Why Do I Hunt?Hunting whitetails has been a family tradition for many generations for my family and I. And I'm almost certain that the majority of you reading this can relate. And for you readers who may not come from a family of hunters, my hope is that you gain a greater understanding of my perception of why I hunt deer and why it lead me to helping so many others chase their passion by helping enhance their own personal experience.
How it all started! One brisk September day in 1984, at the age of just 6 years old, I was invited by my father and other family members to help complete a home made tree platform project for a great-uncle of mine. I was always up for an adventure with my uncles and cousins, and especially my dad. This project would inevitably set off a spark inside of my soul that now burns inextinguishably. After the project was completed my father and I returned to the farmhouse, which at the time was my grandparents. My father proceeded to go up the stairs to his old room as if to get something. To my surprise he returned to the kitchen area with what was his first bow given to him when he was a child. In his left hand were clinched about 4 arrows tipped with blunt field points. To say I was excited was a total understatement. Dad set me up and taught me how to shoot at the homemade target set up near the dairy barn of the farm where my grandfather was setting up for afternoon chores and milking of his 30 Registered Holstein dairy cows. He, too, took a few minutes to be entertained by my awkwardness of shooting a "real" bow and arrows for the first time in my life. Shortly after, and before I knew it, I was dressed in camo and headed to the woods with my father for an afternoon/evening hunt. This was my first taste of a hang and hunt type of setup. My father had one portable Lock-On tree stand that he setup and tore down on almost every hunt. I was in total amazement. He set me up next to a big black oak tree surrounded by sparse white pine saplings. He set his bow case down on the ground so that i would have a place to sit without getting dirt all over myself when I sat down. Then my father set up in another black oak tree about 30 yards away but where he could see me on the edge of the hill we were set up on. To my knowledge today we were setup on a natural travel corridor deer would use from their bedding area to the farm field about 100 yards away. I'll stop here and spare the daunting details, but this setup lead to me witnessing my dad run a perfectly place arrow through the lungs of a small "fork horn" buck! And in my excitement I realized that in that moment my dad was the "Ultimate Warrior" of hunting. My hero, if you will. I've been hooked, or more likely, obsessed ever since that brisk September day of 1984! What I Learned in My Youth Like many of you reading this, growing up in the 80's and 90's, and even long before for a lot of you, I recall a time when everyone in camp, at the deer check in stations, the local processors, the taverns, small town restaurants, and so on patted your back and congratulated you even if the deer you killed was a fawn or a just a spike buck. It was a time when all neighbors got along, willingly opened their farms up to most all neighbors who asked permission, made deer drives together, and much more. Sadly, in many parts of this great country, those days have long faded into history, I'm very blessed I was able to live and experience the tail end of that once great era. What happened? In my opinion, and I'm not trying to rip anyone apart here because I too am now part of the shift that started to skyrocket in the 1990's, it was the increasing commercialization of the industry and TV personalities pushing the "Let 'em go, let 'em grow" mentality. A paradigm shift that actually took me years to consciously accept and discipline myself into developing the habit of letting younger deer walk. But along with this shift of the masses has come a lot of shaming on the shoulders of those who hunt solely for the sake of providing food for their families and friends. Along with the comradery that hunting season brings to so many of us who hunt whitetail deer. I have witnessed and experienced this ridiculous act from others all too often. And it's even worse when it happens to a child. Children are so vulnerable and impressionable. It's a shame people cannot see beyond their own ignorance to the obvious simplicities of life. We as hunters wonder why so many youngsters don't want to continue hunting anymore. And that's a terrible shame. I know I am going off on a tangent. And I too have followed the masses in pursuit of the largest mature bucks I possibly can. I see so many of my fellow hunters who have turned this beautiful sport into a measurement of manhood rather than the true purpose of what hunting is meant to actually be about. Check yourself in the mirror after you read this if you have shamed another for what they have harvested. You cannot lie to yourself. Why Did I Shift? Simple! Harvesting a small buck was no longer a challenge for me. I wanted to up my game. I wanted to learn to match wits with the oldest deer in the woods. To watch a buck grow with time and to strike when his age reached the age restriction I had set forth for the properties my family is blessed enough to call our own. I love to study deer. Whether it be through trail camera intel or in person observations. I love to build a personal relationship with a particular old bruiser. I want to know his tendencies and know why he does what he does given the weather conditions and other factors of nature. It becomes personal. A feeling hard to put into words, but one that many of you reading this can relate to, I'm sure! So for me, it's simply the challenge. I could really care less of what other hunters kill. If you are happy with your harvest, then hey, I am genuinely happy for you. My business is based on helping individuals achieve their own personal goals for their own property or the public grounds they hunt. Not for what others out there think they should only be killing. Hunting is about individual preference, NOT to appease the masses. In Closing! As hunting seasons across this great land start to open let's not forget WHY we hunt based on our individual beliefs, not what will make Tom, Dick, and/or Harry happy. Hunting is about your happiness and fulfillment. Isn't that enough? Sure, I have killed many a large bucks that easily will make Pope and Young records. But the one thing you will never find is my name in any of the known record keeping publications out there. I could care absolutely less about those titles. My only title I want is FREEDOM. The freedom to choose what gives my complete fulfillment and to hopefully pass this mindset along to my clients to help them achieve their own individual goals and dreams of their own pursuit of whitetail deer. Nothing in the world of deer hunting makes me happier than when a client, or my own family members share photos and stories with me about their harvest. NOTHING! And that is why I succeed in my consulting business that so many wish to see fail. And my response to those individuals....well, I'll leave that up to your imagination. Good Luck to all of you this fall!!!
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There is no doubt in my mind that the shift to cellular style trail cameras are probably one of the single most important tools we can use to monitor large mature bucks that frequent small properties across the whitetail domain here in North America. And they definitely have allowed we as hunters to change the way we hunt our small properties as well, as they give what most naysayers would consider "an unfair advantage," which in my book is the entire point.
As the old adage goes, "you can't kill a deer sitting on the couch!" Oh yes I can! And keeping the pressure off small properties is vitally important. Cell camera intel, and even cameras that still require one to physically enter the deer woods, have dramatically allowed many hunters change the way we hunt and become more successful at killing mature bucks more consistently, year after year. But I Want To Hunt As Much As I Can When I Can! There are no truer words than the above statement when it comes to my own personal philosophy. And, yes, there is no doubt that I am very blessed that I and my family own 3 different properties to take the pressure off. But if you want to have a chance this year, and in the future, at killing the largest mature buck in the area, he cannot not know you are hunting him. And there are so many factors that go into that strategy that I will leave for a future YouTube video. So, stay tuned to my YouTube channel for that. I love to hunt as often as I possibly can when I can, too! Now with the implementation of trail cameras, especially my own shift to cellular, I am able to better let the bucks tell me when they are ready to be hunted and killed, putting the odds in my favor. And as long as it's still legal where I hunt, you better believe that I will take advantage of it. Even on the public lands I hunt in our area. Which ultimately allows me to kill mature bucks from the comfort of my couch in the living room of my home. Best Cell Cameras I believe there are many great cell cameras on the market today that are available to hunters at very affordable pricing that provide value across a very wide spectrum of individual budgets. What is a cell camera worth to you? To me, a cell camera is worth every single penny. Why? Because even with three different family owned properties to hunt, my largest being just 200 acres, they are small in the grand scheme of relativity. And that mature buck that calls any one of those properties home during the hunting season MUST NOT know that I or any of my family members and friends are in pursuit of him. Cell cameras have changed the game completely. I've used several cell cams in recent years working with outfitters and land owners across the country over the course of my career. And I have narrowed it down to three brands that I feel are the best and would recommend checking out to anyone. They are: 1. Tactacam 2. The Cudde-Link System from Cuddeback 3. Black Gate (Which I know works really well in the deep valleys of southern Ohio) All three have there advantages. But again, it's all a matter of preference and personal choice. I'm not here to pressure you into purchasing anything. But if you are interested and/or committed to making the shift toward cell cams yet this fall, check out the three above. All three can be purchased from the banner you will find at the bottom of this blog, or from your favorite retailer. Thanks for reading!
What is your scent control regimen?
As whitetail seasons begin to open across the country many of us start to get into our daily hunting routines of scent control. Some of us have even gone to the extent of building our own climate and scent controlled rooms in our homes, even purchasing separate washer and drier units strictly used for washing our hunting clothes. Many of you probably think it's crazy to invest so much money into products that aren't actually 100% effective against a deer's greatest equalizer, his nose. And that is absolutely true. But if you can reduce the chances of being picked off from a downwind animal, given the products and technologies we have today, don't you think it's worth it? I sure do! While it is still 100% part of my hunting strategy to always select stand locations that favor the wind direction, and thermal rise & fall for the day, you cannot always control the direction of a deer's approach 100% of the time. But, I will always invest in products, services, and strategies that are proven, in my own experience, to put the ball in my court and give me just that split second advantage that could possibly make all the difference in the world at harvesting the mature buck I'm after. Wouldn't you agree? My Routine Before Heading Out I am adamant about showering in scent eliminating soaps and shampoos before heading out on a morning, afternoon, or all day hunt. "But Ryan, I don't have time." I get it! we all work. We have to get up and get to work during the week to hopefully have a couple hours to rush out to the stand in the evening after work. We like to sleep in on weekends as long as possible, yet still try to make it to our favorite stand to catch a old bold with his guard down as he tries to slip past going from his nighttime food source back to bedding. This can also be said about all day hunts during the rut, especially if you are in a backwoods cabin location without indoor plumbing. All of that aside, we all prioritize what's important to us. If scent control measures other than wind direction and thermals, that's totally ok. I guess I just tend to be of the mindset that there are products and gadgets out there that I know for a fact have given me a seemingly unfair advantage over my career as a whitetail hunter to be successful at harvesting mature bucks. Am I saying that if you don't invest in these products and gadgets you won't be successful? ABSOLUTELY NOT! How I choose to spend my money is totally up to me. And the same can be said for you. If however, you do go through a scent control protocol, here is how I implement mine: - Clothes in a scent elimination bag or closet (Scent Crusher or Ozonics) for at least 20 minutes with the ozone elimination element on. - Shower using whichever scent eliminating soaps & shampoos I decided to purchase and use. - Dry off using a scent free towel that was washed and dried using scent elimination products. - Dress in regular "street clothes". - With all of my gear in my truck in scent elimination bags or totes, my ozone generator is plugged in and running in the cab of my truck. (Ozone - Go by Scent Crusher) - I change into my hunting clothes when I reach my hunting destination. This is true in early season as well as the coldest of late season hunts. - I choose a stand location based on wind direction and how it may swirl here in hill country, also knowing what my thermals will do as the sun rises or sets. Not where I feel like going or my favorite stand location. The elements of the weather and wind direction, and my access/exit are planned out well in advance of my hunt. (Are yours?) In Conclusion Take it as you will, what I do has worked for me and so many others. So to me, it's all worth the extra money and time. But the single most important factor in the game of chess with an old monarch is knowing that his nose is probably his greatest weapon. So still, always be aware of wind direction and the rise and fall of thermals and how the may affect the stand locations you choose to hunt on a given day. Not just during bow season either. The same rings true for my gun hunting strategy as well, not just because it's my favorite stand and it's a tradition. But at the end of the day, the single most question to answer should always be to just have fun. And don't let me tell you what to do. I'm simply sharing what I do and what works for me and could quite possibly work for you. Happy Hunting This Fall! Guest Blog Saturday!!! Passing on deer hunting tradition to the next generation of hunters Being a youth hunting mentor to your kids is a mix of entertaining and teaching. Remembering to make it fun will help them take a continued interest. By Shawn Lentz | PUBLISHED August 22nd, 2022 Back when I was my son’s age if someone had told me that I’d be passing on the legacy of hunting? I would’ve quizzically peered at them through the bangs of my burgeoning mullet while squealing off a crappy riff on my Sears & Roebuck guitar. In those days, I pledged my allegiance to the Gods of Metal. Even though I grew up fishing and camping during summers in the North Cascades, hunting wasn’t part of our family tradition. Like many of us kids from the ‘burbs of Marysville, Washington, I straddled the line between small town existence and dreams of big city life. The sleepy little farming community was already giving way to cul-de-sacs and housing developments. Hunting, it seemed, went out along with the next chunk of ag land scheduled for the chopping block. Days were spent on BMX bikes, neighborhood hide-n-seek, and learning not to choke on Camel straights. The time between was filled-in with Donkey Kong at the local pizza joint, dodging wayward lawn darts, and roller-skating. Don’t get me wrong, the ‘70s and ‘80s were a kick-ass time to be a kid. But I don’t recall ever hearing one hunting story from anyone I grew up with. Through the twists and turns of life, I tapped into my inner meat-getter in adulthood. Now, fourteen years into my hunting journey, I can pass on what I’ve learned as an adult-onset hunter to my son. That's the great thing. No matter what age you started, you can teach your kid to hunt as a youth so they may grow up with it. Most of the red meat we eat comes from elk or deer, and it’s not unusual for me to process it in the kitchen. In addition, scouting trips, deer camps, turkey hunts, and trail camera checks are often a family affair that he’s always been a part of. So he’s essentially grown up immersed in it. Teaching your kids to hunt can be joyful and gratifying. It can also be maddening and annoying. And that’s just one trip! Here are a few nuggets I’ve obtained as a father, told through the eyes of someone who didn’t start hunting until their 30s. They’ve become my guiding principles that I meditate on when I feel the aggro-daddy edge coming on. Let Them Decide When They’re ReadyFor example, I bought my son his first bow back in 2016. The summer of 2021 was the first time he used it. Even though he’d lined-up shots hundreds of times on his game’s virtual bows, he didn’t seem to care too much about shooting the real thing at first. He simply wasn’t ready. This was proven by our comedy/tragedy hunts early on. If the Griswolds were a hunting family, we’d surely be their doppelganger. When I say “let them decide,” I don’t necessarily mean asking them outright. I mean, observe. Take little hunting trips and see how they go. Gauge interest. Kids are all over the place. Sports, YouTube, TikTok, Xbox–there are so many things competing for their attention. They don’t always need Ritalin. Sometimes they just need to grow out of it. Let them set the pace while you present opportunities to experience hunting and the outdoor adventures that come along with it. See how they take to it. You’ll know when to move on to the next step. It’s Not About the Inches. It’s About the PoundsOf delicious, truly organic, free-range table fair, that is. Youth hunters need to know that there’s much more to it than the rack size. In this author’s opinion, a field-to-table lifestyle–where putting meat in the freezer is the focal point–is a much more worthy pursuit. That should be the emphasis. If you get a toad in the process, it’s an even bigger bonus. That’s my hunting ethos and what I teach my boy. It doesn’t matter if it’s a doe or buck, cow or bull. If it’s legal and we’re hunting an area with healthy male/female ratios, it’s “whichever comes along first.” We don’t harvest animals to impress the basement-dwelling keyboard warriors on forums and other platforms. And luckily–even though he grew up with the soul-sucking disaster we know as social media–my son is astute enough to know these people (or bots) don’t matter anyway. I love that he’s naturally resilient and lets stuff like that roll off his back. It’s Youth Hunting, Don’t Forget to Have FunAs dads, we want our kids to soak up every piece of hunting and woodsman minutiae that’s ever been thought of. But the thing is, we’ve obtained what we know over years. Trying to squeeze that into the undeveloped frontal lobe of a youth hunter during one season? That’s like–well, have you ever seen a Twinkie get filled? Some of us tend to get overly serious about things when it’s not required. Hunting is one of those things. Without a doubt, it’s essential to raise a good ethical hunter that respects the animals they hunt. When the moment comes, taking a life to feed our families should be taken seriously. I mean, those of us that hunt aren’t psychopathic mutilators raising little mutilator Mini-Mes. I should clarify. Admittedly, outliers exist that are an embarrassment to our ranks. However, most of us have a deep love and admiration for animals, including those we hunt. That can be a hard thing to reconcile. It’s an even harder thing for folks outside of hunting to understand. Just ask the ones holding little “meat is murder” signs while they chew on a hamburger. They’re really confused. Yes, the act of harvesting an animal should be taken seriously. Maybe, it should even hurt a little bit. But there’s also time to have fun and enjoy your kids’ company. Indeed, limited vacation days while trying to fill the freezer can amplify frustrations that come with the quickly draining hourglass. Like sports or other pursuits, there’s room to be a patient teacher who understands that hunts will get messed up. That’s the process of learning. Learn. Execute. Screw-up. Correct. Rinse and repeat. Hopefully, in the end, you have a nice luxurious sheen, or at least a deer hanging from your meatpole. Teach. But also make lasting memories. Preferably ones that don’t involve you “being a hemorrhoid,” as my wife is fond of saying. I’ll admit it; sometimes, I can be wound up tighter than my old mullet in a ponytail. If you remember anything, remember this. Time goes fast, excruciatingly fast. One moment, that toddler fits perfectly in your arms as you place them in their car seat. Then, in a heartbreaking instant, you wake up to more gray in your goatee, your bones are achier, and your kids have morphed into something that nearly resembles an adult. Maybe they’ll continue to hunt, and maybe they won’t. If you micromanage and act like a jerk in the early years, you're ensuring the latter. That’s not laying the right groundwork. Don’t forget to have fun. Because at some point, the fun-time memories are all we’ll have. Soon, those days will be gone, and unlike a hemorrhoid–you can’t get them back. To learn more about more about Shawn Lentz and The Okayest Hunter, click the image above.
As I write this we are just a few days out from turning the page to the month of September. And here in Wisconsin, and many other states across the country, the opening day of whitetail season is just around the corner. Does that mean it's too late for seeding down food plots? Absolutely NOT! Even across the northern have of the country it is not too late.
As with my life long experience in production agriculture/farming, cover cropping became a huge practice in our crop rotations after chopping corn for silage to feed our outstanding herd of Registered Holstein dairy cows in the fall. Winter cereal rye has always been our "go to", if you will, when it comes to cover cropping. And for many years the seed we have turned to this time of year for food plots. But is winter cereal rye the only option of seed available to plant this time of year? The answer......, most definitely NOT! Remember, when it comes to food plots for deer in terms of cultivated crops, diversity is key. And this time of year is still no exception. I know sometimes there is no choice but to go with a stand alone seed choice depending on soil type and pH. But diversity should not escape the back of your minds if we can possibly make the best of any given food plot situation. Diversity should always be at the forefront in any successful food plot program. And a mix I like to include this time of year is Rape, Tillage Radish, Austrian Winter Peas, Winter Cereal Rye, and Winter Oats. Yes there are other mixes that will perform just as well, but this is just an example of what i have the most success with as we inch ever closer to the first days of autumn. Is it too late for brassicas as a stand alone food source? Absolutely not! but the window is closing rapidly. In 2018 I seeded in a couple food plots for a client in northwestern Wisconsin on September 8th with a mix of purple top turnips and winter oats. Sure, the turnips didn't become the size of small basketballs that you see on TV on many hunting many of the hunting shows. But the client did share with me that the bulbs did however, for the most part, reach the size of tennis and baseballs. Remember, brassicas will reach maturity at 45 days. So there is still time for brassicas. So if you are still looking to seed them, now is the time, but the window is closing fast across the upper half of the country. Also keep in mind that there are forage specific brassicas in some seed mixes that only produce leafy greens and no bulbs at all. But the deer will still dig for those leaves well into late season with a covering of snow over top of them. As I close this, don't stress if you believe it's getting too late across the upper have of the country. There is still time with a wide array of options still available to help you achieve a successful food plot program here in 2022. And although I didn't go into a ton of specific detail, I hope you got a little clearer vision on what could possibly work for your specific location, soil type, pH, etc.. Have fun! Enjoy the changing of the seasons. And most of all, keep living the dream! So, you have seeded your fall brassica plots. That's GREAT! But is that it?
Nope! After about 2 or 3 weeks post seeding, or when the average foliage across your brassica plot is 4"-6" you'll want to consider applying a shot of urea granular fertilizer at a rate of 100#/acre via broadcast. It is best to apply urea just prior to a good rainfall event so that the granular pellets dissolve and soak into the soil. If urea is allowed to sit on the soil surface for a duration of time without a significant rain after several days, all of your efforts for a nitrogen application will definitely be lost. Remember, rain is your friend. But don't overthink either. Liquid Courage from Domain Outdoor, LLC is a wonderful liquid foliar fertilizer that is approximately 7% nitrogen content and it can definitely help in meeting the nitrogen needs of your brassica food plot. Even your cereal grains like rye can and will benefit from additional nitrogen applications at this time as well. Don't let cold temperatures spoil another planned all-day hunt.
How many of you have gotten down from your stand early during a late October thru the late season because you felt like you were freezing to death? How many of you have dressed like the abominable snowman for the hunt only to wind up sweating your touche off while accessing your hunting stand location? Believe me, I've been in your shoes. But several years ago that all changed for me. I wanted something to take the edge off being cold while hunting extremely cold conditions during December late season hunts without having to wear excessive amounts of clothes, drag in a heater to the blind, or simply not hunt. Lo and behold, the Heater Body Suit!!! I wanted it but the price tag put a screeching halt to my plan to purchase. But then I started to look at that price tag a different way. Was it worth it? Would this product help take the edge off of the cold to possibly keep me in a tree a bit longer? Would this product save a planned all day sit during the heat of the rut on a cold, windy day in November? I milled it in my head for a long time, even through the following season. And finally the time came and my mother approached me to ask what I wanted for Christmas that year. Without the slightest of hesitation I exclaimed, "The Heater Body Suit!" By no means did I expect my parents to spend that kind of money on me. And i was ready to buy it for myself. But wouldn't you know it, my parents generously bought one and gifted it to me for Christmas that year. Lucky? I'd have bought it anyway after that Christmas because of a planned late season hunt. I have had my Heater Body Suit now for more than 10 seasons, and I can assure you that it is ready for use again in 2022. It paid for itself in one hunt. So why let the cold ever ruin a hunt for you again? Check it out TODAY! Click the image below: Over a year in development, the Triage Kit is Uncharted's most personal product to date. Transformative construction. Featherweight design. You'll simply never leave home without it.
Uncharted interviewed over 100 outdoor experts, pros and ambassadors to understand what gear they trusted day in and day out. During this process, one topic kept coming to the surface over and over: The right lightweight emergency kit did not exist. People were frustrated with the size, weight and lack of key pieces. So Uncharted started with a clean sheet of paper, and the end result, almost a year later, is The Triage Kit. The Finer DetailsMade from high-tenacity 30D double-ripstop nylon military surplus parachute fabric, we took it a step further and coated the interior, protecting from internal abrasion as well as external Under 150 grams 7.5" x 3.25" x 1.5" Don't be caught in dyer straights without an ultimate, light weight first aid kit for the unknown variables of your hunt. It's always better to be prepared and never have a need than to be in need of first aid and not be prepared. To learn more about other First Aid products from Uncharted Supply, click the image below: Archery season is just under a month away here in Wisconsin. Food plots have been installed and are growing well, especially with the much needed recent rainfall. But there are some last minute improvements to check off our list before opening day or the first day we intend to hunt a particular property.
With the hustle and bustle of summer activities for my kids and my own work on my other properties, and for clients, my Home Property projects took a backseat. What can be done this time of year to help hold a couple deer, including the possibility of a mature buck? Hinge cutting will not only provide a desperately needed bedding area but, it will also create a pinch in one particular kill plot that I have created. This video describes the intended strategy. Enjoy! |
Ryan NordahlRyan grew up on his family's dairy farm in West Central Wisconsin and farmed for 15 years with his older brother. Ryan has a strong background in agriculture with an emphasis in Ruminant animal nutrition and plant and soil sciences (agronomy). Ryan has an Associate Dedgree from Chippewa Valley Technical College in the field of Agricultural Science. Ryan has written many guest blogs for various outdoor industry websites as well as podcasting. Archives
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