Anyone new to predator calling has many things to learn. Of these, I think the toughest is learning how to choose and set up a calling location. Running second is the question of when to shoot an incoming predator.

Bowhunting and archery fanatics amassed today in Louisville, Kentucky, for the 2013 ATA Trade Show, the biggest bowhunting industry event of the year. Among the 500-plus exhibitors and exciting new gear is BowTech with their brand-new compound hunting bow: the BowTech Experience.

Here we are at the second week of a new year. Have you set some goals for 2013? I’m not talking about those that fall by the wayside—exercising more, texting less, losing weight, stop biting your nails, be more fiscally responsible (I wish the government would stick to that one), etc.

About a mile and a half from where I grew up there was a gun shop. This was before Wal-Mart and the Internet. I was in that store every weekend either looking at guns and gear or listening to folks who knew stuff about guns and gear. I almost always bought something ... even if it was just a hunting magazine. I was in that store at least once a week.

The Internet is filled with animal attack videos, but I found this one from Sinks Canyon State Park in Wyoming particularly interesting. This young Rocky Mountain bighorn decides to spar with a Toyota 4Runner, and even though the driver continually retreats, the ram feels the need to pursue.

If you've been following this blog, you know that Winchester is unleashing the world's fastest rimfire cartridge. Until now, the details have been top-secret.

It's a new year and I've got some new gear to unbox. I apologize for my recent blog absence; between the holidays and trying to burn up some vacation days in the woods, I haven't been spending much time at my desk. But I'm back, so let's get to it with the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener. Don't forget to leave a comment below.

Realtree isn't just a camo pattern—it's a hunting empire. And with more than 80 employees and 1,500 licensees of its widely popular camo patterns, Realtree isn't stopping. New for 2013 comes Realtree Xtra and Realtree Xtra Green, the latest patterns at the camo party.

Any area that contains a potential food source for predators is worthy of a calling setup. If there are terrain features—such as open spaces—that give you a view of incoming targets ... even better. And if you can put another terrain feature at your back to funnel those targets to your front, you have an official "hotspot." Want one? Just have your local beavers build it.

As a follow-up from my post earlier this month, here's a teaser video from Winchester to get you excited about their breakthrough rimfire cartridge that will be released next month. Keep your eyes on this blog for more updates.