How nice would it be to have a map showing the exact travel routes, bedding areas, and feeding areas of the local deer herd? That map is available; it’s just a matter of bundling up and hiking through the woods.
One of the most important preparations for deer season is to scout hunting grounds during the late winter/early spring. For some hunters, it makes little sense to prepare for a season six months from now or expect deer to have the same travel and feeding patterns during the hunting season. From my experience, however, now is the perfect time to figure out that perfect ambush point for next bow season.
Unless there has been a major change in the deer’s habitat or there is an intrusive hunter during the season, deer will stick to the same pattern in October that they have now. Deer are creatures of habit, and what they do now is what they will do in the fall.
There are two big reasons why I scout for deer now and not in August. One is the visibility of sign. In the winter, travel routes look like interstate highways, bedding sites look like craters, and droppings pop out like early spring flowers. However, in the summer, deer sign is hidden in the foliage and greenery of the woods. Now is the perfect time to find the travel routes, and staging sites between bedding areas and food plots. During this time, I even plan where I’ll place my stand, cut down shooting lanes, and figure out entry routes into the woods.
The second reason I like scouting in the winter is because I have no fear of spooking deer. Any deer that is jumped now will have no recollection of the incident by next fall. Now is the time to nose around and find a buck’s core area, the thick and brushy out-of-the-way hideout that mature bucks prefer. Any buck that sees me now will have forgotten about it this fall when I will have slipped in and placed my stand on the travel route between its core area and its feeding range, or where the does will be. Finding an ambush point and a quiet path to slip in and out of the woods is much easier now than blundering about the same woods in August and ruining my chances of setting up on that same trophy buck.
Before the mushrooms are up and the fish are starting to bite is the time to get this done. I know I’ll be out there with my 4-year-old in tow because it will be a perfect time to introduce him to the woods and have a little “adventure.”
I I I
Local hunters should be aware that there are several outdoor events taking place across the Wabash Valley and in the state.
One of the best public hunting grounds in the state is in Sullivan County. Fairbanks Landing, 8,000 acres of beautiful, mature woods, was opened two years ago to hunters. The grounds are maintained by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at the Minnehaha State Wildlife Area. In order to help maintain these new hunting grounds, The Sycamore Trails Fish and Wildlife Committee is sponsoring a cleanup day at Fairbanks Landing. Sportsmen are encouraged to take pride in the new fish and wildlife area by coming together and helping the IDNR clean the property of trash and refuse left behind by polluters. This is a great opportunity to see what the property is like and to clean up one of the best hunting areas in the state.
Anyone interested in helping should meet at the old Fairbanks School (Mammy’s Kitchen) at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 4. The school is in Fairbanks just off Indiana 63 south of Prairie Creek. American Electric Power is providing lunch at 1 p.m. at Mammy’s Kitchen. Participants need to bring boots and gloves. Trash bags will be provided. Republic Services will be providing Dumpsters at strategic locations and Minnehaha will have some heavy equipment and trucks for larger items.
It sounds like a perfect opportunity to meet some new people, get to know the property and do a public service.
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There are also a couple of National Wild Turkey Federation banquets coming up on the calendar.
n The Wabash Valley Longbeards Chapter in Sullivan County will be having their banquet at the Sullivan Elks Club on March 11. To get more information about times and ticket information, contact Marvin Harris at (812) 696-2464 or by e-mail at harins@aol.com.
n The Crossroads Gobblers Chapter will be having their banquet at the Zorah Shrine in Terre Haute on March 18. This has been the biggest chapter banquet in the state for the past two years. There will be plenty of prints, guns and merchandise raffled away. Once again, Outback Steakhouse will cater the banquet. For more information, contact Bill Holloway at (812) 466-3091 or by e-mail at fhst@aol.com.
Valley Hunter
Valley Hunting: Now is perfect time to figure out perfect ambush point for next bow season
- Valley Hunter
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Redneck Quaker: Mascari gets thrills from turkey hunting
Annie Mascari is a beautiful, vibrant, 26-year-old lady that loves the outdoors.
She comes from a large family of four brothers and a sister and lives the teachings of good family values.
Olivia Rightly let me know that I “should talk to my teacher at St. Pats School, Ms. Mascari, because she’s taken a turkey.”
As I shook Annie’s hand, I could feel the energy she has for life. As proof, the first time she went up in an airplane, she jumped out of it!
She’s also quite the hunter. Mascari picked up a used PSE bow for $30, one for a left-hander because her left eye is dominate for shooting. The Page Arrows are her choice for broadheads. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Valley hunters to be featured on Outdoor Channel show
Little did a buck in his prime at 41⁄2 years old realize he would become famous on not only trail cameras, but a television show as well.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Veteran hunter bursting with pride as son gets first harvest
When Langdon Pounds said “Dad, I want to go deer hunting with you,” Jonathan Pounds took him seriously.
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REDNECK QUAKER: USA Shooting unveils 2012 Junior Olympic shotgun team
Tom Berg, executive director of Hoosier Outdoor Writers, says there’s another impressive press release. Member of H.O.W., James Keldsen from Walkerton, Ind., has informed him of his son, Jakob, being named to the 2012 USA Junior Olympic shotgun team.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Here’s one big, but true, fish tail
Here it is a hot overcast summer’s day on the banks of the Wabash River. With no rain in sight it is a lazy old river practically stalled on its way to the big waters on south.
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Redneck quaker: Successful South African adventure
As two rednecks were telling hunting stories one evening, a little lady named Allison Winchell crawled up on her daddy’s lap while pointing at the other gray-haired and bearded man asking if he was Santa Clause, with him replying “Yes, I am honey and you can have anything you want.”
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REDNECK QUAKER: Wabash Valley duo gets hooked on bow fishing
I would like to introduce you to a couple of fine, very polite young men, Eric Taylor and Craig O’Neal.
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Redneck Quaker: Young couple makes outdoors part of recreation, careers
I had the honor of meeting an outstanding “Lady of the Outdoors”, 24 year old Krysten McDaniels. She has been hunting for seven years and she has a resume of animals she has taken only most men dream about with either a bow and arrow or a muzzleloader.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Hoosiers try their hunting skills down under
How would you practice with a bow and arrow to harvest a kangaroo? Jump up and down while shooting or mount a set of springs to your shoes?
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REDNECK QUAKER: Excited turkey hunters report birds gobbling their heads off already
It’s “Turkey Time”. Didn’t spring come fast this year? Yes, a month early.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Release the coonhounds — it’s time to compete
We are going on a UKC (United Kennel Club) coon hound night hunt or field trial.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Moose hunt in Quebec is sucessful
Bob Lynch was looking for a reason to spend more time with his dad. So after convincing his wife it was a bonding thing, the hunt was on.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Bobcats prowling woods of Parke County
If you find a big spotted cat with a short tail and pointy ears eating out of the dog food bowl on the back porch — leave it alone and don’t try to pet it! Yes, it could be a bobcat!
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REDNECK QUAKER: Young hunters experience thrill of their first deer
Get this picture in your mind: A beautiful young lady, sitting at the dining room table overlooking the meadow below her home, and a large buck steps into the glen.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Valley hunter recounts tale of a special turkey season
Joe is at the top of my list for he is outstanding in all ways of life. A devoted sportsman true to his word. I hope my son grows up with his qualities!
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REDNECK QUAKER: Stacy Kueber travels the country to bag a turkey grand slam in one year
Guys, if you like to turkey hunt listen up, for I am going to tell you about a man that accomplished the grand slam in one year.
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Waterfowl hunting season opens across Indiana
Dust off the calls and decoys, Indiana’s waterfowl hunting season began Oct. 15 in the North Zone; Oct. 22 in the South Zone; and will begin Saturday in the Ohio River Zone.
Waterfowl hunting season in Indiana is divided into three zones: North, South and Ohio River. Each zone has different a season for ducks and Canada geese. Light (snow/Ross) geese, brant and white-fronted geese are regulated statewide. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Young lady has enthusiasm for the outdoors
I don’t know who is glowing with the most pride, Lily or PaPaw Mike Burch. You be the judge from that picture.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Lost Creek shoots great way to hone skills, take home prizes
The last spot shoot at the Lost Creek Township Conservation Club was about a month ago and was sponsored by the Sycamore Ridge Strutters Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
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REDNECK QUAKER: African trip makes for lasting memories
South Africa, a land that will never be tamed or civilized by man. It is a hard place to live for it is very unforgiving.
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REDNECK QUAKER: National Archery School Program a winning situation for all
Kenny Kays has nerves of steel for he has waited for me very patiently for over a month to get together and tell me about a wonderful program the Graysville school in Sullivan County is starting for the kids. From me working over time and weather laden with tornadoes, along with no electricity at home.
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REDNECK QUAKER: The Breitweiser family loves the outdoors
Hannah just got woke up from a sound sleep at 5:30 this evening; no she didn’t sleep in that late, the senior prom took place last night, need I say anymore.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Newport prairie an area worth saving
I can stand on my soap box for a long time when it comes to debating habitat.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Dedicated hunter harvests rare red-colored turkey
About the time you think you have seen it all, you better look again.
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REDNECK QUAKER: It didn’t get away: Father, son haul in 48-pound catfish
The men in the photo could have won about any tournament with this 48-pound flathead catfish.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Shaw follows family outdoors tradition
I recently spoke to a young man — Brody Shaw — about all the year’s and animals he has taken, along with fish.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Parke County men have technique to coyote huntin’
You talk about rednecks, nobody can hold a candle to these boys. When I pulled into Roger Dale’s house, there are stock cars everywhere, a pile of coyotes in the yard and the wood burner going in the house and garage.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Hunting memories to remember
I have a girlfriend of the old age of four years old and she stole my heart with her big brown eyes while we were waiting at swim practice.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Examining morel issues with passionate hunters
Here I sit with Alan Reed at Starbucks Coffee about to figure out how and where mushrooms grow.
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REDNECK QUAKER: The Theory of Mushrooms: Spores, tree roots and wood
Here we sat at a Terre Haute Torpedo’s swim meet and an avid mushroom hunter sat down next to me, so “here goes” on his theories on mushrooms. Jim Mattick lives for mushroom season.
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