Get Ready For Summer Fishing

Are you planning on going fishing this season? The warmer weather is a sign that fish have started to come out for the summer months. Here are a few tips to help you hone your fishing skills this season.

1. Try Using Smaller Bait. Since it is not the middle of summer yet, fish are not as aggressive and are not used to bigger bait. Downsizing to a smaller bait and using them slowly will help you get an easier bite this season. 

2. Fish in Rivers or Lakes. In North Carolina, there are a variety of freshwater fishing areas you can have luck with. Rivers, trout creeks, lakes, ponds, and other areas are the perfect spot to fish. The Neuse River, one of North Carolina’s largest and most well-known rivers, is home to plenty of largemouth bass, black crappie, sunfish, catfish, and more for you to enjoy this summer. 

3. Take Home Your Trophy. Getting a replica fish is a great way to remember your fishing trip! Here at Knight's Taxidermy, we use the finest quality fish replicas along with the latest techniques to finish your trophy! 

Are you ready to treasure your catch for a lifetime? The perfect fish replica takes time, so contact us today at (919) 291-6506 or www.timknighttaxidermy.com to get started. 

Do You Have The Right Summer Hunting Apparel?

Hunting in the summer has many benefits but one thing that can be a challenge is staying comfortable in the heat. From pesky bugs to sticky humidity, it's important that you have some quality lightweight apparel to make hunting in the summer a breeze. Here are three summer hunting essentials to help stay prepared this season.  

1. Wear Breathable Clothing. It's important that when you're hunting out in the heat that you wear clothing that isn't restrictive. You want to make sure your clothing is breathable so that you avoid sitting in your own sweat during the entire duration of your hunting trip. Instead of blue jeans and a T-shirt, it might be time to upgrade your hunting apparel. 

2. Make Sure You're Properly Camouflaged. Does your summer camouflage properly disguise you in different habitats? When searching for camouflage apparel, try and opt for something that is fade resistant so it avoids altering the patterns. There are many different types of camouflage to choose from depending on the area where you plan on hunting. 

3. Only Bring What You need. On a really hot and humid day during the summer in North Carolina, you’re not going to want to haul around too much unnecessary and heavy gear and apparel. When packing for your next hunting trip, try to minimize what you will be bringing. 

Are you planning on hunting this summer? Contact Knight’s Taxidermy at 919-291-6506 and bring your harvest to us. We'll help you treasure your catch for a lifetime!

4 Early Bass Fishing Lures To Try This Spring

Spring is just around the corner, and early season bass fishing is finally here! Is it time to upgrade any of your lures to some that are more efficient? Here are four different lures for you to try this season. 

1. U-Tail Worms: U-Tail Worms are great for this time of year. They can be used any time of the year, but they are especially efficient during spawning season. A Carolina rig is one of the most efficient rigs to use in combination with U-tail Worms. 

2. Crawdads: Crawdads are another popular spawn season lure as crawdads consume bass eggs. When fishing with crawdads, bass will see them as a threat, and you will more than likely get an extra few bites with this lure. 

3. Poppers: Poppers are a very efficient spawn lure and produce some of the best results because they resemble a rival fish. Poppers are topwater lures which means the bass have to bite the lure in order to get it away from any nearby eggs. 

4. Devil’s Horse: A Devil’s Horse is a popular topwater lure during spawning season. Just like the popper, it also resembles a rival fish looking for a quick meal. A Devil’s Horse works best when you slowly reel it across the top of the water, giving the bass the impression that there is a nearby threat to their eggs. 

Do you want to treasure your harvest for a lifetime? Bring your game to Tim Knight’s Taxidermy and let us bring your trophy to life. Contact us today at 919- 291-6506 to get started!

4 Duck Hunting Tips For Beginners

Duck hunting can be a fun and exciting time whether you are a beginner or a well-seasoned hunter! Here are four duck hunting tips to help those who are just starting out this season. 

1. Hunt In The Swamps. Swamps are a great place for duck hunting in the colder months. When lakes freeze up, try hunting around the swamps. Ducks are known to feed off of acorns during the wintertime. 

2. Disguise Yourself. It’s important that you match your camouflage as close to your hunting spot as best you can. Ducks have incredible eyesight, and if you aren’t wearing camouflage that blends in, you might as well not be wearing any camo! 

3. Get Familiar With Your Location And Gear.  Make sure you are familiar with the area you will be hunting as well as the gear you will be bringing. Sharpen your duck hunting skills by practicing with your gun, different chokes, and ranges a few days before you go hunting. 

4. Take Your Time. Be mindful about taking your time when hunting birds. Not only does it require a lot of patience, but taking a wrong shot can scare ducks away from your hunting spot. A tip for beginners is to aim for the last duck since it gives you the most chance to hit your target. 

We are ready to help you bring your trophy back to life with the perfect mount. Contact us today at (919) 291-6506 and let us help you remember your harvest for a lifetime! 

Sources:

https://feedbandit.com/duck-hunting-tips-for-the-beginner/

https://www.mudbuddy.com/news/5-duck-hunting-tips-for-beginners

4 Things You Should Know About Field Dressing

In case you are new to hunting, field dressing is the process of caring for and preparing your freshly harvested animal to bring to a taxidermist. It’s important that you know how to handle your harvest to keep it intact for taxidermy. Check out these 4 tips on Field Dressing. 

1. Be gentle working with your carcass. It’s easy to damage your game. Make sure to always handle the carcass gently to help keep it intact as much as possible. Damaging the game may mean your trophy will not look as good as it should. Depending on what you’re hunting, every animal requires different field dressing work. If you’re stuck on the correct method for your trophy, contact Tim Knight taxidermy at 919-291-6506 for any questions you may have!

2. Always be safe. Don’t forget about safety in the rush of excitement. When handling animals, make sure you wear gloves to avoid contracting infectious diseases. Remember to wash your hands after working with your game.  

3. Keep your game cool. Bacteria starts to grow as soon as the animal expires. Your carcass will need to be stored in cool storage so that it doesn’t become unusable for your taxidermist. Make sure that you bring ice so you can keep your harvest fresh. 

4. Call Knight’s Taxidermy. If you are uncertain how to skin or care for your trophy, call Tim at Knight’s Taxidermy at (919) 291-6506 for assistance with directions and support! For a fee, I will meet up with you and help you skin your animal. 

Are you planning on going hunting soon? Bring your game to Knight’s Taxidermy so that we can bring your trophy to life for you to admire for a lifetime. 

Source: https://naturesdesigntaxidermy.com/2019/02/what-you-need-to-know-about-field-prep/

Four Great Gifts for Hunters

The holiday season has arrived, and it is time to start searching for gifts for your friends and family. Picking out the perfect gift can be stressful. Get rid of the gift-giving worries with these four gift ideas. 

1. Fish and Game Cookbook. This is the perfect gift for the hunter that is trying to sharpen their skills in the kitchen. With recipes and tips on how to cook their harvest, this gift is sure to be a win-win. 

2. New Pair of Field Boots. Give the gift of a versatile boot that can withstand any weather condition. A comfy pair of boots can make any hunter excited for their next hunt.

3. Gift Card to an Outdoor Store. A gift card is great, especially for the person who has everything. Load up a gift card to an outdoor store where they can purchase their own gear and accessories for their next hunt.

4. Mount Their Trophy. Take your hunter to get their latest harvest mounted. Watch their excitement as they are now able to preserve the memories of their hunt.

   
   Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? Let us turn your harvest into a gift that can be admired for a lifetime. Visit Knight’s Taxidermy to mount your trophy this holiday season!

How To Kill a Buck In Late November

Many hunters have been led to believe that if you haven’t killed a buck by early November, your chances have passed. This is far from the truth though. In fact, late November offers plenty of opportunities to harvest a mature buck. While the number of doe may decrease, the bucks are out searching for a willing female. This can cause an increase in the amount of buck wandering around, similar to what you may have seen earlier in the season. 

A great way to be successful during this time is to simply go where there haven’t been many hunters during the season. Deer begin to congregate away from areas that become common for hunters. If you know of a hard-to-reach patch or have an area you have been keeping restricted, this may be the perfect time to utilize those patches of land.

If you can get in a tree and sit all day, take advantage of it. Even though early November has passed and new struggles are created in the latter half, if you keep at it, goodwill eventually comes. Anything can happen in a rut, and there are plenty of great opportunities to harvest a buck in late November.

Are you planning on going hunting this season? Let us help you remember your trip for a lifetime. Bring your deer to Knight’s Taxidermy to turn your hard work and patience into a lifelong trophy. 

Source: https://www.themeateater.com/wired-to-hunt/whitetail-hunting/how-to-kill-a-buck-during-the-second-half-of-november

Old School Hunting Tips

While some things have stayed the same, the way we hunt has evolved over time. The general goal and purpose of hunting have always stayed the same, to harvest an animal. There are many different techniques, tools, locations, etc. that have an impact on your experience. There are more modern ways to catch game, but take it from an old-timer, you can still find success in going the old school route. 

One tip from longtime hunters is to wear a pair of inexpensive rain pants between your long johns and outside pants in wet weather. By doing so, you are keeping dry but also preventing a wet shine or slapping noise your wet clothes could cause making it less likely to scare away ducks and deer. 

Experienced hunters know how hard it can be to get a clear view through binoculars. Your heart is pumping and your hands are shaking, causing you to get a shaky picture. Old-timers found a hack to give you a clearer view. Simply place your forefingers against your forehead while peeping through your binoculars. 

Another good tip from an old-school hunter is to shake some Borax into your stinky boots. Just a little bit of Borax can go a long way and get rid of the ripe stench caused by hours of attentive hunting.

Many of us know someone who has been hunting for quite some time. It is no surprise that you begin to pick up some hacks that can make your experience more successful. Pick up on some old-school tips and see if they improve the way you hunt. 

After trying some old-school hunting tips, bring your harvest to Knight’s Taxidermy to preserve your memories and your trophy.

Source: https://www.fieldandstream.com/old-school-hunting-tips/

5 Hunting Tools You’re Probably Forgetting to De-Scent

It is key for hunters to understand the importance of scent control when they are hunting. Most hunters do a good job at de-scenting themselves and their clothes, but many overlook their gear. Here are five hunting tools you are probably forgetting to de-scent.

1. Pack. Your backpack or waist pack gets handled a lot and can accumulate a lot of sweat. Pay close attention to the straps and other parts of your pack that may touch your body.

2. Gun or Crossbow Sling. A cloth gun or crossbow sling can absorb quite a bit of your sweat and stench. 

3. Hat. Your hat or headgear accumulates tons of sweat. Make sure to wash and de-stench all your headgear.

4. Shoes. Spray down your hunting shoes, especially the soles and laces that collect the most scent. 

5. Gun/Bow Case. Some jurisdictions require your gun or bow to be carried in a case. Be sure to de-scent your case before taking it out.

Scent plays a big role in the success of your hunt. After your stench-free hunt, take your game to Knight’s Taxidermy to save your trophy.

Source: https://1source.basspro.com/news-tips/deer/6043/11-pieces-hunting-gear-youre-probably-forgetting-de-scent

A Beginner’s Guide to Hunting

Hunting is a highly anticipated sport no matter the season, but it can be overwhelming to get into, especially if you don’t have any friends or family that are familiar with the ins and outs.  One of the first things that may pop in your mind when you think about preparing for your first hunt could be gear, but there are other key tasks that you want to complete before gathering your gear and prepping for your hunt.

• Get your Hunter Safety Card. Most states, including North Carolina, require a Hunter Safety Card. In order to get this card, you will need to complete a certified hunter education course. Once you earn your card, it is valid in all states that require one. The course can be done online and at your own pace. 

• Decide what type of hunting is for you. There are many ways you can hunt. Maybe you want to try hunting birds, or maybe deer hunting is more your speed. You also may find that you are more inclined to hunt with a crossbow or a rifle. It’s important to get an idea of what type of hunting you’re interested in before you start. Try talking to other people experienced in hunting to help you get an idea of what you are most interested in.

• Practice makes perfect. It’s unlikely that you go on your first hunt and complete the best hunt of your life. Give yourself time to understand the behavior of the animal you are hunting and get familiar with the equipment you are using. Try different areas and terrains. Every hunt will be different, but practice can help you succeed on all your hunts.

Whether it is your first hunt or you’ve lost count on what hunt it is, don’t forget to call us at (919) 291-6506 and bring your game to Tim Knight’s Taxidermy to preserve your trophy.