About Ed Hale

I am an avid hunter with rifle and Bow and have been hunting for more than 50 years. I have taken big game such as whitetail deer, red deer, elk, moose, buffalo, Russian boar and African Plains game such as Kudu, Gemsbok, Springbok, Blesbok, and Impala and wrote an ebook entitled African Safari -Rifle and Bow and Arrow on how to prepare for a first safari. Ed is a serious cartridge reloader and ballistics student. He has earned two degrees in science and has written hundreds of outdoor article on hunting with both bow and rifle. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife Susan. He is a Patriot Life Member of the NRA.

A new Remington 783 Rifle with a Leupold Scope for Christmas?

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Ed Hale

I would consider the Remington 783 based on this excellent “American Rifleman” article below the picture. It is cost-effective, works well and is accurate. Similar in mass manufacture to the Ruger American, a rifle for a hunter who want a hunters rifle and not break the bank. Retail is around $400 or so. I would add a Leupold Scope, see below.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-783/model-783.aspx

Model 783

http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/remington-783-review

Spec’s from Remington.com web site

Caliber	Average Weight (lbs.)	Barrel Length (in.)	Overall Length (in.)	Twist	Status	Note	Order #
243 Win	7.375	22″	41.625″	9.125″	Current		85832
270 Win.	7.2	22″	42 5/8″	10″	Current		85834
30-06 Springfield	7.2	22″	42 5/8″	10″	Current		85836
308 Win	7	22″	42 1/8″	10″	Current		85837
7mm Remington Mag	7.3	24″	44 5/8″	9 1/4″	Current		85838
300 Win Mag	7.375	24″	44.625″	10″	New		85839
243 Win	7.125	20″	38.625″	9.125″	New	COMP	85850
308 Win	7.125	20″	38.625″	10″	New	COMP	85851

(LEFT) Left Hand   (COMP) Compact   (SPEC) Special Run   (TAC) Tactical   (DISC) Discontinued

I would recommend a Leupold Scope for this rifle. A VX-1, VX-2 or VX-3 is the ticket.

http://leupold.com/hunting-shooting/scopes

From the Leupold Web site:

VX-1 Riflescopes

There’s much to tell about our new VX®-1, but here’s how the story ends: No other scope in its class comes even close the the quality, performance, and value of VX-1. With our revolutionary Quantum Optical System, with lead-free glass and Multicoat 4 lens coatings, the result is up to 92% total light transmission, and a sight picture that is incredibly bright, clear and razor sharp. Better have one atop your favorite rifle.

VX-2 Riflescopes

The VX®-2 is one of our most popular lines of riflescopes, for reasons that become clear to anyone who picks one up. It’s packed full of useful features, including precise ¼-MOA finger click adjustments; the Quantum Optical System with Index Matched™ lens coatings for exceptional image brightness and clarity; externally threaded fast-focus eyepiece; tactile power indicator; and for the first time, the option of our Custom Dial System™ in select models. The VX®-2 is built to meet the demands of today’s serious hunters and shooters.

VX-3 Riflescopes

We pushed everything to the limit to make the VX®-3 at home on your favorite rifle, whether you are hunting whitetail from a treestand, or stalking sheep in rugged terrain. We’ve loaded the VX-3 with optical technology: Xtended Twilight Lens System, DiamondCoat 2 lens coating, blackened lens edges, second generation waterproofing, twin bias spring erector system, and cryogenically treated adjustments. It’s all there to help you make the shots of a lifetime.

Coyote Talk

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Ed Hale

coyote in winter

Post Deer Season, hunters can hunt Coyotes with rifle in most parts of Southern NH (See NHFG for Details). Coyotes, I believe are eating the fawn crop as fast as they drop. Deer hunting in southern NH is about as poor as I have ever seen. I saw a yearling with its mother this hunting season with no other sightings of any deer of any kind front or back side. I spent perhaps 40 woods hours at prime time to see these 2 deer. Yet at the same time, I observe coyote tracks on one specific smaller deer, likely a doe in estrous in Mid November and followed her everywhere. Some research on the web indicates that Coyotes do not den up unless raising pups. They can sleep in the open. I had a big male Coyote come to a fawn bleat this fall. He was stalking me till I saw him first for just a second and he was gone in a flash. If you are going to Coyote hunt this winter, I wish you good hunting!

Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Hunters

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Ed Hale

Make it a Merry Christmas with Stocking Stuffers for your Hunter!

Hand Warmers

flashlights,

SecurityIng® Waterproof LED 1200 Lumens 3 Modes Super Bright Titanium Flashlight Torch With Stainless Steel Bezel Coated Case, XM-L U2 Bulb LED Light Lamp Torch for Hiking, Camping,Hunting and Other Indoor/Outdoor Activities

battery head lamps

a good thermos

hats, gloves and mittens for shooting in cold weather like Pop Top’s Mossy Oak Men's Pop-Top Gloves

hunting video’s (tons out there)

topographical software for hunters like Garmin or Delorme

Higher on the dollar item list would be spotting scopes,

20X-60x80 Zoom Spotting Scope w/Tripod

binoculars,

Nikon Aculon A211 10x42 Binoculars - Dick's Sporting Goods

rangefinders by Leupold ,Nikon, Bushnell for example.

Nikon Aculon AL11 Rangefinder - Dick's Sporting Goods Leupold RX-1000i TBR with DNA Digital Laser Rangefinder - Mossy Oak Break-Up - Dick's Sporting Goods Bushnell Scout DX 1000 ARC Laser Rangefinder - Dick's Sporting Goods

scope covers to keep moisture out like Butler Creek products

Anti-fogging solutions for scope glass

. Anti-Fog Kit for Glasses, Sunglasses, Ski Goggles, Gun Scopes, Binoculars, Eyewear, Sun Glasses, Sunnies, Anti Fog, Sunglasses Cleaner Scope Dope Lens Cleaner Anti-Fog

Blue Compound for rusty barrels

Product Details

A new full length cleaning rod. Tipton, Dewey or BoreTech

Bore Stix

a gun care bench vise e.g. Tipton

bench rest devices that improve stability at the range like Caldwell Products

Product Details

Electronic trigger pull gages

Lyman Trigger Pull Gage

a set of torque wrenches like the Fat Wrench

Wheeler Engineering FAT (Firearm Accurizing Torque) Torque Wrench Screwdriver

hunter laundry soap, body wash etc.

For Coyote hunting get rabbit calls and Coyote calls that are hand held or electronic.

That is just a start for now!

Deer Track Stew? Coyotes Eating Your Venison Again?

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Ed Hale

Not very tasty, I can assure you. Some guy with hoofs on a stick puts them every where? Doesn’t this guy sleep? As a kid that is sometimes what I thought when hunting with my Dad.

Really, I did see a small doe and a yearling in my crosshairs the other day and let them pass. I have been inoculating my hunting spot with estrous deer scent and yesterday I see that an adult buck is showing interest. Nearby rubs are on 2 to 3 inch saplings and scrapes are nearby too. I will add an update with photos of the rub. I put some estrous scent on the scrapes and hope that this buck finds it. Back to this spot in the afternoon? Meantime I promise the wife to button up the yard even better for the winter snow.

I have seen no new deer droppings in oak groves deep in the woods but I have seen old and new Coyote dung piles everywhere the deer are. In fact I see coyote tracks following deer incessantly. Coyotes are eating my deer and yours! Remember Coyotes are 1/3 Wolf here in the Northeast proven by genetic analysis. The Coyotes are larger, bigger jaws for crushing bone.

Huntin’ Notes early November

Posted on November 7, 2014 by Ed Hale

First of muzzle loader season was a bust with that Nor Easter but finally getting out some. Used my fawn bleat and attracted a big fat Coyote who turned tail and ran when he saw me. Seeing mediocre deer sign in southern NH. Deer are there but need to be pushed to see them. Not seeing deer! That will happen in the opening weekend of regular firearms season next week. Rut is approaching peak by the 15th to 20th by my reckoning. Now is a great time to rattle up a buck. I tried it day before yesterday but no luck. Use a grunt call too in combo with doe in estrus. Got to stick with the technique if it is to work.

Stay clean and as scentless as you can. I am trying too. I wear a camo face mask if on stand and don’t spook the squirrels who can signal danger. Good Hunting!

Making my Huntin’ Truck

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Ed Hale

I shared this story because many of us, like me, are not millionaires but need dependable safe transportation for hunting and fishing and can get you way off road to those honey holes that hold great hunting and fishing promise.

I have owned several 4×4 vehicles and did not want to buy new. Not only could I not afford a new vehicle, it did not make sense to spend 30 to 40 thousand dollars at this juncture.

I recently purchased a used 2001 Ford F150 4×4 Lariat Triton Truck (130K miles) from a local used car dealer as my hunting vehicle and it came equipped with a tow package. Got to have tow capability, right? You bet!

Nice Looking Huh!

It was priced right for my budget (cheap) from a used car dealership who specializes in truck sales. I had my local mechanic review my potential purchase for areas that needed repair before purchase. The dealer asked that I pay for parts and they would take care of labor. It cost me $400 extra for parts that included the exhaust manifold and rear axle seals and new trans-axle covers. Thank goodness for my mechanic’s keen senses.

When repairs were completed prior to purchase I took the truck back for a second review by my mechanic friend George at Freedom Tire in Plaistow, NH before consummating the deal. He was satisfied that the repairs were good and gave a thumbs up for the purchase knowing that my major nemesis was stopping the rust of the doors and skirts as well as the undercarriage. A common problem in the Northeast is severe rust from road salt.

This truck had less salt damage than most because it had no running boards for the salt to collect but it did have a large share of undercarriage rust to care for. Those that had running boards displayed severe rust through. Lesson learned!

I bought some very expensive specialty paints called POR 15 ($25 for a pint). Spray can too!

POR-15 Semi Gloss Black Quart

“POR-15® is a high-tech, high performance rust-preventive coating designed for application directly on rusted or seasoned metal surfaces. It dries to an incredible rock-hard, non-porous finish that won’t chip, crack, or peel, and it prevents rust from recurring by protecting metal from further exposure to moisture. Use it to coat rusty frames, floor pans, farm equipment, marine equipment, or even a heavily corroded battery tray. The POR 15 primer is sensitive to UV light (sun) and must be top coated for prolonged exposure to sunlight. Top coating is not required for areas not exposed to sunlight.”

POR-15 BlackCote Topcoat

I went to work scraping and sanding areas ( I used a dremmel power tool for small or hard to reach areas) that needed attention and then applied the paint by both brush and by spray. I just completed phase 1 painting of the door corners, skirt and undercarriage (2 hours) as well as the tailgate that was beginning to bubble. They make a rubberized undercoat too that I intend to purchase and spray on. We will see how it works over time.

The upper body of the truck and cab was well cared for by the previous owner and the truck looks like brand new.

So we shall see how this truck performs and lives its last few years as my Huntin’ Truck. I want to carry my canoe too so I will purchase a bed extender so my Canoe will be supported by the trailer hitch instead of buying racks for the truck. Bass Pro Shops sell the extender for $130.

bed extender canoe 2

For my rear widow I will add a Ducks Unlimited Duck Head Decal and Browning deer decal along with my NRA Life Member Sticker. A nice touch!

Ducks Unlimited Duckhead Duck Hunting Window Truck Decal 2pk Corp Gold product image

NH Pheasant Hunt #2 I’m Late

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Ed Hale

What a difference 30 minutes can have when you arrive late to a bird release. I didn’t think I was late nor did my hunting friend Mike. But we were never the less!

That said, these released pheasants were dug in like ticks on a hound. They flew into woods and brush and without a dog to dig them out, it was difficult indeed. I ran into my long time bowhunting friend Dan Williams who is heavy into hunting ducks and pheasant these days with his now champion dog Cody, a Labrador Retriever. Seen below. After the hunt Dan puts Cody through his paces retrieving four training bumpers in a row! One from 150 yards hidden in the woods!

Dan and Cody

Along for training he brought other dogs to learn from Cody and enjoy the field. They did all of that.

Mike’s dog Sam worked the best when he could concentrate away from the other dogs.

Sam Flushed up a pheasant which I downed with a long shot from my goose gun. We saw where the bird went down. In the wood edge we sent Sam in and he found the bird and retrieved well. Nice job Sam and Mike!

We called it a day when a hen shot up in front of other hunters. Both shot, both missed. Mike shot, I shot twice giving too much lead on the first shot. The bird did finally go down and was retrieved. Ultimately I claimed the bird. Here we shall call him the community bird as we all took a shot and laughed at ourselves. We were thankful that retrievers were there to pick up where shooting skill was not “at its best” for that bird anyhow.

Maine Bear Baiting and Hounds on the Ballot

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Ed Hale

Here we go again! The crazies have come to rescue the bears. But they don’t need rescuing! Today the bear population is growing faster than wildlife agencies can manage in some cases. In Maine the population numbers around 30,000. By eliminating baiting and hunting with hounds, selectivity of bears taken by hunters can decrease. Seeing the size and sex of a bear up close can aid the hunter to take or to pass. I have hunted bear in Ontario but in fact the bear would say that he hunted me. NRA-ILA reports that money is pouring in on both sides of the issue. Be aware get involved see below. Cute bears grow up to see you as food sooner or later. Just ask the guy who lived with bears in Alaska. He became food along with his girlfriend. Leave the bear management to Maine Fish and Game professionals.

http://nraila.org/news-issues/in-the-news/2014/10/money-pours-into-maine-for-bear-hunting-vote.aspx

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/money-pouring-maine-bear-vote-fight-26123857

New Hampshire Pheasant Hunt Heaven

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Ed Hale

New Hampshire Pheasant Hunting is easy on the hunters soul. Young hunters, Women, and a gaggle of older hunters and retrievers of all kinds can experience the thrill of the chase. Friendship abounds,dogs are trained and eager to retrieve. In early October God paints all the trees with crimson, orange and yellow and provides a deep blue canopy overhead with puffy cumulus clouds like cotton balls scattered here and there. It is simply heaven on earth to be outside and part of this hunt. Pheasant stocking programs from NH Fish and Game have existed for years here in New Hampshire.

I did not grow up as a Pheasant hunter as my father was more a deer hunter so my exposure was unfortunate. I gathered with my hunting friend Mike and his retriever Sam shown in the October cover photo. We eventually hooked up with his friends who also have dogs with them on the hunt. Some dogs are well trained and other dogs think that this is a social gathering to smell each other and play.

I found that many older men and their hunting dogs are ardent Pheasant hunters. The truth is that the bond between man and dog is inseparable like the hunter below who’s dog is thirteen years old. What a terrific friendship!

Mike and his dog Sam are equally inseparable as they train together to hunt Pheasants. Sam is a young retriever and is still learning the ropes. His exposure to the hunt and to other hunting dogs will aid greatly. Mike uses whistle commands and a training collar.

The hunt is a way for each to frolic and hunt together.

The truck arrived with birds for release into the NH Fish and Game regulated hunting area covering a very large area with woods and fields and released dozens and dozens of mature male and female pheasants. They take flight near and far some landing as far as a quarter mile away. Some right in front of us.

Some land right in the large fields as hunters wait for the truck to leave before advancing to locate and shoot them on the fly.

And fly they did! All of us decked out in orange were cognizant of our responsibilities for safe gun handling.

We had a great time! Birds were flushing everywhere. I did manage to down my limit of 2 birds.

Here Sam is showing off a Hen. What a mouthful. I got the birds home and prepared them by removing the suptuous breasts and legs to my considerable culinary skills. I saved the tail feather for perhaps a floral display or for fly tying. I am ready to do that again! It was great fun and a way to introduce youth hunters to hunting in general. A very social event or private event as you like it! Good Hunting! © 2014

Get back to basics and scout for deer hunt areas.

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Ed Hale

New Hampshire Hunters should be scouting now for your next hunting area. Below is the link to NH topo maps that you can print out. These maps are an essential piece of good hunting and scouting. Combine this with deer harvest data and this could be your next ticket to your next NH deer. Get back to basics and scout! This link has maps for most towns in NH. Study Study Study!

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/maps/topo.html

July 2026

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