Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Vacuum insulated bottles aren’t cheap, but they’re worth the expense. (YETI/)

There has been an explosion in hydration technology over the last decade, resulting in ever more advanced vessels from which to consume our favorite beverages. Vacuum insulated water bottles are the pinnacle product in the personal-hydration market, even becoming a minor status symbol in some cases. They keep liquids hot or cold, don’t sweat from condensation, and won’t transfer heat or cold to your hand. Double-walled water bottles aren’t cheap, but their advantages outweigh the nominal increase in cost. Here are three additional reasons to consider one as your next water bottle.

Non-Toxic

Look for a bottle made of 18/8 food-grade stainless steel and avoid plastics. (YETI/)

The industrial chemical bisphenol A. (BPA) has been used to make plastic products of all kinds since the 1960s. Ever since the dangers of BPAs became widely understood, water bottle manufacturers have moved away from plastics containing BPA and towards other materials, including glass and steel. Vacuum insulated water bottles made of 18/8 food-grade stainless steel strike the best balance between toxin-free construction and durability.

Multiple lids

A bottle with a straw cap makes it easier to stay hydrated. (HYDRO CELL/)

If you are going to pay a premium price for something as mundane as a water bottle, you might as well get the most versatile one possible. Look for a bottle sold with two lids. One should be a leak-free, airtight top for maximum thermal retention, and the other should incorporate a folding straw meant for quick sips when hiking, riding, climbing, or paddling.

It’s hard to think about outdoor grilling without thinking about charcoal. (Weber/)

Outdoor gilling is a lifetime skill. Because we are always learning, there’s no time like the present to take a look deep inside and ask yourself: Could I possibly be any better at this than I already am? If you are not using the right grilling accoutrements, the answer is probably yes. Start with the proper type of charcoal, get it evenly lit, and you are on your way to some smoky self-improvement.

Use the Right Charcoal

Grilling over traditional charcoal is still a great way to prepare a barbecue feast. (Kingsford/)

If you are cooking low and slow—say a pork shoulder or rack of ribs—traditional briquettes offer the steadiest, longest lasting heat source. However, for a faster, cleaner burn suitable for burgers, brats, chops, and dogs, go with hardwood lump charcoal. It creates shorter-lived burns, but higher heat without chemicals, and it adds a smoky, hardwood flavor you just can't get with briquettes.

Try a Coal Chimney

A chimney starter can quickly get your charcoal hot. (Weber/)

A coal chimney acts like a little rocket stove to add oxygen at the base of the stack, concentrate heat, and minimize lighting time. It can ignite the pile evenly and then allow you to pour or spread hot coals exactly where you want underneath the cooking surface.

Hunter numbers may be dwindling overall, but the waterfowling faction seems alive and well based on all the new gear introduced each season. This includes shotguns. Nearly every gun manufacturer offers at least one waterfowl-specific scattergun. These tricked-out "pro" models feature numerous enhancements designed to improve both performance and durability, such as oversized controls, tough Cerakote and camo finishes, specialized choke tubes, and/or lengthened forcing cones. Here are 10 of the latest and greatest "pro-style" shotguns you may want to tote to the marsh this season.

TriStar Hunter Mag

TriStar Hunter Mag • MSRP $760 (TriStar/)

The Hunter Mag is a 3.5-inch, 12-gauge over/under from TriStar. It comes with a synthetic stock and forearm, sling swivel studs, rubber recoil pad, fiber-optic front sight, and five Mobile-style choke tubes in skeet, IC, modified, IM, and full constrictions. It’s offered in complete Mossy Oak Break-Up camo with 26-inch barrels, designed mainly for turkey hunters, or Duck Blind camo with 28- or 30-inch barrels for duck and goose hunters. However, waterfowlers will be most interested in the new model with bronze Cerakote on the barrels and receiver and Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo on the stock and forearm. Make no mistake, this gun is no Cynergy, but then again it costs less than a third as much. The Hunter Mag would make a great starter gun for waterfowlers on a budget, or a great backup gun for the blind or truck.

Mossberg 930 Pro-Series Waterfowl

Mossberg 930 Pro-Series Waterfowl • MSRP $800 ($900 for the 935) (Mossberg/)

The 3-inch, 12-gauge Mossberg 930 Pro Series Waterfowl features numerous enhancements over standard 930 models, including a boron nitride coating on the gas piston, piston ring, magazine tube, hammer, sear, and return spring plunger and tube for improved corrosion-resistance and reliability. The return spring is stainless steel to resist rust. The shell stop, bolt slide, and elevator have all received extra polishing to reduce friction and provide faster cycling and follow-up shots. I had the pleasure of shooting the 930 Pro in Maine last season, where it performed flawlessly on sea ducks. For those needing more firepower, there’s also a 3.5-inch, 12-gauge 935 Magnum Pro-Series model with the same enhancements. Both come with a 28-inch barrel, fiber-optic sight, three chokes (IC, M, F), and complete Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo coverage.

A hunter shouldering a Mossberg 930 Pro Series Waterfowl shotgun. Both the 930 and 935 Pro Series feature boron nitride coating on the internal components to improve corrosion resistance. (Mossberg/)

Waterfowl shotguns today have become a niche market. Nearly every major shotgun manufacturer, and many smaller importers, currently offer at least one tricked-out shotgun designed specifically for waterfowling. We're not talking about guns simply dipped in a marsh grass camo pattern, either. We're talking guns that come straight from the factory with modifications that used to only be available as custom add-ons. Enhancements like oversized controls, super-tough finishes, lengthened forcing cones, polished internals, and specialized choke tubes can improve both your shooting and overall hunting experience. Here's how they do it.

A black duck next to a fast-cycling Mossberg 930 Pro. (Jarrod Spilger/)

Larger Controls

The main benefit of larger controls, specifically oversized bolt handles and bolt release buttons on autoloaders, is their ease of operation when wearing heavy gloves, which waterfowlers often do, especially in the late season. A secondary benefit is they facilitate quicker load swaps. For example, a couple seasons ago my dog and I were walking back to the truck when I heard, and then saw, a flock of Canada geese winging directly towards me. I quickly pulled the bolt back on my Franchi Affinity 3.5, ejected the duck round I had loaded in the gun, chambered a goose round, raised the gun, and fired. The entire sequence happened in a matter of seconds. At the report, a single goose fell from the flock and into the marsh. Phantom happily made the retrieve. I was able to pull that shot off because the Franchi Affinity comes from the factory equipped with an oversized bolt handle and bolt release button, both of which enabled me to quickly swap a duck load for a goose load. The new Affinity Elite comes with an even larger Sure Cycle bolt release button.

This Browning Wicked Wing features a larger charging handle to make it easier to operate while wearing gloves. (Browning/)

Another semi-auto that comes with larger controls straight from the factory is Winchester’s SX4, which has an oversized bolt handle, bolt release, and safety button. Fabarm’s XLR5 Waterfowler and Mossberg’s 930/935 Pro-Series Waterfowl models have some of the largest bolt handles found on factory guns. Benelli’s new SBE 3 Performance Shop Waterfowl, Browning’s Wicked Wing A5 and Maxus, and Remington’s Versa Max and V3 Waterfowl Pro are all equipped with larger-than-normal bolt handles and release buttons as part of their upgraded packages.

Durable Finishes

Whatever raincoat design you favor, make sure it performs its key function—it keeps you dry. (Anyoo/)

Good rain gear is as essential to the outdoor lifestyle as a comfortable pair of boots. If you plan to get outside and stay out, you’ve simply got to have it. While there are innumerable brands, weights, colors, and styles to choose from, there are only a handful of variations on this critical piece of apparel. Here’s what to look for in three traditional rainwear styles.

Zip-front Jackets

The nice thing about a zippered jacket is it’s easy to put on, and easy to take off. (The North Face/)

A zip-front jacket is the most common type of rain top, often sold alone or in combination with a rain pant as a "suit." The great advantage of a zip-front is that it's easy on, easy off. If you plan to be active in wet weather, such as when hiking or paddling, look for a top with zippered arm-pit ventilation. A multi-point adjustable and brimmed hood offers the most protection from blowing and dripping rain, and a shock-corded hem helps lock in warmth.

Anoraks and Pullovers

An anorak should be the last layer your put on. (Charles River Apparel/)

An anorak or pullover style rain top is a little harder to don when a sudden tempest blows up, but it offers more protection. Anoraks present fewer places for the rain and wind to seep in. Because there is no full-length zipper, pullovers can also incorporate an oversized cargo pocket up front with either separate our joined side pockets. For optimal weather protection and thermal regulation, zip fronts and anoraks should be the shell piece of a well-considered system that also includes base and mid-layers.

Hand pruners are much more useful than a saw if you’re cutting anything less than one-inch in diameter. (Fiskars/)

Of all the tools a bowhunter can carry to enhance the chances of success, perhaps the most overlooked is a simple pair of garden hand pruners. Sure, they add a little weight and might not be appropriate on an extended backcountry hunt, but for hunting from a stand and other day trips to the deer woods, they offer a quick solution to problems that you might otherwise have to gnaw and claw your way through. Here’s how to make this household tool your secret weapon.

Shooting Lanes

Hand pruners can clear out small branches and brush that could cause problems. (Fiskars/)

When hanging stands and clearing shooting lanes, there is no substitute for the quick and silent removal of arrow-deflecting brush. Saws make noise, take time to use, and often are ineffective on flimsy limbs. Carrying a small hand pruner allows you to get in and out of your stand area with minimal disruption.

Still Hunting

Keep hand pruners handy so you can make short work of branches as you’re walking. (Felco/)

Still hunting often means moving through dense brush to stay downwind, stepping over or around briars and other snags to get where you need to be. Keeping a pair of pruners in, say, a cargo pocket of your hunting pant, allows you to quietly nip snags and obstacles out of the way as you ghost into range. Stow the tool where you can easily withdraw and replace it without removing your pack, and make sure the blade lock is configured to allow one-handed opening.

If you've ever shopped for real mountain boots, you've probably choked on the price tags. Any weathered mountain hunter will tell you that good boots are a vital investment, but do you really have to spend that much?

The answer, unfortunately, is yes. On a sheep, goat, or alpine mule deer or elk hunt, your success can hinge on the wellness of your feet and your ability to move over the terrain. Your boots must fit properly and provide the support, protection, and durability to withstand mile after mile of steep slopes and sharp, abrasive rock. It cannot be overstated how quickly this ground can wreck boots. Even the best ones usually last me only three hunts. Boots that are up to the task are specialized and crafted with exceptional materials and great attention to detail. That’s why they don’t come cheap.

Stiff soles aid in climbing steep terrain, rubber rands protect the boot from the constant grind of sharp rocks, and good support keeps your ankles steady in precarious spots.

When you pick boots for yourself, it’s important to try on multiple pairs, and even bring your own insoles to try, because factory insoles can make a boot fit differently. Remember, if you feel pain or discomfort, it will only get worse in the mountains. No one can choose the right boot for you, but I’ve tested the following six pairs of mountain boots, and my notes can at least point you in the right direction. Find a pair from this list that fits, and they’ll get you through the roughest hunt.

La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX

I'm fortunate to have bagged 39 elk with a bow, including 28 bulls that made the Pope and Young record book. Based on that experience, here are some tips I've learned about being successful at the moment of truth. (Chuck Adams/)

Elk are big, beautiful, and raucously noisy during the rut. I can’t think of a more exciting animal to bowhunt. But shooting an elk with a bow is seldom easy. Even after you get within range, things can go wrong. The challenge is amplified by the paralyzing excitement of a bull bugling in your face, and sometimes the fatigue of having navigated steep slopes for hours on end.

I’m fortunate to have bagged 39 elk with a bow, including 28 bulls that made the Pope and Young record book. Based on that experience, here are some tips I’ve learned about being successful at the moment of truth.

Avoid Moving Shots

Even at close range, a moving bull can spell disaster. In timber or areas with brush, it is painfully easy to skewer a limb as you swing on the animal and release. Elk also have amazing reflexes. A moving bull that hears your bow or sees you release can lunge or crouch faster than a flat-footed animal. This reflex can easily cause you to miss the vitals.

Don't Guess

The author with a big Montana bull taken with a quartering-away shot. (Chuck Adams/)

Elk are big, beautiful, and raucously noisy during the rut. I can’t think of a more exciting animal to bowhunt. But shooting an elk with a bow is seldom easy. Even after you get within range, things can go wrong. The challenge is amplified by the paralyzing excitement of a bull bugling in your face, and sometimes the fatigue of having navigated steep slopes for hours on end.

I’m fortunate to have bagged 39 elk with a bow, including 28 bulls that made the Pope and Young record book. Based on that experience, here are some tips I’ve learned about being successful at the moment of truth.

Avoid Moving Shots

Even at close range, a moving bull can spell disaster. In timber or areas with brush, it is painfully easy to skewer a limb as you swing on the animal and release. Elk also have amazing reflexes. A moving bull that hears your bow or sees you release can lunge or crouch faster than a flat-footed animal. This reflex can easily cause you to miss the vitals.

Don't Guess

The key to staying healthy in the high country is giving your body time to acclimate. (John Hafner/)

Is it the excitement of the hunt that has you feeling breathless and light headed? Or is it something a little more dangerous? With big game season underway in the West, loads of flat-landers will be heading into the mountains for the hunting trip they’ve been planning all year. Those mountain hunts come with some very thin air. Here’s what hunters need to know about altitude sickness.

What Is Altitude Sickness?

Altitude sickness is a surprisingly common issue for people who don’t spend enough time getting acclimated to a sudden change in altitude—namely, going from a low elevation to a high one. This can present itself quickly (in less than 24 hours) as Acute Mountain Sickness. Less commonly, people can also develop Chronic Mountain Sickness over a long period of time. Heavy physical exertion at a high altitude can aggravate altitude sickness, and the thin air can cause a few other medical issues that are even more dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 25 percent of new visitors to Colorado will show signs of altitude sickness when they sleep above 8,000 feet.

Identifying Acute Mountain Sickness

There are several signs that you can monitor in yourself and others to stay alert for this high altitude hazard, according to the CDC. Also keep in mind that preexisting conditions such as a low red blood cell count due to anemia, heart or lung disease, and past bouts of acute mountain sickness (AMS) will put you at greater risk for AMS.

The author with a solid early-season buck. (Michael Hanback/)

One late summer day a few years ago, Kevin Jaegers set out a few trail cameras on his father-in-law’s farm in Missouri. When he checked his cams a few weeks later he about fainted—several images of a 200-class monster with massive drop tines! He hung a tree stand and vowed to hunt the giant hard in September.

That was a departure for Jaegers, who normally doesn't hunt much in the early bow season. “But I figured that if I was ever going to see the buck, the first days would be best,” he says. “After that, pressure all around would likely turn him nocturnal.”

On September 15, opening day, the wind was wrong for Jaeger’s stand. “I tried to talk myself out of going that evening because the breeze was blowing where I thought deer would bed and travel,” he says. But Jaegers knew the giant was out there, and so he went.

With the leaves thick on the trees, Jaegers couldn't see far in the green woods. He spotted a few does close, and then an 8-pointer. “I looked behind him and there he was, I saw those drop tines!” says Jaegers.

The beast walked behind a tree, and Jaegers drew his bow. His arrow was true, and the trail cam images didn’t lie. The rack grossed 201 and netted 194 5/8. “I can't believe I was in the right place at the right time on opening day,” Jaegers says.

Grinding your own meat is a great way to bring the hunting and butchering process full circle. (Chefman/)

Despite the ease and convenience of hauling your deer or wild hog to a commercial butcher, there is much to be said for processing game at home or in camp. You know what you are getting. You can prepare the cuts exactly how you want, and home butchery is part of a complete hunting experience that is as enjoyable as it is meaningful. But first, you need a meat grinder. Even in the hands of the most skilled butcher, a significant percentage of a deer ends up as trimmings. That meat must be processed into burger or sausage in order to make the most of your animal. Here are a few features to consider when shopping for your first meat grinder.

Capacity

Evaluate how much meat you plan to process when you’re trying to decide what size of grinder will work best. (LEM/)

The amount of meat that a grinder can process per minute is not just a function of motor size, but also of the auger configuration, hopper size, and internal elements such as the number of blades on the knife and the size of the grinding discs. Suffice it to say that you should compare grind rates carefully when assessing your needs. One deer, a few ducks, and maybe a wild hog per year are manageable for even the most basic grinder. Beyond that, capacity could become an issue. Just remember that the greater the capacity, usually the bulkier the machine and the more storage space it takes up.

Components

Stainless steel components will serve you better than a grinder with nylon or plastic parts. (Homdox/)

Stainless steel is the standard for grinder components. It's not that critical for the housing, but look for an all-stainless auger rather than one with nylon or plastic connections to the gear element. Plastic is okay for light duty. However, once you begin processing your own game, you won't want anyone else handling your vittles, and that usually leads to the need for a sturdier grinder with greater capacity. Buy the best you can afford to begin with.

Resident geese can be challenging to hunt. Paying attention to every detail of your hunt is critical for success. (Matt Wettish/)

The entire concept of early season goose hunting seems easy enough. You've seen the same flock of resident Canadas in the same field for a week—every day—on the way to work. A lay-up hunt if there ever was one. Well, through the years I’ve come to realize that there’s typically no such thing as simple when it comes to resident geese. They know the area like you know you're living room and not paying attention to detail can turn your pre-planned goose dinner into a serving of humble pie.

Finding the body of water where they roost in the evening is great. Finding the feeding area that they head to first thing in the morning—whether it be a ball field, hay field, corn field or even just someones yard—can also put you in the game. But being successful on a regular basis takes a a bit more work.

1. Know Their Haunts

With proper permissions and a careful eye to hunting safety and regulations, semi-rural areas can be great for early season goose hunting. (Matt Wettish/)

No matter what you're hunting—waterfowl, whitetails, turkeys, etc.—success all starts with familiarizing yourself with your target species’ habits and habitat. Geese are no exception.

Finding the roosts and feeding areas of your resident flock will not only let you know where to hunt, but how to hunt them. Watching their daily patterns will provide great intel, but it’s important to keep an open mind.

The .223, .243, and .25-06 have been taking big game for decades (and they still work today). (Nosler/)

Despite what the internet might lead you to believe, the 6.5 Creedmoor did not start a movement to hunt big game with smaller-caliber cartridges. In reality, folks have been putting big animals down for the better part of a hundred years with cartridges that would have social media commenters’ thumbs worked into a frenzy. They did it without a second thought, maybe because nobody ever told them they couldn’t.

It’s easy to get sucked into the mindset of, “bigger is better.” After all, more powerful cartridges typically do offer more devastating performance, and somewhat more forgiveness of error on shot placement. But caliber selection is a personal choice that each hunter must make. The problem is that today there are plenty of blowhards who will question whether you even belong in the woods if your rifle is not as big as theirs.

Sure, more power is more power, but being able to shoot your rifle accurately and with confidence trumps all else. A cannon does you no good if you’re scared to pull the trigger. No one would admit to being scared of their rifle, but I’ve seen more than a few grown men with such a bad flinch, that they couldn’t keep bullets on a paper plate at 100 yards.

Perhaps our expectations of what happens after the shot dictate the direction we choose to go in cartridge selection. If we expect an animal to drop as if hit by lightning, then chasing after power would be the natural direction. But the fact is, if you punch a bullet through the lungs of the toughest bull elk or caribou, he’s going to die. Quickly. A bull moose shot through the lungs with a .25-06 or .270 might not crumple on impact, but he’s not going very far. And moose don’t topple over quickly anyway. In fact, an instant drop is more often the exception. The most dramatic pile-up I’ve ever seen on a moose was at the receiving end of a 150-grain Hornady inter-lock out of my .30-06 at 350 yards—while the last bull I shot seemed to totally absorb a hit from a .300 Win. Mag. (before also falling on his nose).

An Alaska-Yukon moose is a behemoth of a critter that supposedly demands cartridges starting in the .33's. In reality, more moose have probably been taken with .222's, .30-30's, and .243's in Alaska than any other cartridges. In Canada, the .303 is likely king, which is hardly a powerhouse. The .223 Remington is currently a dominant cartridge in the bush of Alaska, and it has proven to be plenty adequate for caribou when used with well-constructed bullets. And although the .223 would be considered light for moose by anyone's standards, it still takes quite a few moose in the bush every year as well. Outdoor Life writer, Jim Rearden covered legendary big-game hunter, Frank Glaser who was very fond of the .220 Swift for moose and just about everything else. (Those stories appeared in the magazine in the 50s and 60s.)

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YouTube superstar shooter 22Plinksters shows you how to perform a rudimentary boresight with a bolt action rifle—no laser required—that will help you get on paper with a brand new scope without wasting a lot of time and ammo. This method works with a rimfire, or with a larger bore bolt gun like the Savage 110 Storm in 6.5 Creedmoor that 22Plinkster is sighting in at the excellent and huge indoor range at The Preserve in Rhode Island.

Range Reporters is an exciting new video series that takes you to the coolest and most interesting gun ranges in the U.S. Get more videos and shooting tips here.

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Youtube superstar shooter 22Plinkster shows you how to properly sight in a rimfire rifle and how to do it a little cleaner with CCI Clean 22 High Velocity ammo fired through a Savage B22 FV rifle at 50 yards at the impressive indoor range at The Preserve in Rhode Island—the perfect place for such a task. It’s paramount that you know where your rifle shoots at both 50 and 100 yards, and the longest underground indoor range in the country can certainly handle that!

Range Reporters is an exciting new video series that takes you to the coolest and most interesting gun ranges in the U.S. Get more videos and shooting tips here.

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Consistent accuracy depends on a lot of factors, but perhaps none other than a good-fitting rifle. Making sure your length of pull, eye relief, and cheek weld are all where they are supposed to be will help ensure your aim and groups remain consistent. YouTube superstar 22Plinkster shows you how to get the perfect fit with an adjustable Accufit system on a Savage 110 Storm in 6.5 Creedmoor along with some tips on getting the feel just right.

Range Reporters is an exciting new video series that takes you to the coolest and most interesting gun ranges in the U.S. Get more videos and shooting tips here.

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Range Reporters heads to Wyoming, Rhode Island to send some lead down range at the longest subterranean indoor range in the country—and it doesn’t have a caliber limit! The Range at The Preserve is a remarkable feat of construction that includes over $1 million of concrete alone. And because it’s built underground, you can zero in anything from a .22LR to a .50 BMG rifle and work on pinpoint accuracy with no wind and no weather. We explored this unique shooting experience and everything else the facility has to offer with YouTube superstar shooter 22Plinkster along with some great rifles from @Savage Arms and ammo from Federal Premium and CCI!

Range Reporters is an exciting new video series that takes you to the coolest and most interesting gun ranges in the U.S. Get more videos and shooting tips here.

Retail giant Walmart has announced it will no longer sell handgun ammunition or certain types of rifle ammunition. It is also "asking customers" not to open carry in their stores in states where it is legal to do so. (Facebook/)

In the wake of recent high-profile shootings in Texas and Ohio, retail giants Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Kroger have changed their policies regarding ammunition and gun sales as well as open carry in their stores.

Walmart and Sam’s Club CEO Doug McMillan recently announced the company’s new policies:

● “After selling through our current inventory commitments, we will discontinue sales of short-barrel rifle ammunition such as the .223 caliber and 5.56 caliber that, while commonly used in some hunting rifles, can also be used in large-capacity clips on military-style weapons”

● “We will sell through and discontinue handgun ammunition”

● “We will discontinue handgun sales in Alaska, marking our complete exit from handguns”

An outdoor shed is a great solution if you’re running short on storage space in your home. (Suncast/)

You’ve got outdoor gear—lots of outdoor gear. Your garage is filled to capacity, and it’s spilling into other parts of the house, but it doesn’t have to. A shed can swallow up all the boring stuff like your lawn care equipment and save the space in the garage for things that matter—like your tree stands. Here are a few other reasons why a small storage shed can save you from being swallowed up by your hunting or fishing equipment.

Got Gas?

You can move hazardous materials like gasoline out of your garage, away from your home, and into a small storage shed. (Rubbermaid/)

I've never liked the idea of keeping gas inside a garage, and that goes double for a garage that's attached to a house. But your lawnmower, trimmer, and utility vehicle all rely on dinosaur juice to keep going. Play it safe and store gas away from your house in a shed and you'll open up a corner of your garage for something like Pelican cases.

Keep It Tidy

A storage shed can hold all the tools you need to do chores, which makes it easier to finish fast and do what you enjoy. (Keter/)

Let's face it: you'd rather be in the woods than working on your yard. Having all of your tools organized and ready to go means you cut down on the time you spend doing chores and spend more time doing the things you want to. A shed will keep everything protected from the weather but easily accessible when needed.