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May 16, 2007 09:00 AM

Venison Jerky Recipes

Below is a question I received from Jack in Ohio.

 

marty,

can you educate me on making deer jerky at home?

Thanks, Jack Withers Sunbury, ohio

 

Jack,

Thanks for your question on making venison jerky.

I have posted two great venison jerky recipes on www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com complete with detailed instructons. Just click the link below to read the article "How to Make the Best Tasting Venison Jerky'

http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com/articles/best_tasting_venison_jerky.htm

 

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Posted by Marty Prokop at 9:00 AM | Comments (2)

May 14, 2007 09:00 AM

How to Make Deer Hunting and Fishing Your Carrer

 

Mr. Marty Prokop, in your opinion, what is the best thing someone wanting to make a career out of hunting and or fishing can do, considering the fact that school doesn’t have a whole lot to do about either one?

 

I used to be into hunting and fishing big time, but this past season I was really discouraged when the season ended and I hadn’t made any kills.

 

I'm only 16, but I'm really beginning to wonder what to learn in school that will help me with hunting and or fishing. If you have any advice or suggestions, please feel free to speak. I am really wondering.

 

Matt

   

Matt,

 

Thanks for your email. Congratulations upon becoming part of the Free Deer Hunting Tips Community.

 

You have listed some very good questions. Here are my comments.

 

I felt the same way about schooling, hunting and fishing when I was attending high school. And, looking back on my school years, I can now see many opportunities available to me that I didn’t realize at the time.

 

First of all is learning persistence and awareness.

 

I made the decision early on that no matter what the result (the harvest, fish caught, deer taken) of my time outdoors, I would be happy for every minute. I would be outdoors just to be outdoors. I became aware of how grateful I was to be given opportunities outdoors (even if this meant cleaning the barn or tilling the garden).

 

When hunting or fishing trips did not turn out as planned I started to look around at my skills (or lack at the time) and my surroundings to see if I could find clues as to what could be improved.

 

When hunting or fishing trips went well, guess what I did?

 

I did more than celebrate.

 

I started to look at my skills (or changes I made) and my surroundings to see if I could find clues as to what I wanted to keep doing.

 

I kept notes of these (yes, written notes). These became the foundation for being able to help others.

 

School will teach you persistence — as you complete those classes you may find boring (I had them too).

 

You can also look at each class or study asking yourself, “How can this help me become what I want?” This is awareness. You’d be amazed that just about every class can help teach you at least a nugget that might be helpful later on.

 

Persistence and awareness are great skills to acquire if you are interested in being a guide, wild life tracker, wild life biologist, wildlife author/writer, outdoor trainer or succeed in many other outdoor fields.

 When You Can’t Get Outdoors 

Learn all you can about wildlife by reading books and watching videos concerning fish and wildlife habits.

 

If your school library is limited as to what can be found, go to your public library and pick up as many books as you are able to read.

 

And keep reading the Free Deer Hunting Tips newsletter that you get free as a subscriber.

 

You can also write for this blog by just writing…yes, we would love for you to contribute your questions, stories, comments and ideas. This could be a great start for you in the outdoors field.

 Outdoor Careers 

As far as making a career out of hunting and fishing you may have some options in higher education courses. Those that come to mind are Wildlife Biologist, Fisheries Manager, Sporting Goods Spokesperson, Sporting Goods Store Owner, Wildlife Author/Writer, Wildlife Expert, Wildlife Speaker, Taxidermist, Professional Guide, Soil Conservation, Game Warden, your local Department of Natural Resources or Fish and Game Department.

 

Courses to consider would include math, reading, writing, business management, business marketing, wildlife biology and perhaps fisheries biology.

 

There are a few private courses offered for becoming a professional guide and/or a taxidermist.

 

Any of the above could be good options to working in the fishing and hunting fields.

 Slow Season 

Matt, I hear you 100% about the season. It can be frustrating to not fill your deer tag. One of the best ways to increase your odds of filling your deer tag is to increase the amount of time you are out deer hunting.

 

When deer hunting season arrives, being in school during the days can be tough. Stay in class, study diligently and get as much homework done at school. When school lets out for the day, hurry home get your hunting gear and head to the woods, if your parents allow.

 

As a young man, I used to hunt the firearm season only. After my first two years of not filling my deer tag, I picked up a second-hand bow. And after becoming very good at shooting a bow and arrow, I began to deer hunt archery season in addition to firearm deer hunting season.

 

Doing this could do two things for you.

 

It will get you out in the woods more, which could increase your chances of a big buck walking in front of you.

 

Secondly, as you are out in the woods, you will be learning deer behavior taught by the best teachers in the world…deer.

 

Use the information you acquire while out in the woods to help you pattern deer. Watch where deer come out of the woods and locate their main trails. If you notice deer coming out 100 yards away from your deer hunting tree stand, move your tree stand.

 

Pay attention to wind direction and deer movement. Deer will use certain trails when the wind blows from the north, south, east and west. Keep notes of which trails deer use and the wind direction each day. Before you head out to hunt, listen to the weather to see what the wind is doing that day. Choose a tree stand site that will have the wind in your face.

 

Another great way to learn deer habits and patterns is to go small game hunting after deer season ends. You will be out hunting, whether it is rabbits or squirrels, and you can also be out scouting for next deer season.

 

Rabbits and squirrels live in the same area you will be deer hunting. Follow deer trails into the woods. See where the trails lead to and from.

 

Big bucks have a home range or core area they spend most of their time in. If you locate a buck’s home range while small game hunting, you have just found a great place to hang a deer hunting tree stand.

 

Nothing beats time spent in the woods learning from the master teachers…the deer themselves.

 

Do not to get discouraged when you are out hunting and you don’t fill a tag. Sometimes just the excitement of seeing deer makes the experience worthwhile. Think of yourself as a student of the whitetail, as famed deer hunter Barry Wensel teaches.

 

In regards to making hunting and fishing a career, discovering what you love to do and choosing it as your career makes great sense. It also makes a life great. You can do it. I believe in you.

 

Keep me posted as to what you decide.

 

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

 

Marty Prokop

www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

Posted by Marty Prokop at 9:00 AM | Comments (0)

May 11, 2007 09:00 AM

Best Deer Hunting Guns for Beginners

What is the best deer hunting gun for beginners???

 

Zach

   

Zach,

 

Thanks for your great question.

 

Here are three factors to consider when choosing the best deer hunting gun:

 

 Deer Hunting Gun Factor #1 

One of the first is what your current deer hunting regulations allow in your deer hunting area. In your deer hunting area, does your state allow you to deer hunt with a rifle or do you need to use a deer hunting shotgun?

 Deer Hunting Gun Factor #2 

Another factor to consider is what part of the country you are deer hunting. Are you hunting in a thick, wooded environment? Or are you hunting in open grasslands?

 Deer Hunting Gun Factor #3

Do you want to use your deer hunting gun for other game or is it strictly for deer hunting?

 Thick Forest Deer Hunting Guns for Beginners 

I first began deer hunting at 14 years old. I was hunting in thick forest. My first deer hunting rifle was a Model 94 Winchester 30/30.

 

I love the 30/30 cartridge but do not recommend a lever action for beginning hunters.

 

The recoil from the 30/30 cartridge is almost non-existent; it works great for short range shots in the deer hunting woods. Overall, the 30/30 is a great caliber deer hunting rifle for deer hunters, whether deer hunting veterans or beginners.

 

The Model 94 is a lever action gun. This means to shoot the next bullet, you move the lever down and up to transfer the cartridge from the magazine into the chamber where it can be fired.

 

The problem is the safety is off when you cycle a cartridge into the chamber. The gun is in immediate fire mode. This is dangerous.

 

I do not recommend a lever action gun for beginners, because placing a lever action into safety mode can be a challenge.

 

When I was a kid, to make sure I mastered the safety of my lever action, I practiced 100 times every day for six months putting the safety on and off with my gun empty. Most people will not do this.

 

Therefore, I recommend a bolt action, slide action or pump with a cross block safety or button safety. With this type of gun you can place a cartridge into the chamber with the gun remaining on safety.

 

But what about semi-automatic deer hunting rifles?

 

Semi-automatics are also great deer hunting guns. However, for the beginner, having a bolt action or pump may increase concentration, shot placement and the importance of making the first shot count.

 

A semi-automatic can be a great deer hunting gun if you are going to use conscious self-discipline to make your first shot count, rather than figure you have multiple shots so you don’t have to master your deer hunting aim.

 

 Open Country Deer Hunting Gun for Beginners

If the area you plan to deer hunt consists of mostly open grassland and your average shot at deer is 100 yards or more, you will want to choose a long-range, flat-shooting deer rifle.

 

A good, open country deer rifle is the .243. The .243 has relatively light recoil and, with practice, is a good, long-range shooter. It is powerful enough for white tail deer, wild hogs and coyotes.

 

Just like the thick forest guns, for the beginners, I suggest a pump or bolt action with a cross block safety or button safety.

 

Deer Hunting Shotguns

Some states or even counties within states require deer hunters to use only shotguns for deer hunting.

 

Shotguns are great first guns for young hunters. You can deer hunt with a shotgun, and you can also use it for other hunting seasons your state may offer, such as small game and waterfowl seasons.

 

This is really important if you are on a tight budget. Here’s why…

 

You can purchase a good shotgun and buy a rifled slug barrel to convert it to a deer hunting shotgun. This can save you $500 to $600 for a deer hunting rifle, because a good shotgun can be a great deer hunting gun.

 

I’ve taken a number of deer with my 12-gauge shotgun.

 

By using one gun for multiple species, you will become accustomed to handling the gun. Your hunting skills confidence will increase.

 

For a beginner, I suggest a 20 gauge shotgun. A 20 gauge shotgun will have moderate recoil, and the overall weight of the gun is manageable for all day hunts.

 

Shotgun slugs are very reasonably priced; so you won’t spend a fortune on ammunition.

 

As with any firearm, it is best to practice at the gun range long before you head into the deer hunting woods.

 

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

 

Marty Prokop

www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

Posted by Marty Prokop at 9:00 AM | Comments (2)

May 9, 2007 05:42 PM

Deer Hunters Keep In Shape by Bow Fishing

“Deer Hunters Keep in Shape by Bow Fishing by Marty Prokop” 

Hunting with archery equipment offers the deer hunter a longer season. In many states the archery deer season starts around mid-September and runs through the end of the year.

 

Deer hunting with archery equipment is a true test of determination and patience. An archer has to wait for the perfect, close range shot.

 

With archery equipment, I find I am using different muscles than I use during the rifle or muzzleloader deer hunting season.

 

What can an archer do to keep the shooting eye sharp and muscles in shape during the off-season?

 Perfect Practice Makes Perfect Recommends Marty Prokop 

Set up a bow range and practice often.

 

Creating a safe bow range is fairly easy to do. If you live in the city, check your local regulations regarding having a bow range in your backyard.

 

When choosing a site for your personal bow range, look for an area that will offer you a few different yardage options. Choose the yardage options that you would most likely experience while out deer hunting.

 

My bow range, for example, will allow me to shoot from distances as close as 10 yards all the way to 75 yards.

 

If you plan to hunt from a deer hunting tree stand, for archery practice build yourself a shooting platform equaling the height you will be deer hunting from. Place your shooting platform at the most likely yardage you would encounter deer while you are deer hunting.

 

I place my shooting platform at approximately 30 yards from my target.

 Marty Prokop Advises to Choose a Good Archery Target  

Personally, I like to practice with 3-D targets. There are many different brands of 3-D targets available today. They range in price from $60 up to $300.

 

Since I mostly hunt whitetail deer, I opted for a life sized whitetail deer 3-D target. Using a life size 3-D target simulates a real deer and allows me different shot possibilities at different ranges, which gives me perfect practice.

 

Make sure the target you choose has a replaceable vitals section. This will save you money in the long run. Instead of having to purchase a whole new target, you can simply purchase and replace the vitals section.

 Safety First Reminds Marty Prokop 

Before you nock your arrow to the bowstring, make sure there are no people, animals or objects in or beyond your line of fire.

 

Always make sure you have a strong, oversized back stop behind your target. A back stop prevents arrows from passing through your target. It also stops arrows that have missed the target completely from traveling outside of your bow range.

When constructing your target back stop use material the arrow cannot pass through, but that does not damage your tips or arrows. Your back stop should be a minimum of two feet taller than the target. Make sure the back stop extends at least one foot wider than each side of the target.

 

When you practice, I recommend you use regular tips and not broad heads.

 

If your local regulations do not allow you to set up your own archery range in your back yard, find a local sporting goods shop that offers an indoor range.  

Practice Archery and Fish at the Same Time says Marty Prokop

One of the ways I keep my hunting eye sharp and my muscles ready is to bow fish. Bow fishing is the only sport I know where a person can hunt and fish at the same time.

 

Check your state’s local rules and regulations regarding bow fishing before you head to the nearest lake or pond. Make sure you know how to swim or you are wearing a floatation device while on or in the water. Always keep safety as your top priority.

 

Your targets are rough fish; such as carp, suckers and gar to name a few.

 

You can equip your hunting bow for bow fishing for around $75. This will get you a great bow fishing reel, arrow with fish point and the line needed to attach to your arrow.

 

A good pair of polarized sun glasses will help you spot the fish lying just under the water’s surface. Searching for fish just below the surface keep your hunting eye keen.

 

On a good day bow fishing you can take up to 100 shots at fish. This will help keep your muscles in shape for the archery deer season.

 

The added bonus is the fun of reeling in fish.

 

If you haven’t tried bow fishing yet, I hope you will after you read this week’s newsletter.

 

Keep your hunting eye sharp and your bow hunting muscles in shape during the off season. Perfect practice during the off season will make you more confident in your deer hunting tree stand come deer season.

 

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

 

Marty Prokop

www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

Posted by Marty Prokop at 5:42 PM | Comments (0)

May 3, 2007 01:45 AM

Roger Harvests Big Buck Weighing 220 Pounds

Roger Harvests Big Buck Weighing 220 Pounds

I would like to share my story with you about my deer hunting experience.

I was hunting one rainy day in the fall of 2005.

I went to sit in my deer stand, and what was really special for me was that I had my dad with me.

My father and I watched two does eating the apples I had placed near my deer hunting stand. We noticed the does were acting strange, so we kept watching.

Not seeing what had caused the does to act strangely, I decided we were going to leave because it was on Halloween night and I was going to take my son out trick or treating.

When I stood up, there the big buck was. He was standing right under my stand.

We couldn't see the huge buck because he was in my blind spot.

He was only 30 to 40 feet from me. I took aim and shot. The big buck took off running with his tail down. I felt sure it was a good sign that he was hit.

By now the rain was pouring down and there was no sign of blood. My dad and I split up and began searching. Five minutes later we found the big buck.
 
It was a moment I will never forget!!!! A nice trophy, and 220 pounds of meat.

Here are two pictures of my trophy.

Roger

Posted by Marty Prokop at 1:45 AM | Comments (1)