Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

Fish Just After a Rainstorm Fishing after a rainstorm can be surprisingly productive — here's why: 1. Increased Oxygen Levels Rain stirs up the water and boosts oxygen content, especially near the surface. Fish become more active and may feed more aggressively. 2. Washed-In Food Sources Rain runoff carries insects, worms, and other food into lakes,...

Photo Courtesy of Eastmans’ Publishing   Modoc, Plumas, Sierra and Shasta county officials have recently declared that the wolves they’ve been forced to live in close proximity to are a threat to the well being of the people. In other words, those folks are afraid that the wolves, who have a penchant for killing livestock in and around homes and ra

How Hunters Fund Conservation in North America  1. Pittman-Robertson Act (1937) Officially the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, it was passed in 1937 in the U.S. It places an excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. The money is distributed to state wildlife agencies for: Habitat restoration Wildlife research and moni...

1. Eastern Wild Turkey Range: Eastern U.S. and parts of southeastern Canada Appearance: Large size Dark brown to black body feathers with a metallic sheen Chestnut-brown tail feather tips Notes: Most widespread subspecies Known for loud, classic gobble Thrives in hardwood forests and mixed terrain 2. Osceola Wild Turkey (Florida Wild Turkey) Range:...

1. Know the Ice Thickness Guidelines Before stepping onto the ice, make sure it's thick enough to support your activity: 4 inches – Safe for walking and fishing 5–7 inches – Safe for snowmobiles or ATVs 8–12 inches – Needed for small cars or light trucks Ice thickness can vary dramatically, so check often as you move. 2. Check Ice Conditions Freque...

Drawing a longbow on a wily gobbler may seem impossible, yet it can be done with the right gear.  You will need a pop-up hunting blind that is tall enough to allow you to draw and shoot without a limb striking material.  Next, you will want decoys, probably a jake and a hen in the breeding position.  Post the decoys no more than 10 yards from your

Learn to Read the Water is one of the most valuable skills in trout fishing. Understanding how trout interact with current, depth, and structure can dramatically increase your success. Here's how to do it: 1. Focus on Current Seams Where fast and slow water meet (called a seam), trout often wait to ambush food drifting by. Cast just along these lin...

Get In Early, Stay Late is a time-tested deer hunting strategy that plays into deer movement patterns and hunter advantage. Here's how to make the most of it: Why Get In Early? Beat the deer to their spots: Deer are most active at dawn, often moving from feeding areas back to bedding zones. Avoid detection: Arriving before first light lets you sett...

Look for Structure is one of the most important trout fishing tips you can follow. Structure refers to natural or man-made features in or around the water that offer trout shelter, food, or current breaks. Here's how and why to use it to your advantage: Why Structure Matters: Shelter: Trout like places where they can rest and hide from predators. F...

Excalibur, the most trusted name in recurve-style crossbows, has gone hybrid by adding the increased power stroke of cams and compound technology.  I have had a Micro 360 Excalibur Crossbow for nearly 10 years, and it shoots as well as the day I received it.  It’s never been re-strung or relaxed and keeps launching accurate arrows from a simple rec

Seeing an adult doe with twin fawns used to be the rule but increasingly seems to be the exception. Most herds are still healthy but recruitment rates seem to be declining nationwide. Fortunately, there are ways to improve the situation. If you want more fawn production, you need more does, but maintaining a healthy deer crop requires sufficient ye

Wearing full camouflage is essential for successful turkey hunting because wild turkeys have incredibly sharp eyesight and can detect the slightest movement or color contrast. Here's how to do it right: Why Camouflage Matters Turkeys can see in color and have near-360-degree vision. They detect even small movements and inconsistencies in your outli...

Saddle hunting or box blind?  Ironically, sometimes polar opposite approaches can reach the same result.  Here’s the case for an enclosed, elevated blind.  Once a tactic only popular in the South, the “shooting house” concept has become commonplace thanks to commercial offerings such as The Shadow Hunter shown in the image above.  Hunters post thes

If you're new to fishing, choosing the right beginner fishing rod can make the experience more enjoyable and less frustrating. Here's a simple guide to help you pick a great starter setup: 1. Spinning Rod and Reel Combo Best for: Most beginners, especially freshwater fishing. Why: Easy to use, versatile, and great for casting light lures or bait. L...

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — As part of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s groundbreaking Habitat for the Hatch Initiative, the Missouri NWTF State Chapter is championing innovative conservation efforts by aiding in funding the development of a Turkey Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model. This project represents a pivotal step toward reversing wild turkey