Category: Hunting

Boone and Crockett Club Announces Decision to Create New Big Game Records Category for Javelina

The Boone and Crockett Club announced today that it will be creating a new category in its big game records for javelina (collared peccary, Pecari tajacu), the first new category created since 2001. The proposal to include a new big game category for javelina was brought forward to B&C’s Big Game Records committee by a working group made up of wildlife managers from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico as well as other hunting conservation groups. Last week, the Committee voted unanimously on the proposal during the Club’s annual meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. That vote is the first step in the process, which will now require creating specific measuring protocols and establishment of minimum scores.

“The decision to add javelina as a trophy species was years in the making and reflects not only the growing appreciation for the species among hunters and wildlife managers, but can bring conservation benefits to javelina and the places it lives,” says Mike Opitz, chair of the Club’s Big Game Records Committee.

The Boone and Crockett Club has been measuring North American big game since 1895 with the original vision for the records program to create a record of what was thought to be the vanishing big game in the country. The big game record book, Records of North American Big Game, was first published in 1932 and serves as a vital record of biological, harvest, and location data on hunter-taken and found trophies based on the principle that the existence of mature, male specimens is an indicator of overall population and habitat health. While often misunderstood, this vision of a “trophy” is not to celebrate the success of a hunter but rather the success of conservation efforts and selective hunting that leads to the presence of larger, older animals on the landscape.

In the proposal’s introduction, the agencies wrote: “Collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), also known locally as javelina, are an important big game animal in the southwestern United States and Mexico. They are managed alongside other big game species, including requirements that hunters follow all regulations in pursuit of the animal across all jurisdictions. This is the first step in taking an animal under the “fair chase” ethic; a concept that originated with the Boone and Crockett Club. Read more

Hunting

Lottery open for chance to hunt bison on Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

HELENA – Hunters have until Dec. 22 to purchase lottery chances for a guided bison hunt on the Blackfeet Reservation. The drawing will be held on Dec. 23. The lottery is a way FWP partners with the Blackfeet Tribe to demonstrate a shared commitment to managing fish and wildlife across the state and to facilitate hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities.

The lottery is open to all hunters – tribal members, nonmembers, Montana residents and nonresidents. Chances are $10 each, and hunters can purchase up to 20 chances. At least 400 bison chances need to be sold or the winner pays $500. Successful hunters can keep the bison’s head, hide and meat.

To enter the drawing, go to fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply. Lottery opportunities can also be purchased at a license provider or an FWP office. For more information, contact the Blackfeet Fish and Game office at 406-338-7207.

Hunting

Ohio’s 2024 Weeklong Deer Gun Hunting Season Results

Ohio hunters checked 87,192 white-tailed deer during the weeklong gun season that concluded on Sunday, Dec. 8, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. This is the highest total since 2011 (90,282). In 2023, hunters reported 70,103 deer during the seven-day gun season, and the three-year average is 70,806.

During the deer gun week, hunters checked 28,606 antlered deer (33% of the total reported) and 58,586 antlerless deer (67%). Antlerless deer includes does and button bucks.

The top 10 counties for deer taken during the gun season were: Read more

Hunting

Last Call: Enter to Win a Trophy Mule Deer Hunt in Alberta

Last chance to enter for your chance to win a 6-day guided trophy mule deer hunt in Alberta. Hunt features a fully guided six-day experience with Trust the Land Outfitters during the rut, taking place from November 3-8, 2025.

The hunt will take place on private land in the foothills of Southern Alberta. The package also includes a cabin equipped with all amenities and delicious home-cooked meals. With an entry of just $20, you could secure an exciting hunt trip while also supporting SCI Foundation’s vital wildlife conservation work. Enter today at https://bit.ly/muledeersweeps.

The last day to enter is December 9th at Midnight MST time.

Contests, Hunting

POMA Updates Membership Categories

The Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) is excited to announce that it has updated its membership categories to better reflect current outdoor media.

Membership in POMA affords a wide range of benefits. From exclusive networking opportunities, to membership directories, to high-level business education, POMA services are primarily focused on helping members build and grow their businesses and keep pace with new media and technology.

“POMA has simplified our membership categories to better serve our media members,” said POMA President Kevin Reese. “As outdoor media has evolved, including social media and gig work, it’s important that we reevaluate our criteria and categories to stay current and inclusive across a broader spectrum of communication platforms.”

Updated Media Membership categories include: Read more

Fishing, Hunting

End of General Hunting Season Brings Low Mule Deer Harvest, Hunter Success in South-Central Montana

Montana’s general big game hunting season ended on Sunday, Dec. 1. In south-central Montana, biological game check stations operated on both Saturday and Sunday in Big Timber, Columbus, Lavina and Billings. Hunters in the region experienced mild, sunny weather with some wind.

Success rates for hunters over the last weekend were below average for all check stations and were some of the lowest on record for three of the four check stations. At three of the four check stations in the region, cumulative mule deer harvest for the season was the lowest on record.

Throughout the season, a total of 4,400 hunters visited the 4 check stations in the region with 451 total harvested mule deer, 398 total white-tailed deer, 271 total elk and 54 total antelope. The general antelope season closed Nov. 10. Read more

Hunting

Michigan Deer Hunting Opportunities This Week, Dec. 8-14

Muzzleloader deer season

  • Muzzleloader season continues through Dec. 15, statewide on public or private land.
  • In zones 2 and 3, you can use all legal firearms that can be used during the regular firearm deer season to take a deer.
  • If you are hunting in the limited firearms deer zone, you must follow equipment requirements for that zone.
  • In the Upper Peninsula (Zone 1), only muzzleloading firearms may be used.
  • See page 53 of the Deer Hunting Regulations Summary for more information.

Archery deer season (late segment)

Hunting

Armageddon Gear’s Hunting Support Bag – The Channel Lock

At only 11 oz (approx.) the Channel Lock hunting support bag gives you the most versatility you can get from any piece of hunting equipment. As a front bag, the channel lock provides superb stability while shooting off of a rock, tree limb, fence post, blind window or stand. Makes an excellent rear bag and is handy as a cushion, glassing and even a pillow for that midday nap.

Comes with ITW Nexus Tac Link to attach to your belt, pack or sling. Made in the USA from American sourced materials. Made with double waxed canvas.

Dimensions: 8L x 7.5W x 3H – Fill: Spexlite Read more

Hunting

MI DNR reminds hunters of legal firearms for muzzleloader season

Dec. 5, 2024
Contact: Katie Gervasi, 517-290-0679

The 2024 muzzleloader deer-hunting season begins Friday and ends at the close of shooting hours on Sunday, Dec. 15. When heading out to enjoy your season, remember that legal equipment and other regulations vary based on where you are hunting.

“As the goals of deer management have changed, so have regulations around muzzleloader season,” said Chad Stewart, Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist. “The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recognizes the abundant deer population in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula and is focusing on ways to increase antlerless harvest. The DNR wants hunters to have every opportunity to maximize success and help manage the deer population in southern Michigan.”

In 2020, due to low hunter success during muzzleloader season, the DNR extended the late antlerless firearm deer-hunting season from Dec. 16-Jan. 1 in the Lower Peninsula.

There is also a new extended late antlerless firearm season from Jan. 2-12 in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula. A discounted antlerless license for this extended hunting season is available for $5 per license.

Additionally, archery deer-hunting season began Dec. 1 and remains open until Jan. 1. For more details on these seasons, see Michigan.gov/Deer.

Muzzleloader season firearm regulations

Zone 1 (Upper Peninsula)

If you are hunting deer with a muzzleloading firearm during the muzzleloader deer-hunting season in Zone 1, you may only possess, carry afield or harvest a deer with a muzzleloading rifle, muzzleloading shotgun or black-powder pistol, loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black-powder substitute.

In the Upper Peninsula, only certified hunters with a disability may use a crossbow or a modified bow during the muzzleloader deer-hunting season.

North of the Limited Firearm Deer Zone (Lower Peninsula)

All legal firearms used for harvesting deer during the regular firearm deer-hunting season (Nov. 15-30) may continue to be used during muzzleloader season.

Limited Firearm Deer Zone (Lower Peninsula)

Hunters taking deer in the Limited Firearm Deer Zone may take deer using a crossbow, bow or a firearm that meets the following requirements:

  • Shotguns may have a smooth or rifled barrel and may be of any gauge.
  • A muzzleloading rifle or black powder handgun must be loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black powder substitute.
  • Conventional (smokeless powder) handguns must be .35-caliber or larger and loaded with straight-walled cartridges and may be single- or multiple-shot but cannot exceed a maximum capacity of nine rounds in the barrel and magazine combined.
  • A .35-caliber or larger rifle must be loaded with straight-walled cartridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches.
  • A .35-caliber or larger air rifle or pistol must be charged only from an external, high-compression power source.

Hunter orange requirements apply for anyone using a muzzleloader or other firearm during the muzzleloader season. Hunter orange does not apply for individuals using a crossbow or archery equipment to take deer during the muzzleloader season.

Hunters are required to report their deer kills within 72 hours of harvest.

Current regulations and harvest reporting are available through the DNR’s Hunt Fish app, online at Michigan.gov/Deer or with the help of staff at DNR customer service centers.

Hunting

Boone & Crockett: Why Some Entries Get Rejected

By PJ DelHomme 

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On rare occasions, a trophy will be rejected for entry into the Boone and Crockett Club’s big game records. The reasons aren’t as juicy as you might think.

In 2023, the Boone and Crockett Club Records Department, which consists of Kyle Lehr (director) and Jennifer Schwab (assistant director), processed and recorded 1292 entries. They rejected 141 of them for an acceptance rate of 89 percent.

Lehr and Schwab are assisted by an army of Official Measurers (OMs) who volunteer their time and expertise to meet with hunters who think they have an animal with horns, antlers, tusks, or skull large enough to meet the minimum requirement of the record book. These OMs are tasked with scoring the trophy based on the Club’s scoring system. The hunters or the OMs then submit it to Club headquarters in Missoula. Once submitted, Lehr and Schwab go through that paperwork to ensure every entry meets the Club’s basic requirements for entry into the records. Most times, entry packets are complete and make it to the finish line. The hunter’s trophy is ranked and placed among more than 58,000 existing records. Other times, there’s a problem.

“Sometimes we might need a signature, or maybe there are a couple of pieces of missing documentation,” Lehr says. “If a trophy qualifies for the record book, we want it to be in the records. We are happy to follow up with hunters and trophy owners to make sure they get recognition.” Then again, it doesn’t always work out.

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Top Reasons Why Entries Get Rejected

Read more

Hunting
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