trijicon Archives

11 09, 2025

Big Deer’s 2025 Moon and Rut Hunting Guide

Clay Hanback2025-09-11T13:56:03-04:00September 11th, 2025|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Bowhunting, Deer Hunting, sportsman channel, trijicon, whitetail deer|0 Comments

2025 ruting moon phases: Full November 5…last quarter November 11…new November 19…first quarter November 27 As I have said time and again on the blog and on BIG DEER TV, I am neither a scientist nor an astronomer. But I am a whitetail hunter and have been doing it for 50 years, more than 30 of those professionally. I’m also a moon fanatic. Over the years I figure I’ve spent more than 1,000 days in a deer stand in November, during every imaginable moon phase, and all the waxing and waning days. My journal notes and personal and observations indicate there is something to the November moon and how it impacts the movements of rutting whitetails. My 2025 predictions: I [...]

1 09, 2025

How to Remove Rust from a Gun

Clay Hanback2025-08-26T11:40:18-04:00September 1st, 2025|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, trijicon|0 Comments

You know you should store all your handguns and rifles in a locked safe, or at least in a cool, dry place, with a dehumidifier running for good measure if there is a hint of moisture (as in a basement). But if you do pull out one of your guns and see a few spots of rust on the barrel or receiver, here’s an interesting way to remove it. From Range 365, which has a collection of great gun videos: The trick…is finding a penny minted before 1982, which were 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc. To start you need some light oil (good old 3-in-1 will do just fine), a medium brass-bristle cleaning brush, some paper towels, and [...]

5 06, 2025

8 Great Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Tips

Clay Hanback2025-06-04T10:07:31-04:00June 5th, 2025|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, trijicon, whitetail deer|Comments Off on 8 Great Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Tips

The popularity of blackpowder hunting is making a comeback! Here are 8 things to remember when you go out to smoke a buck this fall. Pour a measured charge of your powder of choice down the bore of your .50-caliber rifle, or drop in 2 or even 3 50-grain Triple 7 pellets in modern rifle that will handle 150 grains, like my trusty 700 Ultimate Muzzleloader. Some rifles shoot best with 2 pellets 9100 grains), while others like 3 pellets (150grains), so do some range testing. Insert your bullet of choice at the muzzle, and start it down the bore with a short starter. With your ramrod, seat the bullet firmly all way down and on top of the powder, [...]

25 03, 2025

New Moon Phase Means Hot Deer Rut

Clay Hanback2025-03-17T11:39:07-04:00March 25th, 2025|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Rut, sportsman channel, trijicon, whitetail deer|Comments Off on New Moon Phase Means Hot Deer Rut

Here on the blog last August, I wrote: In all my years of chasing whitetails across North America, I’ve noticed the tendency for the animals to move most in twilight is magnified during a new (dark) moon that overlaps the seeking phase of the rut, as it does this year. I went on to predict that the new moon week of November 2 through 6 would be five of the best days to hunt in 2024. Not coincidentally, we planned our annual Virginia deer camp to start on November 2, in the middle of archery season and during the first week of muzzleloader. This is typically when what I call the “hard pre-rut” occurs in the Virginia Piedmont. Weeks earlier, [...]

3 01, 2025

Here’s How to Store Your Gear After Hunting Season

Clay Hanback2025-01-03T08:45:06-05:00January 3rd, 2025|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Bowhunting, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, Deer Management, Hornady, Hunting News, Shed Hunting, trijicon|Comments Off on Here’s How to Store Your Gear After Hunting Season

I've taken a little time off to recuperate from a tough deer season and to enjoy the holidays with family. Now back at f0r 2025.--MH After the last deer hunt of the season in December or January, many of you toss your clothes, pack and other stuff in a heap in a backroom and don’t think twice about it for another seven or eight months, until it’s time to scout and bow hunt again. I used to do that too, but I’m more organized now. This week I’m spreading out my gear on the basement floor, and giving it a good once over while last season’s hunts are still fresh in my mind. Out with the Old Did you like [...]