Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

A recent Powell Tribune article attempts to examine the reason that grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are ranging further afield from their “core area” or DMA (demographic monitoring area). Last year a sow and cubs was discovered just east of Powell, Wyoming in a farmer’s field, that’s a long way (100+ miles as the crow flies) from Old Faithful but why? Are these bears seeking asylum from an overpopulated GYE or, and this is where the article examines a little different topic, are these refugee grizzlies out of food and expanding their range to fill bellies? 

The answer to this question may lie in the counting method employed by the Wyoming Game and Fish. The Chao 2 method is a notoriously conservative scientific method for establishing game populations and due to its conservative nature, the method garners scrutiny from folks who claim there are a lot more than 700 grizzlies in the GYE, especially within the DMA. Therefore, this conservative population estimate of 700 bruins seems to be knocked askew when compared with the rising number of both grizzly bear fatalities and grizzly bear/human/livestock/automobile incidents. 

Hunt the rut with Guy and Mike Eastman in this classic hunting video from the Eastmans’ vault. The crew rattles in some small whitetail bucks, but then turn their attention to mature mule deer buck. Hunting deer in the rut is as about as exciting as it gets!

The post Eastmans’ Classic: Mule Deer Run Hunt With Guy Eastman appeared first on Eastmans' Official Blog | Mule Deer, Antelope, Elk Hunting and Bowhunting Magazine | Eastmans' Hunting Journals.

Yet another elk poaching case has come to light in Montana, this one taking place in Ravalli and Missoula counties. Both cases date back to 2017 and deal with Brady Joe Stamps killing elk illegally on private lands he did not have permission to be on, the second bull being shot after he had already filled his tag during the 2017 archery season and being left to rot because he knew it was on private land.

Now the real story behind this case isn’t the fact that Stamps poached two bull elk, trespassed, wasted a valuable public resource or that he has been found guilty of wildlife infractions in the State of Alaska where he lost his hunting rights for a year. The story isn’t that this joker is a repeat offender or that the State of Montana has chosen to charge him with one felony for illegal possession of a game animal and several misdemeanor counts for his additional nefarious activities. Nope, the real story is the work of FWP warden Justin Singleterry to build a case against Stamps.

Hunter Ike Eastman shares his experience with the YETI Loadout Gobox, the latest release from the durability king. Dust proof, water proof and shock resistant this cargo box was made for riding on ATVS and in truck beds to the trailhead. Ike packs his with hunting accessories including ammunition, optics and other essentials that a hunter shouldn’t go afield without.

Ike shares his technique for packing a YETI cooler: https://youtu.be/kmTfJjU2xKo

Watch Dan Pickar put the YETI Rambler one gallon to the test: https://youtu.be/S0OqWPAc0ag

Check out our new hunting series Beyond the Grid: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list…

The post The New Yeti Loadout Gobox! appeared first on Eastmans' Official Blog | Mule Deer, Antelope, Elk Hunting and Bowhunting Magazine | Eastmans' Hunting Journals.

Join elk hunting legend Mike Eastman on a hunt for a trophy bull in the oak brush country of Colorado. In this classic Eastmans’ hunt, Mike shares his tips for hunting elk in this type of habitat and glasses up a variety of bulls, including an old, injured battler.

The post Eastmans’ Classic: Oak Brush Elk Hunt With Mike Eastman appeared first on Eastmans' Official Blog | Mule Deer, Antelope, Elk Hunting and Bowhunting Magazine | Eastmans' Hunting Journals.

Ever since I was a university student studying to get my bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries biology, I’ve been amazed at the lack of common sense and on the ground knowledge of some biologists and the general public when it comes to the topic of predator and land management. I recall doing my first research paper on mule deer management, where we reviewed a peer-reviewed paper for a report. I chose one that dealt with overwinter fawn survival and the “ground breaking” conclusion the researcher found from two years of study was that coyotes and other predators had a drastic effect on overwinter fawn survival.

I was shocked that this was shocking to the researcher. Two years of research and resources all to find out that predators have a negative effect on fawn survival. Unbelievable. I brought this up to my professor and was lambasted for criticising a researcher. I quickly learned where I stood and that in order to go far in the wildlife management world you had to keep your mouth shut and do as you’re told and often-times ignore facts. Well, that’s not me and 20 years later I read articles like this from the CBC and see that the trend continues.

British Columbia (or B.C.) has been utilizing cull efforts to help control wolf populations and their decimation of northern caribou herds. Again, the fact that predators left unchecked have  devastating effect on ungulates and other wildlife isn’t earth shattering news, but the rebuttal from the wolf-lover-community continues to blow my mind with the lack of attention to on-the-ground knowledge and results of this effective effort from the province. From the article we read, “Critics have argued that habitat loss and human encroachment are to blame for the decline of the caribou, and say there is little evidence to back up the theory that wolves are the problem.”

Are you kidding me?! Have these “critics” even been to the North Country? Loss of habitat?! Really?! One of the struggles wildlife managers have always had in managing caribou herds is the vast expanses of habitat that make it difficult for humans to tag along with caribou herds to effectively monitor their populations on a long-term basis. It isn’t cost-effective and is sometimes impossible for us to go where they live in certain times of the year. No…loss of habitat isn’t the problem.

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The post Vortex Fury HD 5000 Range Finding Binocular Giveaway appeared first on Eastmans' Official Blog | Mule Deer, Antelope, Elk Hunting and Bowhunting Magazine | Eastmans' Hunting Journals.

A Montana Poaching Case for the Ages.

The dust has finally settled on a Montana millennial who has been convicted and now charged with a very disturbing poaching binge that has resulted in a lifetime ban from hunting and fishing. But does it even matter?

A logical person might argue-probably not, due to the fact that the offender was already under a hunting and fishing suspension at the time.

Last Friday, 23-year old Branden Schuhen was ordered to pay $33,050 in fines and restitution, complete 500 hours of community service and 10 years of probation along with a lifetime ban from hunting and fishing in the state of Montana for poaching three bull elk, a buck deer, two antelope and two turkeys in one season, all while already under a temporary suspension of his hunting and fishing privileges for trespassing while hunting in Montana.

Bowhunter Jordan Breshears heads to the public land of Idaho to chase bugling bulls with his bow. Bowhunting public land means outsmarting more than just the elk. Breshears has to get creative to avoid other hunters on the landscape.

The post DIY Archery Elk Hunt! appeared first on Eastmans' Official Blog | Mule Deer, Antelope, Elk Hunting and Bowhunting Magazine | Eastmans' Hunting Journals.

A report from along the Canada/U.S. border in North Central Montana has made us aware of a large invasion force waiting for the perfect time to strike and make their way south. For the last two years the federal government has been patrolling the border via helicopter and airplane searching for these terrorists that are bound and determined to invade the Rocky Mountain front.

Russian hybrid boars have been expanding their range in Saskatchewan and other provinces for the last 25 years. They were first brought to Saskatchewan and raised for high fenced hunting but they escaped and bred with domestic pigs to create hairy hybrids that flourish in the harsh northern regions of the world.

Missoula, Montana area biologist Liz Bradley is noticing that elk herds around the suburban areas of the city have been in decline for the past three years with a total of 216 animals being lost from one of her counted herds just this Spring. This decline begs questions… is it due to too much pressure from predators, both four-legged and two or is the lack of elk simply a result of the animals seeking “greener pastures” due to these open lands being suburban in nature and therefore exposed to elevated levels of human encroachment throughout the year?

Another disturbing trend Bradley is recording is that along with the decline in numbers she is also noticing the remaining elk are having fewer calves, thus impacting recruitment numbers for the herd. This fact also begs impact questions as healthy, unpressured elk herds presumably do not suffer this issue.

FWP is not committing to resolute answers just yet but Bradley’s stance on handling the decline is apparent in this statement penned by Missoula Current reporter Laura Lundquist… “FWP is still committed to maintaining Missoula’s suburban herd, Bradley said, and the only thing she can do is control the human contribution to decline.” Lundquist, L. (2019, May 31). Missoula-area elk herds show dramatic population decline. Missoula Current. https://missoulacurrent.com/outdoors/2019/05/missoula-elk/

What say you? Do you think that the decline in these herds is due to solid harvest numbers for this hunt the past couple of seasons? Is it predator impact? Or could the paucity of elk in this area simply be that the animals have moved to more lightly recreated habitat? Time to chime in and let us know where you stand and while you’re at it, maybe give MTFWP in Missoula a holler as well.

MyOutdoorTV is offering a promotional price for an annual subscription for a limited time only. The streaming service is offering $20 off the regular price of $99.99 using promo code SUMMER19 at www.myoutdoortv.com. With the discount, subscribers will only pay $79.99 for 12 months of service.

The post Eastmans’ Hunting TV On The Go! MOTV Discount! appeared first on Eastmans' Official Blog | Mule Deer, Antelope, Elk Hunting and Bowhunting Magazine | Eastmans' Hunting Journals.

Hunter Scott Reekers tests out the new Razor HD 4000 rangefinder by Vortex. It features operation modes designed for practical hunting use including object scanning, line of sight and extended laser range function to reach objects out to 4000 yards. Reekers finds the Razor HD 4000 comfortable to handle with easy to understand menus to access the different functions all in a durable package that Vortex is known for.

The post The Vortex Razor HD 4000 Review! appeared first on Eastmans' Official Blog | Mule Deer, Antelope, Elk Hunting and Bowhunting Magazine | Eastmans' Hunting Journals.

I’d like to be able to tell people that I’ve never been lost, confused, misplaced or just stuck out overnight away from my camp before but that would be a lie! If the truth were to be told, I find myself stuck out overnight a few times each year but it has been a long time since I’ve been stuck out overnight without having my pack and survival gear with me. This is due to the fact that the only time I now spend a night in the woods away from camp is because I’ve downed an animal and it’s easier just to stay on it for the night. So this is more of a choice and not a survival situation.

Just to make things clear, when I say stuck out overnight I’m talking about staying the night in the wilderness away from camp with whatever day hunt gear I have in my pack and no tent/sleeping bag/sleep system. In this scenario I’m living life pretty well, as I have enough items in my backpack to stay in a relatively high amount of comfort. But what if I didn’t have my pack and all I had was what I had inside my pants pockets? Could I make it in comfort like the mountain men of old or would I just make it like a modern day city slicker and tell everyone about my near-death adventure in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains when I returned home?

Unless you’re dealing with a major injury or extreme weather conditions, just about anyone can suffer through one night in the wilderness. But, suffering sucks and I prefer being in some amount of comfort even when stuck away from most of my gear for the night.

So what would happen if you or I were stranded away from all of our gear and had to survive for a night or two in the wild? I can tell you from firsthand experience that the comfort level of this overnight survival experience would highly depend on what items I’ve got in my pockets at that time.  For example, as I sit at my desk and type this article I don’t have much for survival gear – wallet, Copenhagen, knife and chewing gum. The knife would obviously be a huge benefit and the Copenhagen (if you ask my friends) could be something I need to keep me alive but after that I’d be in deep caca. Let’s face it, less than 1% of the planet can sustain themselves with just a knife for long periods of time, so if you were stuck out overnight with just a knife, you’d basically be a guy suffering with a knife in his pocket for 8-12 hours.  

Backpack hunter Scott Reekers puts the Sawtooth 45 by Mystery Ranch to the test on a spring bear hunt. This 2-3 day hunting pack is built with organization in mind. With a 270 zipper and mesh pockets, you can find exactly what you want in a hurry.

The post The Mystery Ranch Sawtooth 45 Pack Review appeared first on Eastmans' Official Blog | Mule Deer, Antelope, Elk Hunting and Bowhunting Magazine | Eastmans' Hunting Journals.

Wyoming’s mule deer continue to have a very rough and tough go. Winter after tough winter have put the deer on the western side of the state in peril. Of the 140 total mule deer hunt areas, less than 20 of them are over objective when it comes to population counts. The logical side of my brain wants to make all five of my top picks, “points only”, but I know some guys are going to want to hunt anyway so this is what I have come up with as my top five picks making the best of a bad situation in some regard.

Keep in mind, while the numbers of deer are down drastically state wide, there will still be some big bucks killed in Wyoming this fall, there always is. Good bucks will just be harder to find than ever this year.

5) Region-G (Grey’s River): Anything big deer related in Wyoming usually boils down to this single region of the state. Even with the deer on a very steep decline, it is always hard to count out this very prolific big deer producing region. The seasons have been drastically shortened in this part of the state in an effort to increase big buck escapement but keep in mind, the resident hunters can buy this tag over the counter every year. That said, the hunting pressure in this area is very, very high and you will need to find a place as far away from the crowds as possible. Some big bucks will certainly be had this year as the moisture in this region has been very, very high with a very late spring. A true 200-inch deer is certainly possible here. Antler growth should be very solid here this year. Points needed to draw: (7)-regular draw, (6)-special draw. Area hunt score: 80/100.

4) Area-90, Type-1 (Muskrat): With only 75 tags on quota and a four-week season during the entire month of October, this hunt is a very welcome sight when it comes to lack of hunting pressure. With nearly 90% public land and 60,000 acres of Walk-In area to hunt this area has plenty of room to roam for the less than 100 hunters with a tag here. The buck to doe ratio is a paltry 28/100 and the deer herd is less than half of the target objective. Although there are way fewer deer in here than there should be there are some good bucks to be had as nearly half of the bucks checked in here last fall were over 25” wide. This hunt is a very good place to put a tag on a 160 to 180-inch buck. Points need to draw: (11)-regular draw, (13)-special draw. Area hunt score: 85/100.

3) Area-102, Type-1 (Aspen Mountain): This hunt has certainly had its issues over the past decade. With way, too many elk and more than enough wild horses, deer habitat in this area has struggled to expand and improve. This area has seen plenty of moisture over the past three winters and this should help. Although the deer numbers are down here, I believe the antler growth will be very solid this year. The buck to doe ratio is here is expanding with more than 38 bucks per 100 does and growing fast, which indicates an improving deer herd. I think a good hunter here should be able to take a buck in the 170 and above class this year. Points needed to draw: (12)-regular draw, (12)-special draw. Area hunt score: 87.5/100.

All in all, antelope in Wyoming are doing fairly well. The antelope in the central region and the Northern half of the state have fared the best this past winter. There is some concern for the antelope in the southwest corner of the state and those areas around Pinedale. The winter was more severe than usual in those regions. Although the winter was rougher than normal around the I-80 corridor on the southern end of the state, I do think there will be some very good bucks in the region this fall. The spring has been late and very cold statewide. This could affect mid-season horn growth giving many of the bucks a bit less than average prongs and top ends. With that said, the top five areas this year mostly come from the Carbon County region which continues to boast more records book entries than any other region on the continent.

5) Area-53, Type-1 (Baggs): This area is on the Southern border of the state near Baggs. With a recently increased quota of 200 tags, and more than 70% public land this area is a very solid choice for a DIY pronghorn hunter. Points needed to draw: (10)-regular draw, and (9)-special draw. Area hunt score: 92.5/100.

4) Area-62, Type-1 (South Ferris): The Ferris area is notorious for big buck antelope in the heart of Carbon County. This area is a go-to for consistent big public land bucks with a very lengthy season and only 75 tags on quota. There is a type-2 hunt on the Eastern end of the area with an additional 100 tags, but all in all with only 175 tags and 60% public land there should be plenty of country to hunt here and plenty of antelope bucks to look over. Points needed to draw: (11)-regular draw, and (9)-special draw. Area hunt score: 95/100.

3) Area-61, Type-1 (Chain Lakes): The pronghorn in area 61 should be as good as ever this year. As the area sits in the northern reaches of Carbon County and out of most of the heavy winter zone. This area is always a top choice for many. With 75% public land, only 100 tags on quota and a very liberal eight week season this hunt is a very solid, if you have the points. Points needed to draw: (12)-regular draw, and (10)-special draw. Area hunt score: 97.5/100.

2) Area-60, Type-1 (Table Rock): The antelope hunt in Area-60 is always a top-notch choice. This area sits in the heart of Sweetwater County the third best county in the state. With only 75 tags on quota and 75% public land this area is a big buck hunters dream come true. The area is vast with plenty of antelope to choose from. This hunt, with its six-week season, is a very high-quality hunt with very limited pressure. Points needed to draw: (13)-special draw, (12)-regular draw. Area hunt score: 97.5/100.

When we think of wildlife crossings over or under highways most folks think in terms of saving animals from running a gauntlet of passenger cars, SUV’s, pickups and semi-trucks. However, there is more to the picture. Vehicular collisions with wildlife results in costly property damage, obvious death or severe maiming of wildlife but can cause severe injury or even fatalities to the humans involved as well.

It is with all this in mind that Wyoming and other states have constructed safe passageways for wildlife in key migration and travel corridors throughout the West. In Wyoming alone collisions between animals and vehicles in areas where these crossings now exist have been greatly reduced, by as much as 90% in some locations. While that is a huge win for both Wyoming’s wildlife it’s also a victory for Wyoming motorists. However, funding for construction and maintenance of these crossings is a challenge.

Federal grants that provide funding for these projects often come with the stipulation that states provide some percentage of the project funding. Most often, at least for Wyoming, this percentage must be drawn from the WYDOT general fund and so lawmakers are looking to create alternate means of funding the Federally mandated percentages. There are some interesting proposals on the table from voluntary conservation stamps through fishing and hunting license sales to storage of spent fuel rods from nuclear reactors, as the Federal government pays billions to store these away from large population centers.

As it stands a separate fund has not been realized and with more crossings needed and current crossings in need of maintenance, Wyoming is doing its level best to be creative and find a solution to the current funding woes. Here’s to hoping we can drum up the money because the future of our wildlife is greatly enhanced by these strategic crossings.

The post Wyoming Wildlife Crossing Funding Uncertain appeared first on Eastmans' Official Blog | Mule Deer, Antelope, Elk Hunting and Bowhunting Magazine | Eastmans' Hunting Journals.

I am a glutton for punishment when it comes to wildlife conservation.  Each January I sacrifice time with my family, sleep and my liver to attend the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Sheep Show.  There are more Life Member plaques in my trophy room than I can count and enough conservation organization publications in baskets throughout my house to keep me reading for the rest of my life.  Ducks. Trout. Elk. Sheep. Deer. You name an animal and I have supported a conservation organization related to it at some point in my life.

If trial and error make one an expert, I am an expert in a lot of things.  Along the way my time and money have been donated to many conservation organizations, some more deserving than others.  People have asked how to pick a conservation organization to support, hoping to not make my same mistakes. An acronym is always fun to try, so below is my attempt at putting together a list of the criteria to consider when selecting where to donate your time and money:

R—Rooted

This is the idea that there are chances to act locally.  Many organizations start small and get big. If you want to just write a check to an organization and not be able to see firsthand how your dollars are working, it gets really easy to stop supporting the organization.  There are plenty of national organizations that have local chapters with influence on how time and money is spent.

E-Education

Early on Monday May 6, nonresident elk combo tags that were turned back went on sale on a first come, first serve basis. As the rush of buyers hit early in the morning, hunters attempting to make a license purchase couldn’t complete their transaction between 5 and 5:30 a.m.

In response to this, customers were relogging into the system attempting to make the purchase again and again without the transaction being completed. Reports are that some hunters were charged multiple times, maxing out and shutting down their credit cards while others weren’t able to complete the purchase at all.