Preparing for your guided hunt Part 1
Practice, Practice, Practice. Its now time to practice. One of the most disappointing things we as outfitters and guides see is a lack of shooting skill. We all have busy lives and a limited amount of time but the quickest way to turn a great hunt into a disappointment is to wound and not recover a trophy animal. Outfitted hunts are not cheap take the time to become proficient with your weapon of choice (archery, rifle, muzzleloader.). Becoming Proficient doesn’t only mean being accurate. Practice getting into position and getting comfortable quickly.
Archery hunters shoot as much each day as possible, but practice shooting from standing, kneeling, ground blind and treestand positions. Practice having to turn to shoot. Shoot a draw weight that you can draw straight back comfortable. Practice shooting in the gear and with the equipment that you will have on in the field. The perfect shot rarely presents itself in the field. Know your arrows shot trajectory. Practice as many hunting scenarios as possible. As archery hunters the odds are stacked against us, this is part of the reason we choose to hunt archery but with this added difficulty comes an added responsibility to become lethal with our bows.
Rifle/muzzleloader hunters practice prone, kneeling and off hand shots. Know the distance you can comfortably shot. Know your bullets trajectory. Practice getting into position on your bi pod or shooting sticks quickly. Many times hunting situations happen fast, be prepared to take the opportunities when they come. I had a client who would practice by watching hunting shows and quickly get in position to shoot the game that would show up on the TV shows.
The main point is you substantially increase your odds of success when you are comfortable with your weapon and can quickly and accurately get your shot off.
Tips to increase your odds on your next guided hunt
Choosing an Outfitter is the most critical decision a hunter makes. Unfortunately there are unethical dishonest outfitters out there. We have all heard the horror stories of the individual who saved for years to go on the once in a lifetime elk hunt only to be defrauded by the criminal posing as an outfitter. As a outfitter I have had many hunters who have experienced bad outfitters in the past and come to us hoping for that hunt of a lifetime. So here are a few suggestions to follow to increase your odds of finding a reputable outfitter. First and foremost know what you want and ask questions accordingly. Some questions you might ask are How many animals can you expect to see a day, what is the trophy quality for the area hunted, what type of terrain is the area hunted, what physical shape should a hunter be in for the area hunted, what is the hunting style (spot and stalk, calling, tree stand hunting etc.), mode of transportation in the field, number of hunters in camp, number of hunters taken each year, success rate, shot opportunity rate, what units the outfitter hunts, is the hunt dependant on migration. secondly get outside verification. Contact unit or area game wardens and biologist and ask them similar questions to those you had asked the outfitter. Game numbers, Trophy quality, terrain, migration. They have nothing to lose or gain and will be honest and forthright. This is a good way to verify if what the outfitter is telling you is accurate.
1 What are the elk numbers? find out how many elk most hunters see a day, how many bulls most hunters see a day.
2 What is the trophy quality in the areas they hunt? find out what is the average bull taken, what are the top trophies, what are the chances of see a trophy animal.
3 What is the terrain like in the areas they hunt? many mountain states (Idaho, Colorado) have areas that are extremilly steep and rugged, beware of areas like this if you are not in excellent shape.
4 What is the typical hunting style used? spot and stalk? stand hunting? calling? still hunting? road hunting? ouch! make sure the type of hunting used is one you are comfortable with.
5 The typical number of hunters in camp? beware of outfitters who take large numbers of hunters. most areas have a limited number of quality guides. the outfitters who take large numbers of hunters typically have a hand full of quality guides and make due with sub par guides for the less fortunet hunters.
6 What is your success rate?, What is the shot opportunity rate?
7 Is your hunt dependant on a migration? hunts that are dependant on a migration can be tricky. these type of hunts can be feast or famine.
Next get outside verification. Find out what areas or game units your potential outfitter hunts. Call area game wardens or biologist and ask them similar questions. Elk numbers, trophy quality, terrain and if the hunts are dependant on a migration? They have nothing to lose or to gain and will be honest and forthright. Next call referances. I once had a potential client approach me at a hunting show. After speeching with him for a few minutes he asked for a referance list and asked how many hunters we had taken the previous year. After I had answered his questions he asked if he could have the name to everyone I had taken that year. I provided him with the list and he called every person on it. He asked questions similar to the ones listed above. When he came to camp he knew what to expect and consiquently had a wonderful time. If the outfitter answers dont coincide with those given by the hunters Beware. Things to be concerned with. Beware of the outfitter that takes lots of hunters. Some outfitters shuffle hunters through like walmart during the holiday season. You want an outfitter that is concerned with quality not quantity. Beware of the cheap hunt. The saying you get what you pay for is usually true with outfitters. If its sounds to good to be true it probably is. last if warning signs start to show as you go through your search don’t over look them. Don’t be afraid to abandon an outfitter and move on to another one in search for the hunt that is right for you. Following these guidelines will take time and effort but will pay big dividends in the end. Good luck in your search for the hunt of a lifetime.
While hunting is on our mind the whole year through, America has their hearts set on the hunt of a specific game this time of year – the turkey.
According to the National Turkey Federation, nearly 88 percent of Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving. With nearly 312 million residents, that is a heck of a lot of turkey being gobbled up. How much exactly? Well, at an average weight of 16 pounds, turkeys purchased and consumed in the United States during Thanksgiving in 2011 added up to approximately 736 million pounds of turkey.
While to some it may seem as though America is a turkey-hungry, gluttonous country this time of year, we are conversely very pro-turkey conservation.
The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) can attest to that fact, as they are just as active with giving back as they are with the sport of hunting the bird, having administered (along with their state chapters and the wildlife agencies in each state) the Hunting Heritage State Super Fund Projects. According to NWTF.org, the Super Fund Projects are, “projects that support the conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of the hunting tradition.”
Gathering statistical information about the amount of money and effort each state has put toward the Hunting Heritage State Super Fund Projects in the form of habitat enhancement, turkey restoration, research and more, the NWTF is true to their motto: Conserve. Hunt. Share.
In New Mexico alone, over $376,310 has been raised and spent on projects relating to the Super Funds Projects since 1985. Over half of that money has been used solely toward wild turkey habitat enhancement in New Mexico.
Another interesting fact to consider is that in the early 1900s the wild turkey population was steadily declining with a possible threat of extinction, primarily due to hunting efforts and habitat destruction. Now, there is an approximate 7 million wild turkeys roaming the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Thanks to the continued restoration efforts across the country, the NWTF rightfully boasts within the North American Wild Turkey Management Plan that, “The comeback of wild turkeys in North America is arguably the greatest conservation success story in history.”
Ultimately, with Christmas approaching and Thanksgiving just passed, ‘tis the season to give thanks for many things, including the conservation of our beautiful wildlife and the animals within it. If it weren’t for the continued efforts of wildlife enthusiasts throughout the world, we would not be able to hold onto the valued hunting tradition we are able to continue and share to this day.
Technology in the woods: Check out these new gadgets
From smartphones to tablets to countless other gadgets that flood our everyday lives, you begin to wonder if there’s ever going to be a limit to the technological advances we’ve grown accustomed to over the last decade or so.
To meet the demands of Mother Nature and to enhance the experiences of those who enjoy all she has to offer, outdoor equipment manufacturer S4 Gear has developed a number of awesome tools for the avid hunter.
We at Big Horn Outfitters specialize in New Mexico Elk Hunting, as well as bear and antelope hunts, so we’re curious to know if anyone has ever tried S4 Gear’s rifle and bow mounts for smartphones. The gadget enables user to line up their smartphone cameras with weapon reticles. We love to tape our hunts (check out some of our videos here), whether it’s elk, deer, black bear or antelope hunts.
The S4 Gear Jackknife has some awesome features that allow hunters to record video right from the hunter’s view—to tape shots, review the footage and easily share the video with friends via messaging or sites such as YouTube.
The universal design adjusts to almost all weapons and allows you to use any smartphone with the device. It’s pretty neat to see that hunters are beginning to use their smartphones for social media and other devices like the S4 Jackknife.
Have you tested out products such as the S4 Jackknife? If so, leave a comment or feel free to reach us anytime at Big Horn Outfitters via phone or mail for any info regarding guided New Mexico hunts.
Tips to scoring big on next archery elk hunting expedition
At Big Horn Outfitters, we realize the importance of being well versed in New Mexico elk hunting and bear and antelope hunts. In New Mexico, archery elk hunting is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding hunts you can experience. However, this type of hunt can be very arduous and oftentimes frustrating.
Before you head out on your next endeavor, though, here’s a list of tips to follow to ensure your next hunt will be a success.
If you are on a guided hunt, you will likely be doing a lot of calling. In many instances, you will be 50 to 70 yards in front of your caller.
- Many times the setups will happen very quickly, so you will need to position yourself within shooting lanes and adequate cover.
- It is very important to be able to turn 45 degrees in either direction so your draw and shot are not impeded by your cover.
- Don’t set up so close to a tree that you are unable to make an acceptable shot.
- A bull retrieving toward a call is on full alert, scanning for cows. Any movement will be noticed, so limit your movement as much as possible.
- Occasionally, but slowly, look at your caller because he or she can alert you if a bull is coming from a different direction and, as a result, can motion you to switch positions.
- If you’re in thick cover with limited lanes, draw before it exits the cover.
- If you have spotty cover and wide lanes, draw as soon as you see its vitals.
Many times hunters make the mistake of wanting a perfect shot (right behind the shoulder). Elk have a very large kill zone, so it is best to shoot about 6 inches behind the shoulder, eliminating the chance of hitting the front shoulder.
Peruse our You Tube channel for this exceptional New Mexico elk hunt.
Abiding by these basic tips will not only help you become more successful on your next hunt, but it will also maximize your results. For more information, visit Big Horn Outfitters or contact us here.
Welcome to our blog
Big Horn Outfitters, a licensed and insured professional big game outfitting service, is proud to announced a new blog.
Specializing in New Mexico elk hunting, bear and antelope hunts, Big Horn Outfitters will discuss all things related to big game hunting. The months of September and October are generally Big Horn’s busiest time of the year, so we’re sure there will be plenty to discuss.
Check back here for frequent posts regarding all things New Mexico elk hunting, as well as bear and antelope hunts. We’ll be sure to provide all the tips you need to ensure the best results while out on a hunt. Furthermore, we’ll share our great experiences along the way.
For more information, contact us at www.bighornoutfittersllc.com.
We’re excited to announce we’ve just added over 3,000 acres in northwest Kansas that is prime white tail and mule deer property. Apply in units 1, 2 or 3 for whitetail and get the mule deer stamp as well.