Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

Any good adventure involves a certain amount of risk. Here's how to make sure you don't add to the risk by making unnecessary mistakes. (John Hafner/)

We all make mistakes. It’s only human. But what happens when our mistakes are combined with treacherous conditions in the outdoors? What happens when our blunders combine into a series of unfortunate events? Here we’ll look at the conditions and thought processes that get people into trouble, and the simple mistakes that could turn a small mishap into a life threatening situation.

1. Going Alone

Maybe no one was free on the afternoon you wanted to hike or scout that new hunting location. Maybe you just wanted some peace and quiet. There are numerous reasons that people go into the wilderness alone, but are these reasons worth your life? Each time you head out into the backcountry alone, you expose yourself to additional risk. Without a buddy, there’s no one to go for help if you become immobilized. Without a partner, predators will take more interest in you. Without a friend, you may not get a tourniquet on fast enough. Before you head out alone, take a moment to reconsider.

Prevention: Humans have instinctively relied upon strength in numbers for all of recorded history. Our ability to work as a team and problem solve as a group are some of our greatest assets. And even though it's not always convenient to wrangle up some companionship in the wild, it's still worth doing – every time.

2. Getting Lost

Try to set up a ground blind on level ground where you have good 360-degree visibility. (Barronett Blinds/)

Not long ago, hunting from a ground blind meant cobbling together whatever brush and boughs you found handy, then hunkering down behind it all to wait for the game to move. Blinds have come a long way since then, enhancing concealment while also increasing space and comfort. They typically accommodate more than one hunter and are a great way to share a hunt with others or conceal fidgety kids who are getting their first taste of the deer woods. Here’s a look at a few different bind features to help you zero in on which might work best for you.

Pop-Up Blinds

Pop-up blinds are easy to transport and set up. (Ameristep/)

Pop-up blinds work essentially like an umbrella, with a fabric canopy or shell fitted over an articulated frame. They are reasonably lightweight and portable, and can be placed anywhere you find level ground. They are the most common type of blind on the market, and for good reason. Deadly on everything from turkeys to deer, antelope, and elk, a pop-up blind can sometimes get you in the game when no other method will. Beyond that, they offer varying fields of view from 180 to 360 degrees, with different camouflage styles and window arrangements. Primos' new Double Bull Surround View blind features a one-way mesh billed as the ultimate in concealment with an unprecedented field of view.

Solid Blinds

A solid blind can keep nasty weather out while you sit and wait for game. (Terrain/)

In seriously cold or wet environments, a solid-wall ground blind can save the day. They are not nearly as portable as a pop-up blind but can you can move one from location to location with a bit of help. They're more stable than a pop-up under high winds, water-tight, and roomy enough for more than one hunter. A solid blind can even accommodate a small portable heater on bitter mornings.

An electric grill can prepare food as well or better than a charcoal or propane grill but are easier to clean after you eat. (George Foreman/)

Ever since George Foreman introduced the world to his “Lean, Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine” in the mid-1990s, electric grills have only become more popular. They cook with less smoke, produce fewer calories from fat, and are a favorite among home cooks who need a quick way to whip up tasty meals with the look and taste of more time-consuming methods. Here are a few things to consider when shopping for your next electric grill.

Tabletop Models

The Foreman grill popularized electric grilling in the 1990s. (George Foreman/)

The original George Foreman grill had just enough room to handle a few burgers or paninis, a sloped surface to drain fat, and a hinged lid for even heating and to lock in flavor. That style is just as popular as ever, available both from the Foreman brand as well as other classic names in grilling, like Char-Broil and Weber.

Stand-up Grills

Free-standing electric grills are great for outside cooking without the mess of charcoal. (Amazon/)

Need more of a traditional outdoor cooking surface? Free-standing electric grills for the back deck or patio are a great way to entertain without worrying about the smoke and mess of charcoal or wood. Some even convert from stand use to tabletop to ensure you can still get your grill on even if you have to move operations.

A good way to become better at sharpening knives is to practice with blades you don’t plan to use. (Whetstone Cutlery/)

Sharpening a knife on a whetstone is as much art as science. It doesn’t happen by chance or luck, and while there are some definite mechanical principles involved, the real secret to success lies in practice and feel. Even with automatic sharpeners, good technique matters. Here are three basics to keep in mind every time you sit down at the sharpening bench.

Correct Angle

The key to sharpening any knife is maintaining the proper angle. (Lansky/)

Sharpening stones basically come in two types, individual slabs and systems. A traditional sharpening stone sits flat on the bench top, requiring you to maintain a consistent angle as you draw the blade along the slab. There are exceptions, but generally speaking a hunting knife is best sharpened with the blade held anywhere from about a 22- to a 30-degree angle off the stone. The wider the angle, the more difficult it is to achieve a razor edge, but the more durable the hone. Commercial sharpening systems hold the stone at a predefined, optimal angle to ensure you get the perfect edge every time.

Multiple Grits

A finely sharpened knife requires multiple passes down different grits of stone. (Whetstone Cutlery/)

Whether you use a stone or a system, it takes multiple passes across a variety of grits for a blade to reach shaving sharpness. A double-sided whetstone with two grits is a good start, although to really hone the edge you will need to progress from that to possibly even finer grits, then perhaps a ceramic rod and, eventually, a leather strop.

Previous frog tracks are a sure tip-off to future bass hits. (David Brown/)

You know it’s coming; but the heart-pounding anticipation of watching a topwater frog traverse its perilous course takes us to the roller coaster’s peak and positions us for the sharpest shot of pure adrenalin in all of fishing. Is this the cast? Is someone watching, waiting, preparing to unleash epic savagery?

Cue the “Jaws” music.

I’ve had 10 fish days, I’ve had one fish days. I’ve seen first-shot bites and times where each attack cost 20 casts. Across the board, there’s one common thread: frogging for bass never — never — gets old.

You can, however, kill your game through faulty judgement or errant action. Minding these points will keep you on track to the unequaled thrill ride we call frog fishing.

1. Punch Through Cover

Nothing in the kitchen beats a sharp, well-built knife. (emojoy/)

A well-composed butcher’s block makes life easier for any chef. Having a bevy of go-to blades always in their place not only helps expedite the cooking process, it makes the kitchen a little classier, too. Pretty much all kitchen blocks are going to come with a chef’s knife and one or two other blades, such as a paring knife or hollow edge slicing blade. Beyond that, like any tool set, some arrangements are more complete than others.

The Honing Steel

Knife sets often include two or three general use blades, and then a few task-specific knives. (J.A. Henckel/)

A honing steel is only as effective as the person using it. Often mischaracterized as a "sharpening steel," its purpose is simply to realign the blade edge with the center of the spine. After your knife has been sharpened on a stone or by other means, a few whacks on a honing steel at about 22 degrees will bring it back into cutting shape. If you don't like the notion of drawing the blade back toward you ala Iron Chef, hold the steel on end atop a folded towel on the counter, and with the other hand lightly place the blade at 90 degrees. Then halve that angle and halve it again to find the perfect honing angle in a safe position.

Kitchen Shears or Steak Knives

Try to find a knife set that includes kitchen shears. (Cuisinart/)

Not all knife sets come with kitchen shears. Sometimes, they are sold with either shears or a set of steak knives. Both have their appeal, but when it comes time to finish dressing a limit of quail at the sink, spatchcock a chicken, or open a stubborn package, you'll be wishing you had the shears. You can also find sets sold with both. For ultimate class in the kitchen, double down with a case of dedicated steak knives in their own valet!

A tackle bag or box will help you quickly find what your looking for so you can spend more time with your line in the water. (KastKing/)

Plastic storage trays are hands down the best way to organize tackle across multiple species and angling methods. But you also need some way to store the trays themselves. Here are three solutions that will keep your gear close at hand and well-organized to maximize the time you spend fishing and minimize the time wasted searching for the right rig.

Backpacks

Tackle backpacks are great because you can haul a lot of gear while keeping your hands free. (Amazon/)

A tackle-storage backpack is ideal for anglers on foot, in a kayak, or with limited space in a small boat, and riverbank and lakeshore anglers love the ability to fish while hiking with their gear. Backpack systems are great if you’re carrying multiple rods or a cooler and need to keep both hands free so you can hopefully make it to the water’s edge in one trip, like you would if you’re beach fishing.

Shoulder Bags

Tackle bags make it easy to store and organize a large amount of tackle (Amazon/)

Shoulder bags offer great stowage capacity for anglers who may want to keep their entire arsenal in the hold of a boat or the back of a vehicle. Just grab whatever the day calls for and go! Look for heavy duty, preferably self-healing zippers with oversized pulls and compartments compatible with the size of boxes you’re using. Gadget loops, tie downs, mesh pockets, and plush padding all make traditional shoulder bags a widely favored storage system.

David Bernhardt is the secretary of the Department of the Interior, which manages about 500 million acres of public land. (Department of Interior/)

There are two common narratives circling President Donald Trump and our country’s public lands. In the first narrative, President Trump’s Department of the Interior is at the bidding of the energy industry, and it’s out to drill, mine, and develop our public lands—and then sell whatever scraps are left to the highest bidder. In the second, President Trump and the DOI are dedicated to supporting sportsmen and women because we boost the economy and fund wildlife conservation. They’ll do whatever they can to increase our ranks, while also promoting responsible resource extraction on public lands.

In the middle of both narratives is David Bernhardt, who holds the top spot in Department of the Interior—the federal agency that manages about 500 million acres of public land. Bernhardt was appointed secretary of the DOI in April after serving as deputy to former Secretary Ryan Zinke. While his predecessor was a brash, retired Navy Seal commander who considered himself a "Teddy Roosevelt guy" (remember when Zinke rode a horse through D.C. on his first day of work?), Bernhardt is a lawyer and a former oil-industry lobbyist, who considers himself a careful administrator.

"I am an administrator of an agency that has a whole host of legal obligations that I need to execute faithfully," Bernhardt told Outdoor Life in a recent interview. "And on top of that, I have the priorities of the President. And that's because the President's priorities are the reflection at any one time of the will of the American people. That's why we have elections, right? Those are my two touchstones. The laws that I have committed to execute … and to the extent that we have policy discretion, to exercise that in line with the President's priorities."

So just what exactly are the President’s priorities around our public lands, and how will Bernhardt’s department execute them? Here’s a look at three public-land issues that are critical to sportsmen and women.

Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota, where hunting access has been expanded under Bernhardt. (USFWS/)

Energy Extraction vs. Wildlife Habitat

A good net can help you or your angler-in-training put more fish in the boat. (Plusinno/)

Most anglers lose fish at some point during the endgame, but you can up your odds of landing fish with the help of a net. If you’re looking to buy your first net, or upgrade from your existing model, keep these considerations in mind.

Do No Harm

If you plan to release your fish, a knotless mesh or rubber basket won't injure your catch. (PLUSINNO/)

The nets of yesteryear used knotted nylon mesh for the bag. The rough edges on those knots quickly strips fish of their protective slime coating, which leaves the fish more prone to bacterial infections. To help ensure all the fish you release live long, healthy lives, choose a net with knotless mesh, or better yet, a rubber basket.

Added Reach

Modern nets with classic designs are just as useful today as they were years ago. (PLUSINNO/)

The shorter the fight, the less stressful it is on the fish. Longer nets have the advantage over shorter models, giving you the reach needed to end the fight faster. Upgrading to a longer model can also help keep hooked fish out of underwater obstructions that can break you off.

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All the legal stuff on the contest can be found here. Still not convinced? Check out footage of Peacemaker above.

Cole Kayser took this public-land bull in the Wyoming backcountry with a bow set at 55 pounds and a Rage mechanical broadhead. The bull made it less than 120 yards before dying. (Mark Kayser/)

At the moment neither of us could have cared who was more shocked at the 10-yard, surprise run-in—the elk or me. As the herd bull lunged to escape through the maze of lodgepole pines I came to full draw and mouth-mewed the call of a curious cow. At a 30-yard, safe-space distance, the bull braked hard and cranked broadside to seemingly see if his aged eyes were playing tricks on him. Before he had time to figure out precisely what was going on, my broadhead buried itself behind his shoulder. He was off again, but as is common with double-lunged bulls you usually get to watch the last wobble and appreciate the work of a great archery setup.

Bowhunting geeks love analyzing gear. For elk, the debate can reach heated levels—especially when it comes to broadheads and arrows. Woodland whizzes have tested every combination of broadhead and arrow known to man on these giants. There is, however, no real winner and no easy answer to the discussion. But we’ll try anyway.

If you want a short end to this article, consider that your current whitetail setup is likely suitable to take elk. The reason for this simple statement lies in the explosion of technology introduced into archery within the last several decades, particularly the last 10 years.

Bows have more energy and transfer it more efficiently than ever before. Arrows have been beefed up and slimmed down for better penetration. Lastly, broadhead designs, both fixed and mechanical, have been improved with sharpening expertise that forces you to be extra careful when attaching broadheads to the end of your arrows. In short, a new compound bow set to 60 pounds and matched correctly to a quality arrow, and broadhead setup will cleanly take an elk with a double-lung hit. Heck, I know of several bowhunters who have taken elk with bows dialed back to 50 pounds. However, setting aside that simplistic overview, there are some specifics to consider as you look at long sticks and sharp points for your bow. First, get to know that that burly bull you hope to hurl projectiles at like your prehistoric ancestors.

A shaving-sharp broadhead, like this G5 Montec, helped the author notch a DIY, public-land bull tag in Montana. The broadhead cut through the entire elk, but when the bull fell it snapped the arrow in half. (Mark Kayser/)

Target Familiarity

The state of Montana has determined that a bighorn ram has a public value of about $30,000 (Max Pixel/)

If you don’t think road kill can take a bite out of hunters’ opportunity, just ask Bruce Sterling.

Since 1985, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologist has counted bighorn sheep that have been killed near Thompson Falls, where US Highway 200 and railroad tracks run between cliffs and a river for about 10 miles.

Sterling has counted nearly 500 bighorn killed in collisions, 84 percent by cars and trucks, the rest by train. During those same decades, FWP issued only 274 ram tags to hunters.

“When you lose that many sheep, it certainly has an impact on hunter opportunity,” he said.

From a hunters’ perspective, road kill is a lose-lose. Wildlife collisions endanger drivers, waste a valuable natural resource, and, at the very least, damage our vehicles.

A folding knife is great for carrying every day, and they make great gifts. (Buck Knives/)

A reliable knife is the number-one tool for any outdoorsman. Most of us own so many that it’s often difficult to decide which one to take into the field, and we often end up taking multiples. But if you carry only one blade, a folding knife offers the best bang for your buck. It may not be as durable as a fixed blade, but a folder’s light weight and small size make it more likely you will pack it everywhere you go. Here’s what to look for in a great folding-blade knife.

Compact

A good folding-knife blade should be only 3- or 4-inches long. (Kershaw/)

For an everyday carry, or EDC as it's commonly called, you want a blade that is big enough to get the job done but not too bulky to comfortably carry. A blade length of 3 to 4 inches is about right, and any knife with an integrated belt or pocket clip will secure the tool where it belongs. Synthetic scales made of Micarta or nylon help reduce weight and are at least as durable as natural wood handles.

One-Handed Opening

Practice opening your blade with one hand in case you ever have to do it in real life. (Spyderco/)

Just about any folding blade can be opened one-handed with practice, but there's no beating the speed and convenience of a knife meant to operate with one hand. Standard mechanisms range from thumb holes and indents on the blade to ridges and levers on the spine that will deploy in an instant. One-handed operation is not just a flashy trick, it can spell the difference between life and death when you need to cut something loose from ropes, straps, or belts with one hand while hanging on for dear life with the other. Keep the blade well-oiled, and practice opening so that the technique is second-nature when you need it.

Modern rangefinders can do more than just calculate the distance between two objects. (Vortex/)

Technology moves ahead at a blazing speed, and when it comes to outdoor electronics, products that were top of the line five years ago likely aren’t even ranked as a top 10 product today. It’s no different in the world of laser rangefinders. While the core purpose of one remains to calculate the distance you are from a given object in a thousandth of a second, the new bells and whistles on the latest generation of devices makes them attractive replacements for an outdated model. Here’s a few reasons why a new rangefinder is better than your old one.

Increased Range

A good range finder should be able to calculate distances over a mile away. (Amazon/)

As laser technology improves, so has the distance rangefinders can gauge. A short while ago, 500 yards was considered groundbreaking. Now, top of the line models can reach out to calculate the distances of specific objects at 2,000 yards and beyond.

They're Smarter

Modern rangefinders can calculate real distance and line-of-sight difference in a fraction of a second. (Amazon/)

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but what that distance actually is—at least to a projectile flying along it—has a lot to do with shot angles. Line of sight is the actual measurement between points, but true horizontal distance takes into account the effects of gravity over the same distance. If you're shooting at significant angles, like downward from a tree stand or up a steep hillside, there can be a pretty big difference between the two. Instead of doing the math, let the rangefinder do it for you while you concentrate on the shot.

A tracking collar can help you know where your animals are at all times. (Eureka Technology/)

Let’s face it, some dogs are easier to own than others. Whether your pet is a rangy sporting breed or a domestic layabout with the occasional case of wanderlust, knowing where they are at all times is vital. Here’s a look at pet-tracking technology that takes advantage of modern communication networks to help keep pets safe and their owners sane.

GPS or Cell Coverage

Modern smart-collars use cellular networks and GPS to pinpoint your animal’s location. (Amazon/)

State-of-the-art smart collars use cellular networks and GPS in order to identify your pet's location within a specified range. When searching for the right device, take note of the distance at which the collar is effective, as well as the fact that GPS-enabled collars tend to be more power hungry.

Self-Contained

A self-contained tracking collar doesn’t require monthly subscriptions or usage fees. (Amazon/)

For more independent tracking means, self-contained units do not rely on either GPS or cell coverage. They are bulkier but have no monthly connection or usage fees and works anywhere you and your pet are within range, up to two miles depending on conditions and environment.

GPS technology is so advanced, watch makers are having no trouble squeezing in many of the same location tools you’d find on a handheld device, into a watch. (Suunto/)

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is literally everywhere, from phones to televisions, automobiles to agriculture. And of course, GPS is essential technology for outdoorsmen who tap into global satellite networks for navigation, game tracking, timing, and a host of other useful functions. But heading into the woods GPS-enabled doesn’t have to mean packing a handheld device. Wearable GPS watches have come into their own, and there are plenty of reasons to own one.

Navigation

You don't need to carry a large handheld unit to get basic GPS functions. (Garmin/)

The essential function of GPS technology is to help us navigate. While GPS watches and other wearables lack the screen size or functionality of their handheld counterparts, they are plenty useful in tracking your course, setting waypoints, and all of the essential benchmarks of staying found in the wild.

Activity Monitoring

A watch that tracks your position and your health statistics at the same time means no more having to carry multiple devices. (Garmin/)

While some GPS watches are dedicated to helping you for find your way around, others serve as activity monitors analyzing your heartrate, stress levels, and other fitness metrics. Additional features include music storage, Bluetooth technology for syncing with other mobile devices, and, yes, super-accurate time keeping.

Most dogs can instinctively swim, but giving them a PFD will make sure they stay safe should their legs fail. (Outward Hound/)

The notion of outfitting the inventor of the doggie paddle with a personal floatation device may seem a little absurd, but there are plenty of reasons to consider a PFD for your pooch. First of all, not every dog is born a water-trial champion. While all dogs can swim a little bit purely out of instinct, not all can stay afloat indefinitely. If you are canoeing, boating, or ice fishing with your buddy, or just want to take precaution against fatigue in the water, a PFD made specifically for canines is the way to go. Here are a few things to consider.

Fit and Comfort

Be sure to pick a vest size that’s right for your dog. (Amazon/)

All dog PDFs are some form of vest that wraps or buckles around the abdomen and either buckles or Velcros across the chest. Be sure to size the vest carefully. Too small of a vest can restrict the dog's natural swimming movement, and if the vest is too large your dog could slip out.

Grab Handles

A carry handle can make it a lot easier to handle your dog in different situations. (Amazon/)

Not only do grab handles serve as a secure grip in an emergency, they make it much easier to get small- to medium-sized dogs in and out of a boat. This can be especially important at dockside, where a dog may be anxious about taking the leap aboard. Having more than one handle will help you balance the load fore and aft while craning Fido wherever you need him to go, even when he doesn't always want to go there.

A one-piece, durable hatchet is a huge asset in camp when it comes to cutting wood and other chores. (Estwing/)

There’s a debate among bushcrafters, survivalists and other outdoor enthusiasts about which is a better tool in the field, a fixed-blade camp knife or a hatchet. Each has its proponents, with big knives probably taking the edge for all-around utility. But for sheer chopping power nothing beats a hatchet. Sure, a large knife can baton firewood or curl up some feather sticks for fire-making, but try hacking down a meat pole, splitting a round of hardwood, or driving tent stakes. Take a look at these options for selecting this essential camp tool.

One-Piece Steel

Steel bladed and handled hatchets seem to last forever. (Estwing/)

A steel-handled hatchet will just about last forever. They tend to be slightly heavy and therefore aren't really a wandering bushcrafter's blade, but if you just need a rugged hatchet to throw in the back seat or bang around the bottom of a johnboat, steel is the way to go. They're handsome at any age, and the one-piece construction will last longer than you do.

Wood-Handled

A wood-handled hatchet is great for classic bushcraft skills. (Gransfors/)

Classic bushcraft calls for a wood-handled hatchet. There are many makers and styles, some of the best of which are Scandinavian. If you ask any "axe head" what is their favorite hatchet, odds are that the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe is at or near the top of the list.

Though they may appear that they’re somewhat oblivious to their surroundings, pre-season velvet bucks haven’t let down their guard. (Greg Miller/)

There is a wealth of good information available these days regarding the most effective strategies for taking trophy whitetails. The vast majority of this information deals with the early season, pre-rut, rut, and post-rut periods.

I won’t argue that hunters should hit the woods crammed with as much knowledge as possible regarding taking big bucks. However, I remain convinced that there’s yet another time frame that warrants just as much attention as any of the aforementioned periods. And that time is the pre-season.

My many years of experience with pre-season whitetails has taught me that there’s not a more critical time for serious hunters to step up their game, but it must be done with the utmost caution. It’s okay to be a long-range deer watcher. It’s necessary to put out trail cameras. It’s perfectly find to put some boots on the ground. But consider these rules first. I had to learn them the hard way.

1. Observe But Don't Be Obvious

Choose long-range observation posts—and high-power optics—wisely. (Greg Miller/)

Big bucks don’t like being watched—not even if it’s from a distance and not even if the season hasn’t yet opened. Plain and simple, deer are prey creatures, which means they possess the innate ability to sense when they’re being watched.

A trail through the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota. (USDA/)

Congress finally seems ready to work on fixing the enormous maintenance backlog on our public lands. It is considering a long-overdue appropriations package that will create a dedicated revenue source to address a $12 billion maintenance backlog on 61 national parks across the country. But for now, U.S. Forest Land is being left out of these new funding efforts.

The House bill, The Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act, also allocates money to other U.S. Department of Interior public lands — including 562 national wildlife refuges and 248.3 million Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acres — the Senate version, The Restore Our Parks Act, exclusively focuses on the National Park System (NPS).

And neither bill provides funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture public lands, including the 193 million acres in 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service, which faces its own $5.49 billion maintenance backlog.

This grates hunters, not only because many rely on Forest Service lands for hunting access (hunting is not permitted in most national parks), but because unlike most recreational users, hunters and anglers pay the freight for public land management.

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), hunters and anglers contribute $3.3 billion a year — more than the NPS’ annual budget — through the purchase of licenses, wildlife stamps, tags, permits and a dedicated excise tax on hunting and fishing equipment for habitat management.