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Hunting

Onx Maps App

Since we are so limited on the amount of time that we get in the field each year, it is crucial that we get to know an area as well as we can to maximize our chances of being successful. The OnX App can greatly help with that.

Taking Hogs: Exit Wounds

Even though they’re pigs, they still deserve a humane death, besides, the less time you spend looking for a hit pig is more time spent looking for more pigs!

Field Test: QAD Integrate MX

When my new-for-2019 Mathews Vertix arrived with a QAD rest attached to the face of the riser and not mounted to the bow’s Berger hole, my mind was truly blown.

Danner Thorofare Boot Review

You wouldn’t buy a sports car then outfit it with discount tires, the same should go for your feet; footwear is literally where the rubber meets the rocks. Enter the Danner Thorofare.

Waterfowl – All Those Batteries

If you are like me, you have a myriad of batteries that run most of what you use throughout the waterfowl season. I have 6-volt, 12-volt maintenance-free sealed lead acid batteries. In addition, I have Lithium Polymer and Lithium Ion in multiples of 3.7-volt cells.  Each has attributes worth knowing for use, safety, and storage.

Squirrel Hunting – How to Do It

Most small game hunters start chasing squirrels only when the leaves fall off the trees and they are easier to locate in the canopy. I too love to chase these fuzzy tailed critters in the winter months, but if you want a challenge and some early season fun, I would suggest you get into the woods when the leaves are still on.

2020 Gift Guide For The Father Who Loves To Hunt

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.

Baits and Lures for Feral Hogs

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.

Serious Punch! 50 Caliber Airforce Airguns’ Texan LSS .50 CF – Reviewed

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.

Pandemic Scouting

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.

Review: Flambeau King Strutter Decoy

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.

Turkey Gear For Success

As we emerge from winter and look forward to spring, there is only one thing on the mind of most hunters; turkeys!

Building A Backyard Range

A few years ago, I began searching for a property that would accommodate constructing my own shooting range. To help get you started in the right direction, below are a few tips from my journey that I hope will help you construct your own backyard range.

The Affordable Safari; Your African Dream Hunt, Part II

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.

Eastern Turkey Hunt

I had an opportunity to go back East this spring and chase the larger and more popular Eastern Turkey. I found myself on an Indiana family farm in late April. The Indiana turkey season opens up much later than most midwestern states.

The Ultimate AR for Coyote Hunting

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.

Field Test: Badlands Vario System

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.

Savage 110 UltraLite – SHOT Show 2020

Fitted with an AccuFit Grey Synthetic Stock that allows for both comb-height and length-of-pull adjustment and an exclusive Proof Research Carbon Fiber Wrap barrel, it became quickly apparent this rifle was designed for those looking to wander off the beaten path in search of big-game nirvana.

Tikka T3x Lite Rifle Series – SHOT Show 2020

The T3x Lite family includes models cloaked in Veil Alpine, Veil WideLand, Black and Desert Tan. MSRP starts at $1,100 — an incredible price point that was being discussed regularly by SHOT Show goers.

Hunting the River for Ducks

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.

Next Year Can Be Better!

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.

Field Test: Mathews VXR

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.

North Dakota Duck Hunt with Savage Arms’ New ReneGAUGE Shotgun

There is nothing that I enjoy more than being in places I have not been before and spending my time there in the outdoors hunting. I recently had the opportunity to spend the first weekend in October in North Dakota with Savage Arms on a duck hunt. leading up to the event, I started out with a bit of travel anxiety (not wanting to miss flights, not quite sure where I was going to end up once I got off of the plane, etc…) but it soon led to pure excitement of the hunt and eventually reminiscent happiness once it was over.

Making History: This First-Time Hunter is 104 Yrs Old!

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One of the fastest-growing demographics of new hunters is rumored to be adult women. And Florence Teeters of Price County, Wisconsin certainly fits into this category. She killed her first deer this year, with her son, at age 104.

10 Gifts For The Hunter

Christmas is right around the corner and instead of waiting for the last minute to buy the hunter in your life a gift, consider this your opportunity to find the perfect gift. To make the most of the holiday season sales, I picked 10 gifts that the hunter in your life is sure to love.

Flambeau’s Gunning Series Decoys

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.

Late Season Does

If you struck out during the regular early season hunts, these late season antlerless hunts can be a great way to get outdoors and add some meat security till you get another opportunity to hunt the more sought after antlered game. If you start to get nervous when you can see the bottom of your freezer like I do, then this season can be a great safety blanket heading into the spring and summer months, and with the low cost of tags, the risk versus rewards are low.

Steel Shot

For all of you waterfowl hunters born after 1992, the idea of steel shot is something you accept without hesitation. Reaching back ten more years would capture even more hunters still too young to remember. According to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation’s 2016 report, just over two million of almost 12-million hunters seek waterfowl. While I am spitting out stats, I might as well add, migratory hunters spent 16-million days on 15-million trips and spent over $2.3 billion in 2016.  While this includes doves it most certainly is heavy with geese and ducks hunters.

Leupold VX-5HD 4-20X52MM Riflescope Review

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.

Early Season Goose

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.

Field To Freezer- Locavore Meat Processing

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.

5 Dove Hunting Tips

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.

Foolproof Field Positions

Last year I wrote an article about finding rests in the field. This article is about what a hunter can do when these options aren’t available.

Meat Care and Transportation Tips

One of the biggest reasons we take to the field every year is the opportunity to gather some of the best, organic, free-range meat available to the public. People in metropolitan areas pay big bucks for a slab of steak that qualifies as organic, but with some planning and a couple of hunting tags in their pocket, hunters like to get out there and get their own.

Simple Gourmet: Tangy BBQ Sauce For Strong Meat

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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.

Lifesaver Liberty Water Filter

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 Monarch of the Mountain

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.

Single-Pin … Oh Yes You Can

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.

Sitka Mountain Hauler 6200 Review

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.

5 Tips For Packing Gear With Horses & Mules

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.

AAC’s Newest Suppressor Reviewed: Introducing the Jaeger 30

As technology advances, hunters have to keep up in order to maintain any kind of edge that they may have over their competitors when it comes to shooting the biggest bull elk or mule deer buck. AAC has released the Jaeger 30 suppressor in order to cater to the needs and unique style of use that hunters have. This means that the can is made to be rugged, lightweight, compact, versatile and have little or no first round pop.

Summer Scouting

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.

Leftover Tags Are A Great Opportunity

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.

5 Big Mistakes Elk Hunters Make

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.

Start Now Breaking in Your Boots for Hunting Season

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.

Lifetime Decoys Blind Bag

I am no different than the next hunter in that I always look for something to make my hunt better. My old blind bag was wearing out and I was glad when I got my hands on the new Old School Camo Blind Bag offered by Lifetime Decoys. 

Hunting Rock Chucks & Marmots

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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.

Havalon Rebel Knife and Evolve Multitool Review

I’m not one to rely on a piece of untested equipment on a hunt unless I have a backup for it, therefore I started the fall hunting season with the Havalon Evolve multi-tool and Rebel in my pack, backed up with a couple of other skinning knives I had used previously. I was anxious to see how they held up over the course of several months of hard use, with Alaska’s and Montana’s big game seasons as the trial runs.

Waterfowl Shows: Find one and Go!

I have worked waterfowl shows for many years. Some good some not so good, but I always look forward to the show season. My interest usually starts with a few flyers and catalogs I receive in the mail. I wade through these like a little kid with a new Sears Christmas catalog.

Gear Ready For Rifle Season?

Familiarizing yourself with your weapon system components and personal marksmanship ability is the best investment that you can make to notch that tag during hunting season.

Getting Your Wetland Ready for Fall 2019

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.

Brenton USA’s Ranger Carbon Hunter Goes Hog Hunting

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.

Alaskan Mountain Goat Hunt: Cold, Wet and Exhausted

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.

Dog Training: Setting a Plan for Success

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Having clearly stated goals will tell you if you need to spend extra time with your dog doing more drills to meet one of those goals, or if you need to add to your goal list.

Elk Draw – Tips For Success

When the early spring rolls around, there’s one thing I can’t get off my mind; applying for upcoming big game draws. In today’s draw systems, there are two prevailing ideas for the distribution of tags, opportunity, and trophy. Opportunity places emphasis on getting hunters in the field and trophy places emphasis on developing a larger and older age class of animals.