I have a piece of property about 40 miles from my house that I just gained access to and am in the process of trying to figure out what's on the place. After 16 days, I went back to check on the a camera camera that I left behind and I couldn't believe all of the bucks I have on the compact flash card.

By the way, this place is for sale...

-Russell Graves

Labels: Russell Graves, Texas

Although I live out west and still have a month long elk season in front of me (which starts this weekend by the way), I still can't wait to hit the whitetail woods. I know that may sound a little strange coming from a guy who can bowhunt mule deer, elk and antelope with relative ease not more than an hours drive of my home, but it's chasing Midwest whitetails that I crave the most. Looking back at some of Winke's Midwest whitetail videos from last fall got me counting down the days until November--66! Exactly.

Hopefully I'll be releasing some carbon towards one of these in a couple of months...

Okay, I admit it. I'm an unabashed Michael Waddell fan. But it's not because he's the Elvis of the Outdoors. It's not because I want to be a big-time TV star. It's because he's had the guts to do exactly what I'd like to think I do -- he's stopped apologizing for being a hunter. That's pretty much the whole basis of his new Bone Collector show. But I'm guessing most of you have seen a few episodes and know what I'm talking about. So what's the point here?

Well, I work for a conservation group that spent the last 10 years trying to serve as a great gatherer of any and all people who enjoyed some form of the outdoors. Problem is, lots of folks who like the outdoors have no use for hunters and anglers. To me, that's a problem. And a severe case of hypocrisy. Anyway, I'm done apologizing for what I love. I kill animals. And eat them. And I like it very, very much.

Check out this story in the L.A. Times. Let me know if you don't get just a touch fired up reading it.

My son is eight years old. He's a hunter. Legally, he can not hunt here in Michigan for two more years. Well, that's just silly. So his first hunt took place last spring in neighboring Ohio. We spent three days hunting turkeys and he told me it was the best three days of his life. We'll be back in Ohio next spring and the spring after. We may sneak away and hunt deer as well.

Too bad Michigan doesn't get it. And too bad so many people think there's something wrong with taking our kids to the woods.

Well, that's their problem. Not ours. And, no, I won't apologize for that.

Tony Hansen, Michigan Man

I'm not trying to brag, but it's great being a bowhunter and living out west. Our big game season in Colorado starts in mid August and this Wednesday my son and I took full advantage of it. With a pronghorn tag in my pocket, we headed to a patch of public ground to see if we could put the sneak on one of these sharp-eyed critters. On our third attempt of the morning we were able to slip within 55 yards of this dude.

This was Brennan's first big game hunt, and although he was not the shooter, he said his heart was jumping out of his chest when I pressed my Hoyt into service. I don't know who was more excited, me or him, but it was great sharing the success of the hunt together. We will remember it forever! I can't wait until October when the roles are reversed when we head to our lease in Oklahoma.

Although the pronghorn is not a deer, he is a member of the deer family and even has a white-tail, so I guess he has earned a brief spot here.

Kentucky's archery season opens in a few short weeks, and one of the hottest topics leading up to opening day right now is the one of antler restrictions. Much of this was brought to the table when the KDFWR posted an online opinion survey for Kentucky whitetail hunters, asking them about changes they might like to see to the Commonwealth's deer management program in the future. Questions such as increasing the fees to non-residents (a good idea in my opinion; Kentucky's NR license fees are steal in relation to the hunting quality); changing around modern firearm season dates (eh, my jury is still out on that one because gun hunting during the rut has been a solid tradition since I was a kid); and, perhaps most controversial, implementing an antler restriction in the counties I hunt (read, statewide), such as a 15-inch minimum spread limit. I'm opposed to that one, and here's why.


Kentucky has a pretty good thing going with their deer herd right now. Its one-buck limit is restrictive, particularly for a southern state, but it's paid off in the form of allowing more young bucks to gain a few years on them. Kentucky is in the top 10 states for Boone and Crockett entries.


However, that open one-buck limit (especially combined with a liberal doe limit) also allows hunters who aren't focused on antlers to take the deer they want to take. I love seeing big antlers in the woods, but I don't believe it's up to the state to decide what I should be allowed to fill my tag with on private land. I personally know many hunters who are thankful just to have a few days to spend in the field each season, and look forward to putting a deer in the freezer in the process. That deer may be a big 10-pointer that goes on the wall, it may be a fat doe, and it may be a spike. I've heard guys say, "Well, if you want the meat, just wait for a doe." That's a good solution and the one I personally follow, but what if your days are limited, you've bought a tag, a doe hasn't provided a shot (it happens), and there's a fork horn in your corn field and your crosshairs? What if you really want that meat, but the voices of "trophy" hunters have outweighed yours and made your decision to pull the trigger an illegal one?


State-owned public land may be a different story (there's a question about that in the survey too), but even that has its pitfalls. Although a wider rack is a decent indicator of age, there are some nice bucks out there with tall tines and narrow racks.


None of this is settled yet, let me be clear on that. It's just talk. But to me, much of this seems to point to where we are in the world of deer hunting as a whole--not just in Kentucky. I enjoy deer hunting. I enjoy shooting a nice buck, especially with my bow, and let young bucks walk each season hoping to do just that. I know my home state has the potential to produce a bruiser under my stand at any time, but I'm not so picky as to allow what I deem to be a decent buck to walk on by. Other hunters may pass on a buck I'd be happy to shoot. That's great too--but we must be careful not to let our personal interests alter the sport we enjoy in such a way that it deters others from participating. There aren't enough hunters left to do things like that.


Will

AUSTIN, Texas - The Lone Star State boasts some of the finest hunting anywhere in the country, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Big Time Texas Hunts offer hunters a chance to experience the best of the best.

The Big Time Texas Hunts program offers the opportunity to win one or more top guided hunts with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases. The crown jewel of the program is the Texas Grand Slam hunt package, which includes four separate hunts for Texas’ most prized big game animals - the desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn antelope. There are several quality whitetail hunt packages available, as well as opportunities to pursue alligator, exotic big game, waterfowl and upland game birds.

Entries for the Big Time Texas Hunt drawings are $10 each and are available wherever hunting licenses are sold or by calling 800-895-4248. They may also be purchased online this year at a discounted price of $9 each. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may purchase. Purchasers must be 17 years of age or older.

Proceeds from the Big Time Texas Hunts are used to provide more public hunting opportunity and to fund wildlife conservation and research programs in Texas.

Here's a summary of the Big Time Texas Hunts offerings:

The Texas Grand Slam - This truly is the hunt of a lifetime. The bighorn sheep hunt is very exclusive; TPWD issues only a handful of permits a year. The bighorn sheep hunt takes place on a West Texas Wildlife Management Area. The other three hunts included in the Texas Grand Slam will be on some of the most exclusive private ranches in the state. The winner may also bring along a non-hunting companion to share in this awesome outdoor adventure.

Texas Whitetail Bonanza - Ten winners will each get to experience a high-quality white-tailed deer hunt, something legendary to Texas on popular ranches known to produce big bucks. Guide service, food and lodging are provided on these 3-5-day trips. Each winner can also bring along a companion to hunt as well.

Texas Gator Hunt - One winner and a guest will enjoy a rare and unique three-day trip pursuing alligators at the J. D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area on the Gulf Coast. Each hunter may harvest one alligator. All necessary equipment, expert guides, lodging and gator hide removal are included. The winner and guest will also be treated to an airboat tour of the marsh to view alligators.

Texas Waterfowl Adventure - One winner and as many as three invited guests will win a series of three exciting waterfowl adventures. The hunts are located on some of the best waterfowl areas in Texas. Trips include a Coastal Prairies guided hunt for snows, blues and white-fronted geese; a guided duck hunt in the Coastal Marshes; and an East Texas hunt for wood ducks and mallards.

Texas Exotic Safari - Two winners will experience the thrill of hunting African exotic game right here in Texas on the Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area in the Texas Hill Country. Each winner can take two exotic species, including sable antelope, gemsbok oryx, scimitar-horned oryx or common waterbuck. Hunters may choose to shoot modern rifle, muzzleloader, archery or crossbow. Winners can also bring along a companion to hunt a management exotic. Food and lodging will be provided at the scenic Mason Mountain WMA lodge. Taxidermy service will be provided for the two winners. Proceeds go to benefit wildlife conservation and research on Mason Mountain WMA.

Texas Big Time Bird Hunt - One winner along with as many as three hunting buddies will enjoy a unique package of upland game bird hunts: two days of quail, two days of pheasant hunting in the Panhandle and two afternoons of dove hunting. There will also be a two-day guided spring turkey hunt for two included in the package. Food, guide service and lodging are included on all bird hunts, and pointing dogs are provided for quail and pheasant hunts.

Texas Premium Buck Hunt - This is the ultimate deer hunting experience-an opportunity to harvest a trophy white-tailed buck in the rugged South Texas brush country. One winner and a guest will enjoy the finest deer hunting trip that Texas can offer. Professional guide service, food and high quality accommodations are included to provide each hunter comfort as well as great hunting.

The deadline to apply for this year's Big Time Texas Hunts is Oct. 15. Winners will be announced in November.

Labels: News, Russell Graves, Texas

Chalk up another one for the good guys. Wisconsin recently became the latest state to reduce the age limit for hunting. This is legislation that makes a lot of sense. There's plenty of evidence that kids that aren't introduced to the outdoors at an early age never get into the sport. It should be a parent's choice as to when their kids are ready to hunt. My son is 8 and he hunted turkeys for the first time this spring -- unfortunately he wasn't able to do it in his home state of Michigan. We visited Ohio where there is no age limit. He'll wait two more years before he can legally hunt here in Michigan. So, Ohio, we'll see you again next spring.

Here's more details on the new age limit for Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Governor Signs Bill to Bring New Hunters into Field

(Columbus) – Today, Governor Jim Doyle signed legislation that will enhance opportunities for sportsmen to pass their hunting heritage to the next generation. With Gov. Doyle’s signature, Wisconsin becomes the 29th state to lower barriers preventing new hunters from entering the field.

Senate Bill 167, sponsored by Sen. Jim Holperin (D-Conover), creates a mentored hunting license, which will allow people 10 years of age and older to hunt with an experienced mentor prior to the completion of hunter education. The legislation is the culmination of five years of work for the Families Afield Program, founded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) to eliminate barriers to hunting. The cornerstone of the program has been the apprentice hunting concept which is embodied in the new Wisconsin law.

“We thank Gov. Doyle for signing this critically needed piece of legislation,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president and CEO. “Laws like this one in other states have proven to be effective at recruiting new groups of hunters such as women and urban residents. And most importantly, the program has been shown to be safe.

“Since the beginning of Families Afield, over 283,000 new hunters have been introduced to the field with a safety rate that even exceeds that of regular hunters,” said George Thornton, CEO of the NWTF. “Wisconsin has been a priority for our volunteers and we could not be more pleased that will now be law.”

“Replacing our ranks as older sportsmen pass on and leave hunting is critical to conservation and hunting,” stated NSSF President Steve Sanetti. “This new law is a major tool for accomplishing that important task.”

The effort to pass an apprentice hunting bill received great support across Wisconsin from sportsmen's groups such as the Hunters Rights Coalition, Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, Wisconsin State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Wisconsin chapters of Safari Club International, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. The National Rifle Association also supported Senate Bill 167.

Several members of the Wisconsin legislature deserve special recognition for championing this effort. This includes Representatives Ann Hraychuck (D-Balsam Lake) and Scott Gunderson (R- Waterford) as well as Senator Holperin and Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D- Schofield).

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website at www.ussportsmen.org.

Tony Hansen, Michigan Man

This past weekend I had my first real look at some new hunting ground I'll have access to this fall in Eastern Colorado. It's classic river bottom country that snakes through sage brush flats, and best of all it's loaded with deer...both whitetails and mulies. During the few hours I spent checking things out I bumped into a couple of mulies that would easily hit the 150-inch mark, as well as a 140-inch whitetail...not to mention the dozen or so smaller bucks and does I jumped from their beds. Old rubs were littered throughout the salt cedars and cottonwoods, and buck tracks were everywhere. Needless to say I'm counting the days until the October opener.

I'll be heading back out there this weekend as antelope season opens here in Colorado. Hopefully I'll have some time to hang a couple of stands and set some of my Moultrie Game Spy trail cameras up. I'll keep you posted with what I find and who happens to show up.

Brian

A long time coming, this latest episode of Hunt Junkies is the first ever fishing episode and takes place in the beautiful Devils River country of Southwest Texas. Adventure, funs, and even an untimely death ;)

Check it out...

Labels: Russell Graves, Texas, Videos

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas hunting and fishing licenses for 2009-2010 will go on sale Saturday, Aug. 15. Sportsmen are reminded all current Texas annual hunting and fishing licenses (except for the year-to-date fishing license) expire Aug. 31.

Most fees for recreational hunting and fishing licenses have increased by five percent; resident hunting licenses now cost $25, while the Super Combo all-inclusive license costs $68. There is no increase in price for any of the required stamp endorsements or the $48 Annual Public Hunting permit.

Non-resident hunting licenses increase by $15 from $300 to $315, which also reflects a five percent hike.
The resident freshwater fishing package costs $30 and the saltwater fishing package is $35.

Effective Sept. 1, the resident lifetime fishing and hunting licenses will increase to $1,000 and the lifetime combination license increases to $1,800.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issues 2.1 million hunting and fishing licenses annually through the agency’s 28 field offices, more than 65 state parks and at over 1,500 retailers across Texas.

Licenses may also be purchased online through the TPWD Web site or by phone (800-895-4248). Call center hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. The online transaction system is available 24/7. A $5 convenience fee will be charged for online and phone orders.

A license confirmation number is issued at the time of purchase for online and phone orders, and the physical license is mailed separately. Confirmation numbers will verify that a license has been purchased, which is sufficient for dove hunting, but will not allow hunters to take fish or wildlife that requires a tag.

In addition to a hunting license, all wing shooters will need to purchase a game bird stamp. To hunt doves or teal in September, a Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($7) is required. Duck hunters also need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp and receive HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification. HIP certification will be printed on the license at the time of sale only after the purchaser answers a few brief migratory bird questions. Lifetime license holders must also be HIP-certified and purchase the Federal Duck Stamp to hunt migratory birds. All other state stamp endorsements are included with a lifetime license.

New this year, purchase of the Federal Duck Stamp will cost $15-$17 depending on where you buy. If purchased through the TPWD license system there is a $2 administrative fee. Your license will indicate Federal Duck Stamp purchase and the physical stamp will be mailed. There are other options for purchasing the stamp, either at some major post offices or online.

"Remember, it's your responsibility to make sure you are properly licensed, so be sure to check your license before you leave the sales counter," said Tom Newton with TPWD's license program. "We do get a fair number of requests for re-issuance of licenses because the hunter forgot to get HIP certified."

There are other mandatory endorsements to consider at the time of purchase, too. An Upland Game Bird Stamp ($7) is required to hunt all non-migratory game birds, including turkey, quail, pheasant, chachalaca and lesser prairie chicken.

Of course, anyone who purchases the Super Combo license package, the best bang for the buck, automatically gets these needed stamps.
Also new this year, sandhill crane permits may be obtained in person at no cost only through TPWD Law Enforcement offices and TPWD headquarters in Austin. Permits are also available anytime online through TPWD's online license sales and by calling 800-792-1112 (option 5, menu 2) or 512-389-4820 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For online and phone orders, a confirmation number will be issued in lieu of a permit and a $5 transaction fee will be charged.

Hunter Education Certification is also required of any hunter born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 and who is at least 17 years old. For hunters who are unable to work in a hunter education class before hunting season for whatever reason, TPWD does offer a deferral option.

The deferral option allows people 17 years of age or older a one-time only extension to complete the state’s hunter education requirements. The individual must first purchase a hunting license and then may purchase the deferral option.

Hunters using the deferral must be accompanied by someone 17 years old or older who is also licensed to hunt in Texas. The accompanying individual must have completed hunter education or be exempt from the requirements (born before Sept. 2, 1971). The extension is good for one license year, by which time the person with the deferred option needs to complete a hunter education course.

This option is not available to those who have ever received a conviction or deferred adjudication for lack of hunter education certification. They still must take the course before going afield.

Also available through license agents and online are chances for TPWD's Big Time Texas Hunts. The Big Time Texas Hunts program offers the opportunity to win one or more top guided hunts with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases. The crown jewel of the program is the Texas Grand Slam hunt package, which includes four separate hunts for Texas' most prized big game animals - the desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn antelope. There are several quality whitetail hunt packages available, as well as opportunities to pursue alligator, exotic big game, waterfowl and upland game birds.

Entries for the Big Time Texas Hunt drawings are $10 each and are available wherever hunting licenses are sold. They may also be purchased online at a discounted price of $9 each. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may purchase, and entries may be given as gifts for others. Purchasers must be 17 years of age or older.

Labels: News, Russell Graves, Texas

A buddy sent this one to me this afternoon. He's definitely a tag-worthy candidate for Kentucky's bow opener in a few weeks.

Will

I received an email over the weekend about a giant Oklahoma buck that calls a 250-acre farm home. The owner of the farm got these pics back after setting out his trail camera for the first time. Unbelievable!

If you have any trail cams pics of bucks you'd like to share with the group, please email them to whitetail@realtree.com.

For anyone living in the Midwest, this won't be news. But, it's worth stating anyone, the weather patterns this summer have been downright strange. The summer started off wet and scorching hot. Then, for the last two months, we've had almost no rain and temperatures that resemble September and October more than July and August. Well this weekend it was (and is) sweltering with frequent thunderstorms.

What's this got to do with deer hunting? Well, our friends in the West can verify that rainfall amounts have a fairly dramatic effect on antler development. That's not entirely applicable here in the Midwest becuase we have so much food for deer that's not entirely dependent on rainfall. In other words, even though it's been a very dry summer here our crops are still in decent shape and the deer are filling up on them.

I've been out and about a ton during the evening hours trying to get a guage on the bucks in my area and gathering footage for MidwestWhitetail.com, which you can watch right here on Realtree.com this fall. So far, I've liked what I've seen. There are plenty of good-looking deer out there. But, this is Michigan, hunting pressure always dictates exactly how many mature bucks I'll see on their feet during daylight hours. But, so far, this season is shaping up to be one of the best.


Tony Hansen, Michigan Man

This weekend, I was honored to be on the speaking slate with hunting industry personalities Rob Keck (pictured above) and Bone Collector Nick Mundt at the Hunting University seminars at the Bass Pro Shops store in Grapevine, Texas. These guys put on great seminars and were well attended by enthusiastic listeners taking in Rob's years of experience in the woods and Nick's exciting tales of Russian bear hunts. If they ever come close to your town, make sure you check them out.
-RG

Labels: News, Russell Graves, Texas

With the coming of a new season, newspapers all over Texas start to ramp up their coverage of the most exciting three months in the Texas outdoors. Here are three great articles from the San Angelo Standard-Times:

Labels: News, Russell Graves, Texas

Thirty minutes before dark on the night before Halloween, the doe appeared on the hardwood ridge behind me. She was all alone and loping right toward me--I could tell something was behind her. The 8-pointer that popped into view wasn't a monster, but with a 17-inch spread, he was by far bigger than anything I'd taken with a bow up to that point. The slight click of my release fastening to my string sounded thunderous to me, but those deer probably couldn't hear much over the crunching of dry white oak leaves. The buck wouldn't have cared anyway, I don't think.


When things looked promising, the doe began angling away from my stand. That year was the first one that I can remember The Can bleat calls becoming popular, and I had one in my pocket. I used it in concert with a series of rapid grunts, and the buck turned toward me just like on TV. He worked over a scrape at 25 yards, but was obscured by a tree limb. I knew I would have a shot in a matter of seconds.


Instead of stepping out to one side of the limb, the buck walked straight toward me. He ambled right along, dragging his hoofs in a seemingly careless fashion, totally oblivious to me 18 feet above him. When he stopped five yards from my tree facing directly toward me, I was already drawn. I put my sight pin at the crease of his neck and shoulder and punched the release. The result was dramatic, and the 8-pointer fell within 30 yards.


That hunt was freshened in my mind last week as I was interviewing a Georgia bowhunter, one who knows his stuff, for a stillhunting story. At some point, shot angles were mentioned, and the topic of sharp quartering-to shots came up. "I've got no problem taking that shot if it presents itself," he said. "I practice shooting my bow from every odd angle you can imagine and know I can make that shot if need be."


Now, I'm not advocating taking a questionable shot. But for many folks, opportunities at a buck, particularly with a bow, are few and far between. If they're accomplished archers and have confidence in making a shot that will allow the arrow to reach the vitals, I see no reason not to take it.


Shoot enough deer and you're going to wound a few. I've wounded my share. But when I think back on it, the animals I've wounded have usually been standing broadside--shots that maybe I took for granted and rushed. The extreme concentration prior to the shots I've taken on animals from odd angles, however, has resulted in filled tags much more often than not.


Will

Now this is cool. For all of you bow nerds like me, be sure to check out this cool video...

Labels: Russell Graves, Videos