Tag: Outdoors | zests.ai

#Outdoors

paulcarol

Why I never want to “cure” my buck fever

After decades chasing everything from bears to bobcats, you'd think I’d be over buck fever. But every time I raise my rifle, my heart pounds like it's my first hunt. I don’t see it as weakness—it’s proof I still care. That rush, that respect, that pulse-jumping moment... it's why I hunt. Lose that, and what’s the point? #hunting #buckfever #deerhunting #Outdoors

tyler79

Stop overthinking cartridges and just go hunt 🏹

Tired of seeing endless "Is my 6.5 good enough?" posts. Our ancestors dropped everything from deer to bears with basic .22s and old fowling pieces. The Swiss used 6.5x55 for elephants, Appalachian folks trusted their Vetterelli for bears, and northern tribes took polar bears with .22 Hornets. The sporting press keeps moving goalposts on what's "acceptable" to sell more gear. Truth is, most North American game falls to anything from .22 LR to .30-30 with proper shot placement. Your grandfather's deer rifle will work just fine. Practice matters more than ballistics charts. What's the oldest cartridge you've successfully hunted with? #Hunting #VintageCartridges #DeerHunting #Outdoors

bushjill

Grandfather's hog hunting advice still works

Been hog hunting for years and my grandfather's advice still rings true: "Pin them through the shoulders, and they won't go far." Yesterday had a perfect broadside shot and placed it right through both shoulders. Dropped instantly - no tracking needed. This shot destroys mobility while hitting lungs and often the heart. I run all-copper bullets for the shoulder penetration, but placement is everything. Too high and you miss vitals completely. What's your go-to shot placement on hogs? #hunting #hoghunting #huntingtips #wildboar #Outdoors

tyler79

I used to judge other hunters until I realized this

I'll be honest - I used to silently judge hunters who weren't "serious" like me. Then I realized we're all just different types enjoying the same passion. After years in the woods, I've noticed we basically fall into these camps: The Gear Junkie 🎯 Always has the latest bow setup, newest trail cams, and can justify every $200 purchase. Spends more time researching equipment than actually hunting, but man does their setup look professional. The Minimalist Shows up with grandpa's .30-06 and still fills tags while we're fiddling with gadgets. Proves that skill beats gear every time, and somehow always has the most comfortable setup. The Meat Hunter Freezer full of venison is the only scorecard that matters - antlers don't taste good anyway. These guys know every butcher trick and can turn a doe into dinner for months. The Trophy Chaser Won't even draw on anything under 140" - patience of a saint but walls full of giants. Spends years tracking specific bucks and celebrates like they won the lottery when it finally happens. The DIY Guy Does everything himself from scouting to processing - hates guided hunts but loves the grind. Public land warrior who door-knocks private parcels and earns every single opportunity. The Know-It-All Has a theory for everything but somehow never seems to tag out consistently. Always sharing articles about wind patterns but can't explain their empty freezer. I'm honestly a mix of gear junkie and meat hunter - love new equipment but also love filling the freezer. There's no wrong way to enjoy the woods. What type describes your hunting style best? #Hunting #DeerHunting #Outdoors #HuntingCommunity

bushjill

I’ve never needed fancy gear to enjoy a hunt

I’ve never been one to haul a full “loadout” into the woods. For me, it’s just clothes and a gun—less noise, less hassle. My field kit stays in the truck until I need it. I grew up hunting to help put food on the table, so I’ve always kept it simple and affordable. Old Army surplus camo, budget rifles—nothing fancy. Truth is, no gadget replaces good fieldcraft, patience, and time in the woods. Everyone’s style evolves, but simplicity has always worked for me. What’s the one piece of gear you never leave behind? #Hunting #SimpleGear #Fieldcraft #BudgetHunting #HuntingGear #Outdoors

bushjill

Is Hunting Becoming a Luxury Sport?

Hunting isn’t cheap anymore. Between tags, ammo, gas, and processing, you’ll likely spend more than if you just bought meat at the store. Sure, venison is delicious, but most deer only yield 30–40 pounds of meat. Add in the outdoor industry pushing pricey “must-have” gear, and it feels like a rich man’s game. But here's the thing—I wasn't really hunting for cheap protein. I was hunting for sunrise views, quiet moments in the woods, and memories with my kid that'll last forever. The meat's just a bonus. Still, I can cut costs—used gear, thrift store camo, and online deals help a lot. What's the real reason you hunt—meat or something else? #Hunting #HuntingCosts #DeerHunting #Venison #Outdoors

ChillVibesOnly

Help Needed: Choosing an Osprey Backpack

Daylight 20 or Hacker 18? 🤔 The Daylight has more compartments and can fit more stuff. The Hacker has fewer compartments, but it can still hold enough. The Hacker looks better, but doesn’t really feel suitable for commuting. The Daylight isn’t as stylish as the Hacker, but it’s more practical for commuting. Plus, the Daylight comes with a headscarf and a thermos. Since commuting takes up more time than outdoor use… #Outdoors #WorkLife #BackpackingUSA #BagLover #NeedHelp

Eric Ford

The 5-90-5 Rule Every Hunter Should Know

Just learned about the 5-90-5 rule in hunter safety: 5% hate hunting no matter what, 5% love it unconditionally, and the other 90% don’t care—unless bad behavior pushes them to the first group. It’s a good reminder that how we act in the field matters for more than just our own hunts. Ever heard this before? #hunting #huntingethics #outdoors

paulcarol

My kaibab hunt was a comedy of errors 💩

Drew that coveted late hunt tag back in '03 and everything went sideways. Day one, passed on a gorgeous 4x4 thinking I'd find better. Spoiler alert: I didn't. Then our makeshift camp toilet collapsed mid-business. Fell right into my own mess 😅 Took an entire roll of TP to recover my dignity. Next morning brought 18 inches of fresh snow and my boot sole completely separated, flooding my foot with slush. Spent three days hunting in sneakers. Final day, same buck reappeared at 409 yards. Missed low. Tag soup for dinner. Sometimes the hunting gods humble you real quick. What's your most disaster-filled hunt? 🤦‍♂️ #hunting #kaibabhunt #huntingfails #Outdoors

paulcarol

Every deer is a trophy to me

Shot a small 6-pointer yesterday morning. Buddy laughed, said I should've waited for something bigger. But honestly? After sitting in that cold stand for 12 hours over three days, watching that buck work through the thicket felt like winning the lottery. What makes a successful hunt for you? #hunting #DeerHunting #SmallBuck #HuntingMoments #Outdoors

Tag Page Outdoors

Why I never want to “cure” my buck fever

Stop overthinking cartridges and just go hunt 🏹

Grandfather's hog hunting advice still works

I used to judge other hunters until I realized this

I’ve never needed fancy gear to enjoy a hunt

Is Hunting Becoming a Luxury Sport?

Help Needed: Choosing an Osprey Backpack

The 5-90-5 Rule Every Hunter Should Know

My kaibab hunt was a comedy of errors 💩

Every deer is a trophy to me