Preparing for an outdoor adventure includes knowing what to do when encountering wildlife, particularly those that can cause significant physical harm. Moose attacks are no joke, and you should know how to handle them before heading out into the wild. 

Moose Basics

As the largest species of the deer family and the tallest animal in North America, moose are majestic and intimidating creatures. They can grow to be 7 feet tall and 9 feet long, and weigh well over 1100 pounds. Males are called bulls and females are called cows. Bulls carry grand, palmated antlers that they shed and regrow yearly. These bony protrusions help show their dominance and attract cows during mating season. 

Despite their enormous size, moose are what you’d call gentle giants. They have a generally passive demeanor, strolling through their habitats and munching on plants and tree bark. You’ll mostly find them in the northern regions of the U.S., predominantly in Maine and Alaska, as well as throughout Canada. 

The Rise of Moose Attacks

While moose are typically docile creatures, certain triggers can provoke them into defensive or aggressive behavior. The last thing you want is a 7-foot-tall animal with giant antlers charging at you. There are several reasons why this might occur. 

Bulls typically become more aggressive during mating season in late September and October. During this period, slight provocations can cause them to get confrontational and even hostile. In the early spring, cows can also display threatening behaviors when protecting their young calves. If you see a calf on its own, tread carefully as you may have come between it and its mother — not a good place to be.

Hunger can also make moose more dangerous and more likely to attack, though this pretty much applies to any large animal you encounter in the wild. 

Human-Moose Conflicts

Every year, reports of moose attacks on humans emerge, underscoring the need for proper precautions. 

Conflicts often arise when humans and moose share the same space, particularly in areas where human development encroaches on moose habitats. These hostilities can result from accidental encounters or instances where moose feel cornered by human presence. Urban expansion, habitat loss and increased human activity in wilderness areas can escalate tensions.

Being large and powerful animals, moose can pose a threat to humans if they feel provoked or perceive a potential danger. One dangerous thing about them is they’re largely unafraid of humans, unlike other deer species. For this reason, they’re just as likely to charge at you as ignore your presence. 

The probability of a moose encounter going wrong isn’t as high as that of a bear. Nevertheless, while moose attacks are nowhere near as deadly as grizzly bear confrontations, they’re generally more frequent. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, moose pose a greater threat of causing injury than bears because of their large numbers close to certain habited areas.

Dog-Provoked Aggression

You’ll want to be extra careful when hiking or camping in moose country with a dog. Moose dislike dogs because they bark loudly at them, causing agitation. If your furry friend runs up to a moose, barks at it and runs back to you, it will likely charge at both of you. 

Reading Moose Body Language

An agitated moose preparing to attack will often present a number of telltale signs. Before venturing into their territory, you should know how to read these body signals. 

According to experts, the clearest indication of aggression is if the animal sticks its tongue out and starts licking its mouth. No, this doesn’t mean the moose is relishing the thought of feasting on you. Moose use their tongues to collect the scent of the threat and size it up. When you see this, chances are it is prepping to trample or gore you with its antlers. 

Other signs to look for include low-pinned ears, raised hair on the neck and bulging eyeballs. These serve as a warning that the animal is uncomfortable with your presence and is likely considering a fight-or-flight response.

What to Do if a Moose Attacks You

If a moose begins to act aggressively toward you, follow these steps to increase your chances of survival and minimize injuries.

1. Stay calm: Try to remain as calm as possible. Given the sheer size of the animal and its sharp antlers, this is obviously easier said than done. However, panicking will only worsen the situation by preventing you from thinking clearly. 
2. Create distance: If possible, slowly back away from the moose while watching its movements. You want to put distance between yourself and the animal while showing that you’re no threat. 
3. Seek cover: If the moose continues to charge or attack, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction. Look for cover behind a large tree, rock or other solid object that can provide adequate protection. Being out of the animal’s sight may calm it down enough for it to lose interest in the pursuit. 
4. Protect your head and vital organs: If the moose knocks you down, curl into a ball with your hands protecting your head and neck. This position can help minimize injuries from hooves or antlers. In some cases, playing dead may deter further aggression from the moose. Stay still and avoid making sudden movements until the animal loses interest.
5. Seek medical attention: Even if you believe your injuries are minor after the attack, seek medical attention promptly. Moose attacks can cause serious injuries that may not be immediately apparent.

The Role of Habitat Loss in Increased Moose Aggression

With their natural habitats dwindling, moose are forced to live closer to human settlements, agricultural lands and recreational areas. This environmental pressure can trigger stress and territorial behavior in moose, heightening the likelihood of confrontations with humans. Imagine vast forests giving way to urban sprawl, pushing moose populations into smaller, fragmented habitats where they must compete for resources and space. 

Moose-vehicle collisions are a particularly concerning implication as they seem to occur more frequently. The National Park Service estimates accidents involving various deer species account for around 440 human deaths and 59,000 injuries yearly. 

Consequently, conservation efforts must prioritize wildlife habitat preservation, restoration and corridor connectivity — providing seamless access to woodlands and forests in human-populated areas. Implementing the necessary changes for moose to thrive in their natural environment can help mitigate conflicts and promote coexistence.

Avoid Moose Attacks During Your Next Adventure 

Nothing ruins an outdoor expedition quicker than a wildlife attack, especially from one of the largest animals on the planet with big, strong antlers. Take care to understand and respect these animals’ behaviors, maintain a safe distance in the wild and avoid actions that could agitate or startle them.

The post Surviving Moose Attacks: What You Need To Know Before Your Next Adventure appeared first on Modded.

If you have ever been on an unsuccessful hunting trip, you know how it is, trying to figure out what messed up the hunt. Often, it’s a case of unnatural scents that animals pick up as you approach. Animals are more sensitive to scents and sounds than humans are, so it’s crucial to remove any trace of human or synthetic scent that will put them on high alert. Here’s how to wash your hunting clothes and keep them scent-free. 

How To Wash Your Hunting Clothes 

Before you wash your clothes, remove any stains like oil or blood with baking soda, vinegar or lime water. You can use either of these stain removers to soak the stained spot. Blot out the liquid with a paper towel, coat in corn starch, and leave to dry overnight. 

1. Soak The Clothes 

You will need to wash out the sweat and refresh your hunting clothes. Soak them in a five-gallon water container with half a box of baking soda for 24 hours. Ensure you have cleaned the bucker or container with some scent-free detergent. Every container or detergent you use to clean your clothes should be as odorless as possible. Remember, animals have a more sensitive smell and odor transfers can be the difference between a good catch and a lousy hunting trip. 

2. Prepare The Washing Machine

While your hunting clothes soak, you want to clean your washing machine and remove any scents from previous detergents. You can either run the washing machine on a soak and wash cycle with scent-free detergent. Or, fill the washing machine with water on an agitate cycle, then leave that water in overnight. In the morning, drain the water and rinse. 

If you’re using the family washing machine, wash your clothes in stages to ensure your clothes are scent-free. With each load of clothes, the washing machine loses more scent, which keeps your hunting clothes free of smells that may give you away when hunting. 

This looks like starting socks and base layers, then washing items beneath your base layers, then the outer layers. 

3. Wash Your Clothes

Wash the hunting clothes on a lukewarm cycle with scent-free detergent. While cold water protects your clothes from damage, you also need heat to wash away oils, odors, and skin cells that may produce bacteria. Try not to use hot water, as it can cause your clothes to shrink. Also check the labels for washing instructions for gloves, waterproof jackets and socks. Several brands offer an odorless clean, keeping your clothes at a suitable UV brightness for hunting. 

4.  Dry Your Hunting Clothes in the Sun 

The sun is the best ant-bacterial agent and the fresh air will take away any lingering scent, and give your clothes a natural outdoor smell. You can also use a dryer, but you will need to use scent-free dryer sheets made for hunting clothes. 

5. Seal the Clothes in an Airtight Bag

Keep your clothes from soaking up scents from other clothes or objects in your house with an airtight bag. Most hunters recommend the Scentlock Ozone bag to keep your clothes fresh and odor-free. You can also add scent wafers to make your clothes smell like TC. You will only take the clothes out once you are ready to hunt. For the best success you want to make sure you don’t accumulate any other smells like smoke, food or perfume scents that may be lingering in your truck. As soon as you’re done hunting, put the clothes in a bag, then air them out or wash them and put them back in a scent-free bag. 

Why It’s Essential to Keep Hunting Clothes Scent-Free

Even a slight odor can warn of your presence before a sound can give your presence away. It’s essential to wash your clothes, and equally important to remove any other traces of odor before a hunt. Here are some tips to keep your clothes (and yourself undetectable on a hunt):

• Wear the right shoes. Opt for rubber boots instead of canvas or leather which can hold and disperse odor. 
• Shower before the hunt. Use a scent-free or scent-neutralizing soap to wash your hair and body. Make sure you use a towel that you washed with scent-free detergent. The summer fresh scent of regular household washing powder will linger and you want to smell as odorless as possible. 
• Wear different clothes on the way to and back from hunting. You may just top at the gas station or have a quick bite, activities that produce scents that can stick to your clothes. 
• Wash new clothes, not just for the scent, but to remove ultraviolet light and the new crinkly sounds that deer can hear from a mile away. Animals up every subtle noise, so you need to soften new clothes by washing them. Research by Vision Scientist Jay Neitz shows that animals have more sensitive eyes and can see UV light in clothing differently. While it may look slightly shiny to human eyes, 440nm UV light looks bright blue to a deer.

Product to Try to Keep Your Hunting Clothes Scent-Free 

From an odor-eliminating bag to a powdered scent blocker, here are some products that can help you take your hunting strategy to the next level. 

1. Camodust 

This chemical scent-blocker is effective, long-lasting and easy to use. It blocks scents that animals might pick up while you’re hunting. Put the powder in a cloth sock, then pat your hunting gear to neutralize odors. The dust particles will attach to clothes and skin to keep you scent-free. 

2. Dead Down Wind Trophy Hunter Scent Eliminator Kit

Dead Down Wind has the ultimate hunting kit to keep you and your hunting clothes scent-free all season. Their products are made with gentle ingredients suitable for skin and safe for the environment. The pack comes with Laundry detergent, Field spray with 3 refills and 2 scent-eliminating soaps for home and travel. It also has face paint and DPF30 lip balm for you to wear on the hunt. 

3. Scentlock Ozone Bag 

The latest version of the Ozone bag comes with the OZ Radial IQ, which emits enough ozone to remove odors and shuts off after 30 minutes. The bag also has six internal pockets for you to separate your gear. 

4. Elimishield Starter Kit 

The set has Field spray, hair and body wash, laundry detergent, and spray containing enzymes that remove odor compounds. The core body foam sprays deodorize skin and hair for 48 hours, perfect for longer hunting trips.  

Keep Yourself Undetectable and Scent-Free

Washing your clothes correctly gives you a better chance of success on a hunt. Remember, how you prepare for a hunt is essential too. Everything you use should be odorless, from the towel you use to dry yourself off to the bucket you will soak your hunting clothes in before you wash them. 

The post How to Wash Hunting Clothes and Keep Them Scent Free appeared first on Modded.

The oldest known figurative tattoos — those that depict an image, not just a dot or line — were found on a mummy in 2018. Some 5,000 years after the man died, anthropologists were able to make out the drawings on his upper arm: a bull and an aoudad. What the symbols represented is anyone’s guess, but perhaps they had to do with animals he had killed. Here are some ideas to inspire your own hunting and fishing tattoos. 

1. A Reminder of a Memorable Trip

“Memorable” doesn’t necessarily have to mean “fun.” Maybe you fell out of the boat while gator fishing and your friend had to pull you back up just in time. Maybe you drove all the way to a remote ranch on a dove hunt, then got a flat tire — and realized you’d forgotten to pack lunch. 

Either way, you had an adventure. The worst experiences often make the best stories, especially if you went through them with a friend. Consider getting a hunting or fishing tattoo to commemorate the occasion.

2. Traditional Tattoos With a Twist

Go for bold. Traditional designs — think thick, black outlines and bright but simple colors — include things like snakes, koi fish, roses and skulls. If you’ve ever seen a large backpiece with a tiger fighting an eagle or a dragon, that’s a traditional American tattoo. 

The old-school style is a classic for a reason. The thick lines and minimal shading make for a piece that looks good for a long time. But who says you’re limited to the traditional motifs? Hunting and fishing tattoos look amazing in this style. Consider bass fish instead of koi, a dove or turkey instead of a bald eagle or a white-tail instead of a wolf. 

3. Minimalist Designs

Something as simple as a black fish hook, fishing fly, silhouette of a duck or pair of antlers makes for a great tattoo while still conveying meaning. Another great idea is a blank outline of a deer in front of solid-colored pine trees.

When it comes to getting a minimalist tattoo, you don’t even have to fill it in. You can choose a fine-line tattoo with no shading if that’s your style. You can also get a small design that tucks away neatly under your clothing if you don’t want it on display all the time. Perhaps surprisingly, one survey found that 76% of people think tattoos hurt a candidate’s chances of being hired during a job interview.

And, remember — bold will hold. In other words, bigger designs with solid color, clean lines and bold black shading look the best over time. Black tattoo pigment lasts longer than any other color. Red, orange, purple and yellow fade the fastest and require the most sun protection. Assuming you spend a lot of time outdoors as a hunter or angler, consider placing your tattoos in areas covered by clothing, and always use sunblock on exposed designs.

4. Your Favorite Hunting Haunt

Do you return to West Texas year after year to hunt muleys? Or maybe you’re in love with the Oregon woods, where you’ve spent many chilly, rainy mornings waiting for a pheasant to flush. 

Whether your favorite hunting spot is a craggy mountain valley or your grandparents’ pasture, there’s always something distinctive about it, especially to you. Commemorate your favorite place with a landscape tattoo that holds personal meaning. Look for a unique landmark in the scenery and incorporate it into the design. 

5. A Trophy Animal

The biggest catfish you ever caught, a cactus buck with crazy tines, an elk so large it may as well have been a moose — these all make for great hunting and fishing tattoos. Taxidermied fish are notorious for losing their color over time, but you can always get a brightly colored tattoo to remember how they looked when you pulled them out of the water. 

Plus, if you get a tattoo of one of your favorite animals, you won’t have to scroll through your phone to show it off. Just roll up your sleeves and let the art do the talking. 

6. Wildlife From a Place Where You Hunt Regularly

Not every animal in a hunting or fishing tattoo has to be something you’ve actually harvested. Consider incorporating other types of birds, snakes or even insects from your favorite hunting place into your design. Plants also look good in hunting and fishing tattoos. 

For example, if you visit the same desert every hunting season, you could create a tattoo design with prickly pear cacti and a rattlesnake to memorialize the tradition. A woodland-themed tattoo might incorporate mushrooms or dragonflies. To you, the design will hold personal meaning about your time spent outdoors. 

7. Falconry Tattoos

If you hunt with a hawk or falcon, you could get a tattoo to remember them long after they’re gone. For example, if you live in the U.S. and have to complete a falconry apprenticeship, you could get a tattoo to commemorate the first raptor you trapped, hunted with and released back into the wild. Or, you could get a tattoo of your favorite quarry, such as a jackrabbit or quail design.

The great thing about a falcon tattoo is that it doubles as a symbol of strength, courage and freedom. People won’t see it and automatically think of it as a hunting tattoo. It’s also a great conversation starter to talk about your falconry lifestyle. 

8. A Memorial of a Hunting or Fishing Partner

Whether your grandpa always took you bass fishing or you used to love duck hunting with your best friend, you can get a tattoo to honor their life. A favorite hunting dog also makes for a great tattoo. Consider a design that represents some of your best memories together. As the years pass, you’ll always be able to look at your tattoo and remember your loved one. 

There’s Something for Everyone

With so many styles of hunting and fishing tattoos out there, you’re bound to find one you like. Whether you’re more into minimalist designs or traditional art, you can pick the art style and motifs that best suit your body and personality. There truly is a perfect tattoo for everyone. 

The post 8 Ideas for Hunting and Fishing Tattoos appeared first on Modded.

Deer season is underway and field dressing is a skill all new hunters need to learn to get the best quality meat. If you’re going to hunt game, you should be willing to deal with the messy aftermath. The good news is it’s easy to get used to once you do it a few times. Here’s your guide to field dressing your deer.

How to Field Dress a Deer

Through the years, hunters developed easy, straightforward ways to quickly get to the meat of their kill. Removing it from the organs and tissue helps preserve the meat and reduces the risk of bacteria contamination. 

The Anus 

There are a few methods to field dressing your game but the classic begins with the anus. It’s not glamorous but you’ll need to cut around the sphincter a few times to completely separate it from the surrounding tissue. You can use a string to tie off presenting part of the anus to prevent a mess later on. 

The Genitals 

Another way to begin involves the genital area. Cut around the tissue until you can free the urethra and anus. You can also choose to do this after the initial anus cut or leave it for later. When cutting around the genitals, make sure you know your state’s regulations around proof of sex. Don’t discard any necessary private parts. If you need to, keep it attached on one end. 

The Abdomen 

After you take care of the more sensitive areas, make a careful incision at one end of the abdomen. You want to get through the hyde and abdominal wall without penetrating the intestines. Pop the guts and you’ll have a noxious mess on your hands– and all around you. Slide your fingers into the incision, sweeping along the abdominal wall to start freeing it from the internal organs. Once you create enough space, you can use a blade or gut hook to complete the separation. 

The Chest 

Saw open the chest from sternum to neck. After getting through the ribs, you can prop the cavity open to better separate the bones and organs from the surrounding meat. Slice along the sides of the cavity including along the spinal cord. Sever and free the windpipe. 

The Organs 

Flip the buck on its side and begin with the windpipe. Pull it out, along with any organs that come along. You should be able to maneuver the deer so all of the organs fall out aside from the pelvic region. If any get stuck, you can use a blade to cut the remaining connections carefully. 

The Pelvis 

Now, it’s time for the leftovers. Gently use your fingers to dig into the pelvis and find the bladder. Like the guts, you don’t want to puncture it. Pull it out before removing the rectum and urethra out from below the pelvic floor. Thanks to the first step, it should be easy and you can trim away any remaining connections. 

The Skinless Method 

There is a slightly faster way popular with many Western hunters. It involves ignoring the pelvic region on-site and opting to just remove the windpipe, chest, and abdominal organs. 

We’re calling this the skinless method since it’s only advisable if you intend to hang your deer without its hide. You’re more likely to taint the meat if you hang it with skin on while the bladder, testes and anus are still inside. 

The Gutless Method

This method is exactly as it sounds. You remove the meat without any preparation. It involves a lot of tossing and turning. Doing so allows you to carry less bulk. Just ensure you take any photos ahead of slicing into your game. 

You can “unzip” your carcass by slicing the hyde from the collar bone to the tailbone. Don’t cut too deeply or you could accidentally puncture the organs. Once you do, seek out the following cuts of meat:

• Hind Legs 
• Brisket
• Ribs
• Shoulders
• Backstrap
• Tenderloins 

Once you separate the meat, place it in a breathable bag for transport. 

Your Equipment

There are several items that can make field dressing your game easier.

A Sharp Knife 

The right knife can make or break your experience. A short or dull blade makes it significantly harder to make clean cuts and causes you to apply too much force when trying to get through the carcass. 

Choosing a blade between two and five inches can help you achieve a clean cut, while remaining easy to carry. Dop point profiles are great for splitting bones and can work as a substitute for a hatchet. However, a clip point is also useful. Its flat blade and defined point makes skinning and cutting connective tissue. 

Bonus points if you have a knife with a gut hook. 

Game Saw 

A game saw is also called a bone saw. You can use it for splitting open the pelvis and chest cavity. Many come foldable with a case to keep your items safe. 

Try to avoid using the same saw for bone and wood. Using it for wood can dull the saw more quickly. Some saws have interchangeable blades so you can use the same saw for both wood, bones and other purposes. 

Disposable Gloves 

Elbow-length disposable gloves keep your clothes and skin clean while you field dress your kill. Wearing them helps you avoid deer blood stain removal. Blood can also dry out your skin and pathogens can enter any cuts and cause an infection. 

For extra protection, wear a smaller pair of latex gloves underneath them. 

Towels

Towels can help keep you and your equipment clean during the process. Paper towels are good for cleaning your hands while thicker ones can wipe blood off of your blades and sharp equipment. 

Water 

Water also helps you stay clean while field dressing your deer. You can use it to clean your hands and shoes off after field dressing for your game. It is also a quick way to get debris off of your equipment. 

Drinking water is also important to have nearby. Field dressing can be physically taxing, especially for a large kill. Staying hydrated is always important when hunting and you don’t want to spend too much of it. Depending on how long you’re out, it’s good to keep anywhere from a half gallon to gallon and a half per day. 

Field Dressing Your Deer

If you’re a hunter, there’s nothing like getting a hard-earned prize. Field dressing your deer as soon as possible can keep the meat fresh and delicious.

The post How to Field Dress A Deer appeared first on Modded.

Animals have long been a source of fascination and fear. France’s Chauvet Cave is adorned with paintings of hyenas, lions and bears, making these depictions some of the oldest — if not the oldest — drawings in the world. Whether for their looks, deadly nature or sheer size, every creature on this list earns a top spot as one of the scariest animals in the world. Prepare to feel uncomfortable. 

1. Colossal Squid

The title of the world’s largest invertebrate — and, perhaps, the most spine-chilling animal in existence — goes to the colossal squid. Weighing in at a whopping 1,100 pounds, it’s even bigger than the giant squid!

It wasn’t enough for this deep-sea behemoth to have suction cups on its tentacles like a normal squid or octopus. Its appendages also have hooks on them for grabbing prey and, perhaps, to fight back against its main predator, the sperm whale. Researchers have discovered sperm whales with colossal squid beaks in their stomachs as well as scars of unknown origin on their backs. 

With these animals living at depths of over 3,200 feet, it’s unlikely you’ll ever encounter a colossal squid as you enjoy some time out on the waves. If you do, however, consider yourself lucky to see one. Only a handful of specimens have ever been recorded.

2. Fish Tapeworm

Sushi lovers, take note — one of the scariest animals in the world is a lot smaller than a colossal squid, and it could be hiding in your California roll. Diphyllobothrium latum, the fish tapeworm, gets into your body when you eat raw or undercooked fish that contains tapeworm cysts. The cysts hatch into adult tapeworms in your small intestine, where they specialize in absorbing your vitamin B12. 

You’ll develop a disease called diphyllobothriasis. In addition to experiencing muscle weakness, dizziness and weight loss, you might have one of the scariest side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency — psychosis. Patients severely lacking B12 can suffer hallucinations, suspiciousness, disorganized thinking and delusions, including persecutory delusions where you think someone’s out to get you. 

And, in a way, someone is out to get you. They just happen to be a tapeworm. 

3. Sloth Bear

Despite its cuddly appearance, the shaggy, black-and-white sloth bear is one of the scariest animals in the world and has earned a reputation as the most aggressive type of bear. In terms of absolute numbers, this is the bear species that most frequently attacks humans. It tends to maul victims’ faces in response to being startled. 

No one is sure why this Indian bear behaves so defensively when encountered. However, some scientists think the animal developed this behavior as a response to co-evolving with tigers, which prey on it when they have the chance. As human development encroaches more and more on the sloth bear’s territory, attacks will likely become more common. 

4. Irukandji Jellyfish

Not many animals get the honor of having an entire syndrome named after them. The delicate brush of the Irukandji jellyfish’s tentacles — or even its bell, which, unlike most jellyfish, also possesses stingers — can induce instant agony. The venom causes Irujandji syndrome, an illness characterized by severe muscle cramps, vomiting, headaches, kidney pain and, most disturbingly, a sense that something horrible is about to happen. 

Many victims die of cardiac arrest. Among survivors, symptoms can linger for up to two weeks. 

Thankfully, Irukandji jellyfish only live in the northern marine waters of Australia, making it much easier to avoid them. 

5. Aye-Aye

Although not dangerous to humans, the aye-aye is one of the scariest animals in the world for its appearance alone. As if it wasn’t enough to look like a possum with mange, this bizarre primate also has hands that look like tangled masses of spiders. It uses its long, spindly middle finger to dig for bugs inside of tree bark, and its yellow-green eyes bulge in a perpetual state of surprise. 

Some Madagascar natives believe the aye-aye is a harbinger of death and that it uses its middle finger to stab sleeping people in the heart. Unfortunately, superstitions like these are one of the reasons the aye-aye’s population is declining. Habitat loss and degradation also play a huge role in the loss of many species in Madagascar.  

6. Spotted Hyena

Few sounds evoke such visceral fear as the whooping laughter of the spotted hyena. Being from Africa, the carnivore is likely one of humankind’s oldest predators, which may explain why so many people from different backgrounds dislike it.

In addition to its infamous laugh, the spotted hyena makes a hair-raising repertoire of noises, including a guttural growl that sounds like a chainsaw cutting brush, a violent choking sound, and a woman — but with something just a little off about her voice — crying out in the darkness. They can also digest bones. 

If you need more convincing that spotted hyenas are one of the scariest animals in the world, the scavengers are born with full sets of teeth that help them fight their siblings for dominance, sometimes to the death. Yikes. 

7. Cassowary

The cassowary is living proof that birds evolved from dinosaurs. Sporting three dagger-like claws on each foot, it’s one of the few birds capable of killing a human. This emu-like species can run up to 30 miles per hour and leap five feet in the air.  

Thankfully, cassowaries are elusive and prefer not to get involved with humans. Attacks are rare and typically happen when people give the birds food. Of all reported attacks, there have only been two deaths associated with cassowaries — one when two teenage boys attacked a cassowary with clubs, and another when a cassowary breeder tripped and fell in the animal’s enclosure. 

Still, the mere fact that a bird can be large enough to take down a person is terrifying, earning cassowaries a spot as one of the scariest animals in the world. 

Appreciating Animals From a Distance

As beautiful as nature is, it can also be terrifying. Wildlife encounters are becoming more frequent in many areas because human settlements are pushing out farther and farther, leaving little room for animals to go. 

In most cases, animals want to be left alone — well, except maybe for tapeworms — and you can probably go your whole life without worrying about an animal attack. The world is full of hair-raising beasts, but to them, you’re probably the scariest creature of all. 

The post The 7 Scariest Animals in the World appeared first on Modded.

People hunt many animals for food and sport, ranging from squirrels to grizzly bears. The most popular type of game animal by far is the humble deer. Various deer species belonging to the Cervidae family populate six of the seven continents and are the main food sources for billions of people. Which types of deer are the most common?

You can find dozens of types of deer in the United States and Canada, but hunters can only target a handful of species. Here are the seven primary types of deer you should know as hunting seasons get underway across North America.

Whitetail Deer

• Scientific Name: Odocoileus virginianus
• Size: 150-pound adult males, 100-pound adult females, 
• Lifespan: 6-10 years
• Unique Features: White coloring around the tail and underbelly, white spots on the back during infancy, white coloring around the face during old age, reddish-brown coat during the summer, grayish-brown coats during the winter
• Population: 31.7 million as of 2021
• Habitats: southern Canada, east and midwest United States, Central America, northern South America

The whitetail deer is the most common deer species in North America and the most popular species for hunters because of their population density in wooded areas. They are non-aggressive toward humans even during mating season, so they’re easier prey than most other species. American hunters kill about 6 million whitetail deer every year during legal hunting seasons, which equates to about 200,000 tons of meat.

Mule Deer

• Scientific Name: Odocoileus hemionus
• Size: 120-330 pound adult males, 90-200 pound adult females
• Lifespan: 9-11 years
• Unique Features: Large mule-like ears, dark coloring around the tail and underbelly, brown coat during the summer and grayish-brown coat during the winter, dark symmetrical antlers
• Population: 4 million as of 2021
• Habitats: Pacific coast from northern California to Alaska, primarily in dry desert climates

The mule deer got its name from its comically large ears that bear resemblance to mules and donkeys. It’s much larger than a whitetail deer, which means it provides more meat and is highly valuable to hunters. Overhunting has caused populations to dwindle in recent decades, which has prompted many states to set tighter restrictions. In most places you’re only allowed to hunt fully mature bucks.

Blacktail Deer

• Scientific Name: Odocoileus hemionus
• Size: 120-pound adult males, 80-pound adult females
• Lifespan: 6-10 years
• Unique Features: Large mule-like ears, black tail, white patch on the hindquarters, brown coat during the summer, grayish-brown coat during the winter, dark symmetrical antlers
• Population: 3.8 million as of 2021
• Habitats: Pacific coast from northern California to Alaska, primarily in mountains or woodlands

The blacktail deer is a slightly smaller subspecies of the mule deer that deserves its own category. They dominate the deer hunting scene in western Canada and the United States, especially around the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges. Their coloring acts as effective camouflage in these dark and dreary environments.

Sitka Deer

• Scientific Name: Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis
• Size: 100-120 pound adult males, 70-90 pound adult females
• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Unique Features: small antlers, black tail, reddish-brown coat during the summer, grayish-brown coat during the winter, 
• Population: N/A
• Habitats: Pacific coast from British Columbia to Alaska

The Sitka blacktail deer is the smallest and most elusive subspecies of the mule deer, which makes it difficult to estimate the population. They provide a real challenge for experienced hunters, especially given their running and swimming abilities. Most hunters prefer to use compound bows when hunting sitka deer for a more stealthy approach.

Elk

• Scientific Name: Cervus canadensis
• Size: 710-750 pound adult males, 500-530 pound adult females
• Lifespan: 10-13 years
• Unique Features: large rump patch on upper back, large symmetrical antlers, copper brown coat during the summer, light tan coat during the winter
• Population: 1+ million as of 2023
• Habitats: Canada, western United States, central and east Asia

Elk are one of the largest types of deer in the world, making them attractive targets for both meat and sport hunting. American settlers nearly hunted this deer species to extinction in the 1800s, but conservation efforts have restored the numbers to more than 1 million. Elk prefer to stay in the same place, which has caused several distinct subspecies to develop in different regions of Asia and North America.

Moose

• Scientific Name: Alces alces
• Size: 850-1,500 pound adult males, 450-1,000 pound adult females
• Lifespan: 15-25 years
• Unique Features: large horse-like head with jowls, wide antlers, hump on upper back, thick dark brown coat year-round
• Population: 1.5 million as of 2023
• Habitats: Canada, northern United States

The moose is the largest and most unique type of deer in many ways. Unlike other deer species, it prefers solitude over living in a herd. It’s also notoriously aggressive toward humans and will attack without provocation. Hunters love the moose for its unmatched meat supply and thick hide, but they must be more cautious when hunting these unpredictable animals.

Reindeer

• Scientific Name: Rangifer tarandus
• Size: 350-400 pound adult males, 180-260 pound adult females
• Lifespan: 15-18 years
• Unique Features: large fuzzy antlers, wide muzzle, broad hooves and thick brown fur with gray accents
• Population: 8 million as of 2023
• Habitats: Canada, Alaska, northern Europe and Asia

The reindeer — also known as caribou — is the most herd-oriented deer species. Herds can reach up to 10,000 reindeer that cover vast frozen landscapes. Their grazing lifestyles make them easy to hunt, but you don’t want to get caught in a stampede. Hunters tend to keep their distance and pick off large bulls with the thickest fur, which is crucial for survival in cold climates.

Hunt These Deer Species Responsibly

You can choose to hunt all seven types of deer on this list, but you must hunt them responsibly. Research your local hunting laws, get some tags, go with a friend, and most importantly, respect the animals. They provide the invaluable gift of fresh food, and you should never take their sacrifice for granted.

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Bow hunting is an alternative hunting method that has gained popularity in recent years.  It’s certainly safer and quieter than rifle hunting, but it’s also much more difficult. As such, bow hunting tips for beginners should cover the basic fundamentals. You have to complete many steps before lining up a bowshot with a wild animal in sight, let alone securing the kill.

Here are ten need-to-know bow hunting tips that every beginner must practice when preparing for their first hunt.

1. Choose Your Bow Carefully

Choosing the right bow  is simpler than it seems. Just let your body make the decision. Pick a few bows that feel comfortable in your hands. The longer your arms are, the longer the draw length will be. The same logic applies to your height and the draw height. You’ll also need to buy a few accessories to complete the ensemble:

• Arrows
• Arrow rest
• Release aid
• Bow sight
• Quiver

You can also get a wrist sling and a target for practice, but they’re not mandatory. If you’re unsure which bow and accessories to choose, don’t be afraid to ask the equipment specialist for recommendations. They’ll be happy to help someone new to the sport.

2. Train Your Dominant Eye

The first key to accurate bow hunting for beginners is to train your dominant eye. However, unlike other firearms, you’re supposed to shoot with both eyes open. This technique gives you a wider field of view and helps you control the arrow’s trajectory. It’s not about “aiming,” but about chasing the arrow to the target.

3. Experiment With Your Release Technique

The second key to accurate bow hunting is your release technique. Veterans prefer to use the traditional method and hold the bowstring with your fingers. As a beginner, you might benefit from starting with the release aid. It’s a simple trigger-release mechanism that will allow you to focus on other parts of your shooting form – namely your posture. Keep that back straight!

4. Learn Your Prey’s Anatomy

Beginners should only hunt whitetail deer and small game until they get comfortable in the field. Even if your state doesn’t have restrictions on which deer you can shoot, you should still target mature adult males. You can tell their maturity by their antlers, squashed face and muscular barrel-chested appearance. Immature bucks are thinner and long-legged.

There are multiple places you can shoot to secure an ethical kill, but the best spot is behind the deer’s shoulder and above the bellyline. This shot will penetrate the heart, lungs or a major artery and lead to the quickest death possible. It’s the cleanest end a mature buck can hope for, as the other options are disease, injury, or getting slowly eaten to death.

5. Get Comfortable in the Field

Hunting is one percent shooting and 99% waiting around. You can’t expect to go on your first hunt and tolerate a full day in the woods. Go on day hikes to improve your endurance and outdoorsman skills, then try an overnight hike when you get more confident. Step softly and don’t raise your voice. Learning how to quietly navigate the terrain is a crucial hunting skill.

6. Mind Your Scent

Humans have a strong scent from the POV of animals. Before your first hunt, shower with scentless soap and wash your clothes with scentless detergent. Don’t wear cologne or a strong deodorant, either. If you want to get within bowshot of a buck, you need to neutralize your odor as much as possible. A gust of wind can carry the human scent for miles.

7. Start Early in the Season

In most U.S. states, bow hunting season goes from early October to late November. Some states also have a winter season from late December to mid January. You should plan your first trip in the earlier season to take advantage of unsuspecting prey. 

The deer are still in their summer patterns and haven’t seen hunters since the year before, so you’re more likely to get a kill. You’ll also have more competition, but that’s not such a bad thing on your first hunt. You’ll get to see how other hunters navigate the terrain and pick their shots.

8. Dress for the Occasion

As with any other form of hunting, you need to camoflauge yourself from head to toe. Most states also require 400-500 square inches of orange above the waist for your safety. The morning will probably be colder than you expect, so dress warm. You can always take off a layer when the temperature rises.

9. Go With an Experienced Hunter

For your first hunt, you should accompany an experienced outdoorsman to stay safe and soak up as much knowledge as you can. Follow their instructions, watch your step and speak in whispers. They will get justifiably upset if you make too much noise. Animals have strong senses of hearing, as well as smell. 

10. Be Prepared to Fail

The last of our bow hunting tips is perhaps the most important: you must be prepared to fail. Failure is more common than success in hunting. Many things have to go right for you to secure a kill. You have to choose the right day and location, pay attention to the wind and stalk the prey until it’s within bowshot. More often than not, you’re going home emptyhanded. That’s what makes the thrill of a successful hunt all the more rewarding.

Join the Hunt

Hunting has been a part of the human story since day one. We need food to survive, so we go out and get it. These bow hunting tips for beginners will help you develop some key fundamentals and a greater appreciation for the activity. Hunting season is just around the corner, so start your preparations now!

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A successful hunt can be a life-changing experience. It’s a way to get back to basics, a reason to spend time in nature and form strong ties with your hunting partners. It’s also a potential source of high-quality meat that will last you and your companions a long time. 

However, not every hunt is successful. So what separates the good from the bad? Luck has something to do with it, and if you want to make your own, we suggest implementing these seven tips. 

1. Plan Ahead

Every time you set foot in the wild, you risk disturbing the deer you’re there to find. Do any prep work weeks in advance, if possible. This will give deer time to get comfortable with your hunting location and increases your likelihood of success. It will also give you more time to consider logistical needs like transportation, as well as meal and weapon prep.

2. Learn Where Deer Like to Eat

One of the best ways to locate deer is by recognizing the path from where they bed to their favorite food sources. They prefer sugary foods like fruits and nuts. As part of your prep work, locate sources of these foods and plan your blinds or routes around them. You can set up a feeder ahead of time to raise your chances of a good hunt. 

3. Mask Your Scent

Deer have an extremely keen sense of smell. When you do finally get out into the field, you want to be as fragrance-free as possible. Wash with scent-free soap and use odor-masking agents to prevent deer from detecting you. 

4. Does Lead to Bucks

Hunting during mating season, or rut, is a popular technique because bucks tend to be more active around this time. However, you shouldn’t attempt to track the larger, more solitary males. Instead, seek does with the knowledge that bucks will follow them.

5. Attract Bucks by Simulating a Doe

As with many types of hunting, putting out a mating call and wearing scents that replicate the scent of a potential mate is an effective way of attracting that trophy buck. There are lots of options out there, but most effective hunters use this technique in some form to proactively draw in bucks. 

6. Listen Carefully

You’ve done your planning, and you know the deer should be here, so why aren’t they? Sometimes, instead of moving frequently and scaring deer away, it’s best to rely on your hearing. Listen for calls and move stealthily toward them, or listen for the sound of deer rising from their bedding to seek food or potential mates. 

7. Stake Out Bedding Areas

Thick, unkempt areas of underbrush make for comfy resting spots for deer. When you plan your hunt, set up locations where you can rest near these areas. Grab yourself some high-quality binoculars so you can see the areas from a distance without getting too close. Remember to consider closeness to food in the process. When a deer chooses to bed down in the thicket you’ve chosen, you’ll be in the perfect position.

Tips for a Successful Deer Hunt

These are our tips for a successful deer hunt. No doubt there are countless other pieces of hunting lore, some more effective than others, that you can find on the internet and through your circle of fellow hunters. We’re starting with the basics here, but sometimes the basics are the most important part.

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Dogs are the ideal hunting partner. But you don’t want to bring home a new puppy and immediately expect them to be the perfect hunting dog. They say that proper preparation prevents poor performance, and that goes double for dogs and hunting.

What do you need to know before you take your dog hunting for the first time to keep both you and your furry family member safe?

Don’t Skip Your Training

While some people will swear by a specific breed for hunting, the truth is that nearly any breed can be taught to hunt, retrieve or simply be a companion during those long days. What you don’t want to do when you’re choosing a hunting partner is to skip your training.

Start with basic obedience. Once they’ve mastered those skills, start adding in hunting-specific things that you want them to learn, from flushing to retrieving and everything in between.

Eventually, you’ll want to be able to trust your dog to sit by your side, retrieve your kills or flush birds from the underbrush without the need for a leash or cord, knowing that they’ll do their assigned task and then return to your side.

Bring Plenty of Dog Supplies

If you’re heading out for a weekend hunt, you’ve probably already stocked your truck with food and water for the duration for yourself. Make sure you’ve got plenty of supplies for your hunting partner as well, including food, water, treats and other dog supplies. If you’re going to be hunting during the warm summer months, make sure you bring extra water to prevent heatstroke. Bring more than you think you’ll need.

Get your dog a well-fitted harness and they can often carry their own supplies. Just ensure that their pack doesn’t weigh more than one-third of their body weight.

Get Them Used to the Hunt

Even if they’ve passed their hunter training classes, it will still take some time to get them used to the hunt — including getting them used to the sound of gunfire. Don’t start by shooting a gun around your young hunting dog. That will likely just end up making them gun-shy, which makes it more challenging to turn them into successful hunting dogs.

Start by carrying an unloaded gun around with you on walks so they can get used to the idea of the gun as a part of their world. Then, as they start flushing birds or chasing game, you can add gunshots to get them used to the sound.

Safety First!

Safety should be your first priority with your dogs when you take them hunting, regardless of their responsibilities on the trip. Make sure your dog has a well-fitted and brightly colored vest to alert other hunters that they are not prey. It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be bright and fit well enough that it won’t fall off in the brush.

You may also want to take a trip to the vet before you head out into the woods to ensure your pup is up-to-date on all of their vaccines so they don’t come back from your excursion with Lyme disease or rabies.

Hunting With Dogs Is Fun

Training a dog to be your hunting partner is a lifelong exercise and one that might be frustrating at times. Be patient with your furry friends as they learn these skills that will help both of you throughout your lives. 

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Hunting season is fast approaching, and it’s time to choose your weapon. If you’d rather get away from firearms but don’t have the strength or the skill to hunt with a compound bow, there’s a middle ground you can enjoy in the form of a crossbow. Here are some tips and tricks on how to pick a hunting crossbow.

Benefits of Crossbows vs. Longbows

If you’re thinking about bow-hunting, a longbow might be the first thing that comes to mind. The problem with longbows is that they require a high level of skill to hit your target every time. You have to be able to maintain perfect shooting form when you draw the bow, regardless of how tired or sore you are after a day of tracking game or hiding in a tree blind.

A crossbow, on the other hand, is simpler to use, even for beginners. If you can handle a .22 rifle, you can handle a crossbow.

Crossbows are also deadlier than longbows, at least when you’re looking at the speed the bolts or arrow can travel. A compound bow can shoot a 364-grain arrow at 289 feet per second. A crossbow, on the other hand, can fire a 400-grain bolt at 385 feet per second, with many topping 400 feet per second.

Choose the Highest Draw Weight You Can Manage

The higher the draw weight of a hunting crossbow, the faster and more accurately you can fire a bolt. Make sure you check your state regulations when it comes to crossbow hunting to determine the maximum draw weight you’re allowed to use. Depending on the state, you can expect to find crossbows that range from 75-125 pounds, while most hunting crossbows tend to top 150-175 pounds. You may find some with more than 200 pounds.

Try out different draw weights and choose the highest you can manage safely. The higher the draw weight, the faster your bolts will fly and the easier your crossbow will be to use.

Recurve or Compound Crossbows?

When you’re choosing a hunting crossbow, you’ve got two options — recurve or compound. Recurve crossbows are more traditional and don’t have any pulleys. They’re easier to maintain, but they’re harder to cock and louder when you fire them. The chances are high that if you miss your aim on the first shot, the sound of your recurve crossbow will scare away your game.

Compound crossbows are faster to load, quieter to fire and are easier to draw at a higher draw weight. Compound and recurve crossbows may have similar draw weight, but compounds will usually be smaller, lighter and easier to manage. The downside of a compound is that if something breaks or fails, you’ll need to take it to a specialist for repairs.

Choose the Best Bow in Your Budget

Ideally, you’ll want to choose the best bow that you can afford. You can get a decent hunting bow for $300-$1,000, or as a kit with arrows, a cocking device and a quiver for $1,500. Remember, as with most things, you get what you pay for. If you’re going to use this crossbow regularly for hunting or practice, invest in something that will serve you well for seasons to come.

How to Pick a Hunting Crossbow

The best thing that you can do when choosing a hunting crossbow is to practice with it, both before you take it out into the field and while you’re out hunting. A crossbow will tend to be more accurate than a longbow and require less practice, making it perfect for beginners. 

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