Swamp Ghost Cameras
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
I’m working near Des Allemands Louisiana. I have been watching a pair of mature Eagles. They had landed on this clump of dirt several times. I thought if I put some bait on the clump and set my trail cam up, that I stood a good chance of getting a picture of one. We found the big catfish floating nearby and set the cam up on the clump with the big catfish in front of it. We had to leave the area for a day. When we returned, we checked the cam and BINGO! We had the young eagle trying to fly off with the big catfish. It must have been too heavy for him to lift off with. That night, an alligator must have taken the catfish. So we found a small catfish and reset the cam. This time I decided to set the camera on forced flash to get a better picture. The flash would brighten the scene and show the colors better on the bird. Read more...

Making A Trophy Deer Shoulder Mount
Wednesday, 02 July 2008
A hunter appreciates the importance associated with having a shoulder mount of the deer he or she hunted. It is a memento of an unforgettable hunting expedition. When you harvest a trophy deer, you may want to do a shoulder mount in order to preserve the magnificence of the animal. A good hunter needs to have detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the deer to be able to skin, gut, and dress the animal for a full body, shoulder, or head mount.Before skinning the head, the most important step is to take accurate measurements. Take measurements from the center of the nose to the front of both eyes. Take measurements from the nose to the sides of both the antlers. Then measure from the nose to the back of the skull. Also measure the circumference of the neck, about three inches behind the head.Now refer to the “skinning for a shoulder mount” article for instruction on how to cape the deer for a shoulder mount. Read more...

Good Boar Down
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Snooks and I headed up to the lease Monday to try and get some work done on our food plots. We left town at 3pm and drove onto the lease at 5:30pm! We wanted to try and sneak in a hog hunt while there. We geared up and headed to our stands hoping the hogs weren't already there. I was barely settled in my stand when I hear BOOOOOM!!!!! I received a text message from Snooks saying "Big Sow Down!" He said they were already at his feeder when he got there.I settled in hoping I would soon have some action myself. Wasn't long and I heard a branch snap! Then I heard footsteps in some water. Then it was quiet. I waited patiently.Then out of nowhere. There stands a Big Hog in the brush to my right! Read more...

Florida Osceola
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Yesterday I went to listen to see where my bird was, he was missing in action so I decided to see if I could roost a bird and I did two of them, I was so torn between two birds deciding which one to go after should I go after the one that I roosted or go after my gobbler that I got on audio, the one I bonded with for weeks now. I called my sister and hunting partner and she convinced me to go with my gut feeling, because it's never wrong saying that with a giggle. Although I really wanted that one gobbler, it was heartbreaking to let him go. I slept in the truck so I was the first one out in my hunting area I finally make my way down the trail and I run into a herd of cows bedded down, well I have to go through them there's no going around them  so I made a noise and flashed them with my flashlight, you would of thought I started world war 3, the whole heard scattered  then I come face to face with this single cow down a ways , I had to stand my ground again, it freaked out and the whole heard that was hiding in silence spooked, I had cows running everywhere It was pretty hillarious  I know the 2 birds I roosted were not going to say a word, and they didn't. I did hear one of the birds finally and I worked him for about 2 hours, then I decided to move to my honey hole, where I should have been first thing that morning. Read more...

Summer Food Plots
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cultivating food plots is an ideal way to provide much-needed forage for wildlife through late summer and attract these animals before hunting seasons begin."Planting food plots is a part of good land management," said Ben West, associate wildlife specialist for Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "Warm season plots can provide a number of benefits, such as preventing soil erosion and providing forage for many game animals when food quality and quantity are low. They also can provide a nesting habitat for smaller animals, like bobwhite quail."Landowners often overlook the value of warm-season food plots, but since deer population levels are so high in late summer, finding adequate forage may be difficult. Native plants do not produce as much nourishment until fall, when acorns and nuts are plentiful. Read more...

Zimbabwe Hunting Safari Adventure - Part Three by DJ
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Zimbabwe Hunting Safari Adventure - Part Three by DJ Part Three… Crossing Paths with a Record Book Sable As we welcomed each new sunrise from behind our makeshift blind, peering through the fleeting darkness as morning’s new rays bathed the African bush, the promise of another wild African adventure began to unfold. In the distant darkness the huff of lions at the bait, once a point of concern, became common and almost welcomed. As the light chased the darkness, the night hunters moved into the shadows for a day long nap. With the coast clear, we moved forward and inspected the bait. Again no hyena tracks only lion. With two Hyena tags burning a hole in my safari pants, I became resigned to the fact that it was time to change our strategy. Leaving the bait, Darren and I return to the trail. Our trackers, waiting in the distance, are trained to bring the safari vehicle either at the sound of a rifle shot or 15 minutes after sun up. Stowing our gear in the fully supplied Toyota 4x4 we agree to make a push deep into the hills of Matetsi Unit 2 and pursue the large Sable male that eluded us the prior day. Unit 2 can be described as a mixture of large flat pan’s with cross cut riverbeds buffered by gently rolling hills. Boarding Botswana to the west and a managed forest lands to the north, this clump of densely brushed wilderness proves excellent habitat for a myriad of species. Without fences, large herds of mixed game species roam freely across these nations borders. More importantly, MU2 is well known for holding large sable bulls. This is the key reason I’ve selected this area from all others in Africa. Since arriving and covering many miles, we’ve seen mostly immature males, small family groups composed of females and calf’s, except for the brief sighting and unsuccessful stalk on what appeared to be an excellent bull. As the hours rolled by I starting to second guess myself, did I pick the right area? Was this the right month? Was it too dry? Noticing my concern, my PH reminded me that mature male Sable Bulls are very territorial. They can sometimes be seen traveling within a family group or more commonly out alone inspecting their range and driving out any trespassing rival males. But “they are here and haven’t gone anywhere”, Darren reassures me.  Read more...

Fourth Season in Wisconsin
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Took out a client yesterday and this morning, we tried a new property I gained permission to hunt earlier in the week.To say this season is like night and day compared to the first three is an understatement! We arrived in the woods at 5:00 to a chorus of no less than 8 gobblers sounding off from their perch. Right away a mouthy boss hen cranked it up and got into a war of words with me. We traded insults for nearly 30 minutes till she finally had enough and went the other way, the gobbler however wanted to get a look at the new chick in the neighborhood and proceeded our way..............that is till he got to 80 yards and hung up: roll: After letting him move off we circled around to reposition on him, he cranked up and gobbled from 300 yards out and closing............ Read more...

Trolling For Mackerel
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Trolling for mackerel can be an extremely productive way to hook one of these big feisty fish. However, for anglers who have never trolled before it can also be an arduous and unusual experience. It generally requires large boats and specific equipment which most fishers don’t accumulate for themselves alone. As a result, most trolling for mackerel is done as part of a guided expedition.For those unfamiliar with this method of landing the big fish, trolling consists of having the boat pull the bait, be it a lure or live bait, through the water as opposed to having the angler cast the bait using a rod and reel. Trolling for mackerel is mainly done in open deep saltwater where the larger kingfish are more readily found although modified trolling techniques can also be employed closer to the shoreline. Read more...

Top Water Fishing
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
    Top Water Fishing   It’s right at daybreak. You’ve killed the motor about 200 feet away from the lily pads. Now you are on stealth approach with the trolling motor, and the first cast lands in the pocket between four pads. You let the frog settle a minute, twitch it twice, and SLAM!, the tuning fork goes off in your loins as the 5lbr grabs the frog. You’re still shaking as you boat the first fish of the morning, knowing that there is no other adrenalin rush like this.   Top water fishing has to be the most exciting part of Bass Fishing. Whether you are walking the dog with a spook, pulling a Jitterbug, watching it gurgle as it comes across the water, casting a buzz bait over the grass beds, or dropping that buzz frog over some lily pads, there is nothing like the thrill of a great top water strike. In this article we will explore the various top water lures and the various methods of retrieve for each. Read more...

Choosing a Flats Fishing Guide
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Flats fishing can be an enjoyable, memorable, and well-spent time out in the ocean. However, whether you are a novice or an expert, you may wish to use a flats fishing guide. A flats fishing guide can help you learn how to flats fish or help you perfect your technique. When choosing a flats fishing guide, there are several things to look for. The first thing to consider is money. The price to hire a guide will vary from company to company. You must examine their expertise and time in the business and measure this against the price they are charging as well as your own budget. Second of all, make sure you do not hire a company that guarantees you will catch a fish. No one can guarantee that you will catch a fish, but what a company can guarantee is that at the very least you’ll have fun trying and learn a few things about flats fishing while doing so. You should also inquire as to whether or not the guide will provide the tackle and equipment. Most companies will provide these items, but you are better off double-checking on this. In most cases, you will be required to bring your own lunch, beverages, and sun protection. As far as fishing licenses go, the captain’s license will be enough coverage for you and will allow you to flats fish. Read more...

The Thrill of the Airboat Ride
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
An old-fashioned airboat ride is one of the best ways to see the rivers and marshes of areas like the Florida Everglades – as scenic a place as you could ever hope to visit. Airboats are a long-established part of the scenery, and there’s nothing quite like hopping on to one to get a tour round the wildlife and scenery of these beautiful waterways. An airboat ride is a thrill for visitors of all ages. There’s no reason to sit on a boring barge when you can see the rivers and marshes from a genuine old-fashioned airboat. The distinctive shape of the big rear propeller is about as close as you get to a symbol of the Florida Everglades, short of the alligators themselves – and you don’t want to get too close to them! Visitors consistently say that taking a ride in an airboat was the most exciting and memorable part of their whole trip. The thrill of the airboat ride is how close you get to nature and the great outdoors, with the wind in your hair and the spray from the water adding to the experience. Read more...

Flats fishing
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Flats fishing can be an exciting and rewarding experience for fishermen of all ages, whether just beginning or accomplished angler. Flats are long, level, shallow water areas next to deeper water. They are found in bays estuaries and marshes. They are also found atop reefs and atolls, and along shorelines.The bottom of a flat may be made up of grass, sand, rock, mud, gravel, or a combination of these. Flats with grass or other aquatic vegetation offer cover and food for a variety of fish as well as shrimp and crabs. The most sought after fish when flats fishing include redfish, tarpon, seatrout, bonefish, permit and snook. Other popular catches are striped bass, bluefish, barracuda, shark, cobia and mutton snapper. Read more...

Tarpon Fishing
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
I was able to do some fishing for a little while this evening with a friend Capt Danny Brown, His Dad is Capt Gregg Brown who both are guides in the Florida Keys and friends with Captain Tw. I went down this weekend to originally work on the house in Key Largo and figured I had a little time this evening to try my luck tarpon fishing. I have had plenty of success fishing with my friends Capt. t.w., country 6068 and keys angler on several game fish like snook,redfish and trout but never have I landed a tarpon yet and that all changed this evening. We got out to the fishing spot at about 6:00pm and drifted along side the bridge using small crabs and mullet for bait, we must of fished for at least an hour or two with no hits. The tarpon i am told are more active very early morning and late evening i guess you would say like a whitetail there similar in there feeding times. The sun was hitting the horizon and you couldn't have asked for a better sunset, it was a beginning to a beautiful evening. About 8:30 pm the sun had gone down and I could hardly see my bober but the moon was full and lighting up the water it was very quiet and we were just sitting there enjoying the view, about this time i heard a fish explode like someone just threw a bolder off the bridge in the water Danny yelled out fish on i grabbed the rod set the hook as hard as i could and watched this monster come out of the water completely it was amazing to say the least. Read more...

2008 Halibut Adventure by DJ
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Well all, I’m back in the blue waters of the KANO inlet nestled among the wooded rain forests of the Charlotte Islands. The skies today are steel gray with low clouds that swirl and hang over the islands trees like the smoke from a smoldering forest fire. The wind is low and the ocean is at peace. The waves remind me of a pond more so than the fierceness the north pacific in this area is so known for.As our float plane arrives and water skies along the surface to the side of the HS Salmon Seeker, we all breath a sign of relief as we exit the small craft. The crossing over the Charlotte’s well timbered peaks is always an exciting ride. This time, we did it in heavy clouds and fog. Flying too low out here could mean an unplanned meeting with disaster. Once upon the Seeker, which was an old Government Exploration ship converted into quaint yet compact state rooms and an equally compact galley, we quickly stowed our gear and collected our Mustang survival suits. Well worn by countless prior guests, these yellow waterproof outfits are a two piece setup with bibs under a hooded storm jacket. Made to protect you from the cold, wind and water, they really do their job. Once dressed for success we’re out to the boats. Read more...