Huntsmen Blog

Game Calls for the Novice Hunter
March 08, 2024

Game Calls for the Novice Hunter

It turns out that if you want to be a successful game or bird hunter, you must learn
to master a game call. Piece of cake you say! I am astonished at the vast array of
big game, predator and bird calls that are available on the market today. I think
there are enough to make even the most experienced hunter scratch his or her
chin, imagine the confusion it causes the novice. So, how does a hunter begin to
navigate this system of game calls? Logic dictates that the first thing a hunter
needs to do is decide on their goals, what they are looking for from a game call.
Once expectations are decided upon, it’s time to look at calls.

Just what are all the call types you ask? There are mouth calls, friction calls and
electronic calls. The cost of these calls can be as low as $10 and as high as a
several hundred dollars. Price range is a definite consideration, but convenience
and ease of use are also considerations that need to be looked at. After all, what is
the sense of spending good hard earned money on a product that you have
difficulty using, or aren’t satisfied with the quality of the sounds you’re emitting?
Consider choosing a reputable brand and be careful of knock-offs. The adage β€œyou
get what you pay for” is certainly true in the world of game calls. Today we are
going to look at the different mouth calls that are available. We will consider friction
calls and electronic options in future discussions.


Mouth calls include any devise in which the air you breathe is used to create the
desired sound to attract the attention of a specific game species. Mouth calls first
originated with the Native Americans who would blow on pieces of stretched grass
to replicate animal sounds. This concept was adopted by game hunters and mouth
calls were created.

One type of mouth call is the diaphragm call as it is referred to. Diaphragm calls
are used for big game, predator and turkey hunting; they are not used for duck
hunting. This call is basically a u-shaped frame of plastic tape that has a latex reed
stretched across the frame. It fits in the roof of your mouth and is activated as you
blow air. These calls can contain several layers of latex reeds, and these reeds
can have various cuts in them, or no cuts. The number of reeds and the various
cuts all contribute to the creation of various tones and animal sounds. Emitted
sounds are also dependent on the force of air being expelled, placement of the
call in the mouth, tongue and lip movement as well as hand movements around
the mouth. Diaphragm calls with a single reed (one piece of stretched latex) and
no cuts is the easiest for the novice caller to experience because it requires less
air. The sounds which are emitted are basic and the call doesn’t allow for a wide
range of pitches and sounds. It does however, give the novice a sense of
accomplishment as they begin the diaphragm call journey. There are other things
to consider when using this mouth call. You need to gauge the size of your mouth.
Some calls are bigger then others, and you want to get one that is not too large,
nor too small for your mouth. If you do get one that is too large, there is a way to
cut them down, but since the call fits in the roof of your mouth, keep this
requirement in mind. Getting used to blowing air while having a foreign object in
your mouth and dealing with some vibration can be interesting, but as they say,
practice makes perfect, so practice, practice, practice.

The hand-held reed calls are another call option. These calls are used in big
game, predator, turkey and duck hunting. Hand-held calls also have reeds
contained within the body of the call which emit various sounds when air is blown
across them. The body of these calls is generally made out of wood,
polycarbonate or acrylic, and come in many different shapes and sizes. They can
contain one reed or two, and the reeds can be open or closed (enclosed). Of
course the easiest hand-held call for a novice to use in duck hunting is a closed
double reed. It seems these are the easiest to learn on, are more forgiving,
provide fairly accurate vocalizations and are reliable for the experienced caller as
well as the novice. The open reed calls take a little more practice and finesse to
master, but provide a broader range of volume, tones and sounds. The majority of
elk calls tend to be open reed calls in order to be able to emit the higher pitched
sounds required in imitating calf and cow sounds.


Whichever call you decide to give a try, don’t be surprised if you are not able to
immediately create the desired sounds with the first blow. As stated earlier,
becoming proficient at game calls takes practice. Repetition, focusing on the
fundamentals and getting to know your call are key elements in mastering game
calls. Last of all, START EARLY! Don’t wait until the week before your hunt starts
to order a game call. Give yourself time to practice with your new call and to watch
some videos on the tips and tricks to mastering your call, so that when your hunt
begins you will be ready and prepared to fill your tag!

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Fly Fishing Line
May 12, 2022

Fly Fishing Line

If you’re new to fly fishing, the best lesson you can learn at the very start is your fishing line matters! Fly fishing uses a different strategy than bait fishing. In bait fishing, you load up the end of your fishing line with live or artificial bait, as well as sinkers and bobbers. All this β€œstuff” gives weight to your line so that when you cast out into the pond or lake, you have energy to carry your bait far out into the distance. Your bait then sinks down to where the fish are hanging out and hopefully a hungry one will swim by your offering and take a big bite.

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Why Choose Badlands Hunting Gear
September 18, 2020

Why Choose Badlands Hunting Gear

There are a lot of backpack brands and manufacturers on the market these days, and prices vary greatly. If you are a serious hiker or hunter there are several important factors to consider before purchasing a backpack or bino case. I did a lot of research before deciding to offer Badlands backpacks and binocular cases in my outdoor outfitting store, Huntsmen Outdoors, and I’d like to share with you why Badlands won my vote over all their competitors.

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The Klymit Static V2, a.k.a. What are you looking for in a sleeping pad?
September 08, 2020

The Klymit Static V2, a.k.a. What are you looking for in a sleeping pad?

So, recently I have been testing a new product that we are carrying here at the Huntsmen Outdoor store, the Klymit Static V2 sleeping pad. This general testing got me thinking about sleeping pads in general. Because the Klymit isn’t usually the sleeping pad I would use. I mean it is a durable, inflatable sleeping pad.Β 

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Let Me Introduce Myself
September 07, 2020

Let Me Introduce Myself

Hello, I'm Troy "Sasquatch" Fuller, and I help my brother Travis at huntsmen outdoors.

I got Travis to let me use this blog as a way for me to record my experiences trying to become a competent sportsman.

Let me clarify, my family has been avid about the outdoors for as long as I can remember, and I've considered myself an outdoorsman since I was in my early teens. But hunting and fishing never held any specific interest for me until I started learning about what we sell at huntsmen.

huntsmen store collage

So I'm going to use this blog to share my learning experiences in hunting and fishing, and what knowledge about the outdoors I have already accumulated.

My goals in doing so are to help you understand as I start to understand for myself.

Starting out I want to learn how to;
-fly fish
-how to use elk, deer, and turkey calls
-how to track game as it comes in season.
I hope this list expands and gets more detailed as I learn more, and get input from folk reading these what they would like to learn about.

I hope to see you back here or in the back country real soon

Troy,
Huntsmen Outdoors

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Using Attractants
August 20, 2019

Using Attractants

In an effort to get a leg up in the hunting world, using attractants to lure in large game such as deer and elk, has become popular, especially when combined with the use of a trail camera. There are lots of different natural and packaged attracts available and it’s important to decide what you want to use and why?

The main purpose for using attractants and trail cameras prior to the start of hunting season is to find out what kind and how many animals are in your prospective hunting area. It seems more logical to put up a tree stand in an area where you have absolute proof it has been frequented by the species you have a tag for. Otherwise, you might be sitting in an area void of the animal type you are looking for!

So, you found an area that shows signs of deer or elk and you want to put up a trail camera. What next? You have a couple options. You can use the natural foods that are around the area and let nature bring the animals in. Check out the vegetation in the surrounding area, see what the game you are looking for would be eating naturally and set up your camera with a view of that area. Some of the vegetation deer and elk will seek after include clover, flowering plants and grasses, berries, and acorns. Animals also require water, so if there is a water source nearby, consider setting up your camera in that vicinity with a good view of the watering hole. You might also look for game trails, keeping an eye out for those which cross streams. These are some options if you are just wanting to see what is normally in the area and follow the natural travel patterns of the animals.

If you want to lure deer or elk in from other areas, you can offer some form of packaged attractant. Deer and elk seem to like supplements like mineral blocks and salt licks. Elk are especially fond of these during the late spring and summer while they are still growing and developing antlers. Deer have a preference for anything apple and molasses. Elk like the berry and cherry options. Remember though that anything you put out, especially if it is fruit flavored with some sweetness, is bound to bring in any nearby animal, maybe even a bear!
Again, before putting out anything for the wild animals to eat on, think about your purpose for doing so. Generally attractants are put out for the purpose of scouting before a hunt begins. If attractants are put out after a hunt starts, it might be considered baiting, which is illegal in some states and hunting areas. Be sure to check and become familiar with your state’s hunting regulations. You also do not want to feed the animals anything that is unhealthy or that would would take away from the animals having to hunt or forage for their own food. If you do put our cameras and attractants it’s important to respect the wildlife and give them their space and not infringe on their feeding places and watering holes, remembering that animals won’t come around if there is a lot of human scent. It is also important to respect other hunters if you come across their camera and gear. Hunting is a fun, learning experience that can be enjoyed by all!

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A Duck’s 5 Senses
August 01, 2019

A Duck’s 5 Senses

The following is an article I helped research for "The Hearty Hen House" hobby farming blog. I found researching and knowing this information very useful for hunting and tracking ducks. Enjoy:

Whenever I go out to feed and visit with my ducks, there is one that inevitably gives me this cute little head-cocked, sly look. I wonder what’s going through her mind as she stares at me. Is she wondering if I have more treats than what I’m sharing, or does she suspect me of being a wolf in people’s clothing? She doesn’t seem to be afraid, just watching. Sizing me up. Taking it all in. This silly little duck got me wondering about the senses that a duck uses to navigate in their world…so I did some research.

duck side eyeing the camera

I think that all animals rely on the same 5 senses for survival that people do: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Because they live in the wild and some animals are predators and some are prey, different senses are more developed than others. Ducks are considered prey animals. They make a tasty meal for predators like skunks and raccoons, and people too. I suppose ducks know instinctively that they are prey animals and that they need to be especially watchful of danger. I know that I got these guys from the feed store when they were young, and I didn’t teach them about Stranger Danger. They seem to have a vast amount of cautious curiosity. When investigating, they always go as a group, talking, sharing the experience, warning one another about things they are unsure of, and heading the other direction when spooked or frightened. What senses does a duck rely on the most for safety and survival? Let’s take a look.

Sight. A duck’s sight seems to be their most important sense. A duck’s eyes are set on the side of their head giving them a wide field of vision, for example Mallards can see 360 degrees. That’s all the way around. Most ducks can see almost in a full circle, but each eye sees a different part of the landscape, providing an increased awareness of their surroundings, panoramic vision. The downside to this is a decrease in depth perception. To compensate, you will notice ducks moving their heads from side to side and up and down rapidly. This helps to create more of a 3-dimensional picture for the duck. People look forward, with both eyes focusing on the same things. Can you imagine seeing one side of the road with one eye and the other side of the road with the other eye, and then trying to process that view?

Ducks also have powerful eye muscles that allow them to control the curvature of the cornea and the lens, increasing the refractive power of both, which means that they can see two to three times further than humans can, suggesting that sight is the duck’s most powerful sense. They can see a lot further than they can hear. Ducks have highly developed retinas. The vast number of cone receptors allow the duck to form a crisp image of a predator during the day. The trade-off however, is poor night vision. This is why they settle into some safe place: bushes, tall grasses, barns or coops, before the sun goes behind the mountains. They also have a high concentration of blood vessels in the retina that provides superior sensitivity to motion. Ducks see the colors red, green, yellow and blue, more vibrantly than people do, and because of an extra cone, they are also sensitive to ultraviolet rays. This gives them exceptional light sensitivity and they are adept at spotting unnatural reflections. If you happen to be a duck hunter, this is especially good to know as movement and reflection will give your position away in a heartbeat!

brown duck

Hearing. A ducks ears are located on the sides of their heads, a little behind and below the eyes. The do not have any outward appendages, only some soft feathering to cover the ear openings and offer protection, so they are a little hard to spot. Hearing is probably the second most important sense. Even before a duckling has hatched, they listen for the sound of their mom’s vocalizations so that they will recognize her and be able to respond to her directions and warnings. It is important to their survival that ducks be able to differentiate between various calls such as alarm calls versus mating calls, or the sound of a potential meal versus predator. They are also able to perceive whether a sound is above, below or right next to them. I believe that my ducks can hear me in the morning and evening when I walk out the garage door at feeding time. I also believe they can differentiate between my footsteps and the footsteps of those who do not feed them. They tend to vocalize quite loudly when they recognize me!

pair of white ducks spiking the camera

Smell. A duck has two nostrils high on their beak. They use their sense of smell to differentiate foods, mates, maybe even their young. Their sense of smell is believed to be one of the least developed senses and it hasn’t been studied very much. I can’t say that I really notice my ducks wandering around with their nose/beaks in the air sniffing for food, or danger, but maybe they can recognize the scent of a skunk and know it’s time to be extra careful.

pair of white ducks beak to beak

Taste. The duck’s sense of taste is not thought to be a highly developed sense either. It is known that the more taste buds that you have, the better your sense of taste. Waterfowl have only about 400 taste buds, compared to the 9,000 taste buds that a human has. Watching my ducks eat, they consume their food so quickly that I don’t know how they really have a chance to taste it. Ducks do however, seem to have an innate ability to identify what foods are good and nutritious to eat and what foods to avoid. I wonder if some of this ability has to do with smell and taste.

three yellow ducklings

Touch. The sense of touch is important to ducks in foraging for food. They are considered tactile feeders and they use their bills, which have highly sensitive nerve endings, to search for food in murky water and mud puddles where their vision is not too useful. Touch also helps ducks determine temperature, distinguish different textures and recognize other physical stimuli. Ducks do have fewer nerve endings in their feet which allow them the ability to withstand walking in snow or swimming in icy waters.

Yellow duckling spiking camera

As I learned, some senses are more developed than others, but ducks do rely on each of the 5 senses in various aspects of everyday survival. I enjoy watching my ducks as they use these senses, and hopefully my understanding of how and why they use their senses will make me a better duck keeper.


Sources:
https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-research-science/understanding-waterfowl-the-five-senses
https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/master-class/2013/10/how-ducks-see-science-behind-waterfowl-eyesight

Β 

A special thank you to The Hearty Hen House for letting Huntsmen feature this article. You can see more at:Β https://theheartyhenhouse.com

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Trail Cameras
July 26, 2019

Trail Cameras

Trail cams were a great invention for the avid hunter. One of my favorite parts of the entire hunting experience is scouting! The challenge of finding the animal you’re hunting, watching, learning their travel pattern, what they are feeding on, how many there are, how big and are there any predators following them? So much knowledge can be gleaned from observation. I have a favorite tree stand in the woods, off the beaten path, where I like to go and spend a little time getting to know just what is in my neighborhood. Usually I see deer and elk, single animals, or small herds. Occasionally a momma and her young. One day a pair of young mountain lions with their mom strolled through and parked for a few minutes right under me. That got my adrenaline running just a little. The other thing I do when scouting is set out some trail cameras.

close up on black trail camera

When hunting, you gotta put in the work if you want to harvest the trophy animal. Animals move around depending on the season, food availability and safety. Setting up a trail camera or two helps me to know exactly what is roaming through the hunting boundaries that I am considering. The intel provided by my trail cam pictures can help me put into play an effective harvesting plan. I know that I have to factor in the possibility of change. It seems like animals have an innate sense that tells them the exact day that a hunt starts, and what was there yesterday may be long gone on the first day of the hunt, but at least with trail camera pictures, I not flying in totally blind! One nice feature in some of the new cameras is the ability to receive pictures directly to your smart phone. You know what is circling around your camera without having to wait a week, hike up and retrieve your SD card, go back home and plug it into your computer only to find out the area is a dud! Being able to see in real time what is coming within range of your camera is great, and if you aren’t receiving very many pictures, instead of hiking up to retrieve an SD card, you might know that it’s time to just move the whole setup.

When putting up a trail camera, a few good tips to remember include 1) pointing your trail camera due north whenever possible to avoid poor exposure, backlighting, the sun tripping your camera or possible sun glare; 2) angle your camera at about 45 degrees down the game trail to get a wider field of view to see the animals coming and going; 3) before placing your camera, be sure to wipe it down with a scent eliminator to remove all smells; and 4) depending on the species, attractants can be a useful tool. We have found in our area that berry scented attractants work great for elk and apple scents work best on mule deer.

Close up on green camo trail camera

When setting out trail cameras, there are some common sense etiquette rules that should be followed. First, respect private property. Don’t set your camera up on someone’s private property, especially if it is clearly marked. If you see someone out putting up a camera, don’t follow them. And if you come across someone else’s camera, again, be respectful. Don’t sabotage their efforts. Out of courtesy, don’t ask where someone set up their cameras. Find your own spots. If they want you to know, they will volunteer the information. It’s a good idea to set your camera up somewhere off the beaten path. You might have to do a little hiking, but it will lessen the likelihood of your equipment being vandalized or stolen. Lastly, when you put out a camera, be sure to secure it. Unfortunately in these times, stuff does go missing. If someone wants your camera bad enough they will take it, but make it as hard for them as you can!

Whether you are hunting for that trophy buck, or to put meat in the freezer, your hunting experience should be enjoyable, and success always make the experience that much better. Proper planning, preparation and a trail camera can all help to increase your chances of being successful during your hunt. We at Huntsmen Outdoors wish you a successful, enjoyable hunting experience!

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Gloves
July 18, 2019

Gloves

Protecting your hands during a hunt is a must! There are many tasks that need to be completed, from loading your weapon to gutting your kill. A good pair of hunting gloves needs to provide you with the warmth your hands require as well as protection from the elements and environment, and still allow you the dexterity you need to complete certain tasks. I’m sure there are probably some of you out there who, like me, might have received some nerve damage to your hands (chemical burns) and the protection of a good glove is imperative! There are several types of gloves available which are constructed of various materials and cater to different needs: warmth, movement, comfort, style. Which glove is right for you?

hunter holding range finder to his eye

The full glove is one that covers your entire hand and fingers. This glove provides protection against the environment and elements while still allowing you to preform routine tasks. Some full gloves have a special feature on the finger tips that allow for using your touch screen phone without having to remove your glove. Some full gloves might also have a coating on the palm that aids in gripping. Depending on construction material, this glove can provide moderate warmth for those cool seasons and if the material contains spandex or polyester they might have a slimmer, tighter fit that also allows easy movement. There are some styles that are made for colder weather that are more bulky, making precision tasks difficult, but they provide the warmth you might need in extreme weather.

There is the fingerless glove. This glove provides protection to the palm and back of your hand, but allows your fingers to be free. This type of glove is good when you need to be able to feel what you are doing and tasks require precision and dexterity. Your hands probably won’t stay quite as warm depending on weather conditions, but they work great when exactness is necessary in completing tasks.

Mittens are always an option whevn you need to have your fingers free, a kind of dual purpose glove. Many mittens are designed to provide warmth for your hands between tasks. Then you just fold back the top of the mitten to expose a fingerless glove which continues to provide some level of warmth, while allowing your fingers to be free to preform necessary tasks. When the job is finished, just cover up them fingers again!

Gloves are constructed of various materials from fleece to cotton to polyester. Before purchasing a pair of gloves, think about the weather conditions you will be facing. Are you scouting in the summer, archery hunting in the fall, mountain lion hunting in the bitter winter? Think about the the type of tasks that you will need to perform. Are you preparing for a hunt, scouting and putting up cameras, or are you hunting? If hunting, what weapon are you using: a bow, rifle, black powder? If you make the kill, will you have to field dress the animal? You might require a couple different styles of gloves to meet varied conditions.

I personally use the Kryptek Krypton glove. While they might not be the warmest glove when hunting in extreme cold, they do give my hands the protection and insulation they need without sacrificing maneuverability and the traction required to accomplish every sort of task in the field. My hands remain comfortable and warm. This glove is constructed out of a French terry and spandex material which is absorbent, light-weight, moisture-wicking and very comfortable. Because the glove is fitted, it can be worn under a bulkier glove for added warmth.

hunter moving a sapling out of his way

What gloves work best for you? We’d love to hear your input!

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