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Articles by Kevin Wilson
Safety, patience and fun: the keys to teaching kids archery and bowhunting
How to successfully introduce kids to archery and bowhunting I’ve never met a kid who didn’t like archery. Whether they’re introduced to the sport through summer camp, the National Archery in the Schools Program or friends or parents, young people are almost always immediately intrigued. If you want to get your child or another young person involved in both archery and bowhunting, here are a few tips to help you along the way.
2 expert springtime tactics for hunting wild turkeys with a bow
A pair of expert springtime tactics for hunting wild turkeys with a bow Just as I started probing the spring woods with soft yelps, my calls were abruptly cut off by an eager gobbler. Guessing he was 150 metres out, my wife, Heather, and I scrambled to set up decoys and hide behind two fir trees. I called a second time, and again I was immediately cut off. A hefty tom was closing in fast, and we soon spotted him strutting his way toward us.
Chasing giant lake trout on northern Saskatchewan's remote Cree Lake • Outdoor Canada
On the frozen waters of northern Saskatchewan’s Cree Lake, one angler’s quest to finally ice a lunker laker Kevin Wilson succeeds in tackling a larger winter laker on Cree Lake As my friend Greg Hartman stared down the 10-inch hole in the ice, his rod tip suddenly bent over as though he’d snagged a solid rock. Then barely a moment later, something began to pull on his line—and hard.
5 ways to overcome target panic and ensure a successful bowhunt
How to overcome target panic and ensure a successful hunt Do you suffer from target panic? It’s the term archers use for subconsciously anticipating the explosive action of releasing an arrow. This anxious response can lead to costly errors on a hunt, such as punching the trigger too soon or moving the pin off the intended point of impact ever-so-slightly before the release. Here’s how to avoid it.
6 key bowhunting tips for spotting and stalking mule deer
6 key pointers for spotting and stalking the west’s mule deer It was the second week of September, prime time for an early-season mule deer hunt. My wife, Heather, and I had found a great buck working his way through a standing canola field, and it was her turn up to bat. Glassing from a hill across a quarter section, we watched the buck bed down, then Heather went into action.
Planning to buy a new or used bow? Here are 7 key factors to keep in mind
Planning to buy a new or used bow? Here’s what to keep in mind Shopping for a bow, whether new or used, can be a daunting task. That’s because there are so many things to consider before making your purchase. From your budget to which brand and model to choose, all are important. To help navigate the process, here are seven key pointers. #1 CONSULTATION If you’re a newcomer to bowhunting, talk to experienced archers. Get their input on what they like and don’t like.
Hunting spring bears? Here’s how to perfectly place your shot
Vital advice on proper shot placement for burly bruins Understanding where to shoot any game animal is important, but especially so with black bears because their anatomy is unique. If you’ve skinned a bear, you know that once the hide is removed, even the carcass of a bigger bruin can look surprisingly small. At least one to two inches of the body mass is fat, and another three to four inches is long, thick hair. Here’s how to make sure you drop your next bear with a well-placed shot.
Bowhunting tip: How to keep your 3D targets in shooting form for years to come
How to keep your 3D targets in shooting form for years to come With my back muscles tensed, I settled my 50-yard pin on the kill zone and sent an arrow on its way—to my 3D target, that is. I’ve had this particular target for more than five years now, and it’s a far cry from the comparatively brittle and somewhat short-lived first target I bought three decades ago. I couldn’t even guess how many shots it has absorbed over the years; it just keeps taking arrow after arrow.
E-bikes offer a silent and speedy way to access remote hunting areas. Are they right for you?
Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, are changing the way many hunters head afield. But are these two-wheeled wonders right for you? With all the hype around electric vehicles, or EVs, these days, e-bikes have captured the attention of many outdoor enthusiasts. Along with their promise of a quiet, durable and easy ride, e-bikes are also fast and powerful enough to haul heavy loads, opening up a whole new world of hunting opportunities.
For frosty weather bowhunts, staying warm is key to success. Here’s what you need to know
For frosty weather bowhunts, staying warm is key to success Ask anyone who has hunted whitetails during the rut in Canada, and you’ll hear tales of frigid, downright brutal days on stand. But for those with the right gear, perseverance and, most importantly, an insatiable desire to conquer the elements and tag a buck, bowhunting in the extreme cold can be very rewarding. My wife, Heather, and I spend every November bowhunting Alberta whitetails from a stand.
LAMB OF GOD, CLUTCH, OBITUARY and more to play Headbangers Boat 2025
Lamb of God are still mid-voyage on their current Headbangers Boat cruise, but the band have confirmed they’re setting sail again in 2025 for another festival. L.O.G. frontman Randy Blythe confirmed the next instalment of Headbangers Boat yesterday (October 30th) from the deck of The Norwegian Gem ship, quickly telling the crowd that next year’s trip will head from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico between October 31st and November 4th.
To ensure bowhunting success, here's how to safely rig the quintessential treestand • Outdoor Canada
Safely rig the quintessential treestand to ensure success A lot goes into choosing, then hanging and rigging a proper treestand. After locating a decent game-movement corridor and selecting the right tree, it’s time to put steps, climbing sticks or a ladder in place, then mount the stand itself. Finally, you need to equip your set-up with gear hangers, a lifeline and a tow rope or two. Rig your stand in the following manner, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a safe and successful hunt.
4 reasons bowhunters should consider joining an archery club
When it comes to archery clubs, membership has its privileges My wife and I just returned from the annual banquet of the Alberta Bowhunters Association. Aside from breaking bread with amazing people who share our passion for archery and bowhunting, we thoroughly enjoyed networking, exchanging countless stories, and recognizing members for their achievements through the organization’s awards program. Following the banquet, many of us continued to visit into the wee hours of the night.
How to get in shape for the upcoming bowhunting season
A primer on staying in shape for a successful archery season Whether you’re putting up and taking down stands, navigating rugged terrain or simply shooting a bow, bowhunting entails a lot of physically demanding activity. And to do it well, you need to be fit. For starters, archery demands the use of specific muscle groups, so if you want to shoot with consistency, it’s important to maintain muscle fitness.
Laser rangefinders are an incredible tool for bowhunters. Here’s how they can help you make better shots
To take game at various distances, a laser rangefinder is a must Perched high in a spruce tree, I heard leaves crunching and spotted a heavy-footed mule deer making his way through the woods to my left. Fortunately, I’d already used my laser rangefinder to capture distances to various landmarks around me, so I knew he was 40 yards away. As the buck continued to approach, I grunted and he stopped, quartering away at 23 yards. At that, I released my arrow and the big buck was down.
Ice-fishing Friday: How to catch giant and pike and walleye in prairie reservoirs
Across the prairies, manmade lakes offer unique hardwater action for giant pike and walleye Saskatchewan’s Tobin Lake is famed for serving up hefty pike and walleye For years, I’d heard stories about anglers catching and releasing 25-pound-plus northern pike and hefty walleye in prairie reservoirs. I live in central Alberta, a five-hour drive from the nearest of these seemingly mystical man-made waters. But with plenty of natural lakes within a similar distance, I just didn’t see the appeal.
Ice-fishing Friday: Essential tips and tactics for catching whitefish in winter
Catching lake whitefish through the ice can be challenging yet rewarding, all season long There are a variety of hardwater tactics for catching whitefish With my JawJacker hooksetting device in place and the sonar transducer down the ice hole, I settled in to patiently watch my flasher. Eventually, a faint green mark appeared at 22 feet and began to rise to the static marks of my deadstick baits at 14 and 16 feet.
Heavy draw weights are no longer a must for bowhunting. Here’s why
Are heavy draw weights still necessary for bowhunting? As I watched two gemsbok approach, it was obvious by his heavy, weathered horns that one was a mature trophy bull. So, I drew and waited patiently as he quartered away. I was shooting my wife’s bow—more on that in a minute—and questioning the light poundage because gemsbok are so thick-bodied and muscular, comparable to elk. Settling the sight pin on the crease behind his shoulder, I tightened my back muscles and released.
7 pro tips for getting kids excited about hunting and shooting
A step-by-step approach to successfully get kids excited about hunting Keeping low to the ground, my 14-year-old daughter, Chelsea, followed her mom, matching her step for step. We’d spotted a black bear foraging along a trail 250 yards away, and both the cover and wind direction were ideal for a stalk. Approaching to within 80 yards of the bear, the two sat down, quietly extended the legs on a bipod and prepared for the shot as the bruin continued grazing toward them.
3 deadly decoy strategies for luring game into bow range
FAKE RUSE Lure game into shooting range with these deadly decoy ploys With each yelp I made, the big Merriam’s tom responded with a sharp gobble. He was coming in hot, every exchange drawing him closer through the deep timber high up on the mountainside. Then he hung up at 40 yards and started pacing back and forth—no matter what calls I used, he just wouldn’t step into view. Finally after 20 minutes, he spotted our decoys, raced in and went into full strut.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot: Supercharge Sales Activity
Article Topics Several widely known companies recently introduced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in their product offerings—such as Google, IBM, Amazon, and OpenAI, with its highly publicized ChatGPT. Now, Microsoft is unveiling Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot, an interactive, AI-powered tool that’s available in its customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales 2023 Wave 1 Updates for Admins
Article Topics Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales 2023 release wave 1 covers the new functionality that will be rolling out from April to September 2023. In this article, we’ll highlight key, upcoming features designed to enhance the administrator experience. Many of the features becoming available in Dynamics 365 Sales will incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into the sales process and have been designed to strengthen revenue intelligence, sales execution, and sales force automation.
New Time-Saving Features for Sellers in Dynamics 365 Sales
Article Topics Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales 2023 release wave 1 covers the new functionality that will roll out from April to September 2023. In this article, we’ll highlight new time-saving features for sellers in Dynamics 365 Sales. Sales professionals today must navigate a sea of fundamental changes to the buyer’s journey. A buyer’s journey describes the steps that lead up to a purchase decision.
Pro tips for keeping your hunting bow and arrows in top shape during the off-season
Ensure accuracy by keeping your bow and arrows in top form Many of us have been there. The buck you’ve been waiting for steps out, so you draw and all is right with the world. But then for some reason your shot goes awry, resulting in in either a miss or, worse, a wounded animal. After the dust settles, you check your bow and discover it’s hitting far left and low, probably because you neglected to properly maintain the components. This scenario occurs more often than you might think.
Ice-fishing Friday: Essential tips and tactics for catching whitefish all winter long
With my JawJacker hooksetting device in place and the sonar transducer down the ice hole, I settled in to patiently watch my flasher. Eventually, a faint green mark appeared at 22 feet and began to rise to the static marks of my deadstick baits at 14 and 16 feet. The incoming mark quickly changed to orange, then became a thicker, flickering red mark—it was a fish, and it was coming in hot. Then it converged with the static marks, and my rod tip sprang free, setting the hook.
Alberta’s former Num-Ti-Jah Lodge looks forward with a nod to its historic past
HUNTING SHRINE Alberta’s former Num-Ti-Jah Lodge looks forward with a nod to the past At the northern tip of Banff National Park lies one of western Canada’s most iconic tourist stops and hotels. In the heart of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, The Lodge at Bow Lake, formerly known as Simpson’s Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, is visited by tens of thousands of tourists each year.
Bowhunting the November whitetail rut: 5 essentials for tricking big bucks
Five essentials for tricking bucks on the prowl for does For bowhunters willing to endure the biting cold, the November whitetail rut can offer the most rewarding and productive hunting experience of the entire season. To be successful, however, you need to keep the following five crucial tips in mind. #1 HUNT KEY DATES The whitetail rut is triggered by what’s known as the photophase—the period of light during the day-night cycle—making the timing so reliable you can almost set your watch by it.
Bears lose to Dolphins and fans are upset with the defense
Tua Tagovailoa and the explosive Dolphins offense came to Soldier field and pulled out a close 35-32 win over the Bears While Justin Fields and the Bears offense did everything they could and were even close to tying the game or winning in regulation the Dolphins hung on to take the win. The non pass interference call has caused plenty of pain with Bears fans but could the defense have done better on Sunday?
What hunters need to know about reading tracks and scat
One time while plodding along a well-beaten game trail in Alberta, my wife and I could see an abundance of bear tracks and, every so often, piles of scat. Some of the sign was clearly left behind by black bears, but most of it was made by grizzlies. We’d never seen so much sign—some fresh, some old—in such a small area. We were clearly in bear country, so the chances of bumping into a bear were high.
4 ways to keep your hunting optics clean and at the ready
How to keep your hunting optics clean and at the ready If you’re anything like me, your optics frequently get exposed to dirt, dust, rain and snow. That makes routine lens cleaning a must. Whether they’re spotting scopes, rangefinders, riflescopes or binoculars, all optics require regular maintenance to keep them free of scratches and functioning properly. Here’s how best to get the job done.
How to get in shape for the upcoming bowhunting season
Whether you’re putting up and taking down stands, navigating rugged terrain or simply shooting a bow, bowhunting entails a lot of physically demanding activity. And to do it well, you need to be fit. For starters, archery demands the use of specific muscle groups, so if you want to shoot with consistency, it’s important to maintain muscle fitness.
Understand Your Limits, Recognize Opportunities, Know Your Equipment, Take Only Ethical Shots With three giant mule deer before me, I was faced with an ethical dilemma. The biggest had a high and wide rack. All told, I figured his numbers would probably tally around 190 inches. He stood and stretched at 85 yards. I admit that it was tempting, but I knew better. The second buck stood at 73 yards. He, too, was impressive. I practice at that distance a fair bit with accuracy.
On the Fever Dream Brilliance of Harry Crews
I was initially drawn to Harry Crews because he had a mohawk and a tattoo of a skull, and I was twenty years old and had neither. I read Harry Crews because I wanted to figure out how, if you were a Southern writer, you didn’t simply cover the same terrain that writers like Faulkner and Welty and O’Connor and McCullers had already exhausted. I wanted to know how you leaned into what it meant to be Southern when you weren’t even sure what that meant, exactly.
Want to improve your bowhunting? Practise archery all year long
Practise archery year-round to become a better bowhunter The cool morning air made for a chilly sit in my treestand. I had just finished a rattling sequence when I heard footsteps in the dry leaves. Sixty yards away, a wide-antlered whitetail was closing in fast. When he stepped behind a spruce tree, I drew back, anchored, settled my 20-yard pin on his chest and followed his movements. I soon stopped him with a soft grunt, then sent my arrow on its way.
5 surefire ways to botch your coyote hunt (and how to avoid them)
Five ways to completely botch your coyote hunt—and how to avoid them in the first place Nestled in tight against a big poplar, my hunting partner and I turned on the Foxpro electronic call and waited. It was early December, so a cottontail in distress was the call of choice. Ten minutes had passed when we spotted movement 150 yards away. A lone coyote was sneaking in from the direction we’d walked into the field. Knowing that if he hit our tracks it could be game over, we watched and waited.
Looking for a new bow sight? Here are some of today’s best options
Oh, how times have changed. Thirty years ago, my bow sight was made of little more than a rough aluminum frame and three screw-in pins. Larger in diameter than what you’d find on today’s sights, the pins had coloured tips, but they were less than ideal for precision aiming. These days, however, I attribute much of my bowhunting success to the precise tunability afforded by contemporary bow sights.
A Canadian hunting guide shares 5 tips for field-dressing big game
TO PACK OUT BIG GAME, LEAVE BEHIND THE RIBCAGE, GUTS AND BONES When you can’t use a vehicle to extract downed big game, dressing it on the spot and carrying out the meat on your back may be the only option. To make the job cleaner and easier—and to lighten the load—leave behind the ribcage, guts and bones. Here’s how it’s done. First, you need a quality hunting knife, along with a sharpener or replacement blades, latex gloves if desired.
What hunters need to know about reading tracks and scat
One time while plodding along a well-beaten game trail in Alberta, my wife and I could see an abundance of bear tracks and, every so often, piles of scat. Some of the sign was clearly left behind by black bears, but most of it was made by grizzlies. We’d never seen so much sign—some fresh, some old—in such a small area. We were clearly in bear country, so the chances of bumping into a bear were high.
3 pro tips for hunting upland birds with a bow
I haven’t taken all of Canada’s upland game bird species with my bow—yet—but I’ve arrowed plenty of willow ptarmigan and grouse, and most recently Hungarian partridge. In the process, I’ve learned that success depends on how well you understand the birds you’re targeting, what equipment you use and, most importantly, being ready to seize the opportunities. Here’s what you need to know to start bowhunting for upland birds.
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How to pick the perfect broadhead for any bowhunt
Every year, the manufacturers of archery gear release a large new crop of shiny, razor-sharp broadheads. From fixed-blades to mechanicals to even hybrids, this year’s range of options appears to be as wide and diverse as ever. With so many choices, however, it can be difficult to pick the right broadhead. Experienced bowhunters understand the importance of choosing and using a game-specific tip. In other words, they’re not all equal.
Hunting spring bears? Here’s how to perfectly place your shot
Understanding where to shoot any game animal is important, but especially so with black bears because their anatomy is unique. If you’ve skinned a bear, you know that once the hide is removed, even the carcass of a bigger bruin can look surprisingly small. At least one to two inches of the body mass is fat, and another three to four inches is long, thick hair. Here’s how to make sure you drop your next bear with a well-placed shot.
Pro tips for keeping your hunting bow and arrows in top shape
Many of us have been there. The buck you’ve been waiting for steps out, so you draw and all is right with the world. But then for some reason your shot goes awry, resulting in in either a miss or, worse, a wounded animal. After the dust settles, you check your bow and discover it’s hitting far left and low, probably because you neglected to properly maintain the components. This scenario occurs more often than you might think.
Want to improve your bowhunting? Practice archery all year long
The cool morning air made for a chilly sit in my treestand. I had just finished a rattling sequence when I heard footsteps in the dry leaves. Sixty yards away, a wide-antlered whitetail was closing in fast. When he stepped behind a spruce tree, I drew back, anchored, settled my 20-yard pin on his chest and followed his movements. I soon stopped him with a soft grunt, then sent my arrow on its way. When it passed through his chest, he kicked, ran and disappeared.
7 pro tips for getting kids excited about hunting and shooting
Keeping low to the ground, my 14-year-old daughter, Chelsea, followed her mom, matching her step for step. We’d spotted a black bear foraging along a trail 250 yards away, and both the cover and wind direction were ideal for a stalk. Approaching to within 80 yards of the bear, the two sat down, quietly extended the legs on a bipod and prepared for the shot as the bruin continued grazing toward them.
5 expert tips to make your hunting videos look professional
Whether it’s just for family and friends, social media or YouTube, more and more hunters are recording videos of their hunts. To get it just right, though, it’s tougher than it might look. Follow these tips, however, and you’ll soon be well on your way to filming like a pro. #1 STRUCTURE For YouTube or social media, shorter is better (one to 10 minutes). Include an introduction, but keep it short, make it interesting and highlight the who, what, where, when and why.
Taking a long shot with your bow? Ask yourself these questions first
With three giant mule deer in front of me, I was faced with an ethical dilemma. The biggest, a 190-class buck, stood and stretched at 85 yards. The second buck stood at 73 yards. All I could see of the third deer were his equally impressive antlers, just enough to range him at 62 yards. Which buck should I shoot, or should I pass all together? I chose to take the smallest, but closest, of the three.
Why bowhunters should "take 45" before searching for downed game • Outdoor Canada
After pulling back, I anchored and centered the sight pin on the buck’s chest, following the animal as it walked along. As soon as the deer paused, I released and my arrow passed clean through its torso. The massive buck raced forward, belly to the ground, then circled back 40 metres and vanished into the timber. No more than five seconds passed, then all was silent. I was confident in my shot placement, but knowing it was better to be safe than sorry, I allowed an hour to pass before following up.
Chainsaws can be dangerous. Here’s how to stay safe
How to properly use a chainsaw for your outdoor chores Chainsaws are powerful, efficient and versatile, letting you clear trails, cut firewood and build shelters in a fraction of the time it would take with a handsaw—and with considerably less effort. A poorly maintained or operated chainsaw can also be downright dangerous, however. Here are a few basics of proper chainsaw care and use.
Chainsaws can be dangerous. Here’s how to say safe
Chainsaws are powerful, efficient and versatile, letting you clear trails, cut firewood and build shelters in a fraction of the time it would take with a handsaw—and with considerably less effort. A poorly maintained or operated chainsaw can also be downright dangerous, however. Here are a few basics of proper chainsaw care and use. UPKEEP A poorly maintained chainsaw is an accident waiting to happen, so make it a rule to always ensure your saw is in good working condition before using it.
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