Entries for October 2011

A recent funeral service held at a remote cemetery located in the heavily wooded, red clay hills of northwestern Alabama attracted some 400 mourners, many dressed in hunting camouflage, and more than a few sporting four legs and a tail. As the funeral procession headed out from Tuscumbia to the departed’s final resting place, it was observed that vehicles were lined up for a full half-mile.

Zombies, zombies, zombies. It's no secret that public fascination with the un-dead has been on the rise. I won't spend time pointing out the numerous zombie-isms that have been popping up lately, but I will take a moment of your day in the spirit of Halloween (I think zombies are much more exciting than pumpkins) to ask a thought-provoking question that should hit home with my fellow hunters:

I had to interrupt the whitetail season for mule deer opportunities. Last week I was in Idaho hunting both whitetails and mule deer. Today, I'm en route to Colorado, specifically targeting muleys.

Finally, I made it out with some friends to the ruffed grouse haunts of northwestern Wisconsin for a day of flushing fun. It was the perfect fall day, leaves still being stripped from the trees, and just cool enough to make our long walks extra comfortable.

As many of you have seen, a few months ago we (NAHC) ran an article featuring an interview with NHL Hall of Famer and devout hunter, Scott Stevens. Scott is a friend of Cy Weichert, co-founder of ScoutLook Weather. Cy and I talk regularly because the NAHC recently partnered with ScoutLook for a few projects, including the killer ScoutLook Weather smartphone app.

A measure currently making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives would extend the reciprocity rights of those with valid concealed-carry handgun permits to legally carry for personal protection in all 49 states that currently have a permit system in place.

The best whitetail hunting of the year is occurring right now through the first 10 days of November. It doesn't matter if you're armed with a firearm, bow or muzzleloader ... now is the time to be out and after those crazy whitetails. And don't forget the muleys, either—they also tend to get goofy this time of year.

Heads up NAHC Members. Federal ammo’s come up with a great Made in America promotion that you’ll want to get behind!

I'm getting a bit nervous about my upcoming hunts, especially in the Midwest. Why? There have been reported outbreaks of hemorrhagic disease (HD). The outbreaks have been recorded from northeastern Montana all the way down to Missouri.

In a previous blog post I indicated my need for a new, reliable, all-purpose 12 gauge autoloader for my various shotgunning needs. I decided to test a Remington Versa Max and drag it from the spring turkey woods all the way through some of my late-season (blistering cold) grouse haunts—with dirty duck sloughs and whatever shooting excursions come my way in between.