DataSport, Inc.

12/21/2022

And just like that Winter is Here.

12/19/2022

Pursuit of game changes when winter arrives....food is at a premium no matter what your after. Know when animals will move so you don't get stuck in winter.

https://datasportinc.com/

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12/09/2022

Head into the weekend knowing when the animals will be moving. Get the Fish and Game app right here:

https://datasportinc.com/apps/

12/07/2022

When entering the wilderness in winter, even for just a morning hunt, a few extra supplies could help avoid a potential tragedy. In cold weather, the body needs more calories to keep itself warm. Even walking a short distance to a deer stand in rugged country can burn a significant amount of calories on a cold day. When doing even modestly strenuous exercise, people need about 1.5 to 2 pounds of food per day just to keep going. A few packages of lightweight freeze-dried or dehydrated food items and a box of waterproof matches stuffed into a jacket pocket could prevent disaster in case of an emergency. My go to is a candy bar or fruit pie....apple preferably.
And know when to be in the woods with a F&G Forecaster booklet or app:
https://datasportinc.com/

Hostess

12/06/2022

Temps are staying low and good ice is forming in many northern states. Quick easy trips out onto the ice are good this time of year. It helps when you know when the fish are active too....click here and get yours today at the start of the season and make better use of your time on the ice.

https://datasportinc.com/

12/05/2022

These are the perfect stocking stuffer for the hunter, angler, birdwatcher or outdoor enthusiast on your holiday list. Click here to buy now and get them in time for the holiday's.

https://datasportinc.com/

12/02/2022

A tradition as old as the Christmas holiday is items being put in stockings on the mantel. Gifts that are fun, useful or whimsical. We're partial to ours being useful...and it fits nicely in stockings as well as packs and tackle boxes....click here now to get it before Christmas.
https://datasportinc.com/catalogue/
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11/30/2022

When the temps drop and the rut winds down (for the norther folks mostly) the deer head for rest and food. But there is a pattern to it. If you're a late season hunter like myself - hunt afternoons and near food sources or at lease on routes to food sources from bedding areas. Oh, and check out when they're likely going to be on their feet to move around.
https://datasportinc.com/

11/30/2022

Grandma shoots giant 171" NC whitetail via Realtree

Around 6 p.m., Nielsen heard what she was sure was a deer moving through the thick cover near her stand.

https://www.realtree.com/deer-hunting/rack-reports/2022/11/28/north-carolina-grandmother-shoots-171-inch-typical-10-pointer?fbclid=IwAR0dFTfRX4BkQwqLNq-zIZ5JXYZePVwyfZ3iUc1xjEgkWka_oCqEFrpRqgc

11/29/2022

Ever wonder how these charts/graphs and moon clocks are figured out and put together? Follow this link and learn more about how and why they work.
https://datasportinc.com/howwhy/

11/19/2022

Most waterfowlers think of mallards landing in flooded timber or marshy potholes, but hunters in the agricultural lands of Canada, the northern Great Plains states and Midwest often find the best action on dry ground. Mallards can land in crop stubble fields, just like geese, and often feed in the same fields that attract geese. In fact, full-bodied Canada goose decoys actually work exceptionally well to attract mallards on dry land. Where legal, place a couple spinning wing decoys in the spread. First, though, sportsmen must do their scouting to find where ducks really want to go to feed. Then, hunters use layout blinds at the outside edges of the decoys to conceal themselves in the grain fields.

11/17/2022

Recent studies suggest that old-fashioned “J” hooks may catch more triggerfish than circle hooks. Circle hooks rotate inside a fish’s mouth and usually catch the fish in the corner of its mouth. With very small mouths, triggerfish can’t get the circle hooks inside their mouths. In tests offshore, equal numbers of researchers fished with both circle hooks and J hooks. The ones using J hooks caught three to four times as many triggerfish as the anglers who used circle hooks.

11/17/2022

Small perching birds more accustomed to landing on branches or wires, mourning doves don’t like to land in stubble fields. When preparing a field for dove hunting, cut the grass or crop down to bare dirt. Doves prefer to land on bare dirt where they can forage for seeds and other morsels. They might also swallow tiny pieces of sand or grit to help in their digestion of seeds.

11/11/2022

11/10/2022

Fresh snow makes tracking deer much easier. After a snowfall, sportsmen can determine the freshness of the deer tracks based upon when the snowing stopped. Stalking works best as the snow continues to come down lightly. Soft snow covering leaves, sticks and other forest debris can allow hunters to walk more quietly. In addition, deep snow blanketing an area might make some thickets unusable for deer. When following tracks, move slowly and cautiously into the wind. Try to remain as hidden as possible behind trees, brush, or other cover. Every few feet, stop to listen and glass the terrain ahead to spot any movement.

11/09/2022

On heavily pressured public lands, heading into the woods a bit later in the morning while others begin to leave or move around might produce the best results. The hunters leaving their deer stands to grab lunch or just find a different area to hunt could push deer around the forest. In addition, the latecomer knows where to find the people because of all the parked vehicles. Pick a spot near where people gather, but not too far away. Enter the woods with stealth and find a good area to sit down to wait for the other hunters to start moving around.

11/07/2022

Tomorrow is the ever prominent Nov 7th among the whitetail rut....pending any serious weather anomilies where you are....it would be a good day to call in sick and sit all day.....

11/04/2022

Many of us have to balance work with hunting...good thing this afternoons movement is better than the morning to kick off the weekend...as we get closer to the coveted Nov 7 date

11/03/2022

With the calendar turning to Nov. All bets are off for typical whitetail buck behavior and travel patterns. It's a great time to be in the woods because any moment can bring a buck you know or don't know by the stand. You just have to be in the stand.
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11/02/2022

When fishing deep structure offshore, anglers can sometimes catch bonus fish without even trying. While casting to fish feeding on the surface or bouncing the bottom with live or cut bait, rig up one rod with a spoon, diamond jig, jighead and plastic or other heavy sinking lure. Lower the bait to the bottom and crank the reel up several times to put the bait about five to 10 feet off the bottom. Put the rod in a holder and leave it there. The natural wave action bouncing the boat works the bait up and own. Depending upon where the location, anglers might catch cobia, cod, sea bass, snapper, king mackerel, or even tuna with this method – all without trying!

10/28/2022

A “piebald” describes an animal with large white splotches in fur or feathers that should normally be colored with the dominant pigment for that animal. It comes from a combination of “pie” from “magpie,” a large black and white bird, and “bald” meaning “white patch.” Most sportsmen associate the piebald characteristic with whitetail deer, but many other animals can demonstrate this splotching coloration including horses, various birds, dogs, pigs, and cattle. Even some snakes can exhibit piebaldism.

10/27/2022

Shooting a bow from an elevated platform and shooting off the ground are entirely different things involving different angles. When hunting from a tree stand or elevated platform, first draw the bow straight back and then bend at the waist to attain the proper angle. When sitting down, tighten the abdominal muscles to make the shot easier. Look through the sight at the same angle and always use the same draw length. If someone looks down at the animal and then draws the bow back, that person will most likely aim improperly, possibly causing the arrow to impact a different area.

10/25/2022

In some states, archery seasons for deer and fall turkey overlap. If so, sportsmen may jump on an opportunity to arrow a turkey as a bonus or as a primary quarry. Bow hunting for turkey looks like bow hunting for deer. Most shots come from hunters in hiding waiting for something to walk within range. However, unlike deer, turkeys are more apt to look up into the trees. They often roost in trees and grow up looking for avian predators when young. Stick to ground blinds near where turkeys want to feed, rest, or roost.

10/24/2022

In-line spinnerbaits work effectively for tempting large rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, especially when targeting non-aggressive fish. The whirling blades may aggravate trout into biting even when not actively feeding. The spinning blades put out considerable flash and vibration, a great combination to overcome background noise when fishing swift streams. Spinners also tend to entice bigger trout and can get into thicker cover than flies. When fishing exceptionally clear water, retrieve spinners fast. Don’t let the trout get a good look at the baits.

10/21/2022

To introduce more women to the outdoors, many states offer special programs just for the ladies. Usually, this involves two or three days of intensive instruction on several outdoors topics including archery, fly casting, wildlife tracking, fi****ms shooting, paddling, and other topics. After the instruction, the ladies often take to the field to practice their skills. They may do such things as climb rocks, hike in the mountains, shoot bows or fi****ms, follow map reading courses, or drive boats. For more information, contact your state wildlife agency to see if the department offers such a program.

10/20/2022

In some states, archery seasons for deer and fall turkey overlap. If so, sportsmen may jump on an opportunity to arrow a turkey as a bonus or as a primary quarry. Bow hunting for turkey looks like bow hunting for deer. Most shots come from hunters in hiding waiting for something to walk within range. However, unlike deer, turkeys are more apt to look up into the trees. They often roost in trees and grow up looking for avian predators when young. Stick to ground blinds near where turkeys want to feed, rest, or roost.

10/18/2022

On the Gulf Coast and lower Atlantic Ocean, anglers may catch two species of flounder. Gulf, or winter flounders, sport three distinctive black spots in a triangular pattern, one along the lateral line near the tail and the other two on either side of the lateral line behind the pectoral fins. Gulf flounders can weigh up to 6 pounds. Southern flounders may show several white spots or splotches and may weigh more than 20 pounds.

10/17/2022

Weather conditions can dictate deer movements. Deer often move just ahead of a storm or just after a storm. Growing up without roofs over their heads, they get used to changing weather. A light rain doesn’t bother deer that much. In fact, during warmer days, it might even feel good to them. During severe weather, they may hunker down in the thickest cover and won’t budge. When the weather breaks, they may start looking for food again.

10/14/2022

Now that we're half-way through many a whitetails in the northern regions have transitioned away from summer travel patterns/food sources to their fall haunts. Move the trail cameras and find out where these new pathways are to set yourself up for better success in a few weeks when the rut starts to kick off...find their pattern now can mean success before the rut when all bets are off and deer move all over.

10/12/2022

Sometimes called the “tarpon of the north,” sheefish can weigh more than 50 pounds. A member of the whitefish family, sheefish range throughout much of Alaska and northern Asia. Also known as inconnu, sheefish make great targets for fly fishermen. Young eat mostly insects, while larger fish feed primarily upon other fish, including young sheefish. From June to October, sheefish swim up many Alaskan rivers to spawn. Unlike salmon, they continue eating while heading upstream to the spawning grounds. Fish streamers that resemble baitfish around deep channels and backwater eddies. Sheefish mostly feed along the bottom, so use sinking line.

10/11/2022

In the fall, walleye often hang around drop-offs or hunt on the edges of submerged humps, reefs, or similar structure. Look for places that drop steeply into deep water, such as a shelf wall. Often, walleye hover just over the drop-off edge waiting to ambush anything that swims along the rim. To tempt walleye holding on the edge of drops, vertically jig lead heads tipped with minnows, leeches, nightcrawlers or other morsels. Jig the bait up and down at the edge of the drop or hump. Walleye often hit on the fall.

10/10/2022

Many people like to camp in the summer, but a tent can turn into an oven on a blistering warm day. In the fall, cooler temperatures make camping a more pleasant experience. Changing leaves, usually good weather, fewer people, and fewer insects make the fall an ideal time to explore the back areas and spend the night. Many hunters head into the deepest forests to camp near their hunting grounds. If lucky, they can cook some freshly harvested wild game over the campfire. Some people camp by boat and combine hunting and fishing. Others just like to hike in the beautiful places when temperatures turn more moderate. Whatever your preference, enjoy the season.

10/07/2022

The Harvest Moon is the full Moon which occurs nearest to the date of the autumnal equinox (September 22, 2022). This means that either September or October’s full Moon may take on the name “Harvest Moon” instead of its traditional name. Similarly, the Hunter’s Moon is the first full Moon to follow the Harvest Moon, meaning that it can occur in either October or November.

This year, the Harvest Moon occurred on September 10, so the Hunter’s Moon will follow it one lunar cycle later, on Sunday, October 9.
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10/05/2022

Many people predict that Lake Mille Lacs could produce the next Minnesota state record muskellunge. About 90 miles from St. Paul, the second largest lake in Minnesota covers about 132,000 acres. Roughly round, Mille Lacs stretches about 20 miles long by 16 miles wide. Most of the lake averages between 20 to 38 feet deep, but some spots drop to more than 40 feet deep. Mudflats dominate much of the lake while gravel bars punctuate the bottom in places. Numerous rock piles and w**d beds provide additional cover. Many anglers troll large in-line spinners around the abundant grass beds on the lake. Others enter the coves to tempt big musky with jerkbaits or live bait.