Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

A male sockeye salmon. (Bjorn Dihle/)

Editor’s note: Bjorn Dihle is a lifelong resident of Alaska, and an advocate for Alaska’s wild habitat and natural resources. You can find him on Instagram and Facebook.

Today, a host of conservation and news organizations received via the U.S. Postal Service the final Environmental Impact Statement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska. This paves the way for the federal permit the controversial mine needs in order to proceed, which will likely be issued within 30 days now that the final Environmental Impact Statement has been released. With the current political atmosphere, the Pebble Partnership is now in position to bulldoze through the final state and local permits required to start development in the wild country of the Alaska Peninsula, where a fully realized mining district would likely spell the death of Bristol Bay and its incredible sockeye salmon runs, the largest on the planet.

Many Alaskans, myself included, have strong ties to the area and its incredible natural resources. In a recent poll, 62% of Alaskans said they’re opposed to Pebble. Former governor Jay Hammond and former senator Ted Stevens (both Republicans and likely the most influential Alaskan politicians in recent history) strongly opposed the mine. Many believe you can either have salmon or you can have the Pebble Mine, but you can’t have both.

And many Alaskan outdoorsmen and women have good memories from hunting and fishing the area. My dad had taken me and my two brothers on a caribou hunt there when we were teenagers. I remembered a blond grizzly rising from the brush and glowering as a herd of caribou flooded across the hilly tundra north of Lake Iliamna. My younger brother and I knelt, watching two big bear cubs appear. We’d just about gotten within rifle range of a group of massive white-maned bulls but, now, with the bears nearby, we weren’t eager to push our luck. We backtracked to our dad without firing a shot. A few hours later, we lay on the tundra as hundreds of caribou filed by us only 40 yards away. Twenty years have passed since that once-in-a-lifetime hunt, but the memories of thousands of caribou moving across the tundra and red salmon filling the waterways of that big wild country remain crisp to this day.

I hadn’t heard of Pebble Mine back then, nor did I realize that we were hunting atop the proposed mine’s deposit of gold, copper, and molybdenum. A few years after that hunt, geologists announced the deposit to be the world’s largest untapped resource of gold and copper, and estimated its worth at $500 billion. The idea of a mine in that location was met with staunch opposition in Alaska. And for good reason—the region has the world’s largest run of sockeye salmon, which is vital for the area’s mostly Native population and the $1.5 billion commercial fishery that supports 14,500 jobs and an array of other industries, including guiding sport anglers, hunters, and bear watchers.

A male sockeye salmon. (Bjorn Dihle/)

Editor’s note: Bjorn Dihle is a lifelong resident of Alaska, and an advocate for Alaska’s wild habitat and natural resources. You can find him on Instagram and Facebook.

Today, a host of conservation and news organizations received via the U.S. Postal Service the final Environmental Impact Statement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska. This paves the way for the federal permit the controversial mine needs in order to proceed, which will likely be issued within 30 days now that the final Environmental Impact Statement has been released. With the current political atmosphere, the Pebble Partnership is now in position to bulldoze through the final state and local permits required to start development in the wild country of the Alaska Peninsula, where a fully realized mining district would likely spell the death of Bristol Bay and its incredible sockeye salmon runs, the largest on the planet.

Many Alaskans, myself included, have strong ties to the area and its incredible natural resources. In a recent poll, 62% of Alaskans said they’re opposed to Pebble. Former governor Jay Hammond and former senator Ted Stevens (both Republicans and likely the most influential Alaskan politicians in recent history) strongly opposed the mine. Many believe you can either have salmon or you can have the Pebble Mine, but you can’t have both.

And many Alaskan outdoorsmen and women have good memories from hunting and fishing the area. My dad had taken me and my two brothers on a caribou hunt there when we were teenagers. I remembered a blond grizzly rising from the brush and glowering as a herd of caribou flooded across the hilly tundra north of Lake Iliamna. My younger brother and I knelt, watching two big bear cubs appear. We’d just about gotten within rifle range of a group of massive white-maned bulls but, now, with the bears nearby, we weren’t eager to push our luck. We backtracked to our dad without firing a shot. A few hours later, we lay on the tundra as hundreds of caribou filed by us only 40 yards away. Twenty years have passed since that once-in-a-lifetime hunt, but the memories of thousands of caribou moving across the tundra and red salmon filling the waterways of that big wild country remain crisp to this day.

I hadn’t heard of Pebble Mine back then, nor did I realize that we were hunting atop the proposed mine’s deposit of gold, copper, and molybdenum. A few years after that hunt, geologists announced the deposit to be the world’s largest untapped resource of gold and copper, and estimated its worth at $500 billion. The idea of a mine in that location was met with staunch opposition in Alaska. And for good reason—the region has the world’s largest run of sockeye salmon, which is vital for the area’s mostly Native population and the $1.5 billion commercial fishery that supports 14,500 jobs and an array of other industries, including guiding sport anglers, hunters, and bear watchers.

The author with a limit of Canada geese from his first hunt in Manitoba. (Joe Genzel/)

The first guided waterfowl hunt I ever went on was almost my last. At the time, I was a rookie outdoor writer and had never hunted more than 30 minutes from home. Now, I was thousands of miles away from Illinois, chasing puddle ducks and geese on the Canadian prairie. Our guide was an ostentatious American. At best he was a blow hard. In reality, he was a poacher. Several years after I hunted with him, he plead guilty to multiple migratory bird law violations, including burying untagged birds and shooting at ducks from inside his vehicle in order to scare them up for a hunting party. He paid more than $20,000 in fines and lost his outfitting license.

This year, many American waterfowl hunters likely won’t be able to make it to the Canadian prairie this fall due to the U.S.-Canada border shutdown. Outfitters will be operating in new locations here in the States to try and recoup some of the money they would have made up north. And it’s clear that folks are eager to hunt the Prairie Pothole Region even if they can’t get into Canada. South Dakota saw an increase of more than 1,500 non-resident applications from 2019 to this year (which is considerable), according to Jona Ohm, the strategic communications director for South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks.

With more waterfowlers looking to book hunts in the Lower 48, it could be a very lucrative season for guides in the U.S. But that could also open the door to fly-by-night operations interested in lining their pockets, but not staying legal. You’ll need to be on the lookout for guides who aren’t playing by the rules this fall.

When I hunted with an outfitter for the first time, I was green, and couldn’t identify the bad habits of an illegitimate guide. Now that I am a more experienced and a bit more well-traveled, I recognize that there were multiple signs that he was breaking the law. If you’re going to hunt with an outfitter this year, particularly a new one you don’t have a relationship with, follow these tips so you know what to watch out for.

1. Review the Camp

There’s nothing wrong with focusing on new rifle cartridges, but we shouldn’t forget the old standbys, like the .30/06. (Howard Communications/)

Read any given article about a new cartridge or bullet and it’s clear that there’s an unquenchable thirst for the new and improved. Some would argue there’s also a lack of appreciation for what already works. At least that’s how it comes across to many readers. While many shooters love chasing the next best thing, there seems to be a whole other segment of readers who are dissatisfied with the lack of attention paid to their favorite old cartridges. What’s going on?

If you’re reading this, you have no doubt seen—and maybe even participated in—the comment threads below many ammunition-specific articles. There is a spectrum of opinions and feedback, but almost inevitably, you will see comments suggesting that gun writers today have abandoned the tried and true cartridges in pursuit of the new and flashy. If I were to write a story on my experience shooting the 6.5 Creedmoor, there will be at least one or two responses on how it’s not any more effective than the 6.5x55 or .260 Remington. And there will probably be a couple disgruntled comments from .308 die-hards. If I write a story about a new .308 factory load, you’ll see comments bemoaning the fact that I’ve ignored cartridges like the .280 Rem., .270 Win., and others.

The old saying, “you can’t make everybody happy” has never been more true, but rather than just write off these folks as old-school grumps, I think a little perspective could do everyone some good.

Ammo Loyalty

If you have found an ammo you love, great. But don’t disparage other hunters or shooters for wanting to try something new. (Winchester/)

We each develop our own tastes and preferences for the tools we use. When it comes to falling in love with our favorite cartridges and their applications, there are many contributing factors. For some of us, it’s sentimental, with specific memories, people, and experiences tied to what is stamped into the back of that case. For others, it’s specific experiences of performance that cement a cartridge in our psyche. Whatever the reason, it’s easy to take offense (apparently) when our sweetheart of a powder burner doesn’t get the attention that we feel it deserves.

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The term “space age” doesn’t pack the descriptive punch that it once did. After all, it dates to 1957, when the Ruskies launched Sputnik, a 22-inch metal sphere, into orbit, scaring the bobby socks off the rest of the world. However, there’s no better label for the new material that’s been developed by Polar Rifle Barrels for Ultimate Arms and other gunmakers. It is a magnesium alloy that has been used on space shuttle rocket boosters, so it is not only super light, but it dissipates heat like nobody’s business. During the forging process, the barrels are cryogenically treated (hence, “polar”) to reduce friction, which minimizes heat buildup, improves barrel life, and should help with accuracy. I had a chance to try out a couple of the first firearms made with this metal, called ZK Magna, earlier this summer.

An Off-hand .50

One was Ultimate Arm’s new magazine-fed .50 BMG sniper rifle, the Warmonger LR25-Magna. A rifle configured like the Warmonger will typically hit the scales at 30 to 35 pounds. A 31-inch steel barrel or a .50 BMG normally weighs 15 pounds or more. Forged from ZK Magna, the Warmonger’s barrel is just 4½ pounds.

All in, with a scope and bipod, the rifle is a little more than 14 pounds, meaning it can be fired from the shoulder without difficulty, something no other .50 can boast. That discounts the difficulty that goes with shooting a cartridge that generates about 13,000 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle, more than three times that of a .300 Win. Mag.

Make sure you're seen. (Robson Hatsukami Morgan via Unsplash/)

We’ve all been driving at night and noticed someone running or riding a bike on the side of the road with no lights or reflective gear and had to swerve a bit. It’s scary and dangerous. Don’t be that person. Reflective gear is easy-to-bring and lightweight, plus it may well save your life. Below, a few of the most common items you may need.

Running, walking or riding, stay visible. (Amazon/)

During the day this may hardly qualify as a vest, but at night, in headlights, it will light you up super bright. The vest has reflective tape for oncoming cars and also has front and back LED strobe lights. The ultra-bright lights have a long battery life and will alert even sleepy drivers. It’s also lightweight and easy to wear.

Don’t mess with Fido’s life. (Amazon/)

If you’re worried a motorist won’t see you at night, you should be even more nervous about your dog. But this vest will fix any worries of Fido blending into the night sky. It can change between eight solid colors and six multicolor flashing and slow fading color modes. The harness offers 360 degree illumination, reflectivity and fluorescence and can be visible up to half a mile away. The recharging battery offers up to 12 hours of illumination.

Be seen. (Amazon/)

If a vest isn’t for you, we understand. Consider these glow in the dark armbands. The basic model is perfect for any minimalist working out at night. Strap them to your arms and alert any passing motorist as your arms move. The batteries last between 50 and 70 hours and come in a variety of colors.

Don’t clothesline yourself in the dark. (Amazon/)

It may not seem intuitive, but reflective rope is really handy in camp. Use this to anchor your tent to a tree, and then be able to see it at night. Tie down gear on your truck and be able to find it in any condition. This cord is lightweight and tough; you won’t regret adding it to the gear in your truck, camper or car.

You can’t catch the same pressured bass year in and year out with one lure, so unless we keep showing these fish different baits, they get wise to our tricks. Here’s a look at some of the new bass baits introduced at ICAST.

1. 13 Fishing Shadow Spin

The Shadow Spin sports a custom aluminum prop on its nose. (13 Fishing/)

Spybaits have recently exploded onto the bass scene, but 13 Fishing gives this stealthy technique a new twist by integrating elements of swimbaits to the spybaiting game. Like standard spybaits, the Shadow Spin sports a custom machined aluminum prop on its nose, but its back end features a wedge-tail paddle. The result is a subtle bait with flash and vibration, complemented by a kicking action. Balanced for an attention-getting shimmy on the fall, the Shadow Spin includes HD Holographic eyes, high-def finishes and VMC Premium PTFE coated hybrid treble hook. ($20; 13fishing.com)

2. A Band of Anglers Dartprop Pro SK A

The Dart Prop will stand up to aggressive bites. (A Band of Anglers/)

Expanding the Hyperlastics line, renowned lure designer Patrick Sebile created this minnow-style bait with props at both ends for flashy, enticing motion throughout the water column. The proprietary Softough material provides a supple, buoyant profile that’s strong enough to stand up to aggressive bites. Fixed to a weighted EWG hook, the front prop steadily spins when the bait is in motion, while the molded-in rear prop spins erratically with various retrieves. At 5 1/2 inches and 5/8 ounce, the Dartprop Pro is available in six colors. ($10; www.abandofanglers.com)

Start them off young. (Adam Sherez via Unsplash/)

We’re thrilled you’re in the market for kids fishing rods and reels. The world needs more anglers, and starting them young will pay off for you in the long run. But what do you need? Should you buy something basic and inexpensive figuring your angler-to-be may well lose interest? Should you pick up something pricier that will last longer? Some of those answers are best left up to you, but we’re here to help break down four solid options.

Start them young. (Amazon/)

If you think 3 years old is too young for fishing, think again. All your little tyke needs is this basic starter rod and reel kit and something to clip on the end. Reel in a catch every time. As he or she outgrows the plastic fish, tie on a real hook and go for it.

Buy it all. (Amazon/)

We don’t blame you if you’re not sure what you need for your child’s first fishing outing. So stop worrying about it and just buy a set that includes everything. This combination includes a tackle box, plenty of hooks, weight, bobbers and lures, a net, a rod and reel, and even a convenient bag to hold it all. Throw this in the boat or take it to the beach and watch your child discover fishing.

Keep them engaged. (Amazon/)

Maybe your kid outgrew the Micky Mouse rod you bought him or her years ago. Maybe your child wants to get started and is too old for a Disney character rod. Take a look at this one. The 6-foot rod has two pieces and an all-metal body and handle. It’s good for right or left-handed anglers and comes spooled with 100 yards of 10-pound line. When fishing starts to get serious, bring this one along.

They’re old enough to start. (Amazon/)

Fly fishing is most certainly an art, but it’s an art that even young kids can figure out. When your child is ready to begin fishing with more than a spinning rod, consider this set up. It has four pieces and comes with a reel, line, and a convenient case to keep it all safe. It has a soft action and shorter rod length with a small, two-handed grip to help them learn even earlier.

The author’s very average, very effective, 37-yard group. (Alex Robinson/)

I am not a professional archer. You won’t see me winning any national 3D tournaments or catch me doing burpees before the Total Archery Challenge. But I am, proudly, an effective average-joe bowhunter. I started shooting a compound when I was 12, and killed my first deer with one when I was 14. As a kid, my dad and I would shoot in the backyard a couple nights every week. He’d usually crack a cold beer or two to take the edge off after a long day of work at his welding shop, and maybe light up a cigar to keep the bugs away. We’d shoot until mom had dinner ready. This was back before shooting a bow was about “getting reps.”

While shooting at public ranges and deer camps over the years, I’ve noticed there are a whole lot of archers just like Dad, who squeeze in an hour of practice after work whenever they can. Practice for them is about getting dialed in for the fall but also about enjoying a quiet summer evening. As I have gotten more bowhunting seasons under my belt, I’ve evolved those shooting sessions with Dad and learned how to make sure I’m getting the most out of my practice time. Changing up my shooting routine keeps practice sessions fun, and it’s more representative of the shooting conditions and positions I’ll experience during a hunt. What we all care most about is making a good, clean shot on an animal right? That means we should be practicing specifically for the shots we’ll get during a hunt. So if you’re one of us, an average-joe archer with an eye toward fall, check out the tips below and keep flinging arrows.

1. Make sure your bow, arrows, and form are tuned

First things first, it’s impossible to get better if you’re shooting with improper, inconsistent form. If you’re totally new to archery, I highly suggest getting some instruction from a pro. If you’re a veteran and know what good form looks and feels like, have your spouse, kid, or shooting buddy film a few of your shots from a couple different angles. You might notice flaws in your form or weird habits you’ve developed. You can work on those through the summer. It’s equally important to make sure your bow is tuned to your arrows. Either have the local bowshop give it a once over or run through this very simple paper tuning drill. If you’re going to spend a summer shooting your bow, you might as well make sure that it’s tuned properly.

2. Don’t get obsessed with shooting long range

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.