Tag Page Hunting

#Hunting
Manuel Bright

I respect trappers more than most hunters

Been thinking about getting into trapping lately and honestly, it's becoming a lost art. The level of game knowledge required is insane - understanding movement patterns, where animals travel, when they travel, plus knowing how to process pelts and meat properly. As someone who's obsessive about duck hunting (I get antsy after 5 minutes in the blind), I have mad respect for trappers. It's that same attention to detail - reading sign, understanding behavior, being meticulous about setup. The more I think about it, trapping might be more inherently human than hunting. It's passive hunting that minimizes risk while maximizing efficiency. Our ancestors probably trapped way more than they actively hunted. Wish I had the time during waterfowl season to learn from experienced trappers. Anyone here trap? How'd you get started? #hunting #traditionalhunting #trappingtips

I respect trappers more than most hunters
lolson

Why Northern New England is underrated for hunters

Just moved to NH and honestly blown away by how hunter-friendly it is up here! 🦌 No draw systems (except moose), your license includes tags, and here's the crazy part - you can hunt anywhere that's not posted. Most big landowners don't even post because they get tax breaks for keeping land open! Yeah the deer density isn't like down south, but these northern bucks are MASSIVE. Plus I can hunt Maine, NH, and Vermont all for under $500 total. Even as a non-resident, Maine is only $150. Been living near Boston for work and driving up weekends. Best of both worlds - decent job market but incredible hunting access. The tougher hunting just makes it more rewarding when you connect. Anyone else hunting this region? The lack of red tape is refreshing compared to other states. #Outdoors #hunting #newenglandhunting #newhampshire #maine #publiclandhunting

Why Northern New England is underrated for hunters
mmoore

Been trapping coyotes wrong this whole time

Thought I’d share a few things that’ve seriously improved my coyote trapping success over the years. Some of these I learned the hard way, so maybe they’ll save you some time (and frustration). 1️⃣ Bed your trap tight. No wiggle, no catch. Pack dirt around the jaws so the trap feels like solid ground to the coyote. 2️⃣ Focus on quality. Two well-made sets in good spots will beat ten sloppy ones. Precision matters more than volume. 3️⃣ Use trusted sources. Old-school trapping books and certified classes > random YouTube advice. Bad info wastes seasons. 4️⃣ Avoid busy areas. Stay away from trailheads or dog-walking spots. It’s not worth the risk of catching a pet or creating conflict. 5️⃣ Check traps twice daily. If you can, check morning and late afternoon—especially during breeding season when coyotes move midday. 6️⃣ Go easy on scent. Too much lure overwhelms. Use just a small dab, buried deep, to keep coyotes curious and working your set. 7️⃣ Expect “bonus” catches. You’ll get bobcats, coons, maybe skunks. Know how to release them safely and legally. 8️⃣ Have a post-catch plan. Be ready to dispatch humanely and process or dispose of the animal properly, especially if it’s sick. These are lessons learned from the field — and I’m still learning every season. Anyone else got a favorite tip or mistake you wish you'd avoided early on? #hunting #coyotetrapping #trappingtips

Been trapping coyotes wrong this whole time
Manuel Bright

Stop scaring turkeys - try this instead 🦃

Been dialing in my turkey calling game over the past few seasons, and here’s what’s made the biggest difference when it comes to bringing toms in close — and getting a shot: 1️⃣ Set up before you call. Always have your back against a good tree before you even yelp once. If a gobbler sounds off nearby, you won’t have time to scramble — he could be in sight within seconds. 2️⃣ Read the hens — then match them. Pay attention to what the real hens are doing. If they’re fired up and loud, I go aggressive with cutting and excited yelps. If they’re soft and chatty, I pull way back and keep things subtle. 3️⃣ Adapt to conditions. Windy morning? I break out the box call to cut through the breeze. If one’s sneaking in close, I switch to a mouth call so I can stay hands-free and ready to shoot. 4️⃣ Make your calls move. Use your hand or body position to “throw” sound — make it feel like the hen is walking around. I even angle my slate or box call off to one side or behind me to keep toms guessing. 5️⃣ Know when to shut up. If a gobbler’s getting close and fired up, I stop calling altogether. Nothing pulls them in like silence — it forces them to come find you. If he drifts off, I give a couple soft clucks to steer him back. These small changes led to my cleanest gobbler takedown yet. What’s your go-to move when a tom hangs up at 80 yards? #hunting #turkeyhunting #turkeycalling #huntingtips

Stop scaring turkeys - try this instead 🦃
paulcarol

My secret spots that yielded 5 sheds last weekend!

Just got back from a weekend of shed hunting and figured I’d share a few spots that always seem to deliver — but don’t get talked about much. Food plots and bedding areas are obvious, but if you want to start picking up more bone, try looking in these underrated places: 1️⃣ Regrown clear-cuts – Deer hammer woody browse in winter. Clear-cuts from a few years back are full of low vegetation and buds they love. 2️⃣ Swamp or marsh islands – Most folks won’t wade through water, but deer do. They bed on high ground in the middle where they feel safe. 3️⃣ Deadfall timber zones – Downed trees offer cover, block wind, and often grow browse-friendly plants. Great bedding = more chances for sheds. 4️⃣ Deep-woods pockets – Especially in high-pressure areas. If they’ve got food (like red oak acorns) and cover, expect sheds. 5️⃣ CRP/native grass fields – Warm, soft bedding. Grasses insulate well, which is why you’ll often find antlers buried in them. 6️⃣ Natural green sources – Greenbriar and other winter-staying plants are gold. Not every food source is in a field. 7️⃣ Wind-sheltered valleys – Deer conserve energy by staying out of the wind. Ridges and hollows shaped just right make cozy hideouts. 8️⃣ Sanctuary edges – Deer hang just outside of off-limits land. Walk the fence lines — they might drop right on your side. 9️⃣ Travel corridors – Shed along paths between food and bedding. Even brief stops can be enough to drop an antler. 🔟 Feeding stations (if legal) – Keep feeding past the season. Deer remember where to find food and return, often shedding nearby. Anyone else finding success in unusual spots this year? #hunting #shedhunting #deerhunting

My secret spots that yielded 5 sheds last weekend!
lolson

My first public elk hunt nearly killed me

Last September I thought I was ready for my first public land elk hunt. Day 3, I'm gasping for air at 9,000 feet with a 60-pound pack, wondering why I skipped leg day all summer. That's when reality hit - elk hunting is brutal. Here's what I wish I'd known before heading into the mountains: - You need to hike 10+ miles daily with gear - Expect 1,000+ foot climbs through rocks and deadfall - If successful, you're packing out 300 pounds of meat - Most public elk have escape plans by opening day My training mistakes: 1️⃣ Cardio base - Should've been walking 4+ miles daily with a weighted pack months before 2️⃣ Leg strength - Squats, lunges, stair climber - your legs carry you to elk and back 3️⃣ Upper body - You'll be clawing up canyons and hopefully breaking down an elk Essential prep: - Get medical clearance before training - Scout your unit in summer if possible - Test ALL gear before the hunt - Have backup navigation tools The mountains don't care about your ego. Start training now or pay the price later. What's your biggest elk hunting preparation lesson? #hunting #ElkHunting #PublicLandHunting

My first public elk hunt nearly killed me