A good trigger is a good start.

   
      The wind picked up as I sat in my climber.  I had been bow hunting this stand several times but had picked up the smoke pole as seasons had changed.   I had seen a monster a few weeks earlier in a  bachelor group and that was all I needed to start logging hours in that tree.   I noticed something coming out to my left through the thick woods.   I slowly reached over to pick up my muzzle loader.  That does open up the question---- Is your weapon ready for season?
     You can pick up about any hunting publication and see a host of information about how to accurize your hunting rifle.   Manufacturers as well as gunsmiths like myself can do a host of customizations to your gun to make it shot small groups. One common element you will find in most accurate rifles  are they have a good trigger.
      A good trigger does not necessary mean it needs to be very light in poundage.   A nice trigger with very little creep can give a crisp trigger even at moderate poundage.   Many of your nicer rifles do have a a well adjusted trigger with lighter poundage.   For safety purposes, please don't go too light with a factory trigger.   I have a couple of target guns with trigger less than 2 pounds.  Those are custom triggers however.   I have  done enough trigger jobs with Remington's as well as Winchesters to know that you have to worry about what I call "Slam Shuts".  The trigger is adjusted so light that when you slam the bolt, then the gun goes off.
     A competent gunsmith can help adjust your trigger properly.  He or she may also be able to set you up with some aftermarket options out there as they are many.  Just beware of gloves and light a trigger.  I have a gun with a 1.5 pound trigger and it goes off easy!
     Back to the story.   The buck came out to my left and started working his way up the rub line.   I sat there wet and waiting on the old boy.   He stepped out took a look across the field.  That was all I needed.   I pulled the trigger of muzzle loader and BOOM.   The hit was dramatic as well as the blood trail.   He didn't go far and I was able to retrieve him with the 4wheeler.
     If your looking for help making that rifle accurate, building a custom rifle, or thinking of refinishing your gun,   then please check us out at www.crookedpinegunworks.com  We specialize in building accurate hunting rifles as well as refinishing your gun.  We will be hot bluing as well in 2016

Preliminary review of Buck Crave

    
   

      On a hunt late in the 2014 deer season, I was given the opportunity to hunt and  spend a little time with Josh Ferrier.   During the hunt, we talked a little about his family's new venture Buck Crave.  Josh claimed to have a corn additive that was " A game changer."   I admittedly have tried allot of products on the market and most of them are creative ways to take hard earned money out of a man's pocket.   Josh is a straight up guy.  He gave me the offer to try a couple of bottles of his product before it hit the shelves and I am up for anything to get a big buck to stand around during day light.
     Late in the December,  I tried Buck Crave at a couple of my North Carolina hunting spots.   These were established sites that had been hard hunted since early bow season and one of them had been hunted over several seasons.   I was pleasantly surprised!  The deer came in hard to the corn piles.  I was running corn on the cob and it worked.    The Ferriers'  "Secret Sauce" gave a nice apple scent to my corn and I poured it all on and around the corn.   It was a hit.  Last year was hard hunting over corn with all the acorns but I wish that I would have some this stuff earlier in the year.   Deer sighting nearly doubled and I was looking for more corn and wishing I had more of the "Secret Sauce."
     I call this a Preliminary review.   It was late in December in North Carolina which as we all know is better for Christmas Carols than big bucks.  I had a limited amount of Buck Crave and would have liked to run it and compare to some sites that I was running without it.    I look forward to running some Buck Crave Secret Sauce this year during early bow season with better conditions and getting me a big North Carolina Buck early.  I am even going to test some of the sauce out on protein pellets (it can't hurt.)
     Josh and Mike Ferrier also offer a mineral supplement.  Now that is right up my alley!  I have not had the opportunity to try it, but am looking to getting some in the ground.   The combination of the secret sauce and the mineral supplement may be a nice jump start to your management program!  
     Buck Crave is being marketed in select locations and through certain dealers.  You can also buy Buck Crave on line at www.buckcrave.com   Check out their website and see how they give detailed explanations on how to use their product.    You can can even find a link for Buck Crave on my company website at www.crookedpinegunworks.com   ----that's my seal of Approval.   A full review will come in the future.  Until then, good luck and kill a BIG ONE!!

 

Time outdoors is time well spent!

     Life can get hectic.  Traveling the southeast US with work, running your own gunsmith operation,  church responsibilities,  assistant baseball coach, being a Dad, and trying to be a good husband can pull a guy in all directions.  The way I relax is being in the outdoors.  Shockingly----you can't spend all your time hunting and/ or preparing to deer hunt.   That's why we have dove season and preparing for that.
     My little boy and I love to hunt dove.  It was our first way to hunt together.   One of the fun things we enjoy is preparing for bird season.  This year we choice to go with sunflowers.  It also helps that my better half loves sunflowers as well.
     My 5 year old gets a kick when I let him drive the old grey tractor and its relaxing to me.   We till the soil, put in the fertilizer, sow the seeds, and pray for rain.   This allows me time well spent with my boy.   This  also gives me rest and relaxation that only an old tractor can give, dirt on my hands, and a connection with the land that you only get by working it.  
     All the above reasons are good reasons to plant.  Yes the birds love it too, but the time with my son is the best.  The smile I see on his face and the knowledge that I am passing things down is an even better feeling.
     Next season when you go into the field,   carry your little boy or girl along.   But also think about ways to get them involved with the land in the off season.  They truly are our future!
     Check us out on the web at www.crookedpinegunworks.com for all your custom hunting rifle needs as well as more stories of my outdoor experiences.

Honey Do List for a Deer Hunter.

     Every man hates for his wife to come up with a list of things for him to do.  They usually involve a list of items that we are putting off doing , don't want to do, or just involve a high level of complexity.   I guess however I let my wife rub off on me this year and made myself a "To Do List" for next hunting season.  I carry a tablet with me allot now days so I put it down electronically and have goals to accomplish.   Here is the my list:

1. Move feeder in new NC hunting grounds.
2. Get the uncomfortable chair out of the VA shooting house.  (need to pick up one at Good will).
3. Build a red clover field in NC
4. Build a 1/4 acre ladino clover field in VA.
5. Build a 200 plus yard shooting strip behind my new house.
6. Move ladders behind old house in NC.
7. Move ladder stands in VA.
8. Repair tripod stand in VA.
9. Build a sunflower field in NC.
10. repair a feeder that has a hole in it.                                   

#1, #2,#3, #4, and #5 are already done.    #5 has been the hardest to do with my equipment.  My son and I spend allot of time throwing stick and logs out of the way.  I even cut stumps, but that makes the hunting even sweeter.  It makes it sweet that I spend time in the outdoors with my son.  He loves to find deer tracks and is fascinated by the creek running behind our house.
     As I get older, I have more and more lists.   My gunsmith operation keeps a huge "To Do List " as well.   Check me out at on the web at  www.crookedpinegunworks.com  or on facebook.   We would love to help with your next custom gun or just get your current gun running smooth!
     Well, I still have some work to do before next hunting season but it gives me things to do between putting down mineral supplements and building fields next fall!   Deer hunting is all year long for me.   How about you?