Game & Fish East - September 2024 USA
Game & Fish East - September 2024 USA
Game & Fish East - September 2024 USA
84
EAST
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SEPTEMBER 2024
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The Regional Outdoor Guide
REGIONAL EDITOR: Gerry Bethge, [email protected] | COVER IMAGE: Linda Freshwaters Arndt | @GAMEANDFISHMAG | FACEBOOK.COM/GAMEANDFISH
Contents
SEPTEMBER 2024
46
HOW-TO
hone your woodsmanship skills. season is on tap for surfcasters. Hard (and soft) mast can make or
By Larry Case By Nick Honachefsky break your deer season.
By Bruce Ingram
DESTINATIONS
GAME & FISH EAST (Volume 44, Issue 7; ISSN-2687-766X) is published monthly with bi-monthly issues in August and December/January by Outdoor Sportsman Group, 1040 6th Ave., 17th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY,
and additional mailing offices. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Agreement No. 41405030. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 500 Rt. 46 East, Clifton, NJ 07011. Subscription rate for one year is $23.94 (US, APO, FPO and Possessions.) Canada add
$13 (U.S. funds) per year, includes sales tax and GST. Foreign add $15 (U.S. funds) per year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (form 3579) to GAME & FISH EAST, CDS, P.O. Box 37539, Boone, IA 50037-0539. Copyright© 2024 Outdoor Sportsman Group.
14 20 FEATURE
DEPARTMENTS
14 SHOOTING
:DQWDELJJDPHULÀHWKDW¶VSHUIHFW
for hunting with a suppressor?
Many gun makers are working
on that exact thing.
By Richard Mann
18 BOWHUNTING
$UURZVSHHGLVLPSRUWDQWEXWLW¶V
not the only factor in lethality.
Understand the role of arrow
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© MICHAEL TATMAN/DREAMSTIME (BOTTOM); COURTESY OF BLANE EVERETT (TOP LEFT); © CHRISTIAN SCHMALHOFER/DREAMSTIME (TOP RIGHT); COURTESY OF HUNT REDI (MIIDDLE LEFT); COURTESY OF BROWNING (MIDDLE RIGHT)
By Tony Hansen
20 CONSERVATION
Wolves are one of the most divisive
76 84 topics in wildlife management. A
new initiative aims to consider all
opinions—good, bad and ugly—in
GEAR determining future wolf plans.
76 BUYER’S GUIDE 84 RANGE REPORT By Andrew McKean
Strap vests offer upland hunters The Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed
IN EVERY ISSUE
advantages in comfort and storage improves on its predecessor with
capability, but not all strap vests are upgrades that make it easily 04 EDITOR’S LETTER
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good ones worth the money. hunters and their preferred setups. 10 MOON TIMES
By Scott Linden By John Taranto 88 RITES
22
EDITOR’S LETTER
PUBLISHER
EDITORIAL
For the
Birds
admit that I probably focus too much time on whitetails and other big- PRODUCTION
I game species in the fall to take full advantage of the bird hunting that the
season offers. A few upland trips are all that I seem to put together most
years. It’s a quality over quantity thing, though, as I don’t think I’ve ever
had a bad day hunting birds. Can’t say the same for deer.
Bird hunters across the country herald the coming of September, as in many states ADVERTISING
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by woodcock and ruffed grouse in the Northeast, prairie chickens in the Midwest
and prairie grouse in the West. Pheasants and quail come later, though they’re at
the forefront of hunters’ minds as the weather starts to turn cooler.
But there’s another fall bird, one that sometimes gets overlooked even by the
hunters that spend months chasing it earlier in the year. The turkey, and particu-
larly the gobbler, owns the mind of many a hunter in spring, but the fall season is
merely a footnote. It’s a shame, because one of the things that makes turkey hunting
so enjoyable in the spring—the pitting of woodsmanship skills against the bird’s
FDXWLRQDQGFDSULFLRXVQHVV²LVRQO\DPSOL¿HGLQWKHIDOO$V7KRPDV$OOHQSXWVLW
in his feature on fall turkey hunting (page 22), “there’s a master’s level of outdoor
chess to be enjoyed once you engage in the fall turkey game. It’s challenging and
rewarding—and possibly as good as turkey hunting gets.”
You probably won’t hear many gobbles in the fall (though the birds do gobble NATIONAL AD SALES
occasionally), but your turkey hunting skills—and hunting skills in general—will
be put to the test. Most hunters love a good challenge, and fall turkey hunting is
one that can be enjoyed as temperatures drop by the day instead of rise.
Not every state has a fall turkey season, but I have two on my list of upcoming
hunts: Pennsylvania, my home state (where I blanked last fall) and Oregon, which
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to love about the fall.
Adam Heggenstaller
Editorial Director
KIT INCLUDES:
WHAT WE’RE
WATCHING
Game & Fish editors pick their favorite shows on MyOutdoorTV.
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MOON TIMES Powered By
AUGUST 2024
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
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SEPTEMBER 2024
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
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OCTOBER 2024
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
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am pm am pm am pm am pm am pm
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The moon’s phases are listed as New, First Quarter (First Q), Full and Last Quarter
(Last Q). Times listed represent the peak activity times for game and fish each day.
For your own 2024 Doug Hannon’s Moon Clock, go to moontimes.com or send $11.95 each, plus $3.75 shipping/handling
per order, to: Moon Clock, P.O. Box 28460, Atlanta, GA 30358.
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SCHEMING FOR
SUPPRESSORS
The desire to shoot suppressed
while hunting is influencing how
manufacturers build rifles.
By Richard Mann
ON
DEMAND
PHOTO & VIDEO
REQUESTS
LENGTHS
While shooters and hunters appreci-
ated manufacturers threading factory
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WINDIGO IMAGES
don’t know many people who result has been seesaw management that To facilitate that dialogue, the Interior
lost across much of America. able wolf management. It will include and “emotional security” into a process
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birds in late September. I hung two
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fall as they do in the spring, but that doesn’t the images began to roll in. While I
mean turkeys aren’t vocal at this time of year. wouldn’t say these turkeys were on
a very predictable pattern, there were
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our way at one point, before the birds
turned back and went a different direc-
tion. We were pinned down until they
got close enough for a shot or left the
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A manure spreader, or “honey wag-
on” as we call it, showed up and saved
the day (I never imagined that would
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back into the woods where they had
roosted the previous night. I knew we
had a opportunity.
The turkeys weren’t going to head
north, as a busy highway on one edge
of the property created a boundary they
wouldn’t want to cross; a large swamp
to the east created another boundary;
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currently receiving a generous dressing
of dung. There was only one way to go,
the ridge ... and we were headed to it.
We dropped back into the woods,
The importance of thorough
made an extra-wide circle to the backside scouting and observation makes
RIWKHULGJHDQGHYDOXDWHGRXU¿QDODS- a binocular an invaluable
THOMAS ALLEN
proach. We could hear yelping some 200 turkey tool during fall hunts.
yards out, and we crept forward keeping
as many trees in front of us as possible.
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The fall colors were at their peak;
brilliant reds, oranges and yellows
popped against a pure blue sky dotted
ZLWKZKLWHÀXII\FORXGV7KHYLHZV Turkeys on a roost-to-feed routine
were nothing short of spectacular and in fall aren’t difficult to pattern
DOPRVWPDGHP\H\HVKXUW7KHZRRGV and will often visit the same area
at about the same time every day.
were glowing yellow thanks to bril-
liant sunshine illuminating the golden
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time during my life where fall colors
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The turkeys continued to yelp, and
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seemed they wanted to go back into the
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wagon carried on, and we tucked into
THOMAS ALLEN
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working without a single response, but
KN IVES
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A mobile solution for hauling lots of turkey gear
Hauling gear for your youngster—or gear that trap, skeet and sporting clay
an elderly father or grandfather—to a shooters take to the shooting line. I
hunting location requires a strong back. instantly thought of turkey hunting.
Or an innovative mind. A Shooting Cart is not cheap, but
I’ve been taking my kids turkey it’s built to provide years of use on
hunting since they were both 6 years terrain such as logging and farm roads
old. During those early days, dragging or harvested hay and wheat fields. I
amenities like a blind, chairs, decoys, modified mine with hangers for decoys,
extra clothes and, of course, a truckload clothes and other items that get
of snacks demanded that I either hire secured with bungee straps.
a Sherpa or get creative. That’s when I Hauling all the necessary gear with
found Rugged Gear’s Shooting Cart only your vest on your back makes
($499.99; ruggedgear.com). It’s built getting in and out quickly and quietly
THOMAS ALLEN (TOP)
Experience the superior ergonomics and features that set seat of a pickup while patterning birds.
the Momentum Elite bolt-action rifles above all others in Good glass is essential when you spend
their class. Control one of the few things you can on your a lot of time watching game. Spend as
MOMENTUM ELITE RIFLE
next hunt – make sure you’re carrying the right rifle. much as you can afford because you’ll
never regret it.
Identify a daily, if not hourly, pattern
when possible. During this time of the
year turkeys are generally on a roost-
to-feed pattern as they bolster caloric
Momentum Elite intake leading up to winter. They aren’t
distracted by breeding, which keeps
them fairly predictable.
It’s important to determine if a cer-
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I’m often impressed at how robust
these birds are, a few extreme winters
in certain areas of the country such
as the Upper Midwest may keep the
NEED A BETTER PLACE TO HUNT? GET DETAILS ON 18 TOP SPOTS
population at a level that warrants spring
120 PAGES OF
hunting only. This is when personal
responsibility comes into play. Make
HOT SPOTS,
a choice that meshes with your turkey
SIGNS OF SUCCESS
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hunting objectives.
My family and I have access to a
TACTICS AND
These Overlooked Clues
NO PRESSURE:
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couple of farms with tremendous turkey
Tags For
numbers. If that wasn’t the case, we’d
SUCCESS STORIES
Public Land
FKRRVHWRQRWKXQWWKHP:HPD\SUHIHU
Trophies
Sneaky
Tricks For
Roosters to shoot them in the spring, but if there
are plenty of birds, a light amount of
• Ditch the Decoys, Bag More Mallards
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Calls and decoys have a valuable place
in the fall turkey hunter’s arsenal, and
their deployment is relatively simple Assembly yelps and kee-kees
compared to spring. I’ve not experienced are common sounds among
a lot of results with excited yelping and turkeys in the fall. Imitate
them to steer birds into range.
cutting—although turkeys seem to cackle
A WINNER
BY
KNOCKOUT.
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Store firearms securely, inaccessible
to children and unauthorized users. SCAN CODE FOR MORE INFO
Consult and comply with any and all applicable federal, state, and local:
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a firearm. Not all products are available in all states or jurisdictions.
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BRIGHT.
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UNIVERSAL.
THOMAS ALLEN
brilliant yellow birch trees.
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A sampling of the region’s best hunting
and fishing opportunities this Month
By Matt Crawford 2
3 4
t 8:44 a.m. on Sept. 22, autumn officially
begins, though many anglers and hunters
around the East enter full-on “fall mode”
as soon as the calendar turns
to September. As summer fades, 5
suddenly there seems to be a lot
more fish to catch, and a
wide array of hunting oppor-
tunities are opening across 6
the region, from deer and
doves to upland birds and
bass. Here’s a spotlight on
just a few of the best reasons
1
to get out and enjoy the
great outdoors during
this magical month.
2 6
4
WINDIGO IMAGES (3)
THE
PREDICTOR
Study hard-mast
and soft-mast
situations on your
hunting properties
to determine
where game species
will be this fall.
By Bruce Ingram
3D H l dt d th ff t f l Th BSF b
™
old-fashioned woodsmanship to identify Being able to identify specific acorn
'LIIHUHQWVSHFLHVRIRDNVÀRZHUDQG
individual species of hard- and soft- species, like these red oaks, can mean set their nuts at different times, which is
mast producers by their bark, leaves greater hunting success. why a killing frost can do such damage if
and nuts or fruits. The fact that your a particular oak species happens to be in
home state may have rated the current a blooming stage when the weather turns
mast crop as “spotty” doesn’t mean a foul. But by manipulating the forest’s oak
thing if, for example, a late killing frost tree composition, I am largely immune
slammed your oaks in the spring. That from that “spotty mast” situation. In any
can easily result in a failed mast crop given year, no matter what the spring
and a dearth of deer activity. weather is, at least a few species of my
property’s oaks will produce nuts. And
Chinquapin oak acorns are particularly
GET BOOK SMART attractive to turkeys during the fall many years all or most of the oaks will
Two of my most important low-tech gear season. Deer love them as well. prove bountiful, and for several months
items are the National Audubon Society WKHGHHUZLOO¿OHWKURXJKWKHÀDW
Field Guide to Trees: Eastern Region
and Peterson’s Field Guide to Trees and DON’T FORGET SOFT MAST
Shrubs. Armed with these two tomes, Eastern hunters are understandably ob-
I ramble over the Old Dominion and sessed with what the acorn situation
Mountain State properties I have permis- will be every autumn, but we should be
sion to hunt prior to hunting season. What knowledgeable about the common spe-
I learn on those late-summer days largely cies of soft-mast producers in our home
determines whether I will be successful White oaks can influence deer patterns states, too. For instance, the three species
more than any other hard-mast species.
come the various bow and gun seasons. If you find them, sit on them. of grapes that are most common in our
For example, individual properties— region are the summer, fox and frost.
even ones near each other—can have var- The summer and fox are more common
ious species of acorns that ripen and drop in the East’s southerly states, while the
at different times. One Virginia property frost dominates in New England.
where I hunt every September features Yes, the presence (or lack) of acorns
several scarlet oak trees that, among all ZLOODOPRVWDOZD\VKHDYLO\LQÀXHQFHGHHU
WKHSURSHUW\¶VRDNVDUHW\SLFDOO\WKH¿UVW movement, but when grapes are ripe
to drop acorns every autumn. and available, you can bet that deer will
)URPVWXG\LQJ¿HOGJXLGHVDQGVLP- Knowing specific traits of various oak check them out. An ideal stand could be
SO\EHLQJD¿HOG,NQRZWKDWWKHVFDUOHW species will lead you to more success as one where the grapes are ripe and one
fall arrives. Check them out early.
oak’s acorns are about a half inch to an or more oak species are dropping their
inch long, egg shaped and about half- nuts. Deer are browsers and consume
enclosed by a deep cup. I also know that a large variety of wild foods. Think of
the mature tree itself has dark, grayish acorns as the main course and soft-mast
bark with plates and about 6-inch-long menu items such as grapes, pawpaws,
leaves that are deeply cut with lobes cherries, sumacs, haws, hackberries,
with bristles. As you might guess given viburnums, plums and persimmons as
the tree’s name, those leaves turn scarlet deer desserts.
red come fall. On that property, I expect When you find a mast hot spot, hang a For instance, in Virginia and West
to arrow a doe or two every September stand and clear shooting lanes now so Virginia, the persimmons ripen around
you’re ready for the season.
because of that knowledge. the third week of November. When these
I own a 94-acre mountainous parcel in sweet, orange, golf-ball-size globes be-
West Virginia where, 15 years ago, I took JLQWRSOXPPHWWRWKHIRUHVWÀRRUGHHU
a different approach to ensure that the WUDI¿FFDQEHLQWHQVHQRPDWWHUZKDWWKH
acorn crop almost always meshes with acorn crop is like.
my hunting success. I hired a logger to
aggressively thin a section of hardwoods THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
RQDÀDWEHWZHHQDFUHHNERWWRPDQGD Make note of the mast forecasts for your
regenerating clearcut, creating a situation state this fall, and if your state doesn’t
where the property now has a number issue a mast report, pick up the phone or
of different species of white and red email your game agency and ask. Better
oaks (northern red, black, scarlet, white VWLOOEULQJDORQJVRPH¿HOGJXLGHVWR
and chinquapin oaks) all growing and every property you plan to hunt, and
BRUCE INGRAM (5)
all daylighted so that their crowns can learn just what the hard- and soft-mast
expand and produce more hard mast— situations are down to the individual
DQGPRUHGHHUWUDI¿F trees and shrubs.
EARLY-BIRD
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RICK SMALL
THE HEAT IS ON down with an odor-neutralizing solution. often than not, that proves true. Calm
The early part of the season often means Keep clothing in an air-tight container yourself down and wait for an optimal
warm weather, which brings bugs, sweat until you reach your destination. Dress shot. Proper shot placement is always
and, if you’re lucky, a race to process outside the vehicle, then spray or wipe important, but never more so than when
your prize before it spoils. down again when you arrive on stand. the heat is on.
You have a few options for dealing Another more practical and effec-
with stinging, biting insects. One is tive method for battling biting insects
choosing the right apparel. You could
wear something with a tight enough
is a Thermacell. If you’re not familiar
with it, this device heats a pad saturated CHECK THE
weave that mosquitoes can’t insert their
stingers through it, but those garments
with a synthetic insecticide that, when
vaporized, repels insects. It works, and CHECK
also hold in body heat, enhancing the
second challenge. Mosquito netting is
because it’s a synthetic substitute for
natural vegetation, bears and deer don’t STATIONS
Have a post-hunt game
another, better option, especially for seem to be alarmed by the odor.
the face and hands, but a full-body suit plan before you hunt.
will allow you to wear lighter, more BE COOL Don’t wait until your bear is down to
breathable clothing. There’s not much you can do about tem- figure out where the nearest check
While netting allows moisture and perature except to dress appropriately, station is and what the hours are.
heat to escape, it does the same for your but you need to work hard to maintain Look it up in advance and have a
odor. What bears may lack in vision they your composure. When I was guiding plan. That way you’ll know how long
more than make up for in scent detec- bear hunts, I would warn hunters new it will take for you to get there and
tion. The simple solution here is to be to the species that it doesn’t matter how whether it will be open. If you must
meticulous about odor control. Wash, much hunting experience you have; the wait until the next morning to check
RICK SMALL
wipe or spray yourself. Your clothing and ¿UVWWLPH\RXVHHDEHDU\RX¶UHSURE- your bear, have a plan to keep it cool.
all your equipment needs to be sprayed ably going to lose your ... stuff. More
SHOTPickPLACEMENT
your spots carefully.
bears. As the days grow shorter, bruins
race to lay on as much fat as they can
before winter, and they may be in a
Bears are built somewhat differently than deer. They have much thicker hides and state of walking hibernation—or even
denser bones, making proper shot placement even more important. Even with a in dens—by mid-fall. You’ll have to
firearm, you should only take broadside or quartering-away shots. Otherwise, a deal with the heat and the bugs to tag
shot that might kill a deer will only wound a bear, leading to a long, frustrating and an early-season bruin, but if and when
potentially dangerous night of tracking. it works out, you’ll be glad you did.
SECRETS OF A
TRACKER
You don’t need snow to track big
bucks. use these tips for
hunting wilderness
whitetails in early fall.
By Matthew Every
F DOZD\VZDQWHGWR¿JXUHRXW
the “why” behind what he was
seeing in the deer woods. That
attitude turned him into a master woods-
where bucks want to be at any given
time of year, then he concentrates his
efforts on those areas. It may take several
seasons to build up this information, but
man, a buck-tracking icon and the author RQFH\RXKDYHDSDWFKRIZRRGV¿JXUHG
of several books on the subject. RXW\RX¶OOXS\RXURGGVVLJQL¿FDQWO\
Last season, I had a chance to hunt Use what you know about buck
with Blood on both fresh snow and DFWLYLW\DQGWKHWLPHRI\HDUWR¿QG
bare ground. Each condition presented where bucks are going to be. Then,
a unique set of challenges, but over cover ground in search of sign. If you
EDUHJURXQG,JRWWRVHH¿UVWKDQGKRZ don’t see any sign where you are, get
Blood breaks up the woods and uses the RXWRIWKHUH²DQGIDVW:KHQ\RX¿QG
“why” behind deer behavior to zero in an area with heavy, fresh sign, slow
on big bucks. down and scan the woods for anything
When most hunters would park that looks like a deer.
themselves in a treestand, Blood is out
there walking around, looking for sign DEER LEAD YOU TO OTHER DEER
and trying to put himself in a buck’s Tracks aren’t as relevant on bare ground
bedroom. Here are a few of the tips I as they are on snow, but you still want
picked up in the Maine big woods for to follow them. Blood has sucessfully
still-hunting on bare ground that you tracked a couple of bucks on soft leaf
FDQFDUU\LQWRWKH¿HOGWKLVVHDVRQ litter, and it is possible if the deer isn’t far
off, but you shouldn’t expect to shoot the
THE 90/10 RULE deer you’re tracking over bare ground.
In the big woods, Blood says that a Instead, use the tracks to point your-
buck will have a home range of about self in the general direction of other
10 square miles, and will spend 90 deer. Deer are constantly meeting up
percent of its time in only 10 percent in the woods and covering ground to
of that territory. Depending on the time get to areas that other whitetails like to
of year, a buck could be spending the frequent. Reference your map to see if
majority of its time in a number of the tracks you’re following are headed
places. On bare ground, it’s your job to to a point of interest you’ve scouted
¿QGWKRVHSODFHVDQGVSHQGSHUFHQW previously, and take note of fresh new
of your time there, too. sign whenever you see it.
Habitat is all-important to Blood’s bare- Blocker Outdoors Shield Drencher Jacket: Rain will be
ground buck-seeking mission. Preferred in the forecast this month, so you can either get soaked
food sources are good places to begin. to the bone and head back to camp or reach for Blocker’s
waterproof, windproof Shield Drencher jacket. It weighs next
to nothing and will take up very little room in your pack.
($89.99-$99.99; blockeroutdoors.com)
JOHN PENNOYER
MADE IN
M I S S I O N C R O S S B OW S .C O M THE USA
HOW-TO
SLIPPING ON
TIME-HONORED TRADITION
Probably more than anything else, the
surge in whitetail deer and the accompa-
nying bowhunting craze killed the popu-
larity of squirrel hunting, but not before
it taught several generations of hunters
the art of still-hunting, or “slip-hunting,”
for squirrels. Squirrel hunting is how
many of us learned how to actually hunt.
It taught us how to stalk an animal, use
cover, move quietly and know when to
move and when not to. The squirrels
provided a woodland classroom with
lots of opportunities to mess up a stalk
and start over on another squirrel. Many
guides for deer and elk hunts will tell
you that those who grew up squirrel
hunting make the best hunters.
While slip-hunting for squirrels has
nowhere near the popularity it once did,
When a squirrel is spotted out that doesn’t mean that you can’t do it
of shooting range, you’ll need
supreme stalking skills to move in now and have a bunch of fun in the
close without spooking your target. bargain. One of the great things about
squirrel hunting is you can do it just
LIKE CHICKEN
The best-tasting squirrel meat is a product of careful preparation.
Squirrel meat is mild and flavorful and can be used in any number of recipes.
The standard preparation usually consists of par-boiling or pressure-cooking the
quartered squirrels to get them nice and tender. This is important since most adult
squirrels can be tough if you simply bread and fry them without tenderizing. The
pieces should then be rolled in your favorite seasoned breading and fried golden
brown. Traditionally, gravy is made in the skillet after the pieces are removed.
Squirrel meat can be used in everything from tacos to a pot pie. You are limited
only by your imagination.
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TARGET-RICH ENVIRONMENT
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GEARING UP
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around the structure. On sandy shores,
though, cues may not be as easy to iden-
tify. In general, look for the deeper-water
sections—cuts, bowls and sloughs—
ZKHUHZDWHUGRHVQRWEUHDNDQG¿VKURRW
down in. You can tell where the shallow
sand bars are by where the waves crest
and break. Casts should be made into
GHHSHUZDWHUVZKHUH¿VKKDYHHQRXJK
room to move around and feed.
Tides play a big role in determining
ZKHQWR¿VKDQGDJRRGUXOHLVWR¿VKWKH
high-tide hours, mainly 2 hours before
and 2 hours after. That way you reap the
EHQH¿WVRIWKHODVWRIWKHLQFRPLQJDQG
the start of the outgoing tide when the
ÀRRGFXUUHQWEULQJVLQDQGZDVKHVRXW
the forage from the swell. The best times
RIGD\WR¿VKDUHVXQXSDQGVXQGRZQ
ZKHQ¿VKZLOOEHPRVWDFWLYHO\IHHGLQJ
Low-tide hours allow you to inspect how
the surf is laid out. In general, spring and
IDOOVHHVWULSHGEDVVDQGEOXH¿VKPLJUDW-
ing and on the feed, whereas summer
and winter months have them on a mild
vacation, so you might plan your trips
around the shoulder seasons.
BAITFISH MAGIC
Using cut or live bait varies depending
upon location, but a good start when
¿VKLQJEDLWRUGHDGVWLFNLQJLVWRXVHD
NICK HONACHEFSKY (2)
KLJKORZULJ:LWKLW\RXFDQ¿VKWZR
Throwing topwaters from the beach is as
exciting as it gets for surf casters. Most baits, one up top and one on the bottom,
are designed to mimic fleeing baitfish. with 1/0 to 5/0 baitholder hooks and a
Look for blitzing fish when making casts. sinker of 3 to 8 ounces.
Historic 1920-1938
“Buffalos” by the Pound
$
49
plus shipping & handling
FREE
Stone Arrowhead
with every bag
NICK HONACHEFSKY
owdy didn’t have a problem sun at bay, a seep ran down the middle, And so began another season of chas-
going to have a tough time connecting. Brunswick Atlantic salmon for the rest every year. As always, I’d follow the
The full-leaf canopy kept the September of the day. ÀLJKWVDVIDUDVP\ZDOOHWZRXOGDOORZ
New Brunswick
With a season opening on Sept. 15, you
can get a jumpstart on your woodcock
hunting north of the border. It’ll be hot
and the cover will be thick, but the odds
are high that the birds will have had
no recent contact with dogs when you
arrive. Historically, I’ve extended my
season with a visit to the province dur-
ing the last week of September. Grouse
season opens there on Oct. 1.
New Jersey
Cape May is an historic staging ground
for woodcock, and the state has a split
VHDVRQ7KH¿UVWUXQVIURP1RYWR
Dec. 2, while the second season opens
Dec. 14 and closes Jan. 2. Mid-December
is a great time to hunt this southernmost
point of the Garden State on the east
side of Delaware Bay.
STAY AWHILE
Finding food and lodging near great
woodcock hunting isn’t always easy.
PREFERRED HABITAT :RRGFRFNOLNHHGJHVVRDQ\¿HOGWKDW The locations below, however, offer
Woodcock favor young forests between is rimmed with young hardwoods is a both, plus either a DIY or a guided
10 and 30 years old, with nitrogen-rich JRRGEHW7KH\¶OOXVHWKH¿HOGDVDODQG- approach to hunting. They’re all dog-
soil that attracts worms. Look for aspen, ing strip and then move into the thicker friendly, and if they don’t have full dog
alder and poplar stands. Areas with seeps cover for protection or feed. If it’s been a kennels to house your pooch, they offer
and feeder streams are solid bets, too. hot, dry summer and early fall, look for in-room options.
SCAN TO REGISTER
ENTER.
FISH.
SCAN TO REGISTER
©2024 Skeeter Products, Inc. All rights reserved. This document contains many of Skeeter’s valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any
references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only, and are not intended to be an endorsement. Remember to observe all applicable boating laws. Never
drink and ride. Dress properly with a USCG-approved flotation device and protective gear. Boats may be shown with optional equipment. See your local Skeeter dealer for complete details.
+Messaging and data rates may apply.
A vest should be adaptable. Look locations offer attachment points for comfort and functionality is a longer
for quick, simple ways to attach more lanyards and collar transmitters. strap or shorter hang distance on the
stuff. Molle or other attachment points Maximum adjustability is another game bag. Consider available options
ideally will be anchored to the belt, not important feature, and it extends to the for pocket size and location.
adding weight to the game bag. See if shoulder straps, hip belt, game-bag ca- Ergonomics are critical when the birds
there’s room on the belt for additional pacity and even pocket location. Learn DUHÀ\LQJDQG\RX¶UHUXQQLQJRQLQVWLQFW
pockets, as it’s better to add items and how and why the adjustments work, Shell pockets should open easily with
weight to the belt than to hang more stuff and experiment with a loaded vest. one hand. The location for an e-collar
on the game bag. D-rings in strategic Sometimes all you need for greater transmitter should be, literally, right at
hand. Water needs to be conveniently
accessible but secure. Padded shoulder
straps are a contrivance; they only hinder
gun mount. Stuff objects that mimic a
Bringing the few birds into the bag while you wear
the vest fully loaded. You shouldn’t have
moment closer
to be double-jointed to put your trophy
in your pack. (Asking somebody to do
it for you is like calling AAA to change
with a crisp and compact
\RXUÀDWWLUH
outdoor companion.
USE IT AND FINE-TUNE IT
A good mechanic doesn’t hang his tools
outside the toolbox. The same applies to
your vest. Everything should be tucked
inside so it doesn’t snag on brush or
barbed wire, make bird-scaring rattles
and clanks, or booger up your gun mount.
Get a vest with enough pockets for es-
sential gear. Just make sure most are
joined to the hip belt, not the game bag.
Wear it right. Even svelte, chiseled
FKXNDUKXQWHUVKDYHDGH¿QHGZDLVW²
what we’d all like to be the narrow part
above the hip bones. Your belt goes
above that, so your vest’s weight rests
on the hip bones. Cinch it up tight; you’ll
get used to it. Your shoulder straps should
now be hanging loose, and they should
stay that way as you load your vest.
Tighten your sternum strap to keep them
from falling off your shoulders like a
sultry movie starlet’s dress.
)ROORZLQJ\RXU¿UVWKXQWLVDERXW
when you start tinkering with your shiny
new vest. You didn’t leave your truck
stock, so why settle for an almost-right
vest? Over the years, here are some
FRPPRQUH¿QHPHQWV,¶YHVHHQDQGGRQH
Add a lumbar pad. The big-game guys
KDYH¿JXUHGWKLVRXW%HVW,FDQWHOORQO\
®
one bird-vest company has. Hips do a
® great job holding up your belt on each
side, but unless you’ve got a vestigial
tail, your back could use some assistance.
Using industrial-strength Velcro, add a
rigid foam wedge to your hip belt, en-
suring contact with your back. You’ve
FUHDWHGDQRWKHUREVWDFOHRQ\RXUYHVW¶V RIP\FULWHULD7KH\DUHQ¶WLQH[SHQVLYH injured dog. A variety of models and
relentless downward slide. EXWZKDW¶VWKHFRVWRIPLVVHGELUGVDQG interchangeable accessory pockets make
Add more attachment points. Slip on trips to the chiropractor? this a versatile system, and the magnetic
carabiners for lanyards or quick-access pocket closures are simple to operate
JHDU:KLOH,WU\WRNHHSPRVWVWXIIHQ- Final Rise Summit XT LQWKHKHDWRIDFRYH\ÀXVK<RXFDQ
FORVHG,GRZDQWWRDWWDFKLWWRP\YHVW Final Rise has a couple clever innova- adjust the game bag to move weight
E-collar transmitters, compass, whistle, tions: a built-in lumbar pad and an in- toward your waist, too. $185-$360;
camera, phone, etc., are in a pocket but novative built-in sling for carrying an ¿QDOULVHFRP
tethered to me.
More water is always welcomed by
you and your dog. Most bladder systems
exert weight on the game bag and thus
your shoulder straps. Shop for a vest
that has the bladder pocket directly at-
WDFKHGWRWKHKLSEHOW,IQRWFRXQWU\ER\
engineering can transfer weight to the
hip belt with judicious application of
Velcro on belt and bladder.
1RZ\RX¶UHUHDG\IRUDGD\D¿HOG
with an unobstructed gun mount and
swing, dogs and humans well-watered,
geared for any eventuality, with adequate
ammo and room for a limit of birds. Let
me know what that last one feels like.
FINAL RISE
SUMMIT XT
the side-release buckles a little harder
to operate with one hand than magnetic
FORVXUHVEXW,KDYHPRUHFRQ¿GHQFHLQ
HUNT the pockets staying closed. $245-$375;
REDI huntredi.com
DEVIATE
DRIFTER Buck’s Bags Upland Bird Vest
2.0 The granddaddy of them all is the Buck’s
Bag Upland Bird Vest. First on the mar-
ket decades ago, this vest is brilliantly
simple, with basic engineering that ev-
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It’s eminently functional with a few com-
promises. Water is carried in a bladder
between the shoulder blades, but with a
little industrial-strength Velcro, the pocket
can be mated to the waist belt. Buck’s
makes the vest in four sizes, so consult PEREGRINE TREKKER II DOG
the company prior to ordering. You’ll HANDLER’S VEST
need to customize this vest for your own
needs, but it offers capacious storage and Dog Handler’s Vest. It blends old-school
Hunt Redi Deviate Drifter 2.0 is easy to clean. $150; bucksbags.com style with a hip belt and ton of design
Hunt Redi offers a variety of customiz- ÀH[LELOLW\/RWVRISRFNHWVPXOWLSOH
able, lightweight models. I like that the Peregrine Trekker II D-rings, a rear backpack for extra storage
hip belt’s hefty padded portion extends Dog Handler’s Vest and an extra-large front opening in the
farther forward than in other vests, of- If you just got to have that traditional game bag are all noteworthy features.
fering slightly more grab around the look, check out the Peregrine Trekker II $220; peregrineoutdoor.com.
waist. There is a raft of accessories to
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BUCK’S BAGS
UPLAND
BIRD VEST
BESTCIGARPRICES.COM/NP585
TO GET THIS OFFER OR
BROWNING X-BOLT 2
Customization is the
name of the game with
this latest iteration
of the popular X-Bolt
centerfire platform.
By John Taranto
USA
ENGINEERED AND BUILT
Assembled in the USA
using domestic and
foreign parts.
PRO 420
7KHULÀHLVDYDLODEOHLQGLIIHUHQW
FKDPEHULQJVUDQJLQJIURP:LQWR ACCURACY RESULTS
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LOAD: Winchester Expedition
EUDNHDQGDLQFK,QÀH[UHFRLOSDG
Big Game Long-Range
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DOORZIRUIDVWIROORZXSVKRWV BULLET WEIGHT: 165 gr.
$VLWVPRQLNHUVXJJHVWVWKH;%ROW MUZZLE VELOCITY: 2,855 fps
6SHHGLVEXLOWZLWKWKHPRELOHKXQWHU AVERAGE GROUP: .761”
LQPLQGWKHZHLJKWRIWKH:HVWHUQ
FKDPEHUHGYHUVLRQWLSVWKHVFDOHVDWMXVW LOAD: Browning Silver Series
RYHUSRXQGV7KLVORZZHLJKWLV BULLET WEIGHT: 170 gr.
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MUZZLE VELOCITY: 2,808 fps
HUFRQWRXUEDUUHO ZLWKDQ0[
WKUHDGHGPX]]OH DQGDVSLUDOÀXWHG AVERAGE GROUP: 1.17”
EROW7KHEROWIHDWXUHVDGHJUHHOLIW
IRUIDVWF\FOLQJDQGWRSURYLGHFOHDUDQFH LOAD: Winchester Ballistic Silvertip
IRURYHUVL]HGRSWLFV$EROWXQORFNEXWWRQ BULLET WEIGHT: 170 gr.
SRVLWLRQHGDWWKHMXQFWLRQRIWKHEROW¶V MUZZLE VELOCITY: 2,829 fps
ERG\DQGLWVKDQGOHDOORZVWKHXVHUWR AVERAGE GROUP: .743”
RSHQWKHEROWZLWKWKHVDIHW\RQ
8QOLNH PDQ\ FHQWHU¿UH ULÀHV WKH Muzzle velocity is the average of 10
;%ROW6SHHGIHDWXUHVIRXUVFUHZKROHV consecutive shots as measured by a Garmin
SHUEDVHUDWKHUWKDQWZRIRUURFNVROLG Xero chronograph. Accuracy is the average of
RSWLFVPRXQWLQJ%URZQLQJFDOOVWKHVH three, three-shot groups fired from a Caldwell
Lead Sled at 100 yards.
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GLVFHUQDEOHFUHHSWDNHXSRURYHUWUDYHO SPECIFICATIONS
BROWNING
WHERE TO GO X-BOLT 2
TYPE: bolt-action centerfire rifle
CALIBER: 6.8 Western (tested)
(731) 253-2007 all adjustable on the X-Bolt 2 Speed.
BARREL: 24”; button-rifled;
REELFOOT LAKE TOURISM COUNCIL
7KH;%ROW6SHHGLVDVDWWUDFWLYH sporter contour with fluting;
DVLWLVIXQFWLRQDO%URZQLQJ¶VSURSUL threaded muzzle with brake
FYlmj]k_j]Yl]kl_a^llggml\ggj]fl`mkaYklk& HWDU\DQGYHUVDWLOH2YL[FDPRXÀDJH TRIGGER: DLX; factory set at 3 1/2-
DGRUQVWKHVWRFNDQGD6PRNHG%URQ]H lb. pull weight; adjustable to 3 lb.
&HUDNRWH¿QLVKSURWHFWVWKHEDUUHOEROW
DQGERWWRPPHWDO SAFETY: two-position tang-mounted
;ge]LgJ]]d^gglDYc]lg@mflYf\>ak`Yf\KlYqYlYfq
g^l`]?j]YlJ]kgjlkgf:]Ymla^mdJ]]d^gglDYc]L]ff]kk]]&
:KHQLQ7H[DV,GLGQ¶WKDYHPXFK MAGAZINE: rotary, detachable box;
RIDQRSSRUWXQLW\WRJHWWRNQRZWKH 3-round capacity
;%ROW6SHHG,XVHGLWWRGLVSDWFKD SIGHTS: none; drilled and tapped
JUHDWEXFNDW\DUGVZLWKDVLQJOH for X-Lock bases
VKRWDSSUR[LPDWHO\PLQXWHVLQWRP\
KXQW PRUHRQWKDWLQDIXWXUHLVVXH STOCK: Vari-Tech composite;
$VVXFK,ZDVHDJHUWRJHWLWWRWKH adjustable LOP, comb and grip
UDQJHWRVHHMXVWZKDWNLQGRIDFFXUDF\ FINISH: Ovix camo, Smoked
,FRXOGZULQJRXWRILW$V\RXFDQVHH Bronze Cerakote
IURPWKH$FFXUDF\5HVXOWVER[ DERYH
COURTESY OF BROWNING
THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. RESULTS MAY VARY. 15.
RITES
BY JEFF JOHNSTON
Ramped Up
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DAVID HOUSTON
PERFECT
JUST GOT
PERFECTED.
NOW WITH
INTEGRATED STEERING
Learn more at
YamahaOutboards.com/InLineFour