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The internet has changed everything when it comes to researching your upcoming hunts.  I used to receive stats and info directly from biologists, spend evenings on the phone talking to hunters, order local newspapers/magazines from areas I was researching, and wait anxiously at the mailbox for my maps.  It was enjoyable but took many hours of my time.  Now most of that information is at my fingertips through state game agency websites, forums, and other resources like Google Earth.  However, it still takes ample time to find.

 

I’m a happily-married dad of three active kids and hold down about three jobs (I lose count), so it’s difficult to make time to learn everything I need to know. As a mule deer hunter, I need to hunt about 25-40 days per year to be successful on big bucks.  It takes lots of research and time to find areas worth spending my time and applications.   About 10 years ago, I came to terms that I need some help in the research area and maybe you do, too.  

You might also be new to hunting and not really sure where to start.  Forums, like Rokslide’s—which we’ve designed and moderated to be a friendly place to ask questions on everything from filling a doe antelope tag to focusing on big bull elk—are a good place to start.  Many of the Rokslide members are the most helpful I’ve seen on web.  However, forums do have limitations. By nature, people aren’t going to give away the areas they’ve worked hard to learn. That is OK as many of us DIY-ers like the challenge of learning an area, but you still may need a leg up on choosing a unit.  

You’ve certainly noticed the ad for The Huntin’ Fool on the Rok Blog.  That ad is not there just to generate income. I put it there because they can help many of you. I joined The Huntin’ Fool in 2005 because it seemed that too many times I would invest a month of research into a new place, then see nearly that same information printed in their latest mag.  For the nominal charge they were asking, I could get back quite a few hours of my life, and I did.

The Huntin’ Fool has changed quite a bit the last few years with new ownership.  It’s not just for trophy hunters anymore and they provide information on more states and more hunts than ever.

So if you find yourself needing help in the research department, give The Huntin’ Fool some consideration.  The Huntin’ Fool is generously offering Rokslide members a free two-month no obligation trial to their services. Click on the logo below to check it out.  Or if you’d just like to learn more, see my interview with Travis Roundy of The Huntin’ Fool here.    

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Now, the best part.  I’ve arranged another Membership Giveaway for one Rok Blog member.  By simply commenting below, you’ll be entered for one year of membership with The Huntin’ Fool.   I’ll givaway the membership in the next 10 days so you’ll have plenty of time to utilize it as you research and apply for your 2015 hunts.

Rules:

1) Make sure you’re a member of the Rok Blog (see upper right “Subscribe to blog” under Fitness/Other links.)

2) Comment below on what species you’re researching for 2015.

Coming up on the Rok Blog: Why I lab-age all my mule deer bucks

Previous articleApplication Season: Evaluating Your Personal Strategy
Next articleWhy I Lab-Age Mule Deer
Robby Denning
Robby Denning
Robby Denning started hunting mule deer in the late 1970’s, only missing one season in 35 years. At 25, he gave up the pursuit of all other big-game to focus on taking the best bucks possible. He began hunting the West on a DIY budget hunting an average of 30 days a year for mule deer. Robby loves the hunt as much as the kill and the entire process from research to scouting to hunting. He’s killed four bucks over 200 inches in the last 15 seasons, mostly on easily-obtained tags. He owns a public-land scouting service and runs a private-land outfitting business helping other hunters in their pursuit of deer and elk. Robby has scouted and hunted literally thousands of square miles of mule deer country and brings a wealth of knowledge about these experiences with him. To him, the weapon of choice is just a means-to-an-end and will hunt with bow, rifle, or muzzleloader – whatever it takes to create an opportunity to take a great mule deer. He is also the author of "Hunting Big Mule Deer" available on Amazon. Robby believes all of creation is from God for man to manage, respect, and through which to know its Creator

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56 COMMENTS

  4. I’m researching mountain goat this year and every year. My number one species I want to hunt in the very near future!

  5. I am researching youth mule deer and elk for 2015.

    Prior to starting research, I was blissfully ignorant of other states minimum age and youth requirements for big game hunting. Especially frustrating since here in the west we give so much lip service to “rugged individualism”. While the list of States that allow non-res youth hunters of my sons age(s) to hunt is extremely short. It’s still both daunting and fun to narrow down individual units that have the qualities we are looking for.

  10. I’m looking forward to being able to research more in the future. Right now it’s just whitetail and mule deer for 2015. Although elk, black bear, and pronghorn are on the bucket list.

  18. Co Elk and some others, but I still have to narrow down my list. Depends on what I think I actually have a chance at drawing.

  20. Maybe it is just my computer, but I have been trying to log in for that “free” 60 day membership since yesterday and nothing happens.

  21. Robby,

    I couldn’t agree with you more. I’ve been using Huntin Fool for years and the information they provide is great! Glad to see you have hooked up Rokslide with them.

  25. Mark, the links are working on my end. How ’bout this.
    1) Tell me which link (the ad at top right of page, or links within the blog post) you’ve tried.
    2) Email me at [email protected] and I’ll personally make sure Huntin’ Fool gets you rolling on the two-week trial.

  26. Sorry for the confusion Robby . Your link works great. I e-mailed them and am waiting for a response. For some reason when I hit the submit button in their website nothing happens. Thanks for looking out. I agree with you by the way. I started researching hunts the last few years and the amount of time I put in verse what I get back is not balanced at all.

  28. As I stated earlier maybe it is my computer. It is. It won’t work on the Mac, but I got registered by using the iPad.

  43. This looks like the perfect tool as I am interesting Colorado Elk and Arizona Mule Deer in 2015. Thanks again Robby.

  56. Might be a little late on this one, but I would be interested in researching Colorado elk as well as some public land antelope for my dad and brothers to chase their first antelope.

    Thanks for the opprutinity.

Comments are closed.