MISSOULA, Mont.  – Long considered the “The Book” of big game records, Boone and Crockett Club’s “Records of North American Big Game” is the nation’s most complete big game records book, cataloging the greatest big game specimens taken in North America. The Boone and Crockett Club is the world’s foremost authority on native North American big game and its 14th edition is now available for purchase.

With the addition of 5,000-plus new entries and nearing the 1,000-page mark, for the first time in history, this new edition is split into a two-volume set for easier reading and handling. These one-of-a-kind records books continue their long-standing reputation as the official keeper of big game records of North America and features more than 32,000 trophy listings, including B&C final and gross scores with detailed measurements, plus hunter, location and year taken. Read more

2018 spring turkey hunting applications can be purchased now through Feb. 1! You can purchase your application online at E-license or anywhere hunting licenses are sold. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Record low temperatures have a way of reminding us why we prepare.  No longer do we old timers have reason to exclaim our superior toughness for fighting off the effects of some forgotten winter of yesteryear; anyone reading this has now been there.  Cold is still cold.

When the founder of the Boys Scouts of America, Robert Baden-Powell, was asked about its motto, “Be prepared,” the question was “for what?”  The answer was “anything.”

Obviously, that covers a lot of territory but the bitterness of this season’s seemingly perpetual clippers has either demonstrated one’s readiness or lack thereof.   Those “could-haves” and “should-haves” become as obvious as winter itself.  For the late-season deer hunter, being prepared has its rewards, however.

Having equipment that performs in extreme conditions can mean the difference between filling the freezer and explaining away an unfilled tag.  Using too much or the wrong type of oil on a gun’s action can cause failure in the cold, for example.

Muzzleloaders being brought in from the cold into warmer confines can spell misfires, unless powder charges and primers are refreshed.  Heck, why are you saving these components anyway?  They don’t store well from season to season anyway.

Stand hunting has become popular ever since the rules were changed to permit elevated blinds.  And, this is when they’ll pay off.  I mean who’s going to plunk their tailbone onto a bucket without some type of shelter?  Even a portable shelter can get the job done, as long as it isn’t neglected and subsequently collapses under the weight of snow. 

Hunters that prepared by planting food plots will now experience the fruit of their labor.  Turnips or beets are readily available for deer now requiring more fuel than ever before in their relatively short lives.  They will come now with daylight to spare – many from afar.  They too must prepare for an endurance test heretofore unknown to them. 

Preventing a deer from freezing after field dressing is also a necessity under most circumstances.  It must be cooled but not frozen before processing, and that’ll take some forethought, as well; to do otherwise is to contribute to these oft spoken words:  “I don’t like venison!”

And, so the time has come for the Boy Scout/hunter to earn his hunting merit badge.  Very few will bear the brunt of Mother Nature’s extreme cruelness in these final two days of Michigan’s late antlerless firearms deer season but those prepared have another chance – a chance to test wills and skills.

 For hunters in Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland Counties:  Shed bucks may be tagged as antlerless deer through January 31; however, the DNR encourages hunters to harvest does on antlerless licenses when possible.  More here…

By Glen Wunderlich

It’s uncanny how television hunters are able to take big game animals on the last hour of the last day of a given season.  The suspenseful shows add to the drama of a hunter, who’s spent a small fortune, yet has come up empty as the sun finishes its appearance for the day.  Then, out of nowhere comes a waltzing wall-hanger and the next scene is nothing but high fives and hero poses. 

Sure it’s real – just like the camera operator that somehow always seems to get to the downed animal first and records the “surprised” hunter locating the prize.  But, when there are no TV cameras, and a hunter finds success on the first day of a 90-day season, priorities change for the meat hunter in search of more.  So, it has been for this seasoned deer hunter. 

With a good buck in the freezer, it was time to repay a generous, non-hunting neighbor, who loves venison but does not hunt.  But, with a full three months remaining, faith provided patience.

What was left of the early archery season came and went with my only buck tag filled.  Regular firearms deer season had arrived without the usual anticipation, but that changed when I learned that my great grandson would accompany me on opening weekend.

Within the dark confines of a portable blind, we watched intently, as a buck fawn entered the brassica field a scant 30 yards from us.  Soon thereafter, another button buck emerged and headed toward the other one with its head down and spoiling for a showdown of wills.  I whispered to my greenhorn sidekick that there was going to be a tussle, and sure enough, a short match of toughness ensued and finished just as fast.

Then, five more antlerless deer came into view and promptly began feeding some 60 yards in front of us.  As we watched the interaction of the group, my inexperienced partner made a quick move that was picked off by one of the adults.  I whispered, “Don’t move”, as we became the focus of a stare-down.  The wise leader of the group became nervous and edged farther away from us – all the while tuned in to the mysterious movement within.  The teachable moment concluded with the group following the leader directly away from us with their lives intact.

Muzzleloading season seemed more like going through the motions of hunting, as I couldn’t help but anticipate the late firearms antlerless season for one burning reason:  field testing a new Ruger American rifle in .450 Bushmaster caliber.

On the second day of the late season, a group of five whitetail deer busted out from the timber, as one lone matriarch led the way.  There was nothing left to do but to find out if my paper-punching practice would pay off in venison dividends.  With a steady hold at 125 yards and a single squeeze of the trigger, that that $12 antlerless deer tag became a good deal – especially for my neighbor, who would get the heavy 3 ½ year-old doe.

The animal-rights movement loves to tell the media and non-hunting public that the use of bait for spring bear hunting is unethical and unfair, resulting in a slam-dunk slaughter of animals. Nothing can be further from the truth.

Enjoy this episode of ScoutLook’s The Hunger series for a spring bear hunt over bait as Brian Lynn, Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president of marketing and communications, explains how the Alliance protects hunting, fishing and trapping during an especially challenging hunt in Idaho.