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Wanna Hunt with a Crossbow in NC? Get a Handgun Permit!
Posted On: July 28, 2010 | By: mike hanback
Today from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission:
Use of crossbows in North Carolina is now considered a legal hunting method...anytime bow-and-arrow hunting is allowed... State law requires that anyone buying or otherwise receiving a crossbow in North Carolina first obtain a pistol permit from the sheriff’s office in their county of residence or hold a valid concealed handgun permit.
Am I missing something? Why do you need a pistol permit to buy a crossbow for deer hunting? I understand it has always been this way in NC. Why? Are there weird similar crossbow laws in other states?
Why does Little Brother (sheriff’s office/local government) need to know you have a crossbow anyway? comment
What-Would-You-Do-Wednesday: Walk or ATV to a Stand?
Posted On: July 28, 2010 | By: mike hanback
Every Wednesday from now until the season we’ll tackle a dilemma you might encounter in the deer woods. Some will come from questions I get, other topics I will toss out. We have thousands of hard-core hunters on this blog, and everybody hunts a little differently. Tell us how you would do it, and learn how others do it. I’ll contribute my 2 cents. If you’ve got a dilemma/question you’d like to see discussed, shoot me an email.
Mike: Several of my tree stands require a long walk to get to. I have to cross some trails with good deer traffic. (I wear rubber boots and use a scent killer.) I don't have a good alternative way in. I’ve noticed deer rarely come to our stands from along the routes we take.
Would it be better to ride an ATV (more noise but no human scent) to the stands and hide them out of sight, or should we keep walking and be quiet. Thanks, Tom.
What would you do? comment
Trail-Cam Photo: Big Buck Shows Up in Flatlander's Arena Plot!
Posted On: July 27, 2010 | By: mike hanbackFlatlander guest blogs an update on what’s happening in and around the Arena Plot where he’s been working on the habitat since last winter. If you missed Matt’s update in June click here, good stuff on planting, setting stands, etc. See how it’s paying off:
Mike: Upon completion of our hinge cutting after last deer season in the 4-acre woodlot, and then clearing the south edge for food plots, we noticed several sets of nice tracks showing up.
There was some discussion on the last posting as to the size of a deer track, and if you can determine a mature deer by a print. I know some guys don't put much weight in the size or placement of a deer track, but after hearing of Native American hunting habits and African trackers, I think it's all about the track! It hasn't steered me wrong yet.
That being said, I know some big bucks have smaller feet, but I am confident no small buck has a foot like the track I referenced by the beer can.
We placed our trail cam on a path through the Arena Plot near where we found that track months ago and checked it 4 days later—look what we found! I think we have our first target buck of the year! I’m guessing 5+ years old and pushing 275 lbs. live weight.
Come on deer season!—Thanks, Matt “Flatlander” Cheever
Hanback: I have always said you can’t tell if a so-so-looking 3-inch track was left by a mature doe or buck, but the rare, noticeably outsized track like in the picture here was surely deposited by a big old deer. This post confirms that.
Nice job Flat, hope you get him! comment
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