My .410 Experience: Going Small Bore for Big Toms
I ordered a new .410 shotgun and a selection of shells, did some testing and patterning, and then headed afield to see if I could bring down a tom or jake with the little-bitty scattergun.
I ordered a new .410 shotgun and a selection of shells, did some testing and patterning, and then headed afield to see if I could bring down a tom or jake with the little-bitty scattergun.
If you hunt snake areas, do yourself a favor and consider these classic snake boots. Your life could depend upon it—literally.
Have a special someone in your life that loves to hunt? Father? Husband? Shirttail relative? Here’s a list of items that range from inexpensive to costly, little to big, subtle to showy. All are geared toward the serious hunter. All are awesome. Listed in no particular order.
I’m always a bit skeptical when a new broadhead arrives on my doorstep for testing. Though I loved the packaging — these heads had a lot to prove to live up to the hype surrounding them.
In 20 years of turkey hunting, I’d never heard or seen so many jakes. Or been so fooled by so many of them. Big, brawny jakes, their gobbles loud and booming like mature toms.
This recipe will help you make a tasty meal of meat from the shoulder, one of the least tender big pieces of meat you brought home. It’s simple food, but it’s delicious.
The Prime Logic CT3 met and surpassed my expectations, and it definitely gets my stamp of approval.
In part three let’s take a detailed look at the remaining essential gear, as well as great backcountry rifle setups. Remember; good quality gear lasts longer, works better, and offers the best chance of keeping you alive when the chips are down.
Pigs are not the dumb animal many think they are, but they are creatures of habit. Find the areas or foods they like and use it to your advantage. Change up the baits you use to lure them in and it can lead to more pork in the freezer.
Airguns are not limited to what they used to be: guns for training children on gun safety. These days, airgun technology is advancing to the point where we can shoot heavier projectiles faster than ever before out of production rifles. Because of this, they are a great option to take out hunting! This Texan LSS .50 CF will produce up to 750 ft./lbs of energy, which is as much as a .357 Mag or 44 Mag in some cases. Yes, this is hard to believe, but not when you are holding a 600 grain slug in your hand.
With all the free time we seem to have, some in-home scouting can provide optimal preparation for the next time we can get out and do what we love. While we are confined to our homes, there are a few great resources that you can take advantage of to plan for the fall season.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is proposing a 9,175 cut to the number of general season buck permits issued in 2020 in 19 hunting units throughout the state.
For the past two months, Nikon’s LaserForce Rangefinder Binoculars have been in my bino harness, and that’s where they will remain come fall.
This is the second article in a three-part series on the gear needed to be a successful wilderness-territory bivy hunter. In it, I’ll detail good gear and techniques for obtaining and purifying water, and carrying and cooking food.
Decoys can be extremely useful but do depend on a number of factors such as the game or predator you’re after, the season, and the quality of said decoy. All that said, if you’re in the market for a high-quality turkey decoy there is one I’ve had repeated success with: the Flambeau King Strutter.
As we emerge from winter and look forward to spring, there is only one thing on the mind of most hunters; turkeys!
The key to locating a spring black bear is covering miles targeting areas that are rich with succulent new vegetation.
The Trump administration has hired a longtime Safari Club International (SCI) lawyer to head the international affairs wing of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
The bottom line is it was an amazing trip. The service, facilities, staff, food, professional hunters, animals, weather, and just the overall welcoming and accommodating attitude of everyone associated with Marupa Safaris was fantastic.
This hunt was going to be from the Land Cruiser since there was no cover to even consider a stalk and the springbok was covering hundreds of yards each time we tried to get near it. After what seemed like an hour, Dolf decided it was time for me to use some of that ammunition.
Few arrows have won the hearts and minds of bowhunters like Easton’s Full Metal Jacket line. Some say it’s the branding. Others note the shaft’s racy look. Not me. I credit Easton innovation.
To bivy hunt effectively, you must have the right gear. It’s got to be good stuff, and most importantly of all, it must be super lightweight because more often than not you’ll be carrying it all on your back.
Over the last decade, the AR platform has gained popularity among coyote hunters and it’s easy to see why. Ideal cartridge size, semi-automatic capabilities, and the ability to customize the rifle are just a few of the reasons why black rifles have found a home in the world of coyote hunting.
During my treks across the West, I’ve tested more backpacks than Justin Bieber has hair gels. Why? Simple, a good pack can make the difference between an enjoyable hunt and a miserable one, especially once the game is put down.
An African safari is just about every hunter’s dream – the ultimate hunting experience. A chance to see and chase game we’ve only seen on TV, online, or in a zoo may seem out of reach or above the average hunter’s paygrade. I recently found out that was not actually the case.
The take away from this hunt was to always be flexible. I had my mind set on taking a nice deer with my muzzleloader, but because we took advantage of an opportunity that does not always get offered, I was able to have a new and unique experience that still put a lot of meat in the freezer and made for some awesome wing shooting.
The better physical shape you’re in, the more enjoyable and successful your 2020 season will be. Since dedicating my life to fitness and making a serious lifestyle change four years ago, my success rates have soared.
Accuracy is crucial in a self-defense situation, of course, but the odds are small that you’ll ever need a firearm for self-defense. Hunting, on the other hand, combines the frequency of competition with the ethical import of life and death.
After using the ActionHeat Heated Rechargeable Insoles through the summer months as well as the busiest part of winter, I am convinced that this is the solution that I have been looking for. I am able to adjust the heat with a remote fob, which allows me to cater to the situation at hand. There were days while I was out deer hunting off of horseback in sub-zero weather, where I had them turned to max power in order to keep my feet warm in the stirrups, and then turned them off when I transitioned from riding to walking in order to keep my feet comfortable.
This bow is a win. Period! It’s quiet, hushed, accurate and during two months of testing, never faltered. If you’re in the market for a new-for-2020 vertical bow, this one is worth a test drive.
Morakniv has been in the business for almost 130 years producing high-quality knives near the city of Mora, Sweden; in fact, Morakniv means “knives from Mora”.
“Unbelievably tragic. This is a very rare incident, just what little research we have found less than six of these have been reported in the nation,” the sheriff said. “In my 35 years, I will tell you it’s one of the worst things I’ve ever seen.”
The new Flambeau Gunning Series is an appreciated differentiation to any decoy spread. Give yourself the advantage of decoys that look great, ride with attitude on the water and provide excellent action in light and heavy wind, wave, and current.
Maybe you’re new to the game of bowhunting or maybe you’ve been toting a stick-and-string for years. Regardless, there are some things, quick fixes, every bowhunter should be able to do.
Black Friday is over, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spoil yourself. There’s some great new gear to be had, and with a few weeks until Christmas, you might as well drop a little hard-earned green on some great new gear. Here are a few of our picks.
Next time I am in Texas for a fall or winter deer or hog hunt? I’m bringing along my Remington 870 20-gauge. Grilled Dove Poppers are excellent!
Hunting stuff is expensive! But here are seven tools you need that you can suggest your spouse get you as a gift this season that won’t break the bank. They’ll help you maximize your gear and have a better experience hunting.
Pennsylvania legislators have successfully brought a bill before the state senate that would end the prohibition on hunting on Sundays.
Shadows lengthened across the North Idaho canyon, reaching tentative fingers into every sunlit opening. Bears were on the menu tonight, and I sat, back to a small tree, watching the slopes and timbered openings across a small canyon.
Hunting the early season for any animal is always exciting. You can often take advantage of animals that have not been hunted since last fall and this can lead them to make mistakes that they are not known to do as the season wears on. On this hunt, I was able to exploit the behavior of early-season geese.
Few things foil a good hunt like human stink. The good news: savvy manufacturers work tirelessly each year and come up with new products that will help you fly under the olfactory system of the white-tailed deer. Here are 10 to consider.
Many hunters find themselves having harvested a big game animal in an area that may require them to quarter the animal for ease of field removal. The key is to remove the quarters from the carcass or to remove the entrails as quickly as possible. This will help to cool the meat faster.
I think, without a doubt, almost all American hunters would agree that dove season is the unofficial start of fall and the official start to the fall hunting season. I don’t care which state you live in or what coast your closest to, all hunters are excited for the start of dove season.
Bullet design and performance is a favored (and occasionally heated) discussion wherever hunters gather. Debates rage, stories are told, and facts presented. Which brings us to the question: What is good bullet performance?
It’s funny, but the meats we buy at the store just aren’t very flavorful. By contrast, wild meats have a huge range of flavors and some folks just aren’t used to that. You may have had the experience of someone saying they don’t like the gamey taste of wild meats, or maybe you’ve got a deer in the freezer that ran a marathon before dying and just has more flavor than you’d like. This simple spiced barbeque sauce is good for those stronger meats.
The last day of my Nebraska 2018 deer hunt, mid-November, and I had yet to see a mature buck. I also had a chest freezer back home less than a quarter full. So, when a group of white-tailed does step into the cut-over cornfield, I decided it was time to stock up on some venison.
As anyone who has spent much time living out of a pack in the mountains can attest, there are several key items that need to be thought of before one ventures away from the trailhead. Food, water, and shelter can make or break a hunt depending on the level of preparation that was put into each.
The right gear is essential for good hunting. Check out these 11 must-haves!
The first deer season under Michigan’s new baiting ban is about to begin, and hunters are far from reaching a consensus about the controversial policy.
Whether you are a seasoned dove hunter or a beginner, these tips can increase your odds of filling limits in the September dove field.
When it comes to setting your ground blind, there’s a lot to consider, and I see lots of ground-blind goers foil their waterhole plans with poor placement.
There it is! An answer! The best thing an archery elk hunter could ask for. It was a reply to my location bugle, deep down in a nasty Idaho backcountry hell hole.
Upland game seasons are opening in August and September around the country. For those of us in the West who seek punishment and frustration, that means chukar season.
Both target-panic-stricken bowhunters and those looking to take their in-the-field accuracy to the next level are starting to take advantage of the single-pin system.
With outdoor gear companies churning out excursion-size packs at a fevered pitch, I was anxious to get Sitka’s take on the bread and butter of a backcountry hunter’s gear.
The thrill in many backcountry hunting trips is having the ability to experience some of the most beautiful, wild country on earth. The slow drumming sound of horse hooves striking the trail will take you far away from civilization. If you are booking an outfitted horse hunt the few tips below may help you to pack and prepare for your backcountry experience more efficiently.
The pair of hogs popped out of the South Texas mesquite over 100 yards away and made straight for the deer feeder. I shifted in my seat and got ready for a shot—and for my first hunting experience using the new 350 Legend cartridge from Winchester Ammunition.
It might seem that hunting season is too far away to start thinking about, but I can tell you that summer can be one of the most critical times to get busy and prepare for the upcoming season. I have three simple summer scouting tips that will help you feel confident and be more successful during your season.
You’ve arrived for your hunt and are eager to go check your water sources. This is what to look for.
When it comes to leftover tags, a little research can go a long way. I have a few tips that can help you wade through the bad units and come up with some potential great second opportunities.
Elk hunters take to the field each fall with high hopes of notching their tag on a big bull elk (or even a small bull or cow). Often times success slips through their fingers through a comedy of errors. I’ll cover a few big mistakes that can wreck your hunt, that can easily be avoided.
Large guns have a special place in my heart, as they do for most people. The Taurus Raging Hunter in 44 mag is a handgun that put a huge smile on my face the moment I held it in my hand. The Raging Hunter is well constructed. There is extremely little play in any of the moving parts, the cylinder locks positively in place with a dual latch system and the porting on the end of the barrel is not only attractive but reduces recoil effectively; making for a great shooting experience.
One area of preparation that needs more forethought, but is just as important, is a hunter’s footwear. It can take months to properly break in a pair of quality hunting boots so starting well before you need them is key. Picking a pair of boots that will not only meet but exceed your expectations is vital.
It can be hard to find hunting opportunities during the dog days of summer. The typical game animals are off limits due to the season structure that we have in the US, but with a little research, some opportunities are out there.
Marmots are among the largest critters in the squirrel family and are are a challenging hunt. They make their homes in rock piles and eat grass. Yup, I’m talking rock chucks.
On May 31, 2019, Texas Governor Greg Abbot signed HB 317 into law. It concerns a language change in the rules for hog hunting in Texas.
“What I was selling was first access,” Scott said. “It’s the potential that’s there. That’s what brought people. That’s what’s going to bring people by the droves next year.”
A doe in southwest Utah is enjoying an unusually long lifespan due to a rare condition that causes her to grow and shed antlers like her male counterparts.
Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) has introduced a bill that could lead to a near-complete ban on hunting grizzly bears in much of the United States.
The total damage caused by elephants is also relatively small. Records indicate that over the past nine years 36 people have been killed by elephants, causing about $2 million in compensatory damages.
There’s a brown paper bag in my freezer right now whose sole purpose is to keep me from seeing the last two pieces of Antelope meat from last fall. If I see them, I’ll want to eat them, but I’m keeping them in reserve so I can compare them side by side with black bear meat. I’m trying to figure out which of the two is my favorite.
Bowhunting takes time, dedication and requires a litany of gear. The better the gear, the better the chance dad will come home with meat for the freezer. Check out these 8 items and give dad something special to add to his stick-and-string arsenal.
Looking to make dad smile this June 16? We have you covered. Peruse the following items and select something special for dear old dad.
Elk Mountain Tents have created a traditional style wall tent with some very innovative features while solving some of the issues that plague traditional canvas tents.
It seems so far off, that first day of the season. Reality though is those of us fully engaged with the management of a wetland need to start getting ready. I know you field hunters might not care so much, but this article might help you understand all that goes into being prepared.
The Texas sun was just beginning to drop below the trees, when I heard the strange bellow and grunt of an Axis buck from the top of a far hill. Glassing, I caught sight of the buck’s spotted coat moving between the live oak and mesquite, well over 600 yards away.
I had the opportunity to try out some First Lite gear this fall and couldn’t wait to put it through its paces. Until this year, I had only owned one piece of their clothing and had about loved it to death so I was anxious to see what the folks at First Lite had been working on. With several deer, antelope and elk hunts planned for the fall across Montana, I was confident I could put it through the wringer and see how the different pieces performed.
Let’s face it, in the AR-15 world it’s easy to get lost in the vanilla black-rifle weeds. We reached a saturation point of sorts with semi-auto gas-operated systems quite a while ago, especially in terms of plain black rigs offered by “manufacturers” who simply assemble branded components provided by true third-party bulk-producers. Even so, some not-so-vanilla iterations have certainly risen above the others and deserve to be called out. The Brenton USA Ranger Carbon Hunter is one of them.
The first time I hefted Browning’s new Cynergy, it left me feeling pleasantly surprised and excited to take it afield in pursuit of gobblers. The shotgun is lightweight, well balanced, carries pleasantly, and comes to the shoulder nicely.
During hunting season, it can take days or weeks to locate the animal that you are pursuing and you may only have seconds to take a shot. As hunters, we must quickly evaluate how much time we have to build a shooting position, establish the distance to the target, wind speed, and shot angles.
As all good stories begin, it all started when someone threw out a crazy Idea: “Let’s go shoot a mountain goat in Alaska.” said Ben jokingly, yet serious. I don’t think he ever expected Don to agree. From this moment on, these two men were hanging on for a ride that they were just barely prepared for mentally, physically and emotionally.
Many people don’t realize it, but Texas is home to tens of thousands of free-ranging aoudads, Axis deer, blackbuck antelope, fallow deer, and nilgai, among others, none of which originated on the North American Continent much less the Republic of Texas.
This may seem like an odd comparison, but I cannot count the number of times I have been in a gun store listening to either the “gun guru” behind the counter, or the “expert sniper” on the other side talking about how the 6.5 Creedmoor is like a 300 Win Mag without the recoil. The 6.5 Creedmoor is also touted as a long range big game caliber like the 300 Win Mag.
Legendary Arms Works is back in business and that’s a good thing. They’ve made a great pair of rifles: The Professional and The Big Five.
WARNING! GRAPHIC CONTENT – When Cody Shipman, 24, and Hayden James, 15, set out to hunt Mallards one frosty January morning on the Snake River in Oregon, they expected the excursion to end like any other: with birds in the boat. But what should have been a successful hunt turned near-fatal after a simple mistake left Shipman with a gruesome wound that’s taken four surgeries to mend.
RexSpecs has upped the ante with their new K9 Vision Player by installing a video camera that records what your dog sees. This new unit consists of the goggles, battery and video camera all in one.
Havalon has partnered up with WASP Archery and has stepped into the game of making broadheads. They have brought their reputation with them which makes me believe that these broadheads will be some of the highest quality and sharpness.
Bagging 30 coyotes in a 2-day contest? Most would agree that a total that high is virtually impossible and as history has proven, they would be correct. Coyote hunters have only imagined killing that many in a 2-day, day-time only calling contest because it’s a feat that has never been accomplished.
A wide racked, deep-forked mule deer buck climbed the face of a far ridge, almost to the top and gone. My friend, an expert shot with any kind of weapon, lay prone behind his rifle, scope trained on the buck as it climbed. “Range?” The word was terse and unembellished with superfluous verbiage.
When and why coyotes use cover and how it relates to their comfort zones is an often overlooked aspect of coyote hunting. Understanding this concept and applying it properly will turn your normal morning-only hunt into an all-day coyote killing thump fest!
Hunting for black bear just isn’t the same without the help of trained hounds. They’re efficient, intense, and make any bear hunt more likely to succeed.
When opportunity knocks, it’s wise to open the door—especially when it comes to mule deer. The hunt may be hard, but good advice on locations and attention to weather can improve your odds.
A first-time bowhunt for pronghorns. Throw in a bit of hubris and a couple of small mistakes, and here’s a list of do’s and do-not’s for your next hunt.
It reads the temperature. It measures the altitude. It senses the pressure. It computes the angle. And of course, it lasers the range. Zeiss’ New Victory RF meets a lot of needs in one package.
My rifle features a 24-inch stainless fluted barrel with a 1-in-9 rate of twist. It’s factory threaded for a muzzle brake or suppressor and comes with a thread protector installed. The action is stainless and boasts a 3-position, model 70 type wing safety, a Mauser controlled-round-feed claw extractor, and a magazine capacity of four.
Lucky Duck’s new decoys are an industry gamechanger—realistic-looking, fully waterproof, and with a longlasting battery life.
There’s more than one way to skin a cat, and more than one perspective on what makes a good brush gun. Ready or not, here’s my two cents.