Tag: new hunter
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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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Where Did All the Deer Go?
Understanding Mast Years and Their Impact on Deer Behavior If you’ve ever spent a fall season scanning fields and food plots for deer, only to come up empty-handed, you’re not alone. Many hunters and wildlife enthusiasts find themselves puzzled during what’s known as a “mast year”—a season when oak trees produce an unusually large crop Read more
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Sitting Excitedly in the Woods
I’ve loved being outdoors for a long time, but always felt a restless. I was in a boy scout troop when I was younger and loved being out in the woods. We were constantly moving: either hiking, setting up camp, cooking, games, learning skills, lots of people, lots of activity. When I got older I 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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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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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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Students Gain Hands-On Skills Through Deer Processing Workshop
For students in the New Hill Hunter Education and Mentoring Program, learning to hunt isn’t just about time in the woods—it’s about becoming confident, responsible stewards of wildlife. And for many, one of the most daunting steps isn’t pulling the trigger—it’s knowing what to do after. That’s exactly what brought John, a 2025 student in Read more
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Bind and Conquer: Valuable Knots Used Outdoors
Whether you’re deep in the backcountry or setting up a quick blind near your truck, knowing the right knot can save time, secure your gear, and even keep you safe. Here are 8 practical knots every hunter should master before heading out into the field. 1. Clove Hitch Use: Quick and adjustable way to tie Read more
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Guardians of the Wild: The Vital Role of Wildlife Enforcement Officers and Wildlife Biologists
NCWRC Enforcement and Biologists safeguard lives in the outdoors, shape responsible stewardship, help to ensure that public land access remains accessible to all, and work with private landowners, building partnerships for conservation. Read more
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Ouch, That Hurts! Understanding Firearm Recoil
Firearm recoil—often called “kickback or kick”—is a fundamental force experienced when firing a gun. This backward thrust occurs due to Newton’s Third Law of Motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When a bullet is propelled forward out of the barrel, an opposing force pushes the firearm backward. Understanding recoil is Read more