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ASK OTHMAR
| "Ask
Othmar a question and you'll get an answer based on knowledge and
experience, not personal ego. He shares his vast knowledge with anyone
willing to listen and learn so hat they too can become more successful
hunters." |
I receive
many questions from fellow hunters regarding deer and turkey hunting
tactics, hunting products, scouting, and just about
anything else. Here on
"Ask Othmar" I provide you with a selection of the questions and
answers that may be beneficial to other hunters too.
If you have a question Ask
Othmar.
You can learn more on how to make my hunting expertise available
to you by reading about my seminars, hunting
courses, consulting,
promotions and
freelance
outdoor writing.
The Q
& A below are in random order as they have been received.
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Turkey Hunting Gun
Q. Hi Othmar, I am a
first time turkey hunter and been reading a lot of information,
including your very informative articles. My question would be what
shot gun is best for turkey hunting? I have a over/under 12 gauge
shotgun that I use for upland bird hunting but my friends say I need a
special turkey gun. Is this true?
A.
No it is not true. You do not need a special turkey gun. Turkeys have
been successfully killed with traditional upland bird guns provided
they have interchangeable chokes. My personal preference is a pump
action shotgun but just about every 12 gauge shotgun model chambered
for 3" or 3 1/2" shells will be just fine. More important than the
model of the gun is to pattern it properly at the range for a
load/choke combination that delivers consistently a tight pattern from
15 to 45 yards. To archive that try different shell brands and choke
combinations.
My shotgun, a Mossberg 535 ATS pump action, chambered for 3 1/2" shells
performs best with 3" Federal Premium Mag-Shok High Velocity Turkey
Load stuffed with #4 lead pellets pushed through a full choke. Your gun
might work best with a different combination. Each gun is different and
the only way to find out what works is spending time at the range to
pattern the gun.
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Hunting Property Next To A
Hunting Lease
Q. Hello Othmar, I have a
simple question. A friend of mine invited me to hunt on his 250 acres
of 1/4 swamp, 3/4 hardwoods. With a deer lease bordering the property.
Gun season opens this weekend here in Arkansas. Would it be wise to
continue hunting with my bow, assuming that the deer lease will push
the deer our direction; when the gunfire starts. Or would it hurt to
shoot one or two this season.
A.
Properties next to hunting leases and public land can be very
productive. Look for terrain features (funnels) that the deer use as
escape routes from the lease onto your property and then hang a stand
or two. I see no reason why you cannot hunt with a bow. Good luck and
let me know how it went.
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Getting Started With
Bowhunting
Q. Hello Othmar, Next year I
plan on bow hunting, something I have never done before. I would like
to be prepared before next year. Is there any websites that you could
recommend I read before next season?
A.
While the Internet provides some good information about bowhunting, I'd
highly recommend that you start with your local archery shop and get
properly set up by a professional. After that, there is loads of
information out there on bowhunting. I would join several of the larger
Internet hunting forums where you will be able to ask veteran
bowhunters for advice. Joining a bowhunting club is another option, or
you could book my bowhunting
course.
|
Where are the big Bucks?
Q. Hi Othmar, we have lots
of trail cam pictures of large deer on our hunting lease that we hunt
and as the rut was in full swing we would see a lot of smaller bucks
running does. They were running them hard almost all day long but we
would not see any of the big bucks. What do you think why this happens?
We know that they are still there but they are being really elusive
this year. We have not spooked any of them and have hunted the winds
properly and are still getting pictures of the large bucks but have not
been able to see any of them in the open. Any advice would be greatly
appreciated.
A.
Big bucks are by nature quite secretive and typically do most of the
breeding after daylight hours. Ones they find a receptive doe the buck
usually will hide with her in the thick stuff for a day or two while
they are breeding. If the area you are hunting has a high doe to buck
ratio, it's quite easy for the dominant bucks to find receptive does.
The buck simply stays with the does and picks them up as they come in
heat without ever exposing him self in the open.
The smaller bucks don't get to do that and are much more active chasing
does that aren't receptive. The best time to see the big bucks out on
the doe chase is right at the end of the rut when most of the does have
been bred and they are searching for those last few receptive does.
Another option is to set up stands near thickets where bucks rest and
hide and then be in that stand before daylight. The bucks leave the
open fields just before daybreak and head for the thickets and that is
where you often can catch them right around legal shooting light. Buck
travel corridors in and along thickets are good places to hang stands
too. To kill a mature buck always hunt the thickets not the open
fields.
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What's the Best Coyote
Hunting Caliber?
Q. Hi Othmar.
I am thinking of picking up coyote hunting after deer season is over. I
have asked around to find out what would be the best caliber for these
animals to use and it seems that opinions vary greatly. As an expert
what is your opinion on calibers? Thanks.
A.
Coyotes can be hunted with just about any caliber. Ultimately the
choice of caliber depends what you want to hunt coyotes for. If it is
to control coyote populations your normal deer rifle caliber will do
just fine. On the other hand if you would like to keep the pelt and
perhaps even sell them then you should look at a caliber that inflicts
as little damage as possible yet still has plenty killing power. Avid
coyote hunters usually prefer calibers in the range of something like
the .233 or the .17 HMR. However, these small calibers make perfect
marksmanship an absolute must. Personally I much rather prefer and
advocate the larger .22-250 for general coyote hunting.
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