Q
On April 16, while turkey hunting in central Tennessee, I came upon a fresh scrape about the size of a trashcan lid, littered with deer tracks and droppings. There was even a broken-off licking branch over the scrape. Why would a deer make a scrape at this time of year?
–Don Belles, via e-mail

A
I’ve seen the same thing. In fact, researchers have observed bucks scraping in the spring and then using the same scrapes in the fall. Many whitetail addicts believe bucks scrape during the spring because the amount of daylight hours (photoperiod) is the same as during the fall. Although the literature doesn’t specifically state this, I personally think “messed-up” yearling bucks make those spring scrapes because their calendars are off.
–C.J. Winand, Contributor

Q
Can you recommend an outfitter for a red stag hunt in New Zealand?
Mark Hamilton, Plymouth, MI

A
Larry D. Jones and I hunted red stags in New Zealand a couple of years ago with Gerald Telford Hunting and Fishing Services, a small, family operation. We hunted in early April and hit the “roar” perfectly. The stags were roaring everywhere, but it’s not a cakewalk, especially outside the high-fenced farms. I missed a stag on the second morning and then killed a good one that evening, and I had other opportunities. Although Larry did not kill a stag, he had several “almosts” with his recurve bow.

We chose to hunt free-range stags, not behind high fences. Gerald offers both options.

We saw lots of stags and had great hunting. If you want to hunt inside high fences you will find easier hunting and larger stags, but you pay according to the size of the stag you kill. We didn’t want to do that.

Gerald is an outstanding host, and we had first-rate accommodations at a fine bed and breakfast in Wanaka. It’s the perfect place to take a spouse. The gorgeous city of Queenstown offers plenty of activities. I would heartily recommend Gerald Telford’s operation. For more information, go to www.flyfishhunt.co.nz/.

There are many others, of course. Google “red stag hunting in New Zealand” for lots of ideas. Before booking with any outfitter, do your homework. Make sure you understand whether the operation is high-fenced, and check with plenty of references.
–Curt Wells, Equipment Editor

Q
My old recurve is a little worse for wear and I feel it’s time for an upgrade. Do you have any recommendations?
–Louis Fortini, via e-mail

A
I have several recurve bows and find each shoots fine. Black Widow (www.blackwidowbows.com) makes fine traditional bows. Hoyt’s (www.hoyt.com) GameMaster II and Dorado, with metal handles and a modern look, perform well. 3Rivers Archery (www.3riversarchery.com) has many bows to choose from including the new Dalaa, which also has a metal handle.

I have a 66-inch Dalaa and I like the fact that I can adjust the tiller and draw weight. Martin Archery (www.martinarchery.com) has a solid line of recurves, many of them at affordable prices. I also own a Bob Lee recurve (www.bobleearchery.com), which is smooth shooting and pretty fast. These are just a few suggestions to get you started in your search for a new stickbow. Have fun!
–Larry D. Jones, TV Videographer

Q
As a lifelong whitetail hunter, I’ve hunted only from treestands. I’m planning to head west for elk, but to stay in my comfort zone, I would like to hunt from a treestand. Am I way off base, or can I effectively hunt elk from a treestand? If so, what are the best stand sites?
–J.B., via e-mail

A
Treestands can guarantee you close, sure kills on elk. In arid regions, waterholes are by far the best places for treestands. In Arizona and New Mexico, a high percentage of the big bulls are killed at water. The challenges are 1) finding a tree big enough for a stand (many desert waterholes are surrounded by nothing but scrubby pinion/juniper), and 2) finding water not already occupied by other hunters. In “All Right Elk,” (August 2009), Lon Lauber describes taking a nice bull in New Mexico over water. In northwestern Colorado, I hung a treestand in an aspen tree overlooking a hidden spring and had a number of bulls within easy bow range.

In typical Rocky Mountain habitat, fresh wallows can make reliable stand sites. The operative word here is fresh. Don’t waste your time placing stands on abandoned wallows. Fence crossings are always reliable places for stands; elk will follow fences for long distances until they find a broken or loose top strand where they can easily jump across. Trails to and from feeding areas, such as alfalfa fields, will produce. Plan to be patient. Elk herds often travel long distances and may show up at any given location only once every three or four days.
–Dwight Schuh, Editor

Q
I hunt in northern Wisconsin, where temperatures during hunting season often drop well below zero. Do you have any advice on outerwear? I need something that will keep me warm well below zero but won’t get me all sweated-up when I’m walking to my stand or stalking an animal.
–Brad Jensen, Hortonville, WI

A
As a resident of North Dakota, I understand cold-weather hunting. I recommend you get a Heater Body Suit, a one-piece insulated outfit you carry to your stand. Once belted in with your safety harness you slip into the Heater Body Suit and zip it up. It will retain much of your body heat, and when a shot opportunity arises you can easily zip it open, grab your bow, and take the shot. I’ve used one on numerous occasions, and it works great. An interior harness goes over your shoulders so the suit stays up when you zip it open.

This product allows you to hike in wearing much less clothing so you don’t get all sweated-up. It conceals your hand movements, and because it covers you from neck to toe, your feet stay warm as well. Join me for a how-it’s-made video tour of the Heater Body Suit at www.bowhunter.com or visit www.heaterbodysuit.com. Stay warm!
–Curt Wells, Equipment Editor