Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

As winter draws near, most people assume that their outdoor pursuits are winding down. This doesn’t have to be the case, as many die-hard outdoor enthusiasts keep practicing their survival skills throughout the colder months (when you can really test your mettle). If you’re looking for inspiration or just an excuse to get out of the house, then try your hand at one (or all) of these winter bushcraft skills.

1. Build a Shelter

Since hypothermia can kill a person more quickly than dehydration or starvation, shelter is a top survival priority. There’s no better time to practice shelter construction than in cold, winter weather. Shelter styles abound, though you should strive to match both the available resources and the worst weather you might face. A loose leaf debris shelter is no match for high winds and a structure with a flat roof is just begging for leaks during heavy winter rains. You’ll need to pick the right shelter for the job. During your winter practice time, you also can experiment with new building techniques and materials. There’s no better way to learn a skill than by doing it and carefully studying the results (whether you feel successful or not).

2. Master New Knots

While you may find that you can perform most of your outdoor tasks with only a handful of knots, it’s always smart to learn one more. (Tim MacWelch/)

When I think about all of the variations in ropes and knots around the world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. There are hundreds of different materials to use for tying, and there are even more knots in existence. It’s been estimated that there are more than 3,000 known knots and I would speculate that there are many more that have been forgotten over the centuries. For someone who only uses two or three knots on a regular basis, it can be hard to choose which new knot(s) to learn. I recommend focusing on one of your most common activities and try a new knot associated with it. If you camp in cold weather, try knots that will help during this activity. You can use a sheet bend when the corner grommet rips out of your tarp to rejoin a rope to the tarp corner. And whichever knot, hitch, or fastening you decide to learn, take advantage of your natural “down time” in the winter to practice the knot until you can do it with your eyes closed.

One of the major tenants of the Lacey Act is that once you kill wild game illegally and cross state lines with it, the offense becomes a federal crime. (Joe Genzel/)

It’s become an almost regular occurrence for a “hunting celebrity” to get busted breaking game laws each fall. They post their violations to social media or showcase the hunts on outdoor TV—exactly the platforms that federal agents watch, waiting for them to make such a blunder. Any unethical hunter can end up in this kind of jackpot, but it’s the celebrity cases that draw the most attention, because, well, they are inherently attention-seekers.

Hunters Josh and Sarah Bowmar are a few of the more recent hunting personalities charged with violations, joining the ranks of Spook Spann, Chris Brackett, and a host of others (though the Bowmars have not yet been convicted of any wrongdoing). Deer and Deer Hunting reported in late October that the Bowmars had been indicted by a federal grand jury, but the case circulated on various social media channels months prior to that. You might remember the Bowmars from the notorious Alberta bear hunt that led the province to outlaw bear hunting with a spear. In this case, they are being charged with knowingly transporting, attempting to transport, receive and acquire wildlife, including turkey, deer or parts thereof, in interstate commerce, according to the Grand Jury indictment.

Often, these types of charges become a federal matter, due to a myriad of laws that fall under the Lacey Act. Signed in 1900 by President William McKinley, the Lacey Act protects plants, fish, and animals by civilly and criminally penalizing those who violate its provisions. It also prohibits the importation of invasive or harmful species, or their introduction to the environment (for example, zebra mussels into lakes and rivers).

The Bowmar’s lawyer, G. Kline Preston, is challenging the legality of the more than 100-year-old Lacey Act. In a public statement, Preston said his clients were innocent of all charges and also stated that the Lacey Act was “abusive” and “draconian,” and that it excessively punished hunters for minor infractions. Kline also stated that the Lacey Act is used too often against hunters for “actions which really amount to the equivalent of a speeding ticket.”

“I believe that the federal penalty scheme of the Lacey Act is not commensurate with the fines and incarceration times that violations of the Lacey Act entail,” Preston wrote to Outdoor Life in an email. “I also believe that the legislative framework of the Lacey Act violates the 10th Amendment. We do not admit any of the facts alleged in the indictments against the Bowmars. The Bowmars have entered pleas of not guilty as to all charges.

I’ve had a good fall. The freezer is full with a few deer, plus some ducks, honkers, and even a few hard-earned pheasants. But I’m far from calling it a wrap on my hunting season. This is partly because I love hunting just for the act of it, no matter who takes home the meat, but also because I know that this year, especially, there are a whole bunch of folks who could use a few pounds of donated venison.

The Daily podcast recently aired an episode covering the intense pressure on food banks, which are struggling to keep pace as the economy reels from the effects of the coronavirus. Reporters interviewed hungry folks who waited in line for six hours, and pantry managers who were running short on food. I listened to this report while cooking breakfast omelets with leftover Thanksgiving turkey and felt more than a twinge of guilt. An analysis by Feeding America found that by the end of this year, more than 50 million Americans could live in households where food is scarce.

And this isn’t just an issue in large metropolitan areas.

“As we get into the holiday season, our number [of clients] will go up,” says Craig Robbins, executive director of Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Paul’s Pantry saw 400 new households sign up for assistance during the first month and a half of the coronavirus pandemic.

This, my fellow hunters, is our moment to shine. If there’s one thing we’re good at, it’s putting food in the freezer, right? So let’s do that for the folks who need it most this winter. Here’s my challenge to all the self-proclaimed meat hunters out there: If you have tags available, go out and shoot an extra critter or two and donate the meat. Instead of posting a picture of a fancy wild-game dish and the story about how you made it, post a simple picture of the animal and the story of how it will be donated, and why. —A.R.

The author with a hefty pike caught during the long, cold Alaskan winter. (Tyler Freel/)

As we plunge into the depths of a winter that many have been dreading, one thing is clear—it’s important to be prepared. And with more and more people looking to recreate outdoors this winter, that means a lot of folks will be pushed out of their comfort zones and into freezing temps. As a Fairbanks, Alaska, resident who is accustomed to dealing with the bone-splitting cold and the seemingly unending darkness of winter, I can tell you that getting regular time outside will do wonders for maintaining your sanity. But, you need the right gear.

A typical transplant to a place like Fairbanks, Alaska, has an intense learning curve ahead of them when it comes to dressing for the cold. But being equipped to successfully and comfortably recreate in the cold is an even steeper learning curve. Your gear needs will differ based not only on the specific weather you’re dealing with, but will also vary greatly depending on the activity you’re pursuing. Dressing to go ice fishing or riding snowmachines at -20 degrees is much different than dressing to go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at the same temperatures. Extreme cold sucks no matter what, and even us northerners tend to batten down the hatches once it dips below -30 or -40. There’s not much you can do outside at those temperatures that’s actually fun, and mechanical things tend to break much more easily. Your eyelashes freeze together, the air hurts your lungs, and if you get in trouble, it’s going to be big trouble.

Even if you consider “cold” to be 28 degrees in a damp climate, you can still get hypothermic or at least have an uncomfortable experience if you’re not careful with how you dress. So if you’re looking to spend more time outdoors this winter, you need to know what clothing will keep you warm, and how to use it based on what you’re doing. This guide will get you started.

How to Dress in Layers Like a Pro

Layering your clothing is a cornerstone of staying comfortable in cold weather. You can’t depend on battery-heated socks or shake-up hand warmers. Your clothing needs to be insulated enough to use the heat your body produces to keep you warm. The colder the temperatures, and the less strenuous the activity, the heavier your clothing will need to be. To stay warm, you must regulate your body temperature by the layers you wear according to activity. If you’re going on a day-long snowshoe outing, you’re going to want to be dressed in minimal layers so you don’t overheat, but you need to bring additional layers to put on when you stop, otherwise you’ll freeze quickly.

When any deer gun season is in, consider staying out of the woods. (Howard Communications/)

One of my biggest pet peeves(and probably yours too) is seeing other hunters on public land. For some reason I’m still surprised, and pissed, every time it happens. I can’t stand when someone sets up on top of me during ducks season—particularly when I’ve been in the marsh damn near two hours and it happens 10 minutes before shooting light.

But for the first time in a long time, I’m chasing squirrels, rabbits, and stubborn doves that refuse to migrate south, during deer season. Which means I am sharing the woods with whitetail hunters. Now, maybe I’m a little more thoughtful than your average public-land hunter, but I hate to screw up another guy’s hunt by unabashedly walking under his treestand. The odds are slim that I’m going to wander through at a moment that actually prevents them from killing a deer, but still—I don’t want to “ruin” their hunt, no matter how poor or great the deer hunting happens to be on that chunk of land.

So here are some of the rules I live by when hunting small game during deer season.

Don’t Hunt the Deer Opener

Shape your squirrel season around opening day of deer season. (Larry Case/)

Squirrel season starts a month in advance of bow season here, so I get out as much as I can before Oct. 1, and leave opening weekend of deer season to the deer hunters. I grew up duck hunting and looking forward to opening day, and if there was some jerk fishing for bluegills in front of our river blind, that would have ruined my morning. So I can certainly give bowhunters a Saturday and Sunday to have the woods to themselves. Besides, most public places are going to be packed with truck, and guys fighting one another for the best oak tree to hang their climber from, so I’m not going to bother.

The holidays are fast approaching, but what do you get for the tricky survival enthusiasts on your list (especially the ones who already have two of everything)? Survival gear choices are limitless, making the quest for the perfect gift a tough task. Thankfully, we’re here to help you with some practical gear choices for that special someone (or as a special treat for yourself).

Hults Bruk Agdor Axe

This premium axe offers everything you’d want in a sturdy Swedish-made camp axe, except the high price tag. (Hults Bruk/)

Maybe there’s something in the water in Scandinavia, or it might just be the combination of world-class steel and long, dark winters. Either way, some of my favorite knives and axes hail from these frosty latitudes and the new Hults Bruk Agdor axe is now among them. This is no little tomahawk or backpack hatchet. Designed for heavy camp and expedition work, this axe features a 28-inch handle and a 2.5-pound axe head made from legendary high-carbon Swedish steel in the classic Montreal pattern. Right out of the package, this sturdy tool is quite sharp and it includes the very attractive leather sheath common to Hults Bruk axes. Easy to swing with great balance, this axe will be a welcomed companion in your hunting camp and around the homestead. Made by one of the oldest axe making companies on earth, it may just become an heirloom to pass down to the great grandkids.

Aqua Quest Safari Tarp

Shelter is one of our top survival priorities. This lightweight waterproof tarp can be a lifesaving gift for anyone who has to fend for themselves. (Aqua Quest/)

Based in the Pacific Northwest, Aqua Quest knows a thing or two about wet weather gear and waterproofing. This lightweight yet resilient waterproof tarp is made from 70D nylon fabric with a non-toxic dual Silicone and PU coating. The tarp also boasts reinforced stitching, heat taped seams, 19 reinforced webbing tie loops and two very handy lantern loops. The 10x13-foot model weighs just over 2 pounds and comes with a lifetime warranty. Like all tarp shelters, the safari tarp can be set up in a wide range of configurations and used for tasks other than shelter.

Savage's A22 BNS-SR, new for this year. (Savage Arms/)

Since its introduction in 1887 by Stevens Arms, what is now the .22 Long Rifle has become a staple for American shooters and outdoorsmen. The “22” rifle is undoubtedly one of the most popular training, plinking, and small game hunting tools in existence, and there is hardly a hunter who doesn’t own at least one. One would only guess at the number of hunters and shooters who were brought up shooting Dad’s “22.” Despite its age, the demand and innovation for .22 LR chambered firearms is as strong as it’s ever been, and this quaint little cartridge has been the driver for many iconic models and families of firearms over the years.

THE A22

Savage’s A22 line of rifles has a somewhat different story in its development than a typical rimfire rifle. Usually, a rimfire rifle will first be developed for the .22 LR cartridge, then further engineered and expanded to offerings in other rimfire chamberings like .22 WMR, .17 HMR, and .17 Mach 2 when possible. Many semi-autos have been plagued with problems in these expansions of their lines because they were not designed for the pressures that more powerful cartridges produce. However, the A22 is actually an offshoot of another design, the A17.

The A17 was released in 2015 as the first safe, reliable solution for a semi-automatic rifle chambered in .17 HMR. Adaptations of designs for .22 LR and .22 WMR rifles were plagued with issues and never really gained enough traction to warrant widespread production. Savage designed the A17 specifically to handle the extra pressure of that hot little rimfire by using a delayed blowback action, which kept the bolt locked until enough pressure had been lost to allow the action to safely cycle using the remaining pressure. The A17 is still the powerhouse when it comes to a reliable and safe 17 HMR semi-auto.

Naturally, seeing the design’s potential, Savage quickly developed a .22 WMR chambering. Then it introduced the A22 Mag, followed by the A22 in .22 LR. Although the process by which we arrived at the A22 is a bit backward, it’s a natural conclusion of where to take the platform. Unlike other models that are complicated by an upgrade in chambering, the A22 was simplified into its .22 LR form. The action, like many other .22 LR’s is straight blowback operated. The lower pressure negates the need for a more complex delayed-blowback action. The magazines and some other parts needed a simple downsizing, but it’s given us a very reliable, robust, and pretty accurate .22 LR as a result.

The author's double stand, tucked into the treeline of a small food plot. (Natalie Krebs /)

Everything was perfect, until it wasn’t.

The family farm hadn’t been pressured much this year, which boded well for the second weekend of rifle season. The lukewarm temps had fallen 20 degrees. The rain I’d sat in for 12 hours straight the previous day, from dark to dark, had finally stopped.

So when I climbed into the double stand Sunday afternoon, warm and dry and with space to stretch out, I slipped almost instantly into a daydream. Just as you do during any sit in the deer woods, but especially during November, when those daydreams actually have a chance of playing out. It’s the rut, right? Anything can happen.

RELATED: It’s Time to Cut the B.S. in Deer Hunting

I sat there for an hour or two, watching through the trees and willing a big buck to show. Most of all I wanted to see the one I think of as the Iowa buck. An Iowa buck, you see, because he’s too big to live here. I pictured it, even, him walking along that trail, waiting at the field edge, maybe hitting the scrape, then turning out into the plot for a broadside shot at 80 yards.

In this age of social distancing and pandemic-fueled restrictions on our lives, many of us are having to seek out new entertainment, hobbies, and other ways to maintain our sanity. For many in colder climates, winter brings even more challenges. Outdoor activities are some of the best and safest things to do to help pass a long, potentially isolated winter.

For some, ice fishing is a tradition. If that’s you, you likely have the situation well-in-hand, but many people who would like to try ice fishing don’t have any idea where to start. It may not seem like standing on the ice holding a fishing rod and staring at a little hole would be much fun, but when you’re set up with what you need, and get the hang of it, it’s a great winter activity for any skill level. If you’re new to ice fishing, the most important thing above all else, is safety. Ice conditions can vary greatly depending on the area, weather, and the particular body of water. For example, in February, a lake here in interior Alaska will often have ice that is 3 to 5 feet thick. A river next to that lake may have dangerously thin ice in spots. Knowing how to be safe on the ice is critical, and fortunately there are some good resources out there to use, along with local guidelines from your state wildlife agency. Some public waters are monitored closely and ice conditions are posted at the site.

You don’t need much gear to get started. Just like any sport or outdoor activity, there is plenty of specialized equipment available, but to get started, you just need a few basic items. You need something to cut a hole in the ice, and tackle to fish with.

There are a myriad of options when it comes to ice fishing gear and equipment, and if you’re in an area where ice fishing is popular, you can probably find great deals on used equipment. To give you an idea of what to look for, here’s a list of ice fishing gear to get you started.

Eskimo 6-inch Dual-Blade Hand Auger

Moreland hunted this buck during Arkansas' early muzzleloader season, but ended up killing him with his bow. (Courtesy Johnathan Moreland /)

It’s pretty common to scroll through your social media news feed this time of year and see various photos of bowhunters sitting behind the monster bucks they have shot.

It’s not as common, however, to see that monster buck taken with traditional equipment. Taking any deer with a traditional bow is an accomplishment, but shooting a giant buck with a traditional bow can be a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Jonathan Moreland grew up hunting with a compound bow until, one day, he saw one of his father’s old recurves hanging on the wall. He decided he would try to take a deer with it. When he succeeded, he was hooked. And 11 years later, he is still shooting a trad bow.

A True Giant

Moreland’s Arkansas bow season started much like any other. He had cameras at the private hunting lease he hunts with his brother, Josh. The 34,000-acre lease is owned by a timber company, and is broken into smaller, huntable pieces.

A buck and two antelope does in the hills of eastern Wyoming. (Joe Genzel/)

In a joint effort, state and federal wildlife biologists have collaborated to map the migrations of mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, and bison across the western U.S.

The Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States: Volume 1 is the first study of its kind to include more than 40 big-game migration routes in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. The maps will help land managers and conservationists keep migration corridors open and functional to sustain healthy big-game populations.

“This new detailed assessment of migration routes, timing, and interaction of individual animals and herds has given us an insightful view of the critical factors necessary for protecting wildlife and our citizens,” said USGS Director Jim Reilly.

The mapping project, born from the Department of the Interior Secretary’s Order 3362, was supported by two decades of wildlife research and gathered through GPS tracking collars and the manpower of volunteers who mapped the migrations.

According to USGS, the detailed maps will be used to “identify key infrastructure that affects migration patterns.” State and federal agencies will work with private landowners “to protect vital habitats and maintain the functionality of corridors.”

A cluster of spawning sockeye salmon running in the Bristol Bay ecosystem. (Courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/)

On Wednesday the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced its rejection of the Pebble Limited Partnership’s permit application to develop a copper-molybdenum-gold mine in southwest Alaska. The proposed project would have been located 200 miles southwest of Anchorage, near the headwaters of the world-renowned Bristol Bay salmon fishery. There has been a long-fought battle over the proposed mine, with both sport anglers and commercial fisherman opposing the project.

From the Army Corps of Engineers statement: This decision on the proposed Pebble Project culminates a review process that lasted nearly three years and involved the development of an environmental impact statement. That assessment included an in-depth analysis of project alternatives along with an examination of supplemental technical information provided by cooperating agencies and the public. In its record of decision, USACE determined that the applicant’s plan for the discharge of fill material does not comply with Clean Water Act guidelines and concluded that the proposed project is contrary to the public interest.

This action is based on all available facts and complies with existing laws and regulations. It reflects a regulatory process that is fair, flexible and balanced. USACE is committed to maintaining and restoring the nation’s aquatic resources, while allowing reasonable development.

Earlier this year, key Republicans, including Donald Trump Jr., voiced opposition to the mining project (read all about that here). Conservation groups are applauding the decision whole heartedly.

“The Corps’ denial of the permit for the Pebble Mine is a victory for common sense,” Chris Wood, chief executive of Trout Unlimited said in a press release. “Bristol Bay is the wrong place for industrial scale mining, and we look forward to working with the people of the Bristol Bay region, Alaska’s Congressional delegation, the state, and other partners to permanently protect Bristol Bay and its world class fisheries.”

The author’s buck taken at the family deer camp in northern Wisconsin. (Alex Robinson/)

The biggest buck in the field was running right toward me. I had imagined this exact scenario playing out maybe a dozen times. I’d studied the satellite imagery on HuntStand of the field edge and hung a stand in this very tree hoping for this exact situation. And still, I was a little surprised that it was actually happening.

The tall eight pointer was chasing after a smaller buck, which was hot on the heels of a doe. I tried to ignore the other deer running around me and focused on the bigger buck. I was still trying to judge just how big he was as he trotted by at about 35 yards. I stopped him with a loud bleat and … and let him walk off. He did look a little young. We have photos of bigger bucks on our trail cameras. It’s only Oct. 30, the rut is just getting started. The rationalizations came just as quickly as the buck had come and gone.

But then I hunted hard for two weeks of the rut on the 400-acre property in western Wisconsin that my buddy Josh Dahlke and I lease. I never did have a bigger buck come in to bow range. I had plenty of exciting sits, saw lots of deer, and had a few close calls, but never did punch my bow tag. Here’s an honest assessment of how we hunted this season—what we got right, and what we messed up.

Got it right: We did our preseason homework

This was the second year that Josh and I hunted this property, so we knew there was still a lot to learn about how mature bucks moved through it. We hung eight trail cameras, five treestands, and set up one ground blind. We trimmed shooting lanes and glassed fields on summer evenings. Did this help us kill a buck on opening day in September? Well, no. But it did give us a serious head start. We had options for hunting on different stands no matter the wind direction (more on this later) and had a fleet of trail cameras keeping tabs on deer activity. Josh did end up killing a beautiful buck during the first week of the season while hunting a stand we had left up from last year. Which leads into the second thing we did well…

The author’s Laika pup on its first hunt. (Joe Genzel/)

It was a rainy morning in November and the small stand of public timber was filled with deer hunters. I typically come to this spot during the week, but this was a Sunday and the mud hole that doubled as the parking lot had four trucks parked in it. For a second I thought about turning around and going home. I hate when other hunters show up in the public places I hunt, but I had woken up at 5 a.m., driven an hour to a place I knew had squirrels in it, and felt like there was a good chance my little West Siberian Laika 4-month-old pup, Vladimir (we had to give him a Russian name), would tree his first one so that I could shoot it.

He had been running down squirrels on a trail near the house for the last month, and was seeing foxtails and grays I wasn’t, so it seemed like the right time to hunt for real. My only reservation was he had not been exposed to gunfire yet. I talked to a dog handler friend about gun training him, and was a little apprehensive about shooting around such a young pup. I clapped loudly and yelled when Vlad wasn’t paying attention many times. He never once flinched or even seemed to care. So I decided to shoot a 20-gauge that I knew wasn’t overly loud.

Since my deer hunting friends were deeper in the woods (I presumed), the two of us kept to the perimeter, walking quietly through cuts where water seasonally floods the forest floor. We were coming to the end of the timberline where it opened up to agriculture fields and waterfowl habitat. And just as I was about to turn Vlad around, his ears perked and he bounded forward. Laikas are more like coyotes or wolves in their movements. They’re nimble, not like a block-headed British Lab (which I love, too) that bulldog their way through anything that stands between them and a dead mallard. And when he reacted that way, I knew he was on some kind of animal.

Two squirrels flushed from cover up into an old oak tree. One scurried high, but the other didn’t. And though I knew my deer buddies would be pissed, I raised the gun and shot a fat male fox squirrel. He fell from his perch, and Vlad rushed to it, clenching the fur in his sharp little teeth. I quietly said, “Good boy,” over and over again, petting him on the head and neck. I was excited, and also relieved and vindicated. Several people questioned my decision to buy this particular breed of pup.

You likely have never heard of a Laika (I certainly hadn’t until reading a story about them). And the unknown often leads folks to question or distrust things—particularly gun-dog enthusiasts, who are as loyal to their breeds as Tom Cruise is to L. Ron Hubbard. But when you decide what hunting pursuit best fits you, and you want a dog by your side, you just need to do the research and stick to your guns, no matter what others (even so-called expert dog trainers) think.

Billy White took this great fall gobbler as the tom, and two buddies, picked grasshoppers from a food plot in the Northeast. (Gerry Bethge/)

“Why in the hell would anyone want to hunt a wild turkey in the fall?” I asked. “Hell, they don’t gobble!”

I remembered being that young, inquisitive-yet-naïve hunter just the other day while doing a deep-freezer dive looking for something to roast on Thanksgiving. The COVID-19 pandemic has surely made a mess of things, including ruining the greatest of great holidays. So once the last of my Thanksgiving guests respectfully backed out of the annual celebration, it was time to make a gastronomical back-up plan. Everyone else must have been doing the same thing. There were plenty of giant Butterballs at the supermarket, but no small ones. The chickens were gone, too. Cornish gam hens? Eh.

“Ahh, there it is,” I hollered while digging past the venison and swordfish, reaching for the vacuum-sealed prize beneath. “That’s the bird I killed last fall—perfect. This is the bird that will save Thanksgiving. And he never gobbled once.”

Though a frowned-upon activity by some (ironically spring gobbler hunters, mostly) hunting turkeys in the fall is exhilarating. And the season is still open in some states (see sidebar below) just in time for Thanksgiving, or Christmas for that matter.

White and his longbeard. (Gerry Bethge/)

“Fall toms may not always gobble,” my buddy and turkey legend Ray Eye told me more than 25 years ago, “but they will, in fact, gobble at times, and hens and poults [usually legal in the fall] are always vocalizing. Toms will also frequently strut as they fight for position in the pecking order of the winter flock.”

Bison are destroying critical water sources, diseased goats are running rampant, and pythons are squeezing biodiversity to death. What sounds like chaos at the zoo is actually a series of habitat disasters unfolding in our nation’s national parks. While the sporting community often accuses the National Park Service of preservation practices rather than conservation, some parks have switched gears. Lately, certain NPS mangers have called on skilled sportsmen and women to help control the non-native species currently threatening the biological rhythms of certain parks.

At the Grand Canyon, park biologists have prescribed lethal removal practices to save a fragile ecosystem overrun by bison. A non-native herd of hundreds of bison has crowded the North Rim of the park since the late 1990s, trampling vegetation and nearly exhausting the limited water sources. To help reduce the size of the herd and conserve the region’s native species, officials will begin recruiting experienced hunters next fall to participate in its controversial lethal removal program.

On Sept. 4, Grand Canyon wildlife managers successfully relocated 57 bison from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park to tribes around the country. (National Park Service/)

Historic Range, Modern Times

As many as 60 million bison roamed North America before white settlement and land grabs in the West whittled the population to a scant 300 head by the late 1800s. Federal troops, tourists, and hide hunters nearly eradicated the wild mammals, a critical resource for Native American tribes.

By the early 1900s, former bison hunter and rancher Charles “Buffalo” Jones began to reintroduce bison populations. In 1906 Jones carted 86 of them from Kansas to Arizona, as a ranching experiment to crossbreed with cattle. Though his attempt was a bust, the bison herd grew and meandered between the House Rock Wildlife Area and Grand Canyon National Park. Since 2009, however, the House Rock herd hasn’t wandered beyond the boundaries of the park. Hunting pressure from regulated hunts on adjacent U.S. Forest Service land has kept them on unpressured park ground.

Fighting a big catfish on a rod and reel is pretty dang fun. But if you’re looking for more efficient means to a fish fry, you’d better learn these methods of trapping cats (just check your local regs before hitting the water).

1. Jug Fishing

Jug fishing, formerly called blocking, uses a float in lieu of a big bobber. (Pete Sucheski/)

Old-timers used to call it blocking because wooden blocks were once used as floats. Now folks use milk or soda jugs. Tie several feet of stout line to each handle or neck, add a circle hook, bell sinker, and bait (night crawlers, hot dogs, and shad chunks work well), and you’re ready for action. Release the jugs several feet apart and let them drift.

Each jug functions like a big bobber. When a catfish bites, the jug stops and bobs. When the bait is swallowed, the jug zips away or plunges underwater. Small catfish are usually quickly captured. But big bruisers may submerge a jug repeatedly before anglers in a boat get close enough to net them.

2. Limb Lines

Skip the bulky backpack with an easy-access stow bag. (Pexels/Film Bros/)

Your bike togs shed the wind slicker than teflon. Your helmet is streamlined. Your bike itself is the latest aerodynamic design. So how do you carry your belongings without wrecking the whole effect? Clearly, a saddlebag isn’t going to cut it. There are a number of stow bag options that are small and won’t appreciably affect your performance. Consider the size you need, security and convenience in choosing a stow bag for your bike.

This angled option an aerodynamic 10 inches on the sides and 2 inches wide. (Aduro Sport/)

Storage bags or pouches come in different sizes. Look for the capacity to store the things you usually carry when biking—cell phone, keys, bike lock, repair kit, etc. Waterproof fabric is a plus, as are easy-access double zippers.

This bag is firmly held to the bike frame with three Velcro straps. (Opamoo/)

Bikes take a beating even on roads, and the last thing you need is to get back to the parking lot to discover your stow bag—car keys and all inside—fell off somewhere back down the trail. Look for storage bags that feature secure attachments to your bike.

This option conveniently straps on under your seat. (BV /)

Stow bags are designed to fit specific locations on your bike. If you’ll need access to what’s in your bag while riding you’ll want a stow bag mounted within easy reach. You’ll also want it mounted where it won’t interfere with pedaling or normal bike movements.

Crack a geode open to find hidden treasures. (Pixabay/Pascal Ohlmann /)

Opening a geode is like opening a present—you don’t know what you’ll find, but chances are you’re going to like it. Naturally-occurring crystals form inside geodes, ranging in color from clear and white to pink and even purple. Many are surrounded by sedimentary layers in assorted hues—and from the outside, a geode looks like nothing more than a plain old ugly rock! You break it open and find something awesome inside. That’s the fun part.

The science part comes in when a child holds a geode in his or her hand and starts wondering how it was formed. What happened in the earth millions of years ago to make something so cool? Why are crystals shaped that way? How did they get to be that color? And how did crystals get inside a rock?

Several geode kits are on the market today, and the best one to get depends on your child’s attention span, curiosity and coordination.

This multipack comes with two samples—enough to find out if your child has an interest in geology and the earth sciences. (National Geographic/)

If you’re not sure if your child will enjoy cracking open geodes, get a kit that contains only a few. If the child shows little interest, you won’t be out a chunk of change. If the child does find it fun, and wants to do more or learn more, you can go ahead with purchasing more.

Nearly a dozen samples from around the world, and will keep a kid busy for several hours. (National Geographic/)

Some geode kits contain a large assortment of geodes. These provide plenty of instant gratification. The child starts out with a box of rocks, but ends up with treasures they can display. Kids get a sense of accomplishment too, because they broke open the geodes themselves. Make sure you get a kit that has a learning guide included, so the child will have the opportunity to find out more about the treasures he or she just found.

Many models of tankless water heater can be mounted on a wall, on the floor or on a shelf. (Stiebel/)

The utility bill savings of a tankless water heater can be significant—up to 50 percent off the cost to run a standard full-tank water heater. That makes them a great choice to consider with both new construction or an upfit of an existing water heater. But tankless water heaters have their own considerations, including flow rates per minute and how far the hot water has to travel from the heater to the spigot or appliance. There’s a tankless water heater for just about every application, but not every tankless water heater works for each situation. When you’re ready to save cash on your next hot shower, there are three things to consider when dialing in on a tankless water heater.

This product allows for digital temperature control in one-degree increments. (EcoSmart/)

Tankless water heaters are not one-size-fits-all. You’ll need to calculate how much water flow is required, and match it to the model and size of the heater. It takes about 2.5 gallons per minute of water flow for a single shower. A standard washing machine requires about 2 gallons per minute, and most kitchen sinks need about a gallon-and-a-half. Add up all the household needs to arrive at a required gallons per minute flow.

This convenient model can supply liquid to two sinks at a time. (Bosch/)

Another factor to consider is how quickly and efficiently the heater warms your water. If you live in a colder climate with long bitter winters, the incoming water flow will likely be much colder than if you live in a warmer region; you’ll need a water heater with a greater temperature rise. Tankless water heaters list the details of temperature rise at various gallons-per-minute flows, so check to make sure you’ll be accessing water hot enough for a rousing shower—or four.

An advanced metering system reduces flow when capacity is reduced, so cold showers are a thing of the past. (Stiebel/)

You don’t have to hook up the entire house to a tankless water heater to harness the technology’s cost savings. Small, powerful, under-the-sink heaters provide plenty of hot water for kitchen sink duties at a fraction of the power costs compared to conventional heaters.