Category: Before the hunt
All posts that fit into this category
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Why a True Zero is a Hunter’s Best Friend
Hunting season is a time of high anticipation and preparation, but all the expensive gear and careful scouting in the world mean nothing without a properly sighted-in rifle. An ethical, clean kill relies on accuracy, and that accuracy comes from the time you invest at the shooting range. This is where you learn to trust Read more
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Starting Your Wild: The First Bow Hunt of the Season
There’s something sacred about 5:15 a.m. in the woods. The world is still cloaked in darkness, but the anticipation is electric. You slip into your gear, sling your bow over your shoulder, and step into the cool hush of early morning. It’s the first bow hunt of the season—and it feels like the forest has Read more
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Cultivating Conservation: New Food Plots for the Next Generation of Hunters
The sun sets on a beautiful day of hard work, and the fields that were once fallow now hold the promise of a vibrant future. All of us at the New Hill Hunter Education and Mentoring Program are incredibly proud of the work put in by our dedicated members to establish two new food plots on our Read more
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Scouting Mast-Producing Trees Now for a Successful Deer Season
Late August is the perfect time to scout your hunting grounds for mast-producing trees that will feed deer from September through November. By identifying trees and vines already showing young fruit, you’ll be able to pinpoint future hotspots and set up stands with confidence. 🌳 Top Mast Sources to Scout 🔍 Scouting Tips Scouting now Read more
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A Day in the Woods: Mentoring, Teamwork, and Prepping for Deer Season
This past weekend, our New Hill Hunter Education and Mentoring Program held a pre-season workday in the woods—and what a productive and rewarding day it turned out to be. With deer season fast approaching, students and mentors came together with a shared mission: to get our hunting stands fully prepped and safe for the months Read more
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Hunt Smarter, Not Louder: Is a Suppressor Your Next Deer Season Must-Have?
For years, the image of a hunter has been tied to the loud crack of a rifle, the recoil against the shoulder, and the need for bulky hearing protection. But what if there was a way to improve your hunting experience, make it safer, and even increase your chances of success, all while reducing the Read more
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The simulated hunt
Going for the first time can be a challenging experience. Not long ago, I was there too: I had far too much stuff with me, hanging from the worst places, more limiting my actions than helping me get into position. I measured, so I know: the first time was on the bow season opening day, Read more
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Growing More Than Trees: Restoring Wildlife Habitat with Purpose
In the fall line near Lillington, North Carolina, a dedicated landowner teamed up with hunting conservationists. Their goal: give local wildlife a better home and connect new hunters to the outdoors. The landowner had tried planting before. Seedling survival was poor. This time, the team took a fresh approach. They chose mast-producing oaks. These trees Read more
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The first results of our off-season work
As the chill of late January and early February settles in, the thought of venturing out into the wild might not seem appealing. After all, who wants to trade the cozy warmth of home for the great outdoors? But let me tell you, those who brave the elements during this time often strike gold! We’ve Read more
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The fawns arrived!
The fawns are out there, and it’s that time of year again when we need to roll up our sleeves and continue to the summer section of habitat management. Knowing your deer population—age, mix, and movement patterns—is crucial, and that’s where our trusty trail cameras come into play. I recently got my hands on some Read more