Comments for Hunting Equipment Reviewed

Comment on Do It Yourself Antelope Hunting? by Mountain Man Gear

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:49:32 +0000

There are numerous “walk in” areas in South Dakota that can produce good antelope hunts. I say can because antelope tend to be in small numbers after a bad winter but we have not had one in years. Antelope huntining in the north west part of the state was very good last fall.

Here’s a link to the states game fish and parks.

Comment on where can I get information on Ngali (antelope).weight, best rifle caliber for hunting, etc. Joe? by Range Finders

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:06:26 +0000

I would recommend the NRA website, or Field&Stream magazine. They can get you in touch with good info.

Comment on Do It Yourself Antelope Hunting? by goose hunting

goose hunting — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:52:47 +0000

The Bureau of Land Management maps show what is public (by agency) and what is private land. It has been several years since I hunted Wyoming, but the harder to draw units north of Rock Springs and north of Douglas had big bucks. You can camp on BLM or Forest Service land, or if a reasonable distance from a town stay in a motel. Spot and stalk is a good way to hunt. Look to the west in the mornings as the sun will be behind you and make the white on the pronghorn very visible. In the afternoon spot to the east. If you find sign just sit on the top of a rise and wait for them – particularily if there is water from a windmill nearby. I’ve found that if I follow a fenceline until I find a crossing (the pronghorn always crawl under, never jump over) indicated by a depression under the fence and usually some hair on the bottom strand, if I back away from the crossing along the fence about 80 yards and sit against a fencepole, I can often get a close shot when they come to cross – they will follow the fence to the crossing.

Since the weather probably will be warm, it is necessary to butcher, or at least gut and skin, the animal as soon as possible and get it on ice or at least in the shade. Consider getting additional antlerless tags if they are available as they are (were) much less expensive than the buck tags. You will get less than half the meat from a pronghorn as you get from a same sex northern whitetail. A trophy buck will have horns that look about 3 times as long as the ears with fairly large prongs.

Pronghorn antelope are a lot of fun to hunt as you see many in the distance. Four wheel drives are useful, when we hunted north of rock springs, we were about 60 miles from nowhere and took 2 or 3 vehicles. One year we had an early snowstorm and in another one of the vehicles got stuck in an alkali flat and had to be pulled out with another truck. Be sure to take warm clothing in case the weather turns bad, although it will probably be warm. I use 10×42 binoculars and keep a spotting scope with a window mount in the truck. A brimmed hat and a knapsack or backpack with water should be carried. If using your vehicle or ATV to scout, stay on the 2-tracks or roads as neither the land management agencies nor wardens look kindly on driving across the prairie at random and don’t shoot from the vehicle.

Comment on Do It Yourself Antelope Hunting? by Scope Mounts and Accessories

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:04:28 +0000

Wyoming’s game department will help you find a good place to hunt on public land. Most of the people who work for them are very helpful.

Comment on Anyone have gift suggestions for son going elk hunting for the first time? by Horton Gear

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 06:16:06 +0000

First, I would recommend he stick with a rifle for his first elk hunt outside of the rut. I have listed several “have to have” pieces of equipment that are recommended as specific elk hunter gifts on our website:. We have some pretty thorough reviews of some of them. Take a look there. Click on the “Hunting Gifts” tab on the left of the Home Page.

Comment on Anyone have gift suggestions for son going elk hunting for the first time? by Doskocil Gear

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:33:02 +0000

I am from the East Coast and went Elk hunting last year in Colorado. I can tell you he will definitely need something to keep him warm. Cabelas has a new boot out that is 2000 grams thinsulate. I would not go without them. I went with my 1500 grams and my feet froze. You can also look into heated gloves/socks and anything else to keep him warm.

If you do look for a rifle, I would look for a .300 Winchester magnum. It is a perfect gun for mule deer and Elk. However, you would need to look hard to find one at a low price.

Comment on pheasant hunting? by Holders and Boxes

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:24:16 +0000

Depends.

Wild birds? No, it’s not OK to shoot. Unless you’re really hungry and really want a bird to take home. To share with your dog, of course.

Wild birds but it’s the last day of the season and you’re empty handed and empty freezered as well? Sure. What the heck. Blast away. You’ve earned it.

Planted birds that you paid for, to assist in dog training? No. The training is much more valuable if the birds can (and do!) fly. Much better to wait for him/her to point it, even if you have to redirect your dog back to this bird.

Planted birds that you paid for but your dog is already passed out/in the truck/done for the day? Yeah…go for it!

Comment on Anyone have gift suggestions for son going elk hunting for the first time? by Gibbs Gear

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:24:04 +0000

a good knife is a sure bet. Or you could buy him some cow calls ( i use a Hoochie Mama) or a bugle ( a Mac daddy ) even a good back pack. Or you good give him a gift certificate to have the meat processed. It can run a couple hundred bucks though.

Comment on pheasant hunting? by Cherokee Gear

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:32:06 +0000

That is considered Unsportsmanlike Conduct.* You have to be pretty desperate and not a True Hunter to do such a thing.* You also have violated the fair chase principle.*

Comment on Anyone have gift suggestions for son going elk hunting for the first time? by RS Bow Vise Gear

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:33:40 +0000

Several pair of warm wool sox.