Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Success comes in many forms and on a hunt does not always end with a harvest. I remember my earliest adventures out in the woods trailing behind my father in his footsteps and even quite literally in the snowy New York winters tracking a harvest, beginning to learn and respect what success in the woods meant. Thinking back on one of my first deer hunts, success that day meant just keeping warm in our blind. Having my father, an experienced hunter and his close friend taking me under their wing for those first fall whitetail and spring turkey hunts, I picked up and learned as much as I could and even began finding some early success of my own. I’ll never forget the first youth turkey hunt, making it out to our blind before the crack of dawn under cover of darkness. Fighting back weary eyelids and straining my eyes through the dark till the spring woods came alive with that beautiful chorus, followed soon after by thunderous gobbles in the trees directly above. With the groundwork and scouting put in, that morning was picture perfect. Two older toms landed within forty yards. A few calls by my dad had my heart pounding as the birds went full strut on a beeline to our decoys. My spring turkey hunt ended within minutes with my first hunting success and an unstoppable smile.

Not long after I began to take up archery and finding a new passion with a bow in my hands, I set out to try for my first whitetail in the fall. In a very similar fashion to our previous hunts, everything had been laid out. Before the days of powerful apps like onX and BaseMap, my dad and his hunting partner like many others had a wall of Google Earth type satellite views of our properties including various stand and blind locations, prevailing winds, etc. Following the guide of the two, I spent as many evenings as possible after school or waking early on the weekends to get into the woods and before long I had harvested my first two deer. About a year following on a new property to us, it happened. I felt the overwhelming, core shaking experience of having my first giant make an appearance. I recall being extended at full draw for what felt like an eternity, realistically a minute at most, I was able to place the perfect shot and after a unique tracking experience through a swamp I had harvested my first mature whitetail – a gorgeous elven point proudly on the wall above my desk. I was beginning to think I knew what success in the woods meant.

Over the years I sharpened these skills finding success here and there and continuing to learn alongside my mentors. Time went on and life changes in both school and work, I found myself in the woods less and new hobbies had taken priority. It wouldn’t be a long hiatus till a friend had rekindled a flame and brought me out on a few fall hunts. Again, the plan and strategy formed from experience, sitting in a blind tucked perfectly out of sight in a spot led to finding a new form of that sought after success. Sharing previous as well as new outdoor experiences alongside new friends, being part of another hunter’s success brings a new meaning to it. Being adrift from the woods for so long and being there witnessing their hard-earned victory brought back a passion that I will not let go of again. Several hunting adventures were had and then a plan had been developed to head cross country to meet a new friend and mentor in the outdoor world to guide on my first Nebraska turkey hunt. This was a feat and great adventure at the time to drive sixteen hours and chase thunder-chickens, while having my own tag purchased my biggest concern for the week was helping make sure preparations were met and we were at our guides door promptly. An unforeseen cold front led to a slow start in the week and concerns for the time spent began to creep up. That minor stress vanished a few days into the trip. Weather began to warm, birds became responsive, the fire was lit. Our guide had us well hidden at the bottom of a knoll where just the evening prior birds roosted in the nearby hardwoods. A day of calling and patience led to that moment. A phrase my dad said to me when I was just twelve popped into my head, “get your sh*t together” was all I could think in the frantic yet quiet scramble to get us positioned. Following her well-placed shot on a tom that like normal, refused the decoy laid path we had set for him. The dust settled and with fist bumps and cheers shared out of blind I saw it, my hunting partners smile, like the one I couldn’t fight back on my very first successful turkey hunt. A long week, ending successfully with much more than just a harvest.

From that point on success had taken form in many ways and thoughts on it shifted significantly. I found myself enjoying the shared passion and success of others around me even more than my own. Often running a camera over their shoulder or running a climber up a nearby tree. Success now meant sharing these feelings I had on my first trips out as a young hunter till now, someone who has renewed a passion for the outdoors and has a lot to learn yet. The game has changed significantly over the years with the advantage of apps again like onX and BaseMap. Weather tracking and moon phase monitoring apps have put so much more power and access to knowledge in the fingertips of the hunter. These would soon come in handy on a challenge presented to me.

A few changes in access to hunting properties over the last two years compared to my younger years recalling the wall of maps. The loss of one well scouted property put a hurt on this falls season. Through a conversation with my friend and mentor a challenge was extended to me. A challenge to get away from my norm and plan focused hunts that I have experienced and do it solo. The theme of always following the guise of more experienced hunters is common for many but it was the crux for a lot of my early success. In a conversation regarding finding land to hunt, the idea of venturing up to the Adirondack State Park came up. A new excitement emerged. I set out to research, scout, and hunt in a new location without the “handholding” of having more experience around to influence me directly.

Field-testing and comparing four different knives through a series of outdoor challenges

By Albert Quackenbush, Owner/Author of the SoCal Bowhunter Blog

Connect to social media at any given time of day and I will venture a guess that you will see someone sharing a post that includes a knife. Show me a hunter preparing for a weeklong hunt and he will have a sharp knife in his kit. Even survivalist types carry amazing knives for bushcrafting. There are endless uses for knives, but I had specific ideas in mind for this article. For the better part of a year, I have been testing four particular knives to see how well they would work in both bushcrafting and hunting scenarios.

Disclaimer: I am no survivalist or bushcrafter. I am a hunter through-and-through, but I do make my own fires and shelters from time to time.

Creating a Featherstick

All four knives were sharp right out of the box. With little bushcrafting skill, I began testing these blades out with some simple tasks; making feathersticks, shaving bark, splitting wood and making a fire. It took me some time to get used to making a featherstick because the available wood was near a dried up riverbed. The heftier handled Case Recurve and TOPs BOB were easier to grip, where the ESEE had a smaller handle, but allowed for better control. The Shay Butler Intrepid surprised me with the best grip of all, but challenged me for making feathersticks properly, due to it being so sharp and having a steep angled blade.
Winner: ESEE Ashley Game Knife. 2nd place: Case Winkler Recurve

Shaving Bark

I found that shaving bark took a little less control as making a feather stick and the process went faster because I didn’t have to keep the shavings attached to the stick. As I tried different ways to shave the bark into thin strips, I figured out the Intrepid was easier to manipulate and control. The AGK was also easy to control. The Winkler Recurve allowed me to grip, shave and make short work of larger sticks for larger kindling. This one was tough because I felt the Recurve and Intrepid were extremely close in usability and function, but due to the combination of blade, weight and grip, the Case Recurve took this one over the Intrepid.

Splitting wood

Each knife was used on some small logs and I used a baton to strike the spine to see which worked well. This was a new experience for me, but it didn’t take long to figure out.

Lafayette, LA – Grey Man Tactical introduces the ultimate locking transportation package for both rifle and handgun with the #303 – Vehicle Locking Rifle Rack + Pistol Safe RMPX. The Locking Rifle Rack – SC-6 Mount secures your rifle by clamping down on the buffer tube or handguard of your rifle and utilizes a 12V cigarette lighter push button for electronic release of the locking mechanism.

Included in the package is the Vaultek® SL20i – Biometric Slider Safe that secures your handgun while keeping it out of sight. The RMP Cover adds an additional level of concealment covering the entire panel and the contents.

Designed to be the most durable and secure mounting solution on the market, the #303 package from Grey Man Tactical is the go-to option for firearm owners.

The #303 – Vehicle Locking Rifle Rack + Pistol Safe RMPX Package contents include:

QTY 1 – 15.25 X 25 RMPX
QTY 1 – RMP Cover
QTY 1 – RMP Headrest Mounting Clamp
QTY 1 – Master Lock® 5/16″ Python Adjustable Locking Cable
QTY 1 – G-Code® Soft Shell Scorpion Mag Carrier [Pistol]
QTY 1 – G-Code® Soft Shell Scorpion Mag Carrier [Rifle]
QTY 1 – Locking Rifle Mount – SC-6
QTY 1 – RMP Buttstock Cup Kit [Standard, Black Anodized]
QTY 1 – SE20-BK Keypad Safe

Team Winchester members Anthony Matarese Jr. and Joe Fanizzi proved once again why they are two of the top sporting clays shooters in the world. Matarese Jr. and Fanizzi recently traveled to the United Arab Emirates for the first inaugural Fujairah Mountain Championship.  This event offered one of the largest prizes in the shooting sports with over $200,000 in added money paid out to top shooters. 

More than 400 of the best sporting clays competitors from 44 different countries gathered to compete while also having to battle the harsh desert conditions and steep mountainous terrain. When the dust had settled, Matarese claimed 2nd place while Fanizzi took home the Junior championship and overall 3rd place. 

“Anthony and Joe represented Team Winchester and the U.S. on the world shooting sports stage, and proved they are two of the best,” said Matt Campbell, vice president of sales and marketing for Winchester. “It’s exciting to see new events like this one and understand the importance of the shooting sports in different countries.”   

About Winchester Ammunition

Winchester is the largest small caliber ammunition enterprise in the world and the leader in delivering innovative ammunition products to hunters, sport shooters, law enforcement and the U.S. Warfighter. The 157-year-old Winchester brand is built on integrity, hard work and a deep focus on its loyal customers. Learn more about Winchester by visiting Winchester.com or connecting with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WinchesterOfficial.

Winchester: Committed to Safe, Legal and Responsible Firearm Use

As a global leader in the shooting sports and hunting industry, and a brand of 157 years, Winchester is committed to safe, legal and responsible firearm use. Winchester works with key groups like the National Shooting Sports Foundation on a variety of topics important to our industry, including training and education, and on specific programs such as Gun Owners Care and Project ChildSafe. Winchester will continue to support programs, organizations and individuals who promote hunting and shooting sports activities in a positive and responsible environment. Any use of firearms by youth participants should be done under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or other responsible adult. 

Looking for a little relief this tax season? Double the rewards and double the relief from Alien Gear Holsters® with their limited-time tax season promotion.

Alien Gear Holsters®, designers and manufacturers of American-made holsters and firearms accessories, and the Rapid Force line of Level 2 and Level 3 Duty Holsters, feel your pain during this tax season and are offering double Alien Gear Holsters Loyalty Rewards Points on all purchases for a limited time during the 2022 tax season.

Now you don’t have to wait to see if Uncle Sam is giving you a refund this year, you can take advantage of Alien Gear Holsters’ savings right now with two concurrent deals, IN ADDITION to earning double points on all purchases.

Alien Gear Holsters gives you more purchasing power with our double Loyalty Rewards Points. Start earning points by just creating an account. Every time you purchase a product, refer a friend, leave a review, or follow and share on Alien Gear Holster’s social media platforms, you earn points. Alien Gear Holsters helps you stretch that dollar even further with their Sezzle payment option, where you can buy now and pay later.

“At Alien Gear Holsters, we understand that during tax season, every dollar counts,” Sandi Little, COO for Alien Gear Holsters, said. “During this tax season, we are offering our customers a great way to get that holster they always wanted at significant savings.”

On February 3 during the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) hosted a forum to discuss strides taken to implement Department of the Interior Secretarial Order 3362 (SO 3362) and work still needed to improve big game migration corridors and seasonal ranges. MDF’s Western Big Game Migration Forum brought together more than 50 senior leaders from federal, state, non-profit, and industry partners who are actively engaged in wildlife connectivity. On the same day, the organizations celebrated the 5th anniversary of the signing of SO 3362 that has served as the catalyst for the collaborative conservation efforts on the issue.

“Secretarial Order 3362 was signed on February 9, 2018, at the Mule Deer Foundation booth during the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, and it was fitting that we were able to celebrate its 5-year anniversary at our booth at this year’s Hunt Expo,” noted Mule Deer Foundation President/CEO Joel Pedersen. “SO 3362 marked a turning point to drive coordinated efforts, focus funding, and encourage collaboration on something we all hold dear: our great western landscapes that are home to mule deer, elk, pronghorn, and hundreds of other wildlife species. The Western Big Game Migration Forum provided the opportunity for us to meet with a wide range of partners and talk about our successes but also focus on the tremendous amount of work and funding still needed to truly make a long-lasting impact.”

Participants in the Forum included U.S. Department of the Interior Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie, Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning, USDA Forest Service Deputy Chief Chris French, directors or senior leaders from 11 western state fish and wildlife agencies, leadership from eight outdoor industry companies, and high level staff from nine different hunting-conservation organizations. The varied perspectives led to active discussions in a two-hour session before speakers outlined the issue to the public and media in a widely attended afternoon session. Closing remarks at the public session were delivered by MeatEater’s Ryan Callaghan, a leading voice in mainstream media for wildlife and hunting conservation.

“When we planned the Forum, we hoped to bring together all the high-level individuals who are working on this issue from federal land management agencies to researchers to state wildlife agencies to private sector partners—and all of those partners were in the room and contributed to an outstanding conversation,” commented MDF Chief Conservation Officer Steve Belinda. “A key theme for the session was recognizing we need to do even more to engage the public on this critical issue and increase funding opportunities so all partners can expand the pace and scale of work being done on the ground. We have had many successes, but we are just getting started and there is so much more we can accomplish working together.”

According to Casey Stemler, coordinator for SO 3362 for the Department of the Interior, direct funding to implement the order over the last five years included $6.4 million for research and $2.5 million for mapping support to state fish and wildlife agencies. In addition, $20 million was directed toward habitat conservation and management through a grant program coordinated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. However, he acknowledged that this is just a fraction of the investments since significant work has been accomplished through funds from partner agencies and organizations. He also noted that the dramatic changes in the West in recent years due to increasing population, human development, and habitat loss continues to escalate the challenges these species face.

FALCO® Holsters, globally recognized for exceptional artisanship in every handcrafted, purpose-built leather holster, enjoyed unprecedented success during the NSSF® SHOT Show 2023 by focusing on dealer support through partnerships and new product innovations.

“We made our sell-through dealer support program a priority for 2023,” said FALCO Holsters Vice President of Sales and Marketing Katarína Zacharová. “The retailers we met with during SHOT Show were enthusiastic about our margins, MAP pricing, and the ease of working with us,” she commented.

“One of the exciting new dealers we’ve added to our list of partners is Frontier Justice,” said Zacharová. “As a destination retailer and range headquartered in Missouri, they approach gun ownership as a lifestyle through a personalized approach. That matches perfectly with our one on one style of business.”

According to Zacharová, there are many benefits for dealers who partner with FALCO Holsters. “It is crucial to listen carefully to the needs of front-line retailers, and their message has been clear. They want to carry exclusive products customers can only purchase from them, without the competition of other brick-and-mortar locations, online retailers, or big box stores. Through this direct dealer collaboration, our retailers differentiate their product assortment from others and enjoy a competitive edge,” she said.

FALCO Holsters puts tremendous effort into collaborating with retail partners. “We recognize conserving shelf space is crucial for dealers, so we offer a Multifit line of premium leather holsters,” commented Zacharová. And, as the popularity of weapon-mounted lights, lasers, and sights continues, we have many optics-ready choices for dealers to choose from.”

The CMP Board of Directors is currently comprised of 9 individuals who share the same common interest: advancing marksmanship in the United States through safety, competitions and program opportunities. Though their goals are mutual, they come from an array of backgrounds – bringing with them their own unique experiences for the betterment of the organization. Here, we learn a little more about the individuals who are helping to lead CMP into the future.

John Carson:

Hometown:

My hometown is La Jolla, California, then a small military retirement community.

How did you hear about the CMP, initially?

Pope and Young Announces the Biggest Raffle in Conservation

Pope and Young, North America’s leading bowhunting conservation organization is proud to announce their 33rd Biennial Convention Raffle.  This raffle will be the biggest in the company’s history, and features four incredible hunts, with all the dollars raised going to support bowhunting conservation, and Pope and Young’s fight to continue to preserve, promote, and protect your passion for bowhunting. 

One lucky winner will have the opportunity to choose from the following hunts, and will be able to hunt with either bow or firearm:

The drawing will be held on Saturday April 15, 2023, at the 33rd Biennial Convention in Reno, Nevada.  There will only be 1,500 tickets sold, so act fast to get your chance to win.

For more information about the raffle, or to get your tickets, visit https://rafflecreator.com/pages/29991/2023-convention-raffle .

For the most up to date information about the Pope and Young Convention, or to register today, please visit, https://pope-young.org/33rd-Biennial-Convention .
About Pope and Young:
Pope and Young is North America’s leading bowhunting conservation organization. If you are a fair chase, ethical bowhunter, and you care about preserving the culture and future of bowhunting, then you belong to the Pope and Young. Join today at www.pope-young.org.

HatsanUSA®, the exclusive U.S. distributor of ESCORT® Shotguns, is proud to feature the FieldHunter Turkey. Just in time for the 2023 turkey season you can find ESCORT’s well-regarded line of turkey-specific pump-action shotguns ready for the job. Available in three calibers: 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410 caliber, the FieldHunter Turkey is tailored with the turkey shooter in mind. These pump-action shotguns are chambered in 3 in. magnum and will handle both 2 ¾ in. and 3 in. loads with ease. The stock and forend are made from a tough, durable synthetic polymer, built to withstand the elements. The extended forend is easy to hold and cycle without the need to extend one’s reach. An aircraft alloy receiver and an oxidation resistant, chrome-plated steel barrel will ensure long service life.

The FieldHunter Turkey is available in two camo patterns: RealTree® Timber and Mossy Oak® BottomLand. Each gun ships with 3 interchangeable chokes suitable for a variety of turkey hunting situations. A 5 in. long cantilever optics rail features 4 cross-slots to accommodate a variety of Weaver mounts. The shotgun is also equipped with bright fiber optic front and rear sights for low-light hunting. The red front fiber is windage adjustable while the rear green fiber sight is both windage and elevation adjustable. Both fibers can be removed entirely to make way for mounted optics. All Hatsan’s barrels are hard chrome-lined for maximum durability and corrosion resistance. Safety is a significant concern for any firearm, so a manual cross-button safety is built in. Mounted sling studs make for easy carry and firing support. 

With ESCORT’s FieldHunter Turkey shotguns you’re set, right out of the box, for your next turkey hunting adventure.

MSRP: $499.99

FieldHunter Turkey Features

Deadline for Entries ends March 1st

POMA’s Pinnacle Awards are the highest honor the organization can bestow upon its media members for their creative works. They honor communicators annually for exceptional journalistic achievement in traditional outdoor sports-focused magazine writing, newspaper/web writing, photography/illustration, book, broadcasting, and conservation journalism.

POMA’s board of directors recently added two new categories to accurately showcase the talents of the organization’s membership: Magazine – Complete (Digital) and Magazine – Complete (Print).

Pull together your best articles, magazines, books, broadcasts, photos, etc., and get them ready to submit. You can mail submissions, or use our simple electronic submission option. Content between Nov. 1, 2021, and Oct. 31, 2022, is eligible for entry.

Pull together your best articles, books, broadcasts, photos, etc., and get them ready to submit. You can mail submissions, or use our simple electronic submission option.  

Signup period runs from February 27 through April 7

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (USDA- FSA) has announced a new general signup period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) running from February 27 through April 7, 2023. CRP has long been the nation’s most important tool for targeting environmentally sensitive lands with conservation practices that produce wildlife habitat, cleaner waters, healthier soils and a more resilient climate.  Landowners should visit their nearest USDA Service Center to learn more about general CRP eligibility. 

“CRP has always been a key tool for American farmers, ranchers and landowners,” said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s director of government affairs. “CRP enables producers to enroll difficult-to-farm acres in the program to improve wildlife habitat, soil health, water quality and climate resiliency, and is a key part of the economic safety net for rural communities. As the country looks to improve its ecological impacts and economic standing, CRP should be celebrated as a method for bolstering both sides of the equation.” 

The Conservation Reserve Program has supported wildlife populations and rural communities since President Ronald Reagan signed CRP into law on December 23, 1985. There are currently 23 million acres enrolled with a 27-million-acre cap set for fiscal year 2023. Additionally, producers and landowners can enroll acres under the continuous signup, including sought after practices such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative. 

The Farm Service Agency will also announce the dates for a Grassland CRP signup in the coming weeks. Grassland CRP is a working lands program helping landowners and operators protect grasslands, including rangeland and pastureland, while maintaining the areas as working grazing lands.

Noted author Mike Arnold, a Distinguished Research Professor of Genetics at the University of Georgia, will be signing copies of his groundbreaking new book, Bringing Back the Lions: International Hunters, Local Tribespeople, and the Miraculous Rescue of a Doomed Ecosystem in Mozambique, at Music City Center in Nashville, TN February 22-25, 2023.

Arnold will appear in the Zambeze Delta Safari Booth #1400 with legendary African professional hunter and conservationist Mark Haldane on the following dates and times: Wednesday, Feb. 22nd, from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm; Thursday and Friday, Feb. 23rd and 24th 9:00 am-11:00 am, and 2:00pm-5:00 pm; and Saturday, Feb. 25th from 9:00 am-noon.

Arnold’s highly acclaimed Bringing Back the Lions details how a small group of professional hunters, including Haldane, spearheaded a near-30-year effort to return a once-incredible wildlife paradise from a decimated and near-barren landscape to one of the world’s premier wildlands – the area of Mozambique known as Coutada 11. Coutada 11 is an official concession covering 2000 square kilometers (approximately 772 square miles) of some of the most diverse habitat and animal species in Africa. This area is one of the few remaining in Africa where one can still do a classical African Safari.

A life-long hunter who has traveled the globe, Arnold has published hundreds of research articles and four books on a variety of topics, including conservation biology. Publications such as Science Magazine, The New York Times, and National Public Radio continue calling Mike for interviews covering his research. Earlier this year he attended the 20th annual meeting of the African Wildlife Consultative Forum in Maputo, Mozambique, where he was honored to be able to present a copy of his book to the Honorable Carlos dos Santos, Mozambique Ambassador to the United States.

You can pick up a copy of Mike’s book at the convention, or conveniently order your own from www.Amazon.com,  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/, and other fine booksellers. For more information on Safari Club International and their 2023 convention, visit https://safariclub.org/2023-convention/.