FSD Outdoor Blog

Great content for the great outdoorsman.

Gear

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Getting The Right Ammo For Turkey Hunting

There’s a weird thing about turkey hunting that most people don’t realize, but everyone knows.

I know, sounds weird. Hear me out.

We have so much gear for hunting turkeys. We have our comfortable boots, our camo attire, our turkey call, our trusted shotgun, and all the practice and research we can cram into our minds.

But out of everything we own, only the ammo actually touches the turkey. Only our load, in the end, makes or breaks the deal.

You can find a ton of resources online about what outfits are best for turkey hunting, where to go to find your next Tom Turkey, and so on.

But there’s not a lot out there about the one thing that actually can deliver your turkey to you.

Ammo.

Recently, payloads have been used in a tighter choke that leads to a considerably dense shot column. At close range, you’re basically firing a slug.

This is one of the most frustrating things hunters experience. The closer you are, the harder it is to hit. This has been a growing trend, and there will be more aggravated hunters in the future.

Sadly, you can’t just go for a looser spread at close range because that type of payload is absolutely useless for any shot pass 40 yards, which is what you’re most likely going to be taking.

We need to find a balance.

Most loads you find are going to have a blended shot, which gives you a better chance close up without sacrificing too much for the far shots.

Federal’s 3rd Degree

This load takes the blended shot concept and takes it a step further. With 3 different shot sizes of different weights and coatings, you have a shot that is lethal up close and up to 50 yards out. The middle sized shot even has a small ring around it that makes it spread faster for those up close shots, which is pretty clever.

Winchester Xtended Range – Bismuth

What makes the Winchester Xtended Range shot impressive is the bismuth shot. This inclusion gives a greater range and better stopping power. If you think you’ll need some more reach and have to put down your tom immediately, this is a great option.

Remington Premier High Velocity Magnum Turkey Loads

This is the load for you if you just want a load to work again and again. Sometimes you’ll want a load that can do something a little special. This might cost you on those ‘standard’ shots. When you’re just starting off. Each shot will feel the same and it will let you get used to the whole experience.

This is also a great choice if you’re ever in a slump. When you’re going through those times that nothing seems to work, go with a load like this. It’ll let you hit the shots you’re supposed to make and put the ball back in your court.

Federal Premium Mag-Shok Lead Turkey Load

This load is another great choice for people just starting off or if someone that isn’t use to shooting guns. This load is pretty light compared to some of the other loads so you have much less recoil as the other loads on this list. Plus, they’re easier to carry around so you won’t get tired as fast.

This list is nowhere near inclusive. The reason for that is that there are new technologies being invented all the time. Hunters are more and more aware of what they want and the companies that create ammo respond to that demand.

You can find loads of varying weights, varying materials, and even some made to be better for the environment. In time, you’ll have even more innovative products available.

If you want to stay ahead of other hunters, give yourself the best chance for success, and see what these technologies can do, you have to be willing to try new things. Who knows where ammo might be in ten years from now? You deserve to stay on top of it each season.

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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!