Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

I’m fairly certain when John Moses Browning built the Winchester Model 1893, the first commercially successful pump-action shotgun, he didn’t envision duck hunters using future iterations of his timeless design as both shotgun and boat paddle. But honestly, that’s the reason we all buy pump shotguns: because they can be dropped in the bottom of the boat, dipped in the lake, and still cycle shotshells in just about any kind of weather extreme.

We love pump guns for their durability and functionality. There’s a reason so many millions of Remington 870s and Mossberg 500s have been sold—they work. But what about the great pump shotguns that never received the fanfare they deserved? There are a select few pumps that should have spent decades as top sellers, but didn’t. Here’s a look at the best pump shotguns that never made it into your gun safe.

1. Mossberg 200K

The 200K looks like a rifle that turned into a shotgun. (Mossberg/)

It looks like Mossberg started making a bolt-action rifle, stopped halfway through, and decided the 200K needed to be a pump-action shotgun. Developed in the 1950s, the 200K was Mossberg’s first magazine-fed shotgun. A detachable box mag holds three 12-gauge rounds, though you can load two shells from the top without removing the mag, just like you can with some rifles. For single loads, shooters can just open the chamber, drop a round in, and close it up. A tang-mounted safety, which Mossberg still utilizes on its modern shotguns, leads into a ported barrel with a flat rib. The muzzle is affixed with an adjustable choke. Shooters can choose from full, modified, improved cylinder, or full cylinder, depending on the hunting pursuit or use. Unlike more modern pump shotguns, the fore-end does not slide along under the barrel. It’s a piece of steel integrated into the stock, which also resembles a rifle stock with that high cheek weld.

2. Marlin 19

The first confirmed mule deer sighting in interior Alaska came in 2017. (National Park Service/)

When a young buck was hit by a car near Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2017, the rumors were proven true—mule deer had arrived in interior Alaska. Before that, several pictures of mule deer in Alaska had floated around the Internet. But those pictures were often shrugged off as hoaxes.

However, there was no denying that this mule deer buck was killed in Alaska. Now that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game acknowledged there were at least some mule deer in the state, they needed to make an official ruling on the legality of hunting these critters.

Mule deer aren’t an introduced species, they have come to Alaska by expanding their normal range. Though there hadn’t been a flesh-and-blood, documented resident population.

The agency decided that hunters would be allowed to kill either mule deer or whitetails in Alaska, with no closed season. The only requirement is that the deer be brought to ADF&G for sampling. This decision presents an interesting situation for those of us that live here. We have the opportunity to hunt common deer in sort of a new frontier. It almost feels like hunting bigfoot.

It’s an exciting prospect, and the few people I know who have seen them here describe it as a surreal experience. I could only imagine what it might feel like to watch the crosshairs settle on a mule deer in the interior. I know that I would be second-guessing myself the whole time, wondering: Is this actually real?

Just because a light looks cool or it says “tactical” on the packaging, doesn’t mean it can help you in an emergency. You want a flashlight you can depend on in the most critical situations, and these are some of the best new lights on the market. Each one was built to last and illuminate during the times when you need a light the most.

1. Klarus 360X3

Max Output: 3,200 lumens; Length: 6.2 inches; Weight: 4.94 ounces; MSRP: $80 (Klarus/)

Law enforcement agencies have been using Klarus tactical lights for years. Considering the multitude of features and the high quality, this flashlight is a great bargain. The aerospace aluminum alloy body has mil-spec anodizing and a comfortable feel. The unusual “Switch Ring” on the flashlight’s tail can be activated from any direction and offers six operational modes, with the maximum light output being a brilliant 3,200 lumens (lasting up to 45 minutes). In addition to high, medium, and low intensities, the 360X3 has an emergency strobe feature (flashing 3,200 lumens for 1.5 hours) and a low intensity SOS beacon (48 lumens for 48 hours). The tail ring and side switches can lock to prevent accidental activation (draining batteries in storage or blasting your eyeballs unexpectedly). This light also bears an Intelligent Thermal Protection System (ITS), which can prevent overheating accidents (which are always a threat with potent lithium batteries). Speaking of batteries, this model can take three different options: a single 18650, two CR123A, or two Klarus 16340 batteries. The kit includes a 18650 battery, which is micro-USB rechargeable and fully-charged in four hours.

2. Nitecore i4000R

Max Output: 4,400 lumens; Length: 6.25 inches; Weight: 4.76 ounces; MSRP: $120 (Nitecore/)

The Nitecore i4000R has all the usual features you’d expect in a tactical light, including the blacked-out paint job, crenelated strike bezel, multiple intensities, and a strobe feature. Look closer at the details and this light starts to get more interesting. The i4000R comes with a custom 5,000mAh rechargeable 21700 battery and a sliding port cover to protect the USB-C charging port. It can also take two CR123A batteries by using the CR123 adapter sleeve that is included in the kit. This light also has a built-in LED power indicator, so you don’t have to find out the hard way that your battery is almost drained. It also has 1-meter impact resistance, reverse polarity protection and IP68 waterproofing. More of a “flood light” than a tight beam, it’s still a blindingly bright light and has the highest lumen count on this list.

Unless you’re an entomologist (and on the clock), you probably hate being surrounded by bugs, especially if they bite. While these creatures play important roles in the environment, they can be a real nuisance to humans in the outdoors, and some of these bugs do transmit diseases. Your favorite store-bought bug repellent can keep them away for awhile, but what happens when the DEET can runs dry? Worse yet, what about when you’re in a survival situation and the bugs won’t leave you alone? Thankfully, there are some natural options to beat the bugs without all the chemicals.

1. Make Your Own Repellent

Before you venture into the wild, plan ahead by creating your own bug repellent with ingredients you can feel good about. (Tim MacWelch/)

While it’s not the strongest option in the world, you can make your own bug repellent from essential oils and other household products. Make a trip to a health food store or similar shop for the essential oils (or order them online). Then you’ll be ready to blend and bottle your own bug repellent. You’ll need:

A one-quart spray bottle1 pint distilled white vinegar1 pint water25 drops of tea tree oil25 drops of lavender essential oil

Add the ingredients into a clean spray bottle and shake well. Spray your boots, clothing and skin with a generous coating before heading outside. Reapply every two to four hours for best results.

2. Check Often for Ticks

We’ve all heard the stories. Hunter shoots Cape buffalo through the chest with a .416 Remington Magnum. Buffalo charges. Uh oh!

Staring black death in the face, the hunter pumps two more 400-grain bullets into it. His Professional Hunter (PH) slams it with two 525-grain bullets from a .505 Gibbs, each bullet carrying 6,200 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. Despite absorbing 27,000 ft.-lbs. of kinetic energy from 5 ounces of lead and copper, the 1,600-pound buffalo keeps coming, flicks the hunter into an arcing, 20-foot, three-and-a-half twist, double summersault. Then he bulldozes the PH to the ground, and grinds him into the dust.

Often overlooked in stopping rifle discussions is the hippo, which kills more people annually that do any other dangerous game species. (Ron Spomer/)

Stopping rifle? More than a handful of PHs have died while trusting what I call the " stopping rifle myth.” Maybe it’s time we adopted a more accurate description.

“Stopping rifle” is a term widely used to describe a rifle/cartridge/bullet combination supposedly big, strong, and deadly enough to protect humans from death and destruction at the claws, fangs, horns, and physical pummeling from a myriad of large beasts, most especially those of African dangerous game.

“Black Death” himself is probably today’s greatest inspiration for the stopping rifle. (Ron Spomer/)

Think lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, hippo, elephant. From North America throw in polar, brown, and grizzly bears. Let India contribute tigers and more leopards. I think we can agree these are all large, tough, and mean enough to reduce the largest, strongest human to a bittersweet memory.

There likely won’t be any trips in the Yukon like this one for American hunters in 2020. (Sloane Brown/YETI/)

For many of us here in the U.S., an annual hunting or fishing trip to Canada is a longstanding tradition. And Canadians, particularly those in the more remote western provinces, depend on American tourism dollars to bolster local economies. But the U.S.-Canada border has been closed since March and will remain so until at least Aug. 21. There is also a 14-day quarantine rule in place. That means anyone who does come into the country must self-isolate for two weeks. In most cases, Canadian citizens are also not permitted to drive or fly from province-to-province without quarantine.

A recent poll showed 81 percent of Canadians don’t want the border to open to Americans, mainly due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 surges in the U.S. That’s bad news for outfitters in Canada. Of course, the safety of both countries takes precedence over the financial hit the hunting and fishing industry will endure. But an unfortunate outcome of the pandemic is that some guiding businesses won’t make it through.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but when the U.S. is seeing spikes in positive COVID-19 tests (though deaths have tapered), it’s difficult for Canada to open its border and safely allow Americans into the country, though it is possible once the U.S. makes it through this second surge. Iceland has broken through as a shining example, hosting international travelers since June by using a rigorous testing program, saving its tourism industry from financial peril. There have been pleas made by Canadian Travel and Tourism, which generates $74 billion and employs 1.8 million people, to allow healthy Americans into Canada, as U.S. citizens make up two-thirds of international tourists in Canada. But so far Prime Minster Justin Trudeau hasn’t budged.

4 Shutting Down the Yukon procedure in place for opening the border, only a projected date that keeps getting moved back, which has been a serious frustration for outfitters. It has left them in limbo, unsure if their outfits will continue to tread water with pre-COVID profits, or ultimately drown. Alberta’s Professional Outfitters Society reported guides in the province have lost $68 million in revenue since the pandemic began in March. Two thousand people are also jobless due to the lack of clients.

To find out how outfitters across Canada are coping with the border closure, I talked to four Canadian guides. We wanted to know how they are navigating these strange and difficult times, and if they expect their businesses to survive the pandemic.

Once bullets impact game, all bets are off. The original caliber can instantly change into a variety of widths, lengths, shapes, fragments and tissue tearing ability. (Spomer Photos/)

Recently, I read an Outdoor Life reader’s comment insisting that the 7mm was a “deadly effective caliber.” And I think he actually meant the caliber, not a specific cartridge that holds 7mm (.284-inch diameter) bullets. In that case, I agree. Bullets .284 inches wide are deadly effective if they are constructed for the purpose at hand, given adequate velocity, and applied in the right place.

This will raise eyebrows because plenty of hunters lambaste all 7mms as ineffective, if not useless. “Doesn’t hit nearly as hard as a .308!” is one assessment I’ve often heard. “Shoots so fast the bullets don’t have time to open,” is another. “The bullets are just too narrow. I’ll take the bigger hole from a .308.” Hmmm.

Many claim the 7mm Remington Magnum is “too fast” for the bullet to open and do sufficient damage to kill deer and elk. This 1,800-pound Namibian eland didn’t get the memo. (Spomer Photos/)

Do .30-Calibers Hit Harder?

Yes, at some point the wider caliber argument begins to makes some sense, like maybe this 115-grain .243 bullet as opposed to this 180-grain .308 bullet. But the difference between .28 and .30? Questionable. (Spomer Photos/)

The truth is some 7mms hit harder than some .308s. But it’s just as true that some .308s hit harder than some 7mms. Duh. It all depends on the muzzle velocity and bullet. Especially the bullet. Its mass, material, construction, launch speed, and form factor combine to determine its terminal performance on game. There is nothing special about the 7mm caliber to make it any more or less effective than the 7.62mm (.308 bullets) or 6.5mm (.264 bullets.)

Caliber performance, alas, is as misunderstood as is the word “caliber” itself. Caliber means the diameter of the bore and bullet in inches or millimeters. The .30/30 Win., .308 Win., and .30-06 Springfield are not calibers. They are cartridges that shoot .30-caliber bullets. The 7x57 Mauser, 7mm-08 Remington, .280 Remington, 7mm Remington Magnum, and 28 Nosler are cartridges that shoot .28-caliber bullets. There is nothing magical or even special about calibers, although some cartridges — with the right bullets — can be pretty special for many reasons.

Squirrel hunting is a great way to get new hunters into the sport. (Larry Case/)

The frantic barking of the dogs drew us deeper into the hollow. Chris and I agreed to take this hunt easy and not go too fast. But, after hearing the intensity of the two squirrel dogs barking, that went out the window. It sounded like they were saying “Where are you guys?” “Get here quick!” “We have one treed!” I glanced over at Chris breaking brush; he was even more intent on getting to the dogs than me. The bellows from our dogs drew us onward, heedless of the rocks, brambles, and steep incline of the hill we pressed on.

You don’t need a dog to squirrel hunt, of course, but like many hunting pursuits, having one at your side makes it more enjoyable (and easier). A well-trained dog will also sniff out more squirrels than you can ever find on your own. The breeds are also relatively inexpensive when compared with bird dogs. You can typically find a good mountain cur or fiest pup for a few hundred dollars.

Also, hunting squirrels with a dog is one of the best ways to introduce a new hunter, young or old, to the sport. Squirrel doggin’ is a low stress endeavor and can be done most anywhere. Kids and adults can have a carefree day in the woods, watch the dogs work, and get plenty of shooting opportunities (hopefully). Kids don’t have to be quiet, sit still, or any of the other tortuous aspects of deer or turkey hunting. Plus, it’s fun.

Once you hunt squirrels behind a good dog, there’s no going back to walking the woods alone. Here’s how to get started.

Tracking Game Properly

Tyler Rivet with a punched out largemouth. (Bassmaster/)

Because he’s from Louisiana, Bassmaster Elite angler Tyler Rivet has adapted to fishing in the heat. When the summer sun is bearing down on largemouths, fish locate cover that’s thick on the surface and swim underneath it, where the water’s cooler and more comfortable. This is when anglers need to turn to a technique called “punching.” You get a small, soft-plastic bait and a super heavy bullet weight, and punch a meal right through that cover to get a bite. When you’re looking to pick a fight with a bass through the thick stuff, consider Rivet’s tips. These tricks will not only help you get bit, but also help you get that fish to the boat once it is hooked.

1. Outdoor Life: What are the best color baits to use?

Tyler Rivet: I go with one of two colors. If it’s not Junebug it will be a green pumpkin base with maybe a chartreuse dipped tail. Under mats, it’s dark, so you want something that has a darker base so they can see it quickly.

2. OL: How do fish bite under mats?

TR: When I’m punching, I like to move quickly. I am looking for more of a reaction bite than a feeding bite. When something unexpectedly falls in front of their face, they snap at it. So, I will drop my bait in and if nothing hits on the initial drop, I’ll pull the bait up to the bottom of the floating mat and then drop again. If nothing bites, reel up and move on. I don’t like to spend a lot of time blindly working a bait under a mat unless I know fish are there. I’d rather make five different flips in new spots hoping for reaction bites rather than sitting it in one hole trying to coax a fish into feeding.

The new Instinct GPS watch from Garmin uses solar power to recharge. (Natalie Krebs /)

I was never much interested in smart watches until a few years ago, when I made an ill-advised pact at SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Despite never having run farther than a 5K, I promised OL contributor Brad Fitzpatrick that I’d run a marathon with him. At the very least, I figured, all that running would help me get in shape for elk season that fall.

I’m a reluctant runner at best, and decided I needed something to keep me accountable—something more than the glitchy fitness trackers I’d previously tried. I bought a Garmin GPS watch and never looked at another brand again. I do wonder, however, why more hunters don’t wear one, or something like it. They don’t seem to have gained much traction in the hunting and fishing world, despite their usefulness in the woods and on the water.

These watches have always been packed with plenty of useful features (more on that in a bit), but Garmin just announced the newest one: solar charging.

Garmin is releasing three new solar GPS watches, including the new Instinct, pictured here. (Natalie Krebs /)

This is excellent news for anyone who spends any time off the grid, or just generally hates having yet another device to worry about charging. I always pack the charging cord for my watch, forget to charge it in the scramble to get on the trail, and head into the mountains for a 6-day hunt with a 6-hour battery life. All week long I’ll glance at my watch trying to check legal light or how far I’ve gone, only to remember the watch is dead.

But not anymore. After fully charging the solar Instinct Garmin sent me to test (with the USB charging cable), the battery meter read 28 days. Any hunter who wears a traditional watch will find this laughable, true. But if you’ve got a smart watch, or want one that won’t cost as much as a new rifle, it’s a game changer.

Jaysean with his first deer. (Eric M. Morris/)

Editor’s Note: If there’s one thing that’s certain after these last few weeks, it’s that Americans need to come together. To do that, we first must listen to those of us who have been ignored for too long. At Outdoor Life, that means black and other minority hunters and anglers who don’t often see themselves represented in the hunting and fishing community. We’re running a collection of essays to tell their stories and share their perspectives.

As a fat Texas doe stepped into the clearing about 30 yards from the blind, Jaysean eased his 20-gauge shotgun out the window. He took aim and squeezed the trigger. At the sound of the shot, the doe dropped as if struck by lightning. A smile of satisfaction spread across the 13-year old’s face. It was his first deer, and the moment held more meaning than words could describe. First hunts like this one play out each season across America, but this one was extra special to me. Jaysean is Black. And now, he is a hunter.

Many hunting and outdoor organizations say they want more racial diversity, but the current efforts to bring new people into the fold leave much to be desired. Black people (or any other people of color), are rarely given a voice in hunting and fishing media. Instead, the outdoors is continually portrayed as a white, male domain. This portrayal can sometimes be unwelcoming to people of color. I say this as a middle-aged Black man with 30 years of hunting experience. I know what it feels like to love the outdoors, but to rarely see someone who looks like me represented there.

This is why I host hunts each year to introduce more aspiring hunters, like Jaysean, to the outdoors. Despite stereotypes that “Black people don’t hunt” or “Black people just aren’t interested in the outdoors,” I know that there’s a tremendous desire among Black people across the country to learn about hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. I know because they keep asking me to take them hunting. I’ve recruited and helped mentor roughly 50 new hunters since 2014.

So why aren’t we seeing better results overall? The problem, unfortunately, is that most organizations don’t know how to effectively reach minority communities, while other orgs simply aren’t interested in learning. The good news, however, is that this isn’t an impossible problem to solve. I know there are effective ways to recruit and mentor more minority hunters and anglers, because I’ve tried them. If we are going to succeed in our recruitment efforts, we’re going to have to start making the following changes.

Dustin Wichterman with a big native brookie. (Dustin Wichterman/)

To say that native brook trout mean a lot to me would be a massive understatement. The love of these fish and the environments in which they are found is in my blood. I’ve spent my life in close proximity to brookies, and dedicated many years to their study and restoration. My daughter’s name, Brooklynn Vale, means stream in the valley, and the skin above my heart bears a tattoo version of our finned friends.

These fish are special to me because they represent purity and a connection to the past. Because of this obsession, I studied wildlife and fisheries resources as an undergraduate and later obtained an M.S. in the field. I worked in environmental consulting before coming to Trout Unlimited in 2012 because my personal mission aligned with theirs: to leave our children with cleaner waters than those we see today.

I am currently the Associate Director of Trout Unlimited’s (TU) Mid Atlantic Cold-Water Habitat Program based in West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. Together, with our partners, we have restored hundreds of miles of streams and many watersheds, engaged thousands of people in hands-in-the-water activities, and made our homes a better place to live.

I really don’t like to tell folks how to fish, as I’m simply glad to see people out there enjoying it. But the editors here at Outdoor Life asked me to answer a few questions about brookies, so I obliged. I hope it helps you catch a few more fish this year.

A native brookie in hand. (Mark Taylor/)

1. Outdoor Life: What do you suppose the attraction is—that so many anglers seemingly share—for catching a fish that rarely grows past the fingerling stage in most places?

One of the biggest regrets I have is never making my truck into a livable space and tooling around North America, chasing the fall migration of ducks and geese. I know several folks who have sold their homes, bought a Roof Top Tent (RTT) or camper, and pocketed the profits, using the extra cash to hunt and fish where they please. It’s a much more simple, and freeing, way to live. And since their house rides around on four wheels, just about anywhere on this continent can be called home.

It’s a cool concept, and you can still do this (to a degree) even if you have a spouse and kids. Hell, some of these models are big enough for a small family, so you can bring everyone along—they can experience a part of your life they may never have seen otherwise. In the long run, no matter how expensive some of these rigs are, they will still save you money down the road. Think about all the cash you’ve blown on dingy motel rooms, the beds so gross you slept in your sleeping bag anyway. If you’re going to spend the night in your own fleece-lined sack, might as well do it on a clean foam mattress in the bed of a Ford pickup or the roof of your Tacoma.

If you want to turn your truck into a mobile hunting camp, here are some of the best tents, toppers, and campers to buy.

1. Napier Sportz Truck Tent

The 57 series stores in a bag the size of a duffle and gets you off the ground. (Napier/)

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to start overland hunting is to buy a tent, and the 57 Series was made to fit in the bed of your truck. This gets you off the ground and also gives you a bit more security from bugs, snakes, and varmints, like raccoons or coyotes. The entire tent stores in a bag the size of a big duffle, and the tent can be set up in 15 minutes thanks to color-coded poles that correspond to the appropriate sleeves. Two adults can sleep in the tent, and the fully-taped and seamed floor keeps you dry. Plus there are three windows, an entrance door, and two ceiling vents for better air circulation. A 4x4-foot adjustable awning allows you and a friend to sit on a shaded tailgate. There’s also an included rainfly, though you might want to hop in the cab of the truck in heavy/violent downpours just to be safe. MSRP: $230

The establishment of a national deer conservation group is a step closer this week. (John Hafner/)

The establishment of a national deer conservation group, which has eluded a generation of buck enthusiasts, is a step closer to fruition with the announcement today that the National Deer Alliance will merge with the Quality Deer Management Association.

The unified organization, which doesn’t yet have a name, is the culmination of a number of dynamics that have caused many non-profit “critter” groups to reconsider how they raise funds, mobilize their members, and ultimately survive to fulfill their missions. The COVID-19 pandemic and social-distancing guidelines to reduce its spread have short-stopped the main revenue source—the local fundraising banquet dinner—for many of these groups.

But the merger of these two deer-centric groups has its origin long before stay-at-home orders and mask-wearing became part of our national discussion.

The Quality Deer Management Association was founded 32 years ago in South Carolina, and its center of gravity, membership, and influence remains in the South and with landowners interested in improving whitetail hunting and herd health on their properties. The NDA was incorporated in 2015, mainly to serve an advocacy role for its stakeholders, which included deer-focused groups as disparate as Whitetails Unlimited, Mule Deer Foundation, and QDMA.

The original intent of the NDA was also to serve as a virtual club and advocate for all deer hunters. Its creation came out of a resolution to create a conservation organization for deer, by far the most popular, abundant, and widespread of North America’s wildlife populations. Over 70 percent of America’s 10 million hunters primarily pursue deer. But cooperation and unity has been frustrated by the tribal nature of deer hunting—and deer hunters—a population that fractures along lines defined by regions, species, and hunting methods.

The venerable Senko. The most popular bass bait of all time. (Bassmaster/)

The Senko is the best-selling bass lure of all-time, and for good reason. It flat out catches bass all year, on every type of water. It works on lowland lakes, highland lakes, natural lakes, farm ponds, and rivers. After 32 years as a professional bass fisherman, it is my go-to bait from North to South, and East to West.

Let’s start with size and color selection. As I travel America competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series, my best bait is the 5-inch Senko in two colors: green pumpkin and black with blue flake. These two colors will catch fish anywhere, anytime. I prefer green pumpkin in clearer water and on sunny days, and black/blue in dirty water and on dark days. I use the 6-inch Senko in these same two colors as well, particularly if I am targeting larger bass.

Although a Senko will catch fish anywhere, you will need to modify how you present the lure based on time of year, water clarity, and depth the bass are using. So, here are my five most productive ways to rig the Senko:

1. Weightless, Texas Rigged

Use a 5/0 offset shank EWG hook on the 5-inch Senko, and a 6/0 on the 6-inch Senko. A weightless, Texas-rigged Senko is perfect for fishing around shallow, heavy cover where the big bass live. It fishes well in weed beds, pads, brush and under docks.

The author keeps an eye out for coyotes on his first hunt last fall. (Joe Dickey/)

Editor’s note: If there’s one thing that’s certain after these last few weeks, it’s that Americans need to come together. To do that, we first must listen to those of us who have been ignored for too long. At Outdoor Life, that means black and other minority hunters and anglers who don’t often see themselves represented in the hunting and fishing community. We’re running a collection of essays to tell their stories and share their perspectives.

My neighbor Eric Dinger and I had been sitting in the blind for 15 minutes when I saw a young buck appear at 150 yards, walking right toward us.

“Ron, get ready,” Eric whispered. And then, a moment later, “Shoot it.”

I know a lot of hunters get excited when it’s time to shoot. Their heart rate goes up, and they start breathing hard. But last fall in Nebraska, I was steady. And when we found my first deer, 75 yards from where my bullet reached him, Eric was more excited than I was.

A black man in hunters camo and orange vest kneels behind a deer in the woods. (Eric Dinger/)

Don’t get me wrong—I was stoked. But I was also wondering, Is this it? Are we done?

Training and proper instruction are critical after buying your first handgun. (Chris Mudgett/)

If you’re reading this, you’re likely considering buying of a new handgun, or have already bought one. Good on you. You have your reasons for doing so, but most importantly, you’re taking responsibility for your personal safety and for the safety of those nearest and dearest to you. If statistics are any indicator, you’ve probably made the decision to purchase a pistol that is concealable, one that can easily be carried on your person, and one that can also be effective for home defense. That’s good. Your next purchase should be a quality belt and a comfortable holster.

Select the right holster

After purchasing a handgun, a holster and belt should be your top priorities. After all, you’ll need some way of comfortably concealing it. Wedging it in your belt doesn’t count. Holster selection can be a complicated process, even for experienced shooters. The style and size of pistol chosen, as well as individual body type all come into play when selecting the right holster for you.

Types of holsters can generally be narrowed into three categories; Outside the Waist Band (OWB), Inside the Waist Band (IWB), and Appendix Inside the Waist Band (AIWB). There are, of course, specialty methods of carry, such as shoulder, ankle, and pocket to name a few – but our focus here will be on the first three, as they are by far the most popular.

Outside the Waist Band carry is typically reserved for carrying larger-framed pistols that can be a challenge to conceal. This is a common method of carry for uniformed police officers and security personnel. This type of holster generally allows the quickest access to your pistol, however, it is the most difficult to hide. An open front cover garment, such as a jacket might be necessary for concealment when using this method of carry. I recommend using an OWB holster when learning to draw your pistol and for range use. It is also ideal for open carry, which makes sense when you might be out working on a ranch or farm, fly fishing remote water, or exploring the backcountry. Most OWB holsters are affixed to your belt utilizing either a quick attach/detach paddle or fixed belt loops constructed of either a high-strength polymer or leather. For right-handed shooters, the proper place to mount your holster is at about 3 o’clock (imagine your bellybutton is noon in this analogy) for righties, and 9 o’clock-ish for lefties.

There has been a significant drop in roadkill since early March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Brett Billings/USFWS/)

Hunters know the risks of cruising down rural highways in whitetail country, and the deer carcasses lining our roadways are a not-so-subtle reminder. But during COVID-19 closures and social distancing, there has been a steep drop in the number of animals killed by vehicles.

Roadkill animal deaths fell in California, Idaho, and Maine, according to a study by the Road Ecology Center at the University of California-Davis. The study found that animals killed by cars dropped by 21 to 56 percent—depending on the location—from March to mid-April. The reason for the decline was directly tied to the reduced number of motorists on our roadways—traffic in the U.S. fell by 73 percent during peak lockdown, according to National Geographic).

“There is a statistically significant decline in wildlife deaths on highways in all three states following reductions in traffic this spring,” said Fraser Shilling, director of the UC-Davis Road Ecology Center in a news release. “This has not been the case for any of the previous five years for these three states. If anything, there is usually an increase in spring.”

So does a decrease in roadkilled critters mean that there will be more deer in the woods this fall? In short, yes, but you might not notice the difference. It all depends on where you hunt. For example, if you hunt in a county that’s had a historically high percentage of car-deer collisions, you might see a few more whitetails from your treestand this fall. Hunters in areas with lower car-deer collisions likely won’t see any difference.

“I think what it will mean is there will be a few more deer in the woods this fall, but not every hunter is going to see that increase,” said Dr. Michael Tonkovich, a deer program administrator in Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources. “We lose 22,000 to 25,000 deer a year to vehicle collisions, but a majority of those come in November, December, and January. There is some spring dispersal of deer, like does pushing out button bucks or does finding a new home range, but it’s not like the movement we see in the fall.”

There’s a long list of highly functional (and durable) semiauto shotguns that handle beautifully and shoot straight, but have never received the fanfare they deserved. Some weren’t brought to market correctly and faded. Others were taken out of production too early. And still others just never became popular, despite being great buys. Franchi, which is under the Benelli banner, largely falls into that category. Its guns are only a slight step down in quality compared to big brother. Franchi’s inertia-driven autos are some of the best on the market for the money, but I don’t see many folks shooting them. Which boggles my mind, since hunters are always looking to get the best performance out of our gear for the least amount of cash.

Many other shotgun makers have experienced a similar anomaly. For one reason or another, a great gun was lost in the shuffle or put out to pasture too soon. But I am here to shed light on those forgotten autoloaders. These are some of the best shotguns that never got the proper recognition. Many of them are very affordable, so if you come across one—new or used—snatch it up.

Browning Gold

Browning debuted the next generation of the Gold at SHOT Show in 2020. (Browning/)

One of my buddies who got me back into turkey hunting years ago always wielded a Browning Gold 12-gauge, which has long been overshadowed by the Auto-5, Maxus, and the newer A5. He shot rusty 3.5-inch lead No. 4s through the factory full choke, and it absolutely hammered spring toms. It’s still a superb gas-operated auto-loader that has relatively light recoil even with heavy turkey loads. Browning upgraded the gun in 2020—it’s only offered in 10-gauge—with a composite stock, Inflex recoil pad, and textured grips on the fore-end and stock. I had a chance to shoot it at SHOT Show in Las Vegas, and it’s a beast of gun (almost 10 pounds), which as a goose pit and big river duck hunter, I love. You won’t want to carry this hefty 10-guage anywhere but to the blind, but it’s one of a select few autoloaders I feel comfortable paying $1,800 for, because I know it will cycle reliably.

Franchi Affinity Elite Series

An Alaskan black bear taken with the Henry Model X in .45-70. (Tyler Freel/)

Most people don’t need a reminder that the world isn’t always a safe place to live, and the topic of self-defense is as relevant as ever. Although seasoned shooters and outdoorsmen and women tend to roll our eyes at the sudden realization by many that having a gun for protection might not be a bad idea, they need direction and good information. Even among our salty ranks, self-defense continues to be a hot topic alway up for debate.

Most of us are either shooters or hunters—sometimes both. A shooter may not have any interest in hunting, but loves guns and shooting, and will tend to gravitate towards selecting more tactical-style guns for self-defense applications. Hunters who are also passionate shooters will often go the same route, preferring a purpose-built gun for each intended task. I would say that the majority of folks fall into a hunting and general use category. Most are working with a budget and frankly don’t need enough guns to arm a platoon. They just want a reliable gun to hunt with, but that can also fill the important role of self-defense. Each person’s needs are unique, and one of these eight guns will do the job for both hunting and self-defense.

Henry X Model

Henry’s X Model is a proven lever-action built with a tactical flair. (Henry/)

Lever-action rifles may seem antiquated, but for some folks, they offer a great combination of hunting aptitude and self-defense effectiveness. The X Model from Henry takes their proven action and adds a bit of a tactical flair with synthetic furniture, a short rail at the end of the fore-end, and a threaded muzzle. Muzzle brakes or a suppressor can be easily added, and even for a camp rifle, being able to easily attach a light is a well-thought-out attribute. It’s a short, handy rifle that can be operated quickly and maneuvered well in tight spaces and cycled very quickly. Your caliber selection will depend on your needs. If you’re dealing with lots of bears as well as two-legged threats, the .45-70 will be the way to go. Otherwise, the .357 or .44 mag options offer plenty of power for hunting deer, and offer increased magazine capacity. Not to mention that the increased barrel length will give you better performance than a handgun will, with mild to little recoil. MSRP: $970

Browning BAR DBM