Deer Nation

Shrubs can help improve food plots and enhance deer habitat

Every deer hunter today knows the value of food plots.

Cabela's Ambassador Jim Shockey clues you in to the one thing he's never without on a hunt.

Taking an animal from the field to the freezer is a big task, but one that’s easily doable for the DIY hunter willing to take on a challenge. All it takes is a little knowledge and the right gear for the task. Here are five things every sportsman should have on hand when breaking down everything from big game to
wild birds.

Your preparation, stealth and marksmanship have culminated in a freezer full of meat and an abundance of memories, both of which you want to enjoy to the fullest.

The cleanest field dressing method

There are many ways to field dress a deer, but my favorite is what I call the gutless method. This approach is very clean and leaves the guts inside the body cavity.

Use our step-by-step guide to simplify field dressing

Most people who go hunting are thinking, “I can’t wait to get my hands on my deer,” not “I can’t wait to gut my deer.” While field dressing is rarely the favorite aspect of a successful hunting trip, it’s one of the most important parts. Properly field dressing game allows the meat to cool quickly and stops bacteria growth. Whether it’s your first time field dressing or you’re a veteran at it, you should keep these things in mind to ensure your kill cools quickly, is clean and stays fresh.

As an avid hunter, chances are you enjoy the remoteness and quiet of the wild on your hunting trips. Even though you might look forward to your trips to disconnect from technology, you should consider bringing your smartphone and trying some of these best hunting apps to get an added advantage on your next hunt. 

Preseason practice improves your chances of a successful hunt

By Wade Middleton

I’ve seen it time and time again: that moment of truth when a buck or a doe walks into bow range and the hunter totally forgets his or her shot routine. It’s either a total miss or worse, a wounded deer. The reality of that moment, in my opinion, is the hunter didn’t get enough practice.

I feel if you prepared properly through practice, then muscle memory, as it relates to how you shoot, takes over and everything goes smoothly.