Category: Eblast Archives
Bows, Bugles, and Bulls: New Mexico Elk Hunt 2018 – Episode #463
Grant returns to New Mexico to chase elk! With the rut heating up and bulls screaming, the encounters are close and many. Watch the entire story as multiple bulls hit the ground. Plus, Tyler punches a tag as we work toward our doe management goal at The Proving Grounds.
New blog:
Knowing that deer have a sweet tooth can help hunters punch a tag. Learn how to scout and hunt sweet and tasty persimmon!
WOrking it:
Scrapes are heating up! This buck puts on a show at the Code Blue synthetic scrape!
HUNTING/Field TIP:
D/Code Field Wipes make cleaning dirty hands in the woods a breeze.
Q & A of the Week:
Question: Can I have too many stand or blind locations on my property?
Answer: More hunting locations on a property is actually better so the hunting pressure can spread out and reduce the chances of deer being alerted in the same areas repeatedly. Having more options allows hunters more places to hunt with different wind directions so they can approach, hunt, and exit without alerting deer.
Deer Reaction Test: The Results and Lessons – Episode #462
Have you ever had a deer jump string? We recently tested how quickly deer can hear and react to a bow shot. This week we share the entire test and results. What we learned will change the way we hunt! Plus, nine-year-old Rylan White tags his first deer of the season.
New blog:
Bucks are genetically programmed to gain weight/develop fat to prepare for the post-rut winter stress period. Grant explains how we can use this knowledge to create successful strategies to tag bucks during October.
30 Yard Bear Encounter:
Daniel and Owen were recently scouting for acorns and much to their surprise….down the tree comes a bear!
HUNTING/Field TIP:
Glassing can be a very effective scouting and hunting technique. Work the terrain slowly and scan your surroundings frequently so you can plan your approach without alerting critters
Q & A of the Week:
Question: Are the DeadMeat broadheads reusable?
Answer: Yes, the G5 DeadMeat broadheads can be reused! Sharp blades are key. We recommend using replacement blades to ensure the best results and easy tracking!
DEER GEAR:
It’s deer season and Scent Crusher is giving you the opportunity to save big on the Ozone Tote! The Ozone Tote is the perfect way to keep your gear scent-free to and from your hunts all fall. Check out the Ozone Tote here.
Bow Hunting Opening Day: Doe Down! – Episode #461
Raleigh returns home from college for Missouri’s opening day of deer season. She punches her first tag of the season!
New blog:
The acorns are dropping here at The Proving Grounds. This means that deer that have been on a food to cover pattern for the last couple of months will be more difficult to hunt!
A Successful Hunt is a Safe Hunt:
Safety should be your first priority when hunting this fall. Always wear a safety harness and be tied to a safety line or the tree when hunting from a treestand. Tim Crawford shares his story about falling from a tree here.
weekLY TIP:
Opening up scrapes now conditions deer to using them and can be great camera and hunting locations throughout the season!
Q & A of the Week:
Question: Should does with fawns be given a pass during the early season?
Answer: When many deer seasons open, most fawns are fully functioning ruminants and can survive without the doe. If your harvest goal is to balance deer numbers due to quality of forage, harvesting does early is a great practice.
Preparing For Deer Season: Tips for Scouting and Enhancing Food Plots – Episode #460
In preparation for deer season we share how we’re using Reconyx trail cameras to pattern deer. Plus, see how food plots can be used for better hunting and healthier deer.
New blog:
We share our early season hunting strategies here.
HIT LIST BUCK UPDATE:
We’re excited for opening day because seven-year-old Swoops is on his feet during DAYLIGHT!
Tip of the week:
We use a shop vacuum to clean out our Genesis drill at the end of planting season so that it doesn’t attract small critters looking for food during the winter.
Q & A of the Week:
Question: Are acorns falling at The Proving Grounds?
Answer: Acorns just began hitting the ground at our place. Oaks, particularly white oaks, that are dropping acorns can be great hunting locations.
The Recipe for Great Food Plots: Healthy Soil and Timely Rains – Episode #459
What makes a perfect time to plant cool season forages? Watch to find out the answer, plus see an update on a recently planted plot that is looking great.
Early Season Success:
Watch one of our favorite early season Kansas hunts! The stalk ended with antlers on the ground!
Meet The New Intern:
We welcome Owen Zimmer, our newest intern, to the GrowingDeer Team! Learn more about Owen here.
Pre-Season Shooting Tip:
Shooting dots on a target is great practice, but it’s important to practice shooting deer-like targets. Learn to focus on the lower third of the body and the vitals to prepare for your hunting season.
Q & A of the Week:
Question: Have bucks started to shed velvet at The Proving Grounds?
Answer: Yes, they have! One of our hit lister bucks, Slingshot, has shed and looks great!
Time to Plant Food Plots and Open Scrapes! – Episode #458
It’s time to plant cool season food plots! Find out how to provide quality forage for deer while using the Buffalo System to build healthy soil! Plus, bucks will be using scrapes soon. Now is the time to open up old scrape sites.
food plot tips:
The forecast for Thursday included a good chance of rain after lunch. It was a forecast for a quick food plot!
Hunting Highlights:
It’s always Prime time for the GrowingDeer Team. Check out some of our favorite “right before the shot” footage!
Tip of the Week:
We always spray our LaCrosse boots with D/Code scent eliminator field spray while checking trail cameras, to reduce human odor and not alert/educate deer.
Q & A of the Week:
Question: Will you deer hunt opening morning (Missouri’s season opens September 15th)?
Answer: We rarely hunt mornings during the early season. Oftentimes deer are feeding right before daylight and hunters will bust deer while traveling to the stand or blind. Afternoon hunts are much more effective at not alerting and educating deer during the early season.
Rolling With The Seasons: Life and Deer Hunting – Episode #457
Grant shares about Raleigh’s sacrificial love and gives an update about the kidney transplant. Plus, with deer season and rain on the way, find out what we are doing to be ready!
food plot tips:
It’s not practical to irrigate most food plots. However, it’s fairly easy to conserve soil moisture. Find out how to conserve moisture so your food plots can be productive during periods of drought!
This Is Your Shot:
Buck encounters usually take a lot of work. Winchester is working to make sure we can make that moment count this fall!
Tip of the Week:
Planting small cool season seeds too deep could lead to low germination rates. Small seeds like brassicas and clover, if drilled, should be only be placed ¼”- ½” deep.
Tasty Venison!:
This tasty meal combines fresh venison with the classic taco salad!
Q & A of the Week:
Question: When will bucks begin to shed velvet?
Answer: Once the hardening process is complete, bucks will begin shedding their velvet. We recently got a Reconyx picture of a buck without velvet!
Deer Season Prep: Creating the Hit List, Scouting and Shooting Tips – Episode #456
As summer comes to an end, we’re scouting for velvet bucks, both in the field and with trail cameras. The entire GrowingDeer Team has been working hard to improve the habitat and hunting. See the results of the work and bucks that we hope to chase this fall!
food plot tips:
Soil moisture and seed depth are keys to successful planting. Read more here on when and how to plant your fall plots so forage reaches its full potential!
tools of the trade:
The Messenger is one of the most important tools we take to the deer woods. Find out more!
pre-season scouting:
Identifying for water sources now could pay off in a few weeks. Early portions of deer season can have warm temperatures and if water is a limited resource, it can be a great hunting location.
sloppy does:
We’re emptying the freezer to make room for this fall’s harvest. Ground venison sure makes a tasty “Sloppy Doe”! Find the recipe here.
Q & A of the Week:
Question: Do you plan to pack an elk decoy this fall for your hunt in New Mexico?
Answer: Yes! We will have a Montana Decoy in our pack and ready to use when appropriate. We had several great encounters last fall using a decoy and hope to have another great hunt this September!
New Stand Location: Scouting, Planning, and Hanging– Episode #455
We’re moving in on some hit list bucks! Watch as Daniel hangs a new Summit treestand and prepares for deer season. Plus, we’re scouting hard to find those prime hunting locations for when acorns hit the ground!
New blog:
Stand location and careful hunting can be key to punching a tag. Find out how thermals and wind can affect a hunting location and what you can do to hunt your stand appropriately.
Scouting For Velvet Bucks:
One of our favorite ways to spend a summer evening: in the blind with the iSPOTTER on the Nikon spotting scope and searching for velvet antlers! See the rewards of a recent sit!
TIMELY Tip:
A battery powered pole saw is not only quieter but leaves less scent while trimming shooting lanes.
Bear Update!!:
We recently had a black bear in the backyard! See the video here!
Q & A of the Week:
Question: How do you reduce scent in your truck while you check cameras?
Answer: Vehicles can collect lots of odors that you don’t want to carry into the woods with you. Using an Ozone Go is one way we reduce odors in our truck, so we leave as little scent at camera sites as possible.
Preparing For Opening Day: Treestand Maintenance and Hunting Strategies – Episode #454
We share our summer checklist for treestand maintenance as preparations for opening day get underway. See how we provide water for critters during the drought. Then we share the details of our fall hunting goals to target both bucks and does!
New blog:
Scouting now could be the difference between punching a tag or eating tag soup. Find out how a pair of binoculars and careful planning can help your hunting this fall.
Favorite Scrape:
Southpaw hit this Code Blue scrape last fall. Now that he’s on the wall, we can’t wait to see who shows up this year!
TIMELY Tip:
Practice ranging and shooting different yardages (not just 20, 30 and 40 yards) to prepare for when that first deer steps out.
Easy Recipe:
Trying to empty the freezer for this year’s harvest? Here’s a quick and easy deer steak recipe!
Q & A of the Week:
Question: How high do you hang your treestands?
Answer: It depends on how much cover the tree has, the terrain, and other factors. However, typically we like to hang our Summits about 20 feet high.
