“farming”

This latest Member's Hunt comes from Robert Sorenson of Nekoosa, Wisconsin.

For the first time since its inception, America’s first National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), the Klamath Basin, is dry. Despite being established for waterfowl conservation purposes by Theodore Roosevelt, millions of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and other essential wildlife species will not have anywhere there or at neighboring Tule Lake NWR to rest, refuel and prepare for their migration.

Aside from drawing more deer to your fields, food plots provide habitat and nutrition to a wide variety of animals, and the whole system benefits.

It is often the first installation in a deer camp. It is usually a timber cut from nearby woods but it could be a salvaged scrap pipe. Regardless, it is always a place for hunters to gather, assess and admire deer. It is the buck pole, a symbol of success to American hunters.

Late-season success in Plains states like Iowa hinges on learning to hunt dwindling food sources, extreme weather and odd deer behavior.

The author crossed the pond to stalk the Cotswolds with renowned chef, restaurateur and deer stalker Mike Robinson.

For decades, deer hunters have used deer urine and other scent-based products to lure bucks into range for a shot. Generations of hunters have reached into their coat pockets, pulled out small bottles of often foul-smelling fluid and dribbled it on the ground and vegetation. Sometimes without spilling it on themselves, sometimes not.

Do old-school outfits hold up to modern standards of warmth and waterproofing? Contributor Richard Mann takes a detailed look at traditional methods and materials that don’t just measure up to synthetics, they often outperform them.

Food plots aren’t just for deer, which means they certainly aren’t just for fall hunting seasons. You can make them work for you in spring to keep turkeys in your ZIP code if you keep in mind a few factors.