You’ve read his articles in North American Hunter magazine and you’ve watched him on “NAH-TV” for years. He’s managing editor for the former; co-host for the latter. And now, he’s online and active in our forum answering your questions.

This forum is your chance to chat with Dave online and ask him questions about hunting, the glamorous life of a TV personality and the deadline-drive life of editor of a major hunting magazine.

Also, ask Dave questions about hunting tactics, trips and techniques. Dave will be busy hunting, editing and working, so he will try to respond to as many questions as possible. Please keep in mind this is not a live or even a daily chat; there might be stretches of several days that Dave can not answer your questions. Your questions will not go live immediately, either. They will pass through a moderator before going live on the site. Thank you for your patience.

We hope you enjoy this unique opportunity to chat with one of the top hunting editors in the nation!

Wall Dave, I don't know much controversy you want to get into with this forum but I would like your opinion on probubly the most controversial topic hunters ever have to deal with.

After a great day of hunting, whether successful or not and your all sitting around the campfire relaxing and shooting the breeze. What do you drink? Now I know some fellas like a bit of whisky but the fight starts with what kind. Everything from moonshine to a smooth Canadian blend, mixed with something sweet or straight from mason jar.  Whiskey's a little much for me, puts me to sleep to fast so I go with beer. But even that causes a problem cus everyone seems to like something different. Everything from some fancy micro brew chocolate beer to that nasty Budweiser.

I know one fella who even likes to sip a glass of wine at the campfire. Now that just aint right. Brandy maybe but wine?

Hello to all NAHC members. As you’ll soon be able to tell from this forum, I think I have the best job on the planet, and I’ll do my best to explain why. And as I look out my office window today (“office” is actually a bit of an exaggeration; I work in a cubical about the size of a dog kennel), the temps are below freezing, many of the leaves are off the trees, and whitetail bucks should be chasing does. It’s actually a bit difficult to keep my eyes on the computer monitor and not at the window searching for rut-crazed bucks. OK . . . now on to your questions/comments:

Big Lance: Believe it or not, I don’t drink beer, whiskey, wine or any of the other “adult” beverages. I’m not philosophically against drinking alcohol (several of my hunting buddies enjoy a cold beer after a day of hunting); I just don’t like the taste. Now this fact will really strike you as odd: I’ve never had a cup of coffee, either. Again, I just hate the taste. Sitting around the campfire, I really enjoy a hot chocolate . . . and three or four sugar donuts.

Jim: As you know, antler color varies greatly, and although I’ve read that the type of trees bucks rub are a factor, I believe the amount of time a buck’s antlers are exposed to the sun is a bigger factor. Where I hunt in eastern South Dakota, for example, I see bucks with both light and dark antlers in early November. The light-colored racks are from those bucks that live in the CRP and standing cornfields during September and October; the dark-colored racks are from those bucks that live in the shade of the river-bottoms. But by late December, almost all the racks are nearly white from being sun-bleached.

I decide whether to kill an animal based solely on the land in which I’m hunting. For example, on my in-law’s land in SD I can kill only one buck, and because doe tags are expensive, I trophy hunt for bucks and don’t shoot any antlerless deer. I look for mature bucks with big bodies and decent racks; I don’t get caught up on record book score. As a rule, however, I’m looking for 4x4 bucks with spreads even with or slightly beyond the ear tips; these deer would score 120 or more. Note: I’m bowhunting this property.
 
On my dad’s land in Wisconsin, I don’t see many big bucks while bowhunting, so while I wouldn’t kill a small buck in September, I’d surely shoot one in December for the freezer. And antlerless tags are dirt cheap in this part of WI (only $2 each!), so I try to kill a couple does each season. WI also has a venison donation program, so when my freezer is full, I can donate antlerless deer and keep hunting.

So far this year, I’ve arrowed one good buck (5x5) on opening day in Wisconsin (rare for me), and shot a button-buck with a .22-250 Rem. during the state’s antlerless-only gun season.

Howdy from Oklahoma Dave,

A button buck with a 22-250, what kind of bullet were you using and at what distances? I have a Rem 700 w/bull barrel that I've always been curious about how it would do on deer. But my 55gr Vmax are the one thing that keeps me  from trying it out.

Also, are you all at the magazine looking for another Shockey type backpage writer? Sure miss the humor of that crazy Canuk!

MGROFF, thanks for the questions. The PCBA (Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America) is an outstanding organization, and they might be able to help you and your father. You can check them out at www.pcba-inc.org. Each year they conduct hunts for physically challenged hunters at little or no cost. Keep this in mind, too: White-tailed deer become conditioned to seeing trucks or ATVs pass through their home ranges, so if it’s possible to access your hunting stands by vehicle, you could save some walking and still have decent deer hunting.

Regardless of where I’m hunting or the local buck-to-doe ratio, I always concentrate my hunting efforts on food sources or funnels connecting bedding areas to feeding areas. Remember that the oldest bucks rarely travel into open areas during daylight, so keep your stands back in the woods and not on the field edges.

Dave

I killed the Wisconsin button buck with a 60-grain Nosler Partition (P22250G Federal Premium ammo). The range was close (30 yards), but the bullet performance was none-the-less impressive. The bullet center-punched rib on the entrance, mushroomed to the size of a nickel, hit rib on the exit, and left a nickel-sized exit hole in the hide. I have no doubt the bullet still carried enough energy to kill another deer had one been standing beyond the button buck. I believe the bullet stayed fully intact while passing through the animal.

I’ll use the same T/C Icon .22-250 Win. rifle during Thanksgiving with hopes of shooting a decent buck and perhaps some more does/fawns with it. The one change I plan to make is to field-test 64-grain Winchester Power Point bullets. I tested these bullets at the range yesterday, and from 100 yards, they impacted the target in the exact same place as the 60-grain Partitions. I love it when I don’t have to re-adjust the scope! The bullet group size was impressive as well; even though it was quite windy, you could cover three bullets with a half-dollar.

I also sighted in a Remington Model R15 in .223 Rem. This gun is also legal for deer in Wisconsin. Will it do the job on deer? I figure the best way to form a solid opinion is to have first-hand experience.

As for Shockey: I miss his column greatly; it was one of a kind, that’s for sure. Finding a replacement humor columnist might never be possible. Jim had a unique way of looking at life and was very talented in bringing his hunting/life humor to NAHC members.

Dave

CURTISGRAHAM30 I spent a bit of time on the Internet researching your problem, and I suggest calling TailorMaid Archery Products, Inc. at: 989-685-2223. I don’t know if they can help you, but it’s worth a try. Be sure to have the model number of your crossbow handy when you call to discuss your problem.

Contact info:

TailorMaid Archery Products, Inc.
133 N. Williams St.
PO Box 44
Rose City, MI 48654

Phone: 989-685-2223
Fax: 989-552-5900

Email: '); document.write(user + '@' + site + ''); // End --> strings@stringmaker.com

Website: www.stringmaker.com

Good luck!
Dave

Thanks Dave for the information. I will contact the "pcba" and see how they can help us.

I did take notice that the deer have gotten used to the atv's and lawn tractors. Sometimes when we are out mowing the yard the deer will come out and eat and watch us cut the grass. With the atv's the farmer who owns the corn fields on the west and north sides of our property of our house, his relatives will ride their atv's alot and the deer have definately gotten used to them riding around the one field.

Since dad had his operation we hunt a old rail road bed between our house and cornfields next to that. The deer tend to travel the old rail road bed, the fence rows between the fields and also like to cut across our yard to get from one field to another or to the rail road bed.  Dad and I usually sit on the raild raod bed, which is all grown over with trees and weeds, or on our property, waiting for the deer to come up the rail road bed or cross the field then onto the rail road bed.

This year it will be tougher hunting, because the farmer posted his property for no hunting, and did not allow the local hunting club to hunt there. All because of the township wanting to vote in a certain land ordanance, that affects how farmers and larger land owners can sell off portions of their land. Sounds stupid I know, but the farmer has his right to post his property.

So I definately will check into the "pcba" to see how they can help us. Thanks again Dave for the information.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for tking some time with us. Your suggestions are appreciated. Now here's some questions/suggestions or what have you. Many times in the magazine and on shows we see the authors and hunters talk about the gear, the technical side it too. But I gotta be honest(this may get me) But the technicals we read and hear are alot of times out reach for simple minded ol coonarses like me. It will usually boil down to "Is it a good round/gun/bow/broadhead, etc.and will it kill the deer I'm hunting? The turkey? Squirrel or what have you? The club has ALOT of new hunters and outdoors persons and I think sometimes we get a little technical for the folks just starting out.

Also, I know the advertisers are the ones that pay the bills but has any thought been given to a "Budget Hunter" when reviewing products or suggesting them. Alot of game has come home with the help of the Ol' 870, 760 pump, Marlin 22 mag and so forth. Most all of these cost less than $300 and are good huting weapons. I believe the budget is a major concern for alot of folks these dys and should all they see in the articles they read and shows they see is the impression that you have to have a $800 shotgun, rifle or bow to get your deer then it would seem discourageing for some.

Last but not least, how about a segment of the show that depicts the ways a person who from age, physical disabilities or what have can "Still get in the hunt"? I have made alot of adaptations in recent years. It's a learning process and with a few gives and takes along with a bit of help in some cases, anyone can get out and enjoy the hunt.

I'll get off the soap box for now and thatnkyou for your time. Have a great day, don't let the rut get you too down, tags in the south aren't too expensive and the rut is going to start before too long. Just sorta "sneak out for some cocoa"..Thanks again,

Brian

Brian, you’re right . . . many times the gear you see discussed in hunting magazines is expensive. But that doesn’t mean the inexpensive gear won’t get the job done. In fact, I spend the majority of my time shooting a Ruger 10/22 rimfire (gift from my dad), a Ruger M77 .30-06 (another gift from Dad) and a Remington Model 870 shotgun (purchased myself). All three of these guns are blue-collar working-man’s tools. No frills, but they’re deadly.

We plan to run more articles in the future on budget-minded gear and trips. Stay tuned.

Finally, we’ve done two TV shows in the past that highlighted the great work done by the Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America (www.pcba-inc.org). I’m a proud member of this organization, and I think you’ll really enjoy the shows. You can watch them by visiting our TV section of the website. Go to the year 2005 and look for “Disabled Bowhunters Wyoming Pronghorn,” and the year 2007 to see “Against the Odds Antelope.” In addition, check out our show from 2006 called “American Hero,” and the 2007 show, “Dream Elk Hunt.” These shows also show hunters with physical disabilities.


Dave

Hello Dave

I am fortunate to live and hunt the the great state of Alaska and have been bow hunting for ten plus years.  My quesation is   During the shot when I have the pins settled on the target it seems to move around quite alot.  I had someone watch for any form flaws and none was found and was told that bow was steady.  How do I combat the pin moving around?  Thanks for you time and answer

Roy Rainer

Roy, this might sound weird, but allow me to make an analogy. Let’s say you really want to fall asleep. I mean you really really want to fall asleep. Perhaps you have to run a marathon the next day and it all hinges on you getting 10 hours of solid, uninterrupted sleep. You have to sleep. You HAVE to fall asleep. And you lay there in bed telling yourself: “I HAVE TO SLEEP!”

Guess what . . . your chance of falling asleep any time soon is about zero. In other words, the more you want it, the less likely it is to happen. 

The same is largely true about bowsight pin movement. The more you try to hold the pin perfectly still, the more it will move. Weird, but true. The reason is muscle tension. The solution? Allow the pin to float freely over the bull’s-eye; don’t try to stop it. Instead, simply control the boundaries of the pin floating, sort of like coloring inside the lines.

Here’s the key: As long as the pin floats within the boundaries of the bull’s-eye, and your release and follow-through are good, the arrow will strike the bull’s-eye. I also find it helps to shoot at large bull’s-eyes; this way, it’s easy to float the pin within the boundary of the bull’s-eye. 

The following video tip talks about target panic, which hopefully you don’t have, but within the video segment are tips for hovering the pin and using large bull’s-eyes.

Link: http://www.huntingclub.com/ExtraContent/ExtraContentDetail.aspx?id=121020&bcpid=1550041745&bclid=1551132163&bctid=1173338408 

For me, the often recited shooting tip, “aim small, miss small” doesn’t work. I do better if I choose a large bull’s-eye and allow my brain to automatically aim for the center of it.

Good luck shooting.


Dave

I look forward to reading and seeing more of the "budget minded hunter" articles or shows Dave. THANKS for the update. I was sitting on the stand this morning thinking ( really dangerous for me) and the thought crossed my mnd that of all the hunts I have had in the over 30 years of hunting, the first hunt seems to be the most vivid in my memory. The fact that it lasted a total of 15 minutes makes no matter. Dad gave me permission, since I had all my chores done, to try a squirrel hunt on my own the next morning. I got up early, had me some hot chocolate ( HEY, I was 12 and it was New England ) and stepped out the back door into the snow and cold. I headed to the woods behind the house and as I crunched my way, I spotted the big grey up in a big red oak about 60 yards out. The little Remington Nylon 66 came up, I lined up the iron sights and let her rip. The squirrel dropped!!! WOW..I RAN to where he fell and sure enough there he lay, a head shot straight on out. I was so proud, I grabbed him by the tail and headed on back to the house. The idea of sitting and waiting out another never crossed my mind. Of course since then, there have probably been several hundred or more that have come home with that little 22lr but none as memorable. My sons and daughter both got their first with that same rifle as well. The first derr of course was a different story, But, it was a doe with an old H&R single 12 my Grandfather bought and it took SEVERAL seasons before I settled down enough to actually get a shot. This morning??? Well, I managed to get the upper hand on a 3 point for the freezer. UNFORTUNATLY, he came on out AFTER a REALLY nice 10 point embarrassed me as I made the turn around the corner onto the shooting lane headed to the stand. That should teach me to "test" my grunt call on the way to the stand. You'ld think a guy that makes them would have more confidence in his own work...LOL

What was YOUR first solo hunt like??? Can you maybe share that story with us?

Brian

.

Hi Dave,

 I've got a scenario for you and would like to get your opinion. I belong to an 1800 acre club with max 43 members. Most of the older members have chosen spots to hunt and we have a 200 yd privacy rule for each members hunting spot. Of course most of the previously chosen spots are on ridges and in saddles. I was fortunate enough to join the club jsut as another 40+ acres opened up with a nice major ridge and adjoining fingers. All loaded with white and red oaks, lots of hickory. Theres a couple nice bedding areas on the ridge tops. I've been fertilizing(stakes) the oaks for several years now and have had amazing success with mine and my wifes deer harvest.....untill this year. With a drought in the summer the oaks here in Ohio have been sporadic in nut production. Our area is nil,nada..caput. The animals have vanished. They seem to be in the bottoms, ravines and washes eating anything they can put in their mouths. Do you think they'll eventually move back to the ridges?  Rut has been in for a week or so now and we've seen a small amount of movement but not much. Scrapes and rubs are not present, naturally, as they have been in the past. Seeing as how we're limited to our area, is there a chance in China that we'll see a nomad buck come through the area?

Hi Brian,

My dad taught my brother and me to hunt solo; he never sat in a treestand or ground blind with us. So my first whitetail (an ancient doe from the big woods of northern Minnesota) was my first solo deer. I was sitting on a stump overlooking a well-used deer trail that crossed a logging road. The doe had two fawns with her, and I made a good shot from about 40 yards. I was using an open-sighted Winchester Model 94 carbine in .30-.30 Win. I made a perfect heart shot, but the doe still ran about 60 yards in the deep snow before expiring. What made the hunt so special was the doe and fawns were pushed toward me as my brother and cousin were dragging my brother’s first buck, a decent-sized 4x4, from a thick swamp. Dad was sure proud of his two boys that day!

Dave