If you didn’t get your deer or elk earlier in the season, here’s another chance.

If you haven’t taken a Deer or Elk by the time the Archery General-Season or Limited-Entry Hunt ends, you can continue Archery Hunting in Utah’s Extended Archery areas.

Before hunting in any of Utah’s extended archery areas, though, you must complete the Division’s Archery Ethics Courseeach year. You must carry your Archery Ethics Course certificate of completion with you while you’re hunting.

This hunter ethics course is in addition to Utah’s hunter education requirement. We also recommend that archery hunters complete bowhunter education.

Hunting in an extended archery area

After you successfully complete the course, you should print your certificate of completion. You must carry your Archery Ethics Course certificate of completion with you while you’re hunting.

Limited-entry deer and elk archery hunters must still complete their harvest survey questionnaire within 30 days of the end of their limited-entry hunt.

Please download and read through the Utah Big Game Field Regulations guidebook for complete information regarding the extended archery hunts.

Extended archery season dates

Deer (either sex)

If you have an archery buck deer permit and haven’t taken a buck by the end of your hunt — and you complete the required archery ethics course — you may hunt in the extended archery areas during the seasons listed below.

Elk (either sex)

If you have an archery elk permit and haven’t taken an elk by the end of your hunt—and you complete the required archery ethics course—you may hunt in the extended archery areas during the seasons listed below.

Taking the Archery Ethics Course

The course takes about 30 minutes to complete. You must score 100 percent to pass the course, but if you answer a question incorrectly you will have an opportunity at the end of the test to answer the question again. You may take the course as many times as needed.

TAKE THE COURSE

Reprint your certificate of completion: If you have previously completed this course and wish to reprint your certificate of completion, follow the link and then click “Lookup Certificate of Completion…”

Utah is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, and bowhunting is no exception. With its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, the state offers a unique and thrilling experience for both residents and non-residents when it comes to bowhunting and archery hunting.

Resident Bowhunting and Archery Hunting in Utah:

For residents of Utah, bowhunting and archery hunting are popular activities that allow them to connect with nature and take part in the conservation of the state’s wildlife. Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) manages and regulates hunting seasons and licenses to ensure the sustainability of the state’s big game populations.

Residents who want to bowhunt in Utah need to obtain a valid hunting license and a separate bow permit. These permits can be purchased from licensed vendors or online through the DWR website. Utah’s hunting seasons vary depending on the species, but typically fall into the autumn months when big game animals are more active.

Non-Resident Bowhunting and Archery Hunting in Utah:

Utah’s captivating landscapes and legendary hunting opportunities also attract non-resident hunters from around the world. To participate in bowhunting and archery hunting as a non-resident, individuals must apply for limited-entry permits or participate in the general season hunts. It’s important to keep in mind that non-resident permits are limited and subject to a drawing system, so early application is crucial.

Non-residents planning to bowhunt in Utah must possess a valid hunting license from their home state or country. Additionally, they must obtain a non-resident hunting permit, which allows them to hunt specific areas and species in the state. The DWR provides detailed information on the application process and available permits on their website.

What Big Game is Hunted in Utah:

Utah is home to a wide variety of big game species, making it an ideal hunting destination for bowhunters. Some of the most sought-after big game animals for bowhunting in Utah include mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, moose, black bear, and mountain lion.

Mule deer are particularly popular among bowhunters in Utah, with their large population and trophy-sized bucks. The state offers both general and limited-entry hunts for mule deer, giving hunters ample opportunities to test their skills.

Elk hunting in Utah is also highly coveted due to the state’s sizeable elk population and the challenge it presents to hunters. Archery hunters who pursue elk often find themselves amidst stunning mountain landscapes, enhancing the overall experience.

Utah’s pronghorn antelope hunts offer a unique blend of challenge and excitement. These sleek animals possess incredible speed and agility, making successful hunts incredibly rewarding.

It’s crucial for both residents and non-residents to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the rules, regulations, and hunting units in Utah before embarking on their hunts. The DWR website and local hunting organizations are excellent resources for up-to-date information on licensing, hunt areas, and hunting tips.

In conclusion, bowhunting in Utah provides a thrilling and challenging experience amidst the state’s remarkable landscapes and abundant big game populations. Whether you’re a resident or a non-resident, Utah’s commitment to wildlife conservation and well-managed hunting seasons make it an ideal destination for any bowhunting enthusiast. So, grab your bow, immerse yourself in the wilderness, and embark on a memorable bowhunting journey in the beautiful state of Utah.

Realistic Practice Makes Perfect

The quality of your target is almost as important as your bow and arrows.  I took an inexpensive target on an elk hunt about 10 years ago and quickly learned that my powerful bow shot completely through the target.  I began with eight arrows and ended with three when I finally zeroed the scope.  My favorite target is Morrell’s Back-to-Back target shown above.  It not only holds any arrow I can shoot but reinforces the exact area for shot placement.  Most bowhunters are familiar with the behind-the-shoulder shot placement on a deer, but not the tiny kill zone of a wild turkey.  A 3-D target is the best for reinforcing shot placement, but the Back-to-Back is much more portable, affordable, and has two animal visuals on the same target.

Aim Small, Miss Small

A “Robin Hood” is great for the ego, especially in front of friends, yet at $20 a pop for arrows, it quickly becomes expensive.  During your practice sessions, you want to strive for accuracy, yet not destroy or damage arrows.  Even a touch of one carbon shaft to another can cause one or both arrows to be dangerous to shoot.  An easy answer to this dilemma is to use a target with multiple aiming points.  You can judge the accuracy of your shots by comparing grouping within the dots and not risk damage to arrows.   I’ve used the same Morrell field tip target for 15 years and finally upgraded this year.

Practice and Test

Many archers labor over the weight of a broadhead.  Should you shoot 100-grain, 125-grain, or 150-grain broadheads?  Here’s a test of arrow impact of arrows with three weights of target points from a 400 fps crossbow.  As you can see, at the close-to-moderate range, weight affects arrow drop very little.  If for example, you chose to practice with 150-grain target points you’d need to zero at 20 yards and then shoot your reticle placements as you would with 100-grain heads.

Portability is Important

I hunt in Idaho as often as I can draw a tag.  The steep mountains and rugged country are very different than my Maryland hunting ground. Almost as important as coffee is my High Roller target that works for target points and broadheads.  When I first get to camp, I test my scope’s zero after flying across the country.  Also, at the end of each day, I choose to take a 20-yard off-hand shot to verify the zero.  I’ve done this in the headlights of a vehicle when returning at night and it gives me an extra trigger-pull practice as well as accuracy verification.  The High Roller comes in two sizes, with the smaller model ideal for portability.

Daily Practice Regamine

Intermittent practice is better than massed practice.  That is, it’s better to shoot 10 arrows a day over 10 days than 100 in one setting.  The shot above was at 62.5 yards in my backyard using a Morrell Kinetic target.  This arrow was fired from a TenPoint Viper 430 and even at 60 yards the arrow penetrates about 10 inches.  Despite the penetration, the arrow pulled out easily thanks to the densely packed material in the Kinetic.  Shooting target points into foam targets from 400 fps+ bows can actually melt the foam to the arrow making it very difficult to remove.

Know How Arrows Shoot

Part of the perfect practice is paying attention to detail.  This target group is also at 62.5 yards in my back yard and it shows how my #1 and #2 arrows nearly touch at that distance, while #3 shoots slightly to the right and higher.  At 20 yards, these three shafts would make a tight group but as distance expands, so does the variance from true aim.  Always number your arrows and be alert when one flies from the mark.  I always hunt with my practice shafts because I know they fly well and with fresh broadheads are as good as new.

Make Practice Fun

The smile says it all.  My young grandson loves to shoot a crossbow and scored a bulls-eye on his very first attempt.  Vary your practice routine to accommodate various distances and shooting situations.  This young lad took his first deer last year while sitting on the knee of his older brother.  Despite his limited hunting experience, he made a perfect shot on a large doe that expired in seconds.   As you check your stand in the pre-season, take your High Roller along and launch a few shafts.  Perfect practice builds confidence so that when that big buck finally makes a mistake, you will bring the hunt to the perfect ending.

Kilo 5K Rangefinder Too

The Sig Sauer rangefinding system begins with an app that pairs the scope to readings from the Kilo Rangefinder.  The Kilo operates like a standard rangefinder and sends a Bluetooth signal to the scope. During set-up, the Sig Sauer app calculates the path of an arrow based on the weight and speed of the shaft.  In this way, you can vary the weight of the arrows and they all become part of the sighting system.

Quality Adjustments

Most crossbow scopes are average at best but remember that this optic is designed to handle .300 Weatherby Magnums and even much harder recoiling cartridges.  Elevation and windage adjustments click with precision and crispness that you will not find in factory crossbow scopes.  The Sierra features an illuminated dot with 10 levels of brightness adjustment.

Tank-like Construction

I once zeroed a crossbow and leaned it against a post while I retrieved arrows.  Returning, I found that the bow had fallen into the grass and decided to take one more shot to double-check my settings.  The first arrow flew at least a foot high and I was astounded that such a light bump could cause the scope to be so far off target.  You will immediately see that the scope rings which come with the Sierra are built for adventure.  Everything about the mounting process is ultra strong and ultra snug.

Ultra-long Range- 100-Yard Group

In preparation for my spot-and-stalk African safari, I wanted to test ultra-long-range shooting and began practicing at 100 yards.  By ranging the Morrell Kinetic target with the Kilo rangefinder, the algorithm picked the dot for the shot.  This launch was made from a rest similar to a hunting situation. I quickly learned that by practicing well beyond my expected shooting range, the additional distance challenged my physical shooting skills like breathing, trigger squeeze, and target focus.  The added distance in practice forces a shooter to be at his best on every shot.

Arrow Variables

In my long-range tests, I quickly learned that all arrows don’t shoot the same.  Arrows #1 and #2 impacted one inch apart, while #3 and #4 flew three inches to the right.  Regardless of the range you shoot, numbering your shafts is important and it’s fairly common for one arrow to fly slightly different than its apparent twin.  The same applies to broadheads.  It’s absolutely critical that you test your shafts with your hunting heads.  Most expandable heads come with a practice point and you can use the same fixed broadhead to test multiple arrows in a foam target.

Impala at 55 Yards

Much of the game I stalked in South Africa was rifle-hunted year-round.  Not surprisingly, the animals were very, very, spooky.  I spotted this male impala at 300 yards and made a circular stalk using small trees for cover.  It had moved slightly from the location of the first sighting, yet not fast enough to avoid a shot.  After ranging the animal with the Kilo, the scope showed the exact aiming dot for a perfect quartering-away shot.  I used a Final Rest tripod which greatly improved accuracy at long range.  It’s fun to shoot at paper and foam targets at long range, yet an entirely different world on game animals.  Forty yards can be “long-range” on a whitetail and each hunter must assure the excitement of the moment doesn’t override ethical shooting choices.  When you practice successfully at 60 yards, that 30-yard shot seems much easier.

Axis deer are very striking animal. It has shiny, golden-brown or golden-red fur across its body and legs as well as a broad white patch that runs down its throat. It is similar in size to an adult whitetail deer. The unique Axis Deer has small, permanent white spots on its body.

Like the whitetail deer, the axis deer males and females are visually distinct. Males of the species develop large, sweeping antlers up to 30 inches in length and are usually have larger bodies than females. Every year on their birthday the males shed their antlers on their day of birth, rather than with the seasons. Because they do not have a specific mating season, antler shedding can occur at any point during the year. Additionally, axis deer are almost universally six-pointed. Females have no antlers and have a smaller white patch down their neck.

Though they originated in a relatively small area of the world, the axis deer has managed to spread far and wide to inhabit the woodlands and grasslands that are similar to its native range. In some areas of the world, they are even considered invasive.

In this article, we’ll take a look at where the axis deer originated and how it has come to inhabit such a wide range. We’ll talk about where they roam throughout the United States, how their presence is affecting native species and habitats, and how people are dealing with these foreign animals.

Origin and Spread

Also known as the chital or spotted deer, the axis deer originated on the Indian subcontinent. Fairly large populations exist in the wild there throughout wide portions of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, southward of the Himalayan Mountains. They inhabit a range of habitats, from grasslands to open forests.

Although they originated in the Indian subcontinent, Axis Deer managed to spread very far from their native range — even across the sea. For various reasons, humans have carried the axis deer to such far-away places as Australia, North America, and even the Hawai’ian Islands. Because they do not have many natural predators in these areas and are particularly good at competing for resources, axis deer are developing large populations there.

While their populations may be booming in other parts of the world, axis deer are becoming threatened in their native range. Expansion of human settlements is destroying the deer’s habitat and pushing them further into protected areas. Outside of these sanctuaries, the axis deer population is in decline.

Where Are They in the U.S.?

Fpr years, humans have imported Axis Deer to the United States for many reasons. The first axis deer arrived on the continent in Texas in 1932, intended to serve as a game animal. For a while, efforts to restrict them to farms and closed hunting grounds were successful. As is the case with most imported plants and animals, however, they eventually escaped captivity.

By 1988, researchers catalogued nearly 30 independent populations of free-roaming, reproducing herds of axis deer across the state. While a large portion of the state’s population remains contained today, there are more than 10,000 free roaming axis deer throughout Texas.

In 2002 axis deer made its way to California. Local biologists estimated that there were about 250 axis deer roaming the Point Reyes National Seashore area. To prevent their spread, as well as that of the non-native fallow deer, the National Park Service began efforts to remove the deer from the wildlife area. Seven years later, in 2009, park biologists believed that the agency had successfully removed all of the axis deer from the area.

While the deer didn’t arrive on the North American continent until the 1900s, humans had introduced them to the Hawai’ian Islands decades prior. In 1867, traders brought several of the deer to the islands as a gift to King Kamehameha V. They were soon released on the island of Moloka’i. Decades later, in 1920, people transported populations to the island of L’ na’i and by 1959, they had made it to Maui. Though an early population once existed on O’ahu around 1898, it has since died out.

Today, their spread continues. In 2009, hunters illegally transported an additional population of axis deer to the island of Hawai’i. Their population on the island continues to grow by an average of 20 percent each year.

Though axis deer enjoy success in their new ranges across the world, it is largely at the expense of native flora and fauna. They fill the same ecological role as native whitetail deer, forcing them to compete for the same resources. This becomes detrimental in the winter months when food is naturally scarce.

To make matters worse for the whitetails, axis deer do not have a limited mating season. While whitetails only mate for about 3 months out of the year, the non-native deer reproduce all year long. These areas have no natural predators to keep their numbers in check. This means that their populations grow much more rapidly than those of native deer, increasing the competition for food and space.

In addition to competing for resources, the non-native deer also increase the spread of a disease called paratuberculosis, or Johne’s disease, to other ruminants. While this includes the native whitetail deer, it also includes other wild ruminants, like elk and bison, as well as domesticated ones like cattle, sheep, and goats. Add all of these factors to the seasonal hunting of whitetails and it’s easy to see why their populations are declining in favor of the axis deer.

In areas where there are no natural predators at all, like the Hawai’ian Islands, axis deer wreak havoc on native plant populations. Many of these plant species are endemic to the island chain and grow nowhere else in the world. Throughout their evolutionary history, there were no grazing mammals on the island for the plants to contend with. With the arrival of the axis deer, who readily forage a variety of plants, many endemic plants have gone extinct.

How Are People Managing the Axis Deer Populations?

Where there are too few predators to keep these deer in check, or none at all, people are determined to create some. On Hawai’is Big Island, many residents collaborate with the Forestry and Wildlife Service, and each other, to carefully eliminate the deer populations that threaten their native wildlife. They follow in the footsteps of the other islands whose residents have struggled with the deer for decades.

In Texas, residents can hunt axis deer year-round. There are no legal bag limits, no possession limits, and no special conditions. The only thing they require of hunters is a non-game permit, which is separate from the state’s regular hunting license. They hope that removing legal hunting restrictions on the non-native animals will help the native whitetails recover in the long run

With one click, a pair of binoculars can be quickly attached to the Outdoorsmans adapter which can be used on a variety of brands of tripods including the American Made Outdoorsmans tripod.

The Outdoorsmans binocular adapter is available in two sizes.

The Tall works best with 56mm objective lenses to allow a full range of adjustment.

The Short version works best with 50mm and smaller objective lenses and can be left attached to the stud for storage inside a bino harness in some cases.

For many hunters, the reason they don’t use a tripod when glassing is because they don’t want to take a lot of time setting up a tripod and putting binoculars on a tripod can take a bit of time. When a Outdoorsmans binocular adapter is used on a tripod, it takes seconds to attach a pair of binoculars to a tripod, not minutes.

The Outdoorsmans binocular adapter is made of lightweight machined aluminum and is built to last. The binocular adapter works well with many of the Outdoorsmans tripod accessories, including the Outdoorsmans pan head, pistol grip, and micro pan had.

It is important to note a binocular stud is needed to use the binocular adapter. The binocular stud is sold separately.

To learn more about the Outdoorsmans binocular adapter and all of the Outdoorsmans products, visit outdoorsmans.com. See the video review above.

To find a nearby Archery Shop make a quick internet search on your smartphone or laptop. Also, you can use our Archery Store locator by clicking HERE. Once you find aN Archery Store, ask about lessons and archery programs. Many shops rent bows you can use for lessons. That’s a great way to try the sport and get instructions without jumping in and buying gear.

Find an archery shop that offers lessons. Go with a group of friends or take a private lesson. Photo Credit: X10 Archery

A 30-minute one-on-one lesson is a great introduction. As you progress, you might want to extend your lessons to one hour. Group lessons are a fun option for trying archery. Shops offer beginner group lessons for adults and youths.

Another way to try archery is through a program. Consider Explore Archery, Junior Olympic Archery Development, Scholastic 3D Archery, National Archery in the Schools Program, and Olympic Archery in the Schools.

When you attend your introductory lesson, you’ll find an instructor who’s excited to help. You’ll shoot your first arrows at close distances while learning archery’s basic techniques. As your skills increase, your accuracy will improve and you’ll shoot increasingly farther.

You won’t run laps or break a heavy sweat shooting archery, but you should dress appropriately. Wear closed-toed shoes like sneakers. If your lesson is outdoors, dress for the weather but avoid baggy clothes that can catch the bowstring. If you have long hair, wear it in a ponytail or pull it away from your face. You’ll draw the bowstring back to your face, and you don’t want it to catch your hair when releasing the arrow.

Contact an Archery Shop

Archery shops are hubs for local archery knowledge, equipment repairs, and everything you need to get started in archery or bowhunting. They will offer archery lessons to get you off on the right track.

Building a relationship with an Archery shop is important. The store’s experts are your go-to resources for all things archery. You can’t simply pull a bow from its box and start shooting. You need an expert to set it up and make sure it’s properly fitted to you.

You can find a nearby archery shop with a quick internet search, or you can use our store locator by CLICKING HERE.

Seek Lessons and Programs

Once you find a shop, ask about its lessons and programs. Many shops rent bows you can use for lessons. That’s a great way to try the sport and get instructions without jumping in and buying gear.

A 30-minute private lesson is a great introduction to shooting a bow. As you progress, you might like Group lessons; they are a fun, social way to try archery. Archery Shops have beginner group lessons for adults and youths.

Another way to try archery is through a program. Consider Explore Archery, Junior Olympic Archery Development, Scholastic 3D Archery, National Archery in the Schools Program, and Olympic Archery in the Schools.

Make Time, Start Shooting

When you attend your introductory lesson, you’ll find an instructor who’s ready to help. You’ll shoot your first arrows at close distances while you are learning archery’s basic techniques. As your skills increase, your accuracy will improve and you’ll shoot increasingly farther.

You won’t run laps or break a heavy sweat shooting archery, but you should dress appropriately. Wear closed-toed shoes like sneakers, and if your lesson is outdoors, dress for the weather but avoid baggy clothes that can catch the bowstring. If you have long hair, wear it in a ponytail or pull it away from your face.

Many people who try  tried archery want to participate by shooting in leagues and tournaments, or go Bowhunting. But right now, concentrate on taking archery lessons, and start thinking about the type of bow you want to shoot as you explore archery’s many disciplines.

The Hunting Public Podcast

Antelope have fascinated me since then. A species all to themselves, the pronghorn is neither goat nor antelope. Surprisingly, it’s closest living relative is the giraffe. Look at the shape of the neck and face of both creatures. Do you see the resemblance? Pronghorn also lack dewclaws, just like a giraffe. The bottom line for me: pronghorn are amazing creatures and are very unique.

One of my favorite ways to bowhunt these prairie speedsters is with a decoy. You’ve likely watched a show on outdoor television, YouTube, or some social media platform of a buck coming in at warp speed to an imposter buck decoy. Yes, this does happen, but it’s nowhere near as easy as it appears on your screen. The window for this type of decoy activity is short. To get this type of reaction, a buck’s testosterone level must be close to or at its peak. Prime decoy time, when a buck will charge from his herd with the intent to fight, in most locales where pronghorn roam, is from the 10th of September through the first week in October. September 15-20 seems to be primetime.

What Are You Looking For?

You’re not going to be able to take a blood test to measure testosterone levels, but what you can do is use your truck, UTV, or whatever, to find dust trails on the prairie. You see, the mission is simple: Cover dirt and look for bucks chasing does and other bucks. When you see chasing, testosterone is on the rise. If you watch a buck breed a doe in his harem, you know he’s running at full tilt. If you witness a buck boil out of his herd to run off a pronghorn that’s far away that buck will come to a decoy. It’s not hard to take a buck’s rut temperature.

NEXT: HOW DO YOU DECOY?

For starters, If you see a shed in a particular area, at the very least, you know this area is a place that deer use, buck deer.

can be valuable scouting clues, too. For example, if you find a shed near a food source and its matching side in a bedding area, you have unraveled a buck’s travel pattern. Collecting a set of sheds (or perhaps several consecutive sets) from a particular buck adds to the excitement and experience of hunting him. You can trace his antler growth over the years, and with dedication and a little luck, you might ultimately tag him.

Introducing someone with limited outdoor experience to the outdoors by first taking them bowhunting could be disastrous. Odds are the person will not enjoy the experience of sitting still in the cold right out of the gate, and you probably won’t arrow a deer. But taking someone new out shed hunting can be a lot of fun. Your mentee is free to move around and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Point out a herd of distant whitetails or a flock of geese winging north on its spring migration. You won’t have to worry about your companions spooking game or getting cold. Point out rubs, scrapes and tracks or even plant an antler for them to find. Keep it interesting and engaging. You have more control over the outing, and you can make it a positive experience. Who knows, with a little nurturing and time, you might turn your guest into a bowhunter.

Landowner Relationships

Visiting landowners outside of hunting season can strengthen your relationship with them. While you’re there to search for antlers, offer to help with chores like feeding cattle, mending fencing or moving bales of hay. You might even plan to have dinner with the landowners. These visits can go a long way toward cementing long-term relationships.

Whitetail Habitat Solutions

Honestly, it seemed like it would. But walking through thick brush with the forest blacked out by tall trees, I needed the light from that flashlight to see where I was walking as well as to know if I was on course to end up at my pre-chosen hunted spot. In this video Jeff Sturgis shares his insights and research on the use of flashlights in the deer woods.

From Whitetail Habitat Solutions

Benefits of Donating Venison

1. The Feel-Good-Factor

Many deer hunters donate meat to organizations. Daniel Schmidt, content director and editor-in-chief at Deer & Deer Hunting magazine, said he shoots at least one deer each year to donate. “It’s gratifying,” he said. “When I donate venison, it makes me feel really good that I’m helping someone else out.”

Schmidt has donated venison for over 20 years, and has persuaded many hunting buddies to follow suit. “It’s nice to pay it forward,” he said. “But even if you don’t want the self-accolades, hunters can donate venison for other reasons, like providing food, managing deer populations, and casting hunters in a positive ecological light.”

2. Provide Needed Meals

According to Feeding America, 41 million Americans struggle with hunger. Donating venison provides healthy, all-natural protein to those in need. “Life is hard,” said Josh Honeycutt, associate editor at Realtree.com. “Many people out there are feeling the harsh effects life can present. Donating wild game is something we can all do as hunters to give back and help our communities.”

3. Help Manage Deer Herds

Deer are abundant in much of the United States. Left unchecked, however, big-game species like elk and deer can overbrowse their habitat, cause crop damage, and become susceptible to disease and starvation. Wildlife agencies depend on hunters to control those populations while paying for state conservation efforts through license fees and federal excise taxes on equipment sales.

In effect, hunters provide several benefits with meat donations. Venison donations provide food immediately to communities while providing long-term benefits for wildlife and their habitats. “Hunters do their communities a service” in more ways than one, Schmidt said.

4. Show Hunting’s Benefits

If you break society into three groups – hunters, nonhunters and anti-hunters – nonhunters are  by far the largest group. Kip Adams, conservation director for the Quality Deer Management Association, believes meat donations help nonhunters view hunting in a positive light.

Adams said donating meat helps people see hunters as caretakers and land stewards. “If we do a good job as hunters, wildlife stewards and responsible advocates for hunting, we’ll have more people to support the hunting community,” Adams said.

How to Donate Venison

Hunters can donate venison in several ways. Visit your state wildlife agency’s website to find nearby donation sites or organizations. Most of them accept deer at no charge. You can also donate to charitable organizations like Hunters for the Hungry or through the QDMA, which has a 5-year goal to donate 40 million meals or 10 million pounds of venison before Dec. 31, 2023. Adams encourages hunters to contact a QDMA regional director to learn more.

Schmidt also suggests hunters consider donating meat to friends, families or other individuals on a more personal level. Give what you can, whether it’s 10 pounds or an entire deer. You don’t have to go through a recognized, regimented program.

“If you don’t have [an ‘official’] deer-donation program in your city, I guarantee there’s someone local who would take the meat,” Schmidt said. He suggests asking around to find someone who wants venison. Then, determine how they want to receive the donation. Do they want the entire carcass? Will they pay processing fees? Work out the details beforehand whenever possible.

To get started, check your state’s venison donation rules and regulations. The laws aren’t complicated. Simply abide by them and follow common food-safety guidelines. Your small acts of kindness will provide long-term benefits to everyone who receives your gifts of venison.

Hoyt Hunting Compound Bows

I didn’t intend to but I dozed off for a bit. A few minutes ago I woke up I opened up the eye balls. Surprise! A Doe was 10 yards away and was not interested in me at all. My iPhone was laying on my lap and I kept watch on the Doe as I quietly slid my hand down to the  phone and turned it on.

This Doe didn’t even look at me as she casually glanced around the yard. Then the Doe walked over by me. I had some water set out next to the porch for my Mouser cat named ‘Little Johnson.’

I managed one more picture (Above) just before she scarfed down the Cat’s water. Yep! There are some Cool things about living in the Deer Woods.

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Gobble Poppers Recipe Ingredients:
2/3 cup Brown Sugar, 1 Tbsp Chili Powder, Honey, Turkey breast cut into 1” cubes Bacon, cut into thirds and toothpicks

Directions: Preheat oven to 350º. Spray both the top and bottom of broiler pan (or regular pan if you don’t have a broiler pan) thoroughly with cooking spray for easier clean up. Cut turkey into 1” cubes and bacon into thirds and set aside. Mix 2/3 c brown sugar and 1 Tbsp chili powder in a bowl. Wrap turkey with bacon slice, secure with toothpick and place in brown sugar mix.
Dredge turkey bites in brown sugar mix, then place on broiler pan. Cook for 15 min, then pull out and drizzle with honey. Place bites back in the oven for an additional 5 min. Serve and enjoy!

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    Strut Commander

I take a gulp of Montana’s fresh mountain air. The scenery on this June afternoon nearly makes me forget I’m out of shape.

Archery elk season is approaching, and I’m trying to accomplish two things: Get fit and find a good hunting spot. My soles and shoulders feel the three miles we’ve already put in, and I’m thankful for the glassing break.