Outdoorsman Time

tips for the modern sportsman

5 Tree Stand Safety Tips To Keep You From Becoming A Statistic

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Tree stands have single handedly changed the way Americans hunt. Not too long ago hunting everything from white tails to hogs involved either stalking game or hiding in ambush. Both involved as much luck as skill and even if wide open areas were available to you much of it remained out of view. Sure, some old-timers had tree stands but they were more nothing like what we see today and were usually permanent. Today’s tree stands allow a hunter to get off the ground, increasing visibility and decreasing detection. They are also designed for easy portability, allowing their use at multiple locations.

But every silver cloud has a dark spot and for tree stands that dark spot is safety or lack thereof. Each year hunters are injured and even killed by simply falling out of their tree stand. Even worse is the fact that almost every one of these accidents could have been prevented if the hunters have followed some simple steps. Hopefully this advice will prevent you from becoming a statistic.

  1. Know you equipment – very few hunters would consider venturing into the woods with a new firearm they have never fired and the same should go for your tree stand. Get it out of the box and practice setting it up. Read the manual and make sure you understand all the features, parts and limitations. Learn from practice rather than trial and error.
  2. Let someone know where you are – if an accident does happen the last thing you want is for those who are missing you to have no idea where to look. Make sure that someone knows where you will be hunting and how to get to your stand just in case.
  3. Always strap in – the single most important thing you can do to prevent a fall from your stand is to never leave the ground without a safety harness. If your feet leave the ground your harness should be attached. Make sure you use a harness designed for hunting, that fits you properly and which includes drop stirrups (to relieve pressure from legs if you do fall).
  4. If you are not comfortable get down – It’s tempting to hunt no matter what. Bad weather and lack of sleep are put a few of the issues hardcore hunters will push through for a day in the woods. However, balancing on an elevated platform during high winds or when you can’t seem to keep your eyes open can be deadly. Sometimes it is just better to stay on the ground.
  5. Never forget it can happen to you – I doubt any hunter walked into the woods thinking “This is it, this is the day I will have an accident.”  I would bet that most have said just the opposite “It will never happen to me.”  Guess what? Thinking it will never happen to you is the first step to having an accident!

Are You A True Outdoorsman?

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Many sportsmen consider themselves to be “outdoorsmen” but are they really? Or are they better described as “outdoor enthusiasts”?

The term “outdoorsman” has different reading to different people. The Webster dictionary for example offers the following definition:

Outdoorsman – one who spends much time in the outdoors or in outdoor activities.

I, however, prefer to think of an outdoorsman as someone who not only enjoys outdoor activities but possesses the skills necessary to excel in those activities. The guy at deer camp others turn to for advice on setting up a stand, tuning a new bow, etc. This is how I see a true outdoorsman.

So what are the skills you should develop to make the jump from enthusiast to outdoorsman? This is a list which could be as long and varied as the number of people you ask. But over the years, through season after season of dealing with sportsmen of all kinds I have come up with my personal list. These are the skill I find sportsmen benefit from the most and those I hope I can continue to develop season after season.

  1. Tracking – for most sportsmen tracking means simply finding their wild game after it has been shot. True tracking involves seeing the entire picture. Where are different animals traveling, eating and bedding? Have other hunters been in the woods recently? If so, where did they go & what did they do?
  2. Forecasting – weather pays a vital role in your potential success afield. Checking the online forecast is a starting point, but being able to read the weather while on your stand allows you to adjust as needed in real time.
  3. Knife Sharpening – ever true sportsman I have ever met not only carries at least one knife but also keeps it ready to do what needs to be done. Not only can a dull knife interfere with your ability to complete the task at hand it can also be dangerous – nothing slips unexpectedly like a rounded edge.
  4. Marlinspike – this is more than a fancy name for knot tying; it is the ability to use line for more than simply dragging your deer. Can you fashion a simply pulley system needed to drag a carcass out of a ravine? Do you know how to lash three poles into a game hoist for cleaning? If not you might want to break out your old Boy Scout manuals.
  5. Plant Identification – an enthusiast is lucky if they can identify poison ivy before spending the weekend itching and scratching. For an outdoorsman “leaves of three, let it be” is a children’s rhyme; he can tell you where to find a natural food plot deer are going to being circling or tell you which berries might make a suitable afternoon snack or a natural insect repellant.

So, how do your skills stack up? Are you prepared to spend a weekend in the woods or will you be booking a room at the Motel 6?

Outside the Box for Catfish

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catfish fishing

Do you enjoy fishing for catfish but dislike the mess and stench of commercial stink baits? Well, get your rod and take some days off from the honey do list. Here are some simple no stink catfish baits that use ingredients you probably already have around the house. Plus, each appeals to some of the catfish’s most basic instincts so you are sure to fill a creel in no time!

Dough bait is a favorite is a favorite among catfish anglers, but most should come with a gag warning. But here is a simple, no stink (except garlic) catfish dough bait:

Mix 2 cups corn meal, 1 tablespoon corn starch & 1 cup corn flakes in bowl. Heat ½ cup grease (any leftover drippings will do – I prefer bacon) until soft. Add grease and 1 can cream corn to dry mixture, stir well. You can either form into bit size ball for immediate use or store in plastic container for later.

Sometimes you do not want to mix dough bait, you just want to fish. If you are itching to go fishing and just need bait check out these grab and go baits.

  1. French Fries – sounds strange but French Fries are the perfect combination of grease & salt to appear to a wide variety of game fish, especially catfish. Remember, catfish are scroungers.
  2. Chucky Canned Dog Food – mmmm Alpo! Bite size chunks of meat in scent spreading gravy is just what the catfish ordered!
  3. Chicken Skins – have any friends who prefer skinless chicken? If so have then save the removed, uncooked skin and you will a perfect tasty snack for your next catfish trip.
  4. Hot Dogs – what is more American than hot dogs and catfish? Simple, catfishing with hotdogs as bait. Cut into chunks a hot dog makes an irresistible dinner for even the pickiest cat.
  5. SPAM – this strange combination of meat bits, salt, fat & oils is not only the perfect food for long time survival, it is also perfect fish bait. Plus it is easy to cut and stays on the hook pretty well too.

If you want to add a little extra kick to any of the above baits, or even your own favorite secret recipe, try one of the following ‘spices’:

Red Kool Aid – that right, the same Kool Aid you drank as a kid. I am not sure exactly what appeals to cat fish, whether it is the red color or sweet taste, but it works none the less.  It works especially well with raw meats, hot dogs, SPAM or even chicken skins.

Garlic – this is a favorite scent for a wide range of fish species, including bass and catfish. Soak baits in garlic & oil mixture overnight or spray some on throughout the day to refresh an offering. Best thing is it works with almost any bait you can think of, even plastic worms.

Experiment with different baits & additives, see what works for you!

Good Luck, Good Fishing!

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