Author: Gord Nuttall
Gord Nuttall is an enthusiastic outdoorsmen and award-winning freelance writer that spends countless hours enjoying and promoting recreational activities outdoors. Led by his father, he wet many lines trolling for lake trout along the rugged shorelines of Lake Superior and developed a passion and love for the rugged outdoors early in his life. During the spring and summer months, he explores the diverse Alberta landscape with his wife, Heather and their two children, Noah and Makynna. As a family, they enjoy camping, SUPing, kayaking, fishing and lake life every summer. Spending nights sleeping under the stars in the backcountry fishing remote lakes or unpressured streams are his favorite getaways. Gord loves to bowhunt and has committed himself to harvesting multiple species in North America and documenting the adventures of my quest in a book.
A Complete Guide to Choosing Between Compound and Cross Bows Embarking on the journey of selecting the perfect bow is akin to forging a partnership with a silent companion in the world of archery. The first crossroads you encounter in this expedition is the fundamental choice between a vertical compound bow and a horizontal crossbow. Each option holds its unique merits, intricacies, and considerations, shaping your archery experience in distinct ways. In this detailed guide, we will meticulously explore the major considerations when purchasing each type of bow, delving deeper into the realms of budget, comfort, weight, adjustability, and forgiveness…
A Guide on Maintenance and Tuning of Compound Bows In the Bow hunting world, the symphony of twanging bowstrings and the flight of arrows demands precision and consistency. Whether you are a seasoned archer or just stepping into this ancient sport, understanding the significance of bow maintenance and tuning is paramount, especially on your first few bows. In this comprehensive guide, we will unravel the secrets of maintaining and fine-tuning your bow for optimal performance, both in the field and back at home. Proper maintenance and tuning are essential to ensure that your bow performs optimally and consistently and below…
Selecting the right compound bow sight is a critical decision for any archer because what you choose directly impacts accuracy and overall shooting performance. With a wide range of options available on the market, understanding the key factors and features of a compound bow sight is essential to making an informed choice. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential considerations. They include design, moveable versus fixed pins, single-pin versus multi-pin sights, sight window, adjustability, features, specifications and weight. We hope this guide helps you choose the perfect sight to align with your hunting and shooting style and preferences.…
I grew up in the breathtaking landscapes of northern Ontario, and so encountering a majestic moose there was an inevitability. I have many fond childhood memories, particularly of bowhunting expeditions with my father. Those cherished moments were marked by invaluable lessons. One of them was the art of calling moose. One of my foremost memories was the late September hunt when luck smiled upon me and I successfully called in my very first bull moose for my father. Over two decades of bowhunting experience have honed my skills using a predominantly passive cow-calling approach. The thrill of being perched atop…
You can create an optimal mineral lick specific to your local big-game herd Big-game hunting is a popular recreational activity that combines the thrill of the chase with the satisfaction of harvesting wild game. Whether you’re an avid hunter or a wildlife enthusiast, maximizing the quality of the game animals, increasing success rates and enhancing the overall experience are key objectives. One effective strategy gaining popularity among hunters is the use of mineral licks. These naturally occurring or artificially created mineral deposits offer numerous benefits to game animals, resulting in healthier herds, improved antler growth, increased reproduction rates and heightened…
Tips for Enhancing Skills and Preparing for Realistic Hunting Scenarios Whether you’re a seasoned bowhunter or a novice archer, regular, bow practice during all seasons is crucial to maintaining and improving your compound-bow skills. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of in-season and off-season compound bow practice and discuss various factors that contribute to effective training. We’ll cover shooting in cold weather and low-light conditions, and ways to simulate realistic hunting scenarios. We’ll delve into key topics, such as confidence building, equipment maintenance, muscle-memory development, shooting at different angles and distances, the significance of proper clothing and practicing with…
I hunt because I love the challenge, the outdoors, and tranquility. I moose hunt because I love the feeling of adrenaline infusing my body and making my neck hairs rise at the sound of the grunt of a bull moose. Hearing animals up close before you see them causes very intense excitement. Your imagination is completely free to daydream of abnormally sized antlers, long, bearded bells, and perhaps even multiple animals. Bowhunting isn’t all fierce, non-stop action. Many hours of waiting, sitting still, and being quiet must be invested to have a plan work and get a chance to arrow…
Few activities are as rewarding as observing wild bruins up close, deep in the woods in their natural surroundings. Harvesting an animal with primitive hunting equipment like a bow and arrow is an item many have on their bucket list. When observing wild bears up close and hunting them with primitive equipment like a bow and arrow, it’s important to note that this is a challenging activity that requires proper planning and execution. Baiting for black bears during spring in western Canada can be rewarding, but it requires hard work to ensure success. That includes the work of finding a…
Be Ready to Fling an Arrow When the Mercury Drops My toes were like five icicles in each boot, completely frozen and stiff. Finally, my hunting partner came lofting through the woods, as planned, triggering the end of our -26 Celsius morning bowhunt. To end the day, I decided to take a practice shot toward my decoy into a stump. I checked over my bow and arrow for snow and ice build-up and knocked an arrow. I drew, but it was much harder than usual. As I came to full draw, I flipped the mitt covers off my fingers, and…
It may not be prime time, but you can still have a successful elk hunt well after the peak of the rut. When it comes to chasing the monarchs of the Rockies, September attracts the majority of hunters. First up are the bowhunters who, eager to get afield in hopes of finding a cooperative bull, like the period between late August and September 10. That’s when the weather is still favorable and when herds are being formed. Then come the bowhunters who enjoy the intense activity of peak rut, which runs from approximately September 10 to 25. About three weeks…