Sportsman's News July 2019 Digital Edition by Sportsman's News

FREE July 2019 | Volume 15 | Issue 7

Striped marlin are just one of the many great sport fish available when visiting Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort in Baja, Mexico.

Chad LaChance: Fishful Thinker

Control Freak

Camping Roundup

Gary Lewis: PacWest Outdoors

The Youngest Impala Guide

Camp in style and comfort Page 14

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS 2322 W. Industry Way Cedar City, UT 84721

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Mike Deming President/Publisher 435-669-4624 mdeming@sportsmansnews.com

SENIOR EDITOR Kent Danjanovich 801-231-9838 kdanjanovich@sportsmansnews.com MANAGING EDITOR Dan Kidder 435-865-1680 dkidder@sportsmansnews.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lisa Deming info@sportsmansnews.com VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGER James Dobson jdobson@sportsmansnews.com Subscribers should contact Managing Editor for changes of address.

Sportsman’s News is published monthly. The entire content of this newspaper is Copyright 2019 © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the Managing Editor.

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July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Send Us Your Stories And Win A Hunt Of A Lifetime With

Backcountry BackcountryHunts.com Hunts This is an outfitter we have hunted with every year for the past seven years and look forward to every March. We have been able to harvest some extremely large Aoudad on 40,000 acres. One 33” whopper, 31.5”, 31”, 29.5”, and 28” rams. ~ the Sportsmans News Team

New Mexico & Texas Hunts (575) 361•1053 17th Annual

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• Winner will be chosen to join the Sportsman's News Team on a fully guided hunt in Texas with Steve Jones Backcountry Hunts the last week of March 2020. Included is meals, lodging, 1 on 1 guided hunt for 3 days for Trophy Aoudad in west Texas. This is a free range wild sheep hunt. License is included for the winner. Camp will be shared with the Sportsman’s News team and we will film the adventure for an episode of Sportsman’s News Television. • Contest will run from November 1st, 2018 through November 30th, 2019 with two stories selected each month and published on our website. One grand prize winner will be randomly selected from those entries and notified by e-mail. • Every published entry will receive a knife from Outdoor Edge and will be entered into the grand prize drawing. • E-mail stories and photos to info@sportsmansnews.com. • Stories should be between 900 and 1500 words and be sent as a MS Word document or pasted into an e-mail. • Photos should be high resolution JPG’s, TIF’s or PDF’s: if you have any questions regarding photos call (435)865-1680. • Stories without photos will not be considered for publication or contest entry. All stories may be edited for content and size. Published articles and photos become property of Sportsman’s News. All prizes are provided by Sportsman’s News Inc. Must be 18 years of age to win grand prize. All entries must include author name, address and phone number to be considered for publication.

WORDS FROM THE PUBLISHER By Michael Deming

WHAT’S INSIDE

4 Baja's Jewel of the East Cape

Gulf fishing in style with Hotel Buena Vista..

New Offerings From Sig Electro-Optics 8 Discover the speed and precision of BDX and get on target fast with the ROMEO8T

10 Platinum Approved Outfitters

Choose a Sportsman's News Endorsed Guide for your next trip.

14 Camping Roundup

Camp in comfort with this great gear.

Pacwest Outdoors: The Youngest Impala Guide 18 Would you trust a nine-year old with your African hunt?.

22 Sig Sauer P320-M17

It is good enough for the Army, but how about for you?

24 Old Town Topwater Sit-On Top Kayak

ifteen Years, WOW! That’s how long we have been delivering the Sportsman’s News publication to the Sportsman’s Warehouse stores and our readers. Sometimes, it’s hard to even imagine that, let alone say it out loud. Some of the staff here has been with us since inception or soon after. The combined field experience as a professional for myself and staff is north of over a hundred years. Some would say that we are experienced, knowledgeable or maybe it’s just as my kids say and we are “OLD”. Regardless of what title you would like to hang on us, we have traveled the globe, fished, hunted, camped and explored about every nook and cranny imaginable. We have also seen vast changes and improvements in outdoor goods and gear during this time. Providing informative information on these goods and gear has been a major focus of our business model for the past fifteen years. Since Sportsman’s Warehouse carries nearly everything you are going to need when you head to the outdoors, it has been our philosophy to field test and beat up these products and give you real feedback on how they perform. We originally started doing this in an editorial way through the pages of Sportsman’s News, but eventually evolved into a video platform as well. We film the testing of the products we do and put them out on our YouTube channel, which is sportsmansnewstv and if you aren’t a subscriber, you should consider adding us to your subscription base. You will receive these fact-based reviews whenever we post one up which is usually one or two a week. We pride ourselves on keeping our customers INFORMED and not INFLUENCED. This is a term that has been thrown around for the past couple of years. Manufactures provide products, dollars, or other various forms of compensation to people who have a lot of followers to get these people to influence your buying decision. It doesn’t always mean that it’s the best product and it doesn’t always mean that it is the best product for you. Being an informed consumer allows you to make a solid buying decision based on your own needs. I know what my needs are for everything that I do in the outdoors. It’s because I spend hundreds of days a year in the field and have for decades. I’ve figured out what works and what’s a marketing gimmick. However, what works for me might not be what is best for you. Let’s take a day pack for example. I like something close to 3,000-cubic inches, has a place for my spotting scope, is hydration compatible, has a rain cover, wide shoulder straps to handle a load and something within the system that will allow me to carry a portion of a deer sized animal out of the woods if I’m successful. I’ve tried them all and I’ve settled on what is best for me. When we test other day packs, I see a lot of things I like, but if it doesn’t solve all my needs, it isn’t the best fit. However, it might be the perfect fit for you and your needs. Why should I be the one to say what is best for you? We are going to beat these products up. We will see what works and what fails as well as find out if it does what the manufacture says it will do. Once we are done doing that, we are going to put that information out in the pages of Sportsman’s News as well as on our YouTube channel and give you the tools to be informed. So next time you want to buy a product, make sure you are doing it as an informed decision and not an influenced one.

Throw away that paddle and experience the PDL pedal drive.

Fishful Thinker: Control Freak 26

Stay in control of your fishing and your life.

28 Pro's Tip: Free Camping

Take advantage of our public lands to get off the beaten path.

30 Video Product Reviews 35 Amateur Outdoorsman: Five Essentials for Alaska Must-haves for fishing in the Last Frontier.

36 Trigger Time With Team Doubletap Practical Fundamentals

40 Henry All-Weather Leaver Action Big Boy functionality in .45-70.

42 Casper- Hub of the West

Things are hopping and the fish are biting.

41 Business Directory 44 Pro's Pick: Boost Oxygen

Sometimes, all you need is more air.

Canyon Coolers Navigator 150 45 Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Writing Contest: First Deer 46 A fifteen-year veteran of life recounts her first hunt. Wild Game Recipe 48 A Norwegian take on fresh salmon.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gary Lewis Chad LaChance Brian Nelson Brooke Prestwich Steve Mayer

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor

n 1976, Jesus “Chuy” Valdez, a young entrepreneur, his wife and his mother, opened a fishing lodge, Hotel Club Spa Buenavista. With the support of his family and other important people in the fishing and travel industry, they embarked on this challenging but fulfilling adventure with the goal of exceeding their guests’ expectations. Now, with the second generation in charge, Esaul, Axel and Felipe, Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort still embraces the same philosophy that continues to set them apart and above the other resorts in the area; this is, “You come as a guest, you are treated as a friend and you leave as a part of their family.” The Sportsman’s News team first visited Hotel Buena Vista back in April of 2006 and we fell in love with their operation. The resorts’ easy-going atmosphere, great food and accommodations all blended well with their excellent fishing opportunities. I remember our first day on the water produced five striped marlin and some tired fisherman at the end of the trip. Our next visit fell a few weeks prior to their hosting of the annual Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament. That trip didn’t disappoint us either, as our second day on the water was a memorable one as we were able to land not only a 300 lb. blue marlin, but also a striped marlin, sailfish, a handful of dorado and a dozen yellowfin tuna, with the largest about 100 pounds! We were told the warm waters of August could produce amazing things and we found that out in a big way. I had been trying to fit another visit to the resort into my schedule for the last couple of years and finally, arrangements were made and space was available during the week of May 15-19, 2019. I would be accompanied on the trip by my wife, Sherie and Ralph and Tammy Crystal, co-owners of the Gone Fishin’ Lodge in Alaska. Ralph joins me on a trip or two every year to help with photos and filming when needed and the May dates ended up fitting into his pre-season schedule.

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

We arrived at Los Cabos International Airport about mid-day, with our flight coming in from Houston and the Crystal’s flight from Los Angeles. The resorts driver was waiting outside for us and our bags were quickly loaded into the van and we were off on our 40-minute drive to the resort. Soon, we were entering the gate to the resort and getting directions to our poolside rooms. We quickly settled in and donned our swim wear for a little pool time,

The beautiful pool area and swim-up bar are just a couple of the great features of the resort during your stay at Hotel Buena Vista.

Our first stop produced two smaller yellowfin tuna that Ralph quickly fought to the side of the boat for Santiago to gaff and hoist over the side. Sherie and Tammy got quite a kick out of all of the excitement as they took a little break from working on their tans to take a look at our catch. Captain Chio then instructed Santiago to reel in the lines as he had just gotten the word that two other boats in the fleet had found a nice tuna boil about 20 miles away. As we arrived, lines were again quickly let out and within seconds, a reel to my left started singing. The next 20-minutes resulted in another four yellowfin in the boat, with two more slipping away. With a long return boat ride ahead of us now, Captain Chio set our course back to the dock. On our way back we stopped at one more spot, only a few miles from home and landed two more nice tuna, all destine for dinner that night. Also, we were lucky enough to have a couple of whales put on a great show along our route, finishing off a great day on the water. Dinner was nothing short of spectacular – starting with sashimi and two different ceviche dishes as appetizers, then deep fried/breaded strips and baked tuna for the main course. With all of the boats doing well on the day, let’s just say that everybody seemed to be having a good time telling tales of their day and putting away piles of fresh tuna. Axel could be seen making his way around the dining area and First Mate Santiago and Ralph Crystal hoist up the first of many yellowfin tuna finally arrived at our table. As we finished off our great meal with a brought to the boat on our first day in the gorgeous waters of the Sea of Cortez. little dessert, he filled us in on a couple of options for our next day in paradise. We could either do an ATV adventure to some falls in the complete with a short splash over to the swim-up bar for a couple of “Miami Vice” area or partake of a snorkeling excursion up the coast. Since Sherie and I had already cocktails – non-alcoholic of course! By 6:30pm, we were dressed for dinner and seated had a chance to take the ATV adventure on our earlier visit, we decided to go for the outside on the patio of the restaurant with a perfect view of the beautiful Sea of Cortez snorkeling, to the delight of Ralph and Tammy as they had hoped we would be able to across the stunning white sand beach of the Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort. It’s no do a little diving in the gorgeous blue waters of the area. wonder the resort has earned the name of the “Jewel of the East Cape” in Mexico’s The next morning, we devoured a late breakfast and then at about noon, we headed beautiful Baja Peninsula. to the front desk to meet our driver who would be taking us to our snorkel adventure. Our package included their “American Food Plan” and our waitress filled us in on About thirty minutes later we found ourselves arriving in front of one of a handful of many of the dishes available. Ralph’s Spanish came in handy as we first ordered some traditional chips and salsa, followed by salads and main courses. We each ordered a different entrée, with of course a couple of catches of the day included to get a feel for what our stay had in store for us on the water. After a great meal, we headed over to the bar area to watch the end of the Blazers/Warriors game and Axel Valdez greeted us and filled us in on our adventure for early the next morning. We found ourselves at the breakfast table the next morning at 6am, with the sun just starting to peek on the horizon. As we dined, lunches were prepared by the staff for our first day on the water. By seven, we were loading onto our 29ft. cruiser as Captain Chio and first mate, Santiago backed us away from the dock as we headed out in search of tuna. Captain Chio intently listened to the radio and both he and Santiago watched for signs on the water and in the air. Soon, birds could be seen circling in the distance and porpoises started to pop out of the water all around us. Santiago quickly started putting out lines and soon five rods set along the back of the cruiser, some set-up with large plugs and others with hoochies.

Kent Danjanovich with a nice Jack Crevalle, one of five hook-ups while trolling with live bait along the beautiful white sand beaches of the coast.

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

snorkel operations, with wet suits, fins and snorkel gear hanging in front of each. We were quickly fitted for gear and then given a little detail of our next 2 ½ hour adventure before loading into our boat at the beach. I will have to say that if you are into snorkeling, this adventure is a must do when visiting Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort. All three stops that we made offered exceptional visibility and tons of fish of all kinds. Unfortunately for Sherie, she had a little encounter with a jellyfish, but other than that, it was a great day and a great time for all. Our third full day at the resort found the girls staying behind for some pool time and Ralph and I heading to the dock to meet up with our panga Captain, Juan. Rooster fish would be #1 on our list to chase after, but we informed our captain that we were up for whatever the ocean had to offer on this day. We headed up the coast to an area where a couple of roosters had been hooked the day before. After stopping to buy some live bait from the locals, Captain Juan soon had our rods loaded and ready for action. But unfortunately, the fish weren’t quite as willing as we were. Finally, an hour into our troll, Ralph’s rod tip started to bob and his freespool started to sing. Unfortunately, the fight was short-lived and Ralph reeled in a bare hook. Captain Juan hooked him up with another live mullet and we were both in the water again. Minutes later, my line started to zip out of my reel and with a quick flip of the switch on the bail, the battle was on. This fish was strong and was letting me know that he was the boss. Finally, I was able to make some headway and after a valiant battle, a beautiful Jack Crevalle made its way to the hands of our captain. After a few photos, he released it back to the water and we were back at it. The next couple of hours produced four more hookups, with one more Jack landed, with two mystery fish outsmarting us. We had finished off our live bait, so Captain Juan asked if we wanted to try maybe dorado or a striped marlin as we worked our way back toward the dock. He quickly switched out our gear and our bait. An hour passed with no action, so with about 45-minutes left in our trip, we started to head back to the dock. With the resort barely visible in the distance, Captain Juan slowed and again started to put out our lines. With only about 15-minutes of fishing time left, as if on que, one of the reels started to sing and Captain Juan sprang from his seat at the wheel. He quickly grabbed the rod out of the holder and let the line continue to pile off of the reel. Seconds later, he set the hook hard and then handed the rod to Ralph as the battle was on.

Snorkeling adventures are available during your stay and highly recommended. Lots of fish and good equipment.

Your view from the restaurant area, overlooking the cabanas and beachfront location of the resort. Believe me, you will never get tired of the views!

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Yellowfin tuna put up a great fight, no matter their size. Just imagine hooking into a 100-pounder!

As Ralph watched the line fly off of his reel, he asked our captain what he thought was on the other end. But Juan didn’t have to say a word as Ralph’s question was answered when a beautiful striped marlin lunged to the air, some two hundred yards behind us! Finally, his run stopped and Ralph started to retrieve a little line. Slowly but surely, he made a little headway and about 45-minutes later, Ralph was hoisting up his prize for some photos. Well, there you have it. Our latest visit to see our friends at the Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort is in the books and we couldn’t have asked for a better adventure. Whether you are seeking rest and relaxation in a beautiful setting surrounded by the Sea of Cortez or an angler in search of some of the best sport fishing adventures imaginable, Hotel Buena Vista is just the ticket. Their amenities include 60 rooms and suites, a full-service restaurant, a beautiful pool area complete with flowing fountains, towering palm trees, tropical plants and flagrant flowers, all set in an oasis-like atmosphere. We are proud to have Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort as one of our Platinum Approved Outfitters and Lodges and we are happy to announce we will be adding them to our Pro Membership Sweepstakes giveaway for 2020. But in the meantime, if you are looking for a great getaway a little south of the border, give them a call today at 800-752-3555 to talk about all of the possibilities.

The meals at Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort are exceptional. They will even cook up your catch of the day in just about every way imaginable - here we have tuna in the form of sashimi and two ceviche dishes as appetizers.

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Sig Sauer’s Award Winning BDX Riflescope Rangefinder System The SIG SAUER Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX) rangefinder, riflescope and app has transformed hunting with its unprecedented simplicity and accuracy. KILO BDX rangefinders and SIERRA3BDX riflescopes combine the power of Applied Ballistics Data with Bluetooth technology, allowing you to get the most accurate and ethical shot. There are three ways to use BDX: KILO BDX RANGEFINDERS: The KILO BDX rangefinder gives you unprecedented capability in the palm of your hand. Simply set your ballistic profile in the SIG BDX app and when you range your target, the KILO BDX will automatically provide an elevation holdover and windage adjustment. Adjust accordingly and take your shot. SIERRA3BDX RIFLESCOPES: The powerful SIERRA3BDX riflescope revolutionizes the art of holdover calculation. Once synced with your SIERRA3BDX riflescope, you can configure up to eight fixed holdover dots in the digital ballistic reticle based on your unique ballistic, creating a customized illuminated reticle. No more turrets to adjust or calculations to make. Perfect for known distance shooting, like action

rifle stage shooting for 3-Gun competitions or hunting when paired Bluetooth devices are restricted. BDX OPTICS SYSTEM: When used together KILO BDX rangefinders and SIERRA3BDX riflescopes combine to create the most advanced optics system available on the market today. Simply configure your ballistic profile in the BDX app, pair your KILO BDX rangefinder with the app and then bond it to your SIERRA3BDX riflescope. When you range your target the KILO BDX rangefinder automatically sends your specific holdover data to your SIERRA3BDX riflescope giving you an illuminated holdover dot. It’s simple and fast.

ROMEO8T Red Dot Sight

Designed for the most severe conditions, the ruggedized ROMEO8T allows for rapid target acquisition in any situation. With a massive field of view, the ROMEO8T delivers unparalleled target acquisition, accuracy and situational awareness, accelerating reaction time on follow-up shots. The ROMEO8T features a 38mm rectangular viewing window with high performance coatings for excellent light transmission and red dot contrast, even under night vision. With 0.5MOA adjustments for precise zeroing and ballistic drops built into the reticle for distance shooting without dialing or guessing on holdovers, the ROMEO8T is adaptable to the mission. The durability of this optic is undeniable. The ruggedized 7075 CNC Aluminum housing of the ROMEO8T sits within an integral field-replaceable lightweight Titanium shroud for added strength. Standard features include front and rear flip caps, an anti-reflective device and an IPX-8 waterproof rating (20 meters submersion for 30-minutes). When it comes to versatility, the ROMEO8T exceeds expectations. The onboard Quad Ballistic Circle Dot reticle of the ROMEO8T gives you four selectable reticle options for extensive targeting capabilities and the 1.53” optical center height easily allows for night vision and magnifier compatibility. The durable ½” hex bolt mounting system is designed to fit both Weaver and MIL-STD 1913 rails, ensuring fast and easy transitions of the optic between firearms. With MOTAC technology and a common CR-123 Lithium battery, the optic offers 10-years of run time - so you can trust that it’s ready when you are. Never be without your ROMEO8T.

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

The world’s most advanced rangeﬁnders KILO2200BDX™ • Embedded Applied Ballistics Ultralite engine with extensive bullet library with support for G1/G7 drag curves • Save up to 25 custom ballistic profiles in the SIG BDX App • Active ballistic profile and environmentals sync to rangefinder • Windage and elevation holds in MOA or MILS with every target ranged • Lightwave DSP leverages 4x/second HyperScan™ and RangeLock™ • technologies for the fastest ranging performance

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Sportsman’s News • 435-669-4624 mdeming@sportsmansnews.com July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

CAMPING Products Tailgater Tire Table

Be ready for any kind of adventure with the Tailgater Tire Table Original Steel Tire-Mounted Folding Table. Made of durable steel with a powder-coated finish, this table was built to last. The simple installation process makes setting this table up a quick task. With no tools or hitch required, all you have to do it hook it on your tire for a place to store all your favorite tailgate snacks and beverages. Fits most tires over 14-inches and the extendable center leg provides even more support by resting against the wheel or on the ground. With this tire-mounted table, you can finally have the chance to host a tailgate with your car even if you don’t have a truck bed.

Estwing Fireside Friend - Firewood Splitting Tool

Forged from a single piece of steel, the Estwing Fireside Friend is a 4-pound firewood fabrication beast. Made with the same meticulous attention to detail and rugged dependability of Estwing hammers, the Firseide Friend has plenty of heft to make quick work of even the toughest logs.

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Browning Surefire Camp Chair with Side Table

Featuring Realtree Xtra fabric with padded, curved armrests and a powder coated frame, the Surefire Chair and Side Table easily folds flat for simple transportation. The Surefire Chair is an incredibly convenient option for camping, sports events and barbeques. It features a cool, reinforced mesh center, while a taller back provides better comfort and a Pro-Tec powder coated aluminum frame and a side table keeps food and drinks handy

Kodiak Canvas Z Top 0-Degree Rectangular Sleeping Bag

Finally, a sleeping bag that is both warm and comfortable. The all new Z Top sleeping bag has a unique top flap that comfortably seals in body heat and eliminates drafts. This revolutionary design allows you to sleep in the position that affords you the most comfort. You can even sprawl while keeping under the covers. In warmer conditions, you can fold back the top flap or unzip and remove it. In Kodiak Canvas fashion, this bag is constructed with premium materials and loaded with features. The top-of-the-line, locking, YKK zippers stay put and won’t travel during the night. Zippers are lined with anti-snag strips and have a fulllength zipper baffle to reduce heat loss.

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14 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

CAMPING Products Campfire Defender Pop-Up Pit

Lightweight, clean burning and easy to set up, the Pop-Up Pit is the best way to host a fire, anywhere, anytime and on any surface. The Pop-Up Pit sets up in just minutes. The innovative design cuts the bulk and weight of traditional fire pits and the result is a minimal, packable frame and base that folds into a bag smaller than a camp chair. It holds up to 125 lbs, so you can load up enough wood to keep the whole camp warm and yet it only weighs 8 lbs, so it can hold over 15x its own weight.

OtterBox Venture 65 Cooler

The Venture is built sturdy to pack along in your truck, boat or four-wheeler. Its rugged structure keeps your contents safe and its rubber feet keep it in the exact spot you put it in. Attach accessories to the exterior mounting points and integrated rails to configure your Venture for the task at hand. A bottle opener, a drybox, a double cup holder, side table and more slide on and off easily. Set up the vast interior of your Venture how you like. Keep dry and soft items separate and create compartments that keep your meat, veggies and beverages apart. It features tough latches to lock in contents, keep critters out and that drop down out of the way when not in use. The roomy 65-quart extreme cooler is built tough for adventure and will hold ice for up to 16 days.

Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro Hammock

The Skeeter Beeter Pro Hammock boasts a godsend for summer camping: attached no-see-um mosquito netting overhead that keeps biting little buzzers away so you can actually enjoy the fresh air. The larger Skeeter Beeter Pro Hammock can support up to 400-pounds. Grey No-See-Um mosquito netting hangs overhead and away from your face so you can still read a book or sip a drink without feeling claustrophobic. Just sit in the hammock and zip yourself in with the double-sided zipper. If the coast is clear and you don’t need the mosquito netting, just flip the hammock over and sit on it as a normal hammock.

Browning Adjustable Outfitter Table

If you’re looking for the ultimate camp table for all your outdoor activities, this is the table for you. Unlike any other design on the market, this table has two adjustable height levels and a hard table top, so it’s certain to be the most sturdy, portable table available. The extended table height is great whether you’re serving food, tailgating or cleaning fish. The standard height is perfect when it’s time to pull up a chair and eat dinner or play games. When it’s time to pack up and head home, the table folds up and fits into an included carry bag, making it easy to transport and store.

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

CAMPING Products

Stansport Bucket-Style Portable Toilet The lightweight bucket base holds up to 5-gallons and supports up to 300 lbs. For easy clean-up, this system is compatible with Stansport toilet bags, as well as most 8-, 10-, and 13-gallon trash bags. A comfortable snap-on seat with hinged cover contains odors and the contoured handle makes it easy to carry and empty.

Camp Chef Portable Camp Oven

The Camp Chef Oven has power to get your cooking and baking done right. The oven is loaded with features, including matchless ignition, oven thermometer and two oven racks. It is perfect for outdoor cooking at the beach or campground. Oh, and did I mention it is also a great tailgating item! On top, two brass 7,500 BTU burners fire up a cooking range, making the portable oven a full-on kitchen for eggs, bacon, pancakes and much more, while you bake your cinnamon rolls or cookies down below.

Rustic Ridge 10 Person Dome Tent w/ Vestibule The Rustic Ridge 10 Person Dome Tent includes a 4 ft deep vestibule for dry entry and gear storage. The mesh windows, door and roof provide excellent ventilation. The seam taped fly provides rain protection, along with the polyethylene floor and welded seams for extra protection. Also included are color coded fiberglass poles that make for easy and quick setup. It is 82-inches tall, so even those who are 6-feet tall can stand up fully inside. There is even an E-port to run an electrical line into the tent for charging your devices, lighting or running a coffee pot.

16 July 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

RUGER 10/22 TAKEDOWN ®

CONVENIENT FOR STORAGE A N D T R A N S P O R T A T I ON The Ruger ® 10/22 Takedown ® combines all of the features and functionality of the 10/22 ® rifle, with the ability to easily separate the barrel from the action for convenient storage and transportation. The simple reassembly of the barrel and action yields a rock-solid return to zero for consistent, reliable performance. Packed in a convenient carry-case (included), the Ruger ® 10/22 Takedown ® makes it easy to keep America’s favorite rimfire rifle by your side.

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Nine-year-old Mika van der Gryp guiding the author onto an African Impala.

It was her hunt to guide and there were big impala bucks in the mopane bush. Story and photos by Gary Lewis

he was in camp with us in 2006 when we were on safari in the Limpopo. She was two years old then and now, seven years later, she was with us again. Nine-year-old Mika already could read the track of the leopard from the back of the safari vehicle and knew enough to tell a kudu track from a waterbuck’s. Now it was the last day of our safari and the little girl who had been so shy the first couple of days was teaching us Afrikaans while she practiced her English. “Do you want to hunt impala, Gary?” her father Wighardt asked. To me, it is one of the most graceful of animals as well as one of the best suited to the South African bushveldt. If it was more rare, it would be one of the most coveted of trophies. Because it is so common, it is often overlooked. On my first safari in Namibia, I saw one small band of impala and was never able to get close enough to even take a picture. But on each safari since, I have seen many of them, hundreds and hundreds and am captivated by them all, the watchfulness and grace of the females, the jealousy of the rams and how quick they are to fight. In a land where they are on the menu for every sharp-toothed predator, they are ever watchful, always suspicious, quick to flight. And when they run, they are a blur

Lewis carried a Nosler Custom rifle chambered for .338 Winchester Magnum. On this safari, the rifle accounted for a kudu, a warthog, a jackal and two impalas.

18 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

The Youngest Impala Guide

Nine-year-old Mika and Lewis follow a track out into a clearing.

and when they jump, they can clear a vehicle on a two-track road. My TV producer, Samuel Pyke, on his first safari with us, had taken an impala a few days before. And I wished to hunt one more animal before catching the flight home. “I want Mika to guide me,” I told her father. “Give her the binoculars and the shooting sticks and let her lead me to an impala.” Mika could already judge a trophy ram as well as most people, but the trophy didn’t matter to me, a clean shot mattered on this, the last day of my hunt. If I’d wanted a trophy, we would have sought out groups of females with one breeding ram, the male that had fought for and won the right to keep them. But we started out by hunting bachelor groups instead. We spotted two rams across a flat, tucked

She told him it was a fine impala and that he had made a good shot.

Planning the first safari We were set to board the plane for South Africa and a fellow came up to us. “Hey, I noticed you guys are all dressed up like you’re going on safari. I’m going to Cape Town,” he said. “Do y’all know where I can book a safari? I want to see a lion and a tiger.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him he wasn’t going to see a tiger unless he took a detour to India. We waited until almost everyone else was on the plane then started toward the gate behind some bow hunters also safari bound. Right in front of us, authorities stopped and pulled one of the guys out of line because he had less than 30 days before his passport expired. One little detail overlooked can ruin a year of planning. There are a lot of little things a person should know before going on safari. The best thing to do is read a little bit beforehand. Check out travel tips from people who have been to your destination recently. Then check out a few books on the subject. Take the information from different sources. Try to get perspective from several people who have been there. One thing they don’t tell you is you won’t be able to use the restroom until you clear customs which can take 45-minutes or more. There were some nervous people in line. Once customs is cleared, the next thing to do is pick up luggage. If traveling with firearms, the guns may be transported ahead to the police office. Some airlines require a signature before the gun is released to the police. Find out in advance before leaving the baggage claim area. Samuel Pyke with You won’t be able to go back and it might cost a bit in tip money. Speaking of tip money, bring small bills. It is embarrassing to find oneself in the position of giving a small an impala taken gratuity when there are only $100 bills in the wallet. with a Nosler Speaking of wallets, bring a neck wallet to discourage pickpockets in close quarters. AccuBond. Photo We stayed our first nights in a rustic cabin without many of the amenities of the regular upscale lodges. After courtesy Samuel a day in the field, I was happy to have my travel towel with me. The Outgo towel folds up in a small rectangle Pyke and, having washed it at home, I trusted its cleanliness more than the towels that were used by the last 50 guests. I also brought a Frontier water filter from Aquamira. It is easy to use anytime the water is less than trustworthy. It doesn’t take up a lot of space, either as it will fit in a shirt pocket. On our first night in South Africa the temperature dropped down to 12-degrees Fahrenheit, which can come as a surprise to a lot of first time safari travelers. July can be downright cold because it’s winter in Africa. Bring your long johns, but don’t expect much snow. And don’t expect snow tigers either. -Gary Lewis

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July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S 4/11/19 NEWS10:04 AM

into a stand of mopane. They saw us as we moved through the shade and when they went on alert, we glassed them. Moments later, they streaked off through the trees. Our first stalk was blown. Mika was crestfallen. “Tell me they were too small,” I whispered. She looked at me. This was a teaching moment. A guide can always say the animal was too small if it gets away. “They were too small,” she said. We went looking for another. Growing up in a hunting family, where the father is a professional hunter, a PH, respected among his peers, it is not too much of a stretch to imagine that this girl could be a licensed PH herself someday, a female hunter in a profession dominated by males. It was less than ten minutes before we spotted the next group. Several rams were visible down a road, feeding in the tall grass at either side. A giraffe towered above them, spotted us and moved off. As one impala fed out of sight, another one replaced it. We stalked as close as we dared and then, when we were out of shade, Mika set up the sticks and I set the rifle on the rest. “That is a very good one,” the little woman said. And then when it went out of sight and two others drifted into the opening, “The one on the right, he is the biggest impala.” It didn’t matter how big the ram was. If she said it was the biggest, it was the biggest. Her dad was behind us, keeping track through the trees. Behind him were the trackers who must have been shaking their heads. Afterward, the rangefinder said it was a 251-yard shot. The 200-grain Nosler AccuBond took the impala in the neck and the ram fell in its tracks. The trackers walked up, their tribal differences forgotten, a proud Afrikaaner father

Mika and her father, Wighardt van der Gryp examine a leopard track. put his hand on his daughter’s shoulder. We walked up on the fallen impala and the nine-year-old led the way. She touched the animal with the sticks then turned around and shook my hand. “That was a very good shot,” she said. It’s all about saying the right thing. To contact Gary Lewis, visit www.GaryLewisOutdoors.com.

A Sunday night jackal. Jackals are hard on baby impala and must be managed in good game country. Photo courtesy Samuel Pyke

20 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SIG SAUER P320-M17 >>

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

s part of the US Army’s Modular Handgun System competition to replace the Beretta 92/M9 that served the US military for more than 25 years, the Army provided specific features and specifications they wanted to see. One of those was the ability to quickly swap the fire controls with various frames and slides to increase the versatility of the weapon for different environments and operations. The winner of that competition was Sig Sauer with their M17, a modified P320. About a year later, the US Navy also adopted the M17. Now Sig Sauer is offering a civilian version of the M17. Designated as the P320-M17, the civilian pistol is very closely-based on the military M17. The M17 retained the reliable and low-maintenance striker-fire mechanism of the P320, the beefy striker and firing assembly, along with easy disassembly of P320 in the new version. It can also be disassembled without pulling the trigger, which is a big plus in a duty gun. The P320-M17 comes in a standard configuration, but also has grip modules available in two smaller sizes for carry or compact concealment. The standard slide, barrel and fire control can quickly be swapped between the various grips. The gun comes standard with two 17-round magazines and the grip modules will work with those, but 10-round magazines are also available that eliminate the space of the longer magazines sticking out of the grip. Extended 21-rounders can also be purchased for it as well. Not only does the modular design of the M17 allow it to easily be reconfigured for a variety of uses, the new design also provides some features that were not available on the standard Sig P320. The most noticeable is the optics cut on the top of the slide. The slide is already milled to accept red dot optics. Rather than a standard RMR cut, the MHS specified a cut that fits the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro footprint and screw hole alignment. This larger plate will allow adapter plates to be created for a wider variety of red dots. Not to be left behind, the Sig Electro-Optics division has adapted their ROMEO1 to fit on top and designated it as the ROMEO1 Pro. Either the Leupold or the Sig ROMEO1 Pro will fit on the gun. At this time, it appears there is no way to mount other optics, but there is little doubt that as this gun begins to make its way into use in theater, other optics companies will make red dots to fit on top. Another feature that the MHS required is an external manual safety and Sig accommodated this with a true ambidextrous safety that is fully functional and clearly indexes the shooter’s thumb. The slide lock is also accessible from both sides of the gun and the magazine release can be reversed. Couple this with a larger chamber cut that launches fired cases up and back and the gun is very use friendly for the Southpaw. The Civilian version is also available without the manual safety. The stock P320-M17 comes with a 4.7-inch barrel and the stainless-steel slide is 8-inches overall and just over an inch wide. The stainless slide is coated with what Sig is calling a PVD finish. It is a very rugged coating that protects the finish from moisture, rust and corrosion, but also helps protect against scratching. It and the grip

22 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

are in an attractive coyote tan color. The internal firing assembly is also constructed of easy-to-maintain stainless-steel. The polymer grip module is beautifully contoured for a natural point of aim that feels great in the hand. The subtle undercut on the trigger guard is shallow for a higher grip on the pistol for more control and better ergonomics. The texturing on the grip is aggressive without being painful for a positive grip. Because this gun will be used in combat theaters by troops at the pointy end, it is designed to be supremely reliable and work when dirty, dusty, wet, and sandy. It works when it is unoiled and also when it is filthy with carbon fouling. In the three months I have been shooting this gun, I have put several thousand rounds through it and haven’t cleaned it once. On the range, the P320-M17 is a joy to shoot. The long sight radius coupled with a medium bore axis, minimizes muzzle flip and also provides some mass to absorb recoil. The natural point-of-aim, coupled with a SIGLITE front tritium sight and a night site rear plate, makes getting back on target rapidly a breeze. The rear sights are steel and are attached to the removable red dot cut, so if you add a red dot, you won’t be able to co-witness your rear sights. The included rear night sights do have a flat front face for single handed cocking, which is a must in a combat pistol. The trigger on my test gun was breaking at an average of 7.34 pounds and had very little creep and imperceptible overtravel. The finish is a little mushy without a clear and distinct wall. However, when firing the pistol, it feels lighter, no doubt a result of the ergonomics. After some pretty extensive testing and evaluation, the P320-M17 took a lot of abuse and in case anyone was still wondering, 10 drops on its butt from 6-feet resulted in not a single dent on the primed empty case in the chamber. I am very impressed with the look, feel and most importantly, the performance of this pistol and I will be adding it to my arsen… er, collection. But don’t just take my word for it. Put it in your own hands at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse gun counter and feel for yourself the great ergonomics of this fine weapon.

July 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

Old Town Topwater PDL Angler Sit-on-Top Pedal Drive Kayak

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24 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

TOU FROM RS $69 & FISH FROM ING $199

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

gile in the water yet roomy enough for all of your gear, the Old Town Topwater Angler PDL sit-on-top pedal drive kayak, provides a ton of features and helps fisherman get away from the shore and out to where the fish are hiding. Made of a single hull, rigid polyethylene material for superior strength without added weight, the Topwater Angler features a DoubleU-shaped hull for the stability of an outrigger in a compact package. This unique hull shape helps the Angler to glide silently through the water and gives it great balance, even in choppy water, by simulating a pontoon design. The PDL Drive from Old Town is one of the smoothest I have used. It sports a 10.3:1 gear ratio for fewer revolutions of the pedals without sacrificing speed. It operates silently and rapidly tips up out of the way for easy beaching of the kayak without struggling to pull up the drive. The best thing about a pedal drive is that it frees your hands up for fishing, tying lures on your line, or hauling in a big catch. The maneuverability provided by the combination of the pedal drive and the easy-to-steer rudder control gives the Topwater Angler amazing agility for navigating into even narrow inlets. The ease of pulling the PDL drive up lets you coast into even the shallowest of water using the momentum of the drive. The PDL works just as well in reverse as it does in forward and docking is a breeze. The PDL will achieve a top speed of 5.5 MPH without fatiguing your legs and padded pedals provide excellent comfort for pedaling barefoot. On top, the Topwater Angler sports plenty of storage and accessories. A roomy covered front storage compartment offers stowage of gear and an oversized deep rear well is perfect for even larger coolers or camping gear. Two internal side compartments allow easy access to beverages or smaller items and the console storage compartment on the PDL drive is a great place to keep your favorite tackle. There is even a locking compartment for valuables under the seat. The seat itself is supremely comfortable and made of a breathable mesh. There is a wide amount of adjustment in the angle of the seat as well as ample adjustment tracks for changing distance from the pedals. Steering on the Topwater is done by a conveniently placed steering controller under the driver’s left hand and on the right side is a lever to raise or lower the rudder quickly and efficiently.

Old Town seems to have thought of almost everything and short of the lack of an anchor trolley and a few extra scupper plugs, there isn’t much that they missed the mark on. Even the Boreal color scheme, a swirling blend of black and turquoise, is an attractive choice. If you are looking for a sit-on-top fishing kayak that is easy enough for the kids to use for exploring the lake, the Old Town Topwater Angler PDL is a great choice.

Two flush-mount fishing rod holders are molded into the hull behind the seat. Two T-Tracks up front allow the easy installation of additional accessories like trolling rigs or additional rod holders. A universal transducer mount lets you quickly and easily connect your favorite fish finder. They even molded the all-important cup holder into the gunwale. The one feature that is missing that I would have liked to see included is an anchor trolley. They can be added aftermarket, but I think it would have been a great addition. Our model is the Topwater 106 PDL in Boreal color scheme. It is 10.5 feet long and weighs just 100 pounds. The four molded handles, one fore and aft and one on each side, make it easy for one person to move, load, unload, and launch this kayak. The Topwater is designed for fishing and is stable enough to stand up in for casting or fly fishing. EVA foam on the deck provides a comfortable place to stand without risk of slipping. The Topwater came with two scupper plugs and six scupper holes, so you will have to purchase four more if you like to keep the deck and anything you set on it, dry. This kayak really moves through the water with minimal resistance and provides great stability. The ease of use of the PDL drive outclassed every other pedal drive I have ever tested. The fact that it is maintenance-free and covered by a 5-year warranty is a great plus. The hull of the kayak is protected by Old Town’s lifetime warranty. The Topwater steers beautifully, has easy to use, intuitive controls and makes beaching or moving through shallow water very easy. There is even a place to attach your paddle when you are using the pedals.

The Topwater is light and agile, and a good fit for anyone in the family.

The Topwater is ideal for maneuvering among trees and other obstacles that make a paddle difficult to use.

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Control Freak

have to admit it; I’m a control freak. I want to be in total control at all times and I’ve been known to micro-manage those around me as well. Do you know what? It’s a good thing. How could that attitude possibly be a good thing? Because I’m a fisherman and in fishing and life, being in control is a very good thing. Now, before you dismiss my viewpoint as that of jerk, let me explain what I mean by control as it relates to a few aspects of fishing and furthermore, how it will help you catch more fish. Let’s start with a couple of obvious ones, like boat control. Boat control seems basic and just about everyone that captains their vessel thinks they are in control. However, in my experience of fishing with a huge number of anglers ranging from casual weekend fishers in simple tin boats to sure ‘nuf pro bassers in $80,000 rigs to kayak anglers and even SUP’ers, the amount of control they have of their vessels varies widely even amongst their peers. What doesn’t generally vary is the fact that those with the best understanding of controlling their vessel catch more fish, with less boating headaches. Boat control could mean being a very precise troller, able to run perfect trolling passes and turns at the perfect speed, over and over again. It could mean being able to “crab” down a windblown dam face with the electric trolling motor, all the while keeping the boat in perfect range to land each crankbait cast right at the water’s edge. It may mean being able to hold a position in current or a breeze directly over a waypoint or deep fish marked on the sonar unit, snaking through a maze of flooded timber without crashing into trees or even keeping the boat from drifting in on shallow fish.

Chad LaChance

26 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

The tools of boat control are of course the gas and/or electric trolling motors, traditional anchors, drift socks, shallow water hydraulic anchors or even stakes used to pin a kayak or paddleboard in place. Regardless, in all cases it takes experience and practice to determine how wind, current, hull design and other elements affect the boat and how the requisite tools counteract that. Fishing with someone with total boat control is great fun, while fishing with someone that can’t control their boat is an exercise in frustration and missed opportunities. Can you accurately control your trailer while backing down a ramp? If not, practice anywhere but at the ramp. Being out of control before even launching the boat is a sure recipe for a crappy outing. Control removes the stress from the whole boat ramp process, not only for you but everyone else as well. Same thing goes for actually driving the boat around docks, ramps or other boats. Keep in mind that, in steering a boat at very low speeds, the throttle is your best tool; boats don’t steer well at idle. Short blips of throttle will help. Another area where control is paramount to consistent catching is casting and line control. Ever make a long cast only to have the wind catch your line and blow out a huge rainbow arch of line? Perhaps you cast into the wind only to get a backlash or even cast into the very bushes you’re fishing around? Yea, don’t be that guy, practice casting at home. It will save you money on tangled line and lost lures, not to mention an infinite amount of frustration. Control in the form of casting accuracy - or more specifically lack thereof - is something I’ve witnessed more often than not in clients I’ve guided. Again, practice at home. If you practice on the water, you’re fishing, not practicing. At a higher level of angling, depth control helps you catch fish. It’s one thing to see a bunch of fish on your sonar unit, it’s another thing to be able to place your lure at or above them. Whether you’re pitching a jig to shallow cover and gaining immediate line control, casting a mid-depth plug, jigging a spoon over deep water, trolling lead core or down riggers, suspending live bait under a slip bobber or floating trout dough above the bottom, precise depth control separates good days from great days. For the record, when I mentioned “micro-managing those around me” in my opening statement, I was referencing the casting accuracy, line control and depth control of clients in my boat. In my self-defense, that’s what they’re paying me for and in almost all cases, they question it in the beginning of the trip and thank me for it later. The last bit of control I’ll mention is your emotions. Herbert Hoover’s famous quote rings true: “be patient and calm, for no one can catch fish in anger.” Remember all those other control things I detailed above? Well, when done right they all add up to a far more relaxed day on the water and when you’re relaxed you fish better. So, control the controllables and don’t worry about the rest. Pro tournament anglers and other athletes often talk about getting “spun out” or “the wheels coming off”; they’re recognizing that they’re out of control mentally or emotionally and that never leads to performing anything at a high level. So yea, I’m a control freak and it’s a tendency I’m happy to have.

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4/17/19 10:33 AM

PRO'S TIP

Camping for Free For Forest Service Land, you can find resources at www.fs.fed. us and choose a forest in the state where you wish to camp or if you know the name of the National Forest, you can choose that from another drop down list. Once at the page for the forest you wish to visit, there is a recreation link and under that, camping and cabins. Typically, there will be a link for dispersed camping guidelines in that area of the website. Monuments and National Parks are strongly regulated, and access is controlled. Most do not allow you to backcountry camp in them, but a few have exceptions or provide areas just off of the property where you can set up a dispersed camp. As for state and county land, every state is going to have different locations set aside, as well as regulations for how long you can camp or if particular areas are off limits. You will need to check with your county to see what restrictions are in place. All of these agencies recommend that if possible, you use an already established camp site and fire ring rather than creating your own. Most also prohibit camping within a mile of an already established campground. If you have a large group of over 75 people, a permit will need to be obtained from the agency.

Making Camp

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

here is nothing as healing and reconnecting as camping. Memories made around a wood campfire seem to burn into our brains more deeply than nearly any other activity. As more people discover the therapeutic benefits of camping, access to established campgrounds gets scarcer and when you do manage to grab a spot, the entire campground is over-crowded, noisy, and expensive. But with a little planning and knowledge, you can take the family far off the beaten path and camp for free. Some people refer to it as backcountry camping, but the proper term for it is dispersed camping. Dispersed camping lets you camp for free in most cases, on public land, even when there isn’t a designated campground. This method of camping is great for getting away from other campers but comes at the cost of no amenities like a swimming pool, bathrooms, or running water. Often these dispersed camping locations will be far from major attractions and don’t have fabricated fire rings or tent pads. But despite the lack of amenities, camping in the backcountry can be much more enjoyable than camping in a crowded campground.

Picking Your Spot

To engage in dispersed camping, you need to know the rules of the area in which you plan to camp. Almost all Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land is open for some sort of dispersed camping. Areas that do not allow it will be very well marked. Much of the land controlled by the US Forest Service is also available for dispersed camping. Typically, National Parks and Monuments either do not allow dispersed camping or they tightly regulate and control where you can camp. State lands, including Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), State Parks, and Trust Land will all have different rules. The key thing to figure out is who is responsible for the land on which you will camp. Once you determine that, you can contact that agency and figure out what their specific rules will be. A quick web search of the BLM field office for the state where you are planning to camp will provide a lot of resources and information. (www.blm.gov)

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Each area will have different rules about how to make your camp, but the basic concept is to make as minimal of an impact on the area where you camp as possible. It is especially important when backcountry camping to pack out all trash and not impact the camping area. With millions of acres of wilderness, there aren’t resources to clean up all of the possible backcountry campsites. In an established campground, there are maintenance personnel to clean up and take care of the campground. In the backcountry, you are the only person who can take care of the wild places you use. These tips from the National Forest Service should act as a guide: • Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damaging or killing plants and grass. • Camping within 200 feet of any water source is discouraged. • Avoid camping in the middle of a clearing or meadow; try to make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a “wild” setting

PRO'S TIP

“Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul." - John Muir •

Pick a tent/camp trailer site that is already level with good drainage as opposed to digging trenches. • Gather and use native firewood instead of importing wood that may be infested with invasive species. Firewood permits are not needed for gathering firewood that will be used in your camp. Permits are only necessary if gathering wood that you will take out of the area. • Please use existing fire rings to minimize the scarring of new rocks, soil and plants. • Practice ‘Leave No Trace’ principles (www.LNT.org) In addition to these guidelines, it is important to make sure there are no fire restrictions in place before lighting a campfire. The Fire Service may initiate burn bans during especially dry periods or seasonally as needed to prevent forest fires. Check with your local fire service to determine if it is legal for you to have a campfire. Avoid open fires when signs warn that fire danger is high. In those cases, a propane fire ring makes a decent substitute without putting off hot embers that can float into the woods and create a fire hazard. Camping on public land is every American’s right and by maintaining it and leaving it cared for, we can continue to exercise this right for generations to come. If not, then we risk the government clamping down to protect the land. The essential trait of a good backcountry camper is that they leave the site better than they found it. This includes: • Not burning trash but packing it out. • Not burning pallets that can put off toxic gasses and leave nails behind. • Not leaving behind garbage. • Burying human waste in a cat hole at least 8-12 inches deep. • Packing out used toilet paper rather than burying it. • Not breaking bottles or other glass on the site or cleaning up any broken glass.

Sharing The Land

A key thing to remember when camping off the grid is that you are sharing the land; not just with other campers, but also the local wildlife. Most wildlife seeks to avoid

human contact unless they have become habituated to a free meal. For this reason, contact with wildlife in established campgrounds is minimal. In the backcountry, wildlife may be drawn to your camp by the smells of cooking or the activity of young people running around playing. Most of this wildlife will still give you a wide berth, but the occasional ursa may be drawn to your picnic basket. It is also not all that uncommon to have a very powerful bear tear open your vehicle to get at the tasty treats inside. In bear country, it is advised to use a bear vault and/or a grizzly certified cooler. It is also a good idea to have some bear spray on hand. The Forest Service has done a great deal of research into dealing with an angry bear and have found the strong pepper spray to be the most effective means of deterring a bear. Other critters you may encounter are cougars, snakes, insect life, wolves and big game animals like elk or deer. In sections of the south, you may have wild hogs to contend with and their aggressiveness should not be underestimated. If you have your pets with you, they should be kept close by and leashed or tethered. In addition to wild animals, you may still encounter hikers, off-roaders and other campers and they have the same rights to use the area as you do. Just as you would in an established campground, it is important to be a good neighbor. People head to the woods for many different reasons. Henry David Thoreau told us his reason. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” Whatever our reason, it is only polite to respect that others may be seeking to escape the noise and chaos of city living. Keeping your music quiet and keeping the celebrations lowkey and peaceful will go a long way toward ensuring everyone has a good time. And just because you aren’t in an established campground doesn’t mean you are immune from a call to the local police or ranger station and a visit from Smokey Bear. Have fun but keep the rowdiness to a minimum. Dispersed camping is my favorite way to get away from the crowds and relax in the woods and most places will let you stay between 14- to 16-days before you have to break camp and move to another location. I wish I ran into the problem of having to move camp more frequently, but my work schedule and deadlines limit the length of time I have to camp to a three-day weekend. As John Muir once said, “into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” That seems like a very good reason to go camping and getting lost in the vast wilderness of the backcountry is even better than a crowded campground for finding your soul. July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Video Product Reviews

Sitka Mountain Hauler 2700 Day Pack

hen it comes to bringing a product to market, Sitka Gear is as good as it gets. Most products that finally get produced have had 3-4 years in the making and testing phases of evaluation prior to ever being offered to the public. In 2018 Mountain Hauler 6200 hit the market after years of testing and now it’s little brother, the 2700 is finally being released and it is well worth the wait. At 2,700 cubic inches, it is definitely a full-sized day pack and gives you plenty of room to carry everything you are going to need for a day in the mountains. The “U” shaped zipper main compartment gives you great access to everything you are going to need as well as the ability to see it without having to dig around. Two full length external pockets are well thought out with the trophy hunter in mind and will fit nearly all full-sized spotting scopes. The other can be used for rolled up rain gear or one of the new flash shelters. The 19” deep pocket is smaller at the bottom and larger at the top to accommodate those spotting scopes, but the versatility for other things is great. An internal pocket provides a great place for storing knives, lights and other things you might need. The top pocket provides very easy access to snack items, phone or anything that needs to be readily available. The pack is H2O compatible and with a huge bladder area, which can accommodate the largest of bladders in excess of 3-liters. Once you get this thing loaded up for the day, you will be happy to know that the frame and overall design is capable of handling loads of up to 45 lbs. We might have pushed it past that a bit in our testing and it held up just fine. HowevScan this QR Code with er, it is rated at up to 45 lbs. The heavy-duty polyurethane your smart phone to view frame sheet type material helps the pack hold its shape as t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s well as two reinforced aluminum stays, giving the pack a YouTube Channel. stable ride when loaded. The padded back, shoulders and

waist belt, as well as load lifters help you get the perfect fit for your load. You can tell that the designers of this pack live in grizzly country as the waist belt has the ability to put a bear spray can on one side and your favorite big boar pistol on the other. There are plenty of tie down straps to secure a load to the outside of the pack and especially a bow when you are covering ground and have trekking poles in hand. Once you are into your hunt area and clear your bow, you can store your trekking poles on the side by the use of the side pocket and tie down straps. Putting your tripod in the other side balances out the load and makes for great travel. The main portion of the pack is made from 220 Denier Nylon with a two-sided Polyurethane Coating. This helps with waterproofing as well as the ability to repel blood. The blood that does get into the fabric will wash out easily. The downside to this is that the fabric is a bit noisy, but since most of us drop our packs for that last couple hundred yards of stalk, it isn’t an issue. These Mountain Hauler packs are rugged and durable and will definitely last you multiple seasons.

Leupold VX Freedom 30mm Main Tube Riflescopes

eupold’s popular VX Freedom line of scopes provide excellent performance in a feature-rich package at an affordable price. For 2019, Leupold has released four new VX Freedom scopes in a 30mm main tube and have added features like calibrated ballistic turrets, illuminated Fire Dot reticles, side focus and Tri MOA reticles. No matter which caliber or distance you need to deliver shots on target, the Leupold VX Freedom line has a scope for you, now with even more range of adjustment. Each VX Freedom comes covered with the best-inclass lifetime, no questions asked, Leupold Warranty. And best of all, they are built right here in the U.S.A. The four new scopes with a 30mm tube are the 3-9x40AR BDC with Firedot Duplex that has been calibrated for the ballistics of a 55 grain .223 round, the 3-9x40 with Firedot Duplex, the 4-12x40 CDS with Tri MOA and side focus and the 6-18x40 CDS with Tri MOA and side focus. The larger tube of these new scopes provides more range of adjustment over the one-inch tube models, increasing the versatility of your scope for a wider range of applications, loads and distances. Fire Dot Reticle The Fire Dot reticle uses a fiber optic illumination point for a much sharper aiming point over projected dots. The Motion Sensing Technology turns off the scope after five-minutes of inactivity and instantly springs back to life when the scope is moved, to prolong battery life and ensure that it is ready the moment you need it. For long term storage or transport, the dot can be easily turned off and a simple push of the button reactivates it for use. The red dot quickly draws your eye to the center of the reticle and features eight brightness levels, with easy push button activation and adjustment. Tri MOA Reticle The Leupold proprietary Tri MOA Reticle provides subtentions in 1 MOA increments on the sides and bottom of the crosshairs, leaving the upper crosshair as a standard line, to avoid obstructing the target. Longer lines at the 5 MOA point make it easy to quickly make adjustments on

30 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view the Sportsman's News YouTube Channel.

the fly. Each reticle provides 10 MOA of hold-over.

CDS (Custom Dial System) Leupold scopes with CDS come with a standard factory dial for computing adjustment and operates in standard ¼ click per MOA. Once the user determines their load and collects their ballistic data, the information is provided to Leupold, who then laser-cuts a new dial with your data. This means that instead of computing how many clicks of adjustment for a particular range, the user simply dials to the range cut on the dial; 3 for 300 yards, 1.5 for 150 yards, 5 for 500 yards, and so on. This custom dial is included in the price of the purchase, with each scope the user buys getting one dial included. If you plan to use multiple loads on your rifle, you can order additional dials for a nominal fee. See the entire line of VX Freedom scopes, including the new 30mm main tube models at your Sportsman’s Warehouse optics counter. Click on the QR code in this article to see it in action.

ALPS OutdoorZ Trophy X+ Pack

Video Product Reviews

“

se the right tool for the job!” Your grandfather probably preached that to you on more than one occasion. I know that mine surely did. He was right and when I picked the right tool for the job, things got a lot easier. That is just the case with the new ALPS Trophy X + pack in their Extreme line. This is an external frame pack and bag combination designed for the hunter who wants to get off the roads and be gone for two to three days. Better yet, once you tag out, you can get a whole deer and your load back out in one haul. That is a lot of weight, but the Trophy X system is definitely up to the task. The frame itself is a lightweight powder-coated aluminum. The multiple cross braces give it rigidity and are designed for hauling heavy loads. It has a built-in load shelf which helps support the load, but also makes the initial load up of your harvest very simple. It comes with sufficient tie downs as well as extensions to get a very large load strapped to the pack frame. When you talk about carrying heavy loads, you have got to have a good fit to your body on the pack. This means getting the majority of the weight on your hips. The torso adjustment on this pack system is well thought out with the end user in mind and it works. You have a total of 4.5” of torso adjustment. The waist belt is excellent as well and the padding for your back is well vented and has lots of padding for that heavy load. It has a pocket on each side and will accommodate a clip style holster for a pistol or bear spray. The pack itself is super easy to attach to the frame. It is a 3,900 cubic inch main pack that does have the ability to expand out to 4,575 cubic inches. It is H2O compatible and will hold the largest of bladders. It has a fully lined spotting scope pocket which will hold a full-sized spotter of most makes. It has a lid style top pocket which is a great place for snacks or readily used items. It also has a lined top pocket which is great for a cell phone or GPS unit. The pack itself weighs just a few pounds and it has its own hideaway shoulder straps. This can be used when you get to your base camp Scan this QR Code with and just need to take short hikes to a lookout and don’t need all your gear. This is a great frame, pack and overall design by the ALPS OutdoorZ team. See our your smart phone to view t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s full detailed video review of this pack. YouTube Channel.

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Video Product Reviews

Vortex HD Fury 5000 Rangefinding Binos

he rangefinder and binocular combination in one single unit is far superior to having both a binocular and a rangefinder. This is obviously a personal opinion, but when you spend hundreds of days a year in the field, you get to establish a pretty solid foundation of what works best in nearly every situation. This new Vortex Fury HD 5000 is a great quality set of optics and a beefed-up rangefinder which is going to get you ranges out to a couple miles. We will cover all of this more in our video review. From a binocular standpoint, the Fury HD is going to come in between the Razor HD and the Viper HD in quality of glass. This means that you have a really good optical platform to work from with the HD glass and XR lens coatings, as you can expect very good low light performance as well as edge to edge clarity. The rangefinder portion of these new optics is a major upgrade from the past Fury model. It is available in 10X42, which is why I like the combination setup of a rangefinder and binocular as opposed to just a rangefinder. Most of the rangefinders are either a 7X or 6X and this added magnification as well as a stable platform for both hands allows you to get accurate ranges at significantly longer distances. These are rated to range deer sized targets to 1,600 yards and trees out to 2,400 yards and a reflective target like a building out to 5,000 yards. We exceeded the deer and tree types of targets throughout our testing, but never could get 5,000 yards claimed on reflective targets. A couple of miles is achievable when using a tripod with Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view good conditions and that’s further than most people will t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s ever shoot. YouTube Channel. These optics have several settings that will aid your

shooting and accuracy. The first is the HCD or ‘Horizontal Component Distance.’ This takes into consideration the uphill and downhill trajectory of your bullet as long as it is within 89.9 degrees up or down. This is what is most common for most hunters. You may also choose LOS or ‘Line of Sight’. This is the distance direct to the target without adjustments for uphill or downhill. There are multiple settings for brightness to give you the best contrast for your vision. Target modes to choose from are “Best Target” mode or “Last Target” mode. Scan mode is another very usable resource when you have animals moving. Overall, the Fury HD 5000 are a great new addition to the Vortex line and they are covered under the same warranty as all Vortex products and not limited as some manufactures do with electronics. See the full testing on this product in our video review.

SMOKEPRO DLX The SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill & Smoker brings you an easy, reliable smoke every time. Features like the patented Ash Cleanout system make cleanup easy. With a simple pull of a lever, empty the ash from the firebox. That means less time fumbling with a suction hose and more time enjoying the beautiful day and delicious food.

Check it out at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse store.

32 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

For the best performance, use Camp Chef Premium Pellets.

Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range

he Browning X-Bolt has been a tried and true performer for a very long time now. New for 2019, Browning has added to its’ already successful X-Bolt line with the new Max Long Range. It keeps a lot of the features that have long-time supporters of the X-Bolt as well as some updated features for this long-range specific rifle. First thing you are going to see when you pull this rifle out of the box is the stock. A true precision long-range rifle setup. It is a black and gray textured finish, fully adjustable stock, which is going to allow you to get the perfect pull as well as scope alignment. It comes with a 13 ¾” length of pull but is also equipped with ¼” and ½” spacers, which provides you a lot of adjustment. The comb adjustment allows you to raise the comb up nearly a full 2 ¾”. This is great when you want to add a 20-minute rail for a very long-range setup or when shooting uphill or downhill and getting good alignment is difficult. Having two front sling posts and one in the rear makes this setup perfect for installing a bipod and leaving it attached to the front post and your sling attached to the rear one. With this rifle ranging from 8.3 pounds on the smaller short action calibers like the 6.5

Video Product Reviews

Creedmoor up to the 8.7 pounds on the .300 Remington Ultra Mag, having a bipod attached all the time is a great option. The heavy contour sporter barrel is both fluted and threaded with 5/8”-24d TPI suppressor threads and comes with a thread protector and a muzzle brake. All barrels are 26” in length and designed for long range accuracy. All X-Bolt rifle barrels are hand chambered with precise head space and finished with a target crown to give you the best downrange accuracy possible. The barrels and actions are installed and free floated to give you a total accuracy package. Top that off with a fully adjustable trigger and a pistol grip that puts everything in line and you have a perfect Maximum Long Range rifle at a fraction of the cost people pay for custom rifles. For 2019 there are ten different calibers available to choose from which include 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .300 WSM, 7mm Rem Mag, 28 Nosler, .300 Win Mag, .300 Remington Ultramag, 6.5 PRC, and 30 Nosler. All this with an MSRP of between $1269.99 up to $1329.99 depending on caliber.

Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view the Sportsman's News YouTube Channel.

Kenetrek Mountain Extreme Non-Insulated Boots

ade for rugged terrain where sheep like to live, the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme boots will provide serious protection, excellent traction and all-day comfort in warm weather environs. Made in Italy, for hiking in the rocky terrain of the Alps, the Kenetrek Mountain Extremes feature a full leather upper, a wrap-around full rubber rand, heavy lug K-Talon outsoles, single piece vamp, swiveling hardware, plenty of padding and nylon flex points. The real secret to the protection of the Kenetrek Mountain boots is the solid nylon foot insert that runs the full length of the boot. This rigid midsole not only protects from penetration from sharp rocks, but it also prevents over-flexing of your foot arch that can result in mechanical injury. The rich brown leather is full grain for added toughness and is an attractive mocha color. Flexing metal eyelets move with your motion and pivot to prevent breaking off under extreme stress. The full wrap-around rubber rand acts as a bumper to protect your foot and boot from abrasion when it comes into contact with sharp rocks and also adds an additional layer of waterproofing. Designed for chasing sheep and goats in warmer environments, like the dessert, the non-insulated version provides all of the waterproofing of their insulated version, but without the 400-grams of Thinsulate of the Mountain Extreme 400s. This will allow you to keep your cool, help avoid blisters and hot spots to keep you on your feet for more miles, which is definitely the recipe for success on a sheep hunt. The upper of the boot is designed with plenty of room to flex and plenty of padding in places where boots rub your feet and ankles. A nylon flex cut at the heel lets the boot give so it doesn’t slide against your heel. In addition to being comfortable, these boots are extremely waterproof. The single-piece vamp and integrated tongue prevent water from moving inside the boot. Dry feet are happy feet, especially when you are hiking for Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view miles with a heavy pack in rough terrain. Kenetrek has a reputation for engineering footwear from the Sportsman's News YouTube Channel. the ground up and the Mountain Extreme series of boots

are some of their most rugged and well-designed. They are a favorite for those who hike in loose scree, sharp rocks, and slippery mud. For hunters, hikers, oil field workers, and anyone who has to be on their feet on unforgiving ground in warmer weather where insulation isn’t desired, you can wear these boots all day in comfort. They are a favorite of search and rescue personnel and wilderness first responders for a reason. Check out the video by clicking on the QR code and seeing these boots in action for yourself. Once you try them, you will be hooked on Kenetrek whenever you head into the extreme backcountry.

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Video Product Reviews

Pyro Putty

ne of the key survival skills is the ability to quickly and efficiently light a fire. There are amillion tools for this purpose, from wax-soaked makeup pads, to cotton balls and petroleum jelly, to dryer lint. But each of them has limitations and they are usually only useful as tinder for making fire. Pyro Putty changes all of that. Pyro Putty works by using a wicking action to pull the fuel source, a proprietary blend of flammable oils, up a wick made of fibers. The two are mixed together and placed into a tin for easy transport and use. Pyro Putty comes in three different formulations; a Summer Blend (orange) that stays pliable in temperatures between 40 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, a thinner Winter Blend (blue) that is pliable between -20 to 70 degrees and their Eco Blend (green) that has the same range as their Summer Blend, but is made with all natural renewable plant-based materials and features citronella to repel insects and ticks. All three are less messy than petroleum jelly and can be used to seal a leaky seam on a boot or a tent, as a salve on chapped or cracked skin and even contains a UV dye for marking trails at night. Because it is a putty, thicker and stickier than Vaseline, it can be placed underneath damp wood, so it burns upward, putting heat directly on the fuel source, rather than needing to rest on top where most of the heat is wasted into the air. Pyro Putty is also waterproof and floats. If it gets submerged, simply squeeze any excess water out of the ball of putty, fluff up the fibers and ignite it via your favorite ignition method. Scan this QR Code with You can light it with a match, a butane lighter, a Fresnel your smart phone to view t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s lens, a ferrocerium rod, flint and steel, battery and gum YouTube Channel. wrapper or however you like to make a spark. A dime-

34 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

sized ball will burn for 6-10 minutes. For those really extremely windy days or in high altitude areas, they even make a waterproof plasma Dual Arc rechargeable electric lighter that rapidly ignites the putty and uses no petroleum-based fuel. Pyro Putty comes in either a 2-ounce tin or a pocket-sized 0.5-ounce tin. You can even get them in a multi-pack with two Winter Blends, two Summer Blends and a single Eco Blend 0.5 ounce cans, so you can spread them around your various packs. And they aren’t just for emergencies. Use them anytime you are camping and need to get a good fire going. A single 2-ounce tin is good for lighting more than 30 fires. You can even poke a hole in the lid, pull some of the fibers through and use it as a candle. There are a wide variety of uses and it is a great tool to add to your kit for an emergency. See it in action by scanning the QR code and check out the full line of Pyro Putty products in your local Sportsman’s Warehouse camping department.

Five Essentials When Planning An Alaskan Fishing Trip By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor

he Sportsman’s News team spends a lot of time each summer in Alaska. The opportunities are seemingly endless, but one thing your must learn is – you need to be prepared. The following is the Sportsman’s News team's Top 5 list of things that will make your fishing trip to Alaska a whole lot more enjoyable and successful. •

TOP OF THE LINE RAINGEAR.

•

BREATHABLE WADERS AND WADING SHOES.

Alaska, for the most part, is a wet state so you can count on probably getting rained on during your stay. And believe me, there is nothing more miserable than being miserable because you penny pinched on rain gear. Todays’ GoreTex materials are lightweight, breathable and will keep you dry in just about any conditions. A good rain jacket is definitely a must!

Some of the upscale lodges will have a supply of waders and wading boots on hand for their guests, but I always take my own along on every trip. I wear them every day, whether on the ocean or on the river, as you will be ready for any weather conditions and because three-quarters of your body will be covered by the waders, your clothes won’t get dirty, helping to reduce the overall amount of clothes you will have to pack for the trip. Also, your waders serve as rain pants, so only a rain jacket is needed when the skies open up.

•

NEEDLE NOSED PLIERS (MULTI-TOOL).

•

A GOOD DRY BAG.

•

POLARIZED SUNGLASSES.

Truly a fisherman’s best friend. The applications are basically endless; removing hooks from fish, crimping weights, cutting line, the list goes on and on. Longer nosed models come in handy in most cases.

Are you noticing a trend here? Yes, Alaska gets its share of rain and you need to prepare for it. Many of your trips will be for extended hours and you may be in situations where you don’t have a lot of shelter from the elements. A good dry bag is essential to keep the extras you bring along like cameras, food, clothing and more - dry. A wide range of sizes are available, many with built-in backpack straps.

A quality pair of polarized sunglasses are an essential part of any fisherman’s equipment. They will not only help you to read the water and its conditions, but they will also allow you to see beneath the surface for fish activity and for obstacles when wading. And possibly the most important reason for investing in a good pair of sunglasses is the protection that they give you from the sun and the magnified reflection from the water.

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

n Nelso er n a i By Br on Shoot pi Cham

Fundamentals for Practical Shooting Beginners

Practical Fundamentals

Handcrafted, American Made, Precision Ammunition Available in the following calibers:

.380 ACP 9MM+P .38 Spec. .357 Mag. .40 S&W 10MM .41 Rem. Mag.

.44 Spec. .44 Mag. .45 Colt .45 ACP .454 Casull .500 S&W .300 Win. Mag.

Scan with your smartphone to see it in action.

MADE IN AMERICA

Learn more at www.doubletapammo.com 36 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

have found Practical Shooting to be one of the most enjoyable pastimes available. The only thing more enjoyable than shooting a practical handgun match is beating people at a practical handgun match! This article focuses on the marksmanship fundamentals that, if practiced and applied correctly, will enable you to beat people at your first match. Don’t expect to win your first match, since odds are there will be someone with more practice in fundamentals and familiarity with efficient movement and manipulation – those competitors have put more work in than you. However, it’s entirely possible to finish in the middle of the pack and beat people simply by putting some work in ahead of time. If you spend about two hours of dryfire practice and 150 rounds on the range, I can almost guarantee you won’t finish last! Aiming is Easy, Holding Still Isn’t.

Aiming a handgun with iron sights is not actually that hard – Center front sight within rear notch, place inside desired target area. This is the desired “sight alignment”. A “sight picture” refers to how the shooter sees the sight alignment (i.e. “clear front sight, blurry target” or “clear target, blurry front sight”). Advanced shooters can pick up a lot of speed by recognizing the absolute minimum acceptable sight picture for a given target/distance combination, but for the beginning practical shooter, I recommend focusing clearly on the front sight and seeing it centered within the intended target zone (the “A” Zone in a USPSA target, for example). The tricky part is, once you’ve created a good sight alignment, triggering the shot without disturbing that alignment. Two factors come into play here: trigger manipulation and recovery from recoil. These are controlled by the shooter using what we call “fire control” – a series of core skills that leads to holding still during a shot and instantly recovering from the effects of recoil.

Fire Control – How to Hold Still, Really Fast

Fire control consists of stance, grip and trigger manipulation. The stance controls recoil, the grip controls “muzzle flip” (the effect of recoil having leverage over the shooter’s hand) and trigger manipulation helps keep everything lined up during the shot. You will notice that a consistent goal throughout fire control is to use things that are free and constant (such as gravity and “set” muscular tension). TPC’s system is predicated on the shooter having to do very little active effort to return the handgun to target. Stance – Control Recoil through Center of Gravity

First, understand that because we participate in practical shooting, there is not a “proper” shooting stance as far as form – terrain and course obstacles mean that a shooting stance is a living thing that accomplishes a goal, rather than follows a textbook template. What I am describing here is the 90% solution for all of the times the shooter is able to stand on somewhat level ground. The primary mission in stance is to set the shooter’s center of gravity forward. This means that gravity will actively pull forward and down on the shooter who must use some amount of muscular tension in the calves to hold themselves up. This is easily accomplished by simply leaning forward without hinging at the waist. The common mistake for shooters is to pull their hips back and push their upper body forward. While this may bring the head forward, it actually shifts the center of gravity rearward, allowing the shooter to easily be pushed off balance. To achieve a good center of gravity - forward stance, first stand upright. Place the ball (joint where big toe meets arch) of the strongside foot in the arch of the weak-side foot. Widen the feet to shoulder width, making sure to keep the hips and shoulders parallel to the target. Holding the alignment of the body, simply lean forward until you feel weight distributed onto the balls of both feet evenly. You are now using balance to hold your center of gravity forward, enabling gravity to fight recoil without you having to manually recover the gun every time. Keeping the hip and shoulder square to the target ensures that recoil hits a perpendicular wall and doesn’t have an easy way to twist or move the shooter. Grip – Minimize and Return Muzzle Flip Fig. 1: Get High

First, let’s define “muzzle flip” – “The upward movement of the firearm in the hand caused by recoil above the shooter’s grip”. Essentially, it’s an effect of the leverage the firearm has over our grip. Step 1 – Minimize the leverage with both hands. First, with the strong hand, place the web of the hand as high in the “tang” of the grip as possible without causing “slide bite”.(Fig. 1) With the support hand,

38 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

wrap around underneath the strong hand as high as possible without creating gaps between the two hands. (Fig. 2) Step 2 – Grip firmly enough to keep both hands on the gun. Apply front/back pressure from the center of the fingers on both hands, without squeezing in with Fig. 2: Get A Grip fingertips. This will keep both hands firmly connected to the gun, keeping it in the same alignment with the body and allowing the shooter to use arm muscles to further mitigate movement. (Fig. 3) Step 3 – Use the arm muscles. First, set rotational force through both wrists to “set” them towards the target. Imagine micro-rotating the gun at the target. Hold this tension constantly set whenever gripping Fig. 3: Under Pressure the handgun – this will minimize the amount it can move “up” as well as eliminate malfunctions caused by “limpwristing”.(Fig. 4) Extend (but do NOT LOCK) the elbows by pushing slightly forward with the triceps. By combining wrist and arm tension, you’ve essentially turned your arm in to a set piece of Fig. 4: It's a Lock spring steel. Muzzle flip WILL flex it, but it WILL return to the same orientation without extra effort. (Fig. 5) When combined with a good stance, this grip will enable the shooter to automatically recover from recoil – a manual “pull down” from recoil is no longer required, Fig. 5: Spring Steel lessening the tendency to ‘flinch” or anticipate recoil. Trigger Manipulation – Straight, with Only the Finger

Proper trigger pull is the simplest concept to understand, but probably the hardest to apply. Pull the trigger straight to the rear using only the index finger. The main problem shooters have is that when stressed, they add pressure with the other fingers and move the gun off target. Keys to Proper Trigger Pull: Make sure your grip is firmly set on the pistol. Giving the non-trigger fingers something to grasp during the trigger pull will reduce the possibility to squeeze them during firing. When moving the finger to the rear, imagine pulling it along a straight line towards your nose; this will help keep the finger in straight alignment with the firearm, minimizing the disturbance of the firearm.

Dry-Fire Drill for Success:

“Core Skill” Target: TPC “Speed Demon” – 5 Yards Build your fire control platform. Start by offsetting the feet as described (ball of strong foot in arch of weak-side foot). Widen the feet out to shoulder-width. Lean forward from the ankle until you feel the weight distribution shift to the front of your feet (just behind your toes). Bring the handgun up to your eyes, without changing your body posture. Grip the handgun with the strong and weak hand as high as they can get and hold pressure like a C-clamp (front to back) with both hands. Stiffen both wrists and slightly straighten both arms towards the target, stopping just short of locking the elbow. Place the sights inside the center “dot” of the Speed Demon. Touch the face of the trigger and slowly press to the rear. Watch the sights as you pull the trigger and take note of how much they move. When you’ve seen the sights stay within the dot for 10 reps, rest. Repeat the exercise, but now pull the trigger within ½ second (count, “one-and-two”, finishing the press on “two”). Keep going until you can see the sights stay in the dot. Live-Fire Drill for Success:

“Core Skill” -15 Rounds Target: TPC “Speed Demon” – 5 Yards Build your fire control platform as described above. Place the sights on the center “dot” within the Speed Demon target. This is your start position. First, fire five rounds with no time limit. Have the feeling of holding still and accepting recoil. All five rounds should hit within the circle and with proper fundamentals should all be touching. Next, do five sets of two rounds in a ½ to ¾ second cadence. If using a shot timer, set up a delayed start and strive for a .5 - .75 first shot and .5 - .75 “split”. This can also be done using a counting cadence, “oneand-two-and-three” with shots on “two” and “three”. Recover after each set; the goal is to produce five pairs, not one ten-shot string. If done correctly, all rounds should hit within the outer ring of the Speed Demon with 75% of hits touching the center dot.

Good Fundamentals lead to wins.

Follow these tips and you may find yourself going places you never expected.

Build your fire control platform as described above. Place the sights on the center “dot” within the Speed Demon target. This is your start position. First, fire five rounds with no time limit. Have the feeling of holding still and accepting recoil. Speed All five rounds should hit within the circle and with proper Demon fundamentals should all be touching. Next, do five sets of two rounds in a 1/2 to 3/4 second cadence. If using a shot timer, set up a delayed start and strive for a .5 - .75 first shot and .5 - .75 “split”. This can also be done using a counting cadence, “one-and-twoand-three” with shots on “two” and “three”. Recover after each set; the goal is to produce five pairs, not one ten-shot string. If done correctly, all rounds should hit within the outer ring of the Speed Demon with 75% of hits touching Go to news.sportsmans.com to download & print this drill the center dot.

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Henry All-Weather Lever Action .45-70

n every field of human endeavor there is a select group of individuals who are given credit for making such major contributions that they become synonymous with their achievements. In the area of firearms development, one name that must be included on that honored roster is Benjamin Tyler Henry. His invention: The Henry Rifle. It was Mr. Henry who conceived the first practical, lever action repeating rifle. Patented in 1860, the Henry gave a single man the firepower of a dozen marksmen armed with muzzle-loading muskets. With its reliable .44 caliber rimfire metallic cartridge, the original Henry produced a rapid and highly accurate fire. The Henry rifle would go on to play a significant, if not dominant role in the frontier days of the American West. It would soon become one of the most legendary, respected and sought after rifles in the history of firearms. The modern-day Henry Repeating Arms company was started by Louis Imperato and his son, Anthony in Brooklyn, New York in 1996. The first model produced was the Henry H001 Classic Lever Action .22 and the first shipments were made in March 1997. The original corporate motto was “Made in America and Priced Right”. Henry produces, hands down, some of the best-looking lever action rifles on the market in brass and silver models, but as a part of their aggressive expansion into the more utilitarian side of life with newer steel centerfires meant for everyday life in the truck, on the farm and through the woods, in 2016 they introduced the hard-working, All-Weather H010AW in .45-70. The All-Weather .45-70 is essentially the same as its blued steel counterparts, complete with an 18.43” round barrel, 4-shot magazine and adjustable buckhorn/bead sights. Like the blued rifles, the All-Weathers also wear the same pistol-grip profile. The major differences lie in the hard chrome plating on all metal surfaces (except springs and sights) and a durable industrial-grade coating on hardwood furniture. In a tough world where a working rifle might be “rode hard and put away wet”, this is the finish you want on it. A very strong plating permanently bonded to the steel underneath; hard chrome doesn’t flake, chip or peel and its corrosion resistance is actually stronger than some stainless steels. The treatment they use increases surface hardness, reduces friction on moving parts, doesn’t normally scuff or scratch and leaves a low gloss look that won’t spook game. The furniture is another departure for Henry on the All-Weather; they’ve based a good part of their reputation on their select American walnut over the years, but here they have opted for a stained hardwood with a carefully-selected coating that’s formulated to stand up to wear, tear, scratches, moisture, temperature variations and the angst of the various “character marks” an everyday outdoor tool inevitably picks up during its lifetime. Henry Repeating Arms has been manufacturing 45/70 lever action rifles since 2012, but with the situation of inclement weather raising its rusty head, damaging a great field rifle continues to be an industry concern. Perhaps you are in a scenario that al-

40 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Outdoor Business Directory AFRICA HUNTING

John X Safaris Eastern Cape of South Africa T: +27 (0) 82 700 9866

www.johnxsafaris.com

Hunt the big five or the chooose from forty different plains game species. lows after a day of hunting, to hike back to a hard-sided cabin to a hot meal and a dry place to service your rifle. However, as you know, there are many hunting locations where you are lucky to have a cold, wet tent to return to at day’s end. With limited space or opportunity to clean and oil your firearms on a remote hunting trip, sometimes the rifle gets neglected. The old saying is, “the only two enemies a firearm has are politicians and rust”! We found the action pretty slick out of the box and got smoother the more it was cycled. This is not as smooth as a tricked-out Cowboy Action lever gun, but this gun isn’t meant for competition. This is a working gun—a gun that wants to ride around in the truck or in a handlebar rack on an ATV. Like a good dog, this gun needs to work. Henry All-Weather rifles come set up with the classic lever gun sights—semi-buckhorn rear with a brass front bead. If you want to add an optic, Henry has you covered. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped to take a Weaver 63B mount. The .45-70 is a big, hard hitting round. With the right load and within reasonable distance, there isn’t anything in North American you couldn’t take with this round. 300-grains moving at close to 2,100 feet per second hits hard and with the Henry you have five of them that can be fired in seconds. We used DoubleTap jacketed soft points in our range test. By our fifth round, straight out of the box, we were hitting center target at 100-yards. Made in the USA. Henry isn’t going to have to remind you they make their guns in the States because it has been a core part of the company’s identity. If you want a newly manufactured American-made lever action rifle, then a Henry rifle is the gun for you. Reliability in firearms is a must. The lever gun is capable under ridiculous conditions. As long as you are still functioning, it will too. The old west is still alive today – and the Henry rifle is definitely proof of that. Check one out the next time you visit your local Sportsman’s Warehouse gun counter.

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July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Casper – The Hub of the West

By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor

any areas throughout the west have proven to be instrumental in the expansion of our great country. Lewis and Clark were the first famous exploring duo to venture west, finally reaching the vast Pacific Ocean in the fall of 1805. They would open the door to others such as Zeb Pike, Jim Bridger and Kit Carson, who would serve as a guide for John Fremont, nicknamed the Pathfinder for his map making abilities that would quickly open the doors to mass migration westward. The Oregon, Mormon and California trails, along with the short-lived Pony Express Route, all passed through an area in central Wyoming that would become one of the ‘Hubs’ of the west, the town we know today as Casper, Wyoming. The history behind Casper is a fascinating one, one that would be well worth your time to explore. So many important parts of the movement west came about because of its involvement. And today, the city is a perfect mingling of old and new, with its storied history a big part of its modern-day scene. If you haven’t heard, Casper is one of those ‘diamonds in the rough’ places that is starting to really get a lot of exposure. The beautiful hi-desert valley is surrounded by mountain peaks and corridors to more beauty in every direction. Business and residential areas are continuing to grow at an even pace, with farming and oil still essential parts of their future. Another big part of the areas allure are their great outdoor opportunities. Hunting, fishing and winter sports activities are almost endless. I only know of a handful of places in the country that can offer the diversity that Casper has and a look at their 2019 Events Calendar is proof of that: • January 26-27 – Canines for Charity Dog Sled Race • May 18 – Harmony, Hops & Hopes (Beer festival, music and more) • May 24-27 - Cruizin’ with the Oldies Car Show • June 7-9 – Nic Fest (Arts festival) • June 9-15 – College National Finals Rodeo • July 5-13 – Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo • July 19-21 – Re/Max Balloon Roundup • August 3-4 – Beartrap Music Festival • August 24 – 5150’ Festival (Celebrating all things Casper) • November 30 – Downtown Christmas Parade Now for a little bit about the other side of the Casper area – their spectacular hunting and fishing opportunities. It all begins with one of the best trout rivers in the country running right through the middle of the town! The North Platte River is famous for its abundance of big rainbows and browns. The Grey Reef section, along with The Miracle Mile, offer the avid fly fisherman the opportunity to hook into a true fish of a lifetime. Both waters are home to over 4,000 fish per mile and with an average length of 16-20 inches and bruisers in the 10- to 20-pound class lurking, well need I say more.

42 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Wyoming is known for pronghorn antelope and plenty of them. Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer are also highly sought after on either public lands or private ranches throughout the state. A host of great outfitters are available in the greater Casper area (www.northplattelodge.com) and if you are lucky enough to draw a tag, they can help to make your dream of harvesting a trophy of a lifetime come true. On my recent visit to Casper, I had the pleasure of visiting a few local attractions: The Nicolaysen Art Museum, known throughout the region as The NIC, has occupied its current 25,000 square foot location at 400 East Collins since 1989, when an extensive renovation of the 1914 Mountain States Power Company building was completed. The NIC is a full-service institution that offers programs to the city of Casper and to the state of Wyoming. The NIC prides itself as being a cultural anchor for the community, offering exhibits and special events that engage

and celebrate diverse artists and artistic influences. While The NIC’s primary focus is exhibiting the work of contemporary artists, through its permanent collection of over 8,000 works, the museum also showcases works by renowned Western artists and the great masters. The NIC’s Discovery Center is open during regular hours for artistic exploration and creativity. Through the Center, The NIC (www.thenic.org) also offers art education and therapeutic art programs and workshops throughout the year. The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Department of Interior. The facility opened in 2002 and is a public/private partnership between the BLM, the National Historic Trails Center Foundation and the City of Casper, Wyoming. The Trails Center (nhtcf.org) commemorates Native American history, early explorers and the travel corridor of the Oregon, Mormon, California and Pony Express trails, as well as the Bridger and Bozeman trails through hands-on, interactive exhibits in seven galleries and an 18-minute multi-media program. This is a real, must-see, destination and best of all – it’s free to the public. One of the newest businesses in town is the Gruner Brothers Brewing Company. Housed in the former Casper Petroleum Club, their brewery and restaurant offer the best views in the valley, with exceptional food and suds to match. Daron Gruner, who is a mechanical engineer by trade, has been dabbling in the brewing of beer for around 25-years, while his brother Ben handles the business aspects of the brewery and everything seems to be working out pretty well. Unlike most microbreweries, Gruner’s Brothers Brewing (grunerbrewing.com) focuses on malty beers, as opposed to hoppy and they are making a big splash already as their offerings have worked their way into many outlets throughout the state. Many other great restaurants can be found throughout the city and you will surely be able to book a room in your favorite hotel for your short or extended stay. Casper is truly one of those little towns in the west that will surprise you with everything that it has to offer. Their economy is thriving, the city fathers have excellent vision for the future and both are committed to offering residents and visitors alike the red carpet treatment at every turn. Why not do a little ‘exploring’ on your own and plan a visit to the gateway of the west – Casper, Wyoming (www.visitcasper.com).

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www.jokerswildoutdoors.com July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

PRO'S PICK

Boost Oxygen

95% Pure Oxygen for Personal Use

e had been picking the hill apart through the spotting scope for the past two hours looking for our #1 candidate. The sun was starting to beat down and he was nowhere in sight. Finally, he exposed himself and I knew where he was headed. GO TIME! Steve and I took off in a mad dash to cover the thousand vertical feet and mile of terrain to put us into position for a shot. I didn’t look back and was churning dirt, but when I finally stopped, Steve was nowhere in sight. The bull drifted into the thick timber and I walked back down the hill to find my buddy under a tree gasping for air. “I need oxygen”, was his comment and we laughed. This is one of hundreds of examples that I can account for in my years in the field where an oxygen tank would have helped us out. Boost Oxygen is 95% pure oxygen filled under pressure into a lightweight, portable and affordable canister. This gives you the ability to have a “Boost” of oxygen with you whenever needed. It is as easy as squeezing the trigger and taking a breath to give you the boost you need. Oxygen is essential to life and the lack of it is going to cause you to suffer in your performance of some of the even basic of tasks. Every cell in your body is designed to burn oxygen. It is the basic fuel for cell metabolism and the lack of oxygen in your system is going to cause you to feel sluggish, fatigued and give you shortness of breath. This lack of oxygen is all bad for performance regardless of whether you are a world class athlete or someone just trying to enjoy a hike in the woods. However, there are other benefits of this product outside of strenuous activity. Those are just when people think of oxygen the most.

44 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Recently, I was on a long trip to New Zealand where there is a time difference of almost a full day and this will definitely create some jet lag. After a couple of days of poor sleep and strenuous activity, I was about spent. I picked up a Boost at the local store and took a couple of breaths off of it and immediately I was energetic and ready for the days ahead. Another example is maybe you had a few too many cocktails on Friday night and you are planning a day with the family, but just feel like spending the day in bed. Boost is going to help you recover and feel as good as new. Let’s say the pollen count is off the charts and your sinuses just won’t let you get even a part of a breath of air and you just want to spend the day in bed, Boost will help get you back on schedule. If you live near sea level, a visit to the Rocky Mountains is going to have you gasping for breath with just your daily routine and some visitors suffer from altitude sickness just being there. Boost will help with this as well. These are just a few examples of where this product can help and we have tested it to validate these claims. Boost is everything it says it is and we have made this a standard product in our travel kits, cars and daily routines. The bottles come in several different sizes and the large size, which I carry most often, is about the size of a standard water bottle. It is about 10.5” high and 2.75” in diameter and weights just 5.3 ounces. You are going to get approximately 200, one-second inhalations off of one bottle. This is usually enough for a week of hard-core activity in the woods. The medium sized container is just over 8” in height and 2.25” across and only weights 3.3 ounces and will give you about half the number of one-second inhalations of the larger version. There are a number of flavors to choose from as well and I personally liked the menthol-eucalyptus which provides you with a bit of a cool sensation. Other flavors to choose from are the peppermint, pink grapefruit and natural. These products are available at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse stores. The larger bottle sells for around fifteen bucks and the medium size sells for ten. This product is all natural and safe, but the FAA and TSA will not allow you to put them in a carry on or checked bag, so it is important to plan on picking them up when you arrive at your final destination. You can also ship this product via ground transportation to your final destination.

Canyon Coolers Navigator 150QT Extreme Cooler

n the late 1980’s and long before anyone had even mumbled the word extreme cooler, outdoorsmen in Flagstaff, Arizona, were cranking out hard-core coolers for their rafting experiences. Right here in the good old USA, they were way ahead of their time. Canyon Coolers hasd picked up the torch and have been cranking out top of the line coolers for the last eight years, and their all new, 150-quart Navigator, has been put to the test here at Sportsman’s News for the past few months. A 150-quart cooler is a beast and not something you are going to load by yourself when it is loaded. It weighs in right at 55-pounds empty, but with internal measurements of 34.5”X14.5”X15.5” you have the ability to put an entire quartered elk into it, which means you won’t be moving it around very easily. It is a rotomolded polyethylene cooler made with environmentally friendly pressure-injected HUNTX foam insulation. This sounds like a bunch of technical jargon I don’t fully understand, but I will vouch for its’ ability to hold ice. Completely filled with ice, it outlasted our ten-day vacation. We used it strictly for ice storage and kept it in the shade most of the time, but we dumped ice out when the trip was over with 80-degree days being the norm. It is obvious that this cooler is designed by people who actually use the product. There are multiple tie down slots (10 total) which even when in use will still allow you to access the contents of the cooler. You don’t want to have to remove your tie downs to get a drink out of the cooler, especially if you are floating down river. The built-in lip for easy frame integration on your raft makes this cooler a big hit for the river warriors. There are additional tie down points which will allow you to secure a padded seat cushion to the top of the cooler. It has an airtight seal and the latches are some of the best I’ve seen. Even the smallest of children can operate these latches easily. It has two insulated and incorporates no-leak and no spill drain plugs. The basket system within this cooler deserves a special mention as well. It will hold a total of four baskets and keeps your food items up off the ice, but still cool. They are designed to be turned one direction to fit on the bottom level or rotate again to fit on the top level. This provides you a ton of versatility in packing for a long trip. This

cooler is bear certified and also holds a lifetime warranty. A quick tip on how I like to use this size cooler. When I leave for a hunting trip, I often have it empty and in the bed of my truck to store gear. I have the ability to lock it to the bed with a cable using some of the tie down slots. I can also lock the cooler closed with a padlock. When I get to my destination, I have a 150-quart cooler to use throughout the trip and when I’m successful, I can haul my entire animal home for processing. The Canyon Cooler 150 Quart Navigator is an excellent piece of equipment for the hard-core outdoorsman. The Canyon Navigator is 100 percent made in America and offers a no questions asked no-fault warranty. It is available in a limited number of Sportsman’s Warehouse store locations and online at Sportsmans.com, but check with the camping department for availability.

Peltor Sport Tactical 500

earing protection has come a long way in recent years. Electronics have made it possible to protect your ears from damage, while still being able to carry on conversations normally. One of the best options on the market today is the Peltor Sport Tactical 500. Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Electronic hearing protectors feature proprietary 3M SMART technology that automatically adjusts to your environment and firearm being used. The technology measures the energy in gunshot noise as well as echoes in the environment and automatically sets suppression time for optimized comfort and communication. The Tac 500’a are ideal for both indoor and outdoor shooters with their Clear Voice Tracking technology to isolate voices from background noise for clearer conversations and hearing of commands. The Peltor Sport Tactical 500 earmuffs offer: Active hearing protection based on digital electronics and an automatic Dynamic Suppression Time system that optimizes protection. • Clear Voice Tracking system that improves speech intelligibility and keeps the shooter’s hearing protected while allowing him or her to entertain normal conversations or maintain situational awareness. • Bluetooth connectivity system, that allows users to sync with mobile devices for uses such as streaming entertainment contents or accepting calls. •

Featuring proprietary 3M technology that suppresses harmful gunshot noise while amplifying low-level sounds, the Tac 500’s are ideal for both indoor and outdoor shooters and hunters. Clear Voice

Tracking seeks voices within background noise for clearer conversations and hearing of commands. Peltor has been one of the leaders in vision and hearing protection for years. The Tac 500’s have a noise reduction rating of 26 dB while reducing any sound above 82 dB. In order to reduce the sound of loud noises, the Tac 500’s use “Dynamic Suppression Time” technology. What that means for us regular folks is that the electronics monitor the harsh sounds and echoes to determine how quickly and how much to mute the volume and yes, this feature works very well. They manage to reduce gunshots or loud noises to manageable levels, while still allowing you to monitor the soft report sounds from your firearm and those around you. Clear Voice Tracking is another great feature of the Tac 500. This technology senses voice levels getting input from the microphones. It then enhances them so that you can clearly hear what others are saying. Even when blowing through multiple rounds, interaction with fellow shooters is possible with this great feature. Possibly one of the coolest features of the Tac 500 is the built in Bluetooth. This allows you to pair your smartphone to your hearing protection, allowing you to hear incoming notifications from your phone. You can even answer a phone call by pushing the center of the right ear cup. Having the Bluetooth also allows you to listen to music if desired. The Tac 500’s conveniently fold into a manageable size that fit snuggly into the included carry bag. They are powered by 2-AA batteries, with a rechargeable option available as well. An auto-off sensor is another great feature, enhancing battery life. The Sportsman’s News team never hit the range without our Peltor Tactical 500’s and you shouldn’t either. July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

OUTDOOR WRITER'S CONTEST

First Deer A Lucky Spot

By Brooke Prestwich. Age 15 Elberta, UT

The Drive “

rooke, today’s the day,” dad said, shaking me awake. Then I remembered: It was the opening day of the deer hunt. It was only around 4am, but we had a long drive ahead of us. I got up and groggily picked up the pile of clothes, coats and other items I had laid out in the hall the previous night. I grabbed two blankets, laid back the passenger seat of our Toyota Corolla and fell asleep to the sound of rain outside the car. We stopped to buy breakfast and at around 7am, dad announced, “We’re going to take a shortcut through a mountain pass. It’ll get us there faster.” It was in the pass that we discovered snow! Living in Utah County (central Utah), seeing snow in October was a wondrous thing for me. There was a lot too, nearly a foot deep. Dad was smart to bring the Toyota Corolla because our F150 truck wouldn’t have made it nearly as far as the smaller car did. We travelled north up steep, slushy hills, with a big truck in front of us, shoving aside the snow. It wasn’t until the truck turned that we faced problems. Our car was built so low that the whole surface of the bottom of the car had to push the deep snow. The car could only do this until we reached an exceptionally steep part of the road and we finally got stuck.

The Hunt Begins

Eventually, we found our way out and went down the road. We parked on the side of the road and waited for cars to come by and plow us a trail. This was a very tense time for me. It was so hard to sit still, knowing there were bucks out there. Since I had learned I drew out for this area, I had experienced my first case of buck fever. Every bush looked like a deer and every branch on the trees looked like antlers. I remember seeing a statue of a buck in town and I thought to myself, “Oh, if only I could see a real buck like that, broadside and everything!” Now the buck fever was stronger than ever. I wanted to see a deer so bad. And here we were, waiting in the snow. Never before had dad and I wanted a snow plow so bad. I tried to distract myself by looking at the pretty trees covered in snow. I took a picture of them with my phone. At 8am, we attempted to go up the hill again, but when we didn’t make it, we turned back and decided to go hunt on a trail off the left side of the road. It was thick with trees and bushes and we had a tough time getting through. Snow kept falling on us from the branches we brushed as we pushed through. Dad wanted to take a picture of me on my first deer hunt.

46 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Sportsman’s News Outdoor Writing Contest Finalist See pg. 4 for entry details.

We drove west for a long time. I was watching out the window when, to my excitement, I saw a deer! We stopped to investigate and saw that it was a little bedded doe. There were many other does with her along with some fawns. But no bucks? “There’s got to be a buck in somewhere,” I thought. Dad and I traded off with the binoculars until I saw a little spike sitting under a tree on the hill as well. Dad watched him with the binoculars as I watched the buck through my scope. He was slightly quartered away from me, so I had to wait for a good shot. I had him in my crosshairs for about five minutes, but it seemed like forever. I was so sure I was going to get him, but at the same time it seemed impossible. I just sat there and waited. Then a terrible thing happened. The little spike disappeared over the hill, never giving me a chance to get a good shot. Dad and I drove down the road, to a gate, where we planned to hike over the hill and continue our pursuit of the buck. But, to my despair, there was a no trespassing sign. The spike was on private property, making him illegal to shoot.

Disappointment

I hadn’t expected to see a buck at all, so it seemed like amazing luck I had actually had one in my crosshairs. It’s rare for me to have such luck and it seemed like there was no way I could expect it to happen again on this day. So, I completely gave up and didn’t expect to see any more deer. I begged dad to go back, so we could find the property owner and get permission to trespass on his land and shoot my buck. But dad said no. This was a miserable time for me. I felt like that was the only chance I’d ever get. Seeing another buck felt impossible.

2nd Hike & Going Home

At this point, I was cold, hungry and discouraged. I still couldn’t get over losing the little spike. It was now about 12:30pm. The hill we were hiking was very muddy and steep. When we reached the top, we saw a cabin, with footprints in the yard. At the end of the trail was a doe. This gave me faith that if there was this many does, there had to be some bucks. We eventually gave up and decided to drive home, but we were still watching out the windows for deer as we went along. But, to some miracle, as we went around a corner, we saw a whole herd! About 100-yards away, the group just stood there, looking at us. I kept thinking they were going to run away, but they didn’t. After examining them through the binoculars, I saw not one but three bucks! Words can’t explain my excitement! There were two 2-points and a spike. I pulled on my coat and boots and got out. A spike stepped out from the group, to the left. He was broadside. Dad said, “Shoot the spike, Brooke!” “No, I want a 2-point”, was my reply. I aimed at the larger forkie, but I couldn’t get a good shot because a doe was

OUTDOOR WRITER'S CONTEST in front of him. We waited for a while and she moved, exposing his front quarters. Breathlessly, I aimed the camo .223 rifle at him, placing the crosshairs just behind his lower shoulder. Dad would later tell me he was impressed with how calm I was. This was surprising to me, because I may have appeared calm, but on the inside, I was so nervous I actually thought I might pass out. It was the same feeling of suspense you’d get if you were at the summit of a tall roller coaster and you were staring at the long drop, waiting to be plunged down. Only this was much stronger. My hands were shaking and that was making me even more worried that I might miss or get a bad shot. “Shoot, Brooke!” Dad’s yelling snapped me out of my trance. I took a deep breath, and with the adrenaline building inside me, I pulled the trigger.

Success!

At this moment, I may have fainted a little. It was like I was awake, but everything was blurry and in slow motion. I was seeing everything, but wasn’t interpreting it, kind of like math class. I honestly don’t remember those few seconds. When my thinking cleared, I saw the buck just as he disappeared from view. My heart sank. “Did I miss?” I asked dad. “No, you got him!” “What?!” I was confused. “Did I get a bad shot?” “Not with the way he jumped like that! Deer are that way; they just take a bit longer to die. He’s down, Brooke.” Being less experienced with deer, I was less certain. But, trusting my dad, we went to go park the car. We walked back to where the young buck lay. Finally we reached the fallen deer. Dad saw him before I did. I kept on asking where he was, but dad was just quiet and smiled ahead. I nearly stepped on the deer before I noticed him; he blended in so well! He was so beautiful! We admired him for a long time. He probably weighed around 160-pounds. We gutted him in only fifteen minutes. We found that I had made a clean shot, straight through the heart.

The bullet had scarcely damaged any meat as it had passed through and found its target. But it hadn’t gone all the way through him. It had most likely lodged in his ribs. We admired his healthy, large heart. It was firm and solid. He obviously had a very active life. Dad had me tie the tag to his antler. We walked back to the car. It was then that the effects of my shock began to wear off and I noticed how cold it was. I also noticed that in my hurry to shoot the buck, I had forgotten to put on my earmuffs. The gunshot wasn’t loud to me because of the adrenaline. Since we hadn’t taken the truck, the only place to put the deer was in the trunk. An unusual way to transport a buck, but I didn’t care.

Going Home

We spent the ride home laughing and talking. We also texted family members, telling them the good news and offering them some of the meat. We dropped off the carcass at the butcher shop. We made it home and my brother took the head to the taxidermist the next day. And that’s how I shot the best buck in the world.

Looking Back

Some people say that hunting is simply killing for the thrill or trying to overpower wild animals. This is not true. Hunting is claiming an animal for yourself, not for power, but to see it and admire it up close; to bring home meat and form wonderful memories. Hunting isn’t for the killing; it’s for the experience.

July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Presents Wild Game Recipes of Steve Mayer "The Wine Guy"

Gravlax

ravlax is a Nordic dish of Salmon cured in salt, sugar and dill. It differentiates from lox, which is usually the belly of the Salmon cured with a higher salt concentrated cure. It is not smoked, but cured in the spice mixture. I have made this numerous times over the years and found this method to be not only the easiest, but having the best result.

Ingredients

• 1 large whole side salmon fillet • 2 bunches of fresh dill • 2 cups sugar

Optional items

• 1 cup kosher salt • 2 tablespoons freshly cracked black pepper

• 2 tablespoons Aquavit or Gin (sprinkled • 3 bay leaves chopped finely, and added over the fish prior to salt/sugar mix) to mix • Add some aromatics to your salt/sugar • 2 tablespoons fennel seeds mix • 2 tablespoon crushed coriander seeds

Preparation Method

This is one of the simplest recipes I have ever done. You can make it straight up with the basic recipe or try the added ingredients. They add some superb flavors, but the basic recipe is wonderful on its own. Use the freshest fish that you can. Fresh frozen Salmon will work well if you have frozen your own catch for shipping. I find large fillets of Silver or King Salmon to be optimal for this method, but a store-bought Atlantic will also be quite tasty.

48 July 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Remove the pin-bones from the fish with needle-nose pliers. You can feel these bones with your fingertips as you run your hand down the fillet. Grab the end of them with the pliers and pull them out. They can be a couple of inches long in a big fish, so be aggressive, and be sure to get them all. No one, I mean no one, likes a pin bone in the throat. Use the freshest dill you can find. It is the key to this recipe. Chop the dill, stems and all, finely and put into a medium sized bowl. Mix in the sugar and salt. If you want to add the optional spices, do so at this time. Stir well until everything is evenly mixed. Place the salmon skin side down on a large piece of plastic wrap. You may want to line up a few sheets to have enough to fully wrap around the fillet when you are done. Sprinkle the flesh side of the fish with aquavit or gin if you are doing so. Cover the fish with the dill and salt/sugar mix. Make sure you cover the entire fillet; there should be plenty for a generous coating. Wrap the fish tightly with the plastic wrap, place in a glass baking dish in case of leakage, and refrigerate 24-36 hours. The longer the salmon cures, the more the spice will flavor the fish and more moisture will be drawn out of the fish. After 24-36 hours, remove the fish from the refrigerator. Unwrap and rinse off the cure. Pat dry with a paper towel and transfer to a cutting board. Using an extremely sharp knife, slice the fish on a bias into thin slices. You are ready to enjoy your tasty concoction! Try it with a bagel and cream cheese, garnished with lemon and capers. This is a great way to do something different with your catch. Experiment a little with it, you will not be disappointed!

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