It can be hard to find hunting opportunities during the dog days of summer. The typical game animals are off limits due to the season structure that we have in the US, but with a little research, some opportunities are out there.
Marmots are among the largest critters in the squirrel family and are are a challenging hunt. They make their homes in rock piles and eat grass. Yup, I’m talking rock chucks.
I’m not one to rely on a piece of untested equipment on a hunt unless I have a backup for it, therefore I started the fall hunting season with the Havalon Evolve multi-tool and Rebel in my pack, backed up with a couple of other skinning knives I had used previously. I was anxious to see how they held up over the course of several months of hard use, with Alaska’s and Montana’s big game seasons as the trial runs.
After looking the rifle over, I was very impressed with what I saw and felt. The rifle was hefty… and I mean really hefty. The bull barrel that this gun comes with adds a lot to it, but the advantage is that you can shoot all day and not see a change in accuracy. The stock felt good to me out of the box, but with the option to change the cheek riser and length of pull (LOP from here on out) I rearranged the stock so that it fit me perfectly.
A hands-on scouting foray for pronghorn isn’t always feasible. The good news: Finding prospective water sources where speed goats are likely to drink is possible via paper and online mapping systems.
I have worked waterfowl shows for many years. Some good some not so good, but I always look forward to the show season. My interest usually starts with a few flyers and catalogs I receive in the mail. I wade through these like a little kid with a new Sears Christmas catalog.
Hunting hogs with handguns is challenging. It adds a layer of interest and skill to a pastime normally undertaken with rifles. If you holster a handgun instead of slapping a magazine into your AR-15, being close isn’t just a fun test of your talent. It’s a necessity.
Familiarizing yourself with your weapon system components and personal marksmanship ability is the best investment that you can make to notch that tag during hunting season.
There’s a brown paper bag in my freezer right now whose sole purpose is to keep me from seeing the last two pieces of Antelope meat from last fall. If I see them, I’ll want to eat them, but I’m keeping them in reserve so I can compare them side by side with black bear meat. I’m trying to figure out which of the two is my favorite.
Bowhunting takes time, dedication and requires a litany of gear. The better the gear, the better the chance dad will come home with meat for the freezer. Check out these 8 items and give dad something special to add to his stick-and-string arsenal.