Harrisburg, PA -(Ammoland.com)- With small-game hunting seasons set to kick off this weekend, Pennsylvania’s state game lands are being stocked with pheasants in a year what Game Commission officials describe as an excellent year for pheasant production. Nearly 220,000 pheasants will be produced this year by the Game Commission’s game farms to be stocked on game lands and other public lands to provide hunting opportunities for Pennsylvania hunters. About 17,000 pheasants were released ahead of the weeklong junior-only season, which ended Oct. 18, and beginning this week, there will be several consecutive weekly releases of pheasants, as well as a late-season release of hen pheasants. In all, 103,540 roosters and 82,190 hens have been allocated for release statewide ahead of and within the early small-game season, with an additional 6,620 hens allocated for release for the late season. The best pheasant-hunting habitat and hunter access occur on more than 230 tracts of state game lands and other public lands under cooperative management with the Game Commission, and about 75 percent of the pheasants are stocked there. The remaining 25 percent are released on private lands enrolled in the Game Commission’s Hunter Access Program. But Robert C. Boyd, who oversees the Game Commission’s pheasant propagation program, said a yet undetermined number of surplus birds also will be released this year, driving the total number released toward 220,000.   “This has been a very good year for pheasant production, and it’s Pennsylvania’s pheasant hunters who will reap the rewards,” said Boyd, who heads the Wildlife Services Division, within the Game Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Management. “Our survey work has shown that Pennsylvania’s hunters strongly support our pheasant propagation program and the hunting opportunities it provides and this should be a banner year for pheasant hunting.”   Pennsylvania’s small-game season, which includes pheasant and rabbit seasons, kicks off on Saturday. Saturday also marks the opener for fox, raccoon and bobwhite quail hunting, and the trapping seasons for foxes, raccoons, coyotes, opossums, striped skunks and weasels kick off on Sunday. Meanwhile, seasons for squirrels and ruffed grouse, as well as the archery deer season have already begun. And the fall turkey season opener in many Wildlife Management Units begins Nov. 1. It’s that magical time of year when all of Pennsylvania’s hunters and trappers have something to get excited about, said Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough.   “By this weekend, prime time for Pennsylvania hunting will have certainly arrived,” Hough said. “At no other time of year do so many opportunities await hunters and trappers, and I hope they make the time to get out there and enjoy all that fall has to offer.”   Hough said pheasant hunting is a great way to introduce young people to hunting. Through stocking efforts, many birds await hunters, and the hunts often are action-packed. Game Commissioner James J. Delaney Jr., who represents several northeastern counties on the Board of Game Commissioners, said the opening of the small-game season is something to which avid bird hunters like himself look forward for most of the year. “It doesn’t get any better than spending a day hunting pheasants with your trusty bird dog, and I’d encourage any hunter to give it a try,” Delaney said. “Tracts all across Pennsylvania hold numbers of pheasants just waiting to be flushed. It’s exciting just thinking about it.”   A wealth of information on ring-necked pheasants, the Game Commission’s pheasant management program, and stockings statewide can be found at the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website by placing the cursor over the “Hunt/Trap” tab, then selecting “Hunting,” then “Ring-necked Pheasant.” The general pheasant hunting season closes on Nov. 29, and the late season opens on Dec. 15. Only roosters may be hunted in many WMUs, check Page 20 of the 2014-15 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest for details. The digest is issued to all hunters at the times they buy their licenses, and also is available online through the Game Commission’s home page. Hunters also should note that pheasant hunting is closed in all Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, where the Game Commission is attempting to restore self-sustaining wild pheasant populations. Maps of Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas begin on Page 21 of the digest. As of this release, all hunting and trapping activity remained closed on all lands public and private within Price, Barrett and Paradise townships, Monroe County, due to the ongoing search for a fugitive wanted in the ambush-shooting death of a state trooper. Information on the closures will be updated regularly at the Game Commission’s website. About the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) The Pennsylvania Game Commission is legally mandated to manage wildlife for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians, as well as all wildlife and the habitat that supports their existence. Pennsylvania’s Constitution and Game and Wildlife Code direct the Game Commission to protect, manage, and preserve wildlife and their habitat within the Commonwealth for the benefit of all people, including generations yet to come. Based on this direction, the Game Commission adopted the mission statement “to manage all wild birds, wild mammals, and their habitats for current and future generations.” Read more: http://www.ammoland.com/2014/10/pennsylvania-game-commission-to-release-nearly-220000-pheasants/#ixzz3GzqEr8C9 Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Follow us: @Ammoland on Twitter | Ammoland on Facebook

Get out of your stand and test your mettle against wary whitetails the old-fashioned way. by Jim Casada     Careful, deliberate movements are key when still-hunting. Stay low whenever possible.   In today’s world, the vast majority of deer hunting is done from elevated stands, which in reality might more accurately be described as “sits.” For the most part, stand hunting is a waiting game, although rattling, grunt calls and the use of various scent attractants do involve some active approaches on the part of the hunter. This kind of hunting was not always so ubiquitous; what were once common methods, namely still-hunting and stalking, have for the most part been abandoned. Yet in certain situations and geographical settings, these approaches might be the best ways to get within range of whitetails. The Skill Of Woodsmanship In one fashion or another, all traditional methods of deer hunting involve taking the action to deer as opposed to waiting for them to come to the hunter. Up until the last 40 years or so, it was how American hunters put venison on the table. Still- and stalk-hunting placed a premium on superior woodsmanship. I’ll flat-out guarantee that anyone who takes to the whitetail trail using still-hunting and stalking techniques will improve his woodscraft skills to a significant degree. The finest deer hunter I’ve ever known always hunted afoot. Joe Scarborough moved through the woods like a ghost. He was so quiet, so attuned to his surroundings, that his customary method involved shooting undisturbed deer in their beds. On top of that, he invariably shot them in the eye. Of course Joe had been a sniper who spent three tours of duty in Vietnam, and his woodsmanship was so outstanding that when walking through the woods in front of him, I constantly caught myself looking back to check whether he was still there. The man exemplified the concept that “silence is golden,” at least in a woodland setting. Most of us will never achieve similar levels of unobtrusive oneness with the world about us when hunting whitetails, but at least we can strive to do so. Ways To Stay Unseen In the course of a typical day Joe would cover a lot of ground in a measured, unhurried fashion. His was constant watchfulness, ever alert for an ear flick, a glimpse of a tail or the glint of sunlight off a tine. Similarly, there was always a lot more watching than there was walking, but even so, he could cover a lot of ground in the course of a full day. For Scarborough, as for any skilled hunter afoot, the quest takes on new, challenging dimensions once a deer is spotted. If the animal is within range and a clear shot is available when it is spotted, obviously all that is required is easing the gun into position and making an accurate shot. Otherwise, it’s time to stalk to within range. This might necessitate a belly crawl, a strategic retreat to take a roundabout route to a suitable site, or some other tactic. Whatever the choice, it’s an extended equivalent of a bowhunter picking a moment when he can make his draw unseen. Whether stalking, still-hunting or employing a combination of the two, one distinct advantage is the ability to hunt into prevailing winds. A fixed ladder stand or tripod offers no such opportunity to adjust to the vagaries of shifting or changing winds. When a front approaches, bringing winds from a different direction, stand hunters sometimes find themselves at the mercy of the deer’s first line of defense, its sense of smell.     You’ll need vegetation to cover your movements when you’re on a stalk. Keep your eyes on constant watch for the slightest hint of movement ahead.   How To Stalk Successfully Even if hunt from a fixed location, you can still incorporate some still-hunting techniques. Rather than walking hurriedly and heedlessly from a stand after a morning session, or while en route to a stand in the afternoon, take your time — lots of it — to cover the ground between your vehicle and your hunting station. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how productive this might prove to be, and it has additional advantages, including avoidance of getting “sweated up” and reducing the likelihood of spooking deer. While on the ground, be constantly alert for movement. Ease to the top of every hill and each turn in a trail or road with great caution. Use vegetation to cover your progress as much as possible, and in general allot some extra time get to and from stands. Never overlook taking a water route to deer. As is the case in many regions of the country, pressured deer near my southern home regularly seek refuge on islands in larger rivers, on elevated hideaways in flooded river basins or swamps, or in thickets bordering small streams flowing through remote regions. Often the only feasible way to reach deer in such habitat is to paddle to them using a canoe or johnboat. Hunters with sufficient gumption and a willingness to go the extra mile (or maybe several miles) can ease into an area without making much noise, leave their watercraft, and hunt afoot from that point. Then, too, a canoe or johnboat offers a much easier way to get a deer back to civilization than a long drag over rugged ground. Obviously there are times when turning to the traditional approaches to deer-hunting will be impossible. Yet in many situations the varied options offered by still-hunting or stalking can serve the hunter well. Thoughts On Safety Potential downsides to traditional approaches include safety considerations and the possibility of interfering with other hunters. Generally speaking, the techniques described here should be employed on private land, where you know you won’t encounter another hunter. However, for the really venturesome sportsman of the sort who gets back of beyond on a regular basis, doing this on really remote stretches of public land might be considered. In any case, wear plenty of hunter-orange attire and take care not to intrude where someone else might be hunting.

Merry Christmas everyone!! Just curious what is on everyones Christmas lists?? I didnt ask for much this year...tried to play it a little more conservative! HA!! No, honestly wasnt much on mine, Just a new Double tree stand, and a I already got an early gift to ourselves...a new TV for our garage! We entertain alot so we needed a bigger TV so that we can watch football!! Other than that, I didnt ask for much!! Lets hear what you all ask the jolly man in the red suit for!!

Well, its the end of the season for me here in South GA....Hunted the final weekend and drew a blank, it was unseasonably warm with a full moon, so that didnt help much at all.  Thats ok though, over all it was an incredible season!! So with that being said, onto 2015 and for the next few months it will be getting things in order around the house, and then start to hit some of the outdoor shows in our area.  What does everyone have planned for the off season?? Im going to be really looking at managing the property I have access to and figuring out the travel patterns and all that fun stuff.  Thats the stuff that makes it fun honestly, watching the deer grow--especially the new fawns! Come this summer, I will be working on learning the ins and outs of inshore fishing and promoting the website as much as I can! I look forward to the coming year with all the new products coming out its crazy!! Twisted Timber has just released their new tree stands, will allow us tree hangers to climb and hang stands on just about any tree that is out there!! Go check them out....www.twistedtimbertreestands.com its gonna be a great year for us here at SeeMeHunt!!    

  Epidemic Alert: Feral Hogs Tearing Up New York Countryside     The pigs are invading New York! It may sound like the lamest monster movie tagline ever, but the feral hog pandemic that was previously localized to the South has made its way to the Empire State, and it spells destruction for state agriculture. The New York Times has reported that feral hogs have made their way into Champlain County, New York, and like their cousins down in Dixie, these porkers are causing huge problems. For example, Bob Rulf, an 82-year-old farmer, found his crops severely damaged, and thinking it was a deer problem, dispatched a few hunters to take care of it. What they found was even more of a nightmare. “They eat everything,” said wildlife biologist Ed Reed. “They’ll eat the understory in a forest and dig up plants by rooting the ground for insects and roots. They compete with wildlife for food. They’re the most destructive mammal out there.” Now, state wildlife officials are weighing their options in dispatching the hogs, from traps to sterilization, and even popping pigs from choppers. “There’s a real sense of urgency,” Reed told reporters. “Once the pigs get established, they are very difficult to eradicate completely.” Officials have tried using traps filled with all manners of pig bait — donuts, dried gelatin powder and dried corn, for example — but have found the pigs tend to crowd in a corner and will climb on one another to escape. Even circular traps have proved ineffective, catching only three pigs last year. The Times are reporting that New York’s usually strict hunting laws have been relaxed a bit for the porkers; the New York Department of Environmental Conservation is advising hunters to “shoot and keep feral swine at any time and in any number.” Sounds like open season for makin’ bacon to us.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mar. 20, 2015                                                         GLOCK Releases Single Stack 9mm Concealed Carry   – The New G43 SMYRNA, Ga – (Mar. 20, 2015) -   Today GLOCK, Inc. announced the release of the new GLOCK single stack slimline 9mm pistol, the GLOCK 43. The G43 is the most highly desired and anticipated pistol release in GLOCKs history. Designed to be the answer to everyday concealed carry needs, the G43 is ultra-concealable, accurate, and comfortable for all shooters, regardless of hand size.   “The G43 is the most exciting product release to date because it addresses a variety of issues that many shooters face with pistols in the concealed carry category,” stated GLOCK, Inc., VP Josh Dorsey. “It will be the pistol of choice for law enforcement and civilians. The G43 sets a new standard for concealed carry pistols.   ” A true slimline pistol, the frame width of the G43 is just over one inch and the slide width measures only 0.87 inch. The overall length is 6.26 inches. For those who have smaller hands, the trigger distance is only 2.6 inches, making it ideal for functionality.   The single stack magazine holds 6 rounds and is the perfect concealed carry pistol for both duty and civilian use. The G43 is engineered to the same superior standards as all GLOCK pistols and the reliability instills confidence for all lifestyles.   The G43 will debut at the NRA Annual Meeting, April 10-12, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn., at the GLOCK booth (#633). Shipments of the product will begin directly following the convention.   The GLOCK Group is a leading global manufacturer of pistols and accessories. GLOCK's superior engineering has produced a pistol with only 34 parts and a rugged polymer-frame, providing industry-leading reliability shot after shot. GLOCK is renowned for its pistols which are safe, featuring three safeties; simple, offering a low number of components to provide reliability; and fast, with no encumbering parts to slow the speed to fire. This combination makes GLOCK pistols the first choice among consumers and law enforcement, with approximately 65 percent of agencies within the United States choosing to carry GLOCK. Austrian-engineered, the group has manufacturing facilities in the United States and Austria. Based in Smyrna, Ga., GLOCK, Inc. is an advocate for our nation's law enforcement and military personnel, as well as all citizens' Second Amendment right to bear arms. For more information, please visit http://us.glock.com/.

“The Slick Shot Bow Torque Eliminator” When Mark Pouliot contacted me and asked me if I would like to try a new product to eliminate bow torque and improve form I instantly said an emphatic “Heck Yes!”.  He is the main man and super guy behind the Slick Shot, a simple but super effective way to eliminate bow torque during a shot.  I received the Slick Shot quickly and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it, anything to make your shot more accurate and eliminate torque right? Well, this product is just what the doctor ordered, simple to set up, super comfortable and it does exactly what it says it does, it will not allow you to torque the bow at all, and if you do have a “torque” problem it instantly corrects it back to where your grip should be.  They come in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large. Measurements are simple because you want to be sure you have the correct size.  You measure from the palm of your bow hand from the base of the thumb (with the hand relaxed) to the base of the middle finger; If the measurement is 2-2 ½” Medium, Greater than 2 ½” Large, and if it is less than 2” order the small.  They have adjustable elastic straps that will snug them up on your fingers and they also make ones with neoprene straps to fit over gloves, so they can be used not only during target shooting but hunting applications as well.  When I put it on for the first time, it is a different feeling for sure, some people may find it distracting or bulky, but give it just a few minutes on your hand an you can tell that this is a quality product designed to do exactly what it says it does.  I currently shoot a Mathews Z7, and the grip on that bow is very well designed, but every bow manufacturer is different so the first time you pick your bow up with the Slick Shot will be quite different, so don’t worry if it feels “different”, give it a fair chance and then go from there.  Shooting with the Slick Shot is quite the experience, for some more advanced archers it may not be noticeable if you already have good form, but where this product will help the most is with newer shooters. I personally think target shooters will benefit tremendously from it ensuring that the bow is completely level which will in turn increase your accuracy! I shot several arrows with and without the Slick Shot and I can tell you from experience that it does exactly what it claims to do, and that is close your groups up, allow you to shoot with more confidence and eliminate bow torque! Overall, I would recommend this product to anyone who wants to improve accuracy, form and overall shooting! Please give Mark at Slick Shot Archery a call at 802-453-4115 or visit www.slickshotarchery.com to place an order.  They have new colors and Mark is a first rate guy to deal with and a perfect product to improve your shooting!!

Predator Call – the mini Phantom by Mia Anstine It's that time of year again. Just after big game is done, and predator hunting takes full effect. I thought I better share this one again. We are still using (enjoying) this call and demo-ing another which I hope to report on soon! I was excited to head to the post office counter yesterday with [...] Read more of this post

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:     NEW BADLANDSPACKS.COM WEBSITE PROMISES AN INFORMATIVE AND USER-FRIENDLY CONSUMER EXPERIENCE   West Jordan, UT – With the goal of providing the most user-friendly and information-packed website possible, Badlands recently launched the all-new www.badlandspacks.com. An “all hands on deck”  project, the website redesign took several months of designing, new content-creation and troubleshooting before the official launch on July 8th. Features of the new site include:   ·         Dynamic, interactive homepage including videos, social media and stunning imagery ·         Category breakdowns for hunt, camping, tactical, optics, accessories, lifestyle and travel ·         Filters for finding the correct gear including options to filter by: o   Hunt Type (Big Game, Turkey, Whitetail, Zombies, etc.) o   Season of Hunt (Early, Mid, Late) o   Camo Pattern/Solid Color Options ·         Redesigned Badlands Blog with hunting stories, tips, product features, etc. ·         The Badlands Story including company history and future plans ·         New interactive and easy to use Badlands Dealer Locator tool Marketing Director Blake VanTussenbrook said of the new project, “We wanted to not only help hunters find the perfect gear for their hunt but also to have a place to learn about what puts Badlands above and beyond everything else. The new site educates people about our technologies, our materials and our commitment to designing and making the best equipment on earth. There are videos, 360° product images and explanations about why we do everything we do. It’s an all-new experience that will only continue to get better.”   Now in its 20th year, Badlands continues to focus on exceptional quality, continuing innovation, unmatched performance and as always the only unconditional lifetime warranty in the industry .                 

             10 Tips For Crossbow Success This Hunting Season   Are you toting a crossbow into the field this year? These 10 solid tips can give you the edge you need to find horizontal-bow success. Brad Fenson — September 16, 2015 10   Tips for Crossbow Success There are no shortcuts when it comes to hunting with a crossbow, and minding the details will ensure a freezer full of venison this season. A strong knowledge of the principles of archery and marksmanship will help you get the most out of your equipment and be successful under any conditions you may face in the crossbow woods.   Practice On 3-D Targets   Once you’ve got the sights/scope on your crossbow dialed in, it’s time to shoot some 3-D targets. Why? Whitetails don’t come with a target-shaped birthmark on their sides. Picking a small spot on a large body can be tough. You need to practice on a life-like target and imagine aiming at a single hair. In addition, it helps to review the anatomy of a whitetail deer. This way, during your practice sessions, you can look at your bolt impact and know if you got the heart, lungs, liver, etc.   Range Ahead   Save time and decrease movement in your stand or blind by knowing your range before a deer shows up. Use a rangefinder to confirm the distance to known objects in your shooting lanes, such as trees, rocks, flowers, grass or any natural features, and use them as reference points. Confirm the farthest distance you can shoot, and anything inside that zone is fair game.   Trigger Pull   There is nothing more critical to consistent arrow flight and accuracy than trigger pull. A slow, gentle squeeze on the trigger prevents you from pulling your bow off target when releasing an arrow. For best consistency use the center of the pad on your index finger and make sure you place the exact same spot on the trigger every time.   Focus Your Reticle   There is a quick trick for properly focusing the reticle in your crossbow scope – with or without the scope attached – and it takes less than a minute. Simply go outside, glance up and find a piece of blue sky totally clear of clouds. Turn the focus ring on the back of the scope all the way out. Lift the scope, point it at the sky and quickly look at it (no more than 3 seconds) to see if the reticle is in focus. Turn the focus ring one turn and repeat the quick look. Repeat this procedure until the reticle is in perfect focus as soon as you look at it. Then continue the exercise by turning the focus ring until the reticle is out of focus again. Then turn the focus ring back in the opposite direction until the reticle is clear, and you have bracketed the focus area and confirmed the correct dial position.   Make It Real   If you plan on hunting in layers of warm clothes – gloves, facemask, stocking cap – then conduct practice sessions wearing this type of apparel. The extra bulk and loss of mobility can drastically impair shot and arrow delivery. Rather than taking a chance, know exactly how your scope lines up from your shoulder while wearing these garments and whether you can find the reticle in your scope quickly. Most importantly, make sure you can still squeeze the trigger with your gloves on.   Check Limb Clearance   There is nothing worse than having one of your crossbow limbs come in contact with something. Treestands and blind setups are notorious for spoiling a hunt because hunters don’t run through their shots before the real thing happens. If you plan on shooting out of a blind, practice out of a blind. Make sure to try various angles to confirm you know how much clearance is required when you squeeze the trigger. The same goes for treestands.   Use A Rest   Shooting sticks and bipods are a great way to stabilize your bow on the front end. The extra support allows shooters to hold on target and reduces muscle fatigue, which causes accuracy-robbing shakes. Bipods mount directly to sling-swivel mounts on the bottom of the stock, but shooting sticks need to be field tested to ensure they don’t get in the way of limbs or strings. A trigger stick is quickly adjustable for height and provides a cradle to support the forestock of your crossbow but isn’t directly mounted to the crossbow.   Try Back Support   Supporting the butt-end of your stock is a great way to improve your accuracy. The good news: This isn’t hard to accomplish. The simple act of leaning into a tree with the shoulder that is supporting the bow will provide outstanding stability for improved accuracy. You can purchase field rests to support both the forearm and butt of a crossbow.   Practice The Mechanics   When shooting at the range or at targets in the backyard, it really doesn’t matter how much noise you make. However, if a mature white-tailed buck is standing a mere 20 yards away, you better know how to slowly and silently lift your bow, shoulder it for quick target acquisition and ready for the shot. It may all sound simple, but the mechanics are what typically foil a close-range shot.   Practice The Hold   How long can you hold your crossbow in the shooting position? If you start to shake after just a minute, your accuracy will suffer. To prevent fatigue make sure you watch your quarry over your scope and not with the reticle tracking every movement. Prolonged focus in a scope quickly leads to eye fatigue. Dropping your eye in line with your reticle seconds before a shot opportunity will ensure you focus on the reticle and deer at the same time, with little or no movement.