 Thanks to those that came before us, those that had the courage and strength to stand up for their freedom and our freedom, we celebrate our independence and freedom. We all know and understand that freedom is not free. Men and women alike have and still do fight for and risk their lives for this freedom that we enjoy. And, it’s because of these men and women that we are able to live the lives we do today. We are beyond blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom to choose the life of a hunter. After all, there’s peace, freedom, and connection to be found in the hunting woods. The entire experience of hunting offers so much more than food on the table, it frees and restores the mind and soul. As you lace up your boots and hit the trail you leave the chaos of everyday life behind. You’re not obligated to answer your phone or texts (if you even have service), there are no deadlines, and there’s no clock to punch. It just you and the journey ahead. As you move through the wilderness it’s calm and quiet. You can move as fast or as slow as you want, taking it all in, looking for sign, and listening for the slightest movement. It’s almost as if your senses are heightened. The noise of the world that once clouded your mind is gone leaving your mind free and clear. The path you are on is completely yours. There’s no one telling you where to go or when to be somewhere. You have the absolute freedom to rely on your senses (and maybe your GPS) to guide you. When action strikes, it’s up to you to make the call. You are the only one to decide when to move, when to call, when to draw and when to shoot, should you get the opportunity. You and only you will take ownership of the result. When night falls and you prepare for bed you are freed from the distraction of technology that fills our everyday life. It’s just you and a beautiful evening under the stars. As hunters, we have several reasons to celebrate our freedom today with a big one being this amazing lifestyle that affords us the freedom found in the woods. At Nature’s Paint, we are on a mission to provide the best hunting face on the market. For this reason, and more, our paint is always composed of natural ingredients that you can pronounce and are both safe for you and our environment. Our hunting face paint is always easy on, easy off, 100% natural, and environmentally friendly. Go ahead, try it for yourself, and notice the difference.
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 There are 365 days in a year and roughly 29 days dedicated to big game hunting season (depending on your location) leaving approximately 336 days to prepare for the upcoming season. While preparing for the upcoming season doesn’t typically take 336 days, big game archery season is much more than a one-month event. When it comes to scouting and season prep we all have our preferences. Oftentimes these preferences are established based on our hunting style. Some people simply hop in the truck opening day and drive around looking for a buck while others lace up the boots, throw the pack on and head for the hills with their salt and trail cameras. And, of course, there are a variety of scouting techniques that fall somewhere in between. It’s all about finding what fits best for your hunting style. So where to begin? Let’s look at several different scouting techniques and how they work. As we sort through his list, keep in mind that every state contains its own unique regulations so it’s important to first be familiar with what is and what isn’t legal in your particular state. Online Scouting Thanks to the internet we have the ability to begin the scouting process from the comfort of our phones or computers. And, it’s a great place to begin, especially when you are gearing up to hunt a new area. You can use free services like Google Earth or paid services like OnX or Basemap. In a nutshell, the satellite images allow us to look at different areas and make note of the food supply, habitat, water sources, roads, access, and so on. As you find areas that look promising mark them on your GPS or in whatever app you prefer so you can easily find them when it comes time to set a few trail cameras. Be sure to note the closest access roads and distance. Remember, if you are successful in this spot you will be packing your harvest out. Here’s the really cool thing about online scouting, you can utilize it all year long to study areas you plan to hunt. By Foot As the snow melts and the areas you marked become accessible its time to lace up the boots, strap on the pack and get hiking (typically around May or June depending on your location). This is not only beneficial for scouting but also helps you get in shape for the season ahead. So, what are we looking for? Sign, of course. Be sure to keep an eye out for rubs, game trails, tracks, wallows, and fresh poop. These are all indications that you have found a promising spot that may be worthy of your trail camera, tree stand, or ground blind. Take note of the lay of the land and get as familiar with it as possible. This can only play to your advantage when it comes time to hunt. And, of course, don’t forget to set waypoints for all of the spots you need to remember come hunting season like wallows, where you set your cameras, and so on. Camera Check This is where things get really fun. There are few things better than capturing images of wildlife on your camera, especially when its a monster buck or herd bull. While it is tempting to head in every week to see what new images you have, its best to check the cameras about once a month. You want to keep the pressure off the animals and minimize the risk of bumping them out prior to the season. When it comes time to hike in and see what’s happening. Go ahead and throw a little extra weight in your pack to help you get into “hunting shape.” When you put the time in prior to season you are starting your big game season with your best foot forward and your best chance at harvesting an animal. Remember, there are 365 days in a year, roughly 29 days dedicated to big game hunting season (depending on your location), and about 336 days preparing for the upcoming season. At Nature’s Paint, we are on a mission to provide the best hunting face on the market. For this reason, and more, our paint is always composed of natural ingredients that you can pronounce and are both safe for you and our environment. Our hunting face paint is always easy on, easy off, 100% natural, and environmentally friendly. Go ahead, try it for yourself, and notice the difference.
 Fathers, they are our protectors, our teachers, and oftentimes our adventure partners. While mothers have certainly played their role (there’s no doubting that), many of us have dad or a father figure to thank for teaching us this way of life we know and love. The life of a hunter. Throughout our youth, he showed us the ropes. It started with early mornings in the hunting truck and our favorite snacks (courtesy of mom). While we tried to match his long strides with our quick short strides he was sure to point out every rub and the indications of its age, every dropping and indications of its freshness, and every animal within sight. When we were really lucky we got to see dad harvest an animal and help him field dress and pack it out. As we grew older the hunts changed. We gained more responsibility and earned the opportunity to take the shot, but there was no way we could do this on our own. Again, Dad was there, right by our side, coaching us, teaching us, guiding us, keeping us safe, and mentoring us. Time passed and we grew. We were able to hit the woods without Dad. Overall of those years Dad taught us right. Thanks to him, we know certain hunting spots like the back of our hand, we know where to put our cameras and salt, and maybe most importantly, we know how to harvest, thank and care for the animals we are blessed with. While the solo hunts and experiencing the woods with new friends is fun, there’s always time for a hunt with Dad. Now matching him stride for stride as you head to your favorite hunting spot, sharing the lunch you packed with him, letting him have the first shot, and reminiscing about all of the hunts you have enjoyed together. Looking back, many of us now understand that during these early ages Dad was giving us a very precious gift during his short hunting season: his time, attention, and love all in efforts to pass along his passion and knowledge. And today, thanks to Dad, we too are able to pass along this lifestyle we know and love. Happy Father’s Dad and thank you to all of the amazing hunting dads out there. At Nature’s Paint, we are on a mission to provide the best hunting face on the market. For this reason, and more, our paint is always composed of natural ingredients that you can pronounce and are both safe for you and our environment. Our hunting face paint is always easy on, easy off, 100% natural, and environmentally friendly. Go ahead, try it for yourself and notice the difference.
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