Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)
We set up in the early morning darkness and hid in a blown-down boxelder tree and waited for the world to wake up. Ammo was 12-gauge factory 1 1/8 ounce of #8s with modified chokes. Ran the fighting crow sounds and dying crow with an old FoxPro caller. Decoys included a coyote, lots of feathers, a dozen crow decoys, a Mojo Crow and a Tyvek crow tied to a bamboo rod with monofilament. The elaborate spread goes well with the fighting crow sounds – especially, anything with movement to catch their sharp eyes.
Tip: Don’t use shot larger than 7 1/2 for best results.
DENVER – Get ready for heart-pounding action and unparalleled marksmanship as the highly anticipated twelfth series of Wild Boar Fever, Wild Boar Fever: Spain presented by Aimpoint is set to make its debut on Outdoor Channel on Sunday, September 3 at 10am ET, with one episode of the six-part series being released weekly. The series will then be released globally on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) with the first three episodes premiering on Tuesday, September 5, followed by the final three episodes on Tuesday, September 19.
Wild Boar Fever, a show that has captivated outdoor enthusiasts worldwide for a quarter of a century, showcases the adrenaline-filled pursuit of hunting European driven boar in the picturesque mountains of Spain’s Castile-La Mancha region, where world-class riflemen from across the globe join forces to pursue running boar in challenging conditions.
Follow the show’s charismatic star and skilled marksman, Franz-Albrecht Oettingen-Spielberg, as he provides a masterclass in the art of shooting running boar. Joining him are renowned industry experts, Neil Davies from US-ammunition giant, Hornady, and Carl Gustav from the leading Swedish optics manufacturer, Aimpoint. Together, they present a synergy of skill and technology that will leave audiences in awe.
Although still relatively new to U.S. audiences, European driven boar hunting is an exhilarating experience that involves more than a bolt-action rifle and steady nerves. Read more
High Point, NC – The Single System from Full Range Hanging Systems offers the ideal way to display a hard-earned trophy.
Unlike traditional options, the Single System allows you to rotate a shoulder mount 180 degrees for the perfect angle to showcase your trophy in any space. It features a durable steel plate with an 8-inch arm that pivots in two places as well as all the hardware necessary to securely install the system to a wall stud. Perfect for displaying whitetails, mule deer, antelope, sheep and more, the Single System can hold mounts up to 35 pounds.
New from Fish Monkey and Hunt Monkey is a specialized line of merino wool performance socks which are specifically designed for fishing and hunting. These products are proudly made in the United States and offer a 100-percent customer satisfaction guarantee.
First up are the lightweights, designed for warm weather in the field or on the water. There’s a no-show that’s perfect with athletic shoes, then a mini crew and a boot crew for use with ankle boots. Finally, there’s an over-the-calf design for full-length boots or waders. Each of these is moisture wicking, with a lightweight merino wool blend construction, cushioning in the heel and toe, ventilation panels, arch support and a seamless toe design to prevent chafing.
The mediumweights offer a bit more body and warmth without being overly bulky. Two designs—a medium boot crew and an over-the-calf—are designed for cool to cold conditions and are perfect when paired with waders, leather boots or rubber muck boots when hunting or fishing. They share the similar characteristics of ventilation panels, ankle and arch compression and support and a cushioned footbed, plus a non-slip calf design. Read more
A 7% drop in population estimates underscores need for continued conservation
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Aug. 18, 2023 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)released its report on 2023 Waterfowl Population Status based on surveys conducted in May and early June by FWS, Canadian Wildlife Service and other partners.
Total populations were estimated at 32.3 million breeding ducks in the traditional survey area, a 7% drop from 2022’s estimate of 34.7 million and 9% below the long-term average (since 1955).
DU Chief Scientist Dr. Steve Adair said the overall numbers reflect a complex relationship between waterfowl, weather and habitat availability.
“These results are somewhat disappointing, as we had hoped for better production from the eastern prairies following improved moisture conditions in spring of 2022,” Adair said. “Last year’s nesting season was delayed with April snowstorms and May rains which likely impacted overall production. In the past, we have seen population growth lag moisture conditions as small, shallow wetlands recover from the lingering impacts of severe drought.”
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)
Back in the ‘70s, I became familiar with an expert in the art of handgun hunting, Bob Milek. His skills intrigued me to the point that I purchased the ultimate handgun designed for hunting or target shooting: the Thompson/Center Contender single-shot pistol. Its interchangeable barrel configuration allows the firearm to be converted from the most diminutive rimfire cartridges to dangerous game calibers typically found only in big-game rifles. Although the pistol is no longer produced, they are still widely available.
Below: I shoot the Custom Contender with 500-grain Hornady round nose.
Although the Contender was designed for the hunter, Michigan initially excluded single-shot pistols from use afield in Zone III – the Southern zone. Imagine the thinking, or lack thereof, behind the ban. I couldn’t understand our lawmakers’ logic, but a year later they came to their senses and made them legal with straight-wall cartridges similar to today’s laws for long guns in Zone III. Over the years, I’ve used pistols to take everything from small game to whitetail deer with various calibers from .22 long rifle to sledgehammer-like .45/70 caliber custom loads.
T/C Contender in .45/70 Custom JDJ Barrel and EOTech Optic
Here is the law relative to hunting with pistols in Michigan: A conventional (smokeless powder) handgun 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. Note that this rule differs from that of rifles in Zone III in that there are no cartridge case length restrictions.
If you decide to test your skills afield with a pistol, here are some tips to get the job done.
* Eye and ear protection is highly recommended. Electronic ear muffs are a good option.
* Hunting from a tree stand or raised platform is legal with pistols. To steady shots, treestand safety rails make for good shooting rests. Make sure there is padding on the rail; any hard surface rest is to be avoided.
* If hunting from an enclosed shooting blind, use of sandbags or a bipod is recommended.
* If still hunting, look for trees as rests when pausing, using your off hand for support. Another option is to employ commercial shooting sticks, but some folks fashion their own to save money.
* Unless one hunts in confined areas where shots are within 50 yards or less, having a scoped handgun will increase accuracy. Typically, long-eye relief scopes are used, but limit the magnification to a maximum of 6 power or less. Anything greater can cause a hunter to fumble with locating targets in the heat of the moment.
* Consider red dot optics without any magnifying lens for quick target acquisition. Aimpoint and EOTech optics are some of the finest on the market and are worth a look, although pricey.
T/C Contender with EOTech Optic
* Holsters are a must to keep both hands free to climb or otherwise traverse the landscape.
In summary, handgun hunting can be rewarding for those seeking a challenge. However, the 9 out of 10 rule always applies: You must be able to keep shots within a conservative bull’s eye of 6 inches in diameter 9 out of 10 shots. If you can’t, get closer to the target until you meet the critical, self-imposed ethical standards.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. –– Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, is now shipping new laser rangefinder models right in time for deer season: the Bone Collector 1000 and Bone Collector 1800.
Designed in conjunction with Bone Collector’s Michael Waddell, Nick Mundt and Travis “T-Bone” Turner to meet their specifications and rigorous hunting demands, the newly available rangefinders feature everything hardcore hunters would expect and more. The new Bone Collector 1000 and 1800 rangefinders feature a sharp and bold new look while building off Bushnell’s 25 years of rangefinder legacy.
“Bushnell knocked it out of the park on these,” said Waddell. “We worked closely with the Bushnell team to make sure these latest and greatest Bone Collector rangefinders kept all the best features the crew loves from previous models, but also longer ranges and new tools like Applied Ballistics.”
The Bone Collector 1000 features a fully multi-coated, all-glass optical system that’s 2x brighter than other laser rangefinders for dim conditions at dawn and dusk. The rangefinder allows for quick measurements with the fast-focus eyepiece and Scan Mode, plus ARC technology and long distance ranging to 1,000 yards with +/- 1-yard accuracy. The 1000 series model is also standard with a one-button design for easy operation along with a new, ergonomic housing for added stability and comfort.
The Bone Collector 1800 builds on the features of the 1000 by not only extending its ranging capability (1,800 yards with +/- 1-yard accuracy) but also including a built-in Applied Ballistics Ultralight engine. The onboard ballistic software offers shooting solutions out to 800 yards and is easy to setup through the Bushnell Ballistic App powered by Bluetooth capabilities. The Bone Collector 1800 also features Brush and Bullseye modes for the most accurate readings possible. Read more
PHOENIX — When it comes to dove hunting in Arizona, one thing is pretty much indisputable: There’s never a bad season opener.
All signs indicate that there will be birds aplenty when the 2023 season gets underway next Friday, Sept. 1. This is especially true for hunters who are willing to scout in the mornings and evenings between now and the opener to locate some good hunting spots. Read more
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Aug. 14, 2023) — Moultrie Mobile, a leading pioneer in cellular trail cameras that also offers an all-in-one remote monitoring app for hunters and property owners, today announced its Edge Pro Cellular Trail Camera with all-new False Trigger Elimination capabilities powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is available in stores and online.
Utilizing AI, the Edge Pro is the first camera to integrate False Trigger Elimination capabilities in the form of Smart Capture and Smart Zone technology.
Smart Capture Technology gives users control over what species the Edge Pro captures on photo or video, significantly extending battery life and reducing time sorting through unwanted images of non-targeted species. Smart Zones allows users to designate custom detection zones and ignore areas with objects that could cause false triggers. Together, these innovative technologies reduce up to 99 percent of false triggers and redefine what is possible with cellular trail cameras. Read more
By Courtney Nicolson – Associate Director Marketing & Communications, Sportsmen’s Alliance
You’ve got a big game animal on the ground, congratulations! Now what? You’ve got some work on your hands, or perhaps instead, to hand off to a local wild game processor. Here’s some tips for deciding when and where to DIY and when to utilize a butcher.
“It was the heat of the moment…”, I don’t remember the next line of that not so famous classic rock song but that was the relevant message here. While eastern and northern hunters might not begin their big game hunting season until well into fall or winter, out west and down south, hunters start their season closer and closer to summer. Get a big bull elk down with your bow on and you will be battling not only the sweltering temperatures, but insects as well. You need to get that animal gutted and cooled down as soon as possible. Rushing to a wild game butcher’s hanging cooler might be the best course of action. In the winter, a deer can be hung in a home garage and slowly processed quarter by quarter over a few days while staying cool. It can be a challenge to keep meat at a proper temperature with ice for long periods of time. Read more
