Rutting out the Beasts

Rutting out the Beasts

Rutting out the Beasts

Boar hunting is sometimes considered a test of bravery and strength – after all, the hunter goes after a wild animal that could easily defend itself with sharp tusks. Wild boar and feral pigs are hunted for their meat, their tusk as a marker for trophy animals – set at more than 2 inches, their head to be mounted as display, and just for fun and challenge.

When is the best time of year to boar hunt? Well, there is a hunting season set in most states although some areas allow boar hunting at any time of the year. So, it is best to check with a specific state or locality as to the schedule of the hunting season.

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You can hunt for hogs anytime of the year, yes, but you might want to stay away from the set hunting season. This way, you’ll have less competition because most people choose to hunt during season hunting. Opinions among hunters are divided as to which season is best for a hunt – summer or winter. Each season does have its advantages.

During summer, when temperatures become really high, it is easy to find boars near sources of water. All you have to do is wait near a body of water and you’ll likely find one. Still, some hunters prefer the added challenge of hunting boar during winter. Their tracks can be hidden by fresh snow – the best thing to do is use trained dogs to hunt the boars and keep them at bay while you prepare for the kill.

To answer this question, it is best to go out and try hunting in both seasons to see which you prefer.

Rutting out the Beasts

Gator Season

Gator Season

Alligator hunting is among the most dangerous and challenging sports enjoyed by humans. It is especially thrilling to hunt an alpha predator but can be very dangerous mainly because, well, these are aggressive predators with powerful jaws, thick scales, and powerful bodies. Still, year after year, thousands of people go alligator hunting.

You can arrange for a hunt with a guide who will process the necessary permits and bring the necessary equipment. You can also go along in the public water hunts encouraged by the Florida conservation commission to check the population of these creatures. These public hunts are held all over Florida, in lakes, wetlands, marshes, rivers, and other locations from August to November. A permit needs to be obtained even for this public hunt.

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Most people choose to go hunting during the daytime to reduce the risks of becoming the prey but thrill-seekers arrange for night hunts. Hunting during the night can be doubly challenging, doubly exciting, and doubly dangerous, too. Still, many hunters consider night as the best time to hunt if you are really looking for a challenge.

The best time of year to alligator hunt in Florida is during the peak season – from August to October. However, hunts are actually available anytime from April to November. Still, the state allows some guides to hunt outside this season – nuisance tags – and some private farms to allow hunting year-round.

Aside from Florida, alligator hunting is also legal in Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana. In Texas, the season is set from April to June and September. In Georgia and Louisiana, you can hunt alligators from September to October only.

No Burn Here!

No Burn Here!

The sun’s rays, although essential for life on Earth, is also the source of ultraviolet light that can cause sunburns, premature aging, and skin diseases such as cancer. Sun block, as its name implies, blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the skin. However, the sun block products available at the market are not created equal – some of them are more effective than the others. Still, it is important to use the best sun blocks to ensure utmost protection.

Adding to the confusion, most products claim that they are the best – does that mean you can just choose any one of them? Well, not really. Experts recommend reading the label first before buying a sun block. Most sun blocks contain zinc which is considered to be among the best ingredients for blocking the sun. Still, this is not enough. You must also check if the product contains titanium oxide.

PABA or para-aminobenzoic acid is a common ingredient in sunscreens and sun blocks; however, this can be an irritant to some users. Thus, if you are planning to use the product on your face, it is best to choose one that is PABA-free.

A waterproof sunscreen is always better than one which is not because the product will stay on even if you sweat or have fun in the water.

The sun blocks offering high sun protection factors or SPFs are often much better than those with lesser SPFs. Thus, a product with SPF 50 is much better than one with SPF 15. Of course, those with ultrahigh SPFs such as 100+ are the best. The higher the SPF, the longer time the user can stay under the sun without getting burned.

iOutdoor expert can guide you in right directions.

Repel Bugs with POWER

Repel Bugs with POWER

Insects, especially mosquitoes, can give you unsightly red blotches and bite marks. They can also bring in diseases, some of them deadly. Thus, it is important to protect yourself from insect bites. It is a good thing that there are already plenty of insect repellents available in the market.

Of course, like any product, insect repellents are not created equal. Thus, some work much better than others. So, how do you choose the best insect repellent? Use the following guidelines to help you find the most effective product.

DEET or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide

Check the label of the insect repellent for DEET. This ingredient is among the very first to be used against insects and continues to be among the most effective chemicals against insects. Don’t worry, scary as its name may sound, it is deemed by countless research studies to be safe for use by humans. Its protection also lasts for more than 6 hours. Some formulations can allow 12 hours of protection.

Picaridin

This has also been approved as insect repellent. It is derived from pepper and has been proven to be effective, though, not as effective as DEET.

Oil of lemon, eucalyptus, geranium, soybean, citronella, and other natural sources

This is a great alternative, especially for people who want to use natural products. It has a sweet smell, is not sticky, and can be effective for up to 7 hours. Some formulations and ingredients are safe to be used by pregnant women and children of all ages.

When choosing what product to buy, consider how long do you need the protection and if you can tolerate products that contain any of these ingredients. Some products do work better on some people. but if u do not know, lets ioutdoor know, we can guide you.

Rutting out the Beasts

How to Hide From a Wild Boar

How to Hide From a Wild Boar

%Fishing Charters%Boar hunting is an extremely popular sport. This type of outdoor activity is synonymous with turkey, duck, and hog hunting, although boar hunting literally means a practice of hunting wild boars or even wild hogs.

A large full sized boar is a strong animal armed with sharp front tusks. The boars use these weapons to hunt smaller prey, as well as a weapon for self defense. It is these protrusions that can make boars seem formidable. Some professional hunters would say that hunting boars is often a test of bravery.

Those who are planning to hunt a wild boar will find that it is a good idea to know what necessary clothing to wear during this outdoor hunting activity.

Unlike other types of hunting (deer, turkey, etc.), you’ll find that it is not that necessary to wear fill camo when hunting for boar. However, you will have to wear a dark green camo or one that will blend in to the background much better. Wearing long waterproof pants is also necessary because you may have to spend time in wet areas.

If you feel that you need to be in full camo, go ahead. You can wear a product called ASAT, which has been specifically designed to blend in to the environment. This will make you difficult to spot.

When you are figuring out what to wear, make sure that you do so by first finding out where you’ll be going hunting. If you are going to be hunting in the rain, wear a hooded water-proof camo. If you will be hunting in colder weather, make sure you wear something warmer.

Safety in the Field

Safety in the Field

Safety in the Field

Safety is extremely imperative during outdoor activities such as hunting. Those who love hunting frequently are known to spend their time with dangerous weapons, but they are nevertheless included when practicing safety measures. Hunters should always be a step ahead with their actions, as a result, those who are well experienced are encouraged to introduce safety trips to new hunters, who are coming along for the hunt. Here are a few basic rules that hunters should follow at all times.

%Fishing Charters%First of all, hunters should treat their disarmed gun or bow with the same respect that they would with those which are loaded. In addition, hunters should assume that their weapon is always armed. Keeping this in mind can help prevent accidental shooting accidents. Next, hunters should never point their crosshairs at anyone when unloading their weapons. This is simply because accidents can happen anytime and anywhere.

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The third rule applies to the actual hunt. It is important to have the presence of mind and keep an eye on the target. That is not the time to be jittery and unsure when handling the weapon. Fourth, hunters should clearly identify their target before taking it down. This is important since there are a large number of individuals and animals that are mistakenly shot by game hunters every year.

The fifth thing you should think about is ear safety. Many hunters will sacrifice their hearing just to hear animals coming. Hunters should put a soft protective earplug in the ear which is closest to the hunter’s weapon.

Lastly, always keep your gun clean and well maintained. When unloading the weapon make sure to leave the chamber open. Then, check for any foreign materials inside the barrel. In the event that the weapon is accidentally dropped, automatically dismantle, clean, and put it back together to prevent mishaps from happening. As with any piece of hunting gear, a clean weapon is a functional weapon.