What does it mean if you "get skunked"?
"Getting skunked" means you didn’t manage to bag any prey during your hunt. But you still had the joy of being outdoors.
Why would you "flush" a game bird?
Game birds often hide in thick cover until you "flush" them, perhaps by kicking the grass or sending in your dog. Sometimes birds flush early and fly away -- other times they won't budge.
An "axe" would refer to which hunting weapon?
If you're using an axe for a hunt, you're most likely wielding a bow. Compared to rifle hunting, bowhunting is a close-quarters affair.
You want to shoot an animal in which part of the body?
If you shoot an animal in the "boiler room" it means you shot it in the area of the heart and lungs -- in other words, the vital parts that keep the animal alive.
What's a nickname for a bird decoy?
The earliest and most primitive decoys looked like blocks. Modern "blocks," of course, are decoys that are so realistic they fool even experienced hunters.
Which type of hunting is best during a "grand passage"?
Sometimes weather and waterfowl converge to create huge migrations of birds. A "grand passage" is indeed a great time to be hunting.
If you're "glassing" something, what are you doing?
If you break out the binoculars to scan the landscape for various objects, you're "glassing" the terrain. If you're lucky, maybe you'll spot that dandy buck!
What does it mean if a turkey "hangs up"?
If a turkey "hangs up," it means it stopped just short of gun range. Terrain (or general wariness) can cause a bird to hang up.
What's most likely to happen to hunters overcome by "buck fever"?
"Buck fever" happens to hunters who are overcome by hunting excitement, often after spotting a huge deer. They often miss the shot because they are so overstimulated.
If you're shooting "Huns," what are you shooting?
If you're out shooting "Huns," you're shooting Hungarian partridges. Partridge is delicious with a side of fried bacon.
Why would you use "dope"?
Deer attractant is sometimes called "dope." Sometimes dope is simply deer urine.
Most hunters prefer to shoot "slick heads."
"Slick heads" refers to female deer -- because female deer, of course, don't have any antlers on their heads. Most hunters prefer bucks.
Some hunters prefer muzzleloaders for their outings. "Smoke poles" are an older but still effective hunting technology.
What does it mean if an animal "jumps the string"?
Sometimes, the twang of bowstring can alert an animal to a hunter's presence. In some cases, the animal might even dodge an arrow thanks to its sensitive hearing.
"Toad" is slang for what?
Hunters never tire of new slang for big bucks. They are all looking to bag the biggest "toad" possible.
"Flight day" refers to the trip that duck hunters make to the airport.
On a "flight day," waterfowl are actively moving from place to place. That means it's often a good day to be out hunting.
Why do many hunters try to avoid the "pumpkin patch"?
"Pumpkin patch" is sometimes used as slang for groups of hunters wearing bright blaze orange clothing. If you like solitary time in the woods, it's best to avoid the pumpkin patch.
"Timber tigers" are the most prized game animal in North America.
"Timber tiger" is slang for noisy little varmints like squirrels. They're common targets of hunters, but they aren't an incredibly prized animal.
If your hunting dog smells a game bird, he will act WHAT?
It's easy to see when hunting dogs catch a scent -- they act "birdy," with their noses glued to the ground and their tails excitedly wagging in circles. It's a sure sign that your prey is nearby.
Everyone wants to bag a "button buck."
"Button bucks" are bucks with tiny little antlers. They are bucks that are only a few months old.
Where would you put a "wall hanger"?
"Wall hangers" are the big animals that you'd proudly display in your home office. Trophy hunters only go after the biggest wall hangers.
Where would you be most likely to find a "speed goat"?
"Speed goats" are pronghorn antelope. They are known for their blazing speed -- and their wariness.
What kind of animal is often "tight-lipped"?
A turkey that gets wise to a hunter's calls might suddenly stop responding, in other words, it gets "tight-lipped." There's nothing more frustrating than a huge tom that becomes wary just outside of gun range.
To what does "white gold" refer?
In the springtime, many hunters hit the woods to look for "white gold," the antlers that deer shed. Some hunters make a game of collecting white gold.
What kind of animal "breaks point"?
Hunting dogs often point at prey using their paws and tails. Sometimes, game birds will flee and the dogs will "break point," or take off running after the birds.
The term "shoe polisher" might be used to describe what?
All hunting dogs have distinct personalities. Those that are always underfoot (in a bad way) are "shoe polishers."
Where would "mulies" be most common?
"Mulies" are mule deer. They're a very common type of deer found in the mountains of the American West.
What does it mean if a bird is "airwashed"?
An "airwashed" bird doesn't leave any scent for your dog -- likely because you scored a direct hit and the bird isn't moving around on the ground.
It’s a good thing if a hunting dog "busts" a bird.
Hunting dogs are supposed to hold a point until commanded to flush. If they "bust" a bird, they broke point too early, perhaps costing the hunter a shot.
"Canecutter" is slang for what kind of animal?
In the South, where various types of cane are common, rabbits are sometimes called "canecutters," because they love to eat the stuff.
