FSD Outdoor Blog

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8 Tips for Duck Hunting This Season

There are a lot of tips out there for any eager waterfowler. While some are repeated forever, on every blog in the world, there are other tips that are truly good ideas that can give you a big advantage the next time you’re on the hunt.

Here are 8 duck hunting tips that should truly give you a better chance of success every time you go out hunting!

Matchmaker

Might sound very obvious, but there are so many waterfowlers fouling this idea up. Match your decoy to the duck you’re hunting. Too often a hunter will use a mallard decoy when they’re hunting wood ducks and wonder why it’s not working.

Be Natural

The best camouflage is waiting for you in nature. Use cord to add another layer of camo to your gear, the vegetation around where you’re hunting is, without a doubt, the best concealment you’re going to get.

Ducks are creatures of habit, instinct dictates their movements. Make them feel right at home!

Gun, Too

It’s funny to spend a lot of time, money, and effort making yourself into the master of camo without camouflaging your gun, too.

When it’s the only thing not in camo, a gun will stand out as a big “Keep Out” sign to your would be prize.

Get Out of the Boat

If you’re bringing your boat along with you, try to hunt away from it. No matter how good your boat cover is, it’s not as good as your cover away from the water. While it may seem time consuming, it’s usually worth it.

Ice Breaker

When it gets colder, you’ll want to be vigilant

 about removing the ice around lakes and ponds when you can.

Breaking up the ice and clearing it away will give your prey a prime landing spot when they come around.

Try to break it up into big chunks when possible as they are easier to move. If the ice is thin and you break it up into smaller chunks, use a net to remove as much as you can.

Wind is… North? South?

You’ll hear a lot of tips about watching the wind when you’re hunting. But really knowing which way the wind is blowing is kinda hard.

How many times have you taken up a handful of dried grass, tossed it in the air, and watched it fall right back down… But you can feel the wind.

A simple way to get a real feel for the wind is to have a small bottle of baby powder you can squeeze out. The powder is so light that even the smallest amount of wind will be obvious and it will show you exactly where it’s blowing.

Speaking of Wind

Most waterfowlers agree that having the wind to their back is best when setting up their shots.

But in truth, this only gives you one good shot at any ducks. After you fire once, the ducks will be retreating away from you so your follow up shots are only worse.

Instead, have the wind be to your side. This way when the ducks react to your first shot, after they cross you, they’ll likely turn around and have to cross you again, giving you a better chance on your second and third shots.

Create your Own Runway

For some, clearing the ice around a pond or lake is too much work, especially if it gets really cold.

Instead of doing that, you can create a faux-landing spot for ducks.

With a simple clear plastic tarp you can make a decoy water spot on dried land.

Try to find a small divot in a field. Remove any branches, grass tufts, or anything else that might poke up. Lay the clear plastic tarp on the ground and sprinkle with a little bit of water. From the air this will look like a clear landing pond and you’ll be able to create your own action.

 

Don’t try to use any decoys on your fake pond though, the lack of movement is too obvious to most cunning ducks.

Ducks are clever, amazing animals. Luckily, we can use their intelligence against them and give us really good chances to bag more ducks than the next waterfowler. Hopefully these tips will lead you to more fun and successful hunts.

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7 Tips For Planning A Deer Hunting Trip

If you’re planning a deer hunting trip for the first time or are trying to plan one that was better than last year’s disaster (it happens) then you’re in the right place!

Planning a trip takes a lot of effort, research, and thought. What might work for one person may not work for you. It’s important to take in account your own preference and skills and apply them when applicable.

After all, only you can truly know exactly what you want from a deer hunting trip. But these 7 tips should help!

Not All States Are Equal

The first thing most people do when planning a deer hunting trip is pick the state to visit. Which state? Well, usually it’s Illinois, Iowa, or Kansas. Why?

Because those states are renowned for having big bucks and great places for hiking and camping.

You know what else they’re renowned for?

Big prices!

If you can find a good deal for a week’s stay in these states, that’s great. But for most of us we should look at Indiana, Kentucky, or Wisconsin. These states have comparable bucks, comparable feel, but a very different price tag!

For some of us though, the things that makes a state expensive aren’t important to us. If you can find yourself a great plan in a state that is absurdly cheap, then it’s even better!

Crossing The Border

If you want to cross the border and do some hunting in Canada, you’ll need to do a little bit of extra planning.

First off, you’ll need to have all the proper paperwork, like your passport and a Canadian Firearms Declaration Form. You can save time by printing this off at home and filling it out. But do NOT sign it at home, you’ll have to do that with the right people as witnesses.

And you’ll also need an Export form for bringing home anything you bag. These are pretty easy to fill out and only have a small fee attached.

Get Permission

You’ll also need the right permissions, whether it be a permit or verbal, to hunt where you’re hunting. Every state and every location is different, so you’ll need to do a little bit of digging first.

Hunting in an open area in one state will require different permissions than hunting on your friend’s private property in your home state, so much sure you know exactly what you need before you head out.

Pack Accordingly

Every single state during each season will warrant a different collection of gear, clothes, and food to enjoy it as much as possible.

If this is your first time going to this location during this season, make sure you do some research to figure out what kind of weather, temperatures, and landscape you can expect.

Some might be tempted to pack for all occasions, just in case, but you will quickly find yourself with way too much gear and nowhere near enough room, or muscle, to carry it all.

Also, you want to make sure you’re prepared to bring home your big buck should you score it. It would be a real tragedy to make your shot only to realize you can’t bring it home.

Hire A Guide

A lot of popular places will offer guides you can hire. This obviously has pros and cons. A few pros are you’ll be better prepared, have a better chance of bagging a big deer (especially if you’re new to this), and you’ll feel safer the whole time.

A few cons would be it’s more expensive, you’re now sharing your vacation with a complete stranger, and you won’t have the freedom that many of us desire.

It’s up to you, of course, whether a guide is worth it. In general, if this is your first time doing a hunting trip like this, a guide might offer you a safe way to experience it and then, after this, you won’t need to hire another one again.

Practice

No matter what you’re using for hunting; gun, bow, crossbow, etc. you’ll want to make sure that you’re practicing before you go. 

Nothing is worse than hitting the trails, camping for days, and finally lining up a shot to bag a big buck and then you miss.

You’re never going to 100% sure you’ll hit every shot, but hunting is a muscle. The more you work that muscle the better you get at it, so make sure you practice.

Exercise

Much like practicing for your big shot, you also want to make sure you have plenty of time to exercise before your trip. Sometimes the best spot to bag a big buck is miles and miles away from where you’re camping.

If you’re not in proper shape, this can ruin your trip completely and reduce your accuracy when you do finally try to take a shot.

Every hunting trip will be unique. The location, the season, the people, the game, the mood, and so on will always be a little bit different. But planning the right amount will allow you to enjoy this unique experience without missing out or stressing.

So allow yourself to take the time to make a good, solid plan, follow it through, and then have yourself one hell of a vacation!

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5 Rifle Cleaning Mistakes People STILL Make

It seems like once a week you find out about some idiot that accidentally fired off their gun while cleaning it.

It can be easy to separate from these ‘idiots’ but you’re only one mistake, one second of not paying attention to be grouped with them.

So, to keep yourself from becoming one of them, here are 5 mistakes people keep making… so now you won’t!

Mistake 1: Not making sure the gun is unloaded

Before you start cleaning your rifle, or any gun, you must make sure it is unloaded. Completely. There shouldn’t even be any ammo in the room where you’re cleaning. There’s no reason for it to be nearby.

Now, you must be sure the gun is unloaded. Not a friend. Not your dad. Not the pope. It’s up to you and no one else to make sure a gun is unloaded and stays that way.

Mistake 2: Rushing

Rushing while cleaning a gun is a great way to make sure you make mistakes. Now, maybe the mistake won’t be hurting anyone, but you’ll probably have a very bad time on your hands.

Not only will you be likely not to fully clean your rifle, but you’ll also be more likely to break it.

Cleaning a rifle should be a timeless activity. There is not a time or deadline set to the event. It takes as long as it takes, let yourself take the time.

Besides, most find the cleaning of their rifle to be a zen like experience, one where worry and panic fade into relief and happiness.

Mistake 3: Pointing The Muzzle Around

Sure, you made certain that the gun was unloaded. But that doesn’t mean you should be pointing it at anything you want. You should, always, treat a gun as if it were loaded. Never point it at anything that you don’t want to shoot.

Always keep the muzzle down and always know what or who is on the other side of every wall. A few inches of sheetrock and wood will not stop a bullet.

Also, never play around with the gun. Sometimes when you’re cleaning a gun with a friend, it may be fun to mess around. This is a big no. Horseplay will result in either you likely to break your gun or you’ll end up pointing it somewhere you shouldn’t.

Mistake 4: Thoroughness

There are numerous steps to cleaning a rifle. Slowly taking apart each piece, laying it out in order, cleaning each piece meticulously, and then slowly putting it back together.

Thoroughness on each step is needed if you’re going to have a better weapon on your hands after cleaning.

Most of the time people have a good idea about taking the rifle apart and cleaning the pieces. It’s the reassembling that tends to be the problem.

Each piece should fall into place with little difficulty. When you do face resistance, take a second to clear your mind. Take the piece out and try it again. Most of the time this blockage is a sign that you should not apply more force, something important is not right. Resetting is a great way to put yourself in the right mindset and it usually figures itself out.

Mistake 5: Make it last

I think we were all surprised by how much lubricant we used the first time we cleaned our rifle. It takes a lot of help to keep this pile of metal pieces working efficiently and for many years to come.

Don’t limit how much lubricant you need to use in order to get your rifle right. Have plenty on hand and treat each piece as its own thing. As long as each piece is ready, when you put it together, you’ll have a gun that is ready to use and ready to last.

These five mistakes are the most common ones people keep making when cleaning their rifle. Cleaning your rifle is as serious as shooting your rifle. While these people may act extremely careful, prepared, and diligent when firing their gun, they don’t always have the same respect when it comes to cleaning it, as they should.

A rifle is always a weapon. And it always demands respect.

Happy cleaning!

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6 Tips For Camping With Your Dog

Camping with your dog can be a great experience for you and for your dog. For most of us, our dog is a member of our family, a true friend. Having them with us while we experience the great outdoors is amazing and certainly worth the effort.

But it can come with its difficulties, too. So here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re camping with your canine companion.

Tip 1: Dog Friendly

The first step to camping with your pooch is to find places that are dog friendly. Not every campsite will allow your dog to even enter the site.

But more than that, most campsites will have different rules regarding your dog. Some won’t allow dogs of a certain size or even breed. Some will allow dogs only during certain times. There will be rules about what equipment the dog must have. The list goes on. Just make sure you research where you want to take your dog and know the rules before you visit.

Tip 2: Get Control

You have to take a real, unbasis look at your dog. I know it’s easy for us to think our dog is the best dog of all the dogs (I know my dog is). But if you’re taking your dog to a campsite, you’re not just responsible of your dog, you’re responsible for how other people feel.

Other campers that see your dog matter. If they see you pulling you dog around as you bark commands at him, they’ll think your dog is dangerous, even if he’s just excited. They might complain and you’ll find yourself in a pickle.

Get control of your dog so they are not only safe, but others feel safe. I know it sounds like a lot of pressure on you, but it’s the only way to ensure a safe and fun adventure for all parties involved.

Tip 3: Test It Out

The city is very different than a campsite. Your backyard is different than a campsite.

What I mean to say, your dog at the campsite will have a unique experience. It doesn’t matter how good your dog is at the dog park or in your own home, the campsite is different.

This is why it’s imperative to have a chance to test out nature with your dog. You get to see them in a new experience and they get to practice it and work out any kinks.

Nature can be scary. No matter how good of a dog you have, go ahead and test it out first.

Tip 4: Plan For Your Pup

If you’re a very active camper and hiker but your dog is old and not very active, you have to change how you camp for your dog.

Once you decide to bring your dog camping, it’s all about them. If you’re used to relaxing but have a very active puppy, get ready for a busy time.

The more your camping situation is planned with your pup in mind the better time you both with have.

Tip 5: Documentation

Just in case, make sure you have proof of ownership of your pup, their tags are up to date, and all shots are current and you have proof of them. This is just in case something should go wrong or someone starts freaking about your dog.

You’ll have all information to quench any fears.

If you know the campsite in advance, you can make a new tag that has not only the usual information for your dog but also the campsite information.

Tip 6: Bring Too Much

If this is your first time camping with your dog, make sure you bring too much. Bring extra bowls for them. Too much food, too many poop bags, and extra collar and leash, too.

The idea is that having too many things is much better than having not enough. Running out of dog food or having your only leash break when you’re stuck at the campsite can spell disaster.

As you figure out your dog and camping with them it’s worth it to have too much as a precaution.

Camping with your pup is a great way to bond with them and have some new experiences. But this comes with a certain amount of danger. Luckily, the right preparations and forethought will dispel most of that trouble so you can just enjoy camping with your canine companion.

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Super Simple Tips For Making A Campfire Every Time

Every person has a unique strategy they swear by when it comes time to start a fire. For some, it is a methodical process, rich with science and understanding.

Others go from the hip, they trust their gut and they do what they think will work.

To be an expert fire starter, you have to balance the head and the heart, the science and the art. Here are a few tips that will help you the next time you’re making a campfire.

Wind

The wind, either a burst or a sudden flow, can reduce your chances of making a successful campfire down to zero.

The first thing you want to do is figure out what direction the wind is coming from. After that, you’ll want to build up a wall to intersect the wind.

It doesn’t need to be massive, you’re just trying to get your first few sparks enough time to grow. You can dig a pit for this, form a wall with rocks, or you can even pile up your firewood in the way of the wind.

Finally, when you’re applying spark to your tinder, make sure you block as much as you wind as you can with your free hand.

Rotting Wood

Rotting Wood is not usually useful in a fire. It is eaten up quickly and gives us very little energy. But Rotting Wood is good for one thing, tinder. And in most locations it is plentiful.

Use a small hatchet to cut chips from the rotten wood. To make a place for chopping, you can place a good piece of wood flat on the ground and use that as a cutting table. These chips are great for starting a fire and you can almost always find enough to use.

Pile

How your place the tinder is as important as the type of wood it is. Don’t just make a pile and hope it lights. You want to build a little teepee or create a stack of wood in a square.

Pick any shape, but the idea is that you want as much space in between as possible. Space means air and air means a fire that isn’t struggling to eat.

Feed It

Ideally, you’re not just going spark, either from a match or flint, to tinder. You need to light something else. Things like dried leaves, dried grass, some moss, shreds of cloth, and so forth are ideal here.

Place this material in between your pile of tinder and light the material. Slowly add more material to it as the fire needs. This will grow slowly and slowly until the tinder is lit. From there, it’s easy.

Seasoned or Green

All wood is not the same. When you cut down a tree, the wood is often called Green Wood. This means there is a lot of sap in wood. This means when it is burning, the sap is taking the heat instead of the wood, making it burn worse. With Seasoned wood, all that sap is dried out and the wood burns much better, producing more energy than Green.

When you are looking at wood you want to check out the grain. If it is rich with cracks that radiate from the center of the log, then you are looking at a good piece of wood, one that will burn very well.

The more campfires you create the more you can trust your gut. Building that gut feeling takes time. But with time, you’ll have the perfect balance of experience and knowledge that will fuel every fire you make.