Photo courtesy of Julie Golob
Marti Davis has lots of ideas about being outdoors, and we want to tap into her treasure trove of tips. Thus, we’re introducing “A Marti Moment” as a spinoff of her popular Marti Davis Afield blog.
And, because we want to reward you for reading this first tip, check the end of this post and see what you can win!
Want to do what you can to help improve the health of your deer herd? I recommend minerals. Spring and summer are when deer need them the most. The does are lactating and raising this year’s fawns and the bucks are growing their antlers. Both bucks and does need minerals and nutrients to remain healthy.
I use Trophy Rock, which is an all-natural mineral lick. It is mined in rural Utah and is loaded with more than 50 trace minerals.
I typically place a rock in front of a trail camera. So, the deer are getting the minerals and nutrients they need and I get to see the potential for this fall’s hunting seasons.
Happy Hunting!
Marti
~Editor’s note: You know, Marti, we’re thinking that even if you don’t hunt and you want to give benefit to a mama doe and her young ones in your urban neighborhood, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea (especially with this year’s drought conditions) to add one of these licks near a pond or pool, or just at the edge of your back yard.
Moultrie Products trail camera caught this young buck and a fawn at a lick.
Blakely wins the giveaway, provided by our advertiser, HERCAMOSHOP.com!
HERCAMOSHOP.com sponsors “A Marti Moment.” It’s giving away to one lucky winner (chosen by Random.org) this package:
1 Squattie Pottie complete — perfect for tree stand and duck blind and boat and anywhere you gotta go but really don’t wanna go
Marti Davis is a staff member for Browning Trail Cameras, WoolX and Mossy Oak. She is an authority on most types of hunting in North America, and very active in mentoring the next generation of young hunters. View all posts by Marti Davis
Laura-
One morning i was out bowhunting, sitting on the ground and waiting for it to get daylight. I started hearing faint footsteps in the leaves and they kept getting closer and closer. I finally saw what was making it’s way right to me…it was a skunk. I swear I never sat so still in all my life. The skunk finally made his way right on by me and went on about his business. At one point I could have touched him with my arrow, which is 24″ long!
Hey Marti,
…would love to hear some tips on how to stay cool when hunting speedgoats out west in 100 degree temps!?
Thanks HERCAMOSHOP! Love your stuff!
Alyssa-
LOL! I was telling someone that story the other day. I’ve heard you can take your shirt and soak it in the cooler’s ice water and it will help for a while. 😉
That was quite a trip!!!
Hey! Are you a waterfowl hunter? If so I’d really like to know if you’ve been able to find any waders that fit you correctly. It’s hard enough to find great fitting camouflage for women but add strictly waterfowl clothing and it becomes really tough! Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions and also for representing women hunters in such a positive light! You rock.
Blakely-
I am not a hardcore water fowler. I have hunted water fowl a few times, but it has been from a pit blind and lay-out blinds. I don’t use waders, but let me check with a girlfriend who does and I’ll let you know what she says.
Blakely-
Here is what fellow Gear Court reviewer Gretchen Steele had to share about SHE waders she got from Her Camo Shop.
” I like how they fit; especially because you order by boot AND wader size i.e. you can get a size 5 boot and size large wader body. I also think they run a little smaller than the size chart indicates. I carefully measured and used the She sizing chart, but they could stand to be one size bigger. It’s not an issue for me, because I don’t put as many layers on under them as most do, but the less cold tolerant gals who pile on hoodies etc under them, might find that a bit tricky. I usually just put on good base layers under mine and then a wader jacket that I can shed in the pit. But not very many women are as cold tolerant as I am..heck I am not just cold tolerant – I thrive in the cold..and sure as heck wish it would hurry up and get here!”
Keep an eye out at the WON for Gretchen’s full review on these waders from Her Camo Shop! Thanks for the preview Gretchen. 😉
So my friend – What’s your weapon choice for squirrel hunting? Tips for Squirrel season? It’s almost opening day for the tree rats here 🙂
Gretchen-
A 22 rifle or my target 22 pistol would be my choice for squirrel hunting. Best tip I have for squirrel hunting in 100 degree temps, is wait for cooler weather. 😉 Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. To be honest I haven’t had much luck hunting them this time of year. We need to get together this fall and shoot a mess of them over in southern Illinois!
Hey Marti,
Do you bow hunt? If so which do you prefer bow or rifle?
Stephanie-
Yes, I do bow hunt and rifle hunt. As to which I prefer…whichever season is open. ;). Seriously, I do like the up close and personal style of bow hunting. But, I would hate to have to pick one over the other.
Hey Marti, I would love to see something on what you carry in your hunting pack when deer hunting or maybe even something on field dressing for beginners.
I’d like to see some safety tips. Not just gun/weapon safety but personal protection while in the woods.
Hey Marti,
What’s your favorite mouth call for turkey? I have a hard time finding ones that fit in my mouth.
~Brit
Britney-
I don’t have just one favorite mouth call. I like the Knight & Hale Ghost Hen, the Sweet V and the Warlock. I always keep several mouth calls handy when turkey hunting, because you never know when they might like one better than another. As far as finding one to fit your mouth you might try the Knight & Hale Trimline set. They’re made for callers with a smaller palate.
Marti, know any good squirrel jokes?
Also, I’m curious, how do you keep from getting bored when sitting in the blind?
Gabby-
I could probably come up with a joke or even a funny squirrel hunting story. 😉
As far as getting bored…there are days that the time flies by and days the hands of the clock seem to barely move. I just sit back and enjoy the whole outdoor show in front of me. If I’m going to be on stand from daylight to dark I’ll take a book or now, my iPad along. And, I’ll be honest I get some of the best naps while I’m sitting out in the woods! You can’t get that big ol buck or long beard from the couch. 😉
I would love to learn more tips from here! Woman like her are an inspiration! We need more woman hunters, and by teaching she is doing just that, getting others to learn and want to try! You are awesome! Thank you Marti! You’re a great hunter and want to learn more from you 🙂
Anytime! And also I was wondering what is your favorite hunting story? And, best hunting advice?
Linda-
Wow, my favorite hunting story, that’s hard to pick just one. But, right now the one that sticks out in my mind is a squirrel hunt with three girlfriends last month. It was nearly 100 degrees and we didn’t see one squirrel but we had a great time getting to know one another a little better. Mainly just enjoyed being out in the woods together. It’s not always about harvesting an animal when you’re out there. 😉
My best hunting advice…this is actually two part. Always let someone know where you will be and when you should be returning. And patience, patience, patience. Like I told Gabby earlier, ou can’t kill them from the couch.
What are some items you wouldn’t go hunting without? If you could pick any place in the world to go hunting, where would it be? And, for a beginner huntress how would you recommend to practice getting better with your hunting skills?
Linda-
Those are great topics I plan to cover in the future. As far as if I could pick any place…I would say Alaska and Africa. Both would be very different and beautiful places to see, let alone hunt.
both of those places is what i was kind of thinking! lol and also, i was wondering what are some of your best squirrel hunting tips? as far as, what do you reccommed for attracting them the fastest, or just play it by ear and wait and see how many squirrels come out, ect. thanks!
Mostly patience, just like most other hunting scenarios. Finding a good stand of oaks with plenty of acorns would be best and just easing along real slow. They also make some squirrel calls, but like any call, it doesn’t always work.
I would love to hear more safety tips from Marti. I think it’s so inspiring that as a woman she is willing to get outdoors and hunt on her own. Would love to hear about her experiences as a female hunter and the best way to stay safe in the outdoors.
Julie- I definitely have some been there, done that, don’t do what I did stories. 😉 Safety tips while hunting are definitely something I will be sharing too.
I would recommend hunting with a family member or friend for beginners. This is how I started 14-15 years ago. I also highly recommend attending any and all programs designed for new hunters. Women in the Outdoors is a program I attended when I firgt got into hunting and now I help to coordinate and instruct at these events. In addition to learning more about hunting and the outdoors it is a great place to meet new friends with common interests. (In fact that is how Barb and I met.) You might just meet your future hunting buddy. 😉
Where are you from Katherine?
Thanks, Marti. I’m from Fairfax, VA. I’ll definitely look into the events. And I’m trying to chat with more people at the range to make friends with folks who even just shoot, as my current circle is kinda anti. LOL Hmm, my 11 year old niece might just be the perfect family member to hunt with; hadn’t thought of that. My parents are physically unable to hunt and brother is not permitted to possess firearms. He’s going to teach me to fish, though.
Katherine-
The range is a good place to start. And yes, by all means get your niece involved too. Kids and women are the future of our sport.
I’d like to learn to hunt. After taking the hunter’s ed class and getting my license, how do you recommend starting? I don’t know a soul who hunts. Would guided hunts be the way to go? Or just getting out there with a book and learning to track? Thanks for your tips and for the giveaway!
Hi Marti, Can you tell us about the most surprising thing that’s ever happened to you while hunting? It could be from the two-legged or four-legged animal, equipment, or your own insights about something you’d never thought about before. Thank you in advance!