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RMA Extras will be used to give general information and tips about the species we all love to chase and hunt. This will NOT substitute for in the field scouting. You need to SPEND as much time as you can scouting and getting to know the area you hunt as intimately as possible to be successful.
Whitetail Description:
The whitetail deer is the MOST sought after of all the big game species. It is a large animal which varies in size, depending on the region it's found in. The adult whitetail deer's weight averages from approxiamently 100-300+ pounds. Mature males are generally larger than their female counterparts. The whitetail is an ungulate, or hoofed mammal, with each foot ending in a cloven or two piece hoof. The under parts of the deer's body are white with a white patch on the throat and a small band generally around the nose. The underside of their BIG tail is also white and used to signal danger. In warm months their coats are generally a brown to reddish color in nature. In the colder months the coats molt to a dark, grayish brown. The males are known as bucks and are easily recognized by the antlers they sport on their heads for several months of the year. Females are known as does and in most cases do not have antlers or horns.
Habitats and General Habits:
Whitetails tend to be VERY wary animals with HIGHLY developed senses of smell, hearing, and sight in that order. When threatened with danger their first line of defense is to quitely sneak away. However if unable to exit quietly, a whitetail will utter a loud snorting or blowing sound followed by quickly running away while rising the BIG white tail upwards like a flag warning all other deer in the area of the eminent danger. Large bucks are primarily solitary animals with the exception of breeding season which occurs in the fall also called the rut. During this phase they actively search out does for breeding. The breeding season usually peaks in mid November depending on region of the country and the weather. With a second rut occuring in December as not all does become pregnant during the first rut. Bucks will use their antlers to fight establishing a heicharchy or pecking order for breeding. Whitetail bucks will also mark their territory by rubbing antlers on trees leaving their scent called a rub. They will also paw the ground and urinate in it advertising to doe's he's mature enough to mate. Bucks will often go for days at a time without eating. His number ONE priority is to pass on his genes. As with most animals in the wild the female chooses whom she will breed with once in estrus. She will only choose the male she feels is the biggest and strongest.
Please note this is just SCRATCHING the surface!
After breeding season does often herd up in groups for the winter. In late fall or early spring the bucks lose their antlers from lack of nutrition or from the new ones starting to sprout. Does generally give birth to fawns in early summer. They typically follow the mother around nursing and learning to browse for themselves until the mother runs them off to breed again. The Whitetail occupies a variety of habitats. They can be found in forests, fields and even swamps. Whitetails are herbivores, feeding on a large variety of plants such as tender young leaves, stems, shoots, acorns, wild berries, and mushrooms. They have also been known to seek out agricultural crops such as corn, wheat and soybeans. Sometimes causing considerable damage to the dismay of farmers.
Wapiti Information:
Elk are extremely social animals more so than other members of the deer family who tend to be roamers of the land. Elk tend to congregate in large herds at all times. In open grasslands, it is not unusual to see two hundred or more elk meandering over the country they call home. This tendency not only aids the elk in detecting danger, but a large number of these powerful, sharp-hooved animals have the ability to dissuade even large predators such as bears and wolves from attacking a large group of alert, protective elk. Even in the dense forests of the Rocky Moutains and coastal rain forests, where sight is often limited to 20 yards or less, elk still seek each other out, and small groups of a dozen are not uncommon. The elk accomplish this chore by constantly "talking" to each other in soft, nasal, bird-like chirps. Meaning more or less "Here I am, over here; where are you? The best place to view elk in their natural behavior is a national park such as Yellowstone or Grand Teton in Wyoming.
Habitat:
Generally elk habitat is classified in two categories: Typical and prime. Both have the commonality of the three needs of elk: Water, Food and Shelter in that order. Typical elk habitat can be any land that carries all three. However, not all typical habitat will contain elk. Within this typical elk habitat will be specific pockets of terrian that the elk naturally migrate to that are termed "prime elk habitat". Experienced hunters will seek out these prime elk pockets in the upper sub alpine regions of mountians, where grass and wet boggy areas provide isolation, exceptional feed, and plenty of water for drinking and wallowing in during summer when insects torment the elk. The elk roll in these wet, boggy areas and cake mud into their hides, which keep the insects from biting them. Over the years elk have become VERY adaptable and are capable of digesting both grass and wood pulp from brush and bark at the same time. As such, the same elk roaming the high wild Rocky Moutains, can easily adapt to a more nomadic life roaming the arid southwestern desert country. In fact elk have adapted so well to the mountains it's hard to imagine these majestic animals were once plains animals like the buffalo and bison. Within its mountain enviroment, elk prefer to live in the upper third in habitat where both trees and meadows dot the landscape. Generally, referred to as the sub alpine which provides plenty of lush grass and good cover for security.
Food:
Elk prefer grass because it is easier to find in the large quantities needed to sustain this large animal, plus it is easier to grind into the pulpy mass necessary for digestion. Generally a elk needs about 18 pounds of vegatative matter to sustain a constant weight. Elk favorites are prairie grasses such as buffalo, sweet and fescue which are very nutritious. In brushy terrian they prefer tender pulpy elderberry twigs, willows, alders, and mountain maple. Like most wild animals elk seek out the most nutritious foods. To the dismay of farmers elk particularly like the highly nutritional alfalfa, though will also eat wheat, barley and rye grass.
Breeding:
Male elk are known as bulls and are receptive to breeding only when the mail testosterone is produced in a sufficient level to create semen and sexual arousal. Small quantities are are evident in the bulls body throughout the year. At this time, the main function of these minute quantities is to encourage antler growth. Once antler growth is complete, the testosterone level SHARPLY increases and actually cuts off the flow of blood to the antlers, thereby allowing them to die and become hardened bone. A bull is now physically capable of mating. Unfortunately, the cow (female) elk are not usually receptive for two to three weeks. During this period the testosterone level in the bulls reach an almost feverish level and threatens to totally consume them with fires of lust. The bulls bugle out screaming pleas and angry threats to all other bulls that they are the biggest, baddest bull in the forest and are capable of mating all cows in the area. The bigger, stronger bulls round up large herds of cows, called a harem, and jealousy protects them against other bulls sometimes to the death. A scenario in an elk ecosystem finds one or two mature herd bulls mating all the females, while crazed mature bulls and adolescent males roam the outskirts of the harems trying to sneak off with a cow to quell their rutting lust. A frustrated bachelor spends most of his time raking his antlers on trees and bellowing out a mournful challenge to all other elk. Bachelor bulls will seek out other bulls to engage in battle. These encounters usually begin as pushing matches, but can escalate, and at times one may be killed. Mature bachelor bulls also perform a type of masturbation in which they force their penis in and out of its protective sheath. It is referred to as "palpitating the sheath". At the end of the rut, a bulls belly will be covered with crusted dried semen - better then nothing, but far from the real thing. During the rut, all bull elk are rivals and deadly enemies. However, after the rutting fever subsides, the bulls actually prefer the company of other males and seek out each other for the remainder of the year. Female elk are known as cows and are receptive to mating only when they enter the estrus cycle, commonly referred to as "being in heat". In the start of the estrus cycle a cow begins passing a female hormone in her urine and out of her vagina, which acts as an attractant to the bulls. This hormone lets the bulls know she is nearing her receptive period for breeding. When a nearby bull catches this scent, he begins to pay special attention to that specific cow, even though there may be a dozen cows nearby. These female hormones then trigger the release of pheromones, an odiferous substance that causes a sexual response in both the bull and female elk. The cow will stand in front of a bull elk and arch her rear end, often slightly spreading her legs to better receive the bull. The bullthen raises to his hind legs and mounts the cow. A cow elk is in heat for approxiamently 18 hours, a bull will mate her between four or five times during this period. Once the estrous cycle is over, the bull loses interest and moves on to another cow coming into her estrus cycle. Not all cows become pregnant during their estrus cycle. When this occurs the cow will begin another estrus cycle in about a month commonly referred to as a "mini rut". The bulls will once again compete for the cows who were not bred in September.
Black Bear:
Description: Typical coloration in the west is black to cinnnamon with a white blaze on the chest and in the east, black. On Gribble Island and the neighboring mainland individuals are nearly white. The snout is tan or grizzled with a straight or slightly convex profile. Average weight is 200-600 pounds. Distribution: The black bear inhabits heavily forested areas, dense bush and wooded mountains throught most of North America. They tend to wander a great distance, some male adults having lifetime ranges of 500 to 620 square miles. Biology: 1-5 cubs are born in January to early February generally ever second year. The young weigh only one-half a pound at birth. This uniquely North American bear is generally nocturnal and solitary. It is classed as a carnivore although most if its diet consists of vegetation such as twigs, buds, leaves, nuts, roots, various fruits, corn and berries. Theya re also good fisherman and feed on spawning salmon. Before winter it puts on a great supply of fat, then holes up for the winter in a sheltered place. Hunting black bears is a popular sport, the meat is eaten and often the hides are made into rugs.
Bighorn Mountain Sheep:
Description: This muscular bodied animal is covered with a brown coat, the belly, rump, back of legs, muzzle and eye patch are white. The most distinct feature of the mature male is a set of massive horns which spiral backwards from the top of of the head. The hooves are hard on the outside and soft on the inside making it an excellent climber and jumper. Distribution: The California bighorn resides in alpine meadows and foothills, near rocky cliffs in the Okanagan, Similkameen and south Chilcotin regions. Most sheep ranges are within easy range of cliffs with avanlanche chutes and talus slopes which they use to escape from predators. Biology: This sheep tends to be a grazing animal and feeds on grasses such as wheatgrass, bluegrass and junegrass. The rutting season is from mid-September to late October. During this time the males have butting contests where they may reach one another at speeds of 50-70 miles per hour and an estimated force of 2400 pounds. The maximum life span is 16-18 years of age, but the average is about 7-8 years. Most die during the winter from cold, predation or disease due to malnutrition. The bighorn has always been prized for their meat; the horms were used by some Indians to make powerful bows and are still prized by hunters as trophies.
Basic Hunting Techniques:
We don't have the space or time to go into ALL the nuances of successfully bowhunting all the big game animals, but we can lay the groundwork here to help you become a more successful hunter. Defeat the Senses: Most big-game animals, but expecially ungulates such as deer and elk, live in a world of smell. They depend on their sense of smell as their first line of defense with hearing and sight close behind against predators which include you. Any experience hunter will tell you that if your quarry spots you or hears you, you might get away with it. But if they smell you, the party's over. They will turn tail and run as fast as their legs will carry them. To help defeat an animals sense of smell, many hunters use cover or masking scents. Very popular today is the scent free carbon-activated clothing by Robinson Labs, Scent-Lok and Contain Clothing. We found them to be VERY effective. Though these are not a CURE all. A smart hunter will, take great pains to eliminate as much human order as possible. He does this by bathing with nonscent soap, washing his/her clothes in the same, and storing hunting clothes in a plastic bag of air tight container. Only taking them out to hunt in. Above all else they are meticulous in checking the wind direction. They are constantly monitoring wind direction to keep the wind in their face knowing this will help them be the most successful. Take a Stand: This may well be the most effective way to hunt ever devised. You're allowing the animal come to you, not going to it. This in turns minimzes your movment and helps you stay concealed giving you the chance to size the animal up and get ready to make the perfect shot. The effectiveness of stand hunting is evident when more than 80 percent of all Pope & Young record book whitetails have been taken by archery hunters from stands. Stands are conducive to short-range shots. Most stands are set to give the hunter shots of between 15 and 25 yards. There are two basic stand types-tree stands and ground blinds. Ground blinds are simply that-blinds built on the ground in places where game is likely to appear. Tree stands are more common adn more effective. There are two reasons for this. One, they elevate you off the ground, which is a tremendous help in keeping animals from smelling you. Second by, elevating yourself above the animal's line of sight, it is easier to shoot weapon of choice without being seen. The downside of stand hunting is the same reason its effective: it's static. If you don't scout properly and read the sign of the animal your hunting. You're going to be bored silly. We like to key in on three basic types of places to set up tree stands: food, water, and funnels. Find out where each is in the area you hunt, scout for sign and place your stands on or around travel routes to and from all. Regardless of where you set your stand, there are a few basic tenets you should follow. First, set your stand so you can approach and leave it without spooking game. Second, you have to able to get a clear shot from your stand. Which may entail clearing away some branches or tree limbs. Try to disturb the area as LITTLE as possibe, but clear yourself areas to make clean ethical kill shots. Also try to set up your stand up on the downwind side of the trial you think the game will approach from. Though mostly popular in the east and midwest stand hunting is becoming increasingly popular in the west. Spot and Stalk Hunting: Spot and stalk hunting is best used in open country like that found in the West, where the nature of the terrain and lower animal densities make it a better choice than stand hunting. Though it can be effective in semiopen country, too.
Spot and Stalk Hunting:
Spot and stalk hunting is best used in open country like that found in the West, where the nature of the terrain and lower animal densities can me it a better choice than stand hunting. Though stand hunting over wallows and feeding areas has become increasingly poplular the last decade. This way of hunting is done by finding a vantage point with a good overall view of the country and use your optics to locate game to stalk. It can take hours and hours of meticulous glassing, but once you find an animal up to your standards, it's time to plan the stalk. This is the single MOST important aspect of this style of hunting.
Most bowhunters simply dive off the hill with no plan and ultimately blow the stalk. It's best to first anticipate where the animal is heading. Use your optics to check the wind direction by looking at grass blowing etc. If you see deer or elk moving and can get ahead of their path with the right wind direction, you may be able to intercept them by hiding behind some natural cover. If you are unable to use this approach. It's better to WAIT until the animal has bedded for the day, then try to stalk to its location.
Step one is to plan a good stalking route, again using your optics to guide you. Identify easily recognizable landmarks both along the route you decided on and near where the animal has bedded. This is critical, because things never look the same once you start the stalk as they did through your binoculars. Also, be sure to look for other animals. I've blown many a stalk by over looking another bedded animal. Another aspect to remember is the thermal currents, which are critical in stalking bedded game. Generally, thermals take the wind down the slope in the early morning and late afternoon and evening, and carry the wind up the slope from mid-morning through late afternoon. When stalking, use the thermals to your advantage keeping your scent from the game.
The key to a successful stalk is to not move too fast. You might initially run or hike fast to get into position, but the final stalk should be liken to a snail's pace. Set your feet and hands down one at a time. With your feet going from heel to toe. Be sure to look down and ahead removing any dry sticks, leaves or potential rolling rocks before taking the next step. Remember NOT to hurry you will probably blow the stalk. When is the last time you saw a game animal in a hurry. When they were running from danger. They move VERY slow and deliberate watching and listening to everything in the surroundings. As you get closer to the animal, relocation can take a bit of time. Be patient! Use your binoculars to pick apart the terrian looking for a twitching ear or the tips of the antlers. Once you've found it slowly creep into your maximum shooting range, and not a step further. If you have a clear shot at the bedded animal's vitals, shoot. If not, wait until it stands up to stretch or start feeding again. It'll give you a better chance for a double lung shot.
Still Hunting:
Calling:
It's possible to call in a variety of big game animals into bow or gun range, including deer, elk, bears, pronghorns, sheep, turkeys and wild hogs. Calling can be an exciting form of hunting allowing a person to be interactive with game. This technigue allows you to bring game to your location no matter what method of hunting your practicing. There are two basic ways to approach game calling. You can call blind, meaning you haven't seen an animal nearby but hope one hears you and comes in. Or you can first locate an animal, get close to it, then try and call it in for the shot. There are a number of very good call manufactures today and we don't recommend one over the other. Deer make a number of sounds which include grunt calls, doe bleats, and fawn distress calls to name a few. Elk can be similarly called in, but instead of grunt and bleat calls hunters use bugles and cow calls. You must practice with any call before going a field with this type of hunting. Another method of calling which works well on whitetail deer, and sometimes on elk and mule deer, is antler rattling. This involves banging a set of antlers together simulating the sounds of bucks or bulls fighting over a cow or doe. This is best employed in the pre-rut, but can also work during the rut before actual mating begins. This can also have a negative effect on the smaller or non dominant bucks and bulls. Both can help your success with practice and knowledge of using them.
If you have any questions we may be able to answer. Don't hesitate to drop us an email.
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