This post is sponsored by the great folks at Eureka Tent.

Today I have the pleasure of giving away one of Eureka’s new sleeping bags to one of my readers.  If you love camping and the great outdoors, now is your chance to win a brand new Eureka sleeping bag valued at $119.99.

Eureka Rimfire Sleeping Bag

Doesn’t it look nice and cozy. I can see you now all bundled up under the stars. Or in your tent.  Or probably in your truck because you thought you heard a bear.

Eureka Rimfire Sleeping Bag Features:

• The 5.6 oz Rimfire poly/cotton shell fabric is tough, yet soft to the touch.
• The 3 free-floating compression straps are specifically designed not to tear out and to keep the sleeping bag neatly rolled.
• The Rimfire easily integrates with Eureka! sleeping bag carry duffle accessory (sold separately) via the three elastic loops at the head of the bag. (Sold Separately)
• Shell material: 5.6 oz. Rimfire 65/35 polycotton
• Lining material: 100% yarn-dyed cotton flannel
• Insulation: Eureka! ThermaShield
• Zipper: # 8
• 3 free floating compression straps
• Full length draft tube
• Anti-snag webbing
• Hang loops
• Hook & loop zipper closure
• Easy integration of carry duffle

Rules to enter the contest:

Subscribe to my blog: I’d love for you to subscribe to my blog.  It’s so much easier to visit my blog when you are subscribed.  You can subscribe by clicking on the big orange button on the top right corner.

Leave a comment:  I’d love to hear where you all go camping.  I’ve never been and you all might just convince me I might want to go. Tell me where you sleep under the stars and have s’mores.

It’s that easy!

The contest will run from today, January 29, 2010 – Friday, February 5, 2010.  The winner will be selected randomly and announced on Saturday, February 6, 2010.  An e-mail notification will be sent and the winner must claim their prize within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected.  US residents only.

If you’re looking for other camping equipment, please visit Eureka Camping. You might just need a new Eureka tent to go with that new sleeping bag of yours.

Have a wonderful weekend and good luck!

See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net

Safari Club International is offering a FREE trial offer to hunters everywhere. SCI is First for Hunters, standing up to protect the freedom to hunt while promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. As you know, hunting seasons built around science-based research are constantly under attack from the emotional and uninformed. The anti-hunting efforts by organizations attempting to stop hunting must be defeated and we need your help.

By signing up for this free offer, SCI will inform you how the freedom to hunt can and must be protected.

Remember to tell your friends about this opportunity to protect the freedom to hunt!

See the original article at GotHunts.com

Learn the Basics of Turkey Calling

It’s just about that time of year. I dusted off the turkey calls last night and thought a post on turkey calling may be in order. Wild turkey calling takes time and effort to learn, and knowing the basics of wild turkey vocalizations is crucial to being able to use different calls successfully. Wild turkeys make at least eight different calls, as well as several subtypes of calls that are season specific. You don’t need to know them all, just the major ones which are:

Cluck:
The cluck consists of one or more short, staccato notes. The plain cluck, many times, includes two or three single note clucks. It’s generally used by one bird to get the attention of another. It’s a good call to reasure an approaching gobbler that a hen is waiting for him.

Yelp:
The yelp is a basic turkey sound. It is often delivered in a series of single note vocalizations and can have different meanings depending on how the hen uses it.

Kee Kee Run:
The kee kee is the lost call of young turkeys and variations made by adult birds. It’s often associated with fall hunting, but can be used successfully in the spring. This is what it sounds like. A variation of the call, the kee kee run is merely a kee kee with a yelp.

Purr:
Purring is a soft, rolling call turkeys make when content. It can usually be heard by feeding birds. This is not a loud call, but is good for reassuring turkeys as they get in close to your position.

Cutt:
A series of fast, loud, erratic single notes is referred to as cutting. It’s a modified cluck and is a distinct abrupt call with a somewhat questioning nature. It can be heard at a great distance and is often used by a single turkey looking for companionship.

How to call Turkeys:
For successful turkey calling, you should use use multiple calls. The first step would be to start with a locator call, which are used to simulate loud noises or other animals that gobblers will respond to such as owls or crows. Use short locater calls and listen for a response. Once you feel that you have found a proper location with turkeys in your range, then it’s time to use your vocalization calls.

You should start off using your vocalization calls more quietly and then gradually increase volume. A soft “cluck”, “yelp”, or “purr” are good initial calls to use. This way you won’t scare off any nearby turkeys that you can’t see with a loud call. If you hear responses from a gobbler you have to be patient as many times they won’t close in on you right away. Wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before responding to a gobbler’s call. Be sure to keep trying to call a slow moving gobbler for at least an hour before you give up.

If you hear hens, you should respond to their calls with the same number of calls and the same vocalization. For instance, if you hear a hen cluck 5 times, you should respond with 5 clucks. This will encourage her to come towards your location. This will also help to lure gobblers that are in the vicinity of the hen. There is no secret to calling turkeys. Each turkey will respond to your calls in its own unique way. Turkey calling is an art that takes time and experience to master, so get out there and have some fun!

See the original article at GotHunts.com