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#Hunting
Manuel Bright

My biggest buck came from this scrape tip 🦌

Been studying rubs and scrapes for years and they're basically GPS coordinates for where to set up. Here's what I've learned about using them effectively: 1️⃣ Size matters - Larger, higher rubs and big scrapes usually mean mature bucks are using them 2️⃣ Position downwind - Set your stand downwind from active scrape lines for optimal scent management 3️⃣ Trail cam gold - Scrapes get visited year-round but peak activity is fall, mostly at night 4️⃣ Post-rain visits - Bucks often return after rain to "freshen up" scrapes where scent washed away The scrape-to-trail-cam combo has been incredible for taking inventory of what's actually in the area. Multiple deer use the same spots, so you get a full picture of the local population. Anyone else had luck dialing in patterns this way? #hunting #DeerHunting #HuntingTips #TrailCameras

My biggest buck came from this scrape tip 🦌
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

Wish someone told me this before my first hunt 🦌

Grew up with zero hunters in the family, so I had to learn the hard way. If you’re just starting out, here’s what actually helped: 1️⃣ Start with Hunter Education - boring but essential. You'll learn safety basics and regulations that could save your life. 2️⃣ Pick ONE species first - I tried everything and sucked at all of it. Focus on deer if you're inland, ducks near water. Master one before moving on. 3️⃣ Gear that actually matters: .270 Winchester for deer (still my go-to), 12-gauge for birds. Skip the fancy stuff initially - a decent scope and solid practice beats expensive gear every time. 4️⃣ Finding spots is everything - OnX changed my game completely. Start with public land, respect private property signs religiously. 5️⃣ YouTube University is real - learned more about field dressing and cooking from MeatEater and similar channels than anywhere else. It’s a learning curve, but incredibly rewarding. Any other solo hunters out there? What was your biggest lesson early on? #hunting #newhunterguide ##huntingtips #firstgenhunter

Wish someone told me this before my first hunt 🦌
lolson

Ground Blinds are the Most Overlooked Tool I Own

Used to be all about tree saddles until I tried taking my buddy hunting. Two guys fumbling around with saddles in trees? Total nightmare - loud, unsafe, and we bailed early. That evening I grabbed my ground blind instead. Set up in minutes, hunted comfortably until dark, and my buddy got hooked on hunting. Now I'm back to using ground blinds regularly: 1️⃣ Perfect for hunting with others - especially beginners 2️⃣ Complete concealment - deer think it's just another bush 3️⃣ Super mobile - wind shifts? Move in minutes 4️⃣ Weather protection - beats freezing your butt off in a tree Tree stands have their place, but ground blinds solve a lot of problems I didn't realize I had. Anyone else rediscover ground blinds after years of elevated hunting? #hunting #HuntingTips #GroundBlind #DeerHunting

Ground Blinds are the Most Overlooked Tool I Own
Manuel Bright

Don’t Buy Your Dream Deer Hunting Farm Too Soon

Almost bought my "dream farm" right out of the gate - 160 acres of prime whitetail country. Thank God the deal fell through. Here's the brutal truth about hunting land: Don't start with your dream property. Start with the stepping stones. I learned to look for value others miss: 🏞️ Rundown pastures with good soil that can become food plots 🌲 Undervalued timber the seller doesn't recognize 📍 Good hunting areas with fixable problems (old cabins, no food plots) The snowball method works: Buy undervalued → improve → sell → roll profits into bigger property → repeat After 4-5 transactions over several years, I finally had enough equity to consider that dream farm. The key? Being willing to sell each property to fund the next step up. That 20-acre starter tract taught me more about land value than any book ever could. Sometimes the best lessons come from what you almost bought wrong. Anyone else learn this lesson the hard way? #Hunting #HuntingLand #LandInvestment #DeerHunting

Don’t Buy Your Dream Deer Hunting Farm Too Soon
Manuel Bright

Why Red Oaks Beat White Oaks in My Hunts? 🤔

When I first started squirrel hunting, I quickly learned that the “one-size-fits-all” advice online doesn’t always hold up. In my area, squirrels actually prefer red oaks over white oaks—probably because the wet winters break down the tannins faster. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few strategies that work for me: 🌳 Walk slowly and silently—silence matters more than depth in the woods ⏳ Move spots if you don’t see action within 20 minutes 🍂 Look for signs like cut nuts, nests, or well-used perches For me, diverse forage areas (red oaks, hickories, walnuts, pines) in wet bottomland have always been the most productive. Every season feels like solving a new puzzle, and that’s what keeps it interesting. What’s been your most surprising squirrel-hunting lesson? #Hunting #SquirrelHunting #PublicLandHunting #HuntingTips

Why Red Oaks Beat White Oaks in My Hunts? 🤔