2009 Turkey Photo Contest

CLICK HERE TO ENTER PHOTO - You MUST REGISTER on our forum board to participate

Each Category Winner Will Win All The Following Prizes:

• PRIMOS NEW Sonic Dome Double Reed Turkey Mouth Call (Dontated By East Coast Guns Sales)


• Box of Winchester Supreme Double X Magnum Turkey Loads (Dontated By East Coast Guns Sales)


• Medalist Scent-Inhibitor™ Silkweight Long Sleeve Mock


• Medalist Scent-Inhibitor Silkweight Pant


• Medalist Silvermax™ Huntgear Rack Embroidered Patch Cap

The 2009 PSP Turkey Photo Contest will run from April 19, 2009 through May 26, 2009

• To be eligible for the contest, you must be registered for our forum boards with a valid user name and e-mail address. Click Here to Register


• The deadline for entry is the same as the final day of the contest May 26, 2009.


• All photos must contain the 2009 PSP Turkey photo contest identification tag (available online). Photos not displaying the id tag are not eligible. Click Here To Download the PSP ID Tag.


• All submitted pictures become the property of PSP and may be used for future promotional purposes.

Photos will be judged in three categories

Best Youth Turkey Photo
Photo must contain the youth hunter and the turkey. All photos must contain the 2009 PSP Turkey photo contest identification tag.

Best Beard Contest
Photo must contain picture of the hunter and the turkey displaying the beard. Beard length is not important but will obviously come into play when judging the picture. All photos must contain the 2009 PSP Turkey photo contest identification tag.

Best Overall Turkey Photo
Photo can be of anything related to turkey hunting. The photo should incorporate the gear, the turkey, the hunter(s) and if possible the PSP logo. All photos must contain the 2009 PSP Turkey photo contest identification tag.

All judging to be completed by the PSP ownership and field staff.

2009 Trout Contest

CLICK HERE TO ENTER PHOTO - You MUST REGISTER on our forum to participate

Each Category Winner Will Win All The Following Prizes:

• Sportsmen Portal "Team Angler" Shirt


• McConnells Country Store and Flyshop Fishing Hat


• Medalist Men's Scent-Inhibitor™ Silkweight Short Sleeve Mock

Rules

• Contest begins April 4th, 2009 and runs through May 26th. Because April is notorious for bad weather and high water, this contest will run long.


• To be eligible for the contest, you must be registered on our forum boards with a valid user name and e-mail address. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER


• The Deadline for entry is the same as the final day of the contest May 28, 2009.


• Participants will be randomly paired with one other participant when the contest is over. A point system will determine the score for each participant. The combined points for both participants will be entered as that teams score.


• The team with the highest combined score will be declared the winners. In the event of a tie the team with the most golden trout will be declared the winner. In the event of that tie, the team with the most trophy trout will be determined the winner.


• All photos must contain the 2009 PSP Trout contest identification tag. Click Here to download the ID Tag. Photos not displaying the id tag are not eligible.


• A best overall trout photo will be selected and the winner of that contest will also receive a prize!

Scoring for the contest will be as follows:

• Each participant can enter up to 5 fish in the contest. Only one trout from each species can be entered for each participant Fish will be scored according to type as well as size. All fish must meet the state minimum for length to be eligible. (If you catch a fish that is borderline, please include a measurement in the photo).


• Fish that have the entrails removed or have had the heads or tails removed are not eligible. Also, mounted fish and/or replicas are not eligible.


• All submitted pictures become the property of PSP and may be used for future promotional purposes.

Rainbow trout - 5 pts
Brown Trout - 5 pts
Brook Trout - 5 pts
Tiger Trout - 5 pts
Golden Trout - 10pts

Bonus Points

PSP Bonus
As usual, anyone displaying a PSP logo on their clothing or on their vehicle will receive 10 bonus points.

Trophy Trout Bonus
Any trout measuring over 16 inches will receive 10 bonus points. Please provide a clear picture displaying a measurement of the fish if it is over 16 inches. Fish that appear to be to close to call will be reviewed by the judges of the contest.
Tip: use a measuring device with large clear numbers on it. Display the entire fish in the picture.

Streamside Bonus
Pictures taken Streamside will receive 2 bonus points.

PA Trout Grand-slam Bonus
Participants that enter one of each species will receive 10 bonus points.

Winners will be announced on May 28, 2009

Click Here For Complete PSP Contest Rules

Sheds, Shootin' and Winter Scouting

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• Leupold Katmai 8x32 Binoculars


• Moultrie Game Spy D40 Trail Camera


• Medalist Silvermax Stalker Jacket


• Medalist Silvermax Watchman’s Cap


• Lacrosse Alpha Burly Boots


• SureLoc QC1 200 Sight


• Winner's Choice String & Cables

This winter has been longer and colder than most from recent memory, but that hasn't stopped me from getting outside.  Most of my recent excursions have been to check on the local deer herd and search for shed antlers.  A lot of folks wait until the snow thaws completely before they search for bone, but I like to get started early.  At this time of the year, cabin fever has really set in and I don't need much of an excuse to get out of the house.

A well-used deer trail through a stand of spruce trees; Several deer walk single-file to a winter food source.

With snow still on the ground, I can easily see the areas where the deer have been spending most of their time.  In deep snow, deer tend to "yard up" and don't do much moving.  In these situations, feeding areas and bedding areas can be one and the same.  Any trails you do find will likely look like deer super highways.

Winter bedding and feeding areas under the shelter of evergreens

A lot of the deer activity that I've observed this winter has been in stands of pine or hemlock and also in crab apple thickets.  Logically, the snow depth has been much less under the evergreens and allows the deer to walk and feed more easily.  Often, the hard crab apples that were bypassed for more palatable soft mass last fall, are now targeted by deer digging under the snow.  These are the areas where I've focused my initial searches for sheds.  After the snow melts completely, I'll add corn fields and traditional bedding areas to my list of search zones.

The right side of a 2-year-old six point that survived last season

So far this year, my shed count has been a lonely number one.  I've put in some serious miles, but the late thaw has kept me from exploring some of my prime locations.  Still, I was very happy to find the 3-point antler that got me on the board for '09.  It was lying on top of the snow at a small creek crossing between a thicket and a corn field.  The brow tine was broken off, but I recognized the buck as a two-year-old that I had trail camera photos of last fall.  I was happy to see that the buck made it through the season and hope to see him again next fall.

My new Winner's Choice string and cable set and SureLoc QC1 sight

This winter has also kept me hitting the indoor range at Archery World fairly consistently.  After a few weeks of shooting, it was obvious that my bow needed some routine maintenance.  A new string and a set of cables was the first order of business.  Having very good luck with them in the past, I opted for another set from Winner's Choice.  After lubing the limb pockets and axles and installing a target peep, I had a lean, mean shooting machine!

The QC1 sight features very fine pins and interchangeable pin modules for both hunting and target shooting.

Since my bow was looking so good and I wanted to do my part to stimulate the economy, I just couldn't resist buying a new sight.  I had my eye on several new '09 models, and the Sure-Loc QC1 really caught my attention.   Several features I really liked about this sight were very fine pins (0.010") and an extension bar for target shooting as well as third axis leveling and micro adjustments for windage.  But the one option that sold me on this sight was the interchangeable pin modules that allow the shooter to quickly swap target and hunting pin sets.  This sight is definitely worth a look if you're in the market for a new hunting or target sight.

I hope everyone is enjoying the winter season and spending some time in the field.  This time of year can be one of the best opportunities to pattern deer and scout for the upcoming archery season.  And if you're lucky, you might even find the sheds of the buck that eluded you last fall.  Just think...he'll be even bigger this year!  Good luck to everyone!

Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show Wrap Up

Finding time to get outside this past month has been almost impossible, but we had the next best thing, the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg. The Sportsmen Portal was the internet coverage sponsors of the show and streamed live video all week long.

Lee & Tiffany with Team Sportsmen Portal

We had an opportunity to meet and interview many big names including, Lee & Tiffany, Michael Waddell, Larry Weishun, Greg Ritz, Drury Outdoor Team Members, Bone Collectors – T-Bone & Nick Mundt, Matt Morrett, Alex Rutledge, Benoits, Eddie Salter and many more. I think one of the best things I took from the show and meeting all these folks was realizing that they are all just like you and I, really down to earth people who love to hunt and fish.

Eddie Salter Interview

My favorite interview was with Eddie Salter of Hunter Specialties. He was a character and it was all I could do just to keep up. What a great guy! Of course meeting and chatting with Michael Waddell was a highlight, and he really is in person just like he is on tv. I would be remiss if I didn’t say that Tiffany is definitely as cute in person as on screen.

Michael Waddell Interview

Lee & Tiffany Interview

We also got a first hand look at a lot of new products out there including, the new Hunter Safety System Vest, Summit Treestands, Muddy Treestands and accessories, TimberTall Treestands, new waterfowl calls, turkey calls and more.

Greg Ritz Showing The New Bone Collector Thompson Center

It was also nice to see a lot of folks get out and forget about the terrible economy for a while. We spoke to many vendors who said they sold more goods at the show than the previous 3 years put together, which told me that people were enjoying themselves. This was the busiest I have ever seen the show with packed aisles everyday of the week.

For me personally the most enjoyable part of the week was seeing all our hard work payoff and the guys and gals of the Sportsmen Portal team get a chance to meet and talk with some of the celebrities that they look up to and admire.

I also wanted to thank all of those site visitors who stopped by to say hello. It was great meeting some new people and some of the same faces we already know. I especially wanted to thank all of those who were wearing our new Wired Outdoors and Sportsmen Portal gear at the show. It was great to see so many supporting us and our efforts. If you haven’t already purchased your new Wired Outdoors or Sportsmen Portal t-shirt, they are now available online – Click Here.

 Until next year’s show, I look forward to seeing you all online!!

Here are some photos from the show!

Nick Mundt & T-Bone Turner, Bone Collectors with Jason Say

Drury Outdoors Team Member Greg Day and Rick Malik with Team Sportsmen Portal

Jason Say with Michael Waddell

Team Sportsmen Portal with Michael Waddell

Sportsmen Portal Gals, Teresa and Anna with Michael Waddell

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Jason Say with Greg Ritz

Jason Say with Eddie Salter

Jason Say with Don and Kandi Kisky

Winter Jig Fishing

By Eric Richards, Coveted Waters Guiding

Every winter our rivers and the fish that reside in them go through many changes. We cannot predict the weather and water levels. However the predictable thing is that the walleye, musky and bass will be on the move. The transition to wintering pools and movement from there to suitable spawning habitat. During these migrations the need for energy is critical to the development of eggs and the necessary fuel to undergo the rigors of spawn itself. Winter fishing is the jig fisherman's time and many of the largest fish of the year of all three species come during this time.

The art of jigging few master. There is more to it than just slowly bouncing the jig over the bottom. The jig must be manipulated to appear alive to the fish. I enjoy fishing jigs because it is fishing in a true form. The way fish want to see the retrieve will change through out the season. The skilled will pick up on these subtleties.

First we can all be better jig fisherman by understanding some basic principles. The diameter of your line used will affect many things. The friction of both water and air against heavier line will affect the action of the lure and your ability to stay in touch with your lure. You can effectively fish a lighter jig with lighter line. Many times the fish will prefer to see the jig falling slowly this can best be done with lighter heads and line weights.

This gets us into presentation. If the fish want to see the jig falling then the more times you can make it fall during a retrieve the better. When the jig is allowed to fall to the bottom it is then retrieved with short hops by raising the rod tip or squeezing the rod. During real cold water temps it may be necessary to fish extremely slow. The jig stays on or near the bottom for the duration of the retrieve. Basically the size and speed of the hop is varied to determine which is best. The fish will decide. I remember one night in particular. The best jig man I know and I were out braving the cold and after two hours had nothing to show. I thought that maybe the fish needed enticed to bite. I made my cast and waited for it to make contact the bottom. I then ripped the bait hard and fast like I would a jerk bait. I was thrilled by a take on the third rip. The next cast was rewarded on the second rip. I told my friend what I had done and for the next 45 minutes we had constant action.

The last retrieve is what we call swimming. This is a slow steady retrieve, ticking the ledges and rocks from time to time. This is a very effective retrieve for walleye even in very cold temps.

The good jig fisherman is concentrating on his lures every move. When it hits a rock, he knows it's a rock. Many times after plucking my jig off a rock I am rewarded with a strike. A jig jumping off the bottom imitates a fleeing bait fish or crayfish effectively. The takes vary from a good pluck of the line to just added weight but sometimes and the hardest to detect is the lack of weight or resistance. This happens when the fish takes coming towards you. The only way I know too detect this take consistently is to fish with a closed face reel. By holding your index finger in front of the reel while you cup the reel itself in your rod hand the line travels over your finger allowing you to feel this take. I can't get that sensitivity with an open face reel. The bait caster is an alternative but an unnecessary one and at a cost. The retrieve rates are also faster than what I like for this type of fishing. I like simplicity. Much of the fishing done by the serious walleye fisherman is done in the dark as well. This is entirely all feel and you need every advantage for slow winter jig fishing.

I have heard nymph fisherman say that they must fish nymphs for weeks on end before they develop the feel. I believe that the jig fisherman is the same. I know a few old boys on the river and believe me, experience is hard to beat. . One last thought, keep track of where you find fish along with the current water level and cfs. I hope you find the enjoyment in winter jig fishing as I have.

My 8 Point Buck

By Shane Hutton, Clairton, PA

My name is Shane Hutton from Pittsburgh, PA. I am an avid outdoorsmen and more than anything love to hunt. I have been getting deer (doe) every year with the help of my father since I was 12 years old. Now hunting has become the thing that I look forward to the most all year, not Christmas, not birthdays, not summer. Hunting. Over the years being successful at bagging does with my rifle but only one buck in 11 years kinda turned me off of rifle hunting and put my passion into archery hunting. I think there were about 39 days in 2008 you could go archery with the pre-season for doe only in Allegheny county and I did a total of 36 sits. My friends joke and when someone asks me for directions and they say "Shane will get you there by trail". I have seen a lot of big buck around the city of Pittsburgh and have a lot of luck seeing them; but getting them is a different story. I missed and wounded so many deer I literally was about to give up on archery, when finally I got a doe, and then a small buck in 2007. Awesome year for me. With three years of bad, rainy, hot weather for opening day rifle season at my family camp I figured my only shot this year was archery and thought nothing of rifle season. That's why I put so much time in. Well I had a great archery year and seen a lot of different deer, wildlife, and neat things but couldn't get a shot at a nice buck. So I figured I better make the best of my rifle season. With low expectations I went to my archery spot and got my hanging tree stand that doesn't have a rest and took it down and brought it home. I then bought a piece of conduent pipe and a bender and some hooks and bent me a rest to put on the front of my hang-on stand. I took it to Elk county at my family camp and scouted the area and put it up in the tree. I seriously only go rifle hunting to spend time with my family, and get into the woods. Its such a great experience being there but I don't go expecting to see the things I do in archery season. Well all my hard work, perseverance, and dedication paid off this year because at 720am I had this giant 8 point walk within 30 yards of my stand and I dropped this  beauty with the first shot. I never expected this, and I was so happy.

We have about 10 people that live permanently up there and they along with a couple camps were looking at my deer all week. I was the biggest buck taken by far. This might not be a giant on a farm, or Canada but for a mountain deer its one of a kind. It was just a great experience, maybe once in a life time experience; and too see my hard work pay off I am just grateful, and happy. This is the only great buck I have ever got and surely could be my best ever. It scores in the 140 class, with 20''main beams,  a 19'' spread, and 4'' diameter main beams.

The First Day Of Rifle Season

by Brad Barkdoll

The first day of rifle season was one I had been wishing for. Not only was the sky clear, but the temperature was great, not to cold, but not hot enough for deer to slow down and not move as much.

Me and my dad, Danny, made our was across the open field in which to get to our 2 person stand. But as we came closer to where we enter the woods, the creek we need to cross is way to high for our boots to cross it. So our only other choice was to walk through the woods, right next to our stand and risk messing up the hunting for a portion of the day.

Once we finally got situated in the stand around 6am, we sat for around 2 hours with no signs of life coming from the woods. Another 3 hours went bywith a few sounds of cracking limbs, but nothing major to worry about. Not only was it a tad thick to see from our stand, but the night before, it had rained which made it hard to hear if anything was coming or going.

Finally, 10:30 came around. My dad and i were debating whether to stay in that stand, or switch to the other across the property. Then my dad took a quick turn to the left, and he kind of jumped, because there was an 8 point, about 25 yards away. He told me to get my gun up, but the brush was so thick, there was really only one place to shoot at him, around 60 yards away. So after about 3 minutes of watching the buck, he finally stopped right in a clearing. My dad hit a bleet call and the bucks head sprung right up. I aimed for the neck, fired, and watched this beautiful 8 point drop right right in front of me!

My dad and i were overjoyed, even cheering loud enough for our friend Jeff to radio us from across the property to ask whats going on over there.

For my first buck kill, i was so excited. But then again, my dad always joke at how i "set the standards high" for a first buck, and shouldn't expect anymore big ones like this.