Tactics

Primitive Black Bear

May 3, 2012 • No comments

From the very conception of my bowhunting madness, my ambitions have remained in a perpetual state of flux. All but…»

In Big Game, Tactics • Tagged black bear, Primitive, Take down bow

3 Most Important Lessons Learned From Shots On 100 Does

April 24, 2012 • 5 comments

Bill Winke shares with us the three most important bow lessons he learned from a doe culling effort that was…»

In Tactics, Video • Tagged Does, Management, Shooting Tips, Video

Hunting Spooked Deer

April 17, 2012 • No comments

I shot a doe on opening day of archery season on a large tract of public land. Can I keep…»

In Ask, Tactics

Seven Steps to Affordable Scouting

April 11, 2012 • 2 comments

Deer aren’t really affected by our sluggish economy. I wish we hunters could say the same. With gas prices already…»

In Tactics • Tagged Scouting

Bowhunting Turkey! 5 Steps To Arrowing A Boss Tom

March 29, 2012 • 4 comments

Bowhunting turkey isn’t the parlor trick many believe. Here are five ways you can punch a tag on a longbeard with your bow.

In Out West, Tactics • Tagged turkey

Mississippi bowhunter Will Rives, right, and his father Bill Rives pose with the new state-record typical archery buck, which scored 187 3/8 gross and 172 4/6 net. Will Rives killed the deer in Jefferson County on Dec. 14, 2010.

A Closer Look at Mississippi’s State-Record Typical Buck

March 9, 2012 • No comments

As Mississippi farmer Will Rives headed out for an afternoon bowhunt on Dec. 14, 2010, his father Bill made a…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Easton, Mississippi, STate Record, Typical

Can Deer Tell How Far Away a Source of an Odor Is?

March 9, 2012 • 2 comments

QUESTION: Can deer determine how far away the origin of the scent actually is? If I have a treestand within…»

In Ask, Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Ask Winke, Scent Elimination, smell, Whitetail

Hope in a Box: Food Plot Seed Arrives!

March 8, 2012 • 1 comment

The temperature here in Pennsylvania today is about 65 degrees, and although the calendar says spring doesn’t begin until March…»

In Food Plots, Gear, Grounds, Stuck In The Rut, Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Evolved Harvest, Food Plots

How a Solid Pre-Shot Routine Will Prevent Bow Misses

March 8, 2012 • 1 comment

Field Editor Bill Winke shares what he learned from a hunt situation where the “big one” got away and how…»

In Tactics, Video • Tagged Bill Winke, Practice, Pre-Shot routine, Video

If you hunt long enough, you will shoot a deer in the paunch. How you react may very well determine whether or not you recover it.

Recovering Gut Shot Deer

February 23, 2012 • 1 comment

My outfitter on a recent hunt was giving us instruction on shot placement when he said something that made my…»

In Tactics

Is This the Ultimate Arrow/Broadhead Combo for Big Game?

February 16, 2012 • 10 comments

Most contemporary bowhunters shoot arrows that are relatively light by traditional archery standards. And the broadheads we use are far…»

In Arrows_broadheads, Big Game, Field_tested, Gear, Stuck In The Rut, Tactics, Video • Tagged Alaska Bowhunting Supply, Arrows, big game, Broadheads, GrizzlyStik, moose

Video: Bill Winke’s Top Five Bow Shooting Tips

February 8, 2012 • 3 comments

Petersen’s Bowhunting Field Editor Bill Winke give us his top five bow shooting tips Plays videos on our IMO Mags…»

In Tactics, Video • Tagged Bill Winke, How-To, Practics, Shooting, Video

As Spring Approaches, It’s Time to Establish Mineral Sites

February 7, 2012 • No comments

With a mild winter across much of North America, there is very little snow covering the ground and people in…»

In Gear, Grounds, Stuck In The Rut, Tactics, Treestands_blinds, Whitetails • Tagged Mineral Mizer Bag

10 Off-Season Hunts for Bowhunters

February 2, 2012 • No comments

For most bowhunters, whitetails occupy our thoughts and dreams. For many others, it’s elk and mule deer. The problem is…»

In Big Game, Tactics • Tagged Alligator Gar, Alligators, Axis Deer, black bear, Javelina, Mountain Lion, Shark, Varmints, Wild Hog

West Virginia Man Carves Unreal Buck Using Pine Scraps

January 26, 2012 • No comments

After working on a log cabin build, West Virginia native Terry Phillips had a heap of leftover pine scraps at…»

In Tactics

Goof-Proof Tips For Sighting-In Your Bow

January 25, 2012 • 1 comment

Start by attaching the sight to the bow. Next, loosen the screw that locks the horizontal adjustment of the sight…»

In Tactics • Tagged Bow Practice, Sighting In

Late-Season Whitetail Tactics

January 6, 2012 • No comments

The late season is tough; most hunters get discouraged when they realize just how tough it is. It only takes…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Bill Winke, Late-Season, Tactics, Whitetails

Texas Whitetail Hunt: Big Buck Down

December 10, 2011 • No comments

My bowhunting success success definitely seems to come in bunches, and 2011 has been a very good year. As you…»

In Big Game, Grounds, Photos, Stuck In The Rut, Tactics, Whitetails

Rare Black Color-Phase Coyote Taken in Pennsylvania

November 3, 2011 • 4 comments

Johnny Cash probably would have liked the pelt on this song dog. While hunting in a Pennsylvania Game Commission public-hunting…»

In Tactics • Tagged Black, Color Phase, Coyote, Pennsylvania

Aiming the bow is a complex process involving the integration of many body systems. You must experiment and practice to determine which methods work best for you. Once you've established your system, you must be consistent for the best results.

Four Elements of Aiming Your Bow

October 19, 2011 • 5 comments

ONE EYE OR TWO? Should you shoot with the non-dominant eye open, closed or squinted? Aiming your bow with both…»

In Tactics • Tagged Aiming, Full Draw, Randy Ulmer

When Can You Hunt a Stand Again After Killing a Deer?

October 17, 2011 • 2 comments

I have shot a lot of does over the years, and that has given me the chance to watch how…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Bill Winke, hunting, treestand, Whitetail

How You Should Store Your Hunting Clothing

October 17, 2011 • 4 comments

You definitely want to keep your activated carbon scent-absorbing hunting clothing and traditional hunting clothing separate. Activated charcoal will absorb…»

In Tactics • Tagged Bill Winke, Hunting Clothing, Scent Control

Tammi Gregory shows off her 11-point Kansas monster — a deer that was harvested just 20 minutes before her husband Jay took a 16-point non-typical. The duo combined to take down 374 combined inches of antler in half an hour!

Monster Ground Blind Bucks

October 6, 2011 • 1 comment

Without a doubt, taking a giant buck from the ground is one of the toughest feats in bowhunting. That said,…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Gregory's, Ground Blinds, Trophy Bucks, Whitetails

Getting the Most from a Whisker Biscuit

October 6, 2011 • 7 comments

Whisker Biscuit rests are notorious for chewing up flimsy plastic vanes. There are a few things you can do to…»

In Ask, Tactics • Tagged Ask Winke, trophy ridge, Whisker Biscuit

When Are The Best Days To Hunt The Rut?

September 22, 2011 • 3 comments

There are two ways to look at the rut, depending on what kind of buck you are trying to shoot.…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Ask Winke, Bill Winke, Mature Bucks, Rut, Whitetails

VIDEO: Winke’s Bowhunting Preparation Tips

September 9, 2011 • 2 comments

Field Editor Bill Winke offers advice on getting ready for the upcoming season, with his focus on mental preparedness and…»

In Tactics • Tagged Bill Winke, Center Shots, Preparation

Shooting Your Bow With One Eye Versus Two

September 8, 2011 • 7 comments

I will start out by saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Don’t mess with a winning formula one…»

In Tactics • Tagged Bill Winke, Shooting Tips

Before taking your crossbow into the field, it’s important to practice until you are familiar with your bolt trajectory at various ranges. This photo shows the point of impact from Doug Koenig’s TenPoint crossbow using the 20-yard crosshair at 20, 30 and 40 yards.

Determining Maximum Range for a Crossbow

September 6, 2011 • 1 comment

What is the maximum range for a crossbow? That’s a tough question to answer. Modern crossbows typically generate speeds anywhere…»

In Crossbows, Tactics • Tagged Crossbows, Doug Koenig, Maximum Range, TenPoint

A little time, effort and money spent creating hidey-hole food plots can pay off in the form of nice bucks such as this.

Hidey-Hole Whitetail Food Plots

August 16, 2011 • 3 comments

Closing the distance on a mature buck is more art than science. Throughout the off-season, hunters like us are continually…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Food Plots, Hidey-Hole, Whitetails

Your 5 Point Checklist for Field Judging Elk

August 9, 2011 • 2 comments

MISSOULA, Mont.–A trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare. When…»

In Tactics • Tagged Elk, Field Judging

Any bowhunter would be thrilled to capture bucks such as these on a scouting camera. However, all trail camera images represent valuable data that can help guide management decisions by tracking individual bucks and monitoring the overall deer population on your hunting property from year to year.

How To Conduct a Trail Camera Census for Whitetails

August 5, 2011 • 1 comment

As I drove home one evening after spending the afternoon in one of my favorite stands, I got a call…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Deer Survey, Trail Camera Census

How To Defeat Target Panic

August 1, 2011 • 7 comments

We all fight target panic to some extent. How much we fight it depends on our technique. Ron Ellis from…»

In Tactics • Tagged Aiming, Target Panic

A portable tripod and a good digital camera with a self-timer make it easy to capture high-quality trophy shots in the field. Proper camera position and shooting at the right time of day also enhance photo quality.

Taking Better Hunting Trophy Photos

July 29, 2011 • 5 comments

One area where nearly every hunter can improve is taking better hunting trophy photos in the field. When the day…»

In Tactics • Tagged Trophy Photos

Tactics For Hunting Public Land

July 29, 2011 • 3 comments

Hunting public land can be a challenge for any bowhunter. Number one, you need to find areas that are not…»

In Tactics • Tagged Public Land

How To Create A Whitetail Hunting Habitat

July 27, 2011 • 3 comments

Q: My dad and I have a 60-acre crop farm. We are looking for information on how to create a…»

In Bowhunting Corner, Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Ask Winke, Bill Winke, Food Plots

Is Faster More Forgiving?

July 18, 2011 • 8 comments

I love those old movies where Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone are running around the wilderness shooting charging bears with…»

In Tactics

When selecting a crossbow, pay careful attention to the quality of the trigger. A crisp trigger mechanism that allows you to execute the shot with minimal travel is key to maximizing your accuracy.

Trigger Tactics For Crossbows

July 15, 2011 • 2 comments

One of the most important features on a firearm is the trigger. I would rather have a really good trigger…»

In Tactics • Tagged Crossbows, Trigger

Tactics For Managing Whitetail Hunting Information

July 15, 2011 • 1 comment

There is a wealth of information contained in the years of experience we all have accumulated. I am as guilty…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Ask Winke, Trail Cameras

More and more, the biggest factor in determining deer hunters’ success or failure is simply finding a quality area to hunt. Although there are plenty of quality hunting options on public land, a growing percentage of hunters are buying property specifically to create a quality hunting experience.

Three Keys to Deer-Hunting Success: Location, Location, Location

July 15, 2011 • 3 comments

Where are you going to hunt this year? More and more, that’s literally becoming the million-dollar question whitetail hunters face…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Whitetails

Planting Food Plots Without Implements

July 14, 2011 • No comments

When you’re facing a situation where you might not have the equipment you need for a food plot or the…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Food Plots, Whitetails

Timing The Rut

July 13, 2011 • No comments

OK, I know timing the rut is an oft-visited subject. The fact is, it’s of great interest to whitetail hunters…»

In Tactics, Whitetails

How Early to a Stand That’s Close to Where Deer are Bedding?

July 13, 2011 • 43 comments

How early to a stand that’s close to where deer are bedding depends a lot on the conditions for that…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Bedding, Bill Winke, Stands, Whitetails

What Time of the Day is Best for Hunting Deer During a Full Moon?

July 12, 2011 • 4 comments

Conventional wisdom has always suggested that you should be out there at midday when the moon is full. However, I…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Moon, Whitetail

Arrow Selection for Hunting

July 12, 2011 • 2 comments

I recently sat down and had a long conversation with Lennie Rezmer, Carbon Express’ Vice President, that simply changed the…»

In Tactics • Tagged Arrows, Carbon Express

Sight-In Strategies For Bowhunters

July 5, 2011 • 2 comments

Ideally, you will sight-in your bow over the course of several days, even weeks. Because your shooting form changes a…»

In Tactics • Tagged Sighting In, Sights

7 Off-Season Preparation Steps for Bowhunters

June 29, 2011 • 2 comments

Here are the seven steps I take each year to make sure I am ready for the hunting season. Step…»

In Tactics • Tagged Bill Winke, Off-Season, Preparation

When Should You Start Shooting Does During Hunting Season?

June 29, 2011 • 5 comments

I get this question often: when should you start shooting does during hunting season? I try and shoot whitetail does…»

In Tactics, Whitetails • Tagged Bill Winke, Does, Tactics

How To Aim a Bow Better

June 23, 2011 • 11 comments

There are many things you can do to improve the quality of your aim. Here is a quick rundown of…»

In Tactics • Tagged Aiming, How-To

The Primos Dark Horse would get the job done

Winke’s Tips For Bowhunting From A Ground Blind

June 23, 2011 • No comments

I hunt out of blinds a few times each year and they can be very effective, but the deer figure…»

In Tactics • Tagged Ground Blind, How-To

Eddie Claypool packs his desert muley buck out of the southwestern Arizona backcountry. Covering plenty of roadless ground is critical to success in this territory.

Bowhunting Mule Deer and Coues Deer in Arizona High Country

June 20, 2011 • No comments

For most of my bowhunting life, I considered the last day of December the end of my season. By that…»

In Tactics • Tagged Arizona, Coues Deer, Mule Deer

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