5 Things to Keep in Mind if You’ll Be Hunting Your Own Holiday Turkey

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and with it comes a lot of decisions. If you’re one of the brave cooks that will be handling the turkey, read on. It’s hard work, but hunting and cooking a turkey is a fulfilling adventure.

1. Preparation

Preparation is something that requires knowing all about turkey hunting. You never show up without knowing if your equipment is suitable to hunt the current prey. Tactics that worked years ago may be out of date for the current hunt. Start with the basics (scouting, clothing, permits, weapons, shooting range) and then move on to the advanced stuff. It won’t take long, and you’ll twice as ready as the person that came before you.

2. Rules

Regulations for hunting are state and country specific. Turkey regulations go even deeper, and are completely different than other seasons. This includes restrictions on hunting within a certain amount of feet in a baited area and taking home more than two turkeys per season. Always check the rules of the area you are planning to hunt in before making final plans. You don’t want to be the hunter that pays more in fines than they did for a turkey. Regulations for your local area aren’t hard to find, and the holidays makes turkey hunting a lot more accommodating than other game.

3. Tools

Certain shotguns are illegal during turkey season. Motorized decoys are sometimes completely outlawed, and drive-by turkey grabbing is frequently frowned upon. When it comes to turkey hunting, you don’t need a big truck, flying drone or any other fancy gadgets. Traditional is the best way to go when it comes to turkey hunting, so there is nothing wrong with a dependence on the old tools. Your hunting rifle, knife and a clean set of hunting gear will be more than enough to get the job done. But if you want to show up with some modern tools, take the time to see if they’re allowed in your current area. For instance, having a few extra Thermold Magazines for your hunting gun will ensure you are ready when that turkey appears.

4. Late Season

There are a lot of areas that have set up late season turkey hunting. The only problem is that the tactics for a good hunt are completely different when you’re showing up after the usual dates. Instead of playing on an equal field, the turkey will have the advantage. Take this challenge to heart with preparation, and you’ll have a story to tell at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

5. Group Up

Hunting in a group will always give you a big advantage. It’s unlikely anyone in the group will leave empty handed, even if they are inexperienced with hunting. This is the best way to hunt turkey, and also the best way to introduce someone to hunting. There is no pressure, as the most experienced person in the group will usually take charge. Groups that are related have made seasonal turkey hunting a family tradition for Thanksgiving. Whether it’s with family or friends, consider grouping up for a hunt a priority for a successful turkey season.

Have A Happy Thanksgiving

There are few holidays that provide the family bonding experience of Thanksgiving. If this is your first-time hunting, then prepare for a unique experience. Bring the heat, and the spoils will be the sweetest victory.

The Top Secret Truth About Santa Claus

The holidays are just around the corner and with them will come all of the joys of the season- beautiful lights, cheery music, and tantalizing treats.  Our malls will be filled with Santa’s in red as visions of sugar plums dance in children’s heads.  But for many families each year there is a big question that must be answered when the holidays roll around: “What is the truth about Santa Claus?”

christmas book about santa claus

To answer that often dreaded question C.C. Bloom has released a brand new book called The Top Secret Truth About Santa Claus.  What inspired Bloom to broach this subject on behalf of parents?  “I have four kids myself and have heard many conversations about the ‘man in red’ go completely sideways.”  According to Bloom,  “Just about every family falls somewhere on ‘the Santa Claus Spectrum’ between, ‘We love Santa and want to keep the magic alive for as long as possible’ to ‘We don’t do the Santa Claus thing because it takes away from the real reason for the season.’  But regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, the question must be answered at some point.”  

After hearing many of these awkward conversations Bloom decided there had to be a solution.  “My goal was to tell the real truth to kids and adults alike while still keeping the magic alive.”  After lots of research on how the phenomenon of Santa Claus came to be, she put pen to paper.  “If you’re like my family and ‘A Visit From Saint Nick’ (also known as ’Twas the Night Before Christmas’) is the traditional book your kids grew up on, then The Top Secret Truth About Santa Claus is the perfect bookend to the next phase of their childhood.  It’s set to a rhyme scheme, offers solutions to the many problems around this conversation, and tells the whole truth while inspiring kids to keep the magic alive in a new way.”  You can learn more about The Top Secret Truth About Santa Claus at: www.TheTruthAboutSanta.com.  You can also find The Top Secret Truth About Santa Claus on Instagram: TheTopSecretTruthAboutSanta, Facebook: DirectorCCBloom, and Pinterest: TheTopSecretTruthAboutSantaClaus.

Are You Thinking About Having A Baby?

One of the most significant turning points in a person’s life is when they have their first child. Having a baby can take place regardless of whether or not you plan for it, in contrast to other significant life events like as graduating from college, getting married, or landing your first job. On the other hand, the more you get ready, the more content both you and your unborn child will be, and the better prepared both your home and your finances will be to accommodate the addition of a new member to your family. Because of this, it is imperative that each couple who has the intention of starting a family think about some of the following points. 

pregnant belly, having babies, pregnancy, birth, motherhood, fatherhood, parenting

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It is recommended that you get a medical opinion before you start trying to conceive.

It is entirely possible to conceive a child without the assistance of a medical professional; in fact, millions of women throughout the world do so every year. However, going to the doctor before you start trying to conceive will help you make adjustments to your diet and lifestyle that will benefit the health of your unborn child. There are a number of medications available, for example, that pose a significant risk to the developing foetus if the mother continues to use them while she is pregnant. 

Folic acid, which can help lower the likelihood of common congenital impairments in kids, should be started by women who are pregnant, as well as women who are planning to get pregnant in the near future. You should take the time to implement any other dietary and lifestyle changes that can assist improve your health before you try to conceive, rather than after you have already started the process of trying to conceive. Your doctor will be able to provide you with assistance and advice on the necessary actions that you need follow.

Attempting to Have a Baby

Do not freak out if you do not get pregnant as soon as you stop using birth control after you have stopped using it! Birth control methods that employ hormones, such as the pill or an intrauterine device (IUD), may alter the natural hormonal balance of the body. It may take your body a number of months to get back on track, and this is a perfectly common occurrence. Until your body has adjusted to the rhythms and routines to which it is accustomed, you may have difficulties becoming pregnant. The first thing that you need to do is get a handle on your menstrual cycle and figure out when it is that you ovulate. Because your fertile window lasts for around a week on average, being aware of when in that week you are most likely to conceive makes a big difference in your chances of doing so. 

You are going to be a parent very soon!

It is possible that receiving positive test results will make you feel as though a dream has come true. However, this is also the point where the real work starts, so be prepared for that. After you have determined your due date, you will be able to plan when you will begin attending childbirth classes, when you will begin preparing the nursery, and when you will begin purchasing all of the beautiful baby equipment such as strollers, changing tables, and other items. First and foremost, do not forget to make an appointment with your primary care physician to have a medical calendar created so that you can monitor your child’s health as they become older. It is recommended that you undergo at least two ultrasound scans, and that you visit a midwife or obstetrician on a regular basis for checkups. Although nothing can be assured, this may make it less necessary in the future to consider filing claims with a birth injury attorney.

The experience of being a parent is a rewarding one; yet, it is critical to keep in mind that no one anticipates you to do everything on your own. If you take advantage of the support offered by your family and friends while you are pregnant and after the birth of your child, you will be well on your way to bringing up a happy and healthy family.

An at-home dad on a mission to keep it real when it comes to food, fun, and raising a healthy, happy family.