June | 2014 | Pushing the Wild Limits

Out of state DIY hunts is something every hunter dreams about. But research is certainly a large part of any hunt. Different rules and regulations can become confusing to keep track of. With many of us planning trips to other states, copy and paste this into your own word document to help you plan for your own hunt. This helps you clarify important rules and regulations each state might have. It also helps you figure out the closest stores for supplies and meat care. Hunts not logistically planned out well can be a cause of incredible headaches.

State :

Seasons :

Area :

Lodging :

Licensing :

Draw Application Period :

Antler Restrictions :

Baiting Laws:

Shooting Hours:

Daily/ Season Limit:

Sunday Hunting:

Closest Meat Locker/ Processing:

State Harvest Report Number :

State Carcass Disposing Rules :

Transfer of Meat and Trophies From Field:

Transfer of Meat and Trophies Across State Lines:

Local DNR Phone Number:

Closest Sporting Goods Stores:

June Book of the Month: The Freelance Bowhunter

Author: Bernie Barringer

Page Count: 208

Traveling to hunt has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. Whether a direct impact from media personalities or hunters plain driven by adventure, the desire to experience the thrill of pitting your instincts against game and new territory has never been higher. However, while this desire lies within all of us to try something new, we also often find our fantasies washed away quickly once we reach the trail head. Many nightmarish stories have come from hunters bombing off with high hopes only to be smacked harshly by nature through weather, pressure and a lack of research. Yet, there are those among us who successfully notch a tag on these trips, some have even made a career doing so. Some of these people include Cameron Hanes, Steven Rinella, and Berrnie Barringer.

Our first book of the month is focused on Bernie Barringer’s new book aptly titled, The Freelance Bowhunter.– DIY Strategies For The Traveling Whitetail Hunter. The Freelance Bowhunter is not just another how-to book, it is a resource. Barringer combines information on setting yourself up for success on DIY hunts with his own stories of success and failure. Since he adds his own stories to the pages, you are not only entertained, but know Barringer is not selling you fluff. Even though Barringer is a successful outdoor writer and he knows many icons of the outdoor world, does not mean he hunts differently than the majority of us. His knowledge and tips are from the thousands of miles driven and hiked, battling the odds of arrowing a mature animal, away from home- usually on public land.

Although this book covers many of the topics we hear about regularly, there are many topics we tend to take for granted. Barringer dives deeper and each chapter is packed full with little details of golden truths. Even down to the way you ask questions to gain insider tips. Barringer’s book forces us to reconsider our approach to preparing for a DIY hunt.

Barringer breaks down the DIY whitetail hunting concept from the top. He helps us start with the big picture- why we want to attempt a DIY trip, actually. He challenges us to take a deeper look at why we want to go to another state and hunt a place we have never been to. He walks us through choosing a state with some incredible personal tips on finding and picking an area through interpersonal communication and the power of the web. From there, Barringer even walks us to all the way to picking the tree you will touch off on a big deer.

Barringer really hammers home the concept of how to scout and why to spend precious time scouting a brand new area even with limited time. He even breaks down ways to effectively use the web to scout an area from the kitchen table, using electronic topographic maps, to using trail cameras on public land. Talking about trail cameras and their use is one of the hottest topics today. Barringer outlines several small details in their use to improve success chances and should not be over looked. His use of trail cameras has even forced me to reevaluate their use, purpose and place-even on my own properties.

Throughout the book, Barringer even shares his choices in gear and why he uses them for long DIY hunts. This book helps with the learning curve of your own DIY hunt. If you read this book and feel inspired to plan a hunt on your own, keep this book handy, and pay close attention to the times Barringer tells of unsuccessful ventures to avoid those mistakes.

A great read with a good cup of coffee.

To further improve the resourcefulness of the book, Barringer outlines ways to stay warm with a full stomach when on the road. There are several different methods of transporting your killed animal are discussed, one I’d had never considered until now. And also, unconventional tactics to keep in your deck of cards until the pressure mounts and calls for a change in methods. Barringer further helps other hunters like you and me by outlining state by state information. From season dates to tag application dates and prices. Above all, The Freelance Bowhunter is more than just a book, it is an idea and which lives among all of us. These are trips and adventures at our fingertips. Read this book, be inspired, research, put the petal to the metal and shoot straight.

For more information and articles from Bernie Barringer and to purchase your own copy of The Freelance Bowhunter, visit www.bowhuntingroad.com/.