Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Alaskans spoke up to save their bear season. (pixabay/)

In a time where each day seems stranger than the last, Alaska had what is probably its most notable April Fool’s Day since April 1974. That’s when Porky Bickar set a stack of old tires on fire in the cone of the dormant volcano Mt. Edgecumbe near Sitka, Alaska. Locals feared that the volcano was about to erupt. When they figured out it was all a joke, I imagine most people laughed it off.

But after the Governor’s press conference on April 1, 2020 and the subsequent announcement by the Fish and Game department, no one was laughing.

During his daily Coronavirus update, governor Mike Dunleavy announced that spring bear seasons for both brown and black bears were cancelled. I have a feeling that most hunters watching this were as taken aback as I was. He surely couldn’t have meant what he just said. He was discussing Kodiak Island and how the hunts there were soon to open and typically bring people from all over the world, flocking through the tiny town and out across the island to hunt bears. It would make sense to close bear hunting on the island to prevent potentially infected travelers from causing an outbreak. Then his final statement sounded like an afterthought. “Brown and black bear seasons are cancelled.”

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game quickly issued an order proclaiming all bear seasons were closed statewide until May 31st. There was an exception listed for subsistence hunts, but without much more explanation, no one really knew what that meant.

Most people understand that we are in unprecedented times and we need to make sacrifices to prevent the coronavirus outbreak from getting worse. But people also have a limit to what they are willing to put up with, and to tell Alaskans (at the tail end of the coldest winter in 44 years) that they would not be allowed to locally hunt bears in the spring … well, that was our line in the sand. We’ll follow stay-at-home orders, close businesses, limit our travels, but start taking away our means for replenishing our freezers and restore our mental health by cancelling hunting and fishing seasons and you’ve got a fight on your hands.

Quick, clean cuts. (Jeremy Stewert via Unsplash/)

Some fish are easy to filet. A salmon, for instance, takes a few swift slices from a sharp blade and you have beautiful slabs of pink meat ready for the grill. A burbot, on the other hand, with its extra slimy skin, is another story. But no matter what fish you’re tackling—from the easiest to the most challenging—the right knife makes all the difference. Even the sharpest standard kitchen knife won’t perform close to as well as a knife tailor-made for fish. But which one is right for you? We offer you a suggestion for every situation.

Filet then get back to fishing. (Amazon/)

Anyone who has been on a walleye fishing trip knows when the limit is six, or even a dozen, and you’re feeding a crowd, fileting that many fish can take time. That’s why this cordless, electric knife is perfect. It doesn’t have the careful touch as other finer blades, perhaps, but its utilitarian zeal for slicing will get the job done. It can also handle fish with tougher scales and can cut through bones with ease.

Open it, use it, fold it back up. (Amazon/)

This all-purpose knife is perfect for anyone on a multi-day fishing trip planning to eat what they catch. The folding knife offers perfect cuts one after another but also allows you to safely tuck it away in a pocket or backpack. The stainless steel blade is corrosion-resistant and soft enough to bend along the contours of a fish without breaking. It also offers a textured handle to prevent slipping in hands covered in fish slime.

No money? Stick with the basics. (Amazon/)

Rapala has a little something for everyone, and this blade is for the angler on a budget. With this place, you can have a sharp blade with a black sheath that will get the job done. The stainless steel blade attaches to a no-slip handle to keep you safe while gutting and filleting your catch. If you’re short on cash, or you just need a few knives to keep in your fishing boat, this is a great option.

Safely rowing down a river—and getting the anglers on fish—hinges on focus and communication. (Brian Grossenbacher/)

Every year, it seems like some company introduces a new oar-powered boat or raft. And these days, vessels capable of carrying two or more people down a river come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, many of which are affordable, giving lifelong wading anglers who could never buy a drift boat or large raft the opportunity to cover more water. The thing is, rowing in moving water safely—and in a way that maximizes your fishing success—isn’t instinctual to most new boat owners. There’s a learning curve you must get through in order for the mechanics to become second-nature. The only way to really become an expert on the sticks is with lots of practice. But if you’re a rookie on the oars, these are four critical tips to know before that maiden voyage.

1. Move in Reverse

You always have better control and steering ability when moving backward. In fact, in the vast majority of situations, you’ll want to get to where you’re going by pointing the stern—not the bow—at your desired destination, and then pulling the oars and rowing upstream. It may seem counterintuitive, but forward rowing leads to trouble. Rowing backward reduces the amount of forward momentum the current can impart on the boat, slowing you down and giving you more time to think. This is especially critical in heavier water with obstacles present. Always remember that if there’s something you don’t want to hit, point the bow directly at it, row backward, and you’ll miss it every time.

2. Don’t Get Sideways

Never let the boat get completely perpendicular to the current. This is something new rowers struggle with because it’s easy to lose focus or drop the oars just long enough that you get spun sideways to the flow. Drifting at a right angle, however, is the fastest route to disaster. A river flowing at even a couple of miles per hour is incredibly strong, and all it takes is a small rock just below the surface or grazing a canyon wall to flip or sink a boat. Even in water flowing barely 3 miles per hour, I’ve seen rafts flipped, cotter pins sheered, oars snapped in half, teeth lost, and people thrown into the water. Unless you need to take swift, evasive action to avoid trouble, keep the bow of the boat pointing downstream at all times.

You don't always have a waterfall around. (Taylor Leopold via Unsplash/)

An outdoor shower will not save your life. It will not help you prevent hypothermia, or scare off a bear, or keep you fed. But that doesn’t mean one isn’t worth packing. Because what an outdoor shower will do is make your time outdoors more comfortable. And the more comfortable you are, the longer you and your companions are likely to stay in the wilderness. So ignore the anti-shower naysayers: an outdoor spray-off is a luxury worth springing for. And, with quality options across the price spectrum, there’s one no doubt one for your budget.

An affordable battery-powered shower. (Amazon/)

Praised for both its ample water pressure and out-of-the-box usability, this reasonably priced, battery-powered shower weighs 1.8 pounds and is simple to use: You drop the shower’s pump component into a bucket, trough, or whatever water receptacle you have on hand. The pump then sucks the water up to the shower head, resulting in a steady downpour for rinsing off. And, if you want a hot shower, you just have to heat the water source from which the pump is drawing.

Turn a bottle into a way to bath. (Amazon/)

This clever rinser turns any plastic 1- or 2-liter soda bottle into a shower—and it will cost you less than a decent cheeseburger and beer. The two-ounce device has two basic components: a nozzle/shower head that screws onto the lid of a bottle, and a thin tube that prevents an air vacuum from forming inside. This allows water to pour out smoothly and with a surprising amount of pressure.

A heat-retaining hot-water system. (Amazon/)

You’ve probably seen camping showers like this before. Fill this 5-gallon solar shower with water, set it in the sun at the beginning of the day, and then, a few hours later, enjoy a strong stream of warm water. According to Amazon reviewers, the four-ply bladder holds up well and is hard to puncture, and rolls up for easy packing after use.

Enjoy a 125-degree, propane-heat rinse. (Amazon/)

OK, just you want a hot shower but you don’t want to wait around for a few hours as the sun heats the Advanced Elements Summer Shower. Your best option, then, is likely this propane-heated setup, which draws in and heats water to 125 degrees. At 13 pounds, it’s no doubt suited only for truck or RV camping. But, hey, if you’re after a steamy shower like you got at home, it seems worth hauling.

Water? Turns out it's important. (Austin Ban via Unsplash/)

We’re going to assume you already have at least one no-frills water bottle that you take on hunting and fishing trips. The four top-rated bottles we’ve compiled in this list are not that. They’re upgrades—tricked-out in one way or another for improved hydration afield. Whether you’re looking to purify dirty water or secretly stash your ID and keys, we’ve got you covered.

A no-fuss way to clean potentially contaminated water. (Amazon/)

Touted as the world’s fastest portable water purifier, the Grayl Geopress allegedly removes all pathogens from contaminated water, as well as pesticides, chemicals, and heavy metals, to ensure your drinking supply is in the backcountry. First, remove the cap-filter component and fill the bottle with water. Next, reinsert the cap-filter piece and push down, forcing water through the purifying cartridge into the inner, 24-ounce bottle. Then you drink. Like we said, easy. The cartridge is good for 350 uses, and users have verified that the Geopress has purified some sketchy water and kept them healthy.

A storage compartment will keep your keys and ID safe and dry yet close at hand. (Amazon/)

The 24-ounce, stainless-steel Bindle Bottle is a quality water bottle in all the normal ways: It keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot ones for 12, thanks to its double-wall, vacuum-insulated design. It also comes in a neat throwback camo pattern. What really distinguishes the Bindle Bottle, though, is the secret, waterproof storage compartment at the bottom, perfect for stashing keys, an ID, and a fishing license while on an all-day float or wet-wading excursion.

A camo bottle with offseason applications. (Amazon/)

Elk season approaches. Are you in shape to climb some mountains? If not, the gym is calling your name. Come ready with the Big Bertha. The camo-patterned, stainless-steel bottle not only holds 40 ounces but also doubles as a workout roller, ideal floor exercises and for stretching your calves, back, quads, and hamstrings. Which could also come in handy if you pull something while afield.

A large-capacity, vacuum-insulated bottle that won’t break the bank. (Amazon/)

There’s a mountain of different vacuum-insulated water bottles on the market. There are precious few, however, that hold 128 ounces of fluid like the RTIC—which also happens to be less than half the price of Yeti’s comparable jug offering. The 3.15-pound RTIC is designed to keep beverages cold for 24 hours and hot for 6 hours, and users have vouched that it does just that. “Filled it with ice water yesterday and there is still ice today,” one Amazon user wrote. “It’s been outside and in my truck most of the time, not in the air conditioning.”

Your hunting and hiking trips require sustenance. (Leo Foureaux via Unsplash/)

Energy bars are fine, even though some may taste a bit more like hardtack than the chocolate, hazelnut, coconut they advertise. Energy gels are tough to swallow on a good day. Sometimes you just want real food. That’s where this list comes in. Each of these items are whole foods you can throw in your pack and forget about until you realize you should’ve eaten more for breakfast. Whether you’re sitting in trees waiting for an elk to bugle or 8 miles down a trail headed to a waterfall, these snacks will be there for you.

Can’t beat the original. (Amazon/)

Sometimes you want to make your own jerky, and sometimes you just want to buy what’s easiest. Jack Links has been tried and tested for years, and they don’t disappoint. The beef links are 98 percent fat-free and provide 11 grams of protein. They’re also seasoned perfectly to satisfy the salt craving we all know will hit if we’re far enough in the woods.

Squeeze directly into your mouth, or onto fruit or bread. (Amazon/)

When it comes to simultaneous shots of protein and natural sugar, little beats peanut butter. But so often the process of digging peanut butter out of a container with a knife comes at a messy cost. It’s especially not ideal for on the go in the backcountry. That’s the beauty of these little packets. Each one is the perfect amount of peanut butter to smear on an apple or on a piece of bread or even waffle. In a pinch, eat it straight from the pouch.

Sweet snacks for you and the kids. (Amazon/)

Move over fruit roll-ups, these natural fruit bars are the fruit snacks of the future. Each bar is just fruit and chia seeds, offering two half-cup servings of fruit and no added sugar. The ingredient list has four items, letting you know you’re getting what’s natural. Imagine they’re a smoothie on the go—without the cleanup.

DIY mountain snacks. (Amazon/)

For anyone interested in making their own snack sticks, but not quite ready to branch out into their own seasoning blends, this is the perfect fit. Create a high-protein snack from game in your freezer—elk, antelope, deer, upland birds, or waterfowl—and take them with you on the trail. The original blend offers you the perfect place to start and will season up to 20 pounds of meat. Make them all at once or by the pound. The box includes everything you need.

The author fishes Montana’s Boulder River, where the banks and bed are open for wading. (Brian Grossenbacher/)

Ice and snow crunch under our tires as we pull up to one of the most popular stretches of river in Wyoming. On any given spring day, this spot on the North Platte is shoulder-to-shoulder combat fishing in front of a small dam that releases water year-round.

On this morning in early January, the temps won’t break freezing and the wind is blowing 25 mph. My husband and I are the only ones fishing the first public portion of the iconic Gray Reef section—the one that draws tens of thousands of anglers to its banks with the promise of 30-fish days. We lob streamers most of the morning without much action. By afternoon, we hit the symbol of fishing in Wyoming—a sign that reads private land: beyond this point fishing by permission only.

Welcome to wade-fishing in Wyoming. Our neighbor to the north, however, doesn’t have those signs—not legal ones anyway. Nearly every stream in Montana, whether on public or private land, is open to wade-fishing up to the high-water mark via public access. Every stream in Wyoming on private land is closed to wade-fishing without the aforementioned permission.

No Fishing, Hunting or Trespassing sign. (Brian Grossenbacher/)

Montanans say their water laws boost the economy and make anglers happy, bringing them back day after day. Wyoming says its private stretches feed a growing economy that’s able to offer exclusive fishing while also keeping the hordes from over-pressuring the resource.

At its core, the issue is as old as the American West itself: Who gets access to its natural resources? For anglers, what matters most is what the rules mean on the water. Can we walk the bank or not? Can we fish around that bend? Can we drop anchor and cast?

A shooter in Arizona prepares to ring steel with an RDS-equipped pistol. (Yamil Sued/)

As we begin a new decade, handgunners are realizing a new normal: Miniature red-dot sights are quickly becoming the primary sighting system on virtually all pistols, whether for hunting, sport shooting, concealed carry, or service. Don’t be left behind. Getting up to speed with the latest technology always comes with a learning curve, but these tips and drills will smooth your journey to red-dot mastery and improve your handgunning skills.

Benefits

A red-dot sight increases accuracy at all ranges but is especially effective beyond 10 yards. This tech also makes shooting on the move and shooting at moving targets significantly easier. The RDS is also a blessing for shooters with aging eyes who have trouble keeping the front sight sharply in focus.

Beyond target shooting, the RDS-equipped pistol enhances situational awareness, allowing the user to observe a threat while maintaining the ability to deliver surgical shots on demand.

Trigger Control

Late-season gobblers get spooky, so keeping calls light is the smart approach to lure in an old tom. (Lance Krueger/)

Every turkey hunt is a head trip as much as it’s a pursuit of beard and spur. Your elation lights up the dawn when a wild tom on a distant limb gobbles in reaction to your bogus owl hoot or coyote howl. As long as he keeps responding, your confidence soars like a triple jumper.

It’s natural to keep stoking the feedback loop, provoking that gobble and tickling the pleasure center of your brain. But at some point, you overdo it, and your distant correspondent goes silent. No matter how provocative your howls or how seductive your yelps, the gobbler is nowhere to be heard. As your confidence plummets, you start overthinking things, guessing that your coyote howl was a little too shrill or your owl call a little too hooty. Or that you simply haven’t called enough.

(Sign up for our free turkey calling course here. We teamed up with The Hunting Public on a seven-video tutorial)

You are now on the high sea of indecision, drifting between shutting up entirely and calling just a little more, or maybe a lot more—anything to coax just one more gobble. A response will not only confirm the turkey’s location, but also redeem your sinking self-esteem.

This is when most of us start to apply human motivations to a wild turkey. He must not have liked what he heard, you think. Or you assume the alternative, that turkeys don’t follow any prompt at all. “They’re just turkeys being turkeys,” you say to no one in particular.

Don't let a drizzle dampen your spirit. (K B via Unsplash/)

Rain is rarely ideal for outdoor exploits, but it’s a reality we all face at some point. Don’t be left out in the cold, or forced to stay inside. These three rain jackets are perfect for any outdoor outing, whether a warm-weather one where you need a light shell or a torrential November downpour. Use these as a guide to keep yourself waterproof, dry, and happy outdoors.

Excellent for fishing. (Amazon/)

Orvis is known for its high-quality fishing gear, and this jacket is no exception. Spend day after day in the pouring rain, and you’ll stay dry. The three-layer shell and waterproof, breathable interior fabric keeps you comfortable. The interior zippered security pocket, fly patch, rear yoke D-ring (for net attachment), and two zippered vertical pockets let you know the jacket is made for fishing. Dolphin Skin Cuff systems prevent water from dribbling up your arm after you reach in the water to grab your catch. The fish don’t care if it’s raining; you shouldn’t either.

Throw it in your pack and go. (Amazon/)

When you’re out on the trail, you don’t need anything fancy to keep you dry. This jacket is one of the lightest on the market, waterproof, and remarkably durable. It has pit zippers for breathability if you’re on the move and an elastic waist for a secure fit. Two zippered side pockets give you space to carry what you need. Consider this your constant hiking pack companion (and you can’t beat the color options).

Stay hidden and stay dry. (Amazon/)

This lightweight, packable, waterproof shell is all you need on a hunt anywhere. Use the shell as your protection from the elements, and layer as needed underneath for warmth. The shell is so small it packs into its own pocket, and the fabric has increased durability with less noise. Other features include compressible sleeves for bow hunting and a 3-point adjustable hood. It’s also machine-washable and the Teflon coating repels water and stains.

Tents for your next solo trip. (Tim Foster via Unsplash/)

Why pack a 3-man tent when it’s only you? Who wants to carry more weight than necessary into the woods? Sometimes solo expeditions are the best, and when you’re on one, all you need is a small place to keep you safe, warm and dry. These four tents will take care of any need, from the smallest bivy to a roomier traditional tent.

Sleep tight. (Amazon/)

Packed up tight, this bivy is 4 inches high and 7 inches wide. Set up, it’s just big enough for you and your sleeping bag. It’s waterproof and stakes tight to the ground. It weighs just a hair over a pound. It’s all you need when you’re on your own and you want a light, easy place to sleep on your next backcountry outing.

Keep yourself and your bag dry. (Amazon/)

Weighing just 2.5 pounds but containing 20 square feet of floor space, this one-person tent has plenty of room for gear. It has a roomier living space than most in its category and all the bells and whistles including storm flaps on both vestibule zippers, a media pocket for earbud cord routing, and two-tone mesh for privacy while stargazing. The seams are waterproofed and the bottom is ultra-durable. Stay comfortable, wherever you pack yourself into.

Save your money for food. (Amazon /)

This tent has everything you need—a vestibule, waterproof shell, and ventilation window—and nothing you don’t. The tent weighs under 3 pounds and can go with you anywhere.

Stay warm, stay alive. (Amazon/)

This Black Diamond tent is made for four-season adventurers who are just as likely to be sleeping on an ice field than in a campground. Billed as a two-person, this is the right size for one person and gear. It has a single door entry and optional vestibule for more storage. Two internal aluminum poles allow for easy setup.

Arguably the best way to cook for a crowd. (Amazon/)

Maybe you eat grilled meat for every meal because you never really figured out how to cook meat indoors. Maybe you save grilling strictly for weekends, when you can pour yourself a drink and linger over coals. Maybe you need something just a bit fancier. Whatever your cooking habits may be, these grills have you covered from the most basic to the more sophisticated.

Cook to eat. (Amazon/)

If you’re a no-fuss chef with a penchant for weekly grilled meat and not a lot of time, this is the grill for you. The three-burner propane grill allows you to adjust for searing and cooking slowly. It has 529 square inches of cooking space and 30,000 BTU per hour. Add in a push-button lighter, hooks for your grilling tools and tables on either side for food going on and coming off the grill, and you’ll be making nightly meals for years to come.

Grill like a king. (Amazon/)

For a proper backyard barbecue, when the smell of charcoal mixes with seared steak, the Weber Original Kettle can’t be surpassed. The classic design guarantees charcoal perfection each time you pile up the coals and douse them with lighter fluid. Easy-to-use vents allow you to control temperature. The porcelain lid and bowl retain heat and won’t rust. The grill holds up to 13 burgers, or any number of other meats and vegetables.

Savor your barbecue. (Amazon/)

Anyone interested in grilling is probably looking for that smokey flavor that draws millions of people to barbecue restaurants each year and fills neighborhoods with delicious aromas. Now you can be the one making everyone’s mouths water. This grill knows what you want and is programmed to make it happen. A digital heat control feeds pellets for you. It will cook between 160 degrees to up over 400, providing everything you need for perfect meat.

Grill dinner on your balcony or boat. (Amazon/)

Don’t let this little grill’s size fool you. The compact grill can fit up to eight burgers, eight steaks, six to ten chicken breasts, or about four pounds of fish. It’s portable, making it perfect for quick campground barbecues or impromptu picnics at the lake. The best part? It’s only 18 inches long and 12 inches wide, weighing less than 14 pounds.

Warm hands mean longer days doing what you love. (Bonnie Kittle via Unsplash/)

Too often we make excuses for why we stop working and playing when it gets cold. At the top of the list is numb digits. Our fingers don’t work, we say. Frostbite is a real concern. We don’t have the right gear. Toss those excuses aside and invest in the clothes you need to keep you warm—and that starts with gloves. We found four that will keep you warm and functional through whatever Mother Nature sends your way.

Feel your trigger. (Amazon/)

Look at these gloves as an investment in your hands and in your table fare. A flap covering the fingers keeps your hands toasty while you walk and wait. The fingers are warm enough to keep the chill away but thin enough to allow you to feel confident shooting. GORE Windstopper covering the gloves will save your hands from a biting breeze and leather palms provide a no-slip grip for holding your rifle or shotgun.

Keep warm and stay on the job. (Amazon/)

Anyone who has swung a hammer on a 0-degree day knows the right pair of gloves is the difference between getting the job done and spending hours in pain. That’s why these gloves are well suited to hard, outside work with laminated wind barrier and Thinsulate insulation formulated to trap warm air. They also have ripstop reinforcement to repel water and prevent rips and tears. And don’t worry about taking them off for a phone call, one finger on each glove has a touchscreen-compatible pad.

Stay warm as you reel them in. (Amazon/)

Some of the best fishing can be during cold weather. But the combination of water, wind, and below-freezing temperatures is brutal on fingers and hands, and ordinary gloves just don’t cut it. That’s why these Orvis foldover shells are the perfect solution. Mitts keep your fingers warm when you’re not fiddling with flies or lures. When you need the perfect touch, fold the top back and you have access to your fingertips. For the price, buy two and keep the other stored in your pack.

Worry about your lines, not your hands. (Amazon/)

Nothing beats GORE-TEX for warmth and water resistance in the backcountry. These gloves have that plus extra insulation and a removable liner. They’re abrasion-resistant and have four-way stretch to keep you nimble. The goat-leather palm and palm patch allow you to grip your poles, skis or board and foam padding on the knuckles provides impact protection.

Success with dropback steelhead is all about monitoring river conditions. (Joe Cermele/)

Based on my first few attempts, I assumed that suffering was essential to catching steelhead on Great Lakes tributaries. Those early trips, made between December and March, left me with numb extremities, ice-clogged guides, and few, if any, fish. That’s why, during the first week of May a few years back, I almost felt guilty wearing short sleeves while fighting my umpteenth steelhead. A few months prior, during a frustrating midwinter trip to the Salmon River in New York, the clerk at Whitaker’s Sport Store took pity on me and said, “If you really want to catch them good, come back in the spring for the dropbacks.” He was referring to the post-spawn steelhead in the process of returning—or dropping back—to Lake Ontario. After a winter of limited feeding opportunities, these steelhead chow voraciously to regain lost weight, making them much easier to catch. What’s not as easy is figuring out when to show up.

Time Crunching

The peak action may last a couple of weeks at best, and some years, it doesn’t happen at all. An extended period of high, muddy water in spring could send post-spawn steelhead flushing back to the lake in one rapid shot before anglers ever get a chance to target them.

On Great Lakes tributaries, steelhead spawning usually begins in February and can continue into May. Runoff, water levels, and water temperatures all determine when spawning occurs, and that varies from river to river and year to year. The fish linger in the river up to a few weeks after the spawn before warming water sends them to the cool lake depths. This means the best dropback fishing can happen from early April to mid-May.

Joe Diorio, a Connecticut-based charter captain and obsessed steelheader far more experienced with dropbacks than me, watches the water levels above all else. When they return to normal after a spring runoff, he clears his schedule. “I prefer lower water in the spring,” he says. “It concentrates the fish in the deeper holes.”

Cabin fever is real problem. But it's one you can solve. (John Hafner/)

These days there’s enough fear and uncertainty to go around for everyone. Most folks are simply doing their best to hang tough and help keep themselves and others safe the best way they can. Many of us now find ourselves on lockdown, mandated to stay home. Some are lucky to have exceptions, and easy access to the outdoors, but some aren’t. There are a lot of folks out there who are getting a first-hand dose of real cabin fever. Even here in Alaska, we are on stay-at-home orders—and at the tail end of the coldest winter in 44 years. The lockdown comes at the time of year where suicide rates already peak in Alaska. I have no doubt that the situation looks bleak for many people throughout the country, with the psychological pressures of confinement being as real a threat as the virus for many. The good news is that we are resilient, and that we can find ways to cope, and even find some positives.

The long winters of interior Alaska force those of us who live here to come up with ways to fight the cabin fever. The honest truth is that many of us have already chosen social distancing as a lifestyle. So here are some thoughts from a guy who is happy to spend a whole weekend tinkering in his garage.

Find a Project

The most helpful thing that anyone can probably do to fight the boredom is to find things to keep your mind and skills occupied. This is cabin fever 101, and pretty redundant rhetoric, but it really does help. The obvious things that come to mind are board games and card games, Netflix, and social media, but most of these time-killers aren’t really healthy or helpful in occupying your mind.

You need to work on something productive, even if it’s just a small project. This is straightforward for some of us: remodeling work, cars or equipment to tinker with, a backlog of ammunition to handload, or easy access to a fishing lake. Some folks will have to get more creative, but the key is to look for some sort of meaningful work to do, regardless of how silly it may seem, taking into account the resources and access to supplies that you have. I’ve used some down time to build a muzzleloader kit, and I am very much looking forward to hunting with it. The project pulled double duty. It gave me something to work on, but the whole time I was tinkering with it, I was looking forward to the fall hunting season, which gave me a little mental reprieve.

Archery hunting spring longbeards is popular, but it’s not easy. The difference between what has to happen to fill a shotgun tag on a turkey versus what has to happen to skewer one with an arrow is as wide as the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. While it might seem as simple as popping up a blind in a field and yelping until a gobbler struts in, there’s usually a lot more that goes into a successful hunt. Here is how to punch your tag this spring.

Don’t Skip Scouting

Use a trail camera so you know when gobblers are traveling the area you are hunting. (Tony Peterson/)

When you stuff a trio of 3.5” shells into a shotgun and hit the woods at first light, the plan is usually to hear a gobble and get moving. After that it’s a cat-and-mouse game that might involve putting your back to several trees in an attempt to get the bird within that magical 40- or 50-yard line. Then it’s jellyhead time.

When it comes to bowhunting and blinds, the mobility is gone, which means you better be in a spot that the birds want to be in. The only way to ensure this is through scouting. Spending a few days walking the woods and looking for fresh sign, not only beneath roost trees but anywhere the birds might be feeding, will start to clue you into the daily travels of the neighborhood flock.

If you have the option, throw up a couple of trail cameras as well. This will give you the chance to monitor wooded logging roads, small clearings, or simply the field edge that has the most tracks. What you’ll see when you check the camera, are all of the day-long visitors. If you’ve set the date and time stamp correctly, you can dial into the times of day when turkeys are most likely to visit your spot. Better yet, use video mode and set it for the longest-in-duration recording setting. I use two minutes, because if the hens walk by and trip the trigger, it might be 45 seconds before the toms strut through, and I want to see every member of the flock every time they walk past.

English setter puppy Crosby works on basic retrieving with a pigeon. (John Hafner/)

Tom Loy of Tallgrass Gordon Setters sits by the whelping box, where a litter of 3-day-old setter puppies navigate their tiny universe from behind closed eyes. One by one, Loy lifts the puppies from the box and runs them through a series of brief exercises. When he is finished, the puppies go back into the box and crawl close to their mother.

Those lessons continue for the next 13 days, and while the exercises have nothing to do with bird hunting—­­at least, not directly—they effectively teach Loy’s setter puppies how to manage stress. Years later, this early training results in dogs that are less timid, more social, and better equipped to handle the stressful situations that any working dog encounters in the field.

Super Puppies

The program Loy uses (Google “bio sensor programs” for more details) was pioneered by the U.S. military as part of an effort to improve the performance of service dogs. Research shows that shortly after birth, puppies and other mammals are particularly responsive to stimuli, and that early stimulation can improve overall health. Exposing puppies to stimuli has been shown to increase brain function, which boosts overall confidence while reducing stress-linked behaviors such as biting or growling. Originally dubbed “bio-sensor training,” these exercises are now known as the Super Puppy program.

From the age of 3 days to 16 days, each puppy in the program is exposed to five stimuli once each day. These include being held in head-up, head-down, and supine (on the back) positions; cotton-swab stimulation on the paws; and being laid on a cold washcloth. Each phase, which doesn’t inflict pain so much as discomfort, lasts just seconds, and after the training is complete, the dogs are returned to their mother.

For those who prowl the spring woods, there are more prizes out there than gobblers and deer sheds. The morel mushroom can be found as winter loses its grip on the forests. But like any other foraged food, mushrooms pose some hidden hazards and you have to be able to locate the right species before you can make a meal out of them. It takes time and experience to become a legendary morel finder, but these tips wills shorten your learning curve.

What Is A Morel?

Morels typically begin to grow in late March through May. (USFWS/)

There are several species of edible morel mushrooms in North America, and a few toxic species that resemble the edible ones. The yellow morel (also known as the common morel or Morchella esculenta) is one of the easiest to spot. These grow in forested areas, typically in late March to May (depending on the soil temperature). You’ll find them blending into the leaf litter and growing 2 to 4 inches tall with tan, grey, or yellowish coloration. Their color (and irregular pitting) creates a very effective camouflage, protecting them against hungry creatures on two legs or four. The black morel (Morchella elata) is also worth mentioning, as it’s often the first species of the season. This one is smaller than the yellow species, with darker ridges and a yellowish color inside the pits.

Timing Is Everything

Depending on your latitude and elevation, April and May are the most common months to find edible morels. But mushrooms don’t go by calendars, so the timing of their emergence is all about soil temperatures and it has nothing to do with the actual date. When spring runs early, morels will pop early. While mycologists (mushroom scientists) disagree on the exact numbers, the basic parameters are that the soil surface temperature needs to reach 60 degrees for three or more days in a row. This window doesn’t last long, especially during a very warm spring, as these mushrooms stop growing when the soil temperatures are over 62 degrees. One indicator species that also reacts to these temperatures is mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum). When this native woodland wildflower is in bloom, your area is likely to be at the right soil temperature for morels

Clear views. (Paul Gilmore via Unsplash/)

There’s just something special about seeing the woods from an elevated position. And there’s plenty of advantage in that lofty perch as well. There’s no shortage of treestand options available, and we’ve spent hours of time on stand to help us pick the best of the best.

Built for the mobile setup. (Amazon/)

If mobility is what you’re looking for in a treestand, the Vanish Evolution is your stand. Weighing in at just under 11 pounds, the Evolution is easy to carry and its cast aluminum construction is quiet and stable. The padded seat cushion is comfortable and the platform is adjustable to fit varying tree angles.

Roomy, comfortable, and portable option. (Amazon/)

With a generous 28-inch-by-23-inch platform, this all-aluminum option is roomy and stable. The Featherweight Switch can adjust to crooked tree trunks thanks to the adjustable platform and the comfortable seat features nearly three inches of padding. The stand weighs 17 pounds.

Time-tested cast aluminum design. (Amazon/)

Weighing in at about 12 pounds, this sleek stand is ideal for those who love to be mobile in the woods. The Assualt II’s cast aluminum platform is fully adjustable and features an integrated bow-holder. The cinch-strap attachment is quick and silent.

Super-comfortable and easy to hang. (Amazon/)

The M50 features Millenium’s revered zero-gravity seat design that provides true all-day comfort. The roomy platform measures 24 by 30 inches and features a leveling system. The CamLock receiver makes for quick and secure setups in a variety of trees. The stand is made of powder-coated steel and weighs in at 20 pounds.

Sunglasses that will protect your eyes, keep your vision clear, and, crucially, stay on your face. (Katherine Hanlon via Unsplash/)

If you’re ever forgotten your sunglasses while fishing on a sunny spring or summer afternoon, you know that you might as well pack up your gear and call it a today. Because if you’re sight fishing without glasses, you’re effectively casting blind. And even if you’re not sight fishing, it’s zero fun to spend an entire day squinting as you tie knots and change lures. We’ve found four pairs of outdoor-ready eyewear from across the price spectrum—several of which are so cheap, you can buy a pair to leave in your glovebox, tackle box, and fly vest, so you’re never caught without shades again.

High-quality budget sport shades. (Amazon/)

You’d be hard-pressed to beat the Ryders Seventh when it comes to reasonably priced sport sunglasses. The impact-resistant, semi-rim shades boast UV 400 protection and weigh about 2.4 ounces. They also have scratch-resistant finish and adjustable, hydrophilic nose pad and temple tips. The glasses come in several lens options, including polarized, anti-fog, and photochromic variants, the latter of which adjust to sunlight levels.

An affordable Wayfarer alternative. (Amazon /)

Eyewear upstart Goodr makes super-affordable running glasses that fit snugly, are well-built and comfortable, and resemble the classic, perma-cool Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Since the goofily named polarized glasses are designed to neither slip nor bounce while jogging, they’ll no doubt stick to your face while you cast at a rising fish. And if you do happen to scratch and bang up the UV 400 shades while on the river, Goodr offers a one-year warranty, so you can swap them out for a new pair.

Sturdy, affordable shades, backed by a lifetime warranty. (Amazon/)

Made from recycled plastic, the Sunski Navarro, like the Goodr A Ginger’s Soul, recalls the classic Wayfarer but without the high price tag. Designed for sports and active use, the polarized Navarros are comfortable and well-fitting and offer 100-percent UV protection. The glasses tend to cost just a bit more money than similar Goodr models, but the tradeoff is the Sunski’s lifetime warranty, so you can go forth knowing you’re covered in the event of incidental damage.

Top-shelf performance shades that block a crazy amount of sunlight. (Amazon/)

Designed for hardcore mountaineers, the Julbo Shield are high-performance, wide-view sunglasses that are ergonomically designed to grip the face and head. They’re also the most expensive pair of glasses on our list, but not without reason. What really distinguishes the glasses are the high- quality polycarbonate Spectron lenses. The Spectron 4 lenses block 95 percent of visible light, for maximum sun protection while climbing mountains, while the Spectron 3 series is more versatile and suited to most sports.