How-To

Are Mineral Supplements Worth the Money and Effort for Whitetails?

By CTD Blogger   April 30, 2013

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After a through and exhaustive search, I am here to declare once and for all that hunting whitetails is hard. While that may be surprising to some—the ones lucky enough to walk out their first time with a bow or gun and a shiny new hunter education card and wallop a monster—to many it is knowledge earned after exhaustive hours in the field.

And would you really want it to be easy? If everyone went out and shot a Booner their first day, how much fun would it be? (Although after 20-plus years, I think I should have earned at least one gimme.) After all, it is the allure of harvesting something rare and unique, a trophy like no other, that keeps our blood boiling and separates the hunters from those who merely hike with weapons in the whitetail woods.

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Consumer Information

First-Time Gun Buyer Questions

By CTD Rob   April 29, 2013

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Stop and ask yourself a few questions before buying your first firearm. There are plenty of choices out there. Let us help narrow the playing field.

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Archery

9 Good Reasons to Invest in Archery Equipment

By Lisa Metheny   April 27, 2013

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Movies such as Hunger Games proved to not only be entertaining, it was a bold reminder we need to start thinking about our daily must-haves for survival such as food and water. Also, what we might have to go through if those items do become scarce.

In the movie, one of main characters favorite pieces of equipment was a bow and arrow. If you are unfamiliar with archery equipment—or tackle as it is sometimes called—here is a quick overview of archery equipment.

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Range Reports

Range Report: Smith & Wesson M&P .22 Pistol

By Suzanne Wiley   April 26, 2013

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Looking almost identical to its bigger brothers and sisters, the S&W M&P .22 pistol is the perfect trainer if you own or plan to own one of S&W’s 9mm or .40 caliber M&Ps. Introduced in 2011, the .22 LR M&P is made by Walther in Germany. Though the rimfire M&P looks similar to the centerfire models, the two are functionally different. While the centerfire M&P is striker-fired, the rimfire models have an internal hammer. The slide is as smooth as butter and those who have issues with pulling back a slide on a semi-automatic pistol will be pleasantly surprised at the ease of cocking it. As a trainer, teaching a new shooter, a fun plinker or rimfire competition gun, the S&W M&P 22 rimfire pistol is excellent for its ergonomics, reliability and functionality.

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Camping & Survival

Survival Planning 101: Preparing for a Flood

By Lisa Metheny   April 21, 2013

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Floods are one of the most costly of all natural disasters. In the last 10 years, flooding cost the U.S. more than $2.9 million dollars in damage. Of all presidential-declared U.S. natural disasters, 90% involved flooding. It can and has happened in all 50 states. Flooding can happen in a matter of minutes as is the case with flash flooding. Or you may have several days of advance warning of a threat from a flood, such as the type caused by spring thaws. Although you may live in a low-risk area, emergency preparedness officials want you to remember this, if it rains where you live, even a minimal amount each year, than it has the potential to flood.

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Camping & Survival

Important Skills to Have After TEOTWAWKI

By Suzanne Wiley   April 20, 2013

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If a catastrophic world-wide event happened that wiped out a large portion of our population, infrastructure and destroyed many of our natural resources, what skills do you have that would be useful in rebuilding? What skills would you like to learn? You might have stockpiled food, water, ammunition and guns, but thinking beyond a few days of disaster can put you ahead of the game. Knowing a little bit about all those essential skills means you can not only provide for your family, but also be a good bartering tool. Any trade skill makes an excellent hobby—do you like to tinker with cars? Then you have some basic mechanic skills. Do you like to grow your own vegetables? Why don’t you expand that knowledge and raise some chickens?

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Safety and Training

Managing Recoil with the Correct Stance

By Suzanne Wiley   April 17, 2013

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Unfortunately, I have seen way too many pictures of women on the Internet shooting a gun incorrectly. You know the picture or the YouTube—the woman has a gun, she leans back to take the shot and the next thing you know the gun has recoiled back and hit her in the head or she has dropped it. A lot of people repost these pictures on their Facebook wall and hilarity ensues. However, most of the time this mishap is not the woman’s fault. The person who gives them the gun fails to give them any training. To manage recoil, get a good stance that provides proper balance and allows your entire frame to absorb the recoil.

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Camping & Survival

Container Gardening for Urban Preppers: Growing Your Own Food Virtually Anywhere

By Suzanne Wiley   April 15, 2013

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Being an urban or apartment dwelling prepper presents many challenges. Storage space and privacy is always an issue. If you have always wanted to be self-sufficient, but your location prevents it, you can start by growing your own supplemental food supplies in even the smallest spaces. Called container gardening, herbs, vegetables and some fruits can grow on balconies, patios, front porches, fire escapes, and even windowsills. Some of the best survival foods such as beans, kale, berries, broccoli, potatoes, and spinach will grow in containers. Squash, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, radish, cucumbers, peppers, and herbs also require a small amount of space to thrive. Small-rooted vegetables are best for container gardening.

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Gear, Parts and Accessories

The Best Backpacks for Everyday Carry and Bugging Out

By Suzanne Wiley   April 10, 2013

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As someone who used to travel half way around the world twice a year, I know how onerous a task it can be picking a bag. The wrong size or shoddy construction can spell disaster with a capital D if your bag does not stand up to its intended purpose. Bags come in all different shapes and sizes; you have simple two pocket backpacks, large duffel bags, load-bearing tactical backpacks, and messenger-style shoulder bags. They aren’t created equal either. Your Jansport from high school won’t work for a hiking trip in the Rockies. Whether you are picking a bag for your bug-out gear, a weekend camping trip or for every day carry—you must consider size, shape and capacity. You’re bound to find one that fits your needs from everyday carry to a weekender from Cheaperthandirt.com’s five top selling backpacks.

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Archery

What is the Maximum Ethical Distance for a Shot When Bowhunting?

By CTD Blogger   April 9, 2013

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Not long after sunrise, a beautiful 10-point emerged from the treeline and began feeding along the narrow strip of the cut. He wandered between 50 and 55 yards from my hide. My heart was beating out of my chest and the adrenaline coursing my veins was off the charts. I was on the ground in a blind and had a firm footing for a shot. The laser rangefinder ensured the range, and I knew I could make the 55-yard shot all day long—so I drew and let one fly.

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