SYH Blog

Jan 30, Small Game Hunting

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:15:17 GMT

Small game hunting is great fun, great food, and great practice.

Jan 22, Hunting Truck

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:06:12 GMT

A hunting truck gets you out there and back.

Dec 30, Esbit Stove

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:39:57 GMT

I was looking at camping gear online. Soon I found myself reading reviews on the simple little Esbit Stove which I've used for years. If you've never

Dec 30, Gerber Clutch Multi Tool

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:37:52 GMT

This little Gerber Clutch Multi Tool has been my everyday pocket carry for several years now. It's small but mighty in my opinion. I've found that it will

Dec 26, iphone tricks

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:32:18 GMT

iPhone tricks for hunters.

Dec 25, Super Colibri .22 rimfire

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:24:11 GMT

In my mind I invented super colibri .22 rimfire years ago.

Nov 25, Updated page! Whitetail Deer Hunting 101

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:47:05 GMT

I done some update on this page and will do other pages soon. This is an important page for anyone who is a new hunter, or wants to learn basic whitetail hunting.

Nov 24, The Shotgun Gauges

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:28:13 GMT

There are far fewer shotgun gauges, and they are easier to understand than rifle calibers.

Nov 19, Bowhunter's Dilemma

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:20:19 GMT

Every year on the opening day of gun season I have a dilemma. Do I take the gun and kill a deer, or do I continue to "try" with the bow. The way I hunt (and think) makes it even more difficult. I hunt on the ground which makes taking any deer with a bow difficult. I'm not a trophy hunter, but when I have my rifle, taking an ordinary deer seems a little too easy. I find myself passing up on deer I would take with my bow. I've gone through several seasons with no harvest because I've stuck with the bow, or I've passed on deer with the gun. I'm sure many of you bowhunters have a similar dilemma.

Nov 19, Update on the "Bowhunter's Handgun"!

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:58:28 GMT

If you're a regular SYH reader, you probably know that I've become a big fan of the slingshot. I call it my "Bowhunter's Handgun". The slingshot solved a problem for me: it allows me to easily carry a tool for small game, plink, or practice almost anywhere while shooting in a way similar to my recurve bow. As I shoot more and get better I'm finding myself using my fateful Marksman 3040 with the wrist brace less. The simpler Trumark S9 or similar Chief AJ are lighter, a little easier to carry, slightly quicker to shoot, and maybe more fun. That said; if a skunk is in the backyard the Marksman with heavy black bands and 000 lead shot is still my first choice.

Nov 10, My First Hunting Video

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:42:26 GMT

The link is to my first YouTube video, this is my first attempt at a simple hunting video. I made a mount for my iphone on my bow. I'll probably show how I did that on my iphone page soon.

Oct 29, Respect

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:12:56 GMT

When watching a safari hunting show the guide went through a little ritual after the kill. He had the hunter place a little twig in the animals mouth (his last meal), and he placed one in the hunters hat (for a good hunt I suppose). Being thankful and showing a little respect is always a good thing. The very next tv "hunter" showed little respect for hunting, himself, or the animals. Turkeys came and stayed within easy bow range of the blind while the hunters sat and talked in the blind. It was not because of hunting skills. You could see the tripod legs of a feeder placed a few yards from the blind.

Oct 23, Deer Hunting Accessories

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:04:25 GMT

Deer hunting accessories the good, bad, and ugly.

Oct 17, Bow Hunting Tips

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:41:47 GMT

The best of bow hunting tips are often about slowing down.

Oct 9, Wish I hadn't ask!

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 13:45:00 GMT

I asked my elementary students if any had been bow hunting. Three raised their hands. One little girl told me her grandad had shot three deer, a mom, dad, and baby deer. My (suspicious) response was, "With a bow!" I'm often told of relatives using guns during bow season. She said, "Yes with a bow." My response, "Grandad uses a feeder doesn't he!" I felt fairly sure he didn't get three deer in the first week of bow season while doing 'authentic hunting'. She said, "Yes" I said nothing, but thought plenty. She's probably got her story wrong, but Grandad appears to be a poor example for kids anyway.

Oct 2, My Dumb Mistake

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:12:32 GMT

I could only write about the things I do right, but that wouldn't be honest. Maybe you can learn from my mistakes. 1st my excuses:
1. I've been working around 70 hours per week since school started. 2. I've hunted the same relatively small area of land for over 20 years. I know it well. I know "every twig" of the parts I hunt most. 3. I often know where the deer will be. I know the trails they travel most. My mistake: "I did very little scouting." I already knew where I was going to hunt, and felt confident in it. Opening day I slipped into my natural ground blind being careful to stay upwind of the deer trail. Problem is that I can't see very much of the trail without actually using it and compromising it with my scent. I sat there most of opening day. The deer came around behind me, downwind, late in the day. Busted! After sundown I walked the deer trail. I found new growth and a tree which had blown over had the trail blocked. I fixed that with my little hand saw. But I "screwed up" my opening day 2011. Note to me: Always Scout!

Sep 25, Oct. 1 Bow Season

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 13:25:15 GMT

Bow season is almost here:-) But! As much as I love hunting life tends to get in the way. Are you ready? The honest answer for me and I expect many others is; sorta, kinda, maybe; not as ready as I'd like to be. Many times my first hunts offer some of the best opportunities of the season. The deer are more relaxed after living for months with few intrusions on their territory. I get a little better/smarter with each hunt. That's the way it should work. But sometimes I'm kicking myself all the way to the truck for what I learned the hard way. I've blown some of my best opportunities. Even as a long time experienced hunter it's hard to keep from getting getting too excited. My advice for your first bow hunt is to be realistic, slow down, think before you do anything, think before you move, think before you even blink... Especially when you feel yourself getting excited; slow down, be safe, enjoy every minute, and have a great season!

Sep 11, Daisy Model 25 Memories

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:47:38 GMT

My first hunting rifle was a hard earned Daisy Model 25 BB gun.

Sep 11, Slingshot to Bow?

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:28:02 GMT

You may need to read my previous blog to understand this. Did my slingshot practice carry over to shooting my recurve bow. Somewhat! Since I've shot a bow for years I can pick it up and shoot fairly well. It's hard to say how much the slingshot practice helped. I still need plenty of practice with each to shoot well. No surprise! Even if the slingshot practice duplicated the bow I'd still need the bow practice. You must build a little muscle strength and memory specific to the bow. The slingshot is so handy, useful, and fun there's no question I'll keep shooting it anyway.

Sep 10, Bow Season :-)

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 13:44:24 GMT

It won't be long for most of us; Oct. 1st for me. If you haven't checked your gear and started serious practice; your behind; like me! I enjoy practice with my bow, but the slingshot is so convenient I shoot it often. I feel fairly confident I can shoot my recurve because of my slingshot practice. I'll find out this afternoon.

Sep 2, Cabela's Recon Hunt

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:17:18 GMT

I downloaded the $3.99 Cabela's Recon Hunt app to my iPhone last night. Android phones work with a few less functions. Many of the functions are similar to others, but designed for hunters. You can mark GPS points with a waypoint, photo, video, or audio note. Mark them with shot, hit, blood, and kill in "Blood Trail". You also have good weather, sunrise/set, moon phases, and ballistics information in this app. I had much of this on my phone, but I had to go from app. to app. to use it. The Cabelas Recon puts it all together, and it's designed for hunters. I'm somewhat impressed so far. I'll most likely write a review after I've used it more.

Aug 3, Outdoor Technology

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:54:17 GMT

Outdoor technology can add to or take away our outdoor experience.

Aug 1, .410 Shotguns

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:14:55 GMT

The .410 shotguns could be the most misunderstood of all guns, and certainly all shotguns.

Jul 29, The Best iPhone Case

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 03:12:33 GMT

My best iPhone case is a compromise of protection, easy carry, and easy accessibility.

Jul 22, Air Rifle Hunting

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:49:40 GMT

Air rifle hunting is somewhat like bowhunting; even makes me think of fishing with ultralight tackle.

Jun 29, Don't Hide Your Keys

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:49:18 GMT

Don't hide your keys in the woods!

Jun 24, Good Wildlife Cameras

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:10:24 GMT

Good wildlife cameras and being "out-there" can get good pictures.

Jun 14, Pride, Ability, Skill!

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:29:57 GMT

Each time I see the current TV add. where a young man's car automatically parks for him; I'm repulsed. I would be embarrassed that I could not park. Do we want everything done for us, easy, automatically... to be dependent on technology. What about skill, ability, even pride.

May 31, Buck Fever

Tue, 31 May 2011 02:33:12 GMT

What is buck fever? Similar to talking with a woman in a low cut dress.

May 29, Slingshots!

Sun, 29 May 2011 14:45:07 GMT

Something strange is happening; I find myself leaving my guns and bow and shooting a slingshot more. I'm surprised at how much fun I'm having with this simple, inexpensive tool. I can shoot almost anywhere; there is little noise, and backstops are easy to find or make. It cost very little; I can often recover and reuse the ammo. I'm going to be writing and updating more about slingshots soon.

May 14, Right Column Links

Sat, 14 May 2011 21:03:13 GMT

I've added links to related pages in the right-hand column of some popular pages. I hope this makes it easier and faster to find information. Let me know if you like/use this...

May 14, Parker-Hale .243 Rifle,
Mount, and Scope

Sat, 14 May 2011 04:49:43 GMT

Hi, I have a Parke-Hale .243 Winchester rifle, I'm looking for a mount and scope for my rifle. Can anyone tell me the brand mount and scope I should buy

Apr 9, A .17 HMR Rifle; Almost

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 22:26:57 GMT

Why I chose a .22 Magnum rifle rather than a .17 HMR rifle.

Mar 17, Turkey Season's Comming

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 03:21:47 GMT

I've been looking at the turkey hunting "stuff" on The Sportsman's Guide website. The Ameristep Feather Duster blind is new to me. I seldom use such things, but this one appears to be light weight and compact. Interesting; especially at $19.97.

Feb 19, The Deer Food Plot

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:14:12 GMT

Planting a deer food plot, hunters now farmers.

Feb 19, Good Hunting Ethics

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 15:52:25 GMT

Good hunting ethics are self imposed, not only laws or regulations.

Feb 10, Shotgun Slugs

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 02:25:46 GMT

Shotgun slugs have come a long way. You can still load granddad's old bird gun with buckshot, but you can do much better today.

Feb 9, Best Hunting Knives

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:05:31 GMT

The best hunting knives depend on how hunters use them.

Feb 2, Hunter or Shooter?

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:55:48 GMT

At a recent family reunion I realized that I have changed into a hunter, and less of a shooter. The conversation was about the capability of the guns, cartridges, optics... which I still enjoy, but I'm more interested in hunting today. It bothers me that many seem more interested in what they can buy rather than what they can do. I must remember that I was no different a few years ago.

Feb 2, Winchester Lever Action Rifles

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:24:27 GMT

"The Gun That Won The West" the Winchester lever action rifles, also built the Winchester brand.

Jan 18, Camouflage Clothing

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 04:02:14 GMT

In the first picture I'm wearing camouflage with a little camouflage makeup on my face. At bow-hunting range, my hand and ears are glaring, and my face

Jan 18, How to Track Wounded Game

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 03:51:43 GMT

The goal of all hunters is a quick, humane kill where the animal drops in its tracks and is dead within seconds. But in a pursuit that has as many variables

Jan 1, Today is 1/1/11 Happy New Year!

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 13:14:28 GMT

I learned a lot in 2010, about hunting, work, website, and even me.
I believe we learn and grow, or we loose... My personal 2010 highlights: my grandson's birth, several great hunts, and the website reached goals I'd set. May 2011 be even better for all of us. Thanks for visiting.

Dec 31, The Rimfire Cartridges

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:06:58 GMT

An overview of some of the more common rimfire cartridges, their loads, and a few other comments.

Dec 29, The .22 Magnum Rifle

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 02:52:57 GMT

The .22 magnum rifle has been around a long time, it must have something going for it.

Dec 21, Merry Christmas!

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:03:21 GMT

I may be too honest, but Christmas is simply not as enjoyable when the youngest family member is a teen. I thankful this year for a couple of new grandchildren. Many families with children have real needs. I feel guilty "hunting" for a gift for an adult who really doesn't need anything. I would rather give it to kids, or those in need. May you and your family have abundant blessings to share with those who need.

Dec 13, Deer Hunting Stories

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 02:08:37 GMT

Deer hunting stories and slightly exaggerated outdoor tales.

Dec 11, Work

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 14:33:28 GMT

"Work keeps getting in the way of what I want to do."
I'll bet many of you can relate to that statement. My work seems to become more demanding with each new day.
It's Saturday morning and I'm getting ready to go to work!
I should be hunting and working on this website more. BUT! When I step back and take a good look; I'm thankful to have a job. I shouldn't complain! I have a job, and a job I enjoy; most of the time. In a few years I'll retire, make hunting, and this website full-time. Ive lived long enough to know my dream won't be as good as I picture it, but we all need a dream. So I'll try to enjoy what I have now, what I can do, and I'll keep the dream going! I hope you can too, Happy Holidays!

Nov 27, Gun Hunting is Different!

Sat, 27 Nov 2010 14:33:52 GMT

My brother-in-law called Thursday and invited me to hunt with he and his son. I pulled out the case holding my old Model 70 to find covered with dust.

Nov 25, Happy Thanksgiving!

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 17:56:13 GMT

My life is not perfect, but I have much to be thankful for. My family all appear to be healthy, I have a grandson, I have a job, this website is really growing... The following comes from the Oklahoma Wildlife Dept. The Oklahoma economy is made stronger by hunting. Hunting is an important part of the states economy, sustaining jobs, drawing in-state and out-of-state business, and flooding the economy with millions of dollars each year. The number of people who hunt in Oklahoma could fill both Memorial Stadium and Boone Pickens stadium almost two times, and deer hunters make up a large portion of those hunters.