firing a few rounds at a time, gradually increasing the number of rounds as you go. This allows you to be more comfortable with how the handgun is shooting and how you’re shooting with it. Start at 5-10 yards and slowly work out to longer distances as you become more comfortable.  

I also think spending time shooting in a variety of positions that you’ll encounter when hunting, is another key aspect to learning about a new handgun. 

When you do this, you’re building muscle memory so that at the moment of truth when hunting ,everything will not be forced but very comfortable to you and as second nature as it can be.  

Step 4: Clean and Inspect the Handgun

revolver handgun

After each shooting session, make sure to clean and inspect your handgun. This helps to ensure that the gun continues to function properly and that any excess dirt or debris is removed from the firearm.

Step 5: Practice, Practice, PRACTICE!

man aiming handgun

Practicing with a handgun is an essential step for any new firearm owner. It helps to ensure that the gun functions reliably and smoothly, and it also helps to extend the life of the firearm.

By following these simple steps, you can break in your handgun properly and safely. Remember to always follow proper safety procedures when handling firearms and to consult the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific firearm.

And finally, Smith & Wesson has a great video resource with over thirty new educational videos for both new and experienced firearms owners that we highly recommend you watching to improve your firearm knowledge and skillset.

Recommended Gear:

Smith & Wesson handgun

Smith & Wesson Model 350 Revolver

HIVIZ Litewave Interchangeable Front Handgun Sight

Walker’s X-TRM Razor Digital Earmuffs

How Turkey Hunting Makes You a Better Deer Hunter

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Turkey hunting and deer hunting are two popular activities among avid hunters.  It’s not uncommon to find hunters across North America who are as passionate about one as they are the other. By spending time in the woods doing both you can become a better hunter by simply paying attention to what you’re seeing and doing when doing hunting either deer or turkey. 

Sharpen Those Woodsmanship Skills

Hunter carrying turkey back from turkey hunting

Turkey hunting requires a high level of woodsmanship skills, as hunters need to locate and stalk their prey in a variety of cover.  These skills translate directly to deer hunting, as both activities require hunters to navigate through the woods and locate their target animal. By honing your woodsmanship skills through turkey hunting, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the terrain come deer season and you’ll often have a better sense of the locations deer are using in certain seasons.

Scouting and Observation

hunter sitting while turkey hunting

Turkey hunting also requires scouting and keen observation skills to locate areas where turkeys are active and pay close attention to their behavior patterns. These same skills are essential for deer hunting, as hunters need to scout where deer are active and pay close attention to their movements and behavior patterns. Using your time during turkey season you can also keep an eye for deer sign as well. By honing your scouting and observation skills during turkey season, you’ll be better equipped to find and track deer during the fall hunting season. Often times during turkey season you’ll find rubs you didn’t know about, trails deer have been using as well as other sign that clue you in where deer have been wintering.

Calling Techniques

hunter using a turkey hunting call

One of the most important skills for turkey hunting is the ability to use a call to get those gobblers attention. Turkey hunters use a variety of calls to mimic the sounds of turkeys, to bring them into range. In some instances, hunters will use calls during deer season, as deer can be lured into range use grunt calls, rattling, and doe calls. Turkey calls take time to master. If you practice your calling techniques during turkey season, you can translate that sense of discipline to your deer calls to get that big buck to come in. 

Turkey Hunting Helps with Stealth and Patience

hunter aiming while turkey hunting

Turkey hunting also requires a high level of stealth and patience, as hunters need to remain still and quiet for extended periods while waiting for that Big Tom to come in. Once that Tom comes in, just like buck fever, your heart rate skyrockets and you begin to shake. Practice calming yourself down during these situations and control your breathing to make a good clean shot. These skills are also essential for deer hunting, as deer are notoriously skittish and are easily spooked by sudden movements or loud noises. By practicing patience and developing a stealthy approach during turkey season, you’ll be less likely to catch the eye or a weary buck or skiddish doe.

In conclusion, turkey hunting can be a valuable tool for deer hunters, providing opportunities to hone essential skills such as woodsmanship, stealth and patience, calling techniques, and scouting and observation. By practicing these skills during turkey season, you’ll be better prepared and more effective during the deer season. So, if you’re a deer hunter looking to improve your skills, consider getting out in the woods to go after some turkeys!

Recommended Gear

RedHead Reality Series Crazy Jake Turkey Decoy

Cabela’s EZE Portable Ground Blind

RedHead Heritage Series Walnut and Sassafras Turkey Box Call

What To Look For In A Spotting Scope

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When hunting for whitetail or other big game in western states, having the right equipment can essential for a successful trip. One important piece of equipment that many hunters overlook is the spotting scope. These can be a game-changer when locating and tracking game, especially at long distances. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best one for your hunting needs? Here are some factors to consider when making your selection.


Magnification

magnification dial of a spotting scope
The right magnification will help spot even the most subtle detail.

One of the most important factor to consider when choosing a spotting scope is the magnification. You want to be able to clearly see your target, even at a variety of distances. However, higher magnification doesn’t always equal better performance. A magnification range of 20-60x is a good range to look for, as it allows for a wide range of viewing distances.

Best Objective Lens Size

Hunter looking through a spotting scope
Larger optical lenses will provide a bright and clear image during low light situations.

Another important factor to consider is the size of the objective lens. The larger the lens, the more light it can gather, which will provide a brighter and clearer image, especially during low light hours. However, larger lenses also mean a heavier and bulkier scope. A lens size of 60-80mm is a good range to consider, as it strikes a balance between brightness and portability.

Durability

Hunter looking through spotting scope
From the range to the field you want a scope that can handle anything!

Hunting can be a rugged and demanding activity, so you want a spotting scope that can withstand the elements. Look for a scope that is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof. Additionally, scopes with rubber armor or other protective coatings will be more resistant to damage.

Size and Weight

Cabela's Intensity HD Spotting Scope
Cabela’s Intensity HD Spotting Scope is fogproof and waterproof

While you want a spotting scope that is durable, you also want one that is lightweight and easy to carry. Compact and lightweight is ideal for hunters who will be hiking long distances to their hunting spots. Look for a scope that is less than 2.5 pounds and less than 14 inches long.

Price

Spotting Scope
Cabela’s Intensity HD Spotting Scope

Spotting scopes can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. While you don’t necessarily need to spend top dollar to get a quality scope, you do get what you pay for. Higher-end scopes will generally have better optics, better durability, and more features. However, if you’re just starting out or have a limited budget, there are still plenty of good options available in the $300-$500 range.

To wrap up,  when choosing a spotting scope for hunting, you want to consider factors such as magnification, objective lens size, durability, size and weight, and price. By finding a scope that balances these factors to fit your specific needs and budget, you’ll be better equipped to locate and track your game, leading to a more successful hunting trip.

Recommended Gear

Cabela’s Intensity HD Spotting Scope

Cabela’s Spotting Scope Case

Cabela’s Spotting Scope Covers

What Handguns to Use for Hunting Whitetail

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by Wade Middleton

Learn What Models Wade Uses for Handgun Hunting 

It is a well-known fact I have become addicted to handgun hunting. As a hunter, I’ve always embraced hunting through a variety of means and methods, allowing me to start and end my season earlier in many cases. I consider myself a whitetail hunting fanatic, and as such, I’ve never turned down a chance to hunt with something different. Which lead me into the world of handgun hunting so I could have more reasons to hunt whitetails.

This new addiction has forced me to learn a lot more about how handguns work, how the ballistics of different calibers perform, what ammo works best in hunting, as well as sending me to the range more than ever to learn better trigger control. When you look at handguns, I favor the ones made by Smith & Wesson. You can tell immediately they’re designed for ultimate performance in the field. Many of the models I hunt with have muzzle breaks at the end of the barrel to help reduce recoil. Furthermore, many of these handguns are built to be better balanced in the field, allowing for the opportunity to hunt at longer distances with higher performance. In addition, many of them have triggers that are far more crisp than say some models you might find, which really helps when it comes to trigger control when a whitetail is standing in front of you. Finally, they are built to add various accessories such as scopes, fiber optic sights, and various red/green dot sights. 

Smith & Wesson Performance Center® Model 629 Stealth Hunter

Smith & Wesson Performance Center® Model 629 Stealth Hunter in .44 magnum equipped with a Trijicon SRO sight

This past season I spent a lot of time shooting my Smith & Wesson Performance Center® Model 629 Stealth Hunter in .44 magnum. This is one of my favorite hunting handguns and I’ve been using it for nearly a decade. I recently mounted a Trijicon SRO sight on top of it to field test that sight after shooting the Trijicon RMR sight in the past off this handgun. My early thoughts are this is the best sight in its class.  

The Trijicon SRO is very easy to acquire a whitetail in the sights and place the dot onto the vitals. I am very impressed with the sight picture and how easy it was to sight it in. Overall, I feel this is the best option for this style of sight when it comes to hunting. 

Looking back at my first handgun whitetail buck taken with this model of handgun, I vividly recall practicing all summer at various distances but none of that practice prepared me for that hunt. With little experience personally when it came to handgun hunting, I was, to say the least, nervous throughout the entire encounter. I still remember it vividly, the way that deer was darting in and out of the trees while running and fighting with another deer as they tried to prove dominance to a doe that was nearby. My hands were sweating nonstop as I prayed from inside the pop-up blind for the buck to stop in a narrow shooting lane. He finally did, and ended up turned quartering slightly towards me and I pulled my shot a little bit. I was so worked up that I honestly wasn’t even sure I’d hit the deer. It ended up being that I did in fact, hit the deer mid body up and down but slightly back, so I knew it was a mortal hit. We found the buck about two hours after the shot. My takeaway was that I needed to practice, practice, practice, and really work on my trigger pull with a handgun to help me overcome the excitement of a deer finally giving me a shot.  

Hunting posing with deer and handgun

Wade and his first handgun buck.

I also learned to study more on the various handgun loads. When it comes to most of my hunting and shooting with that handgun, I’ve settled on 200-grain XTP .44 mag ammo from Hornady. I can say undoubtably, the Smith & Wesson Performance Center® Model 629 Stealth Hunter in .44 Magnum set up will always be in my top three favorite hunting handguns and I would argue around about any campfire why I prefer it. 

Smith & Wesson Performance Center® Model 460 XVR 

Smith & Wesson 460XVR Handgun

Smith & Wesson’s Model 460XVR™ has the highest muzzle velocity of any production revolver on earth.

Next up, we discuss another of my favorite handguns, the Smith & Wesson Model 460 XVR. This handgun is known to have the highest muzzle velocity of any production revolver on earth. According to Smith & Wesson, the Model 460 XVR (X-treme Velocity Revolver) is the world’s highest velocity production revolver, as well as the most powerful.45 caliber production revolver. The .460 XVR can launch a 200-grain (13-gram) bullet at 2,330 feet per second (710 meters per second), generating 2,416 foot-pounds force of muzzle energy. 

Aside from the .460 S&W Magnum cartridge, the revolver can chamber .454 Casull and .45 Colt ammunition. Personally, we’ll use .45 long colt out on the range a lot of times for practicing specific hunting scenarios or if we want to work on our trigger pull. The key reasons being that load is cheaper and does not punish your hands quite as bad as the .460 ammo. 

Smith & Wesson offers this handgun in a variety of barrel lengths, and you can order them with HIVIZ fiber optic sights already equipped (which we recommend and have used in the field). I believe when hunting with open sights, HIVIZ fiber optics sights allow you to acquire the target faster due to its light gathering capabilities. This helps tremendously during those early morning or late evening times thanks to its light-gathering capabilities. I believe this forces me to focus on the sight picture by it catching my eye quickly as I bring the handgun into play on the vitals of a deer or other animal I’m hunting.  

I spent one summer really working with the .460XVR fitted with HIVIZ sights in an effort to take a buck with open sights with the.460 XVR. That experience and the buck I ended up taking, turned out to be one of my biggest handgun bucks ever. I can still see that buck and the other buck he was traveling with working through a broomweed field and coming into range. After calming myself, the .460 round found the lungs and I found the buck less than 60 yards from where I took the shot. The summer of practice really paid off on that one. 

Hunter holding whitetail with hunting handgun

Wade’s practicing paid off BIG TIME!

Regardless, of what model you hunt with, regardless of what caliber you settle on, I simply say practice a lot for the hunting scenarios you likely will encounter. I also recommend that you spend time shooting off a good brace to build confidence in both your trigger pull but also the sight picture for whatever you are going to use be it a scope, red dot, or open sights. The more you shoot, the more confident you’ll be when it comes time to take a shot on whatever you’re hunting. 

Hunter aiming crossbow

Crossbow Safety Tips

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How to keep yourself and others safe while on the range or out hunting.

by Wade Middleton

Crossbows have evolved both in features and speed in the past decade. During that time, I had a chance to spend time testing and hunting with the fantastic lineup of TenPoint & Wicked Ridge Crossbows. The lineup of crossbows for both brands ranges from entry-level price point models to top-of-the-line crossbows that can be outfitted with a variety of magnification accessories, such as the Garmin Xero X1i crossbow sight.

When choosing from those two legendary brands, you will be sure to find a crossbow that fits your needs based on the model, price point, energy, and speed you want to put into the target. Once you choose a crossbow, get it home and open the box, you will notice it comes with a complete set of well-thought-out instructions that make it easy to set up and sight-in your crossbow. I suggest you read the directions first, then go back and begin to build your crossbow, set it up, and shoot it.

 

BE SAFE. DON’T ASSUME.

Man reading directions for crossbow

Always read the instructions, SAFETY FIRST!

This is why I said above to read the directions before starting to build your crossbow. Safety is something that we cannot reiterate enough on really anything. Always pay attention to the different safety components, do not assume! I’ve built a lot of different crossbows, and while all are similar, they all have different parts that you need to learn about and understand.

Safety on anything you shoot is important and is no different when using a crossbow, giving your crossbow a good once over before using it is key. I always check out and pay attention to the limbs, cables, and strings. Look for any damage that may have happened in shipping or while you are on a hunt. Let’s say the crossbow gets knocked around while traveling or is dropped inadvertently during a hunt, something could end up going wrong if not checked. Crossbows are a mechanical device so always assume and look at everything. It’s what I do with any firearm, compound bow, and even my fishing gear.

 

BE MINDFUL OF YOUR HANDS.

Man aiming crossbow

Make sure BOTH HANDS are below the flight deck when holding and aiming the crossbow.

Next thing I always tell someone when they shoot a crossbow for the first time is be mindful of where our hands are. It is important to pay attention to your hand positioning on the crossbow. Make sure everything is below the flight deck when holding and aiming the crossbow; do not get your fingers above the flight deck or anywhere there is a moving part.

 

CROSSBOW SAFETY & SURROUNDINGS

Close up of safety mechanism on a Wicked Ridge crossbow

The safety on these crossbows is remarkably similar to that on any firearm.

Another thing to keep in mind is the safety on your crossbow. The safety on these crossbows is remarkably similar to that on any firearm. When you go from safety to the fire, remember the safety is still a mechanical device. It can fail. Follow the same four safety rules you would if you were handling a firearm.

 

  • Always keep your firearm (in this case, a crossbow) in a safe direction. Never point your crossbow at anything you do intend to shoot.
  • Treat all crossbows as if they are loaded.
  • Keep your finger off the trigger (and under the flight deck) until you are ready to shoot.
  • Always be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

 

Pay attention to your surroundings if you are at the range or out hunting because if you miss your target, the arrow can skip off the ground and travel a long distance, inflicting significant damage on someone you may not see, the wrong deer, or even livestock. Just like a firearm, make sure you know what is around and behind your target before shooting.

 

HAVE FUN AND ENJOY!

Crossbow hunting is just another means and method to enjoy the outdoors and hunt big game!

We are excited that you have purchased or are interested in getting into the sport of crossbows! You can easily find tons of question-and-answer videos on TenPoint’s Youtube Channel, our YouTube Channel. TenPoint’s website is a great resource as well to learn a lot more about crossbows, how they are set up, and perform out in the field.

 

***See the rules and regulations for your state here AND check with your local Wildlife Enforcement Agency***

TenPoint Crossbows Logo

Tips to Further Conceal Yourself in a Box Blind

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By Wade Middleton

 

Shooting Made Easy Window Gun Rest

There are a few things that I like to do when I’m in a box blind. I like to have a small shooting rest with me. Sometimes, I’ll even go bigger, but I just carry it in my backpack and put it in the different windows that I think I’m going to shoot out of.  Now, that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be shooting out one of these other windows, but this is my primary window.  So, I keep it set up right here. It’s quiet to set the gun on. It gives me a good rest for those long distance shots.

When I do get in a box blind, one of the other things I do is, I kind of set it up, where my gun is leaning up against something.  I might have my range finder out, where I can quickly pop off some distances before that and my backpack and my water and any other supplies,  will be readily available as well.  When you get into these box blinds, it’s a whole different type of hunting that I really, really enjoy.

I also like to use either camo tarps or some of the different products that come with the blinds to blackout certain windows, so you’re not skylighted all the time. I think that’s really important, especially if you’re hunting on a food plot and you know that the action, is gonna be in these front five windows. We’ll then blackout two or three in the back. That allows us to be able to move and bob and weave in there a little bit. And from our standpoint, the camera guy is always moving, ’cause if he’s not moving, he doesn’t get the shot. I don’t even see what happens. So, you want those capabilities and abilities in there. And then, the ability to open and close windows silently and securely is really a key deal at the end of the day.  It’s something that a lot of people don’t think of that I think is really important. You wanna be able to lock those windows up and doors up airtight when you’re gone, so undesirable creatures are not in your blind when you get back there!

 

Deer Stands Comes in All Shapes and Sizes

Accessories for Your Tree Stand

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When up in the ladder stand, you’re definitely limited on where you can store your gear. With a box blind or pop-up, you have room to spread out, but not in a ladder stand. If you’re lucky, the trees around you have strong enough limbs, that you can hang your bow, binoculars, or whatever else. To combat that, our friends at Hawk Hunting and Hunting Made Easy have a few products that can solve this very problem.

 

Hawk Extendable Tree Arm

Hawk Hunting Xtendible Tree Arm – #1 SELLING PRO-GRADE TREE ARM

Made from aircraft-grade aluminum, the lightweight Xtendable Tree Arm extends from a trim 8.5 inches to 16.5 inches in length. Hawk’s famous Auger Tip threads make installation quick and painless.  The patent-pending anti-spin tree cantilever bites into bark and illuminates unwanted spinning or movement of the arm. Once installed, the arm pivots 180-degrees for precision weapon and gear placement. The oversized silent grip hook silently and securely hangs gear. The extendible tree arm also includes claw hanging hooks, allowing for versatile attachment and quick gear organization.

Tactical Solo Tree Hook

Hawk Hunting Tactical Solo Tree Hook – THE ORIGINAL PREMIUM TREE HOOK

Hawk also has a wide variety of hooks, like the Tactical Solo Tree Hook, and this is no typical tree hook. The Tactical Tree Hook features ultra-sharp AugerTip threads that start fast and allow for easy screwing into the densest of hardwoods.  No more pain in the hand. The 2.75-inch hook weighs just 2.1 ounces and can hold up to 60 pounds. Each hook is molded with a durable quiet finish and includes a thread-protecting cap, with an attached carabiner that makes transporting the hook a snap.

 

Hunting Made Easy Hunter’s Combo Pack

Hunting Made Easy – HUNTER’S COMBO PACK – 7″ SAW

Another handy tool that you can easily carry in your backpack when going into a ladder stand, is the Hunter’s Combo Pack from Hunting Made Easy. It contains a five or seven-inch folding saw and a pair of heavy-duty bypass shears. These products work in tandem to cut off any pesky tree limbs that might be in your way.

There’s always one branch. And no it doesn’t matter what you’re doing. I’ve always packed something like this. It’s just, it’s mandatory.  And I also use the clippers a lot in turkey season, deer season. The fact that I like is that it gives me a lot better lane, without losing a lot of cover. It just lives in my backpack all the time. – Wade Middleton

Tips on Attracting Deer

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by Wade Middleton

Whitetail hunters are always looking for ways to attract deer into their area. In this article, we’ll take a look at a few ways you can entice deer and we’ll start off with scent control and attractants.

Cover Scents

When we start talkin’ about scent control, and attractants, basically, those are two topics that really get people interested and they gravitate towards ’em. What’s real, what not? And how do they work? And why do they work? In my opinion, both of those play a huge role in certain situations in your hunting scenarios. Me, personally, you know, clothing is gonna be the first thing. Trying to use a good quality hunting garment that can keep some of that scent in would be a way to do it but using different types of devices, using different types of products out there are gonna be key.

For me, the Scent Stick, that’s what I like to deploy. A lot of different cover scents. The EverCalm is one of my favorites from ConQuest Scents. You can get it in liquid form, you can get it in a wax form, you can put it inside the Scent Stick, can be able to deploy is next to you all the way around. And so it’s basically, whatever direction the wind’s gonna go, it’s gonna put that out there for you. Another great aspect of the ConQuest Scents EverCalm product is it comes in a solid as well that you can put on your clothes, you can put it on your boots, especially put it around the edges of your boots when you’re walking in to help eliminate leaving a scent trail. So if you don’t have a creek like we’ve got right here to sneak down, that’s a great way to concentrate on your cover scent aspects.

Deer Attractants

I like to also use attractants a lot of times. I don’t necessarily use attractants as much durin’ the early season. My main focus durin’ the early season is trying to cover a lot of scents. I don’t think that the doe in heat type products and any of the buck testosterone type things are gonna work in those September, October places where I’m typically hunting. The bucks are still together, they’re still gettin’ along, the rut hadn’t even begun to begin yet so it’s cover scents. Now, when I know they start gettin’ into that pre-rut and rut situation, that’s when I want to apply the attractants and how you apply the attractants, well, once again, some of the same methods I talked about, a scent stick, usin’ some of the different solids that you can rub on ya or a ScentFIRE product. The ScentFIRE device by ConQuest Scents has recently been released to allow hunters a variety of options to be able to, basically, remotely deploy scent-type devices out into the environment that they’re hunting in.

From an attractant standpoint, VS-1, what a great way to be able to deploy that type of a scent into the environment when the deer are rutting. You constantly can put doe in heat out there basically so any time a buck comes by or is in the area, you’ve got fresh scent goin’ out so it’s a very easy was to be able to deploy scent in a lotta different situations. We’ve been putting it into use for about a year now and the results speak for themselves as far as deer saying comfortably and calm in that area. So, scent control to me comes in a lotta different situations as well as the attractants.

 

Creating Mock Scrapes

The ScrapeMaker can make authentic licking limbs, realistic mock rubs, and a scrape that looks like a massive buck made it. By using the Scrape Maker, you will be able to locate and harvest the dominant buck in your area.

 

Start Hunting with a Handgun Today!

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We’ve received many questions over the past year about handgun hunting. How do I get started? Which handgun is right for me? What hunting situations am I going to find myself in? So we thought we would dedicate this blog entry to sharing our knowledge of handgun hunting and helping you get started in this exciting style of hunting. We routinely get a lot of questions when we’re and about, about taking up new means and methods to go hunt with hunting in different locations, different species, and one of the most popular questions we tend to get recently is handgun hunting.  People come out and say,  “Man I saw you hunting with that .460,” or, “You were rattling this big deer and the guy shot it with a handgun.” And they’re like, “I wanna learn how to do that, I’m interested in that.”

The first thing I always tell them is, “Don’t be afraid to take up handgun hunting. Yes, it’s totally different than hunting with a rifle or muzzleloader or any other  means and method that you’ve never hunted with before, but it’s so much fun, it opens up an entirely new way for you to go hunting.” – Wade Middleton

A key piece of advice is to make sure and spend some time studying the locations that you’re going to be hunting and understanding what calibers are probably going to be the best for that situation. You might not necessarily need to go grab the .460 or the .500’s to be able to go out for some big game, you might only be hunting whitetail in tight quarters and there may be another caliber, another frame that’ll be perfect for you.

Taking up handgun hunting and shooting big handguns like this for the very first time could be a little intimidating. When you see this and grab it, you’re like,” Oh my god! That thing is huge,  its gonna kick!” In our opinion, these big hunting handguns from the Performance Center, they’re designed to be able to work for you, designed to be able to perform in such a great manner.  From your cylinders to the barrels, to the weight of it, to the grips. Everything is designed to be able to have lower and less recoil in comparison to what you think you would be dealing with when you shoot these big handguns. That’s not saying by any means there is not some kick to it and you don’t have to control of this handgun, but the reality is these are about as fun a firearm as we’ve ever taken up shooting.  We really from the first that we saw them,  yes we were intimidated, but then from the moment we began shooting them, it became an addiction the learn all the different calibers that are really designed for hunting.

 

You know, handgun hunting is becoming more and more popular, and we’ve got a lot of different products from the Performance Center that could help you out on what you’re looking for and what you’re gonna hunt with. – Tony Miele: Performance Center General Manager