Category: Bow Hunting
The Last Hunt – Episode #426
New Video
Just before season closed, Daniel harvested one more doe from The Proving Grounds. See the entire hunt along with the lessons we learned this hunting season. Plus, Daniel helps two landowners improve the habitat and hunting at their property!
spring field days 2018:
GrowingDeer Field Days are back!! Visit The Proving Grounds March 23rd and 24th as Grant and Daniel share habitat management and hunting techniques. It will be an informative and fun-filled weekend with lots of information, food, fun and fellowship! There will be demonstrations on food plot methods and seed blends, blind placement, soil amendments, minerals for whitetails, turkey calling tips, and more!
new weekly blog:
Trappers may not make much money but the benefits of trapping include removing predators and learning a lot about all critters. Find out why hunters will enjoy and benefit from trapping!
Short VIDEO:
We love those “Prime” times while hunting. See some of our favorites.
Tip of the Week:
A post season wash before storing your hunting clothes is a great start to next season’s scent control!
Hunting with colder weather and limited food – Episode #424
New Video
It’s been cold throughout much of the whitetails’ range this past week! Watch as Daniel travels home to northern Missouri for a late season hunt. His hunting strategies change as he observes deer movement and encounters multiple bucks. Plus, see how planning for deer season early can pay off during the late season!
new weekly blog:
We have a new venison recipe to share! It’s taco night! See how to use ground venison for taco meat.
Short VIDEO:
Love hearing the crunch of leaves and a nearby grunt? You will love this clip!
Tip of the Week:
While shed hunting this winter, keep an eye out for old sheds that may have been covered by grass, limbs, or leaves during the past year.
The Best Homecoming: Harvesting A Buck – Episode #417
New Video
Watch as the GrowingDeer Team harvests two bucks and three does! First up: Pro Staff member Heath Martin hunts “home ground” in western Arkansas where he tags the big “hard work pays off” buck! Then Raleigh returns home from college to hunt the opening morning of Missouri firearm season! Watch as Raleigh and Grant both punch tags…one is a fine Ozark Mountain buck!
new weekly blog:
Busy at work and slipping a hunt in when you can? Don’t let your busy schedule keep you from enjoying your recent harvest! Here is an easy recipe for a great marinated venison roast!
Tip of the Week:
Keeping your knives sharp (even replacement blades) makes cutting venison safer and quicker.
Kansas Buck And Doe Combo! – Episode #414
New Video
Guess who is tagged out in Kansas? Lindsey Martin, that’s who! She and Heath recently laid down over 400 lbs of deer when hunting a cold front in Kansas. Watch their hunts plus see three generations of Woods try to fill the freezer at The Proving Grounds!
Short Clip:
Last year Rylan White tagged his first buck ever during Missouri’s youth season! You can watch his hunt here!
new weekly blog:
Taking a youth hunting is a great way to pass along the tradition of hunting! Find out how to make a youth hunt enjoyable and “successful”!
Tip of the Week:
When blood trailing, look for the direction that the blood splatters. The splatters indicate the direction the deer was headed.
How Mature Bucks Use The Wind
It’s November and that means the rut is right around the corner! Some hunters have already experienced great hunting during the pre-rut. If you haven’t punched your tag yet because of the heat or bucks not chasing, get ready. This time of year anything can happen.
Considering the wind is key to killing a mature buck.
Over the past week, I have watched two mature bucks be killed with a Prime bow. As I reflect on both hunts, I realize how different they were, even over a period of one week. One hunt was a single mature buck working through a small hidey hole food plot. The other was a buck trailing a soon to be receptive doe. The two hunts were different in many ways but there was a similar feature. Both mature bucks were moving with the wind in their favor.
During the first hunt, the mature buck was cutting across the wind. Upwind of the buck was a small thicket. (Receptive does often seek security in thick cover.) This buck was obviously using the wind to scent check the nearby thicket for a receptive doe and to warn him of danger up ahead.
The second hunt was one we all fantasize about! One doe, young bucks running all around, and the mature buck chasing them off with the occasional grunt and snort wheeze. As this all unfolded, I watched the doe and the mature buck use the wind. The mature buck and the young bucks were always downwind of the doe, waiting for the moment to move in. Even the doe cut across the wind aware of what was ahead; knowing any moment a buck was going to be chasing her forward.
These hunts are a reminder of how deer use the wind, especially mature bucks as they seek receptive does during the rut. If you want to be successful over the next few weeks, consider where the deer will be traveling and where the wind will be carrying scent.
The GrowingDeer Team hopes you have a blessed rut. Be safe and enjoy your time in the woods.
Enjoying Creation,
Daniel
Two Bucks in Prime Range – Episode #364
New Video
It’s that time of the year when being vocal can pay off! Watch as two mature Ozark Mountain bruisers slip into bow range investigating the sounds from the Messenger grunt call. Plus, learn the hunting strategies we use to capitalize on the pre-rut activity.
Short Clip:
Want to make realistic grunts? Watch to get the most out of the Messenger grunt call.
New Weekly Blog:
Have you accepted the challenge? Here are 5 advantages to videoing your hunts!
Tip of the Week:
Bucks are cruising and does are seeking cover. Time to hunt close to the bedroom!
Autumn Antlers in Hand – Episode #361
New Video
Recent cold fronts moved across the whitetail’s range and the deer hunting action was intense. Watch as a mature Kentucky hit list buck goes down. Plus, see the GrowingDeer Team finally puts its hand on a hidden treasure! The pieces to the Handy puzzle are coming together.
Short Clip:
Ever put a stalk on a deer? Watch Grant close the distance on a few deer as he heads to the stand.
New Weekly Blog: Got Nighttime Deer Movement?
Got a nocturnal buck on trail camera? Check out the techniques we use to put a tag on these tough to hunt bucks!
Tip of the Week:
Bucks will be on the move soon! Take time to brush up on your “aging deer on the hoof” skills.
Red Hot Early Season Action – Episode #358
New Video
Let the deer hunting begin! Our Pro Staff strike in Kansas by tagging a hit list buck and several does. Plus, doe management at The Proving Grounds is underway. Two does, one hunt. Don’t miss the red hot hunting action.
Short Clip:
Can you accurately age whitetails? Learn how to age deer by examining tooth wear and replacement!
New Weekly Blog: The Changing Pattern Of Handy
Where has Handy been? Follow up on Handy’s latest movements plus the plans made to close the distance on this mature buck.
Tip of the Week:
Follow through your shots. Dropping the bow early to see where you hit can be a costly mistake!
Prime Time For Archery!
Get your summer time archery practice sessions started right! The last thing you want to do is form bad habits. I recommend practicing from a distance you feel very comfortable with. Starting off here will allow you to focus on your pre shot routine, step by step. This type of focus minimizes the chance of bad habits forming. As you continue with this method of practice, you will build muscle memory. Both your brain and your muscle need to go through the motions time and time again to ensure lethal shots are executed during bow season. Starting off early and correctly will train you to become a more successful bow hunter. Remember “Perfect practice makes perfect!”
GrowingDeer together,
Matt
Bucks In Full Force – Episode #313
The bucks are out in force this week and we’ve got the encounters. Grant and Adam have an intense moment in Kansas when a big, grunting buck comes charging in. It’s a quick shoot / don’t shoot moment. Then two more Missouri bucks go down as Chase White and Zack Coy both grunt them into the kill zone.
Is it a miracle? It seemed there was only a small chance that Pops Woods would hunt this fall. Well, there is great news to share as Pops gets out for the Missouri gun opener!
Tip of the Week:
Where should you hunt now?
Good news! With fewer acorns, the food plots will soon heat up again.
