Hunting Blog

It is important to clean your goose quick as soon as you retrieve it, because geese are among nature’s best-insulated inhabitants. It’s important that you cool your goose as quickly as possible to preserve the meat. You can start by using your sharpened field knife and make an incision below the breastbone, and pull out the innards carefully so you don’t get anything on the meat. Go ahead and save the gizzard, heart, and liver if you want. If you know how it makes a great giblet gravy, but be sure you put them in a zip-top bag and store them on ice as quickly as possible. Once your goose is gutted, aim to keep it as cool as possible in the field until you’re hunt is done.

Next, you’ll need to pluck or skin your goose - but know the local regulations, as some areas require the head or one feathered wing to remain attached until the bird is prepared for consumption. If you’re going to roast the bird, pluck it. First remove the largest feathers, then work your way to the pin feathers and down.

If you plan to grill or otherwise cook individual bits of the bird, you should first skin it. Do this by slicing the goose from neck to tail and spread the skin away from the breast until the meat is exposed. Then roll the skin away. Once this is done you will have access to the meat. Remove what you would like to keep and store it appropriately.

Another goose hunting tip to help ensure that you keep the bird fresh, is to limit the amount of time you are away from your cooler where you are going to store the meat.  It is easy to get carried away and spend all your time out in the field trying to get your limit, but remember that the bird will taste better if is kept fresh.

The one accessory that you’ll thank yourself for having later when you are turkey hunting is a good vest. Think of it as the biggest multi-tool you’ll ever own, a portable filing-cabinet or wearable luggage - in any case, ensuring you put the right accessories in the vest is one of the keys to successful turkey hunting.

First, you’ll need to choose the right vest. Of course you’ll need plenty of pockets, storage space and a removable game bag that’s easy to wash. Vests with a built-in hunter orange panel are preferable, especially if you can conceal/reveal the panel at appropriate times.

Next, test out your vest and pack it with the gear you’ll need in the field.  So what should you pack?  Try using the custom-sized pockets for your calls and ammo. Pack your snacks, drinks, gloves, bug repellent, first-aid supplies, and other accessories into the vest’s non-specific storage pockets. Consider taking a camera if you can fit a smaller digital or disposable camera into your vest. Another nicety but not necessity that a lot of turkey hunters opt for is a small, inflatable cushion to make sitting in the field for long periods of time a bit more bearable.

Do you want your wild turkey plucked or skinned?

The first question asked by many novice turkey hunters is: Should I pluck it or skin it?  The answer really depends on what you plan to do with the meat. If you want to fry or grill the bird in individual pieces then skinning it is the way to go; whereas, if you plan on cooking the turkey whole, you’ll need to pluck it for the best results.

You’ll need to use a sharp knife to skin the bird, fillet the breasts, and slice as much other meat from the carcass as you want to cook. Do this by first making a cut along one side of the breastbone, then working the skin over the breast halves, down the back and finally over the legs. Then, remove the meat, but be aware of local regulations when doing this as some areas prohibit you from removing just the turkey’s breast meat.  It is probably best if you harvest as much of the meat as you can get.  I was always taught that it is important to not waste anything if you can help it.  I believe it is important to have this attitude towards any hunting.

Experts will recommend that the best way to pluck the bird is by dipping it in hot water first. Some recommend boiling water, others say any hot water will do. Plucking the bird will take more time than skinning it, but keeping the skin on will help preserve the flavor. Once it’s plucked, make a small incision from the V of the breast to the tail vent, and carefully remove the innards.  Take care that you don’t puncture the guts and ruin any of the meat.

Why did my meat go bad?

Every hunting season plenty of hunters succeed in getting their game, and get home to find the meat they’ve worked so hard for in the field is no good. There are numerous reasons for this, ranging from high temperatures to some type of contamination. For every reason your meat is ruined, there is always a way the spoilage could’ve been prevented.

Keep your kill cooled- in warm weather, it’s exceptionally important that you get the carcass cooled as quickly as possible. Traditional field dressing is the best option, but if you’ve got access to a one-ton packed with ice, more power to you. Do bear in mind that meat spoils from inside as well.

Keep it clean - you can protect your meat from bugs and debris by placing it in suitable sacks. Many veteran hunters recommend a dash of black pepper on the carcass to keep insects at bay while you’re working.

Avoid contamination - when dressing your carcass, take care not to puncture the innards as the contents of the animal’s digestive tract can ruin all your hard work. When you are gutting the animal, many hunters recommend tying off the rectum before you remove it to avoid any accidental spills on the meat.

Stay ahead of the other hunters by always being a step ahead. Part of a successful hunter’s plan should include the basics of field dressing, as well as a hunt kit that includes the tools you’ll need in the event of success.

First, pack a good hunting knife. Whether you choose a fixed or folding blade is up to you, but experts agree you should pick a knife you’re comfortable using and bring along a stone to sharpen it. You’ll need this to make incisions in the animal for field dressing - it will come in handy for skinning as well.

The second thing you’ll need is a lightweight saw. There are plenty of options here, including the folding variety, but the key again is finding a tool you’re comfortable with and can wield with confidence in the field. The saw will be used to remove antlers and split the brisket.

Finally, consider bringing along a lightweight hatchet or axe - some experts recommend a pair of hatchets. A good hatchet is useful if you’re going after bigger game as quartering an elk is no easy task, so you may as well be tooled up for the job.

What can deer tracks tell you?

There’s a fair amount of information to consider when you stumble upon tracks in the field. Knowing what the tracks can tell you before you find them is the key to benefiting from the chance discovery.

Check the gait - a buck’s tracks will be less organized, showing a prominent outward kick.  Does and younger animals will leave tracks that go in a straight line.

What’s the drag - small deer lift their hooves more completely on soft terrain, heavier deer, and bucks in particular, tend to drag their hooves, leaving clefts in the ground between tracks.

Size matters - bigger deer have bigger feet, and though size isn’t the most reliable indicator, one set of exceptionally large tracks among a myriad of smaller tracks is a sure sign that a big buck is around.

How old is it - it’s hard to tell how old tracks are in the field, but with a little experience, you will learn the difference between sharply-defined new tracks and their less-impressive older cousins.

How many sets - the big bucks like to run on their own, so when there’s a single set of large tracks on their own, you’re probably on to a winner.

This is old news, but may be new to some. The story is so good that I wanted to share it, plus it is closer to home for me since it happened to a friend of mine that I grew up with, and went to school with until we graduated. The community I grew up in revolves around hunting, and there are some amazing hunting stories that originate from this area.

This happened back in 2002, when my friend Jason Koller and his father were out archery hunting for elk Northeast of Soda Springs, Idaho. The two had split up to cover more ground when Jason spotted some black bears and radioed to his father of the sighting. Moments later an unsuspecting female bear weighing over 200 lbs and her yearling cubs walked out of the brush right on top of Jason. The bear swatted his bow out of his hands and began to maul him.

Jason’s father Nolan Koller heard his yells for help and came running to save his son armed with only his bow. When he arrived what he saw was the bear on top of Jason mauling him. He knew that he had to kill the bear and his shot had to be accurate. This was a life and death situation not only for his son, but for himself also.

When the bear spotted Jason’s father approach she left Jason and charged for him. At close range with his bow, Nolan Koller dropped the bear in its tracks with a shot to the neck.

At this point Jason was injured badly with bite marks all over his legs, arms and head. They weren’t out of danger yet. They still had to get to help and had a lengthy journey over some rough terrain, but with the help of other hunters and family and friends they were able to get him out safely and to medical attention.

This amazing hunting story made the news all across the nation and was aired on Good Morning America. If you would like to read a more detailed account you can find an article in the Idaho State Journal.

Bear Hunting is one of the more dangerous game to hunt. If you want to get the bear you dream you need to learn how to judge his size in the field. The biggest bears live in the prime real estate of any given hunting zone - smaller bears live on the fringes of these areas for their own protection, and are often easier to find because larger bears occupy the best hiding places.

Watch him move to judge your bears size. Big bears show no hesitation or fear in their movement - they’re practically cocky. Now consider the scale of things - how good are you at judging distances? A small bear near to you will look bigger than a large bear at a distance - experts recommend you get as close as you can to the bear before making your decision.

The older a bear is, the heavier he will appear. A big, mature bear will have a snout that’s broader, longer and deeper than any small or female bear around. Similarly, his ears will be set more to the sides than the top of his head. And you’ll notice the biting muscles bulging behind his forehead. Finally, big bears have massive front shoulders - with a wrist, foot and forearm that are all the same width.

If you haven’t already heard Michael Vick the Quarter Back for the Atlanta Falcons, has pleaded guilty for conspiracy to running a dog fighting ring. The NFL has suspended Vick indefinitely and are asking for $22 million to be paid back in bonus money that was paid to him.

So what does this have anything to do with hunting? Well according to the New York Knicks guard, Stephon Marbury who was originally defending Vick called dog fighting a sport and compared it to hunting.

Now Marbury has changed his story (probably due to Vick confessing to the dog torture). He said that TV was editing him and what he actually said was that he heard dog fighting was a sport. Since he started to receive criticism for his comments he has changed his tune stating that he despises dog fighting and that Vick was wrong.

Marbury’s original comments before the guilty plea were for support to Vick. The comments made to Capital News 9 in Albany, New York were:

“I think it’s tough. I think, you know, we don’t say anything about people who shoot deer or shoot other animals. You know, from what I hear, dogfighting is a sport. It’s just behind closed doors.”

“I think it’s tough that we build Michael Vick up and then we break him down. I think he’s one of the superb athletes, and he’s a good human being. I just think that he fell into a bad situation.”

So I guess the question that everyone is asking is where does animal cruelty end and hunting begin?

I know that dog fighting is illegal and hunting isn’t. I’ve never heard of a hunter electrocuting, hanging, drowning or body slamming the game he is hunting after. A good hunter will pride himself on the ability to make the kill as quick and painless as possible and will take pride in the fact he has provided his family or community with another source of food.

The biggest thing on my mind that separates hunting and dog fighting is that the dogs have a level of trust in their owners. If they didn’t have that trust they would turn on their owners to get out of the situation. Many of the dogs don’t want to fight, they are forced to. When you are hunting game part of the sport is tracking down the animal which is always a difficult task.

This brings up another point. I have seen places like elk farms where people pay big money to shoot an elk. The animal is in captivity and fed well to make a larger trophy. I have never been a fan of trophy hunting. I am completely against game farms. I don’t believe this to be hunting. There is no sport in killing an animal just to kill it. To me these game farms are the same as those dog fighting rings. The animals are taught to trust the owners by giving them food. Where is the sport in that?

When it comes to hunting, I have always loved to go pheasant hunting. My best memories are the times I spent with my step-father hunting pheasants in the field.

I think my step-father was more excited for me to get my hunting license than I was. My first real gun was a 12 gage single shot shotgun. We always went out and practiced target shooting clay pigeons. My step-dad had a clay pigeon thrower that could throw up to three clay pigeons at a time.

When we went out to the fields to hunt pheasants, we usually took our bird dog, “frog”. Frog was named after a character on an old western TV show. I can’t quite remember the name of the show. Frog was the best hunting dog ever. She would point at the location of the pheasants and wait until we gave her the signal to flush them out. I didn’t get many in the beginning due to the limitations of my single shot. My step-dad had a good aim and a double barrel 12 gage. He would often get the limit of birds on our hunting trips.

I always loved bringing home pheasants. The taste of pheasant meat is better than chicken in my opinion. I used to keep the colorful feathers. Only the males are brightly colored and we only hunted the males. Dad always said that we wanted the females to stay around to reproduce so that there would be more birds to hunt later on. He was always worried about pheasants being over hunted where we lived.