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

SPECIAL SHOOTING ISSUE

FREE May 2019 | Volume 15 | Issue 5

Chad LaChance: Fishful Thinker

Truck Tackle

Gary Lewis: PacWest Outdoors

Harpooning Carp

7-Foot Black Bears of Itcha

Shooting Sports Roundup Great Plinking Products

Page 14

Tools for Improving Shooting Dry Fire Aids

Page 26

RELENTLESS SPEED Leupoldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Freedom RDS: A red dot sight built for consistency and durability PAGE 8

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 MANAGERS Sam Staudt sam@sportsmansnews.com 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.

SPORTSMAN’S WAREHOUSE 7035 So. High Tech Drive Midvale, UT 84047

May 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

OUTDOOR WRITING CONTEST Grand Prize Package

• 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 7-Foot Black Bears of Itcha

Chasing big Canadian black and color phase bears.

Relentless Accuracy 8 New Leupold RDS (Red Dot Sight) for fast accuracy. 10 Platinum Approved Outfitters

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

14 Shooting Sport Roundup

Shoot more and have more fun with these great products.

18 Pacwest Outdoors: Carp Hunting With a Harpoon Using an antique shoulder launched trident isn't as easy as it sounds.

s I sit down to pen this article after a day of hunting on the South Island of New Zealand, it’s easy for me to reflect on the past fifteen years of what we do here at the Sportsman’s News. Being in the field on a bucket-list type of trip like a red stag with some lucky Pro Member winners provides some amazing clarity. Fifteen years ago, I left a lucrative career in the banking industry to pursue my passion of working in the outdoors. I had no idea what that really meant at the time. I just knew that sitting in an office in a suit and tie and talking finance with people was going to make for a very long career. Nearly all of my vacation time was spent hunting, fishing, and camping. I knew that I had to pursue something in this area, but I just had to figure out how. This morning, I was up three hours before our lucky winners and sitting at the computer downloading all the video footage and photos shot the day before. I had several articles to get written for an upcoming deadline as well. I organized new products that needed field testing and got them ready to go with us on today’s hunt. I then responded to all of yesterday’s emails since we are 19 hours ahead while we are here. By the time I got all of that done, the guides and hunters were getting up and ready to start this glorious new day. We will spend the next twelve hours in the field chasing tahr up steep slopes in the rain and snow while I try to keep my camera gear functioning to capture the experience. We will finish this trip and then I will get to travel for 40 hours back to my home in Utah. Next week I will get to do something very similar and I will be loving every minute of it. I work twice as hard as I’ve ever worked in my life, but don’t feel like I’ve ever worked a day since I started this career. I can honestly say that I’m living my best life regardless of the workload. Every issue of Sportsman’s News is jam packed with the work that we do here. Our cover stories are on outfitters who we have visited and one thing we have found over our career of doing this is that there are more bad outfitters out there than good. The good ones get our Platinum Approved Outfitter endorsement. The bad ones never make the pages of Sportsman’s News. We are a great resource for you when you are looking to book a trip. We take great pride in field testing products and making sure they do what they say they will do. We test them in real world environments and beat them up pretty hard. We do both editorial reviews as well as video reviews. Make sure you are signed up for our YouTube channel at (sportsmansnewstv) so that you can see all these reviews and make the best buying decisions on the products you purchase this year. We have years of reviews on this channel. Please enjoy the hard work we have put into this as we live and love our lives.

22 Pro's Tip: Tools for Improving Shooting Shoot better with these tips and tools for dry fire practice.

Fishful Thinker: Truck Tackle 26

Never miss an impromptu chance to fish.

28 Skatch Blacks

Getting it done in the Saskatchewan.

30 Video Product Reviews 34 Kid's "Special" Fishing Day

Get involved and share the sport.

36 Trigger Time With Team Doubletap Be a Contender

37 Business Directory 38 Pro Member Update: Pybus Point Lodge

See why this Alaska destination is a yearly experince for the Sportsman's News Team.

44 Simms Waders and Boots 46 Outdoor Writing Contest: Of Pigs and Sheep A hunt for Peccary takes an interesting twist. 48 Wild Game Recipe: No Beer Battered Fish

Delicious homemade tartar sauce and battered fish without the beer.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sparky Sparkes Gary Lewis Chad LaChance Jarrod Erdody Jeremy Dunn Steve Mayer Michael McGinnis

May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

When

By Sparky “The Joker” Sparkes 4

May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

your friend calls you and asks what you are doing the first week of June, you always have to pause and think, “Oh no, they’re finally moving and they need my help." However, when that friend is Mike Deming of Sportsman’s News, it could mean you won a hunt as a Sportsman’s News Pro Member and he is calling to tell you that you have won the hunt of a lifetime. Well, Mike wasn’t moving and I was not the winner of a hunt, but I did get asked if I would go up to Canada and film the Pro Member winner Billy Miller, with the legendary Stewart Fraser of Itcha Mountain Outfitters. Itcha Mountain is famous for having big 7-foot black bears and harvesting a lot of them in any given season. As a bear guide myself in the lower 48, I am always jealous of Stewart and the number of bears they see on a daily basis along with the size of bears they have in British Columbia. So much so, that when I am talking to a possible client about bear hunting with me, I always tell them about Itcha Mountain. Their operation, in my opinion, is an amazing place to hunt and harvest a big black bear. Lucky for me, Mike and Stewart had arranged for me to stay and hunt one of these giants of BC for myself after the hunt winner had tagged out. I worked a few miracles and cleared my schedule and told Mike I was able to go and film the lucky Pro Member winner. Living in Washington state at the time, it was about a 12-hour drive north or 12-hours including three flights and layovers. I decided to take the scenic drive up through the beautiful province of British Columbia. Along the drive, I was able to see mountain goats around the Kelowna area, elk, bears and deer all throughout the province, even hitting a little snow on a few mountain passes. When you have to drive 12-hours to get to your destination, you sure enjoy having satellite radio, although 12-hours of head-banging-to-hair-nation is a little too long and hard on an old-man’s neck. Arriving at approximately 10pm, I was greeted by Stewart and Sabrina Fraser, my hosts for the week. Bill Miller, the Sportsman’s Pro Member Winner, had already gone to bed and Stewart was kind enough to make me a Canadian Whiskey on the rocks as we discussed the upcoming events of the week. The weather had been unseasonably cold for this time of year, but bears were out and being spotted daily. Stewart stated it was nothing to see over 10 bears a day and somedays even up to 20. I assumed these numbers were a little exaggerated as it seemed excessive, but by weeks end, I had seen over 45 bears in 6 days and one day alone I saw 19. This place truly has a lot of bears! One of my favorite things about bear hunting is the fact that you do not have to be up super early to get out. As a fat, old, lazy person, I sure enjoy sleeping in till 8am, especially after a long 12-hour drive and maybe a few cocktails. My room was very comfortable with a nice bed, a table to do computer work and my own personal heater in case the cool air of northern BC decided to try and keep me chilled. In the morning I wandered to the community bathroom, cleaned up a little and headed into the main lodge to have some coffee. Inside the lodge I was introduced to Bill and enjoyed a cup of joe as we discussed the plans for the day. Bill was from California (and was actually a good guy, despite that fact, ha-ha) and had never been bear hunting. His cousin had won an elk hunt a year prior which is why he joined the sweepstakes and after only a few months, he had won an ALPS pack and now this bear hunt. Lucky guy! Bill was very excited to be on this amazing hunt and could not believe he had won. We all enjoyed a fantastic breakfast with a meat tray, along with bacon, eggs, avocados and fruit, all prepared by Morgan Fraser, Stewart and Sabrina’s son. He did an excellent job all week keeping me fat and happy. After breakfast, showers and getting all the camera gear ready, we were ready to head out for the first day. We hit the road around noon with Sabrina. With daylight going until after 10pm, you can plan on a long day of driving roads and looking for bears feeding on the edge of roads or out in fields feasting on the clover and fresh grasses coming up. Although the weather our first day was cold, rainy and not the best for hunting bears, we still were able to see three bears, making one good stalk with no success. The warmer and nicer the weather, the more the bears will be out and about moving around trying to keep the bugs off of them. Speaking of bugs, the mosquitoes in the spring can be viscous. It is highly recommended to bring good quality bug spray and the hand wipe types which are great to hang out the back of your hat to help when stalking on bears. With no shot opportunities, we headed back to the lodge for another great dinner by Morgan and great stories of the day’s events and past hunts. On our second day, we headed out with Stewart and the weather is a little nicer, but still not the warm day we were hoping for. We are able to spot five bears during the hunt and make one good stalk on a nice 6’ 6” plus bear, with no luck. We passed on a few small bears in the 5’6” range before calling it a day. Stewart prides himself by getting his clients on big bears in the high 6-foot and low 7-foot range.

The sun is shining on day three, the bugs are buzzing and it’s a great day to be out hunting bears. We head out with Stewart after another tasty breakfast and not five minutes down the road we spot a beautiful thick, black, 6’ 8” or bigger boar, the perfect bear to try and harvest and an amazing first trophy bear for any hunter. As we watch the bear at 150-yards on the hillside, Stewart informs us that it is not on property he has permission to hunt. We watch the bear wander off into the woods and we are excited about the day ahead. Fifteen minutes later, we see another big 6’ 6” plus bear wandering towards the road. We drive by a few hundred yards, park the truck and work our way back down the edge of the road in the brush. As we get to within what we believe to be 100-yards of where we had seen the bear, we start to work our way up the short hillside, hoping to see the bear eating out in the swampy clear-cut.

Unfortunately, as we were working our way up the hill, the bear was working his way down the same hill 100 yards in front of us and hit the road a running as he had spotted us. Bill was able to get a shot off but was unable to hit his target. We laugh, discuss the events that had just unfolded and get back in the truck to head down the road. Billy did not have long to stew on his missed opportunity as five minutes later, we come around a corner to find a nice 6’ black bear drinking out of a spring off the side of the road. We May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

park and with camera rolling, Billy is able to make this shot count. One shot and Billy has his first ever black bear. High fives around and we are cleaning our first bear on the third day of the hunt. We take photos, load the bear up and head back to the lodge to take care of Billy’s bear. One of the great things about hunting in British Columbia at Itcha Mountain is the fact that you can purchase a second bear tag and harvest a second bear. This is a great opportunity as they have so many bears and you will find yourself wanting to shoot a second one if you are successful in the first few days. Billy chose to take Stewart up on this opportunity and got a second tag. With yesterday’s success still fresh on our mind, we head out for day four. We have not been hunting for more than an hour when we find a great, 7-foot plus boar tending a huge 6’6’ sow about 500-yards down the road. As we stalk this amazing bear, another almost 7-foot bear comes out on the road between us and our 7-plus footer. Choosing not to shoot this almost 7-foot monster, we work our way towards the really big one. While stalking down the edge of the road a fourth bear comes out of the woods onto the road from the opposite side of the third bear. We literally had bears everywhere! At one point, the third bear was less than 50-yards and we had to lay down on the road to not get busted. It is very hard to watch someone pass a beautiful bear almost 7-foot, but when you can see a true 7-plus footer a mere 300-yards past this trophy, you can understand. The big boar and sow walked off into the woods and the big third finally spotted us and ran off. What a great 30-minutes of pure adrenalin and excitement. By the end of day four, we had seen 19 different bears and had three unsuccessful stalks. Wow! Day five starts off instantly with a nice 6-foot plus bear sitting on a hillside giving us a great show at 150-yards and great footage for the TV show. Thirty minutes down the road we come upon another true 7-footer. The rain was sprinkling down and the bear was working his way up an old, overgrown logging road, eating grass. He was meandering in and out of the tree line and was heading right towards us. Billy leaned up against a tree as the big bear stepped out of the woods at 45-yards, oblivious to our presence.

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Billy squeezed the trigger, only to realize his safety was on. The bear was close enough to see the movement and that was all he needed to hurry away. After seeing four more bears, we came into a lush green meadow to find a beautiful chocolate bear eating on grasses with another black bear. Billy is able to make a great shot and harvest his second bear in five days. One beautiful black and one very pretty chocolate. Billy headed home to California with two great bears and now it was my turn to see if we can find me a nice bear. The day starts off with snow and 32-degree weather. As the morning breaks the snow stops and the rain starts. Deciding we have nothing to lose by going out, Stewart and I head out to try some new areas we have not been to yet. We find a few smaller bears wandering roads, a few nice boars out and about, but nothing too exciting that I need to try and harvest. I have been fortunate to shoot quite a few bears over the years, so I really only wanted to shoot something over 6’6”. Having only one day makes you feel like you need to just shoot something, but I do not hunt or feel that way. I enjoy every day in the field and have personal goals I try to achieve. I am a hunter, sportsman and steward of our sport, not a killer. With time winding down on our last day and the rain lightly coming down, Stewart spots a good black bear about 500-yards down the road. Unfortunately, the bear also spotted us and took off running down the road. We park and Stewart says there is a possibility that the bear went around the corner and may just be eating on the road as we did not spook him that bad. We work our way down the road and just as Stewart stated, the bear is out on the road eating. I took my trusted Browning 26 Nosler, set my sights on the bears lungs, lightly squeezed the trigger and at 250-yards, made a double lung shot on a beautiful bear. My bear had a beautiful white patch on his chest and ended up squaring 6’ 8”. In true Sportsman’s News fashion, I took it down to the last day, last hour and last few minutes to fill my tag. Itcha Mountain Outfitters (www.itchamtn.com) not only has an abundance of bears and big bears to harvest, they are operated by two truly great people in Stewart and Sabrina Fraser. I had an absolute great time, harvested a great bear and will definitely answer my phone the next time Mike Deming calls to ask what I am doing the first week of June.

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May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Rugged, Accurate, and Easy to Use: Leupold’s New Freedom RDS (Red Dot Sight)

ew for 2019, the Freedom RDS changes the game when it comes to consistency and durability in a red dot sight. Leupold took over 70 years of optics knowledge and created a red dot that is tough as nails and priced to wow. Don’t believe us? Let’s take a closer look at the Freedom RDS. Built for recreational shooters and hunters alike, the Freedom RDS will be available in two distinct models: One features capped precision ¼-MOA click adjustments, and the other features a precision exposed BDC elevation turret that ships with adjustments out to 500 yards for a standard 55-grain .223 Rem. round. Designed to function just like Leupold’s popular CDS (Custom Dial System), the BDC turret makes longer shots a whole lot easier. Once you’ve zeroed your rifle, you’ll be able to reset the dial and then make shot adjustments in yards rather than MOA. So, if your target is 500 yards away, simply turn the dial to 5 and aim dead on. This allows you to make precise, close quarter shots and then quickly dial out to 500 yards for accurate, longer shots if necessary, all without worrying about holdovers. It’s as easy as that. If you decide to mount your Freedom RDS to a rifle that’s chambered in other popular AR-style calibers like a 6.5 Creedmoor or .300 Blackout, the Leupold Custom Shop can burn you a new dial for a nominal fee. But the Freedom RDS doesn’t stop there. If you’ve used other red dots in the past, you might notice that they tend to distort colors or have blurry edges. Not the Freedom RDS. Leupold’s Twilight Red Dot System not only helps you see more in less light, it also delivers great color consistency and premium lens clarity. For better accuracy, a push-button activated 1-MOA red dot delivers a clear and precise aiming point. This smaller dot is great for longer shots where a big-

May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

ger dot may cover up too much of the target. As an added bonus, the RDS features Leupold’s Motion Sensor Technology (MST), which turns the illumination off after five minutes of inactivity. When the MST detects motion again, it instantly turns the illumination back on, so it’s ready when you are. A manual mode also allows the sight to be shut off when not in use. You can also toggle through eight illumination settings, making the dot easily visible in low-light conditions or the mid-day sun. On the RDS’ medium setting, you’ll get up to 1,000 hours of battery life, which, thanks to the aforementioned Motion Sensor Technology, truly equates to 1,000 usable hours. The Freedom RDS is lightweight, compact, and ready for any purpose you’ve got in mind. It features a 34mm objective lens and maintube, measures a little over five inches in length, and weighs just under 7 ounces without a mount. For simplicity, it comes with a mount that sits at the optimal sight height for AR-style rifles. That said, you can remove the provided mount and use any 34mm rings instead. “Consumers have been asking for an American-made, value-priced red dot for as long as we’ve been in the marketplace,” said Tim Lesser, Vice President of Product Development for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “The Freedom RDS delivers on that task and more, bringing with it innovative features like the custom BDC elevation turret, allowing shooters to easily dial up for longer shots.” Like every Leupold product designed to be mounted on a firearm, the Freedom RDS is designed, machined, and assembled in Beaverton, Oregon – and it’s built to withstand a lifetime of abuse. It’s 100 percent fogproof and waterproof and features 80-MOA of adjustment in both elevation and windage. It is “Punisher” tested and verified to perform under the harshest conditions, so it can withstand whatever you might throw at it. Its ultra-lightweight construction disperses recoil energy for class-leading durability. And since this sight is tested to the same rugged standards as our military optics, you know it won’t let you down. That said, if you do ever have a problem, the Freedom RDS – like all Gold Ring products – is backed by Leupold’s legendary Lifetime Guarantee. Check out the Freedom RDS at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse today.

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The fastest way to load Ruger 10/22 magazines. Simply dump a box of .22 LR ammo in the hopper, give it a shake to line them up, insert your Ruger, Butler Creek Hot Lips, or Butler Creek Steel Lips magazine in the magazine well and turn the knob to insert the rounds into the magazine. Turns hours of loading into minutes so you can spend less time loading magazines and more time plinking.

Taylor Targets Centerfire Reset Spinner Target

Centerfire Reset Target is a popular, multi-disc target for “big bore” pistol shooters. This target has four lower 3.5″ targets and one upper 3.5″ target. Upon being hit, each of the lower 4 targets flips up. After hitting the lower targets, the upper target can be hit to reset the lower 4 targets back into starting position. Eliminates the need to walk back and manually reset your targets. The Centerfire Reset Target is designed for use with centerfire handguns up to .44 magnum and provides shooting action you can easily see (spins when hit) and hear. The heavy-duty steel frame provides years of trouble free practice and many outings of fun with family and friends. Portable and easy to use reset targets mean no more knocked down targets and more time for shooting.

Learn proper gun storage at

Birchwood Casey Adjustable Width Target Stand This all steel stand is designed to easily accept two 1x2 wood furring strips from your local hardware store to hold targets and backers of most sizes. Holes in the feet let you drive it into the ground with two included stakes to prevent the wind from tipping it over. It is rugged yet light, for years of use.

Birchwood Casey STEEL RANGE PACK Everything you need to start shooting steel, except a standard 2x4. This kit includes a stand, 8-inch AR 500 steel gong, and a bracket with a spring mounted bolt for mounting the gong or use the hanger on the back to hang any single hole steel target. Wide feet with spike holes let the stand be staked to prevent movement and keep it from falling over. The heavy duty steel gong can take hits from some of the most powerful guns and the angle of the plate deflects bullet downwards for safety.

14 May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

ProjectChildSafe.org

SHOOTING SPORT Products Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Premium Kit

Contains everything you need to capture reliable velocity data in one convenient kit. Includes Chronograph, LED Light Kit, Tripod and Custom Carry Case that conveniently holds all items. The Ballistic Precision Chronograph provides accurate velocity measurements across a wide range of shooting conditions. Higher accuracy was achieved by using a high speed 48 MHz processor and by designing a circuit with an advanced data interface that allows each unit to be computer calibrated at the factory after assembly. The end result is the ability to provide much better accuracy than other chronographs on the market (+/- .25%). Although technologically advanced, the unit is designed to be simple to operate, displaying velocity in Feet per second or Meters per second on the large built in LCD screen. The Chrono can also deliver the shot string velocity data through the 15′ foot audio jack cable (included) to a smartphone/ mobile device.

Caldwell Mag Charger Tac 30

The all new Caldwell Mag Charger Tac-30 is the latest addition to the Mag Charger Family of Speedloaders. Filling the Mag Charger Tac-30 has never been easier. The Tac-30 is designed to directly accept 20 live rounds from any common 20 round ammo manufacturer box and will also conveniently accept up to three 10 round stripper clips. The entire process of filling the Mag Charger Tac-30 with ammo and loading all 20-30 rounds into a magazine takes less than 10 seconds. Spend more time shooting and less time reloading with the Caldwell MagCharger Tac-30.

Guns Gong Crazy

Steel is one of the most gratifying targets to shoot. It is reactive, loud, sounds destructive and nothing can beat the experience. GunsGongCrazy features the latest advancements in today’s modern gun targets, using high quality, advanced products that are designed to properly enhance every aspect of the steel shooting experience. GunsGongCrazy's high quality, long-lasting targets are designed for durability and are made using only the highest-grade steel. GunsGongCrazy uses innovative designs that feature angled targets, (bullets safely and effectively ricochet towards the ground), Kevlar straps, portable steel stand, wind antenna, magnetic target stencils and Hi Vis paint.

Caldwell Ballistic Precision LR Target Camera System

The Caldwell Ballistic Precision Long Range Target Camera was designed by our team of engineers to be the best target camera system available today and affordable so all shooters can have one. The one mile range delivers live streaming HD video footage of your target to your smart phone or tablet through Caldwell's free app. The Caldwell Ballistic Precision LR Target Camera comes with a premium storage case to store the entire system. A free app is available for download on your smart phone or tablet. It allows you to view live streaming HD video, take pictures, record video and can calculate your group size too. The rechargeable lithium ion battery allows you to use the Target Camera for up to 6 hours.

May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

SHOOTING SPORT Products RADIANS T-85 5 LENS INTERCHANGEABLE SHOOTING GLASS KIT

The Radians T-85 is an interchangeable 5 lens kit. The glass has a sleek lightweight design with adjustable temples, rubber nosepiece and rubber temple pads. One piece interchangeable lens design allows a wearer to easily switch lenses for different lighting situations. Includes neoprene carrying case, neck cord, and microfiber lens cloth bag. Exceeds ANSI Z87.1+ Standards for ballistic protection.

Walkers Razor Slim Electronic Quad Ear Muff w/ Bluetooth

Blasting off shots at the range can be a thrilling activity until you spend the following days with ringing ears and dulled hearing. Protect your precious ears with these Walkers Razor Slim Electronic Quad Ear Muffs w/ Bluetooth. These Hearing Protection by Walkers can Bluetooth sync with your mobile devices so that you can listen to whatever sounds you want while blocking out the outside noise. The sound dampening composite housing of these Walkers Razor Slim Bluetooth Ear Muffs provides optimal protection from loud gun blasts, roaring farm equipment, and any other loud activities you engage. All of these features are brought to you by the power of 2 AAA batteries that come included with every order. There's even an integrated mic for advanced communication tactics. Before you perform any activities that create loud noises, protect yourself with a pair of these Walkers Razor Slim Electronic Quad Range Ear Muffs.

Sightmark Laser boresights

Each boresight is constructed with high quality brass and are calibrated with three set screws in a roller to center the laser diode to the housing. The roller ensures fine adjustments can be made so the boresight is truly centered. This ensures the boresight will accurately project a firearm’s theoretical point of impact, no matter what. Sightmark has created a line of boresights that achieve a reliable, true center, meaning you spend less time, and ammo, at the range trying to find the target with your new rifle.

Sonic Boom Exploding Targets

Sonic Boom has taken its time to research and custom build their targets. First, Sonic Boom found the best possible raw ingredients available, which provides one of the largest explosions and loudest booms of any exploding target on the market. Then Sonic Boom took it a step further by providing its users with a highly visible blaze orange jar that is visible at virtually any distance. Sonic Boom produces targets with high quality, non-hazardous, non-toxic and stable chemicals. The targets use a two part mixture that are easy to mix and easy to use—simply mix and shoot.

16 May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’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.

Patented, Detachable 10-Round Rotary Magazine

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Hunting Carp with a ShoulderFired Trident Straight out of the Victorian era - the kick, clobber, and fury of a vintage harpoon gun.

Story and Photos by Gary Lewis

line, when fighting a big one close to the rail, a harpoon could be used to close the deal. Once a barb was under the skin, the fish would be fought and retrieved using the line attached to the spear point. Dolphin would be subdued in the same manner. But the most likely target for a harpoon gunner’s aim was a seal. To fire it, a blank cartridge is loaded in the chamber and a wooden dowel is fitted inside the barrel. A line is attached to the arrowhead or spearpoint. The dowel and line are tamped down against the cartridge until the gun is fired. Sometime around the turn of the century, a buyer laid down cash money for an A&F harpoon gun built on a Hopkins & Allen single shot blackpowder shotgun. Kitted out in a box with points, shafts, blanks and a cleaning rod, the adventurer was ready to take to the water with a shoulder-fired spear. Perhaps this gun was employed in Alaska or in the upper Atlantic off the coast of Maine. Wherever it was used, the owner kept it in serviceable condition. Over 100 years later it found a new home and a new fish to hunt. My friend Matthew McFarland, a collector of big bores and other interesting items went looking for such a piece and he found this one, for which he paid $600 for the gun and accessories. We took it on a carp hunt in a muddy lake.

erhaps the main quarry for a shoulder-fired harpoon would have been pinnipeds: sea lions, walrus, fur seals and hair seals. The two main families are Otariidae (eared seals) and Phocidae (earless seals). Seals are used for oily meat, their fat and their pelts. The fat was, and is, used for fuel, lubricants, soaps, paint, cooking oil and for processing leather. The fat was also used as the raw material for an igloo window. For the Inuit, and for Arctic explorers the meat was a valuable protein and a source of fat, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and iron. The late 1800s and the early 1900s were a time of Arctic exploration. Robert Peary and his sledge party claimed to have reached the North Pole on April 6, 1909. The Polaris expedition of 1871 ended in tragedy as did the Jeannette Expedition in 1879. Sealers, whalers, explorers and adventurers of all types would have thought to add a harpoon gun or two to their A harpoon gun, like this model from Abercrombie armories. & Fitch, circa 1898, would have been a great part of In the early-1900s along the waterfront a whaler’s or sealer’s arsenal in the early 1900s. at No. 36 South Street in Manhattan, a sportsman could delight in the latest in hunting and fishing gear at Abercrombie & Fitch. On the racks, the genteel and the adventurous could find everything from a pith helmet to an engraved double rifle. The rich and famous shopped there as well as the prospector, big-game hunter and fedora-sporting dreamer. Teddy Roosevelt outfitted his safari at A&F and Ernest Hemingway frequented the store between working on novels and his own safaris. In a short story for Esquire, Hemingway mentioned a harpoon gun he bought at Abercrombie & Fitch when he was “a little tight” (Papa-speak for drunk). He paid $60, which might Abercrombie & Fitch Harpoon Gun have been a lot of money in 1928, but he Makers: Abercrombie & Fitch Company, Hopkins & Allen Arms Company had just received a $5,000 advance for A • Year of Manufacture: 1898 • Overall length: 46 inches Farewell to Arms. • Action type: Break-action • Weight: 7.6 pounds It’s hard for us in these days to picture • Caliber: Sleeved to 50-caliber, .50-70 • Finish: blued it, but a harpoon gun would be put to • Capacity: 1 • Sights: bead front use to hunt beluga whales and narwhal. • Barrel length: 30 inches • Stock: Two-piece On a tuna boat or with a marlin on the

18 May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Hunting Cyprinidae

Matthew McFarland opened the action of the Hopkins & Allen Arms Company gun and thumbed in a handloaded .50-70 blank. He closed the action and inserted an aluminum shaft tipped with a trident. In the shallows, carp cruised and sipped at the surface, their dorsals and tails broke the tension of the muddy water. We were fishing a small lake sandwiched between ranches. Bill Herrick had arrived three hours before us and had already battled six carp on his fly rod. When Matthew, his boys Chisel and Finney and I arrived, we began our hunt. Matthew’s harpoon gun was sold by Abercrombie & Fitch around the turn-ofthe-century, a single-shot blackpowder shotgun, sleeved with a 50-caliber barrel. It came in a tincloth-lined case, complete with blanks, a cleaning rod and spear points. On the inside of the case, a typed page dated January 1898 set out the directions for using the harpoon. When McFarland purchased the gun he set to work to put it back into service.

Thumbing the hammer of his Hopkins & Allen/Abercrombie & Fitch harpoon gun, Matthew McFarland prepares to line up a shot at a carp feeding near the surface.

There were no wooden shafts in the felt-lined box when it came into his possession. To begin, McFarland fashioned 29-inch wooden dowels with homemade steel points. “The wood shafts splintered in the barrel unless I kept the powder charge super low. I found that to use wood, I had to look for a shaft with a close, straight grain,” McFar-

land said. “Otherwise it would just splinter in the barrel.” To get more reliability out of the harpoon, McFarland experimented with steel and aluminum shafts. Steel lasted longer, but it did not fly as far. The effective range with a steel shaft was five to 10 yards less than with aluminum. “The aluminum was more expensive, but it was worth it,” McFarland said. He cuts the shafts to 29 inches and affixes a steel broadhead at the business end. McFarland carried a bucket in one hand with a length of braided line attached to his dart. Using the cattails for cover, he would focus on a carp, wait for it to turn broadside then hold the bead beneath the line of its back. At the trigger squeeze, the aluminum shaft leapt out of the barrel. The cord would shoot from the bucket and pile out into the water. We’d hold our breath while he wound the line back in. Sometimes he brought back scales, but most shots struck the fish glancing blows to their armor. These carp averaged between 4 pounds and 10 pounds. I began to believe that the gun and the spear were more properly suited to large saltwater fish. Though he struck several, the prongs failed to hold. After several shots, McFarland handed the gun and bucket to me. The fish were not as active as they had been, but from time to time, the thin line of a back would appear close to the surface. That was the time to shoot. In the shallows, a fish bulged with a great wake that telegraphed its bulk. “There.” It was close. I eared back the hammer, mashed my cheek against the wood, put the bead under the fish and fired. Each of McFarland’s homemade aluminum shafts weigh about half a pound. Upon ignition, the blank is fired, the shaft leaps from the barrel and carries with it the line affixed to the head of the spear. According to the principle at work in Newton’s Third Law, the recoil caused by the discharge of a gun exactly balances the forward momentum of projectile and exhaust gases. When the hammer falls on the primer and fires the blackpowder blank, it propels the aluminum shaft, the point and the line.

May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

With the slower burn of the blackpowder, the felt recoil seemed to occur in two stages. It had a whale of a kick. I missed. Over the next hour I shot at several carp, but they are smaller game than this harpoon gun was intended for. Sometimes I missed and sometimes the heads struck the armor plate (scales) a glancing blow. Next, McFarland handed me an air rifle he had converted to shoot arrows. A red dot sight made it easy to track the carp. When there was a lull in the action, I eased onto a dock over deeper water. Plumes of fresh mud puddled at the surface where the fish worked close. Twenty feet out, the fly sunk and pulled the line down. On the third cast, the line straightened, I lifted and the rod plunged. When the fish came to the surface, its scales flashed gold, a huge goldfish on a fly rod – six pounds on a six-weight rod. Much maligned by Lewis wasn’t able to harpoon a carp, but he did manage salmon and trout fishermen to tease up this carp with a fly. in the United States, the lowly carp is a lofty prize in Europe and Asia. In the United States, it is classified invasive, a rough fish, considered harmful to native species. When hooked, they are strong fighters and worthy of the respect of any angler. But they are hard to take with a harpoon gun. To contact Gary Lewis, visit www.GaryLewisOutdoors.com

Taking a break from the harpoon hunt, Bill Herrick caught this carp on fly tackle.

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www.jokerswildoutdoors.com 20 May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

PRO'S TIP

Tools for Improving Shooting By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

here are two worlds among concealed carriers, those who train and carry frequently or every day, and those who get the permit, never do any additional training, and only carry once in a blue moon. As a firearms instructor, I get to see both worlds frequently and am constantly on the lookout for tools and techniques that help move the second world into the realm of the first. The two largest obstacles from becoming an occasional carrier to a frequent one; from becoming untrained to more advanced, are cost and time. Most individuals don’t have sponsors to purchase their ammo or bosses who let them take time from the workday to go to classes or sneak in some training. Therefore, the average carrier of a defensive firearm is relegated to doing this on their own time and dime. Since the price of ammunition has been on a steady increase, and not everyone has access to an indoor climate-controlled shooting facility, getting in the trigger time that is needed for live fire training can be a difficult challenge in both the time and expense departments. But there is no doubt that effective defensive shooting is a diminishing skill and without frequent practice, even excellent shooters will lose their edge over time.

Mechanics

First, let’s break the trigger press down into its basic mechanics. Many novice shooters see the pull of the trigger as a simple one step process; point the gun at the target and pull the trigger. I break my trigger press down into five phases, all with the principal goal of Minimizing Unnecessary Movement (MUM). 1. Commute – In our classes we talk about where your trigger finger lives. That is the index position alongside the frame of the gun pointing toward the target. This

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keeps the finger outside of the trigger guard until you have made the decision to fire and is Rule Three of Col. Cooper’s four rules of firearm safety; “keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target and you have made the decision to fire.” Once we establish where the trigger finger lives, occasionally the finger will go from home to work. Work is the trigger. The commute phase is the transition from the index position to the trigger; the movement from the side of the gun to inside the trigger guard. It is essential to be able to make this transition while maintaining sight alignment (MUM). 2. Face – Once we move our finger inside the trigger guard, it is necessary to orient our finger position to the face of the trigger. Several factors are at play here. First, we need to know are we shooting a semi-auto in double action or single action condition? Are we shooting a revolver in single or double action? Are we shooting a striker fired pistol? Each condition will require us to face the trigger differently. When facing the trigger, we are feeling for the proper position of the pad of our first distal phalanges on the face of the trigger. We want just the pad of that finger and not the interphalangeal distal crease on the face of the trigger. Many novice shooters will wrap that inside knuckle around the trigger, which will insert movement of the gun into the trigger press. If the tip of the finger, the area above the top crease, were divided in two, the very tip farthest from the body is used to press the trigger on a striker fired pistol or revolvers or semi-autos firing in single action condition (i.e., the hammer is cocked). The bottom portion of the finger tip closer to the body is used for the harder trigger press of a double action gun because more force is needed to actuate the trigger. This step is also where the shooter will depress the blade safety on a striker-fired gun. 3. Prep – With a few exceptions, almost every trigger has a certain amount of travel or creep that has to be pressed through. Prepping the trigger involves taking the slack out of the trigger before beginning the next phase. When prepping the trigger, the shooter takes up the slack until they “hit the wall” or the creep ceases and becomes a clear stopping point. It is important to good trigger control to clearly separate the prep phase from the next phase, which is the press. 4. Press – The press phase is where we actuate the trigger to fire the gun. We gently increase pressure with just our trigger finger until the gun fires. This is letting the gun fire, rather than making the gun fire. If done correctly, there should be no movement or tightening from any of the other muscles in the hands other than those attached to the index finger. Muscle isolation is a key component of MUM. The instant the gun fires should be a surprise to you because you are simply increasing pressure incrementally until the trigger breaks. This is how you can fire a heavy trigger with the same consistency as a light trigger. Nothing changes other than the incremental force and the amount of time needed to finish the trigger press. 5. Reset – One of the fundamentals of pistol shooting is follow-through. That is keeping everything exactly the same as it was at the time the shot is fired. This prevents a last split-second movement that can affect the shot. A problem I see with many less experienced shooters is jumping off the trigger as soon as they break the shot, allowing it to come completely forward, then slapping the trigger quickly, bypassing all the phases, to make a rapid follow-up shot. There are a variety of factors that make shooters do this, including getting a chronic case of the “Go Fasts” or fear from not understanding the trigger mechanics that if they are touching the trigger after the gun fires, the gun will go into full auto mode and empty the magazine if they don’t quickly

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

PRO'S TIP let go. Proper follow through and reset consists of holding the trigger back after the gun fires and while it goes through its recoil arc. Once the sights are back on the target, then the shooter can begin to move the trigger forward until it reaches its reset point. The reset point is â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Wallâ&#x20AC;? but approached from the rear rather than from the front, as in the prep phase. This is the point where the trigger has travelled forward enough to now re-engage the connector and allow it to fire again if started rearward. It is often perceptibly felt and heard, when the trigger has reset. Trigger press is an essential fundamental to master. Knowing your trigger and how to transition between all five phases is a skill that can only be mastered through lots and lots of time pressing the trigger. Repetition while focusing on each phase is how you will get better and more confident in your mastery of each step, and also how you can isolate unnecessary movement and remove it from the equation. This is why dry fire practice is so essential to good pistol shooting.

Dry Fire

The term dry fire is a bit misleading, as there is no such thing as wet fire. Dry fire is the concept of practicing your trigger pull with an unloaded firearm. It should go without saying that shooters need to verify their gun is unloaded, as are any magazines that will be used during practice, and even though the gun is clear, we always want to make sure we are not pointing the gun at any person, animal, or object we are not willing to destroy. If we are utilizing a wall for our practice, it is important to make sure what or who is on the other side of that wall, and always to practice in a safe manner cognizant of what might happen should we accidently discharge a live round. Dry fire training is used religiously by the majority of competitive shooters, and those who shoot professionally when their lives are on the line. It is an essential tool in your training toolbox and I can tell immediately whether a student practices dry fire frequently by how well they shoot in live fire. To help with your dry fire practice, there are several great tools and technologies on the market that I personally use and recommend.

pull of the trigger, breaking the training cycle. The SIRT mimics your training pistol in weight, function, and trigger, but automatically resets so you can continue to dry fire over and over without breaking your grip to recock the gun. It is available in various makes and models standard to carry and duty models of guns and is compatible with your existing holsters. www.nextleveltraining.com

LASRApp

When used in conjunction with the SIRT or any laser insert, the LASR software provides instant feedback on shot placement, while also giving metrics such as shot time, split times, and also motion of the gun after the shot breaks. The program is web based and can be used on a laptop with a camera or on a smartphone or tablet. The targets are set up and then traced within the application to designate whether they are a hit or miss, or even can be set up as a remote to start and stop the session by simply firing at the designated target. A variety of drills and even par times can be preset in the app to create various training scenarios. www.lasrapp.com.

Dry Fire Training Cards

As the name implies, the Dry Fire Training Cards are a deck of 52 cards with various dry fire drills. You can shuffle and cut the deck and randomly choose a drill, or you can divide the deck into stacks of five different skill levels; basic, advanced, complex motion, low light, and exercises, and work each category systematically. For a more advanced training regime, you can purchase the entire dry fire training course that features video instruction as well as drills. www.dryfiretrainingcards.com

SIRT Pistol

A tool I have really come to appreciate and value is the SIRT Pistol from Next Level Training. The Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger Training Pistol is a valuable tool that streamlines dry fire practice, while also indicating where your shots are going with a visible laser. With your standard carry gun, the pistol must be recocked prior to each

24 May 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

PRO'S TIP A-Zoom Striker Caps

Dummy ammunition is a great training aid during loading practice and even live fire, but because they get ejected during cycling of the gun, they have been problematic for dry fire practice. Though most modern firearms are perfectly okay to dry fire repeatedly, some people are still hesitant to dry fire without some sort of firing pin protection. The Striker Caps feature a rimless case design that allow the gun to be cycled repeatedly without ejecting the dummy. A silicone cushion protects the firing pin through repeated firing. www.lymanproducts.com/brands/a-zoom/a-zoom-strikercaps

SureStrike Laser Cartridges and Targets

The upside to the SureStrike system is that you can use your actual firearm by inserting a caliber specific laser cartridge. This laser is activated by the firing pin, which is protected by a primer cushion. The downside is that if you have a striker fired or single action only gun, you have to interrupt the training cycle to re-cock the gun each time you fire. The laser cartridge is inserted into the chamber and has no rim so cycling the gun won’t extract it when you cycle the slide and it must be pushed out of the chamber by way of a rod inserted down the barrel. Various targets read your hits and score your result. www.laser-ammo.com

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MantisX

The MantisX attaches to your firearm and uses Bluetooth technology to pair with your smartphone or tablet. Gyroscopes inside measure movement and provide feedback based on the position of the gun and any movement at the time the shot is fired. It can be used in live fire, dry fire, or airsoft modes. A variety of pre-programmed drills run you through exercises and provide scores, as well as detailed diagrams showing the movement of the gun for each shot. I have been using this system for more than a year and have seen significant improvement in my shooting as a result. If your gun doesn’t have an accessory rail, or you want to practice drawing from a holster, Mantis offers a variety of magazine butt plate adapters and even barrel adapters for revolvers to connect the device, expanding the available options for firearms to almost limitless. www.mantisX.com

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May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Truck Tackle

ow many times have you driven over a bridge or by a pond and thought to yourself, “Man, that looks awfully fishy, sure wish I had my fishing tackle”? Yea - don’t do that! There is no reason that you should not be ready to fish at all times. In fact, even as a professional angler, some of my favorite catches have been those that occurred when I wasn’t on a fishing trip per se, just out and about and spotting a good place to fish. The key of course is being prepared and I’m always prepared to fish. That does not mean I always have a pile of tackle with me. What it does mean is that I have a rod and reel and a very small selection of lures that have been carefully chosen for their extreme versatility. My goal when choosing them is to be able to address basically any species or type of water in my travel range while being able to efficiently present said lures on a single rod. That requires that the rod, reel and line are also chosen with equal concern for versatility such that I have a matched system.

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26 May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

I rarely end up with exactly what I would like to have to fish, but I’m always in the ballpark. My home range species could include trout, bass, walleye, pike, panfish, white bass, crappie and a few others. It could include running water from tiny creeks to full blown rivers or standing water ranging reclaimed gravel quarries and park ponds to reservoirs covering thousands of acres. That’s a lot of variety; hence it takes a lot of thought to address it all with a single rod and a few lures. It’s important to note that I don’t carry a bunch of “spares” like I do on a real fishing trip. I carry enough to fish for an hour and realize that if I lose something and don’t have a back-up on hand, it’s not a problem because again, these are not fishing trips, they are quick bonus stops. Here around La Cueva del Fishful, we preach to choose your lure first, then the appropriate line, then the rod, then the reel such that the tackle is chosen to match the lure. In keeping with that strategy, it is important to choose the lures for the travel box first. So, let’s look at the lures in my travel box first. Jigs are the most versatile lures of all by a large margin, so I carry a selection of jigheads, typically two of each size in 1/16th, 1/8th, 1/4 and 1/2oz. They are all basic unpainted ball heads. I then carry 2.5” tubes, 2” and 3” grubs and 3” straight tailed minnows, all Powerbait products. Again, I carry two of each in a single color. The tubes are green pumpkin, the grubs are smoke and the minnow shad colored. That selection alone will catch me fish most of the time. I also carry a black 1/8” marabou jig for trout waters where Powerbait scented plastics are not legal. I carry singles for hard baits and they include a Berkley Cutter 90+ jerkbait, a RatL-Trap lipless crankbait, a #5 Flicker Shad and a small Bullet Pop popper. All of those are in natural colors. I also carry two 7” Power Worms in black and two 5” Power Jerk Shads in smoke color, along with a single 4/0 EWG Fusion 19 worm hook and a few split-shot to fish around weeds. Lastly, I carry two flies; a #16 Hare’s Ear nymph and a #14 Partridge Soft Hackle wet fly. To fish those, I trail them behind the popper in flyand-bubble style. Incidentally, the popper also works great as a bobber in a pinch. To accommodate all of that, I carry two small spools of monofilament leader; 6# and 10# test. I also carry a 3’ piece of 30# Pro-Spec Fluorocarbon for a bite tippet for pike. That way I can tailor my leader to my lure while keeping my running line the same. Speaking of running line, I have 10# Trilene Braid spooled for that. It is extremely versatile, cast-able and durable - strong enough to deal with aquatic weeds or respectable sized fish, yet supple enough to cast the small jigs. After all that, the rod and reel are easy to choose. I carry a 6’6” St Croix Triumph Travel 3-piece spinning rod in medium power, fast action. It will easily handle my range of lure weights and presentations and is durable and affordable. Since it’s 3-piece, it stows easily in the cab of my Tundra and even comes with its own soft case. I pair it with a size 20 Abu Garcia Revo Elite Max spinning reel, again for both durability and affordability. The last three things I carry are my polarized sunglasses, a small pair of pliers with side cutters which serve lots of purposes and a small hand towel. It serves to keep fishy or wet hands off what will most likely be non-fishing clothes. Remember, this is not a fishing trip - we’re just out and about. Equipped thusly, I never have to lament when I pass a fishy spot in my travels. I can make a few casts, perhaps catch a fish or two and be on my way better off for it!

Steepbank hunter, Chris Diperna, with Boone & Crockett, Saskatchewan black bear.

Skatch Blacks

By Jarrod Erdody

t can be hard enough to wait nine months between deer season each year and for bear hunters, the wait between drawing tags can be much longer if you’re in a draw state. What’s a person to do? How about a spring bear hunt and fishing trip to Saskatchewan! I had the good fortune to take my son, Jacob, on a black bear and pike fishing trip there this past year. It is a trip that should be on every outdoor person’s bucket list. Saskatchewan has a rich history of trophy size black bears. Because a hunting guide is required of non-residents, we opted to go with Rocky Russo’s Steepbank Outfitters. Every year, multiple Boone & Crockett black bears have been harvested by Rocky’s hunters. Over-the-counter tags makes obtaining the necessary license easy. Saskatchewan also means amazing fishing, so my preparation involved as much fly tying as it did bow shooting. I have always wanted to fish for pike with my fly rod. Jacob and I spent several hours watching YouTube videos on how to tie giant pike streamers.

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The author’s son, Jacob, experienced non-stop pike action.

This was cool! It was much easier to see these versus the size 20+ midges I’m more used to staring at with my aging eyes. We used 2/0 and 3/0 hooks in a variety of bucktail & marabou color combos, with and without stingers. I also hand tied several tapered pike leaders to prepare for these fish with teeth. Rocky runs his top-notched outfit out of Eagle Lake Resort, just a few hours’ drive northeast of Saskatoon, the main hub for those that arrive by air. This was my first time flying to a hunting destination and things couldn’t have gone smoother in our travels. Saskatoon is a large, well-kept city, but it doesn’t take long to get away from it all. We picked up a rental truck by the airport and met my guide, also Rocky’s business partner, Alain. In two hours, we left the blacktop behind and anticipation grew as we entered, what Rocky calls, the land of giants. The rest of the guys that would be joining us in camp arrived the next day and we quickly got acquainted. Eagle Lake Resort’s cabins are very nice and comfortable. The six of us shared a 2-story, 3-bedroom log cabin that seemed to fall right out of a Terry Redlin painting. Boat rentals were our ticket to the pike fishing. Trucks and quads were the means to our bear hunting spots. At Steepbank, ground blinds are the norm and tree stands are the exception. A ground level shot reduces wounding rates and improves the ability to field judge bears, but ultimately, Rocky knows how much it heightens the thrill of the hunt. I must agree. We were the season’s first hunters, so these bears had yet to see any hunting pressure. Each night we would rendezvous at the bait cache to swap stories and offer a hand if someone needed help before heading back to camp to eat dinner. Warm weather was keeping action to a minimum, but we were having fun. On day two, Pennsylvania hunter, James Pepiot, broke the ice and killed a nice chocolate colored bear. Another Pennsylvania hunter, Chris Diperna, had some drama building at his spot. For two consecutive nights, Rocky sat with Chris and they experienced a very frustrated, mature bear woofing and popping its jaws from back in the brush, just out of sight. The bear seemed to know the guys were there. He expressed dominance in snapping trees and stomping but would not show himself. Chris’ determination to get this bear grew. But knowing too many sits could hurt his chances, he gave the spot a break on day three. Rocky later checked the camera and it revealed daylight activity of the monster that had been evading them. Another sit was in order. On the fourth evening, Rocky had some other matters to tend to, so he just dropped Chris off, leaving Chris alone in the now familiar ground blind. Chris had taken extra scent eliminating precautions, hoping to rule out as many factors as he could in what was keeping bears away in his presence. It didn’t take long and Chris spotted his first bear. The confident, charcoal bruin lumbered past the bait barrel, passing, at least temporarily, the easy meal of beaver carcasses. He decided he needed a closer look at the camouflaged figure on the ground just ten yards away, hiding behind the spruce boughs. Chris’ heartbeat soared as the bear closed to within six feet, snapping and popping its jaws in anger. Even with a bow in hand and a shotgun at his feet, Chris felt powerless. If the bear decided to lunge and attack, there would be nothing he could do. A first bear encounter can’t get much more memorable than this!

Luckily, as most do, the bear was just bluffing. It soon turned around and committed to the bait. This was a big bear, but his body language spoke to the presence of something bigger. Chris elected to pass. For the next hour, this bear made three different trips to grab a chunk of bait and saunter off in the brush to consume it. But just as Chris thought he was coming back for a fourth time a much larger black shape confirmed the appearance of the no-doubt shooter Chris had traveled to Saskatchewan for. The giant bear walked directly to the bait, giving Chris an immediate opportunity to come to full draw. For one minute, Chris held, waiting for the bear to offer a good shot angle. As Chris was just about to let down, the bear turned broadside. Chris’ arrow flew true and the bear ran just 20-yards before expiring right on the quad trail! It was a late night of celebration over Chris’ Boone & Crockett bear. My own hunts, although exciting, didn’t end up producing the giant I came to Saskatchewan for. I was content passing a couple smaller bears. One of them even growled at us from just five feet. Bear hunting eye to eye is intense! The pike fishing was non-stop action. It was spawning time, so we found the pike near a couple river mouths on the lake and caught fish nearly every cast. Red and white was the killer color combo. The pike bit and bit hard, shredding nearly every fly we threw by the time it was all over. I couldn’t have scripted a better ending to the trip when we soaked in a show of the northern lights for over an hour on our last night in camp. Jacob searched relentlessly for suckers to thrust his homemade spear at in the wee hours from the docks. Me, I just stood there taking photos, soaking it all in, trying as hard as I could to extend the memories of this father son adventure in the Saskatchewan wilderness.

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May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Video Product Reviews

Leupold Tracker 2 and Tracker 2 HD Thermal Imagers

hether for retrieving wounded game animals, securing the homestead, finding the bad guy in heavy cover, or locating a lost and injured hiker, the LTO Tracker from Leupold is a great tool to use heat to locate whatever you are seeking. With the introduction this year of the Tracker 2 and the Tracker 2 HD, Leupold has vastly improved on the thermal technology of the LTO. Featuring a 240x204 thermal sensor, the Tracker 2 has a clear 206x156 pixel screen that is visible in daylight or in the deep of night. It will detect heat up to 600 yards away and clearly show a deer sized animal or larger at 250 yards. It has six color modes, black, white, green, and multicolor highlight modes in hi black, hi white, and hi/lo green. It features 7x zoom and everything is easily controlled with just three rubberized buttons. It is waterproof and features a 16.9-degree field of view at 1.5 power. It provides 10 hours of continuous use on its CR123 battery. The Tracker 2 HD has all of the same features but with a larger sensor, larger screen, and wider field of view. It sports a 320x240 thermal imager and a 1.2” round AMOLED screen with 390x390 pixels. It will detect heat out to 750 yards and show a deer sized heat signature clearly at 300 yards. It offers an 18.5-degree field of view at 1.6 power. It will run for around 3 hours on its battery. Both units are designed and assembled in the USA and are contained inside a hard-anodized aircraft aluminum casing similar to the tubes of Leupold’s world-class riflescopes. They are backed by a two-year electronics warranty and the fantastic customer service of Leupold. Scan this QR Code with Both thermal optics have a Beacon mode that recayour smart phone to view librates the screen and allows for clearer imaging in the Sportsman's News daytime. This helps to separate objects with similar heat YouTube Channel.

signatures to appear clear and distinct. With a push of a button two boxes appear, one in red and one in blue, to identify the hottest and coolest spot on the screen so you can adjust the contrast to help them stand out. Either tracker is great for identifying animals in camp without shining a bright light on them. This means you can differentiate a racoon from a bear without drawing attention to yourself. They are also a great tool for identifying someone prowling around your house at night without alerting them of your presence. The thermal imagers are so sensitive, they will quickly pick up a blood trail in the pitch black of night, and even pick out footprints from passing animals or humans for several moments after they have passed. And at just around 7-and-a-half ounces and 5-and-half-inches long and an inchand-a-half around, it is small and compact enough to easily store in a pocket.

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30 May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Camp Chef Sportsman's 2X Stove

or those who want the convenience of their gas stove when they are in the field, nothing beats a Camp Chef camp stove. Camp Chef has taken the convenience and ease of use of its portable propane camp stove and created a value package exclusively for the Sportsman’s Warehouse customer. The stove features two 30,000 BTU cast aluminum burners with matchless ignition and knobs that work just like your range at home. These knobs allow a wide range of adjustment giving you perfect even heat. To sweeten the deal, Camp Chef has added a reversible grill/griddle, so you can make perfect pancakes or flip it over for nice even grill marks on your steak. They then wrapped the entire package up in a handy and rugged nylon carrying bag for storage and transport. The cook top is 14 inches across, so it will work with any of the Camp Chef 14-inch accessories from the BBQ box to the Artisan Pizza Oven. With 448 square inches of surface, it will accommodate even the largest stock pot Camp Chef offers and still leave you with plenty of room for a Dutch oven. The Sportsman’s 2X Stove features detachable legs so it can be used without the legs on a heat resistant surface, or with the legs to place the stove at the perfect height for your cooking comfort. A heavy-duty welded steel cooking grate on the stove top places your pots, pans, or stove accessory at the perfect height to maximize the flame and hold even heavy Dutch ovens and other cookware. A folding windscreen blocks a stiff breeze from disrupting your flame. The Sportsman’s 2X is a rugged piece of gear that is ideal Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view for camping, but also a great tool for emergency preparedthe Sportsman's News ness, RV camping, home canning, tailgating, back patio YouTube Channel. cookouts, crawfish boils, large group camping such as

Video Product Reviews

scouts, and many other uses. Everything in the stove is resistant to the elements, so it is easily cleaned by just hosing it off, letting it dry, and then storing it away in its included carry bag. I like to keep mine tucked between the bed cushions of the Jumping Jack pop up tent and use it frequently on camping trips. Click on the QR code to watch us put this great stove through its paces and see just how versatile this rugged stove is.

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May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Video Product Reviews

Stoeger STR 9 Striker Fired Pistol

nown for their quality yet inexpensive sporting shotguns, Stoeger firearms has released their first striker fired polymer pistol. Chambered in 9mm, the STR-9 provides excellent ergonomics with the proven reliability of the striker-fired design at an excellent value. Featuring the same 22 degrees off square grip angle of other striker fired pistols on the market, the STR incorporates an aggressive texturing into the grip surfaces for positive control with gloves or when wet. Wider finger grooves on the grip face suggest finger placement rather than lock your fingers into position, which is a great approach for those with larger hands. A wider trigger guard undercut doesn’t rub your finger causing blisters or calluses. The aggressive texture continues to the slide, with some of the most aggressive slide cuts I have seen on a pistol, and they angle forward to provide even more engagement when pushing the slide against the force of the recoil spring. A 4-inch barrel provides the perfect balance of optimal velocities and concealability. The manual of arms for the STR is familiar to anyone who has operated a striker-fired pistol and is easy to learn for those unfamiliar with the popular style. The internals are also familiar, but also include a solid steel full length guide rod capturing a stout flat recoil spring. Other features include solid three-dot steel driftable sights, with a flat face on the rear sight for one-handed cocking making aiming easier and you won’t fear shearing them off. A reversible oversized magazine release is optimally placed for easy activation. A loaded chamber indicator lets you easily identify whether the gun is loaded. Takedown is easy and familiar, but does require the trigger to be pulled to disassemble. An accessory rail on the dust cover is channeled for a larger variety of accessories, lights, and lasers. The gun shoots very well, and handled every type of standard power and +P ammunition we fed it without a single malfunction and it proved to be a reliable well performing pistol. The trigger is a standard double blade curved trigger that was breaking at an average of around 8 pounds, which is pretty standard for self-defense pistols. The trigger guard is roomy enough to accommodate even bulky gloves. Our model came with a single magazine, but a version is also available with three magazines and a set of three interchangeable backstraps to adjust Scan this QR Code with the grip size. your smart phone to view the Sportsman's News Watch the video by scanning the QR code with your smart phone to see how the Stoeger STR-9 performed and check them out for yourself at the YouTube Channel. Sportsman’s Warehouse gun counter. It is an unbeatable value, performs well, and is extremely comfortable to shoot.

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Video Product Reviews

Zeiss Conquest V4 4-16x50 Riflescope

he Zeiss Conquest V4 riflescopes are for hunters and shooters whose lifestyle and adventures involve traditional and longrange hunting, as well as shooting and longrange shooting. The 4-16x50 model was designed as a lightweight, high-performance product for various demanding hunting and shooting applications, where compactness and maximum light management is required. Setting the standard for performance. Scan this QR Code with The Conquest V4 models are backed by the ZEISS your smart phone to view Limited Lifetime Transferable Warranty and Five-Year the Sportsman's News YouTube Channel. No-Fault Policy. These riflescopes serve a wide range of hunting and shooting applications, are packed with unique features, perform beyond expectations in their price range and provide exceptional value. • Proven 4x Zoom - The magnification range of 4x-16x provides a high level of versatility across a wide array of applications. • External Elevation Turret - Easy to manipulate, positive, tactile and highly repeatable turret, with Ballistic Stop and large range of adjustment, provides the shooter with maximum flexibility needed for challenging targets, no matter how far down range. • Optical Performance - Higher definition glass, enhanced with T* light transmission coatings and LotuTec protective lens coating (all in a 30mm main tube), produces 90% to-the-eye light transmission, great low-light performance and excellent target resolution across the entire magnification range. When combined, these features and benefits create a best-in-class experience. • Generous Eyebox - The friendly and forgiving eyebox, coupled with abundant eye relief and the wide field of view, affords the shooter fast and full target acquisition, which helps to enable swift and accurate shot placement. • Designed and Engineered in Germany - Absolute reliability: the mechanical systems stand the test of harsh recoil, extreme temperatures and abusive field conditions. • Illuminated Second Focal Plane Reticle - This model features the ZMOAi-1 illuminated second focal plane reticle, which includes fine line subtensions with 1 MOA graduations, to ensure minimum target coverage and maximum target visibility. The illumination is rheostat-controlled with 10 brightness settings and intermittent On / Off. • Wider Range of Use - Because the Conquest V4 can focus as close as 10 meters, it provides greater flexibility for a wider range of uses.

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May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Kid’s “Special” Fishing Day By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor

or those of us that fish, the word ‘Special’ takes on a number of meanings. It may be that trip that produced the biggest fish of your life, took you to a place that will be etched in your mind forever or maybe blessed you with a choice memory of family and friends. Yes, fishing is one of those things in life that can bring folks from all walks of life together to enjoy one of the truly great pastimes at our fingertips. Because fishing tends to bring people together to enjoy all that is involved in the sport, many great organizations have evolved from its far-reaching impacts. One of those groups that have made an impact in my area of the west is the Southern Utah Anglers Association. Originally created as a chapter of Trout Unlimited back in the early ‘90’s, a group of passionate fishermen that wanted to make a difference for the betterment of the sport, formed a small group that slowly but surely built upon their passion for fishing and everything that it encompasses. A short list of some of the programs that they have created and are involved in include: • The Annual St. George Kid’s Fishing Derby • Host a showing of the Fly Fishing Film Festival • Organize Winter Fly Tying Classes • Organize Fly Rod Building Classes • Help with the Southern Utah Outdoor Expo • Conduct kid’s events at many of the southern Utah conservation banquets • Money raising events for support of kid’s events and Urban Fishery Projects • Provide input to the southern Utah DWR Regulations board One other event that they hold annually is possibly the grandest of them all, as it brings together some of the most choice and ‘Special’ fisher-boys and girls of the southern Utah area for a day of sharing and caring for those with some special needs. And if you asked any one of the many volunteers that turn out to help at the event each year, it is truly the event that makes all of their efforts worthwhile. On April 1st, the Sullivan Urban Pond in Washington, Utah was the venue as hundreds of kids, parents and volunteers converged to put on a very special day. School buses could be seen bringing kids to the park throughout the day and volunteers

34 May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

lended a helping hand with donated rods, reels and bait and some technique pointers here and there as they shared with each other the love of the sport. It was truly an honor to be able to mingle with the participants, parents and the many volunteers as wide smiles and hoots and hollers could be seen and heard in every direction. I could go on and on about this event, but I think you have gotten my message. Fishing is one of those things in life that can bring people together. And when you add that word ‘Special’ to the equation, well need I say more. Thank you Southern Utah Anglers Association and all of those groups around the country that continue to make the great sport of fishing just that – great!

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efore I was the Sales Manager for DoubleTap Ammunition, I was a police officer. My experience with firearms growing up was almost zero. I shot a few jack rabbits and some targets at scout camp. Immediately prior to POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) aka Police Academy, I purchased my first gun, a Glock 23. I realized very quickly that I was a ‘REALLY’ bad shot. I’d like to blame my poor shooting because of a snappy .40 S&W on a light-weight compact platform, but I now realize it was my shooting fundamentals that caused my suffering. No amount of live fire would fix my self-taught grip, stance and trigger control. My level of proficiency was not what my community deserves in its police officers. I needed to be a good shooter before I graduated POST and long before my life depended on my gun. While shooting paper targets at the indoor range, some guys invited me to shoot bowling pins with them. I began shooting bowling pins as a form of competitive shooting. You had to be fast and accurate to shoot the pins off your table before the other guy (or girl, my soon to be wife beat me more times than I would like to admit) shot the pins off his table. I started to get a little better. Some of the guys then invited me to shoot a multi-gun match with them. I arrived with my Glock 23 in a Galco inside the waistband holster. I shared a .223 Kel-Tec rifle and pump shotgun with another competitor. I loaded my shotgun shells from the pocket of my hoodie. Then I got a little better. I began shooting with some of the other police shooters at the range. These were the best of the best for police shooters in Utah. My goal was to be as good as them one day. I got a little better. Every step along the way I had more experienced shooters coaching me on grip, stance, trigger control and many other important aspects to becoming a better shooter. As I became better, the spectrum of my shooting experience grew. The coaching and tips began with guys at the indoor range shooting pins, to entry level multigun, to top level police shooters, to National and World Champion shooters. Me and my wife, Kimber

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I began to train at the Tactical Performance Center in St. George, UT with some of the top shooters in the world. In 2018, I won High Overall and High Practical Division at the Law Enforcement Multi-Gun National Championship. I got a little better, but I know I still have a long way to go. In 2013 I was recruited by the Utah Peace Officers Association (UPOA) to run a multi-gun competition as Law Enforcement training. This match grew to be the largest Law Enforcement Multi-gun in the USA. It now draws competitors from all over the country. During these matches, DoubleTap Ammo approached my wife and I about sponsoring us. I rode the coattails of my attractive and talented wife to my first sponsorship. I became the first shooter on the My girls are already training DoubleTap Law

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Now I am going to share the knowledge and experience I have learned from them with you. Each article in the coming months will be written by a different DoubleTap Ammo Pro Team member or Tactical Performance Center instructor. The DoubleTap Ammunition Law Enforcement Pro Team Shooters will explain various aspects of competitive shooting. The Pro Team consists of officers from various agencies that are top level police competitors. The members are Deputy Chief Greg Severson (Sandy City Police), Captain Beau Mason (Utah Highway Patrol), Sgt. Rob Wilkenson (Utah Highway Patrol), Sgt. Curtis Robertson (Sandy City Police), Deputy Devin Lauritzen (Iron County Sheriff), Brady Argyle (recently left Washington City Police) and i (recently left Enoch City Police). These officers are always at the top in the largest law enforcement practical shooting competitions across the country. Some are 3-Gun Nation Pro Series competitors, some are SWAT/SERT/Sniper Team members, some are Use of Force experts, some are Edged Weapon experts and all are POST Certified Firearms Instructors. The Tactical Performance Center instructors are some of the best competitive shooters in the country. Several of the instructors are USPSA National Champions, 3-Gun Nation Pro Series or represent the USA on various shooting teams. They train police, military and civilians in pistol, rifle and shotgun. Their classes are geared either towards self Defense/tactical or competition. Each upcoming article will highlight various aspects of competitive shooting such as: getting started, practice, theory, equipment, tactics, etc. Competitive shooting, while fun, is also

40 May 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

a form of training/practice for the most important thing in life - hunting. Okay, I guess there are a couple other more important things in life. Being fast and accurate with a firearm may also keep your life or the life of another from a violent and premature ending. Here is the first of many drills that will test your abilities and give meaningful practice:

Five By Five Drill

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Outdoor Business Directory AFRICA HUNTING

John X Safaris

Print a 5” circle target on a paper. This target is available to print from news.sportsmans.com or tacticalperformancecenter. com. Place the target at 5-yards. Start position is aimed at target. Upon start signal, engage target with 5-rounds into the circle at a pace of 5-seconds or faster. This can be measured by a friend Go to news.sportsmans.com to with a stop watch, shot timer or download & print this drill counting in your head. How many shots did you miss? How fast were you able to shoot this drill and keep all rounds in the circle? Find your balance of speed and accuracy. Write you best time down and do this drill again in a few months after more practice. Drill: Place the target at 5 yards. Start position is aimed at target. Upon start signal engage target with 5 rounds into the circle at a pace of 5 seconds or faster. Shots outside the circle=fail, slower than 5 seconds=fail. What’s your fastest passing time? Use a Shot Timer or Stop Watch to measure.

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. John X Safaris is more than just a hunt - ItÌs the total safari experience

ALASKA FISHING

ã Ronald E. Avery 2014

About the author. Jeremy Dunn grew up in South Jordan, UT. He was a Police Officer for Enoch City Police from 2011-2019. He was the Multi-gun Chairman for the Utah Peace Officers Association. He is currently sponsored for shooting by DoubleTap Ammunition, 8 Eyewear, Breakthrough Clean, Altama Boots, Rocky Mountain Rubicon, Tactical Performance Center and Inforce Lights. He started as the Sales Manager for DoubleTap Ammunition in 2019. He enjoys all things firearms and spending time with his wife and daughters.

FLORIDA HUNTING

God’s Country Outfitters is one of Florida’s finest Outfitting services. Owned & operated by good country people that love to hunt just as much as you do. www.godscountryoutfitters.net

IDAHO SHED DOGS

TAXIDERMY

Enoch City, UT Police Department

May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

PRO MEMBER UPDATE

Pybus Point Lodge Pro Membership winner, Jack Miller, hooked into this lunker of a silver salmon while doing a little trolling along the shorelines of Admiralty Island in southeast Alaska with Pybus Point Lodge.

By Kent Danjanovich

Jack and Julie Miller with a big yellow eye rock fish on day two of their adventure with Pybus Point Lodge. A yellow eye of this size is probably over 50-years old! One of the great things at Pybus Point Lodge is that every day is a mixed bag of fishing. Halibut are plentiful in the calm waters of the Inner Passage and of course all five Pacific salmon species as well as lingcod, yellow eye and black sea bass are bound to fill your fish box every day of your trip.

The setting for the lodge is one of the most picturesque you will ever encounter. Lush growth surrounds you and snow-capped peaks hoover in the distance as you relax around the firepit in the center of the camp and take in the panoramic beauty of Cannery Bay.

HUNT AND FISH LIKE THE PROS

42 May 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

The Sportsman's News Pro Membership Sweepstakes will give away this trip again next year. Go to ProMembershipSweepstakes.com to enter to win.

Admiralty Island is home to one of largest concentrations of brown bears in the world. You may see as many as a dozen wandering the beaches across from the lodge on any given night.

The Sportsman's News Pro Membership Sweepstakes gives away $300,000+ worth of trips like this every year. A new grand Prize every 10 days. Go to www.ProMembershipSweepstakes.com for your chance to be featured here.

PRO MEMBER UPDATE Pybus Point Lodge is located at the southern edge of Admiralty Island National Monument – a stunning landscape of cold, mirror-smooth water, thick Alaskan rainforest, cliffs, waterfalls and islands within southeast Alaska’s famous Inside Passage.

The main lodge is the gathering place for breakfast and dinner. One of the highlights of your stay will be “Crab Night” where a seemingly endless bowl of crab legs, caught right in the bay outside of the lodge, will be placed right before your eyes as you find out what “Fresh from the Ocean to the Table” really means!

UNFORGETTABLE Fi s h i n g I n Hells Ca nyo n A n d Th e Salmon R i ve r

TOU FROM RS $69 & FISH FROM ING $199

STEELHEAD · STURGEON · SALMON · BASS · TROUT

G re at fi s h i n g w i t h u n m at c h e d s ce n e r y, u n t a m e d w h i t e wat e r & k n ow l e d g e a b l e g u i d e s fo r t h e t r i p o f a l i fe t i m e. W H I T E B I R D, I DA H O

May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Simms G3 Guide Boot

xperienced fishermen know that when you are shopping for a new pair of waders, another important part of that purchase should be a good pair of wading boots. Remember, if you are going to spend the money it takes to buy the best waders, you need to keep them protected and a good pair of boots are essential not only for those neoprene booties, but for your feet that are inside them and will be looking for comfort and stability as you work the waters of your favorite river or waterway. With enough states now requiring rubber soled wading boots, that will be our basis here. Rubber soles have come a long way since their first inception and now do a much better job of keeping your wadered feet where they need to be. And if you need more traction and stability, cleats are available to add even more grip. Simms incorporates their River Tread sole design to provide what we have found to be some of the best footing and comfort available in the marketplace. These Vibram soles boast innovative compounds and technical sole patterns that have been specifically developed to meet the challenges of wading technical waters. An important part when choosing the right wading boot is its fit. You need to always make sure you have room around your toes. This allows for a little extra insulation when needed without having to worry about your toes getting cramped, resulting in poor circulation, thus cold feet. The sizing in the Simms line is very true (one size larger than your actual shoe size) and always seems to allow its wearer this feature. Also, the high collar design of the G3 provides excellent ankle support and their unique eyelet configuration provides flexibility when walking along the uneven terrain of your favorite waterway. Simms G3 Guide Boots are made of water-repellent full grain Nubuck leather and require little maintenance. Just a little squirt with the hose at the end of the day will help in extending their life cycle. And when drying your boots after a long day on the water, turn them upside down and away from heat sources, as they will dry better

Simms G3 Guide Waders

ardcore hunters and fishermen have learned over the years that it is far better to buy the best equipment possible to ensure you get the job done. There is nothing worse than finding yourself in the heat of the battle, only to have your equipment fail and possibly watch that once in a lifetime event slip away. Well, in the fishing world, there are many top brands out there. But, when it comes to the topics of waders and wading shoes, the name that is found at the top of most experts’ lists is Simms. The Sportsman’s News team has come to trust the Simms brand. We spend a lot of days on the water and their products never let us down. Our wader of choice is the G3 Guide Stockingfoot that excels in versatility, durability and performance. For the hardcore, daily fisherman, there are none better. Simms employees a 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell material in the chest area and an even heavier and more durable 4-layer Pro Shell throughout the lower two-thirds of the waders. Now this does hurt the breathability in the warmer fishing environments a little, but with our applications taking us for extended trips to Canada and Alaska throughout the spring, summer and fall, the pluses far out-weigh the minuses. Another great feature of all Simms waders is their fit. With 25 sizes for men and another ten for women-specific, you are sure to find a size perfect for your build. You will find the cut through the thighs and seat tend to be generous enough to offer great mobility, while still keeping the overall look streamlined. The leg design tapers well to prevent excessive drag in fast moving water and the neoprene booties are more proportionally cut to minimize buckling and folding when inserted into your wading boots. • • • • •

and keep the adhesives and stitching’s from becoming brittle and shrinking. The line is available in sizes 5 through 16, with total weight under four pounds, depending on the size. Do yourself a favor and check out the great line of Simms products this spring at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse and see for yourself why Simms is the choice of professionals who are looking for the very best.

Features: Zippered chest pocket Removable flip-out tippet tender pocket w/duel-entry zipper Zippered reach-through micro-fleece lined hand-warmer chest pocket Built-in low-profile belt loops w/2-inch stretch wading belt included Adjustable elastic 1.5-inch suspender w/opposing YKK buckles for waist-

44 May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

• • •

high conversion Abrasion-resistant built-in gravel guards w/boot hooks Anatomically engineered neoprene stockingfeet w/antimicrobial finish Approximate weight: 45-ounces

And here are a couple of tips to prolong the life of your waders. Always dry them after each use. First the inside and then the outside. Also, don’t be afraid to throw your waders in the washer once in a while, but never put them in the dryer. Another thing that I see a lot of is people putting on their waders over blue jeans. Not a good idea. Their material is very abrasive and will result in your waders wearing out from the inside out. Denim and sweats also don’t transfer moisture away from your body as well as a good base layer system can. If you are looking to replace that old pair of waders that had you soaked the last time you had them on and you are tired of buying a new pair every year, maybe its time that you take a look at the Simms line at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Discover the unsearchable Discover the forest

Find a trail near you at DiscoverTheForest.org

OUTDOOR WRITER'S CONTEST

Of Pigs and Sheep

By Michael “Shawn” McGinnis

his story begins many years ago, when I read about a strange creature known locally throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico as the javelina, or Collared Peccary. As an avid hunter, I was fascinated by these small pig-like animals with sharp tusks and surly dispositions. My sister recently moved to the artsy little town of Marfa, Texas. Knowing that the Marfa region of Texas is known for javelina hunting, I asked her if she knew any big game guides in the area. She gave me the phone number of a personal friend and guide who specializes in aoudad sheep hunting. The guide, known locally as Bubba, had access to several private ranches that were loaded with javelina. A trip to visit my sister would now include a two-day hunt for javelina. I quickly thought of one of my sons, Dylan, who is also an enthusiastic hunter. He was excited to receive a guided hunt for a birthday present. Dylan and I both liked the idea of a handgun hunt, since javelina can be successfully stalked if the wind is in your favor. He chose to bring a Glock 35 in 40mm. Dylan honed his handgun skills while serving as an Army Ranger, along with an occasional foray into competitive shooting. For my part, I chose my familiar Smith and Wesson 686 revolver with a sixinch barrel. I carried this revolver for several years of my 31-year police career. My 140 grain Hornady XTP .357 handloads where grouping well at 50 yards, but I still wanted to hedge my bet. Not knowing what type of shot distances we would be faced with, I also brought a Winchester 94 in .30-30. A Leupold scope

46 May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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

with 1-4x variable magnification and a Pig-Plex reticle seemed like the perfect match for this type of hunt. When we met with Bubba, I was glad I brought the rifle. Bubba said the local aoudad population was out of control, and he needed to cull a couple of ewes from the herd. He asked if we would assist in this endeavor. It was hard to contain our joy at the prospect of adding another exotic animal to our hunt. Neither one of us had ever seen aoudad in the wild, and now we had the opportunity to hunt them.

OUTDOOR WRITER'S CONTEST Bubba assigned his assistant guide, a wirey young cowboy named Chet, to take us out the first morning. The ranch was a rugged place, with boulder strewn hills and deep ravines. Chet explained that the aoudad and javelina routinely travelled to and from surrounding ranches, so different animals could potentially be spotted each day. We later watched several aoudad jump over the cattle fences that separate the spacious ranches in the area. Late that morning, Chet spotted a distant aoudad at the top of one of the many hills on the ranch. We began a long stalk to the top of the hill, dodging cacti and using large boulders for cover. As we got closer to the herd, a wise old ewe sensed that something was wrong. She approached the edge of the mountain and stared directly down at us. There was a tense moment while we froze in place. I slowly raised the rifle and positioned it across the top of a tall boulder. The 160 grain Hornady FTX bullet hit her right in front of the chest, effectively destroying her heart and lungs. With one aoudad down, It was time for lunch. We met Bubba at a diner in town, where the decision was made to split into two teams for the afternoon hunt. Dylan went with Chet, while I went with Bubba. Bubba, a fit 60 year-old with seemingly endless stories of hunting adventures, kept

me entertained while we glassed for game. Later that afternoon, Chet spotted a single javelina trotting through the sagebrush. He rightly assumed there would be several animals in the group, so he drove to a chokepoint between two hills and instructed Dylan to get out on foot. Sure enough, the group of approximately 20 animals came towards him through the brush. When one of the animals stopped broadside at 30 yards, Dylan took aim with his Glock pistol and shot just over the top of it’s back. Pandemonium ensued, with animals running in various directions. He saw a larger specimen trotting 40 yards out, at which time he sent a 180 grain hollowpoint through both of it’s lungs. It was an exceptionally large male. Not bad for a first day! The next morning found us on a stalk with Chet through another maze of boulders that looked like they belonged on Mars, rather than Earth. A herd of aoudad with several females was ahead, but the stalk was difficult due to the sheer amount of wildlife on the mountain. Flushing quail and spooked whitetail deer almost ruined our approach. We finally got within .30-30 range of a young ewe. Dylan put the ewe down with a 130 yard shot after finding a suitable rest in the form of a tree branch. By the time we got off the mountain, it was noon. Thus began the search for my javelina. I tried to sneak up on a small group in heavy cover, but they caught my wind and ran away before I could lay eyes on them. After several hours of fruitless searching, I wondered if that blown stalk had been my last chance at getting a shot. An hour before darkness, Chet was peering through binoculars at a distant hillside. He then said something that was music to my ears. He said, “That has to be a javelina.” He initially spotted a dark dot over 1000 yards away. The dot was moving with stops and starts, like a lone javelina feeding. We got into the truck in an attempt to close some of the distance. We stopped on a dirt track about 500 yards away before beginning the stalk on foot. It seemed to take forever as we made our way to high ground to see if the animal was still there. As we crawled over the top of a rise, I saw the javelina grazing undisturbed. I considered trying to get closer for a shot with the handgun, but the cover was too sparse. I took a sitting position with the rifle, trying to calm my nerves. The 80 yard shot took him low in the chest, and he was down for good. Just like Dylan’s animal, he was a large male with impressive chompers. Dylan and I decided to ship the skulls of all four animals back to California, where I boiled them for European style mounts. The skulls of both species make great conversation pieces. The trip to Texas will always live in our memory. Between visiting my sister, meeting friendly people, seeing the beautiful scenery, and hunting plentiful game, we had a great time. May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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

No-Beer Battered Fish & Tartar Sauce

hat? No beer in the batter? That’s right. This recipe really showcases the flavor of the fish, without any overpowering coatings, just a nice light crunchy crust. I was fortunate to hook into a bunch of dinner plate sized crappie at Alamo Lake in Arizona recently, so I had plenty of fillets to try a variety of batters in the test kitchen. We used beer, crushed saltines, corn meal, and a bunch of different batters and consistencies. This was the unanimous favorite from our tasting panel. Try it with some of your catch, or hustle down to the market and pick up some firm, white fleshed fillets. This is a perfect meal for unwinding with family and friends on a Friday night. The left-overs, if there are any, make an outstanding fish sandwich with the tartar sauce.

Ingredients

Tartar Sauce

• 1¼ cup mayonnaise • 1 tablespoon chopped capers • 2 shallots, finely chopped (2 table- • Juice of one lemon (3 tablespoons) spoons) • ½ teaspoon horseradish • 2 tablespoons chopped pickles • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Recipe

2 lbs of pan fish or rock cod fillets 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided • 3/4 cup cornstarch, divided • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 16 ounces club soda

48 May 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning • 2 teaspoons black pepper • Oil for frying

Preparation Method

Start with the tartar sauce. In a small bowl mix the mayonnaise, shallots, pickles, capers, lemon juice, horseradish, and pepper together well. If you like a sweeter sauce, use sweet pickles. I like to kick it up a bit, so I add a bit of sriracha sauce to the mix. When your sauce is blended, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to let the flavors develop. Prepare the fillets. Cut the fish into the portion size you like the best. Aim for a uniform thickness under a half inch. Rinse them in water and pat dry with a paper towel. In a large bowl mix 1 cup of flour, ¼ cup of corn starch, the teaspoon of baking powder, and all the Cajun seasoning and pepper together. Use a whisk and blend well, then start adding the club soda while continuously whisking. You are aiming for a thin batter that just coats a spoon. For a thicker crust, just reduce the amount of club soda a bit. In a medium sized bowl mix together the remaining ½ cup of flour and ½ cup of corn starch. I like to use a deep pot to fry fish so the oil does not spatter all over the stove. Heat about 2 inches of frying oil to 375 degrees. Dredge the fish in the reserved flour/cornstarch mixture first and then dip them in the batter. Add the dipped fillets carefully into the hot oil with a set of tongs, being careful not to burn yourself with splashing oil! Do three to four pieces at a time depending how large they are. The key is not to crowd the pan as this will fluctuate the oil temperature too much and make the fillets soft instead of crispy. Fry them until they turn a nice golden brown color and start to float a bit (about 3-4 minutes). Remove the fish to a wire rack on a cookie sheet. Keep them warm in a 200 degree oven as you cook the other batches. Serve these tasty fillets with some home fries and the tartar sauce. I would suggest a wellchilled Sauvignon Blanc, a California Chardonnay, or a cold pilsner to round out a classic fish n’ chips dinner. Cheers!

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

SHOP 92 LOCATIONS ALASKA

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COLORADO

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NEVADA

Carson City Henderson Las Vegas Reno

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SOUTH CAROLINA

Spokane Spokane Valley Vancouver Walla Walla East Wenatchee

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or online at Sportsmans.com 50 May 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

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