BigDeer Archives - Page 4 of 329

13 02, 2024

Should You Buy a Used Hunting Bow?

Clay Hanback2024-02-13T10:22:30-05:00February 13th, 2024|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Bowhunting, Deer Hunting, whitetail deer|0 Comments

Mike: Getting my tax refund soon, and got some money to play with. Went to the local archery shop with my buddy, who upgraded to a new Hoyt RX-8. I was looking at the used bows and picked up a Hoyt Alpha X 30 with draw weight and length that fit me perfect. “Sweet bow and hasn’t been shot a lot,” the shop owner said, “You can have it for $800.” I wasn’t bow shopping, but before I could think I blurted, “Will you take $700?” Both my buddy and I walked out of there with bows! Love the bow and it shoots fine, so I don’t have buyer’s remorse. But I wondered what you think of buying a used [...]

7 02, 2024

How to Find 100 Deer Antlers

Clay Hanback2024-02-07T14:18:48-05:00February 7th, 2024|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Shed Hunting, sportsman channel, whitetail deer|0 Comments

My friend Mark “Sheds” Jaymon is best antler hunter I know. He finds more than 100 bones every late winter and spring, along with several buck carcasses and/or skulls with racks attached. Sheds, who I suspect is out in the woods collecting right now, offers his secrets: Start hunting hard around Super Bowl Sunday. It’s ok to start in January, but you should get really serious February 1, when most all bucks have dropped their antlers. The biggest key to shed hunting is to just branch out and go. A lot of people have no luck because they look on one or two properties where the deer may not even be this time of year; or maybe they are just [...]

2 02, 2024

Deer Stand Maintenance

Clay Hanback2024-02-02T11:36:02-05:00February 2nd, 2024|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, whitetail deer|0 Comments

Deer season is over, it’s time to go out to your hunting property and pull all your fixed-position and ladder stands. Many hunters leave their stands out all year, but for max maintenance and safety it’s best to take them down and take them home. If you hunt public land, you’re required by law to remove all stands until next season. Back home, check each stand and ladder section. Spray all metal bolts and joints with a shot of WD-40 so they won’t rust further. Replace any worn and frayed ratchet straps and buy a good supply of new ratchets. Every season I add a brand-new ratchet tie-down to every one of my stands to ensure a double measure of [...]

29 01, 2024

Field & Stream Magazine Is Back!

Clay Hanback2024-01-29T12:34:37-05:00January 29th, 2024|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Hunting News, whitetail deer|2 Comments

I have been writing for outdoor magazines in one capacity or another for more than 35 years. As a lifelong hunter who majored in English in college, I got my first dream job (assistant editor for the NRA’s American Hunter mag) in the early 1980s. Somehow, I’ve cobbled together enough low-paying gigs to make a career out of hunting and writing about it. As a kid growing up hunting squirrels and birds with my dad (didn’t have many deer here in Virginia in the 1960s) I could never have dreamed that I would have hunted deer in 37 states and six Canadian provinces; shot a bunch of elk and bears out West; killed sheep, moose, caribou and deer during six [...]

23 01, 2024

How to Store Your Rifles

Clay Hanback2024-01-23T12:07:53-05:00January 23rd, 2024|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, CZ-USA, Deer Guns & Loads, sportsman channel, trijicon|0 Comments

After a thorough bore cleaning, wipe down the action, trigger guard, scope, barrel and all exterior metalwork of a rifle with a light coat of gun oil. When I plan to store a rifle for 2 months or more, I run one last patch dabbed with a light coat of oil into the bore to prevent rust. To further avoid rust, firearms should be stored in an environment that stays around 70 degrees F year-round with humidity of 50 to 55 percent. It is best to lock all your guns and ammunition in a gun safe. If you don't have a safe, at the very least secure firearms and ammo in a closet or room that you lock tight. Be [...]