8 Ways To Rekindle Your Flame For The Outdoors

Photo: Chris Carson

This morning while I was working on tuning my bow, I had a few random thoughts that are worth exploring. I'm sure I have touched on this subject before, but as I continue to age and consider these things, I find different perspectives.  

To me, hunting and fishing is a passion. I love the outdoors and have enjoyed horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, swimming, camping, even flying, and just about anything else you can imagine doing in the outdoors.  Since the days when I was a kid and we would roam the neighborhoods, alleys, and fields that were close by, I have always enjoyed the adventure. Hunting and fishing though, seem to be the activities I enjoy most.  

Photo: Cole Carson

Early on, it was anywhere I went with my brother.  Fishing or hunting, it didn't matter!  I believe this shaped my desire to hunt and fish.  In high school, my buddy James and I did alot of fishing... So much so, that I almost didn't graduate.  Once I did graduate, it was off to school in Breham, TX where we spent more time hunting and fishing with our new found freedom away at college. 

Since then I began hunting with another buddy from high school. We paid for leases, put in lots of work, traveled to and from together.  One of those leases was in East Texas.  A 5 hour drive from home and we had some adventures along the way. Now I'm on the lease with both of those guys and it's a stroke of luck to be able to hunt together. Usually the times that we do ride together are spent discussing business or racing there and back because we all have other commitments. A little over a year ago, I had the pleasure of hog hunting with a buddy that just moved down from Iowa and killed his first hog.  The experience was a refreshing change from the normal grind that has become my hunting experience. 

Photo: James Plant

Getting to the point here, I've caught many fish over the years, killed my share of varmints, deer,
quail, hogs, dove, javalina, etc. and it's always the pursuit that is memorable.  I remember more details of hunts where I was not successful than I do of hunts where I tagged an animal.  This is not to say that the enjoyment of success is not memorable either.  But, sometimes I think the success of the hunt clouds the work it took to pull it off. 

The last several years I have found myself hunting and fishing by myself or quick little afternoon hunts with a few friends at the lease.  This seems more methodical in nature, more like I'm just putting meat on the table and nothing more.  The fact that I don't have anyone there with me to share success and failure with seems to take the fun out of these endeavors.  Over the years, I have heard oldtimers tell me that they don't hunt anymore.  On the occasions I have asked why, invariably they tell me "I'm just not that mad at them anymore." and laugh it off.  

Photo: Chuck Crowsey

To me, it has never been about the animal, as much as adventure.  All the little things that go wrong along the way that must be overcome to be successful are what makes the trip an adventure. I think what these oldtimers are really saying is that they find no adventure in it anymore.  

Drilling down further, the question becomes how do we turn monotony into adventure?  Off the top of my head, here are a few suggestions:

• Go with people you don't usually go with.
• Pursue a new species.
• Try a different means of hunting (i.e bowhunting) or fishing (fly fishing).
• Try a different method like spot and stalk or sight fishing.
• Switch up your hunting areas or find a new honey hole.
• Lease a new property to hunt or start fishing rivers instead of lakes, or deep pot holes instead of flats or mangroves.
• Hunt Public Lands, Plan a trip to fish new lakes you have never fished.
• Hunt or fish out of state.  Make a vacation of it.

Photo Chuck Crowsey

I don't think I've ever been "mad" at an animal or fish.  I know that response is a humorous way to shrug off the real answer.  Maybe the answer is different for different people, but I have been struggling with balancing work, family, and hobbies.  It takes a toll on my outdoor activities and I have recently been thinking "Maybe I'm just not mad at them anymore!" LOL!

The good news, is I have 3 kiddos that have never shot any animal with any means. So, here is hoping that one or all of them will be my new outdoor adventure buddy! Maybe each in different ways!

By the way, in case you were wondering, the old Bear Crux is doing great!  On the other hand I may need glasses.

 

Product Review: Cowboy's Wild Game Washer

Before and after dove on the left fish on the right.
Photo: Cowboy's Wild Game Washer

If you haven't seen Cowboy's Wild Game Washer yet, you need to... This thing is quite useful.  We had the pleasure of having the booth across from Cowboy at last year's Texas Trophy Hunter's Extravaganza. Along with being an avid outdoorsman, Tim "Cowboy" McDonald has come up with a time saving easy to use idea!

To start with, it is a great place to sit as it's a 5 gallon bucket.  As a volunteer baseball coach, I can't think of a better place to sit than on a bucket.  Add a swivel seat to that with a little bit of padding for an afternoon dove hunt, and I am in Heaven!  But it's usefulness just keeps on giving.

The unique swirling action
 cleans and flushes all sorts
of wild game.
Photo: Cowboy's Wild Game Washer

The bucket is a great place to toss your dove when you are stationary keeping you from sitting on them and your bags from getting too heavy or infested with ants. I can't tell you how many times I've piled up birds under my seat or beside the log I'm using for cover only to find them infested with fire ants like 12 seconds later.  In fact, usually it's my getting bit that alerts me to the fact that my birds are under attack.  Cowboy's Wild Game Washer keeps the ants out and the birds from becoming ant infested.

Then, there is the purpose for which this ingenious idea was conceived. Washing game... Having had one for almost a year now, I have personally used it for all sorts of game.  When I get back from the lake, I hook the water hose to it and it starts that swirling action.  I fillet my fish and toss them in Cowboy's Wild Game Washer and let them spin.  It flushes all the blood, scales and any other debris from them while I grab the gallon bags or vacuum packer.

After a dove hunt, All the feathers and debris float to the top.  I have even found a few pellets in the bottom when I was finished.  That means it rinsed out pellets I would have consumed (or attempted to) at some point.  Dentist approved!

It even comes in handy at the skinning shed.  When it's time to quarter those deer and hogs, I dip the quarters in Cowboy's Wild Game Washer to rinse the hair, blood, bone fragments, etc. off before putting them on ice.

At a retail value of $59.99 it come with the swivel seat.  Newer models run $49.99 without the seat.   If it keeps blood, guts, and feathers out of Mamma's sink, it's well wort the money and I'm willing to bet she will think so too.  I've even heard of gardeners using the product for washing veggies.

Check out the video here and stop by Twisted Oak to pick Cowboy's Wild Game Washer.  Dove season is right around the corner and don't go on another fishing trip without one.  You won't be disappointed!

Huntin' Fishin' and Lovin' Everyday? I Wish!!!

Huntin', fishin', and lovin' everyday.  I must say that I have not been the biggest fan of the last 10 or 15 years or so of country music.  I heard this song awhile back.  Probably when it was new and thought "Hey, I actually like that song!" and that IS "THE PRAYER that this country boy (from the city) prays."  But, not really being into today's country, I wasn't listening to stations or playlists to hear that song, so I never heard it again until recently.

Before I left for my Port Mansfield trip, I took a little afternoon of kayaking with the kids.  For the hour or so that it takes to get there, I started a Pandora station based on the song Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band.  It was a song I thought of that was fairly recent that
I liked. The purpose of this station was that it was music we could all stand to listen to.  While we were listening to that station, Huntin',  Fishin, and Lovin' Everyday came on.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Now, I'm not saying I am now a fan of today's country.  Still way too many references to smoking pot for me.  I'm sure that makes me prudish or an old fart or something along those lines, but hey at least I have my principles.  However, I may be slipping into becoming somewhat of a Luke Bryan fan.  How can I not when he puts out songs like Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Everyday?

I have been singing it in my head for the last several weeks like that song that you just can't get out of your head.  You know, like the fly that keeps buzzing around that you keep swatting at but it keeps coming back?!?  Yeah that one.  Except I actually WANT to sing this one... I guess you could say that it takes me to my "happy place".

Then the other day, I Googled the video.  The imagery in the video, the message of the song, and everything about it embodies the life I only wish I could live.  Only in my dreams.  From offshore fishing (bucket list) to a deer I would love to see, to family time outdoors, fly fishing (bucket list) a tree stand, a deer blind a Peacock Bass and family time around the campfire. Notice family time was in there twice? Just plain old FUN... OUTDOORS.  I can't imagine a better life. Huntin' Fishin' & Lovin' Everyday!

Would you add anything?  Would you give all you have to live this life?  A new friend of mine who is a baseball coach at a much higher level than I will ever be just told me today that if given the choice to give up hunting or baseball, he would give up baseball.  What would you give up? Leave a comment here or on the Facebook page.

3 Tips You Can Use Now For A Successful Bow Season

Practicing what I preach.
Photo: Caitlyn Carson

It's July here in Texas, and that means it's probably 105 degrees in the shade.  While the air conditioning may be calling your name, so is your bow.  Yes, your bow.  That tool you use to take down all manner of game.  If you are like most bow hunters, your bow has been sitting in it's case in the garage just hoping and waiting for a little attention from you.

Even in South Texas evening temperatures begin easing off into the mid to lower 90's.  As long as you are in the shade in Texas, the evening breeze will keep you reasonably cool.  This is the perfect opportunity to dust off the old target, throw some bacon wrapped venison bites and jalapeno poppers on the grill and start getting tuned up for archery season.

Cole putting in some work  
Photo Chris Carson

PRACTICE shooting without your rangefinder.  There will always be that one time that you forget the rangefinder in the truck or the batteries are dead.  How many times have you barely made it into the stand and been busted reaching for it or putting it down to grab your bow.  Know your ranges by sight.  By walking around to different areas and angles to shoot, you will gain a good "feel" for yardage and will be prepared to shoot without having to use the rangefinder.

PRACTICE shooting from the position you will be in while hunting.  If you are a tree stand hunter, practice drawing the bow standing in a position as if you were aiming at an animal below.  Slowly raise the bow to the target take aim and release.  If you typically sit on a 5 gallon bucket in a ground blind, then break out the 5 gallon bucket and sling some arrows.  Vary your shots by distances and angles.  Mix up the platforms a bit.  You never know what opportunity will arise in the field. Practice holing on target for 10, 20, 30 seconds or a minute.

Photo Chris Carson

PRACTICE shooting at long distances.  This can be fun, but requires a large area to safely be able to shoot at some very long distances.  Many hunters report a higher level of confidence in their shot when they practice at long distances.  Confidence is key in anything you do, so learn to shoot a tight group at 60, 70, 80 yards or more.

In addition, your equipment must be performing properly.  If it's been awhile since your last service, or you are in the market for a new bow, come see us at Twisted Oak Hunting & Outfitter Supply.  We are a full service bow shop.  We will custom fit you for a new bow or repair and tune your bow for success.  Also, we just got back from our annual trip to Mississippi to get new product and supplies, so we have some great pre-season specials going on right now like $100 off on our 300 lb. winch up Spin Tech tripod feeders with solar panel, 12 volt battery, and 6 bags of Orange Corn.

A small sampling of products you will find at Twisted Oak
Photo: Chris Carson

So there you have it, the 3 tips are PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.  Like any sport, archery requires a skill set.  You must be able to put the right pin, in the right place, at the right time, with the right wind, at the right yardage, with the right angle, in the right shooting lane. I've had the unfortunate experience of watching my arrow sail past my prey.  As I tell my baseball players, you will play like you practice.  Games are won on the practice field and in the batting cages and lost on the couch and on the electronic devices they spend all their time using.  Likewise, tight practice groups translate to humane kill shots in the field.


Take the kids outdoors this weekend, introduce them to archery, or some aspect of the outdoors they may have never seen.  Take them for a hike, a swim in the river, or better yet, both!  Make some memories.  If you need more ideas, check out 46 Things To Do Within 46 Miles of Hwy. 46. 

46 Outdoors Prepare and Pursue Hunting Checklist for April

April is a beautiful month in Texas!  Temperatures are still relatively cool.  The wildflowers are in bloom and nature is alive.  Abundant wildlife roam the mountains, hills, plains, canyons, plateaus, and coastal regions of our great state. There are many things for the sportsman to do this month.

Here is your April edition of the Prepare & Pursue Hunting Checklist...

Clean that shotgun. There is one sound in the woods this time of year that a hunter desperately wants to hear; and that is the gobble of old Mr. Longbeard.  Turkey season is upon us, and all we can think about is calling in a big ol' Tom.  Clean that shotgun and go huntin'!

Photo: Chris Carson

Feeders.  Keep those feeders filled. Does are pregnant and will be dropping fawns soon.  Ample food supply is key to their survival.  Don't for get that big buck either.  I once heard that deer antlers are the fastest growing tissue on the planet.  Pack some veins on that velvet popping out with a protein supplement.  Come December, you'll be glad you did!  Check the batteries an solar panels in motorized feeders and finish any unfinished maintenance issues you need to from March.

Blinds.  Finish up those lingering blind improvements.  You don't want to get caught up dealing with those last minute issues in early Fall because you procrastinated now.  If you are switching stands or scouting new areas, finalize those decisions soon.

Food Plots.  Plant those food plots if you didn't get them in last month.  Those pregnant and soon to be nursing does and their fawns will be grateful.  So will you when you shoot a healthy, mature deer.

Practice.  Never stop practicing.  Mix it up.  Shoot some long distances for fun.  Going above and beyond the shot you will make in the field will keep you sharp for the hunt.  Practice, practice, practice!

Photo: TPWD

Hunt turkeys.  Look for those turkeys roosting in the evening and set up on them before first light. Don't go back to the cabin too early, look and listen for those gobblers in the late morning hours when the hens go off to lay eggs and tend to their nest.  Gobblers will be looking for other hens at this time... Wait them out!

Hunt hogs.  Your local farmers and ranchers will thank you for depredation hunting these pesky, ever-reproducing, menacing swine.  Hogs are a damaging to crops, kill small livestock and fawns, and tear up the land, fences, and more.

Hunt more turkeys.  This is the fun stuff we like to do as hunters.  Don't make it all work! spend some time enjoying what we do in the outdoors!

Hunt predators and varmints.  Pregnant does need your help! Keep those predators under control.  It is a great idea to do this before the fawns hit the ground.  Fawns are an easy meal for a coyote or a bobcat.

Hunt more turkeys... You get the idea!

We all have our favorite animals to hunt.  If you can't tell, I'm a big fan of turkey hunting.  The interactive process of the hunt and knowing I called a gobbler in to dance with the decoy is one of the most exciting things I can think of doing.  There are plenty of things to hunt this month, so get busy!  But, don't forget the chores too.

One last thing to add to the list... Go FISHING!

46 Things To Do Within 46 Miles of Hwy. 46

There are many great things to do outdoors.  There is bound to be something on this list that will get you, your kids, and/or the whole family outdoors.  Below are 46 ideas of what to do outdoors.  I have not pulled up Google Earth and measured specific sites and such, but I'm willing to bet my paycheck that all of these can be accomplished to some degree within 46 miles of Hwy 46... In other words, right here in the Texas Hill Country!

1. Whitetail Deer Hunting  This species is one of the easiest and hardest to hunt.  While being quite abundant and fairly easy to pattern, they will frustrate even the most seasoned hunter with their keen senses and ability to sense danger.  This is a great way to spend Thanksgiving weekends and Christmas holidays with friends and family.  The good times and stories produced in deer camp are legendary.
2. Turkey Hunting One of my all time favorite hunts.  If I had a place where turkey were consistently abundant, I would guide these hunts.  There is something about the interactive nature of this hunt that makes my pulse race.  The ability to call a turkey within 30 yards or so is an experience you won't soon forget, and it is best done with a partner to call while you hunt. That makes it a great opportunity for family and/or friends!
3.  Hog Hunting Over the years I have had the opportunity to hunt these creatures with a multitude of means and methods... rifle and bow, from a blind, a tree stand, a jeep, the back of a pick up truck, spot and stalk by moon light or during the day, trapping, with tracking dogs and attack dogs.  
4. Quail Hunting Another great hunting experience here in Texas.  Best done with dogs. This is alot of walking over all kinds of different terrain.  It's a great opportunity for exercise, but get a good pair of waterproof snake boots.
5. Small Game Hunting A great opportunity to get kids started hunting.  This can be a static endeavor sitting in a blind or a jeep or truck.  Or if you want more exercise, cover some ground!
6. Dove Hunting This is another great event for groups.  Bring the family AND the dogs.  A little campfire action after a good hunt and some fresh dove kabobs are hard to beat on a cool September night!
7. Shed Hunting An opportunity to get back into the deer woods and learn something about their habitat while looking for the antlers they shed in the Spring.
8. Scouting Start looking for patterns, scrapes, and rubs on those bucks in late summer and early fall.  Bow season is right around the corner. Don't just go sit in your blind, get a broader view so you can see the bigger picture.  
   
9. Camping Camping is an outstanding opportunity to get the family together and enjoy a campfire.  Sleeping bags, tents, s'mores, ghost stories.  Awesome fun under the stars!
10. Hiking Whether it's hiking into a camping spot or just a walk in the woods, this is a great way to enjoy many of nature's wonders, and the slow pace is great for teaching kids about nature.
11. Night Hikes Up for a little adventure? Take a flashlight and go for that hike after dark.  Many state parks have guided night hikes.
12. Trail Running A great way to change up that exercise routine.
13. Orienteering Basically a hike or run using a map and compass.  Off the beaten path using using specific points along the way for bearings.
14. Adventure Racing Usually combines running, orienteering, some sort of water sport like kayaking, and a mystery obstacle. 
15. Geo-Caching This activity is like a world wide scavenger hunt.  Find little trinkets and leave something for the next person to find it.
16. Cycling Another great opportunity to exercise.  Great scenery and all the hills you want to endure.
17. Mountain Biking Take those two wheels off road.  Many great places for this activities and trails for beginners and experts.
18. Horseback Riding A trail ride is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.  Again, many state parks offer equestrian trails, but bring your own horse.
19. Rock Climbing Whether it's a rock wall at the gym, or a bluff somewhere outdoors, or Enchanted Rock, you will get a great workout climbing. The views you are rewarded with are priceless.
20. Zip Lining This is a fun activity for just about anyone who doesn't have a heart problem.  Go sailing through the trees or across canyons and rivers.
21. Spelunkering (Caving) Take that rock climbing adventure underground and see the interesting things caves have waiting for you. Or, just take a cave tour.
22. Wildlife Safari Whether it's on a ranch somewhere, a commercial drive thru safari with african animals, or just a Sunday drive in the country, there are many beautiful things to see in nature. take the binoculars and look close. Scan the horizon and spy on a herd of deer.
23. Bird Watching If birds are your thing, head out to local lakes, ponds, parks and look around. Sometimes, the backyard can be a productive place for this activity.
24. Bat Watching Head out to one of our many area bat caves at Sunset and see the bats come out.  Forr you city dwellers, there are bridges and buildings where you can see this on a smaller scale.
25. Star Gazing Find a comfy place away from the city lights and relax while looking for constellations or shooting stars.
26. Outdoor Photography Many of these activities can be done with camera in hand.  get a good camera and start documenting your trips, the birds you are seeing, interesting flora & fauna, etc.
27. Picnicking A classic way to enjoy the outdoors.  
28. Archery Puchase a bow and start shooting.  Hunting, 3-D ranges, and competitions await you.
29. Canoing/KayakingGood old fashioned family fun on the water.  Take a trip on the river or a clm peaceful paddle on a lake.
30. Stand Up Paddle Boarding Great exercise and yet another way to enjoy the water.
31. Tubing A lazy float on the Guadalupe or Comal River may be just what the doctor ordered.  Get some Vitamin D!
32. Rafting When the river is up, we have some pretty aggressive rapids nearby.  Take the opportunity to live on the edge with a little white water rafting.
33. Paddle Boating Whether it's white water or just a lazy afternoon paddle, the scenic rivers and lakes offer great opportunities to experience the outdoor life.
34. Kayak Fishing Arguably the fastest growing segment of the fishing industry, fishing from a kayak
    
    offers a whole new set of skills and thrills.
35. Fishing (rod & reel) Fishing is probably one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors.  It can provide a challenging experience and keep you guessing. Skills required are few to get started but there are endless techniques and strategies to learn.
36. Fly Fishing Maybe one of the most exciting ways to fish and enjoy the outdoors.  Some advanced skills required, but fun to learn and even more fun to catch.
37. Bow Fishing A great way to help manage invasive species as this method is not lawful for taking gamefish, but it sure is fun and will test even the most skilled bow hunter or angler. 
38. Boating An afternoon boat ride, weather it's to enjoy the wind in your face, or view the marine life, boating is a great way to enjoy the water. Stop and take a dip along the way.
39. Personal Water Craft Jet-Skis, Sea Doos, pick your poison... Get out there and have a blast on these funwater toys, but have some respect for other folks enjoying the same water you are!
40. Water Skiing A great way to spend a weekend on the water.  Take your turn! Slolom maybe?
41. Wakeboarding A close cousin of traditional water skiing.  Take it to the next level with tricks and jumps.
42. Wind SurfingA surfboard with a sail... what could go wrong? Worst case scenrio, you get wet... but isn't that why you are on the water anyway?
43. Sailing Can be a little work, but rewarding when you and mother nature work together to get you where you are going.
44. SCUBA Diving Explore the depths of area lakes.  There are two towns that were flooded when Canyon Lake was impounded.  
45. Swimming Why would you want to go to the pool when you have the beautiful rivers and lakes we have around here to enjoy a swim or just play in the water. Rope swing anyone?
46. Hammoking   Yes, I said "hammoking".  The art of napping in the shade while swinging peacefully between two trees. RELAX in the Texas Hill Country!                                                                                                                            

There are a ton of things to do int this area and wherever you might be.  Get out there and look for them.  Weather it's land based fun in the sun or a day on the water, all of these things provide a great opportunity to experience what nature has to offer.  Remember to pack sunscreen, life jackets and other safety items needed for your trip.

Pick something on the list and go do it! 

Introducing Adventure Files: 46 Outdoors Adventure Series

One of my favorite photos taken by Chuck Crowsey at a
ranch in South Texas 

I once heard adventure defined as: "an exciting or wild undertaking of uncertain outcome".  That sounds like the plan for most of my outdoors experiences.  Isn't that truly what many of us are after?

If you asked me why I hunt and fish, of course feeding my family would be high on that list.  I would also argue that the meat I harvest is as organic and naturally free ranging as anything you can buy in a grocery store and probably more so.  I would further point out that these wild animals are leaner and since I process my own meat, it is void of many of the chemicals and  growth hormones found in your local grocery store or meat market, but that is a conversation for another day.  What I am really after is the thrill of the hunt. I want a memorable experience.  Not only do I want to come home safely with a cooler full of meat or fish, I want to bring home a story.  I want a memorable experience to share with my friends and family.  I want an ADVENTURE.

In the series that follows, I will chronicle and share with you these adventures when they unfold. I
have found these experiences to be fairly entertaining and at least somewhat educational. Much like my Kayak Fail a couple weeks ago... If you haven't seen that post, click on the link. It's pretty entertaining! Many of these exciting undertakings will involve my kids and the trials and tribulations of exploring the outdoors with kids in tow. Other installments will include some throwback stories. These may be some of the best of this series as there was probably more true adventure in my younger, wilder days. However, I have found that my kids can take me on adventures too. You just never know what will happen.

The essence of that is what drives me to live life in the great outdoors. How many adventures do you have indoors?  How many adventures do your kids have indoors?  I for one can tell you, if you don't tell them to put down the tablet and go outside, the only adventure they will find is a new world in Minecraft or some other ridiculous game.

My 10 year old son played 4 baseball games this weekend.  Our 4 year old son has a blast at these tournaments.  He races pebbles down hills like race cars, plays in the sand, and runs the bases after the games. They don't like to be indoors.  Their imagination runs wild when they are outdoors. When they have the chance to go hunting or fishing, there is never a question as to weather or not they "want" to go.  I think the older one would truly not be able to decide if I gave him the choice of baseball or fishing. When we are at home, they play their share of video games (much to my dismay). Fortunately, that is not at all very often.  In fact, the real issue is keeping him off the screens so he can get his homework done.

My daughter spends less time outdoors willingly.  However, sometimes she surprises me and wants to go. This may be more about the age (age 12) than anything else.  She used to like going to the lease with me to fill feeders and just poke around when she was younger. I always laugh, when we leave her at home and go to a baseball game. We almost always get the call... "When are you coming home? I'm bored!"  I like this call, I think it means we are one day closer to her coming back around. At least that's what I tell myself!

It is my sincere hope, that one of these days, I will have the time and means to produce enough content to fill a weekly series.  Until then I will attempt to fill in with throwback content...  Enjoy!

Deer Season Recap & A Plan For 2016/2017

A nice 8 point Jan. 2009

Several years ago, when my youngest son was born, I came to the conclusion that it was time to get off my deer lease.  After several successful seasons of management and letting deer walk in hopes of shooting a mature buck one day, I was now going to let someone else shoot those deer.  However, I knew that with a baby on the way, mounting bills, and the lack of time I would have to hunt, it was the best thing I could do for my family. Over the course of the next several years, I saw my friends taking bigger more mature deer than I ever have. Nothing like pouring salt in the wound!Fast forward a couple more years and now I am back on the lease.

Back in September, just before bow season opened, we invited Don Bell, creator of Top Secret Deer Scents to Twisted Oak to give a seminar on hunting the rut.  It was a very interesting, and very entertaining seminar that covered the pre, peak, and post-rut activities of the Whitetail Deer, and the use of scents and calls.  The information shared, made me think about the way we hunt in Texas (over baited areas) versus the way many other states hunt (where it is against the law to bait).  

The difference in my mind being that basically, here in Texas, we alter the deer's natural travel corridors by placing feeders to draw them to a specific spot.  We also open up wide shooting lanes along their trail which also has to have an effect on their travels.  Now, don't get me wrong, most hunters are smart enough to place their feeder and stand locations along travel routes to begin with, but not necessarily in areas where a deer would normally stop to browse.  Other times, these feeders placed in oat fields, where deer come to graze.

The way I understand it, (which is from watching TV, and I could be totally wrong here) in other states where baiting is illegal, stands are placed in locations where deer funnel into pastures to graze and browse.  Some states don't even allow hunting over standing crops, so stand locations are forced further back into wooded areas on natural travel routes; and hunters are left to hunt over scrapes and other areas deer are known to travel.  

So, my question became... Do scents and calls work with the way we hunt in Texas?  I believe it's a topic worth researching.  So, I began looking for rubs and scrapes more actively.  I have seen them before, but never really paid much attention to them.  They merely reinforced in my mind that I had placed my feeder in a location where deer were known to travel. Good info to have, but what do you do with that info?  Well, Don answered that question with some great knowledge like when to use which scent, how to apply it, where to apply it and how to change a nockturnal buck's pattern.  I would not do it justice by trying to explain it here, so check out this video.  It's over an hour in length, but as I said, he is pretty entertaining.

Sunset from the bow stand. Near Hondo, TX

The lease I am on, is small and split by a Farm to Market road.  We all have our even smaller areas that we hunt. So, the idea of hunting a specific deer or a scrape/rub line doesn't seem to be very plausable unless it just happens to be in the perfect place. A place where there are no safety concerns with shot direction, I have the right wind direction, can access the spot without spooking everything in the area, and the right buck is traveling that scrape/rub line.  

Since I am now new to the lease again, my area is one that is near the front gate, which has been hunted before, but with marginal results.  I am not sure why things have been so marginal as there is a pond nearby and many, many trails leading out of some of the best cover on the property and our neighbor's property.  This summer, you can bet there will be many scouting trips to figure out the pattern on all this and find the 2x4 walls (as Don likes to put it). 

My season this year was a tough one. Going on what little I knew from my history on the lease 5 years prior, I set things up in a manner similar to the way it had been set up before.  Why would I expect different results?  Storm damage to my blind early in the season and abundant rain keeping things growing and limiting my vision didn't help much either.  

I harvested 2 hogs in my spot on the lease and never saw a deer from my primary blind, except on camera. All of which looked to be pretty young.  I did see what looked like a pretty mature 6 point that made the hit list, but I never saw him in person. It was a pretty poor year.  Toward the end of the year, I set up a secondary bow stand where I began to see what I thought might be a pattern.  If it is then I may have been parking in an area that cut off the deer headed my way. Most of the deer I saw from the bow stand were 150 yds away or more.  I did have some young bucks come into the bow stand on the trail I set with estrus during the peak of the rut.

I was a little disappointed in the way the season turned out, but it was good time spent with my kids. In the next month, I will make a trip or two out to do some shed hunting and begin my scouting for next season.  I like a challenge and look forward to a season full of trials and tribulations next year.  With any luck, I might learn something or even better, harvest the buck of a lifetime!    

The Key To Success in Hunting & Fishing

Success is a funny thing.  There are a million different ways to define success; and probably as many ways to achieve success.  Weather it's hunting, fishing, archery, shooting sports, team sports, individual sports, or just about anything else, success plays a big role in our happiness.

Last Friday I endured my Kayak Fail.  I must admit, I was bothered by the fact that this outing didn't go well.  Not only was it disappointing, it was embarrassing, and even hurt my pride a little. Even though I'm 50 lbs overweight, I still consider myself fairly athletic and agile.  I stay pretty active by coaching baseball and softball, and now Tball again along with all the outdoors activities I do. It wasn't long ago that I was in the construction industry, loading and unloading, toting lumber,concrete, and tile around jobsites.

Having had the weekend to think about this, I have come to a new outlook. I realized that I overlooked the learning curve.  In most cases, I would have pressed on and shortened that learning process.  I would have removed all my gear and headed out to flip myself in order to figure out my limits and gain confidence.  However, given the fact that the water temperature was as cold as it was, the chill of the wind on wet skin, and the chop on the water lapping over the side. I limited myself as to what I would endure to compensate for this learning curve, and rightly so. With low water temps, choppy water, and no buddy with me, there were definite safety concerns.

Success and failure go hand in hand.  Life would be pretty boring if we didn't have to work at some things from time to time. Those of us that are hunters and fishermen know all too well that we can do everything right and still not succeed. I have also been around people who do everything wrong and still succeed.  Who among us doesn't know someone who hunts the wrong wind or is loud in the deer stand, plays video games and still ends up with the biggest buck.

Sunset in Hondo from the deer blind

I think many times, it comes down to how we define success. If we expect to limit out every day we, we will surely be disappointed.  If we always go hit the same spots where we had success before, we will again be disappointed at some point.  Without trying new techniques, new places, new baits, etc., we will never grow as fishermen.  The same is true for hunting.  We must test the things we think we know, and try things that may not make any sense to know what works and what doesn't and try to discern why.  The variables are virtually never ending, so success this time may yield failure next time.  Lately, I have been taking photos of sunrises and sunsets, and other nature photos to remind me that ultimately, I don't have to fish to eat and I'm there to appreciate what God has created.  Sort of like the old saying goes. "A bad day of fishing is always better than a good day at work."

When I was a senior in high school my buddy and I went fishing ALOT.  Our first trip together was in January of 1989.  I caught a pretty nice bass that first day and we were hooked. We fished at least 2 or 3 times per week and  had some real adventures along the way.  After a month or two of not catching anymore fish (and I mean ZERO fish), you would think we would have given up, but no, we kept going, kept trying, and kept failing.

Sunset at the Crappie Pier

For a long time, we continued doing those same things trying to catch fish. We went to the same place, used the same baits to no avail.  At some point, we began trying different things, we went at different times, different places, different lakes. Finally, one beautiful day in May right before graduation, we found a pier on Canyon Lake.  We sat there and fished around it for quite some time and finally caught a Crappie.  I don't remember if I caught it or my buddy did, but it was the start of something good.  We met a local there on the pier that told us the fishing was great at night, so we came back the next night at dusk and stayed late into the night.  We caught limits of Crappie. Over the next several weeks, we re-equipped ourselves for crappie fishing with ultra light gear, lanterns, floating lights, etc.  We went back time and again. Sometimes we caught, sometimes we didn't. To this day, I'm not sure what I learned from all that, but I know it made me a better fisherman and I love to catch Crappie to this day.

41" Bull Red

Last August, I took a trip to Port Mansfield with my son to fish with my brother.  During that trip, my son caught his first Trout, Flounder, and Redfish (he had a Texas Slam for the weekend as the Redfish came on Sunday).  I caught two personal best Redfish and we had a great time catching fish and spending time with my brother.  A week or two after that trip, my son and I went back to that crappie pier. We got blanked. Another failure to learn from.

Over the years, I have learned to pay attention to the solunar data and adjust my presentations and expectations accordingly. I have also learned alot about seasonal patterns and have been able to apply my experiences years later to understand why things have worked or not.

Success is a long term goal that is born from failure. We learn from our mistakes; and although it's hard to admit failure, we must continue; even in failure until we succeed. This is the learning curve.

3 Reasons NOT To Walk To Your Stand & How To Pattern That Buck By Driving

In Texas, we have some very large properties to hunt.  To date, I have hunted properties from 200 acres to 12,000 acres.  Some high fenced, most low fenced and I have come to the conclusion, that hunting these properties, of course, requires different strategies,  Strategies change from year to year and from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. But the one thing that stays constant for me is driving to my stand.  Call me lazy or scared of the dark or whatever you want, but a little experience tells me that getting there efficiently without spooking the deer yields better results.

About 10 years ago, I hunted a property that was about 1200 acres.  There were 10 hunters on the lease and it was frowned upon to drive to your stands.  Especially if you had to pass close by another stand to get there.  So, in the interest of going along and not getting booted off the lease, I walked.  Most of the time, I had somebody drop me off at a gate and walked about 1/2 a mile mostly down a sendero to my stand (thanks to Google Earth, I know this is not an exaggeration).

Here are a few reasons Not to walk to your stand.

Noisy... I stumbled over rocks, tripped on stumps, & sweated (BUCKETS... remember we are in TX).   If there was a deer (much less a buck) bedded down within a mile of that sendero, I guarantee you he slipped out and went the opposite direction once I passed.

Safety... Every Saturday morning for 3 weeks, I got in the stand 30 minutes or so before daylight and right at dawn, a coyote would run right down the same path I took to get to the blind. The first week, I fogged up my scope trying to get a bead on him because I was still sweating.  The second week, I couldn't stop him, and the third week he made his last trip down that trail.  I always wondered if he was trailing me or just happened to be on the same trail.  But even if he was just on the same trail, that is a little disconcerting in itself, because my scent had to be fresh.  He knew I was there somewhere, and he chose to follow the same trail... You do the math!

Photo Courtesy Twisted Oak

Scent Control... Back then, the whole scent control craze was in it's early stages with the new products and scent control technology on the market.  It was new to me anyway. My idea of scent control then was more cover scents or lures than elimination. Couple that with hunting the wind and the fact that my blind was 100+ yards away, I was not too concerned.  However, we as hunters and bowhunters have learned a thing or two about scent elimination and how to use these lures and scents more effectively.  If we minimize our footprints, we minimize our scent trail.

Several years later, after many of the original members of the lease left and my friends and I took over, we relaxed those rules and allowed people to drive to their stands.  My buddy Trae had an electric golf cart re-purposed as a hunting vehicle.   He once dropped me off at my blind (a different location), I hopped out and walked about 20-30 yards to my stand.  About two hours later, while I had deer at the feeder, a doe came wandering down that road.  We had corned the road too, so she had her head down sniffing and looking for more corn.  As soon as she got to the spot where I stepped out, she stopped, threw her tail in the air, looked at the blind, and started blowing and stomping.  I was busted.  She didn't see me, she didn't wind me, she winded my trail.  From that point forward I got dropped off at my ladder.

Think about it, even if you are very careful, walking down that sendero and a deer is bedded up just over the ridge (but you don't know that), you are headed into the wind, you are wearing soft pliable soled boots that don't make noise, your backpack is soft and quiet, you are doing everything right. You slip over that ridge and there is your dream buck.  He knows you're there now, but you don't. You walk up within 10 feet of him and he bolts.  He's not stopping until he is 2 counties away from there.

Now, same story, but now you are driving down that sendero.  The buck hears you coming.  His flight response kicks in as you get closer and he runs, but since the rancher drives through there everyday or few days (let's be honest, that IS WHY the road is there), you keep going and he only runs to the other side of the pasture or he jumps the closer fence and heads down into the creek bottom. Now, at least your buck is still in the same county and you might just see him chasing a doe or checking a scrape later in the day.

Also, consider this, you may have just reinforced to this deer that this is a good place to bed.  He heard you coming, his escape route worked, he is still alive, and HIS doe is still back in the area he just bolted from.  Chances are, he's coming back... and now YOU have him patterned.

www.twistedoakhuntfish.com

Hunting The Rut

Don Bell, Founder of Code Blue Scents has spent more than 30 years researching deer behavior specifically in regards to scrapes and human scent management. In a FREE SEMINAR this Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 11:00 AM, Don will explain the rut and dispel our misconceptions at Twisted Oak Hunting & Outfitter Supply. If you want to hunt that buck of your dreams this season (not just anything that strolls out in front of your feeder) and feel confident in you strategy, be there on Saturday.  You won’t be disappointed.

When thinking about the rut, I (probably like you) have always had in my mind the images of bucks chasing does until they are both completely exhausted by the chase.  I know that this is part of the process, but I have learned that there is so much more to it.  If you are anything like me, you have had re-occurring dreams of that chase unfolding in front of your stand while you carefully blurted out a “meh” to stop this insanity while you took the shot.

I have since learned bits and pieces of other theories many of which probably hold an ounce of truth or without the correct context mean absolutely nothing.  I can’t tell you how many times I have tried mock scrapes, rubs, etc. How many times have you been winded by that big buck because you didn’t have sufficient scent control or more importantly and more likely you disturbed the habitat entering your stand?  The answer is that you probably don’t even know because you never saw or heard him. 

The truth is, we already have most of the answers, but if we can put the puzzle together in the right order, we will be much more successful hunters.  Don, who is the hunting industry’s foremost scent specialist will walk us through the process step by step in a fun, informative seminar that is sure to enlighten us.  Hope to see you there.  If you have any questions or would like to reserve a seat, comment below or call the store at 830-336-3364.

Should I Plan My Hunting/Fishing Trips Around the Moon?

As we (here in Texas) begin to look forward to deer season, many avid hunters are planning their vacation time for the upcoming deer season.  Should we plan by the moon phase?

When I was in high school, we lived by whatever rudimentary tables and such that we could find in a magazine.  We skipped out of school when the tables said good fishing (for the record, we were not the brightest and I would never condone such a thing now).  When I crossed the stage at graduation (Whew!), the Vice Principal pulled me in close and said “More studying and less fishing Chris!”.  Little did he (or I for that matter) know, I would end up with a hunting and fishing store and writing about my experiences. 

Photo: Chris Carson

For years now, I have been the proud owner of a Casio Pathfinder watch.  It has a feature that gives you the moon phase and “best times” as told by the number of fish displayed on the watch. To this day, I have a hard time resisting the urge when I see 4 fish on my watch. We have all seen the Solunar Tables printed in magazines (My personal favorite is in Texas Fish & Game Magazine).  There are other products on the market that will predict the best times to hunt and where you should be in order to bag that big buck. Rest assured I will be picking one up soon. In fact, if I can talk my partners at Twisted Oak Hunting & Outfitter Supply into it, we will be carrying something along those lines in the store.  I have my eye on the Deer Hunters’ Moon Guide.

So, should we plan our trips to the woods around the moon? Since I have owned my watch, I have been making observations that I would like to share with you.  As I understand it, there are 4 major /minor feeding times related to the daily lunar cycle: moon overhead, moon under foot, moon rise, & moon set.  Also, we are conditioned to hunt and/or fish in the evening and morning because we believe these to be feeding times or transitional periods or any number of other theories put forth over the years. 

Observations:

1. I do typically see an increase in both deer feeding/movement, and fish biting or surface activity during all of the times mentioned above.
2. The duration of activity seems to be more intense, last longer and be more predictable around a full/new moon.
3. The ¼, ½, & ¾ moons also seem to have the same effect, but to a lesser degree.
4. Usually there is a build up to the peak of activity that lasts several days and a decline, but when it’s done, it’s done. 
5. Weather will impact these observations both positively and negatively depending on the situation. Dropping pressure, front moving in, cold weather, always a good time to be in the stand.
6. This is the best one. When any of those moon phases coincide with or are close to sunset…. You better be ready.  Throw the rut into that equation and/or the right weather… I’m getting excited just thinking about it. If you don’t see anything then, move your stand.
7. UPDATE TO ORIGINAL POST:  You will notice that when major and minor feed times occur, there are tell tale signs.  There is more activity in nature.  The birds are flying and singing, the woods or the water seems to come alive with sounds and activity.  You will see more of the tell tale signs when this occurs, so be where you think you have the best chance at these times, but look for activity where you didn't see it before.  If you're fishing move to it, if you're hunting, think about these places when planning your next hunt.  Your prey hunts during these times; use that to your advantage.

These are just a few observations from a guy who spends a lot of time in a deer stand and on the water, or in a field scanning the horizon for that indisputable shape of a dove headed your way, or easing up on a dog pointing a covey of quail, or calling in a turkey from the next ridge.

Cole's First Redfish 27 7/8"
Photo: Chuck Crowsey

However, I will also tell you that there are times when I want to throw this whole theory out the window.  In fact, a couple weeks ago I went fishing with my brother.  My prediction was: we would catch fish, probably do fairly well, but we were going to have to work for them.  Long days in the boat. A lot of searching. Figuring out what they would bite. I was wrong. We were releasing keeper trout after catching our limit by noon and decided to go see if we could hook up on some reds; where we put 4 or 5 fish in the boat and I personally caught my two biggest Redfish of my life in about an hour.

So, when is the best time to go hunting or fishing? 

As I have learned time and time again… When you can!

31" Redfish
Photo: Chuck Crowsey

Personal Best Redfish as of 3/29/16 @ 31"
Photo: Chuck Crowsey