Editors Note: Wildgame Nation is a reality hunting show on the Outdoor Channel that takes an inside look at a dad and two sons who run a real American outdoor company named Wildgame Innovations. This show documents the lives of Bill, Matt and Ryan Busbice with a reality-style approach that shows them hunting, traveling and working together. Today Matt gives us a look into a hunt with his CVA Apex.
This was one of those “good news, bad news” hunts for me. Good news, I was at our camp in Olla, LA and it was obvious from the activity around me that the rut was on. Unfortunately the sweat on my brow revealed someone forgot to turn off the heat.  As is often the case in Louisiana, the whitetail rut and the temperature tend to go off the chart at the same time.  If bucks waited on cool weather down south to start chasing does we would seldom see that happen.  On this particular hunt Mother Nature was as dependable as the CVA Apex I was packing.  I had already planned to hunt my favorite box stand, the “Pin Oak Stand”, but before I climbed up I made sure to pour out a bag of “Acorn Rage.”  I was ready to get a LA buck down and I knew this would increase the odds of not only seeing the buck I was looking for but getting him up close and personal. One thing about a proven attractant during the rut is that does are usually eager to dine on something as tasty and nutritious as “Acorn Rage” after having been chased all over creation. We all know that wherever the girls are…the boys won’t be far behind. Such was the case this time once again.  It wasn’t long until a weary doe slipped in seeking the source of that wonderful aroma of fresh acorns. That always brings a smile to my face but my heart rate and expression changed quickly when I saw this shooter buck in tow behind her. It was time to get serious while I shouldered my CVA…did I mention we have mosquitoes here in the dead of winter? As I tried to forget about the insects and focus on the crosshairs, I squeezed the trigger on what’s proved to be one of the most reliable guns I have ever owned. The CVA Apex was too much for this Louisiana wall hanger…at 75 yards, he was down for the count!   When the numbers were in, I was thrilled to hear he scored an impressive 165” in horn, my biggest buck to date… now that is good news! On top of that it wasn’t long before I learned my brother Ryan had similar results, downing a really nice 10pt with his CVA.   In spite of the heat, mosquitoes, and Ryan almost stealing my thunder, it’s hard to recall the bad news part of the hunt. Generally speaking, if I am hunting and toting my CVA, as they say…”It’s all good!”

Editor’s Note: Good hunters can be better hunters if they don’t commit sins that decrease their odds for bagging any deer, especially trophy deer. Let’s look at one of the most-common mistakes even good hunters, sportsmen who have taken several deer and who have hunted for 4 or 5 years, make – waiting for the perfect day and the perfect weather to bag deer with their CVA Muzzleloader.

Even though a hunter is experienced and understands he should hunt with the wind in his face, you may be surprised at how-many hunters think they can cheat and hunt in an area, even though the wind’s wrong. No matter how good a hunting site is or how excellent your chances are of taking a buck in that spot, if the wind’s not in your favor, don’t hunt that region. Instead, go to where you believe your chances may not be as good, but where you can hunt with a favorable wind. Of course, since many hunters are convinced they can bag deer with their muzzleloader rifles, they may tell themselves, “I know the wind’s wrong, but I’ll go ahead and hunt that stand. I just know I can take a deer in there today.” However, probably nine times out of 10, they won’t take any deer and will have fouled-up the area with their human scent.

Too, hunters, especially trophy hunters, are waiting on that perfect day to go out and try to bag bucks. They’ll come-up with excuses for not hunting, like the weather’s too hot or too cold, or there’s too much wind or not enough wind. But the perfect day to hunt a trophy buck with your CVA muzzleloading rifle is any day you can go into the woods. The more days you are in the woods, the greater your chances of bagging a trophy. One of the biggest bucks I ever took, which was a Boone & Crockett buck, I harvested with my CVA rifle on a morning with so-much wind I almost didn’t go. I hate to hunt in the wind. But because the weather was so windy, the buck probably never heard me as I approached my stand. He came in quickly and easily. Just remember, you can’t take a buck – any buck – sitting at home watching TV or drinking a cup of coffee. You must be in the woods.