Nebraska Turkey Hunt Video

By Darr Colburn


We had a great time visiting family and doing a little turkey hunting on our trip to Nebraska.  Here is the video.

Parker & Paul Colburn Nebraska Turkey Hunt 1

By Darr Colburn

  

My mom and dad both grew up around Kearney, Nebraska.  My grandmother who will be 88 soon still lives in Kearney.  My boys had never been to Nebraska and I wanted to show them our family roots.  Last time I visited I could not believe the amount of turkeys I saw.  A trip was planned to visit family and take my boys turkey hunting, two things that are very important to me.  We flew into Denver and drove the 5 hours to Kearney.  We saw no less than 30 different gobblers on the drive!  We got in around 7pm and ran out to meet my friend Shay McGowan who invited us to hunt on his property.  We met up with Shay and roosted a couple birds for the next morning.  The first morning my brother and his son headed to one blind while Parker and I went to another.  It started raining right after first light and my brother texted us that he had shot a nice gobbler with his bow.  Parker got his chance around 9:30 am when a gobbler and hen came into the calling and decoys.  The bird saw movement as Parker drew his bow and was walking when Parker shot.  The arrow sailed high right over his back.  The weather turned bad so we headed back for the day to spend time with the family.  The next morning a bird was gobbling on the roost and we set up in a blind about 300 yards from the roost.  Again as it got light the rain started.  The birds stayed in the tree a little later than normal but eventually came in to my calling.  Paul made a great shot and we had the second bird of the trip down.  We called in a couple more birds but Parker never got another shot.  The property we hunted was an island on the Platte River.  The river was about 200 yards across.  To access the property we had to ride a gondola like platform that hung from a couple of steel cables across the river.  The gondola was powered by a Honda motor located on top of the gondola.  The gondola hung about 15-20 feet above the river.  We had a great time on our trip to Nebraska.  While watching the news the night before we left I noticed that they have an outdoors section on the newscast that they show hunting pictures and fishing reports.  I believe more kids are exposed to hunting and fishing due to things like this.  We will definitely be back to the Heartland of America where the people are friendly and the turkeys are plentiful!

Old barn and farm house out in the country.

Gondola loaded with Paul's Gobbler about to head back across the Platte River.

There were lots of ticks out.  We sprayed down with OFF before heading out each morning.

Paul's Nebraska Rio Grande turkey. 

Parker "Getting Serious" in the Double Bull blind waiting for a gobbler to show up.

Nebraska Gobbler

Albino bearded hen we saw the last morning on another farm.

Happy turkey hunter Paul Colburn with his Nebraska Rio Grande turkey.

Looking across the Platte River towards the island we hunted.

 

Parker Colburn's Late AZ Coues Deer Hunt Video Part 2

By Darr Colburn

Last Day Buck

By Darr Colburn

My oldest son Parker drew a late whitetail tag.  I was pretty excited and had high expectations for the hunt.  Being able to hunt during his Christmas break from school was a huge plus.  We hunted a few days each of the first couple of weekends of the hunt.  We would typically see four to six bucks a day.  Most of the bucks were together or by themselves.  I kept telling Parker that the hunt would get better after Christmas and that hopefully the bigger bucks would start to move around.  Christmas eve Parker came down with a high fever, stuffy nose and a cough.  He spent the next few days in bed feeling awful.  Parker has asthma and lots of times when he gets sick it moves into his lungs.  His doctor gave him several prescriptions and told us he had to have breathing treatments 3 times a day.  On Saturday the 27th Parker was feeling better but still had a cough.  Parker and I begged his mom to be able to go hunt the last four days of the season.  She gave us the go ahead as long as the power inverter in the truck would run his breathing treatment machine.  We packed the truck and headed out early on the morning of the 28th to hunt the last four days of the season.  We arrived at camp just as it was staring to get light and the temps were in the 20's.  We hunted hard for the first two days and saw several bucks but nothing over 90 inches.  Some of the smaller bucks were starting to chase does around.  At the end of the second day Parker said dad I am having a great time and thank you for taking me hunting.  He said deer hunting is hard and I told him yes it is.  He said dad I really want to shoot a buck.  The two previous seasons Parker had shot bucks the first day of the hunt and had not had to grind it out.  That night at camp I was getting texts that a big storm was rolling in and that we may not be able to hunt the last day of the season.  Our plan for the second to last day was to go where we had seen the most deer and bucks and pretty much shoot any buck.  At first light I glassed up three different bucks on one ridge and we watched two of them bed down.  We made our move and got on a ridge about 350 yards from the bucks.  I set up to start glassing and the bigger of the two bucks was not there any more.  I picked up the smaller two point and Parker said he wanted to shoot it.  We got set up and Parker missed two shots and the buck.  He told me he was sorry for missing and I told him it was no big deal and not to worry about it.  That evening we ran into another hunter who we had talked to before and he told us that he missed a big buck at 250 yards.  I think that made Parker feel better about missing.  That night in the tent the texts came in saying the storm was going to hit at 8am on the last day of the season.  We made a plan that we would get up at 4:30am and pack up camp and then try and glass a little bit before the storm.  When I opened the tent door the next morning it was calm and I could still see some stars.  I was hopeful we would get a couple hours of glassing in before the storm hit.  We packed up camp and drove the Ranger down to a glassing point were we had seen lots of bucks.  We glassed for two hours without seeing a deer.  I told Parker lets jump in the Ranger and go check one more spot about 20 minutes away.  We got to the point and started glassing.  Parker and I both picked up a few does but no bucks.  The wind started to pick up and the clouds rolled in.  Just as we were about to call it quits I picked up a buck on an open slope and watched him bed down.  We grabbed our gear and headed over to where the buck was.  We hiked up on a point across from the buck and I picked him up.  We got set up for the shot and Parker shot and missed twice!  The buck ran off with a doe.  A couple minutes later the buck came back chasing another buck.  The original buck never gave Parker another shot but the buck he chased off bedded 470 yards from us.  We got set up on the other buck and waited an hour for him to stand up to give Parker a shot.  It was spitting snow and getting very windy.  I told Parker this was going to be his last shot and that he really needed to focus and squeeze the trigger.  The buck stood up and Parker made a great shot!  The snow really started coming down on our way over to the buck.  We got over to the buck and got a few picks.  By the time we finished taking care of the buck our packs were buried in snow.  It was a wet cold pack out but we hardly noticed.  I could not have written a better ending to the hunt.  I would have loved for Parker to have shot a big buck but we hunted 8 days and just did not turn one up.  In the end the days we shared together in the field and the lessons and memories made are far more important than the size of the animal.  I am very proud of Parker for sticking it out on a tough hunt a shaking a couple of misses off.  We never gave up and hunted hard until the very end.  Happy New Year!

Parker Colburn's AZ Late Coues Deer Hunt Video Part 1

By Darr Colburn

My oldest son Parker drew a late coues deer tag.  We hunted the first weekend but the weather put a damper on things.  We did not see any rutting activity yet but hopefully with the cooler temperatures the bucks will start looking for does.  Here is a short video from the first weekend.  We will be back out again next weekend.

10 Early Season Coues Deer Hunting Tips

By Darr Colburn

Darr Colburn with a 100 inch early season coues deer buck.

Lots of hunters will being hitting the hills over the next few weeks to hunt coues deer on the early hunts.  The early hunts offer some great draw odds and you can usually draw a tag every year.  These hunts are easy to draw but the high tag numbers, hot temperatures and low deer movement can make for a tough hunt.  The hunter success rates on the early hunts are generally pretty low.  We have been on these early hunts many times and had some good success.  Here are a few tips that we have learned over the years.  Good luck on your hunts!

1.  Get to your glassing points before light.  Lots of times deer are moving as it gets light and if you are not glassing you may miss a buck moving or feeding.  Hot daytime temperatures can limit deer movement to a few hours a day.  Take a headlamp and plan on walking in and out in the dark.  Glassing until dark also increases your chances of picking up a buck right at dark.

2.  Don't go back to camp during the middle of the day.  Pack a lunch and stay out all day.  Have you ever noticed from your trail cameras that coues deer usually hit water between 10am and 2pm?  Lots of times the middle of the day can be your best chance to glass up a buck.  By staying out glassing all day you may pick up a buck headed to get a drink mid day.  Coues deer rarely stay bedded all day long.  Even if the deer are not moving around very much due to hunter pressure, hot temperatures or a full moon they usually will get up and stretch and browse for a few minutes every few hours.  As the sun and shadows change deer will often get up when the sun hits them and move back into the shade.  This may be your opportunity to spot your buck. 

3.  When the temperatures are hot focus on the north slopes and shaded areas.  The north slopes and shaded areas usually offer more cover and cooler temperatures.  Coues deer will seek out these areas to bed in.  Glassing the north slope and shaded areas usually means you will be glassing in the sun.  Take a floppy hat and sunscreen to keep you from getting sun burned.

4.  Mount your binoculars on a tripod.  It does not matter if you have Swarovski or Bushnell,  if you mount them on a tripod you will see more!  When your binos are on a tripod your eyes are able to pick up movement and game better.  The Outdoorsmans carries several types of mounts to attach your binos to a tripod.  We like 12, 15 and 32 power binoculars for coues deer hunting.  My 15x56 Swarovski SLCs are my favorite all around coues deer bino.

5.  Be quiet and stealthy.  When you get to your glassing point don't clank tripods, talk loudly or make a lot of noise.  There could be deer within shooting range that you don't want to spook.  I have hunted with lots of people that just don't get that you need to be quiet even when hunting with a rifle.  Act like you would when you are bowhunting and you will seen way more game within rifle range.  Turn your cell phones off or on vibrate!

6.  Know the area or areas you plan on hunting.  It really helps to know glassing points, roads and water sources prior to your hunt.  Get online and put glassing points, trails, water sources and roads into your GPS prior to your hunt.  I spend a huge amount of time looking at the areas I plan on hunting on Google Earth and my topo map program.  I can have all the waypoints plugged into my GPS so I am not wasting valuable time while in the field.  I know how to get in and out of areas I have never been to by plugging waypoints from Google Earth or my topo map program into the GPS.  You can also find road less areas where there will be less people. 

7.  Get away from roads and other hunters.  If you can hike into areas away from other hunters you will typically see more bucks.  Most hunters are not going to hike very far from a road.  Cross a large canyon or hike for an hour in the dark and you will be hunting bucks that are less pressured.  If you can't hike very far look in areas that may be overlooked by other hunters like flats, lower desert country or thicker areas that are harder to hunt.

8.  If you have seen bucks scouting before your hunt they will likely be close by.  Bucks typically don't move very far this time of year.  I feel that if you have a big buck spotted the early hunt is your best chance to kill him because they stay in a relatively small area and you get first crack at them.  Don't give up if you don't spot him the first day or two.  Change your glassing location and keep looking where you have seen him before the season.  Persistence usually pays off.

9.  Once you spot a buck you would like to shoot don't take your eye off of him.  If the buck is in range get set up and shoot.  If you have a buddy with you they can watch the buck while you get set up or move into position.  If you are alone watch the buck until he beds before making a stalk.  Take note of land marks and vegetation around where the buck is bedded.  Move into position and wait for the buck to stand up and give you a shot.  Sometimes this could mean waiting all day for a buck to get up and give you a shot.  Be patient and don't think the buck is not there just because you can't see him.  Also don't try and get to close.  We usually never get any closer than 250-300 yards.  We have found that anything closer you are more likely to spook a buck without getting a shot.

10.  Know your rifle and where your bullet hits at different yardages.  Most of the bucks we have shot have been at ranges from 300-500 yards.  Sometimes the canyon country that coues deer live in prevent you from getting close.  Carry a rangefinder and know your ballistics.  Practice at the ranges you expect to shoot.  Don't try and shoot a buck a 500 yards if you have not practiced shooting that far.      

Darn Tough Socks Gear Review

By Darr Colburn

Last fall I came across a product that was a game changer for me and the people I share hunting camps with.  I have tried other wool socks in the past and have not liked the fit and feel of them.  Until last fall I was wearing another well know brand of socks.  These socks were fine but my feet tend to sweat a lot and at the end of the day my feet and boots smelled awful!  I tried all kinds of foot sprays and powders but nothing worked very well.  I was forced to keep my boots and dirty socks outside of the tent or trailer I was staying in.  Last fall I purchased my first pair of Darn Tough Socks.  I wore them on a few hikes and day hunts and really liked the fit and feel of them.  I also immediately noticed that my feet, boots and socks no longer smelled awful at the end of the day.  I even took this a step farther and wore the same pair of socks for three days straight on a coues deer hunt to see if they would start to smell.  After three straight days in the same pair of socks I had Jay smell them to prove how good the socks are and that there was no odor (This is what good hunting partners are for!) .  I was amazed that there was no odor to the socks, my feet or my boots after three straight days in the same pair of socks!  I was totally sold and spent over a hundred bucks loading up on socks.  You get what you pay for with Darn Tough Socks!  These socks are made is the USA and carry a Life Time Replacement Guarantee.  If the socks wear out just send them back and they will send you a new pair.  The Darn Tough Socks feature a padded heel and toe and are made of a merino wool blend.  The socks don't bunch or slip like other brands I have worn.  These are the only socks in my bag now days!  Here is a description of the socks from the Darn Tough web site.
 Darn Tough Scent-Lok^® socks are knit with odor inhibiting, fine gauge, shrink treated, Merino Wool. Our hunting socks help socks conceal human scent while delivering itch free and breathable all-weather comfort in the most extreme conditions. More stitches per inch ensure a foot hugging fit. Less bulk. More comfort. Our Zero Friction Heel eliminates blisters. Cushioning along the bottom of the foot provides comfort and support. No slipping, No bunching. Darn Tough construction and Scent-Lok^® technology create the ultimate hunting sock. See for yourself. Still made in Vermont. Guaranteed for life.

Cushioned heel and toes on the Darn Tough Socks

KUIU Ultra 6000 Pack

By Darr Colburn

 

I got my new KUIU Ultra 6000 pack in the mail the other day and ripped open the box like a kid at Christmas.  I put the pack on and was immediately impressed.  I can honestly say this is the first pack I have ever put on that I felt fit me perfectly.  The frame seems to be a little narrower and the shoulder straps and hip belt both fit and rode where they should.  The second thing that blew me away was the weight of the pack.  The Ultra 6000 weighs a mere 3 lbs 9 ounces.  I like the new clips they put on the straps.  I had the Ultra 6000 out the other day while scouting for sheep and it worked great.  I can tell you that this pack will be my go to pack for this season.  The size and weight of the Ultra 6000 make it feel like a small day pack.  KUIU hit a home run in my opinion with the new Ultra series of packs.  I ordered the bow holder, rifle holder and the hydration bag holder along with my pack.  This pack is priced right at $350. 

 

Small light frame along with padded shoulder and hip straps.

 

Youth Outdoors Unlimited Hunter Education Camp

By Darr Colburn

My youngest son Paul age 9 completed his hunter education this past weekend at the Youth Outdoors Unlimited Inc. hunter education camp.  This is the second time we have attended this camp and these guys do a fantastic job and really cater to the kids.  Youth Outdoors Unlimited Inc. is a 501C 3 non profit that relies on donations to host these camps.  They provided breakfast, lunch and dinner for the people taking the class as well as their family members in attendance.  The camp does not cost a thing and is put on by all volunteers.  I highly recommend taking your son or daughter to this camp if they need hunter education.  The camp fills up fast so preregistration is a must.  The hunter education camp is usually the last weekend in July or first weekend in August and takes place just north of Happy Jack, AZ.  We had lots of rain but the show went on and everyone left with their certificates.  I saw lots of familiar faces at the camp.  It is really great to see the future of our sport so eager to learn and get started hunting.  A huge thank you to Youth Outdoors Unlimited Inc. for all you do for the kids.  Make sure to check out the other camps they put on throughout the year for the kids.

Woody and the crew making breakfast.

 

Prowler Tuna Fishing Video

By Darr Colburn

Here is the video from our 1.5 day fishing trip aboard the Prowler out of Fisherman's Landing in San Diego, California.  We had a great trip and brought home lots of yellowtail and yellow fin tuna.

1.5 Day Fishing Trip on the Prowler

By Darr Colburn

I had been watching the fish counts out of the San Diego landings and really wanted to take my boys Parker and Paul on their first tuna fishing trip.  Ted and Gowdy at Phoenix Fishing Supply got my reels filled with new line and got us the hooks and gear necessary to go fishing.  The counts were looking good so we decided to run over and jump on the Prowler out of Fisherman's Landing.  My good friend Bryan Otts joined us for the trip.  We got to the landing around 6pm and got checked in.  We walked over to Mitch's Seafood to grab some dinner and watch the returning boats unload. 

Mitch's Seafood is a great place to eat dinner and watch the boats.

After dinner we loaded our stuff on the Prowler and met captain Buzz and the crew.  Buzz and the crew were super friendly and we had a good feeling about the fishing.  Once the boat was loaded we headed out to get bait and then on to the fishing grounds.  We would be fishing Mexican waters in the morning.  We got all our rods rigged up and listened to suggestions from the crew about the bait (sardines) and how to fish them.  We headed down to try and get some sleep but Bryan and I slept very little the first night.  We started fishing the next morning right at first light.  Buzz had seen a large patty and we pulled up on it.  The boat came alive with hookups and chaos.  "Fresh one" and "I got color" were heard constantly for 30-40 minutes.  Paul was still sleeping but Bryan, Parker and I caught 4-5 yellowtail a piece.  We went back to the patty 4 times and ended up putting around 100 yellowtail on the boat the first hour of fishing!

Paul woke up just in time for the next patty stop.  The boat came alive again as yellowtail started coming over the rail.  The captain started telling everyone to release the yellowtails since we were at our limit.  We did pick up a few yellow fin tuna as well on the stop.  Paul landed 4 yellowtail and one yellow fin at that stop.  Parker and Bryan also hung several more fish.  One hour into the trip the boat had limits of yellowtail!  Captain Buzz started searching for tuna and we had a couple of really good stops for yellow fin.  We trolled and stopped all day picking up a fish here and there.  We got on a couple more decent bites in the evening and picked up several more yellow fin tuna.  The boat total for the day was somewhere around 150 yellowtail (limits), 103 yellow fin and 3 dorado for the 24 anglers on board.  We released lots of other yellowtail that were not counted in the totals.  All the people on the boat were very friendly and the captain and crew bent over backwards for us.  The crew really went above and beyond to help my boys catch fish.  This was one of the best off shore fishing trips I have been on.  We will definitely be getting back on the Prowler for another trip.  Once we got home the work began packaging the 29 fish we brought home. 

Paul with a yellow tail.

Bryan Otts with a nice sunset yellow fin tuna.

Parker with a nice yellow fin tuna.

The smile on Paul's face says it all!

Colburn boys with a yellow fin double.
 

Paul fighting a yellow fin tuna that would be just ounces away from being the jackpot fish.