Western Whitetail article: Silence is Golden

The new issue of Western Whitetail is out (Early Season 2014), and my "Make The Shot" column in this issue takes a look at why using silencers/suppressors for hunting is a huge benefit to everyone, including those who don't like suppressors or don't own any (yet). You can read the article in full by clicking here or on the image of the first page below.

Want more info about Western Whitetail magazine? Visit their website.

Standard subscription rate is $12.99, but if you're interested in a FREE subscription to Western Whitetail, Independence Training can help you with that! Contact us to find out how to get it - Contact Info Here.


Happy (Silent) Hunting!

An Oldie But A Goodie: Coyote takes Cat from backyard in Scottsdale, AZ in broad daylight

It's 4 years old, but interesting nonetheless. Just another reason that coyotes need to be thinned out as much as possible, though it seems to be a fight we'll never win.

Video imbed wouldn't work for this one, so you'll have to click the link. The comments below the video are priceless: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXYOvqt48VE

Happy Hunting!

Red Fox and Natural Camo

I have been on a quest for a red fox for awhile now. I live in AZ, where red fox are only in a small portion of the state, and even there they are very uncommon and difficult to hunt. I travel to CO every year to see family, but it's always in the summer time, when red fox pelts would not be good for keeping. Only once have I been there during the winter, and in two days of calling all we called in were stinking coyotes! Last week I was in CO and spotted this red fox out in a field - too much of a summer coat to want to do anything about it, but in observing him (almost drove right past) I was interested in how well the natural camo of the fox helped to blend him in with his surroundings.

So often when I'm out hunting I wear neutral colors with some basic (usually mil surp) camo. Often I hear hunters talk about how important it is that you have the latest and greatest camo, but based on my experience (which is rather extensive) and plenty of opportunities to see critters like this red fox blending in very well with no Multicam, I guess I'd have to disagree.

(click for larger image)

Happy Hunting!

Western Whitetail article: Basic Gear for Precision Shooting

The new issue of Western Whitetail is out (Spring 2014), and my "Make The Shot" column in this issue takes a look at how to set yourself and your rifle up for success before and during the hunt. You can read the article in full by clicking here.

Want more info about Western Whitetail magazine? Visit their website.

Standard subscription rate is $12.99, but if you're interested in a FREE subscription to Western Whitetail, go here and enter the code GETWWFREE: http://www.magzter.com/coupon/redeem 


Happy Hunting!

Coyote Clinic 2014 - Sept 27/28

Coyote Clinic is back for 2014! September 27 and 28 in Prescott Valley, AZ, and this session will be better than ever! Click on the image below for a larger version so that you can get all of the details. You can also view a PDF version of the details by clicking here.

*Youth discounts and Active military discounts are available.*

(click on above image to enlarge)

Don't wait until it's too late to enroll - Register Today by sending a message here: http://www.independencetraining.com/contact-us/]http://www.independencetraining.com/contact-us/

Coyote Clinic graduates have more success in the field! Check out just a few of their success stories and pictures: 

Triple Fox - http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2013/01/first-fox-turns-into-triple-fox.html

First Coyote - http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2013/12/another-coyote-clinic-student-bags.html

First Coyote - http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2013/11/coyote-clinic-graduate-drops-first.html

First Coyote - http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2013/10/coyote-clinic-graduate-dumps-his-first.html

You can read a little about our last Coyote Clinic, back in Sept 2013: http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2013/10/coyote-clinic-2013-another-successful.html

And the year before that in May 2012: http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2012/06/coyote-clinic-2012-round-2-success.html

Coyote Gets Dumped at 1860 Yards

I just realized it's been a while since I posted on this blog (I've been busy with training), but here's something I wanted to share. While it may not be my style of hunting, since I like to get as close as possible, this type of shooting is impressive.

Happy Hunting!

Trapped Coyote Is Eaten By Mountain Lion

One of my trapping friends shared these photos with me from last week. In an area where he has had good success trapping coyotes on private land to keep them out of livestock, he came upon this scene:

Looks like the coyote literally ripped off its own leg . . . . maybe. Because as he approaches the body, my friend sees this:

The coyote has been eaten, and judging by the tracks, it was a mountain lion! So did the coyote ripped its leg off, and THEN get eaten by the lion? Or was this just the scene of one helluva violent struggle?

A return to the site the following day shows that the lion came back to finish the job, and now the hunt is on for the lion . . . .

Happy Hunting!

SHOT Show 2014: The #1 best new predator hunting gadget

I go to SHOT Show for the advancement of my primary business, Independence Training. But while I'm there, there's no reason not to check out all of the cool new predator hunting products! While the theme seems to be bigger speakers and louder calls for the e-caller market, the mouth call market pretty much stayed the same, and there are some really cool new predator hunting rifles from several different manufacturers, primarily in the AR variety. Lucky Duck, formerly Edge by Expedite, has some interesting new decoys that I'm looking forward to testing out, and MOJO is expanding their line of turkey decoys, which I'll be using this spring for my son's turkey hunt . . . . and maybe play with for predator hunting, too.

All that said, the coolest new predator hunting product that I saw, being a FoxPro user, was their new FOXGRIP. It's an AR style grip, made by CAA (not my favorite company), and it has a button that can be programmed to do any one function on your caller. This is a great idea because it puts it right under my thumb (sorry southpaws) and makes muting a caller or switching sounds, the two things I need to do most quickly, easy as pressing a button with my thumb and thus eliminating excess movement.

If you're interested in purchasing one, look for them online - looks like the going price right now will be $90.00.


Happy Hunting!

Another Coyote Clinic Student Bags Their First Coyote!

Some of my favorite emails to receive include a message with a picture of a dead predator and a smiling hunter. Daniel, a graduate of the most recent Coyote Clinic, had this to say about his photo:

So the other day I headed out hunting with my sister-in-law and we got this nice male at our second stand.  It was her first time that she came out with me and we got a yote.  I cut back on most of the mistakes that I learned I was making from your class and this is the result. I found that [one of the worst mistakes] I was making was sky lining myself either by how I walked over a hill that I was going to call or even sitting on top of the hill while calling.  

Good job, Daniel!

Are you interested in attending a Coyote Clinic? Shoot me over an email and let me know!

Happy Hunting, and Happy New Year!

Western Whitetail article: Basic Gear for Precision Shooting

The new issue of Western Whitetail has been released (Winter 2013), and on Page 46 you'll find my column called "Make The Shot." In this issue I get into the basic gear that you'll need to get into precision shooting. You can read the article in full by clicking here: http://www.westernwhitetail-digital.com/westernwhitetail/winter_2013/?pg=46

You can also find an advertisement for my company, Independence Training, on page 19.

And right now, until Dec 31, 2013, Western Whitetail is giving away FREE subscriptions to their magazine. A subscription consists of 4 issues - Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter - plus access to back issues. Get yours now before the New Year comes and you have to pay for it! http://www.westernwhitetail.com/product/western-whitetail-magazine-digital-edition/


Happy Hunting . . . . and Merry Christmas!