Sportsman's News October 2018 Digital Edition by Sportsman's News

FREE October 2018 | Volume 14 | Issue 10

Gary Lewis: PacWest Outdoors

Blackpowder Blacktails

Chad LaChance: Fishful Thinker

Paleo Principles

Brown Bear Hunting Clothing

The Gear you need for the hunt Page 17

E-Collars

Track and train your best hunting buddy Page 28

Relentless Performance: ANY HUNT, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME WITH LEUPOLDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S VX-6HD 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 Andrew Saullo andrew@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 2017 © 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

October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

WORDS FROM THE PUBLISHER By Michael Deming

WHAT’S INSIDE

4 New Mexico Sand Dune Bucks

Running and gunning with TG's Trophy Hunts.

8 Leupold VX-6HD

Relentless Performance.

Platinum Approved Outfitters

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

14 HEVI-Shot

Harder hitting and farther flying shotshells that are deadlier at a distance.

unting season is in full swing now and we have already been in the field nonstop with friends, customers, and Pro Member Sweepstakes winners. I always enjoy these experiences with others more than getting to be the hunter myself. I remember my grandfather and great uncle telling me this exact thing when I was young and couldn’t get enough of being the hunter. I guess I’ve finally reached the pinnacle of my hunting career when I would rather see others be successful. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to be out there and have a tag in my pocket. I still love to fill the freezer with that all natural meat, and most importantly, I love to sit around the fire and tell hunting stories of the past like my grandfather and great uncle did. Things are much different now and those stories get told on social media more than they do around the campfire. Social media has changed our world and I’m not sure it is for the better. It definitely could be for the better, but we as a group need to be a little more aware of what we say and what we post. A trophy is in the eye of the beholder. For a young hunter, that might be a two-point buck or a cow elk. For someone coming out west for the first time, it might be just getting a chance to fill a cow elk tag. On the other end of the spectrum, you might have hit a point in your career that you aren’t willing to put your tag on anything except a Boone and Crocket quality animal. That is fine as well. We are all at different places in our hunting career, but the one thing that should be celebrated is that we are all out hunting and getting our groceries from nature. We are enjoying the great outdoors and experiencing Mother Nature unlike those who walk the concrete jungles day in and day out and never know what a brotherhood we have. Be happy for all of those who are sharing our passion as well as encourage them to keep going. Nobody really cares what that animal scores except maybe you and your close personal friends who were involved in the experience. If you don’t believe me, ask one of your social media followers how big the buck or bull was that you harvested two years ago. Most people won’t remember whatsoever. So, let’s celebrate that we have another fall in front of us and the ability to go do what we love. Invite a friend or someone who has never hunted to come along and enjoy the experience. The time spent in the mountains is unlike any other. We just topped one million dollars in giveaways with the Sportsman’s News Pro Membership Sweepstakes. It was done with a Stone Sheep hunt giveaway which was in excess of $35,000 dollars and makes a major milestone for us here at Sportsman’s News. When we started this program 3 years ago, we weren’t sure that we would even have one member. I firmly believed if we offered some of the very best opportunities available and kept the chances affordable, we would be well received by the outdoor community. We have stayed very transparent and we video every one of the drawings. We have traveled with numerous winners and filmed their experiences and I’ve had the opportunity to become very good friends with many of our members. I’m proud to say that with all we have accomplished, we are definitely here to stay. We keep adding more and more prizes and we are currently doing a recruiting incentive that gives you an opportunity to win a Yamaha Wolverine X2. This is a $15,000 machine that is nothing short of spectacular. We have been utilizing it for the 2018 hunting season and we are going to get it a bit dirty over the next few months. However, one lucky winner will get to take this thing home come December 30th of this year. This is a special drawing for our members who refer a new member. For each new member you refer, you get one chance in the drawing for this great prize. As of my writing this article, there are 40 tickets currently in the drawing. There is no limit on the people you can refer to tip the odds in your favor. If you aren’t a member, you should sign up to get five tickets in a drawing every 10 days for the next 12 months for over $300,000 worth of trips, guns, and gear. Sign up at www. promembershipsweepstakes.com and refer your friends for a chance to win the Yamaha Viking X2.

17 Brown Bear Hunting Essentials Part 1: Clothing. 20 PacWest Outdoors: Blackpowder Blacktails Primitive hunting in the Rogue Valley.

24 NWTF News Get on board.

28 Electronic Dog Collars

Track and train your best hunting buddy.

Pro Membership Update

Papierski's Big Game Hunts.

34 Fishful Thinker: Paleo Principles Nothing beats organic free-range protein.

37 Writing Contest: The Bucket List Buck Two buddies help a third check off his bucket list.

SKB iSeries Single Rifle Case 41 Ultimate protection for your rifle and scope.

42 Video Product Reviews

A detailed look at some of the newest products.

48 Wild Game Recipe:Bourbon Grilled Quail 50 Adventures On A Budget: Delta Dawns Overlooked region along the Mississippi is a duck hot spot.

53 Writing Contest: Hunting Elk The Hard Way At 75, Marv Smith is too old to change his way of hunting.

55 Business Directory 57 Pro's Pick: Garmin inReach Explorer

The best GPS tracker and communicator gets an upgrade.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

David Heath Chad LaChance Gary Lewis Joe Glotz

Michael Rupley Steve Mayer John N. Felsher Marv Smith October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Sand Dune Bucks in New Mexico By David Heath

October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

unting has been in my blood for as long as I can remember. Growing up in southern Utah, mule deer and elk have always been at the top of my list when the fall hunting season comes around. Fast forward to present day - I now put in every year for at least six different states to hunt deer and elk, as well as other big game

species. When the draws came out in 2017, I found that I hadn’t drawn a deer tag or elk tag anywhere, so I started looking around for a good place to hunt that could secure a landowner tag for me. I got right on the phone and called Michael Deming and asked him if he knew of a place that could present an opportunity for me to harvest a decent muley. Michael said that he knew just the guy in New Mexico and that he would get right on the phone to see if he could get it done. An hour later, I was on the phone with Ty Goar, owner and operator of TG’s Trophy Hunts. Ty and I hit it off right away and I was able to get a landowner voucher for a desert mule deer is southeast New Mexico. Michael and Ty talked after that and decided that we should film the hunt for an upcoming episode of SNTV, so Michael bought another tag for himself. Our sites were set for the first week of November. A few weeks later, Micheal called me and said he would not be able to make it on the hunt and asked if I knew anyone that might want to purchase the tag from him. I called my dad, Mike and it didn’t take long for our father/son combo to get the wheels turning. We were both a little more than excited to hunt big bucks in the sand dunes of New Mexico with Ty. Although Ty’s operation has only been in business for a couple of years, he has been guiding in New Mexico for nearly ten. We would soon find that he offers great equipment and different lodging opportunities, depending on the hunt you will be doing and the area you will be in. November finally arrived and we found ourselves making the drive to Roswell, New Mexico, taking in the unique landscapes of the southwest. We met up with Ty at the local grocery store where we picked up food and provisions for our trip. After loading up a couple of large grocery carts, we were set for our five-day hunt (from the amount of food in our grocery carts, I knew we were not going to go hungry!). After Ty bought us a nice steak dinner in town, we headed to camp.

October 2018 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

Because of our location close to our hunting area, our accommodations for the week was a 40-foot, fifth-wheel toy hauler. Ty had the back set up with two large queen beds for me and my dad. It was private and nice. Sleep was hard that first night - anticipating our special hunt the next morning. The next morning Ty and I loaded into our awaiting ATV along with Sam Staudt, our cameraman. My father, Mike and Ty’s #1 guide, Seth Holcomb, followed in the Jeep. We soon pulled up to a high spot on the ranch and began to glass. Before us laid some really beautiful country, with rolling hills covered with mesquite brush and sand dunes. After glassing most of the morning without turning up any deer, Ty suggested that we try another spot. As we were traveling, I spotted a buck running over the hill to our west. We got out to take chase, but we couldn’t find him again, so we decided to ride to one last spot to glass before the noon sun was high in the air. The one thing that I found out on this hunt is that Ty and Seth never give up. As we were sitting on the tallest sand dune on the ranch, Seth whispered, “I think I have a buck spotted”. It was a long way away, but he definitely had the look of a big buck. The chase was on! Seth stayed on the dune to glass while Ty, Mike and I went to make a move on the buck. We parked the Razr and Mike decided to stay back and wait, as Seth reported from his perch that the buck was on the move. We hustled after the buck, navigating the thick thorns and brush of the desert terrain. When we got to the area we though the buck would be, we came up empty handed. Each of us started circling and looking for tracks. Soon we found where he had been bedded and we decided to make an even bigger circle of the area. As we were just ending our search, Ty stopped and said he could see antlers in the mesquite brush. We quickly got down into the cover and sure enough, there was our buck bedded down. We looked him over for about 15 minutes and decided he would be a good buck for me to take. Our ensuing stalk got us into about 170 yards and put us in perfect position for a shot when he stood up. Just as we got into position, another buck suddenly stood up behind him. The second buck had even more points, with lots of mass! Ty whispered, “shoot him”. Boom! He dropped instantly, but then got back up and a second shot knocked him down again. Then to our amazement, he got up

Big Game Hunts in New Mexico, Texas, Africa and New Zealand

Born And Raised In The Mountains Of South-central New Mexico Based Out Of Ruidoso, NM Public And Private Land High Fence And Free Ranging

Ty Goar Owner/Guide

(575) 937-8016

October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

again! I had never seen a buck that tough. I shot him once again and he fell for the last time. My big sand dune buck was down for the count and the real amazing thing about it was the fact that it was two-o’clock in the afternoon! Like I said earlier, the guys at TG’s Trophy hunts don’t give up. Mike and Seth came over to help us set up for some pictures before we took the buck back to camp to process him. Ty and Seth did a great job taking care of the cape and meat for me.Then it was off to find my dad a big buck. We were able to spot a few bucks that evening, but nothing quite worth chasing after, as Mike had his sights set on a really nice buck. The next couple of days offered plenty of opportunities, but we just couldn’t seem to find the “One”. But, on the fourth day, we finally found a really big bodied deer with a wide spread. As evening approached, we made our move. Suddenly, we lost sight of him, so we decided to sneak up to a loftier vantage point. That is when we spotted the buck. Mike and Ty made a move, but they just couldn’t get into position to take the shot before the light ran out for Sam on the camera. The next morning, we headed out to the same spot, but we could only turn up a couple of smaller bucks. We headed back to camp and had another delicious meal and rested our feet a little, before heading back out around 2pm to look for a last night buck. Ty was on a mission. He tried looking everywhere. He was really working hard to find Mike a good buck. Just as we were headed to farthest reaches on the ranch, there he was - a big desert muley! Mike quickly got into position, took aim and shot him right behind the shoulder. We were all so excited! Five hard days of hunting had produced two nice New Mexico bucks for the Heath Boys. Our hunting adventure with Ty Goar and his TG’s Trophy Hunts (575-9378016) was a rousing success. Ty and his staff work hard to get you your trophy. Sportsman’s News is happy to welcome them as one of their newest Platinum Approved Outfitters. Give Ty a call to book your next great hunting adventure - mule deer, elk, antelope, oryx and aoudad are just a few of the great species they go after in New Mexico.

THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE-SEEKING SIDE-BY-SIDE

MY19 MY19WOLVERINE WOLVERINEX2 X2logo logodata data For ForSTD STD

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Introducing the all-new Wolverine® X2 – the newest offering from Yamaha, the company that redefined the Side-by-Side industry. Boasting superior capability, comfort and confidence with a new ultra-smooth 850-class twin engine, a tighttrail conquering compact and nimble chassis, plus next level versatility thanks to its 600-pound-rated dump bed, the Wolverine® X2 is a truly Proven Off-Road SxS for those looking to get out, go further, and do more than ever before.

REALize your Adventure: visit YamahaOutdoors.com Professional driver on closed course. Wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Read the Owner’s Manual and the product warning labels before operation. Model shown with optional accessories. Vehicle specifications subject to change. ©2018 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Relentless Performance: Leupold’s VX-6HD

esigned to represent the very finest of Leupold’s legendary Gold Ring line of riflescopes, the VX-6HD offers high-definition lenses and extended low-light hunting performance, a twoturn elevation adjustment for more accurate shooting at longer distances, ZeroLock windage adjustments, full illumination, an in-scope Electronic Reticle Level, Guard-ion lens coatings to shed water, dirt, and fingerprints, and a product lineup that was built to dominate in the field and on the range. Simply put, the VX-6HD has it all. The 6 in VX-6HD means the line has a 6:1 zoom ratio, so it’s available in 1-6, 2-12, 3-18, and 4-24 power models, with varying objective lens diameters. Most of the models feature 30mm maintubes (the 4-24 comes in a 34mm maintube for increased elevation travel). And it’s got you covered when it comes to reticle options, too. FireDot Duplex, FireDot Circle, FireDot Bullet-Drop, FireDot-G BDC, CM-R², TMOA, Boone & Crocket Big Game, Varmint Hunter, Impact-23 MOA, Impact-29 MOA, and Impact-45 MOA are all available – and they all feature illumination. Illuminated reticles feature Leupold’s Motion Sensor Technology (MST), which puts the company’s illuminated reticles into a battery-saving standby mode after five minutes of inactivity. When the MST detects motion, it instantly activates the sight, so it’s ready when you are. Another feature exclusive to the VX-6HD is Leupold’s Electronic Reticle Level. Tilt the VX-6HD more than one degree left or right and the illuminated reticle blinks. Bring it back to level and the reticle will remain solid. Tilt beyond 30 degrees and the illumination turns off to save battery life. This is a great feature for long-range shooting or even mounting your scope. Want to know more? Here you go.

Superior Low-Light Performance Get behind a VX-6HD and you’ll see the difference. Every scope in the line offers superior edge-to-edge clarity and extreme low-light performance. Leupold’s Twilight Max HD Light Management System delivers the perfect balance of image color and contrast, light transmission, and glare management, so you’ll get the best picture any time of day. Most scopes only focus on transmitting high percentages of midday light, but the VX-6HD gives you maximum transmission of the entire visible spectrum. Why does that matter? The human eye is most sensitive to colors outside the middle of the spectrum during dawn and

October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

dusk, when game is moving – this system literally helps you see more in less light. Superior glare reduction, meanwhile, ensures the maximum amount of usable light gets to your eye. Leupold’s proprietary lens coatings and superior optical design help deliver the very best contrast and resolution, ensuring you’ll be able to see things like tines in heavy timber. With Twilight Max HD, your trophy shouldn’t be able to give you the slip in low light – and it’s a feature that is available on all of Leupold’s toptier hunting products like the VX-6HD riflescope and BX-5 Santiam HD binocular.

Custom Dial System

Leupold’s one-of-a-kind Custom Dial System (CDS) makes accurate long-range shooting this simple: range your target, turn your CDS dial to match the range, aim dead on, and then squeeze the trigger. With a CDS dial and some practice, you can shoot farther and more accurately than ever before. Here’s how it works: Leupold customizes your scope’s elevation dial to match your exact load, velocity, and even the average atmospheric conditions where you hunt for unprecedented precision. With your CDS dial, you’ll easily compensate for bullet drop and make ultra-quick adjustments on the fly without having to worry about holdovers. You can even create multiple dials for the same riflescope to match different loads or different conditions. A free CDS dial is offered with the purchase of any CDS-ready riflescope, and extra dials are available for a nominal fee. CDS-ready scopes also come with a zero stop feature, precision click adjustments for accurate zeroing, and the CDS-ZeroLock 2 feature, which allows for two revolutions of elevation adjustment for extended distances. CDS is available on all VX-6HD models. CDS dials are also excellent when paired with a Leupold rangefinder, thanks to the company’s exclusive True Ballistic Range technology. Use True Ballistic Range to get the most accurate ballistic range to your target, and then, set your CDS to the correct number.

Built to Last

Like every riflescope offered by Leupold, the VX-6HD is designed, machined, and assembled in Beaverton, Oregon – and it’s built to withstand a lifetime of abuse. Further, the VX-6HD features Leupold’s exclusive, proprietary gas blend, which nearly eliminates the effects of thermal shock and reduces the diffusion of gases sealed inside your scope. The result is better waterproofing and fogproofing regardless of your altitude. Every Leupold riflescope model is also “Punisher” tested and verified to perform under the harshest conditions, so it can withstand whatever you might be able to throw at it. That said, if you do ever have a problem, know that the VX6HD is backed by Leupold’s Full Lifetime Guarantee. Check out the Leupold VX-6HD at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse today.

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October 2018 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

The Sportsman’s News Platinum Approved Outfitter is an outfitter book. These are outfitters you would be proud to refer to a friend. that has excelled in every aspect of their business. They put We know this because we are proud to endorse each one of these people and customers before profit. They do what it takes to make sure that they will be outfitters based upon our staff members personally visiting each one of these in business for the long haul and ensure that they have repeat customers. They practice operations. These outfitters have proven to us that they have what it takes to be good game management, which will ensure a top quality trip with them every time you “Sportsman’s News Platinum Approved.” AFRICA HUNTING

ALASKA GUIDED FISHING

ALASKA FISHING

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ALASKA GUIDED FISHING Halibut, Yelloweye, King, Silver, Pink, and Chum Salmon, Ling Cod, and Dolly Varden. Fresh and saltwater fishing adventures.

Pybus Point Lodge Juneau, AK 1-(800) 94-PYBUS • www.pybus.com

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Becharof Rapids Camp On the banks of the Egegik River on the outlet of Becharof Lake in the Bristol Bay region. Uninhabited, untouched, and pristine with the area a veritable salmon factory. All five species of salmon plus rainbows, Arctic char and grayling.

360-532-7594

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10 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

ALASKA GUIDED FISHING

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Fully Guided Fishing On Mcintosh Lake, Part Of The Legendary Churchill River System Which Holds Massive Pike, Trophy Lake Trout And Scrappy Walleye

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Fly-in Alaskan hunting for brown bear, Alaskan moose or black bear. Custom tailored trips.

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ALBERTA

Ranchland Outfitters offers First Class Waterfowl Hunts and Big Game hunts in Alberta, Canada. If you are looking for an Outfitter that cares about each hunt, look no further. Ranchland Outfitters is a First Class Waterfowl and Big Game Outfitter.

www.ranchlandoutfitters.com 877-924-8440 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

CANADIAN HUNTING

MANITOBA FISHING

COLORADO HUNTING

MICHIGAN HUNTING

Specializing in Trophy Mule Deer, Elk & Mountain Lion

COLORADO HUNTING

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Book your Bison hunt now to secure available dates. Contact Season Elliott at contact@ranchodechavez.com or 505-884-3503 www.ranchodechavez.com

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SASKATCHEWAN HUNTING

Stillwater Outfitters is Colorado's oldest and largest Waterfowl Outfitter. We have exclusive hunting leases on over 50 farms on the beautiful Front Range of Colorado. Our goal is to provide the trip of a lifetime without any drama. We also offer Turkey and Trophy Whitetail Deer hunting.

â&#x20AC;¢ Colorado's Largest and most productive waterfowl Outfitter â&#x20AC;¢ Exclusive Leases on over 50 Farms on the Front Range of Colorado â&#x20AC;¢ World Class Guides and Equipment â&#x20AC;¢ Hunts are conducted in spacious in-the-ground pit blinds

303.659.8665

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SOUTH DAKOTA HUNTING

MANITOBA HUNTING & FISHING

Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Fishing Lodge Of The Year! Five Star Main Lodge Featuring Fully Guided American Plan Packages Plus Remote Outpost Camps on 4 Lakes

BIG SAND L AKE LODGE & PREMIER OUTPOSTS Northern Pike

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Contact Brett Waibel: info@badriverhunts.com

â&#x20AC;¢ Chippewyan Lake â&#x20AC;¢ Wolf Lake â&#x20AC;¢ Jordan Lake â&#x20AC;¢ LeClair Lake

Trophy Fishing For â&#x20AC;¢ Northern Pike â&#x20AC;¢ Lake Trout â&#x20AC;¢ Walleye â&#x20AC;¢ Arctic Grayling

Big Game Hunting â&#x20AC;¢ Spring & Fall Bear â&#x20AC;¢ Fall Moose

1-800-348-5824 www.bigsandlakelodge.com

12 October 2018 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

Day and all inclusive hunts available!

(605) 669-3440 BadRiverHunts.com

JOIN the PARTY!

SOUTH DAKOTA HUNTING Hunt the Grand Slam of the Dakotas World Class Pheasant Hunting Sharp-tail Grouse • Prairie Chicken Hungarian Partridge • Waterfowl

Tumbleweed Lodge

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www.TumbleweedLodge.com SOUTHWEST HUNTING

UTAH HUNTING

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WYOMING HUNTING

TEXAS HUNTING

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UTAH HUNTING

SportsmansNews.com Logon to our website for a full list of endorsed outfitters with photos, descriptions, and details about each.

October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

HEVI-Shot

ust about every hunter has a HEVI-Shot story. The story usually describes an incredibly difficult shot – long yardage, high winds, a triple – something clearly out of the ordinary that HEVI-Shot shotshells made possible. Hunters know that HEVI-Shot shotshells will give them more lethal pellets on target, at higher energies, than other shotshells. Period. HEVI-Shot products make better memories for hunters by performing better in the field. In fact, they made the very first ‘Heavier Than Lead’ pellets. They pioneered irregular pellet shapes, which boost lethality and reduce drag. HEVI-Shot was the first to couple non-deforming pellets with buffer and nanoparticle lubricants to generate their legendary tight patterns.

14 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Simply put, if you have a shotgun, HEVIShot has your ammo. They make five product families for waterfowl hunting alone. They also make three product families for turkey hunting, as well as loads for varmint hunting, upland birds and home defense. The Sportsman’s News Team had a chance to test a few boxes of HEVI-Metal and HEVIX loads this past spring on big numbers of spring snow geese in Saskatchewan and lets’ just say we were more than impressed. Our first box of HEVI-Metal 12ga. loads definitely put the odds in our favor every time the shot was called. We found that their Pattern-Density Technology consistently packed more pellets than conventional steel loads into a 40-yd. pattern for some amazing results. Industry tests have shown that an average of 138, No. 2 HEVI-Metal pellets are patterned in a 30” circle at 40-yds., compared to 111, No. 2 steel pellets at the same distance. The effectiveness of these hard-hitting loads doesn’t stop with superior pattern density either. The sharp-edged pellets have deeper penetration than similar-size steel shot too and yes, they are even made in the USA! We were also able to try out their HEVIX tungsten-based waterfowl loads on the trip. Compared to steel shotshells with the same shot size, HEVI-X gives you 40% more knockdown power at 40-yards and 50% more knock down power at 60-yards. We even found that HEVI-X loads let you shoot two shot sizes smaller than you would shoot with a steel shotshell and still give you 25% more pellets on target, higher down range velocity and more consistent patterns than steel. It was amazing to watch those cackling snows fall out of the sky at distances most wouldn’t even pull the trigger at! HEVI-X is a mid-density pellet—about halfway between steel shot (approximately 7.86 g/cc) and HEVI-Shot (approximately 12.0 g/cc). HEVI-X is made with a lower tungsten content than high-density tungsten pellets and since tungsten is possibly the most-expensive metal ever offered in a shotshell pellet, significantly reducing the tungsten content significantly reduces the cost. That is why HEVI-X loads sell at about half the price of high-density loads. If you’ve ever said to yourself, “I didn’t come this far to miss!”, you are just the customer HEVI-Shot is looking for. If you haven’t tried a HEVI-Shot product yet, then maybe it’s time for you to make a HEVI-Shot or HEVI-X story of your own.

AVAILABLE IN 12 gauge 2 3/4” • 12 gauge 3” 12 gauge 3 1/2” • BB’s • 2’s • 4’s 20 gauge 3” • 2’s • 4’s 28 gauge • 4’s • 6’s

October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

targets that bite back Introducing a target with teeth. Champion’s awardwinning DuraSeal™ Spinner Targets handle rounds from even the largest rifle and handguns and still keeps its shape. Quite simply, it’s a target that bites back.

For more info on DuraSeal and Champion’s paper targets visit:

16 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

www.championtarget.com

Gear for Brown Bruins Part 1: Clothing

PRO'S TIP

By Chad LaChance

s a professional outdoorsman who travels to film TV for a living, you’d think I’d be ready for any kind of trip. I mean, geez, I spend half my time packing for various destinations and have all the gear to be prepared for nearly any wild destination, be it woods or water. Planning and packing has become second nature for just about anywhere I may travel. But notice I said “nearly any” and “just about anywhere”? Yea, that’s because some places are just plain different. Enter Kodiak Island Alaska; in November; hunting giant brown bears. Yea, hadn’t planned for that before. In fact, never even seen the place and likely would not be visiting if it wasn’t for some very good fortune. You see, I had the foresight to enter the Pro Member Sweepstakes hosted by this very magazine and won the trip. Got lucky, but now the work starts.

So here I go, putting together a plan and packing for a once in a (normal) lifetime hunt to a very inhospitable place, at least at that time of year. And since many of you have probably never experienced this type of planning, I figured I’d share my experience. Consider this part one of a two-piece column; background information and the clothing. The next column will detail the gear itself. First off, traveling to a remote outpost on a largely uninhabited island in the Gulf of Alaska is different than most destinations. For my trip, it’ll require four plane rides each way, with one of them being in an old school Beaver float plane. If you’re not aware, they aren’t exactly huge and your luggage is somewhat limited. Add to that the area climate in late fall which is known to be very, very soggy, boggy, and cold. So now I’m planning for a 10 day remote hunt in extreme conditions, and it all has to fit in a small, light weight package. Much of the hunting will be done in a 14’ aluminum boat putting around lake shorelines spotting bears. Then we’ll beach and exit the boat and stalk the bear. I’d like to point out that by “beach the boat”, I mean pull up to the bog and step out into the water. We may be crossing streams as well. See what I mean about different?! A little more back story; I’m originally from Florida and weigh 145 pounds. Cold ain’t exactly my thing, therefore I went right to the experts for advice and settled on Sitka clothing after an almost unanimous opinion on it’s quality, versatility, and layerability. Given that I haven’t experienced this type of climate, I wasn’t about to take chances on clothing. Base layers first; I selected the Core Heavyweight series of both tops and bottoms. One of the tops is the Zip Neck T style featuring a mock turtle neck collar and the other has a hood for really cold days because I’ve found that it is the warmest possible scenario. In a serious cold situation, I could layer these if needed; the synthetic material is stretchy enough to allow it. The Core series has Polygiene Stay Fresh technology that helps keep them antibacterial; you know, less stinky when not washed for days on end. Mid layers consist of the Kelvin Down series; the Lite Vest and the Hoody. These compress down to almost no space or weight, yet are extremely warm thanks to the Primaloft filling. Here again, I can layer the hoody/vest combo for maximum warmth in the boat and strip down all or part thereof when it’s time to hike. They have Gore Windstopper technology so on the off chance it isn’t raining or snowing and is reasonOctober 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

PRO'S TIP ably warm, I can wear them as outer layers. The hoody has a beefy hood and rigid visor, which is a nice touch. Top layers are where things get really serious because they have to be completely water and wind proof with no margin for error. Getting wet when it’s 30 degrees, sleeting and breezy and you’re in an open boat is not an option. Can you say life or death? Yea, it’s that serious. For the top I chose the new Stormfront Jacket. It’s an uninsulated (I’ll rely on the above mentioned layers for their copious insulation) rain jacket built with GoreTex water/wind proofing. It’s a full zip front and has an ample hood large enough to go over the Kelvin’s insulated hood, and that rolls up and stows in the collar to stay out of the way when not in use. The cut is longer than normal overall and it has an extended tail to keep the “plumber’s crack” dry regardless of body position. There are a couple of high chest waterproof pockets and all zippers are sealed. Here again the shell can roll up into a tiny space and is very light weight. Pants are a more complicated story mostly because of the terrain. In some cases I’ll be forced to wear full waders (more on that shortly) and in others I’ll be able to wear pants. I chose to bring two different pants, the Timberline Pant and the Mountain Pant. The Timberline Pant is the beefier of the two and features double reinforced nylon waterproof seat and knee areas. The knees have a removable articulated pad for comfort while stalking. They also have shoulder suspender straps to keep them up when loaded. They’re stretchy to some degree for ease of hiking while layered up, and are really designed for sheep-style mountain hunting. Since we may also hunt blacktail deer, these will be perfect. The Mountain Pant is lighter in overall construction and without the suspenders, yet still having knee pads. These are a mild season pant; my plan is to wear them under waders so that I can quickly strip out of the waders to stalk. Both pants are designed for brushy stuff for durability. Because of the possibility of deeper water wading and pure rain, waders are a prerequisite. I chose a pair of Hodgman Aesis stocking foot chest waders with full front zip for easy in/out. Plus, they are designed to be rolled down and worn as a pant style wader. I’ll pair them with a Hodgman cleat foot boot; I know from fishing experience that this combo is easy to move around in and warm when layered correctly. I may remove the waders and hunt in one of the Sitka pants in which case I’ll wear a muck style boot. Of course, I’ll spend a bunch of time breaking in boots prior to flying north.

The head and hands are not to be taken lightly so here again I turned to Sitka Gear. Given my disdain for cold, I selected three pairs of handwear: Merino Gloves, Coldfront GTX Glove, and the Blizzard GTX Mitten. The Merino glove provides plenty of dexterity and warmth if it’s mild but is designed to be worn under the others. Under normal conditions, I think the GTX glove will do the heavy lifting; warm yet still allowing some dexterity. When it gets ugly out or just motoring around in the boat, the GTX Mitten will come into it’s own. Both GTX models feature Primaloft and GoreTex; two of my favorite things. The merino gloves will stay on most of the trip I figure. The head is probably the most important of all and even though I have a couple of hooded layers, I still didn’t skimp on headwear. Back to Sitka I went for their Merino Beanie, Jetstream Beanie, Kamchatka, and Stormfront GTX ball cap. Like the Merino

18 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

glove, the beanie is designed to layer under a hood or hat. The Jetstream Beanie is more robust with its lofted micro fiber, Windstopper layer, and an air permeable band to warm the ears and back of neck, perfect for charging up hills, allowing sweat to escape yet keeping cold wind out. When it gets real cold and windy, the Kamchatka hat will shine with its Windstopper layer combined with Primaloft insulation and lofted micro fiber liner, all under a water repellent outer layer. It features a chin strap to cover my ears too; picture the classic Elmer Fudd hat, gone high tech. Lastly, I chose a GTX ball cap for when its drizzling or damp, yet not too cold. It’ll keep my dome dry yet comfy.

The only thing I haven’t mentioned is socks and they are equally important. I’ll wear a mix of socks, mostly merino wool in various weights. I’ll also bring a couple of pairs of alpaca wool socks in case it gets real cold. If you haven’t tried alpaca wool, do it; they’re expensive and hard to find, but worth it if you can source them. I’ll mix and match weights to fit the daily temps. I basically always wear wool socks of some sort, even in summer, for their breathability. For the record, I went to Sportsman’s Warehouse and spent more than two hours trying on various layers because the base layers need to fit tighter while the outer layers need to have room. Each piece was evaluated for fit, ability to move, and ability to layer together. Sounds simple, but takes time to try it all on. The easy part was choosing the pattern; I chose all of it in Optifade Subalpine camo which will work on Kodiak Island but also back home in my normal hunting adventures. This level of clothing is a serious investment deserving of some serious shopping time. So there you have it, a full on clothing plan for 10 days on Kodiak Island in very late fall. Regardless of what Mother Nature throws our way - and I hear she likes to throw the gamut in November - I’ll be prepared. Next month I’ll detail the rest of the gear I’ve got planned, from guns to glass to comfort items. Join me on a world-class adventure!

THE NE W ZE IS S CO N Q UE ST V 4

DREAM BIGGER W H A T E V E R D R E A M H U N T I S N E X T O N Y O U R L I S T, S U C C E S S I S N O W W E L L - W I T H I N R A N G E. S E E T H E N E W V 4 AT Z E I S S . C O M / C O N Q U E S T V 4

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Blackpowder Blacktail at First Light A solo hunt with an 1840s-tech muzzleloader at the end of the Applegate Trail.

Photo by Gary Lewis

By Gary Lewis

awn. That was the moment. Not earlier when it would be easy to blunder into a buck. Legal dawn for this day in this part of the county was 6:51AM. Anytime before would be too soon. I poured 80 grains of black powder into the muzzle then seated a 50-caliber lead conical with the ramrod. Then I slung my possibles bag and camera over my shoulder. Outside, I shrugged into my backpack, the shoulder straps for the ground blind and a chair in a carry bag. Down in the corner of a woodlot, I set up the ground blind against a screen of blackberries and applied some of Scott Haugen’s doe-in-heat scent to a bush 50 yards out. Deer would go to water in the canal and would walk trails along the canal road and the fence. A soft wind cooled one side of my face and I tested it with soap bubbles. They fell to the ground and clung to the grass. I imagined the alluring scent pooling around the fence and hoped for just a bit of wind to carry the odor into the timber behind me. Back in the blind now, it was a matter of a moment to cap the rifle and lean it in the corner. Late in the season now, it was the first of December. In this part of southwest Oregon, the deer had been in the rut for over a month. Had I waited too long?

The End of the Trail

Whether I bagged a deer or not, this was the end of the trail. On the Applegate Trail, this was the end of it, here in the Rogue Valley. Oregon’s Applegate Unit is named for brothers Jesse and Lindsay who founded the important route into Oregon territory in the mid-1800s. The Applegate muzzleloader hunt is a fitting tribute to those pioneers. We use the same technology and components that were state of the art in their day. It’s not a short season, but I had squandered some of it and this was my last chance. My rifle had misfired on a nice buck on the first day of our hunt. It had taken several more days to get another chance. My friend James Flaherty had connected on a deer. My next opportunity came on a ridge top. I kept the wind in my face, through patches of light and shadow, the rifle in hand, not slung on my shoulder. Bedded, the deer watched where I had been. I was thirty yards from the closest when it stood up, took a quick look and ran. All three were does, legal animals, but I would hold out for a buck. Rainwater ran off the branches and filtered through long beards of moss. It was time to head for home, time for Thanksgiving. Back in the Ford, the windshield wipers slapped back and forth. While my hunting partner basked in his success, I plotted the next move. I had a note from friend Jason Haley when I arrived home. An accomplished high desert mule deer and elk hunter. He had insight into the movements of the local deer on his home turf. I found three more days in my schedule and pointed the truck back to southern Oregon, this time to the eastern edge of the unit. Late in evening, my headlights stabbed through an orchard as I went up the gravel road. In camp I studied a map and aerial photos. Before I crawled into my sleeping bag, a game plan had taken shape.

A Scent on the Wind

Out in the green hills, cattle moved. Birds lit in branches then flew down into the short fresh fall green-up. A tractor crawled across the side of a hill. Men went to work in nearby orchards.

20 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Jason Haley tries his hand with a 54-caliber Lyman muzzleloader. Loaded with 100 grains of powder, it shoots a 425-grain conical bullet. Sight picture is everything. Black powder, when it burns, throws a cloud of white smoke between the shooter and the target. Nothing mattered except for what might happen within the range of this muzzleloader. When the breeze came up, a gentle puff that died out as soon as it was born, a deer grunted. Back in the trees. Like the croaking of a frog, but with urgency, it was almost a whisper. It moved from right to left behind me. With the screen of blackberries, I wouldn’t see it. I imagined he smelled what he wanted to smell. Minutes passed and the long hand on my watch turned a quarter of a cycle. There. It took a moment for unbelieving eyes to focus. The buck was at the fence line, at the bush doctored with the scent. He was sleek and gray and his antlers were polished, but not with the usual orange. This buck had been rubbing on fruit trees. Its antlers forked above the ears, a fourth point on one side. Forty yards. Quartering toward me, the buck stopped and eyed the blind. Unable to move, I froze with the gun across my lap. For two minutes, he stared, then tensed.

Photo by Gary Lewis

This 50-caliber Thompson Center is tuned for long-range accuracy with a peep sight and a fine front bead. Speed loaders, attached to the sling, make for quick reloads. Bill Herrick, of Bend, developed the loads for accuracy to 200 yards. The ballistic data is taped to the stock.

When he started to turn, I thumbed the hammer and swept the rifle up. Moving with the buck, I held the bead a trifle low for a four-inch differential in point of aim and stroked the trigger. Ignition! A white blanket of smoke was thrown between us. I seated the rifle butt against my boot, poured down a powder charge, started a bullet and rammed it home with the rod. Twenty seconds. With a cap under the half-cocked hammer I started after the buck. What I had seen through the smoke was its left foreleg, stiffened, off the ground. At the top of the slope to the canal there was a long skid track where the right leg dug in. There. Broadside. The rifle floated up to shoulder and cheek-weld and the hammer dropped the long white curtain again. In the 1840s and 1850s, pioneers trailed into this valley in search of gold and for land and their futures. I go there to carry a good rifle and find a buck like this one - a 3x4 rubbed out on pear trees, fattened and sweetened on the fruit fallen in orchards planted by pioneers. For a moment the hunter drifts back, lost in the timeless mystery of the hunt. Then he hears a scrape of deer hair on bark and a branch broken by a hoof. There is a big blacktail to hunt. And footprints to leave on the trail. Gary Lewis is the host of Frontier Unlimited, a TV show on Pursuit Channel and Hunt Channel.

Photo by Gary Lewis

A lot of the rut activity had subsided by the end of November. This buck, though, was still trolling for does on the first of December.

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Winchester M70 Extreme Weather Stainless Steel Rifle By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

n the world of factory rifles, a proven performer has been the mighty Winchester M70. With a manageable price tag, the M70 performs as well as much higher priced rifles, and has features that make it stand above the pack. The most notable of the features that carries over from previous generations is Controlled Round Feeding, which uses a larger extractor to grip the round more firmly and control it while it feeds all the way into the chamber. It continues to hold onto the case after firing and controls the ejection based upon how the bolt is operated. Open it slowly and it presents the case into your hand to prevent it from being flung clear and protect it for reloading. Open it rapidly, and it launches the case clear for a speedy follow up, so you can make a second shot in the field if needed. Another feature that is a hallmark from previous iterations of this pedigreed rifle is the manufacturing process. Starting with a solid billet of steel, the rifle is machined to perfection. While a more expensive option, it ensures precision craftsmanship and a more solid platform for the receiver. It also ensures smoother operation of mating surfaces. The barrel on the M70 is made in the same factory as precision military rifles and machine guns, to exacting specifications. The button rifling provides out of the box sub MOA performance. In the Extreme Weather, the barrel is a fluted stainless steel to provide protection from the elements. Deep flutes in the barrel reduce weight and fine tune the harmonics to improve accuracy. The steep

sporter contour of the barrel further reduces forward weight and shifts the balance back to the midline. Our test model in .308 comes with a 22-inch barrel with a 1;12 rate of twist, making it great for a wide range of factory or handloaded ammunition. The Bell and Carlson stock is not injected like many synthetic stocks but uses a layering construction process to build it up to exacting specifications. The layering of materials such as fiberglass, aramid, graphite, epoxy, resins, and polyester reinforcement, are hand layered to provide a rock solid and steady support for the rifle. The action is mated to the stock at two points, rather than just one, to give it even more stability. The barrel is then fully free floated to prevent shifts in point of impact caused by the barrel interacting with the stock. When you feel this stock, it is solid, unlike the hollow feel of many synthetic rifle stocks. The cheek piece is hand sculpted to provide a great presentation with the ability to repeatedly weld the shooter’s cheek to the stock perfectly and consistently time after time. The gray striping on top of the black furniture gives it a stylish and modern appearance, but also acts to create more texture for a positive grip on the stock, even in damp or icy weather and with or without gloves. It is capped with a Pachmyer Decelerator recoil pad to reduce felt recoil. An oversized recoil lug is machined into the action to keep recoil manageable and reduce failure points that take the most abuse. The action on this rifle is constructed of quality stainless steel and is smooth as freshly churned butter. An attractive machining pattern on the bolt breaks up the outline and gives a smooth finish that is attractive and functional, reducing friction on the bolt as it slides into and out of the action. The bolt handle is oversized and knurled to give you a great grip for fast racking on the fly. It features

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a very crisp and positive lock up with great feedback so you know by feel that your rifle is in battery and ready to fire without question. A three-position safety lever allows you to fire, lock the trigger and still be able to cycle the bolt, or lock both the trigger and bolt so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry about an errant branch taking your bolt out of battery as you hike into your hunting area. Everything from the barrel to the action to the magazine floorplate to the bolt are constructed of the same matte finished stainless steel to reduce glare that can blow your stalk, but still provide you with excellent protection from even the most extreme elements. Even the two swivel sling stud mounts are of the same material and finish. Where this rifle really shines is the MOA Trigger. The three-lever design of this trigger provides consistent pressure with zero takeup, creep, or overtravel, making it one of the crispest and consistent triggers on the market. It comes from the factory set at right around 3.75 pounds but is user-adjustable from 3-5 pounds. The M70 Extreme Weather comes in 14 different caliber configurations for varmint control to big game hunting. At a range between 6 pounds 12 ounces all the way to 7 pounds 4 ounces, it is still light enough to maintain nimbleness on the stalk and carry it for miles into the backcountry. Holding this rifle in your hands, you can feel the craftsmanship that is present throughout and the design that sets it apart from other rifles in the price range. If you are hunting in places with extreme environmental conditions, this rifle will perform beyond your expectations and take all of the abuse you can put it through.

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NWTF News

he great outdoors is important to all of us. Even for those that do not choose to hunt and fish, the opportunities that lay themselves out before each of us are truly a blessing. And for those that do choose to partake of the harvesting side of things, well, it is even more special and important. I have been involved in the outdoors all of my life. The fond memories that my childhood captured with my dad and brothers in the field and on the water have truly molded my life and now over 50-years later, I am lucky to be part of the outdoor industry as co-owner of Sportsman’s News, which as you know is the official monthly publication of Sportsman’s Warehouse. Ten years ago, I just happened to be on assignment in Alaska at a fishing lodge. As fate would have it, I was paired up with the then president of the Utah Chapter of the NWTF (National Wild Turkey Federation), Jon Leonard, on a few adventures that week and by the end of the trip, a new chapter had been created for the southern part of Utah! Now when it all began, I will have to admit I really didn’t know what I was getting myself in for. I had been a supporter of just about every outdoor conservation group in the state and I am, for the most part, still to this date. But, it didn’t take me long to figure out that the NWTF was the group that I really wanted to work with. I found that this organization was truly at the top of the list for looking out for all of our hunting heritage and preservation of its resources. Fast forward to present day and now I am faced with an even greater commitment. I have been nominated for the National Board of Directors for the NWTF and I have been selected as one of the six nominees to be presented to the national membership for one of the three voted-in members of this years’ class. Those of you that are members will be finding out more in the coming weeks. The process will be completed by the end of the year and the new members will be presented at the national convention in February. I am not really a campaigner, but in this case, the cause is a worthy one and I would very much appreciate your support. The west will greatly benefit from representation on the national board, as this opportunity doesn’t present itself very often. If you aren’t a member of the NWTF, you should be. The NWTF does an awful lot for habitat and opportunities for all species and all walks of life. Thanks for listening and I hope to be representing all of you when this process is complete. Yours truly, Kent Danjanovich

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Electronic Dog Collars By Joe Glotz

o use or not to use – That is the question! A much-needed word to this line would be – Correctly. Yes, “Correctly” is the key word here, as a collar used incorrectly can produce disastrous results as can any training method not properly employed. There was a time many opposed the use of electronics in training. I had the same misconceptions that some other people have that the collar was cruel and that I’d be ruining dogs or creating robots that simply reacted to the touch of a button. Over time I’ve learned about the proper use of electronics and about the benefits to be gained from them. If you are to use an electronic collar, it is important that you understand that punishment training (giving a command and punishing for noncompliance without offering the dog incentives to perform before being punished as the sole approach) will result in a dog that responds only when it’s afraid of being punished. As soon as the dog is off the training rope and not wearing the collar, he or she will, in most cases, just revert to their usual behavior or at best, perform inconsistently. This is why many dog owners go wrong from the start. “My dog is running too big and won’t listen to my commands. I’m going to get one of those collars and give him an education.” So, the frustrated owner buys a collar, puts it on the dog, releases the dog and then commands it to come. The dog is enjoying itself and would rather run. So, the owner shocks the dog (the milder term would be - stimulates it). The dog will now probably do one of three things: Run as far as it can, as quickly as it can and after 10 seconds the collar automatically shuts off (a built-in safety feature). Two, the dog freezes on the spot and after 10 seconds the stimulation goes away. And the third scenario, the dog runs back to its owner. Perfect, right? No. When the dog runs back, the stimulation turns off. Dogs are extremely place oriented and the dog may have just learned that being away from its owner is dangerous and that the area near its owner’s side is the safest place to be. You may now not be able to get the dog to leave your side in pursuit of your feathered targets. Obviously, this is the wrong way to introduce a dog to the collar. To maximize the benefits of this device, you must teach electronic training to the dog. You want the collar to produce a bold and confident dog, one that is happy and performs with enthusiasm when in the field. Garmin, SportDOG and Dogtra are at the top of the list of companies that offer great training tools for hunting dogs. The following are three of my favorite devices on the market, with all available either online or in-store through your local Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Garmin

The PRO-style dog training remote has been around for decades – because it’s preferred by serious dog trainers and hunters who want an ergonomic, instantaneous, no-look way to help train their dogs. The new PRO 550 Plus builds upon that design and adds a GPS receiver and a display that gives users the essential, simplified and precise direction and distance to their dog, bringing training opportunities to a new level. And when paired with the new DriveTrack 71, it’s easier than ever before to track dogs from inside a vehicle. The PRO 550 Plus incorporates the robust training features of the PRO 550 series, providing 18 levels of momentary or continuous stimulation, tone and vibration – as well as the ability to operate beacon lights on the dog device

28 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

for low-light hunting situations. The PRO 550 Plus handheld is compatible and easily paired with any existing TT 15 or TT 15 Mini dog devices. Integrating the proven training capabilities of the PRO 550 series, the PRO 550 Plus enhances communication between dog and owner through a built-in LCD display near the base of the handheld. This display provides an easy-to-read directional pointer and numerical yardage readout. The system provides location updates every 2.5 seconds for up to three dogs, so whether a dog is working in heavy cover or at a distance, a quick glance to the handheld gives individuals the ability to help pinpoint their dog’s location in near real time. Range for training and tracking is over two miles (depending on terrain) and battery life is approximately 24 hours for the PRO 550 Plus handheld. The DriveTrack 71 includes preloaded TOPO maps of the U.S. and portions of Canada, a one-year subscription to BirdsEye Satellite Imagery and detailed, turn-byturn road maps of North America – making the device fully capable for both town and country. When paired with the free Garmin Smartphone Link app, the new DriveTrack 71 can access free live services, including live traffic, basic weather, speed cameras and red-light cameras and live parking lot availability. The app also gives users the ability to receive smart notifications from their phone, including text messages, calendar reminders, address sharing and app alerts. The LiveTrack feature lets users share their location with friends or hunting buddies, so they can efficiently coordinate rendezvous points and dog pickup locations. In addition, hunters can see their dogs’ whereabouts at-a-glance by pairing their PRO 550 Plus to any fēnix 3, fēnix 5, tactix Bravo or tactix Charlie series smartwatches. The PRO 550 Plus comes bundled with a TT 15 dog device and is now available for a suggested retail price of $649.99. For those who already have compatible TT 15 or T 5 series collars, the PRO 550 Plus handheld can be purchased separately for $399.99 MSRP. The DriveTrack 71 is also available now for $399.99 MSRP.

SportDOG

The SportDOG Brand SportTrainer 875 is designed for field training and hunting with close-working dogs. Featuring an easy-to-read OLED screen which is far more visible in bright light than LCD displays, you can view the selected dog, static stimulation level and mode, as well as battery status, with just a glance. This, combined with large plus/ minus buttons to easily toggle among dogs and stim levels, makes the SD-875 especially

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browning.com October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

suited for multi-dog hunting situations. With SportDOG Add-A-Dog Collar Receivers, the remote trainer can be expanded to control up to three dogs at once. Ten levels of both continuous and momentary static stimulation, as well as vibration and tone options in select modes, allow you to customize this system to fit any situation or dog’s temperament. Transmitter Modes: The SportDOG 875 gives you the option of customizing the transmitter to fit your needs. It also allows you the option of changing the stimulation setup as your needs change or if you want different options in different situations. You can easily toggle between dogs, keeping the right stim level for each dog with the push of a single button, with no adjustments needed. Modes include Continuous and Momentary STIM with Tone or Vibration, Tone and Vibration with Continuous or Momentary STIM, Continuous STIM with +2 Boost and Vibration or Tone and Continous STIM with Vibration or Tone and Locator Beeper (sold separately). Collar Modes: Another feature in the 875 collar is the ability to change stimulation settings at the collar. The collar has a low and medium setting. This allows you the option of finding the correct range of stimulation for your dog. Lower the overall stimulation choices for more sensitive dogs and raise the levels for hard-headed or stubborn ones. You can change the collar setting at any time while it is in use. You can also have collars set up on different levels and work them from the same transmitter. This allows you the option of working sensitive and stubborn dogs from the same transmitter. Features: • ½ mile range. • DryTek waterproof design technology, submersible up to 25 feet • Easy to read OLED display • Rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries charge in 2-hours, last 50-70 hours per charge • Ten levels of static stimulation • Vibration and tone stimulation • Expands to three dogs • $249.99 MSRP

Dogtra

The Dogtra ARC HANDSFREE is a 3/4-mile range e-collar that comes with a slim receiver/collar, ergonomically shaped to your dog’s neck and a compact Handsfree Remote Controller to control a transmitter remotely. The Handsfree Remote Controller gives you the freedom to multitask and have discrete control, making it the perfect tool for both entry level and professional dog training. Dogtra has taken training to a new level with the ARC HANDSFREE unit, giving you the ability to adjust the sensitivity of the collar with ease. You can select from three levels or modes: Momentary Nick – delivers a single pulse of electrical stimulation. Constant Stimilation – sends a continuous stimulation for up to 12-seconds. Non-Stimulating Pager Vibration – sends a non-stimulating vibration for as long as you press the button, with a 12-second safety shutoff.

30 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Dog training professionals from around the world have come to appreciate the ease of use that the ARC HANDSFREE offers. It is designed with hunting dogs in mind and will fit neck sizes from 6- to 26-inches and is best suited for mild to medium temperaments. The handsfree remote can be worn on your wrist or strapped to your shotgun for easy access in hunting situations. Dogtra’s ARC HANDSFREE features a bluetooth connected HandsFree fingertip controller. When keeping the fingertip controller and the handheld transmitter within 33-feet of each other, you will be able to train your dog with the smaller fingertip device. This lets you keep the transmitter on your belt, letting you train your dog more discreetly. But, the ARC still has a range of up to 3/4 of a mile between the collar and the handheld transmitter. Two other features stand out on the ARC that makes it a great choice for training your dogs. First, the ARC “Advanced Receiver Concept” is brilliant. Proper placement of the collar and a good fit are key to successful training. The ARC receiver collar is curved, allowing for an ergonomically correct fit and consistent contact with your dog’s neck area. Second, the handheld transmitter has a checkered pattern, so you always have a firm grip of the transmitter. Keep in mind though, this is a one dog system. It is not expandable. Features: • 3/4-mile range • Rheostat/Volume dial with stimulation levels 0-127 • 2-hour rapid charge batteries • Nick, constant and non-stimulating pager vibration • Low to medium power stimulation • Belt clip • Fully waterproof • LCD screen • For dogs as small as 15 lbs. • MSRP $289.99 In conclusion, some dog training manuals and techniques call for using “the proper amount” of correction. How do you know what the proper amount is? With the use of a good electronic collar, you know. The collar makes prior experience in reading a dog less important. The electronic collar should not be thought of as a training shortcut. You still need to develop habit through repetition. If the collar is not used only as a punishment device, it will help develop a well-trained dog that hunts in control and with style.

THE RUGER

LC380 ™

The Ruger® LC380™ is the perfect pairing of the award-winning LC9™ pistol and the popular .380 Auto cartridge.

It features a dovetailed, high visibility 3-dot sight system, 7-round magazine and finger grip extension floorplate, manual safety, loaded chamber indicator and light recoil spring for an easy-to-manipulate slide. The LC380™ is the same size as the LC9™, yet offers reduced recoil making it Ruger’s lightest recoiling personal protection centerfire pistol yet.

Finger Grip Extension Floorplate Can Be Added to the Magazine for Comfort and Grip, Included FREE

Same Size as the LC9™ but with a Lighter Recoil Spring for Easier Slide Manipulation

Includes internal lock, Manual Safety, Magazine Safety and Loaded Chamber Indicator, Which Provides Confirmation of a Loaded or Empty Chamber

WWW.RUGER.COM/LC380

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October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

PRO MEMBER UPDATE

Papierski's Big Game Hunts The success of a trip isn’t always about the inches, but more the memories created. Hal and Browning filled the memory bank on this trip with a great experience due to the Pro Membership Sweepstakes.

Proud father Hal and his son Browning discuss their good fortune of a successful trip as well the benefits of being a Sportsman’s News Pro Member. Hal Perkins of Utah won this great elk and mule deer combo hunt with the pro membership sweepstakes. He opted to let his son Browning take the elk tag and enjoy this good fortune. John and Browning have closed the distance on a small herd of elk.

The joys of sharing a great experience like this is what the Pro Membership Sweepstakes is all about. It gives everyday people the opportunity to enjoy trips they would not otherwise get to do. Hal and Browning will never forget this trip together.

32 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

PRO MEMBER UPDATE Hal was able to get a good opportunity and a rutting mature buck on day 3 of his hunt. It’s not uncommon to look at 50 plus bucks a day on this late season hunt.

Craig, Colorado is the home to Papeirski’s Big Game Hunts. It is known for good numbers of mule deer and the largest herd of elk in the state of Colorado which is why we give this trip away every year.

Browning waits for the perfect shot on his first bull elk ever. Made a great shot at just under a hundred yards to fill his tag.

www.promembersweepstakes.com October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Paleo Principles Chad LaChance

34 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

s an outdoorsman, I have a fundamental belief that harvesting our own food is paramount to some sort of inner paleo contentment. By that I mean, I’m a whole bunch happier deep down to consume meat that I had a hand in capturing, processing and preparing. Because of this, I’ve spent my life in pursuit of “fast food” in the form of fish, big game, small game, and feathered game and I take every step in the process very seriously. Here’s a few things I’ve learned along the way that really help when deciding exactly which game or fish to harvest and how to handle it once you’ve been successful in the field. We’ll start with a bit on which to harvest. I’m a firm believer in selective harvest. Selective harvest is the concept of choosing which fish or game to eat and which to release or pass up based on a variety of factors including the population dynamics, age/condition, stocking, etc. I won’t preach to you; make your own decisions on which fish to keep or deer to shoot. My personal rules are that I generally harvest fish that are representative of the average fish in the system and usually harvest only what I can eat fresh because fresh fish is the best fish, right? If you are planning to harvest fish, a little forethought goes a long way towards quality table fare. My strong preference is to have my OtterBox Venture or Trooper cooler (which has backpack straps for ease of hauling) with ice on hand, in which case I immediately dispatch the fish and ice it. If it’s a trout or some other fish that I’d cook whole, I’ll remove the gills and entrails prior to icing. In lieu of a cooler full of ice, my second choice is to keep them alive. That’s easy in the big Ranger boat; simply flip on the livewell pumps. Without a livewell of some sort, it’s admittedly tough; a stringer may be your only option but that is not a great one unless the water is cold. Speaking of cold water, all other things being equal, fish harvested from cold water are the best eating. Trout harvested from 70 degree water will not be as tasty and firm as the same trout harvested in 45 degree water. If I’m grocery shopping, I’ll seek out cold places to fish. Anything harvested from an 80 degree pond somewhere is not likely to taste great or have firm texture unless it is immediately killed, filleted, and iced. When it comes to harvesting big game specifically to eat, I prefer to hunt does/cows; in most cases it’s better for the population and it will certainly give you more opportunity to harvest. Since this is pure food value, not trophy status, I select mature does that are relaxed and that I know I can kill very cleanly. If possible, I also like to be close to my Tundra to facilitate quick processing. If I’ve got a buck tag, I may be less picky about the scenario because I realize that an old buck is far more rare and much harder to get a shot at period. Big game that is relaxed and standing still allows for ideal shot placement; in this case I always strive for a heart shot. A heart shot will immediately stop the pumping of any sort of adrenaline or lactic acid even if the animal stays upright for a few seconds, which is highly unlikely. This ultimately yields the best texture and flavor, assuming the next steps are taken properly. Sooo, perfect heart shot, what's next? I want the guts out and hide off as soon as physically possible. This is always the case but even more so when harvesting does for pure food value. I may bone out a mature buck or take my time photographing and caping, but in those cases I know I’m processing for stew, chili, etc ., and not per-

fect venison steaks and roasts. The faster the damaged organs and entrails are out of the cavity and the hide is off, the faster the meat can cool. When its above freezing out, I prefer to break the carcass down (possibly even removing the bones) and get it in coolers over ice. Just be sure to keep all water off the meat because soaking in water promotes bacterial growth; I lay Otter Ice packs in the cooler so no water is involved. For small game and birds, I process immediately. Rabbits are a favorite of mine; I gut, skin and remove the lower legs and head immediately. I then rinse and dry them. The whole process takes about a minute and then they go right in Venture on Otter Ice packs. Same with pheasants, doves, etc ., and as soon as I’m back at the truck, they get processed before we hit the next field. Yes, it’s that important to me. The whole process culminates with cooking, right? It seems to me that most fish or game are best handled one of two ways; hot and fast or low and slow, nowhere in between. I do both outside, Camp Chef style…hot and fast on the grill box or cast iron skillet, low and slow in the pellet grill or Dutch oven. Keep these few things in mind and you too can enjoy maximum quality real food.

October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

36 October 2018 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

OUTDOOR WRITER'S CONTEST

The Bucket List Buck

By Michael Rupley

CL and Mike show off his bucket list buck.

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

hunt deer. Mostly just deer, especially mule deer, so I understood when CL said, “I want a big mule deer”. How did I get into this anyway? I saw my friend Louie at the square dance after season. “Hey Louie, did you get your deer this year?” “No... and neither did my brother, CL” responded Louie. “We hunted Wyoming and even Mexico and did not get a deer”. “Well, there is always next year,” I said, trying to put an upbeat spin on it. His rejoinder was nothing close to positive. “Not for CL,” Louie said quietly, “He has a bad cancer.” Louie and I went to school together and his brother was older. I didn’t really know his brother, but thought it would help if I promised to take him next year (if he was still alive). Louie told CL and he said to plan for it; we would try. Louie and CL grew up on a ranch and worked hard for the family. Any thing that needed doing on a ranch was their job. They learned to care for and butcher the animals. They learned to operate and repair all the machinery. Fences, building repair, wood cutting, they did it all. They had a good childhood but it was full of work and love for the family. What had I gotten myself into? I must be crazy to promise a dying man I could fulfill his ultimate “bucket list.” The next 8 months were a constant whirlwind of furious activity trying to find a suitable place and outfitter. I must have called 30 outfitters. Emails to another 30. Constant internet searching. I must have attended 10 outdoor shows. I must have read and re-read 100 magazines. Nothing! The outfitters I talked with wanted to switch CL to a big elk, caribou, moose, or other game. Meanwhile, CL was getting sicker. Cancer of the pancreas is a killer. It is like a bully at the school grounds. It is always there and shows up when you least want it to. It has no respect for your fears or discomfort. Michael Landon could not beat it, my Uncle Chappie couldn’t best it either. CL knew. Then I got a call from a special man. He told me after I spoke to him that God had told him to do

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October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

DIRECTIVE ™ TANTO

If you’re at war with your garage, this is your commander in chief. The Directive™ is a tactically inspired everyday carry folder that turns todo’s into have-done’s. Where it lacks in frills, it makes up in capability. The tanto blade features a sleek black oxide finish and is deployed from black two-tone glass-reinforced nylon handles by a straight forward flipper. A locking liner keeps you safe while the blade is deployed. Call on the Directive™ for your everyday tasks and it’ll answer with sharp precision and impressive force.

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38 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

OUTDOOR WRITER'S CONTEST this. I am not a pious man and this was a bit of a surprise. There were some hurdles, however. His guiding was for international hunting. That included alligators, caribou, ibex, red stag and stuff like that. He wanted CL to pick something from that list. Like I said, I understood when CL replied “I only want a big mule deer”. That special man was an outfitter named Mike. He said he would take CL on his family hunting trip in the fall. He did not have a license to guide in his home area of Colorado so could not charge. He did require two hunts for other species to cover the cost of hunting. Apparently, God wanted him to have remuneration. CL was not going on any other hunt so it was my wife and myself that were headed for Scotland and a Red Stag Safari. Mike was the perfect host on the hunt and we had a swell time. We stayed at a Scottish Castle and enjoyed ourselves immensely. That is another full story, but now CL had the trip for a deer hunt in Colorado covered. Well almost. You see, CL had to hang in there and we had to secure a tag in this desirable area in Colorado. Again, Mike came through for us. He was able to secure a land-owner tag (for a substantial fee but still under the going rate). Opening for the season seemed to slowly drift. The final tally was four of us planning for the trip. There were Louie and I, and CL and his son. Louie and I would get tags for a less desirable area nearby, so we could hunt also. Fall was nigh, and CL was still able to get around. He was tired most of the time and had to push himself, but he was game. We stopped at the Fish Louie with his buck. and Game office in Colo-

rado and secured the tags, licenses and permits. Next morning was a chance to see the country and Mike took us around. We were in CL’s hunt zone and saw several bucks. Some even 4 points but we were looking for something “BIG.” Mike got ready for his family hunt The author with his deer. the next day and had a friend take us around. This time we checked out the area where Louie and I had tags. Again quite a few deer and many bucks, but just not what we wanted. The third day was CL’s hunt with Mike, and Louie and I were on our own. We had another good day but did not connect. When we got back to the motel, there was CL with a great deer. It was a 6x7 with great mass and long tines. CL had his bucket list complete. Next morning the deer was taken to the local taxidermist. The mounting of a trophy deer is usually a one-year wait. We explained the situation to the man and he said he would see what he could do. Louie and I hunted while CL rested. Louie got a great 4x4 and it went to the taxidermist also. Wow, what a hunt! I was holding up the show, so I quickly scored on an average 4x4 and we were done. CL and his son had headed for home and Louie and I were not far behind. After picking up the meat we also drove home. CL was a happy man. His mounted deer arrived in January and his son put it up for him to see. One week, later CL was gone. Somehow, I think he was waiting.

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October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

40 October 2018 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

SKB iSeries Single Rifle Case

he 3i-4909-SR Single Rifle case holds scoped rifles up to 49” long and is part of the iSeries waterproof case line. The interior is made of high quality EPS and ELE convolute foam to ensure a proper compression and protection for your firearm. The 3i-4909-SR measures 49” x 9” x 5” deep and is covered by SKB’s Unconditional Lifetime Warranty. The 4909-SR Injection Molded Watertight Single Rifle Case has four (4) SKB patented trigger latches, four reinforced padlock locations that will accommodate a customer supplied lock, the perfect solution for protecting and transporting your rifle. This new Single Rifle Case is also available in 3i-4909-SR-T Tan or 3i-4909-SR-M Military Green and is made in the USA.

SKB’s iSeries of injection molded watertight cases are constructed of ultra highstrength polypropylene copolymer resin and feature a gasket-sealed, waterproof and dustproof, submersible design (IP67) that is resistant to corrosion and impact damage. The molded-in hinge and stainless steel hinge pins, patented “trigger release” latch system, comfortable, snap-down rubber over-molded cushion grip handle, secure stacking, and an automatic ambient pressure equalization valve (MIL-STD-648C) all contribute to its military grade design. FEATURES: • Ultra high-strength polypropylene • UV, solvent, corrosion and fungus copolymer resin. resistant (MIL-STD-810F). • Complete gasket seal makes these cases absolutely watertight (MIL-STDC-4150J). • Automatic ambient pressure equalization value (MIL-STD-648C & IP67). • Resistant to corrosion and impact damage. • Convoluted and EPS foam interior for cushioned protection. • Patented “trigger release” latch system. • Rubber over-molded cushion grip handle. • Four reinforced stainless steel padlock locations. • Interior Length: 49” • Interior Width: 9” • Interior Depth: 5” • Carton Length: 51” • Carton Width: 12.25” • Carton Depth: 6.5” • Shipping Weight: 18 lbs.

SKBCASES.COM/SPORTS (800) 654-5992

October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Video Product Reviews

Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24

n both the law enforcement/tactical world and the hunting world, the need for a category of optics for closer range engagement has become something scope makers are considering more frequently. This category of Low Power Variable Optic (LVPO) scopes provides the ability to engage targets at extremely close ranges as well as reach out to distances of around 700 meters. This category is an excellent fit for Modern Sporting Rifles in AR platforms as well as big bore bolt guns that deliver a lot of energy at short range. The newest entry into the LPVO category is the Vortex Viper Gen II 1-6x24. Featuring improved optical clarity over the first generation, the better glass provides excellent twilight clarity to provide better target identification in the early morning and late

evening. The glass is coated with a blend of optical enhancing materials to improve clarity and repel dust and gunk, as well as hardeners to protect against scratching. Gas purging keeps out the nasties that can penetrate your scope and ruin your view. The Viper PST Gen II in the 1-6 power configuration features a phenomenal edge to edge eyebox that gives you a wider field of view, as well as true single-power magnification on the lowest end of its zoom range. This makes it an ideal fit for a muzzle loader as well as traditional centerfire rifles. Nestled inside the hashmark-based VMR-2 MOA reticle (MRAD available as well), with subtensions calibrated for 6-power, is the ability to engage a crisp, daylightbright illuminated red dot. Extreme versatilely in a compact package, the Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24 provides rapid target engagement thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideal for use on a patrol rifle, as well as greater magnification to engage targets farther out. The illumined red dot can be adjusted to 10 varying levels of brightness, and there are off positions situated in between each brightness setting, so it is just a single click to activate a preferred setting or shut it off. Low-profile capped turrets are extremely sleek and proved coverage for the robust, underlying adjustment system. Turrets adjust at a half MOA per click. From Law enforcement applications and home defense, to competition and general shooting, the highlevel functionality and practicality of the Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24 cannot be denied. And like all Vortex Products, it is fully covered by their VIP Warrantee. Scan this QR Code with In the unlikely event something does happen to the your smart phone to view the Sportsman's News optic, you are covered - no questions asked. Watch YouTube Channel. the video to see this awesome scope in action.

Kryptek Dalibor II Hunting Clothing

ost people know Kryptek as a camo pattern, and while it can boast the only pattern in the civilian world extensively researched, tested, and studied by the US government for its effectiveness in the field, Kryptek Outdoor group is more than just a pretty camo pattern. For the last two years, the guys from Kryptek have been extensively testing a new line of clothing in the Alaskan wilderness that can withstand the abuse of austere environments as well as provide proper thermoregulation of the hunter in warm or cool weather without the bulk of their heavy cold weather gear. Meet Dalibor. Dalibor is a Slavic word meaning distant battle, and this clothing is designed to take the hunter and transport him to the field, far away from the comforts of home. The founders of Kryptek are warriors, and the design of their clothing bears all the marks of their warrior spirit. They are also serious outdoorsmen and know that depending on where and when you are hunting, the clothing you wear can make it a pleasurable and productive activity or an exercise in futility and discomfort. Dalibor is designed for early season hunting when the weather is still warm during the day and cool in the evenings. It provides excellent core temperature regulation and can be layered with their other systems, such as their Hoplite base layers, to keep you warmer in inclement weather and allow you to shed layers as the sun rises and temps increase. With spacious cuts, silent brushed material, and flexibility to allow you movement in even the harshest terrain, the Dalibor clothing line lets you take the hunt as far afield as you need to go and still keep you comfortable. Their Dalibor 3 Jacket is designed for mid to cool weather. It is made of a silent brushed material that resists snags and stretches with your full range of movement. A full coverage hood still allows full peripheral vision. It has six pockets with fully taped zippers and is coated with DWR to make it highly water and stain resistant. The Dalibor 3 Pants feature the same waterproof and silent stretch fabric as the jacket. They have wide gusseted and reinforced knees with a tougher bonded laminate material to stand up to kneeling and give you plenty of range of motion. Eight roomy pockets, 6 of which have taped zippers, provide plenty of room for all your necessities. A gusseted crotch prevents binding when chasing game through the rocks and deadfall. Wide belt loops let you hang more gear on your waist and are also compatible with suspenders. Rubberized grippers on the Scan this QR Code with pant legs prevent them from riding up. your smart phone to view All in, the new Dalibor line from Kryptek is the perfect setup for taking the the Sportsman's News YouTube Channel. battle far from home. Watch the video to see the full line in action.

42 October 2018 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

MARK

Simple, ONE BUTTON Takedown

While the heavily redesigned Ruger® Mark IV™ maintains the same classic outward appearance as the Ruger® Mark III™, it incorporates a significant improvement customers will love – a simple, one-button takedown for quick and easy field-stripping. A recessed button in the back of the frame allows the upper receiver to tilt up and off of the grip frame without the use of tools. The bolt simply slides out of the receiver and the barrel can be properly cleaned from chamber to muzzle.

Accurate, Adjustable Sighting System

Available in a Variety of Grip Configurations

Available in Hunter and Target Barrel Configurations

Ambidextrous Manual Safety Positively Locks the Sear When Applied

Simple, One-Button Takedown for Quick and Easy Field-Stripping (No Tools Required)

RUGER.COM/MARKIV Find Ruger:

October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

44 October 2018 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

ALPS OutdoorZ Big Bear X Lumbar Pack

esigned with the archery hunter in mind, the Big Bear X Lumbar pack from ALPS OutdoorZ provides a lightweight gear management solution for those chasing game to minimize weight and maximize storage. With 2,700 cubic inches (44L) of total storage, the Big Bear X has plenty of cargo capability, but in a small and adjustable package. With a roomy 800 CI (13L) lumbar compartment that rides higher on your lower back and less on your waist, the pack raises the weight and creates less fatigue on your torso. The wide waist belt with molded foam for comfort and air flow also helps distribute the weight over a larger surface area. A load-bearing harness featuring Lycra shoulder straps and a vented backplate share the load from your waist to your shoulders and redirect the weight from backwards to a more vertical orientation. All of this combined make the load nearly imperceptible over long distances. The harness can be removed completely, leaving just a waist pack for even lighter and faster movement through heavy woods. Inside the zippered lid of the lumbar compartment is a rolled up integral day pack that attaches to the shoulder harness, adding an additional 1,900 CI (31L) of carrying space. While this isn’t a pack designed for carrying meat, it is roomy enough to allow the archery hunter to move quickly and carry along essential equipment. A pocket on the side of the pack is the perfect size for a rangefinder. A roomy zipper pocket on each side of the belt, give you rapid access to oft-used items like windicators or scents. Thick nylon webbing on either side accommodate pistol holsters or knife sheaths. Scan this QR Code with your A bow holder hook on the side of the belt lets you rest smart phone to view the Sportsman's News YouTube your bow for glassing without laying it on the ground. Channel. It is reversible, so it will work on either side or it can be

Video Product Reviews

completely removed when not needed. It is constructed of a soft brushed Realtree Edge camo material and 1680D Nylon Ballistic Fabric for rugged dependability. Hypalon reinforcements and Nylon PALS attachment points let you increase your loadout by hanging gear from the attachment points. A front pocket and internal mesh organizers let you easily keep your gear arranged for easy and quick access. Heavy duty zippers with wide rubberized finger loops are simple to get into, even when wearing bulky gloves. At just 3 pounds 10 ounces unloaded, for rapid stalks or scouting far afield where weight is a factor, the ALPS OutdoorZ big Bear X is a great way to keep your gear organized, accessible, and help lighten the load and prevent fatigue over a heavier pack. Watch the video to see the ALPS Big Bear X in action or check it out at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse.

October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Video Product Reviews

Zamberlan Smilodon GTX RR Boots

our feet are the wheels of success when it comes to hiking or hunting. A flat tire or a complete blowout is something that can’t be tolerated. So, spending the extra money to have high quality footwear that will make sure you aren’t stranded and will last you years of dedicated field use is a must. The Zamberlan SMILODON GTX RR boots are just that when it comes to well put-together footwear. Zamerberlan has been developing fine hiking boots for nearly ninety years and they have taken those years of experience to develop these hardcore boots for the hard-core outdoor enthusiast. This boot is built to provide support and durability for those who spend hundreds of days a year in the field. Out of the box, the shark camo pattern looks great, but the functionality of this set of boots is what really stands out. The Vibram Darwin Outsole sole wears extremely well and grips the terrain like another set of hands, even when wet. The tread pattern provides for a very good downhill break, a toe climbing zone, and the wide grippy lugs allow for easy cleaning with your finger or a stick, but they self-clean fairly well while hiking. The dual-density polyurethane midsoles have been designed to provide both comfort and support, which is paired with a thermoplastic polyurethane stabilizer to give you torsional rigidity. What all of this jargon means in layman terms is that these boots will support not only you but an extremely heavy load. It also means that you will not need months to break them in. The design of the sole makes the foot rock forward as well, which is a huge design benefit especially when carrying heavy loads. Scan this QR Code with The patented ZFS (Zamberlan Flex System) allows the your smart phone to view uppers to break forward in comfort without compromist h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s ing lateral stability around the ankle. The Italian 2.8mm YouTube Channel. Hydrobloc nubuck leather uppers are soft enough to pro-

46 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

vide out of the box comfort yet provide tremendous support. The Gore-Tex Insulated membrane delivers world-class waterproof protection and breathability throughout the life of the boot. The rubber rand around the toe helps to protect your boot from the brutal rocks and terrain. It is developed with an improved rubber compound which has better elasticity and has a beveled under-edge to prevent catching and peeling. These boots run very true to size, but some fit a half size smaller. I normally wear a size 10, but even with a 9.5, I can get on a heavier sock for insulation and my foot doesn’t feel cramped. Out of the box, these boots were extremely comfortable on the first outing. They require very minimal break-in. After over 3 months of testing and approaching over 200 miles, they look nearly new and the treads show hardly any wear.

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

Bourbon Grilled Quail

here is nothing that gets the heart beating faster than busting a covey of quail and the sudden whirring of dozens of pairs of wings right next to you. Whew baby, it is hunting season! This recipe works equally well for store bought birds, so even if you don’t have the opportunity to hunt quail, you can enjoy the delicate flavor of this tasty game bird.

Ingredients Marinade

• 1 12 ounce can Dr. Pepper • ¼ cup Bourbon Whiskey

• 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning

• 6 Quail • Kosher salt • Fresh ground black pepper

• ¼ cup apricot jam • 2 tablespoons Maple syrup • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce

Recipe

Preparation Method

The quail need to be marinated for 6-8 hours. To make the marinade blend 1 can of Dr Pepper soda with ¼ cup of American Bourbon Whiskey. Add in a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and stir until dissolved. Put this into a gallon zip lock bag and prepare the quail. If you have some fresh quail and just breasted them out instead of saving the whole bird, they will work perfectly, but you may need a few extra for this recipe.

48 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

I eat quail often, and have found a ready supply at a local Asian market. Some supermarkets and on-line retailers will carry whole frozen quail. They are excellent stand-ins for wild birds. Spatchcock the quail using a pair of kitchen shears. Place the whole quail, breastside-down, on a cutting board. Using the shears, cut away the backbone and discard it. Then, flip over the bird and press down to flatten it. Add the quail to the marinade, seal the bag and refrigerate 6-8 hours. Remove the birds from the marinade, pat dry, salt and pepper to taste, and set aside. Prepare the glaze by combining the apricot jam, maple syrup, and the garlic chili sauce in a small sauce pan. Warm over low heat and stir until blended, remove from heat. Heat the grill to medium, or 350 degrees F. Place the quail on the grill skin side down, then brush some of the glaze over each bird. The skin will brown nicely in about a minute, so pay attention and flip the birds as soon as they get a nice color. Brush the rest of the glaze onto the birds and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes more. Remove to a plate to rest. I often serve these tasty treats over a bed of dirtry rice and some roasted acorn squash. I would pair this dish with an American Pale ale or a California Rose’. Cheers!

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October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Adventures On A Budget

Delta Dawns Overlooked Region Turns Into Duck Hot Spot By John N. Felsher

he flock of mallards shot out of the cypress swamp behind the blind, roaring overhead like a squadron of jet fighters. The flock turned wide and disappeared into the fog blanketing this ancient oxbow lake, once the main channel of the mighty Mississippi River. Playing boisterous notes on their calls, several hunters began pleading for the greenheads and their mates to return. We could still hear their quacking and the rush of their wings, but could not see them through the thick trees in front of us with the fog enshrouding everything on this chilly Mississippi morning. Eventually, the ducks burst out from the fog, over the decoys dotting an opening between the cypress trees slowly converting this lake into a swamp. Each year, Arkansas and Louisiana battle for the title of top waterfowl hunting destination in the nation. Both states still offer outstanding duck hunting, but Mississippi on the other side of the great river could give those states some competition – thanks to the incredible duck habitat found in the Mississippi Delta region. “When people think about duck hunting, they normally think about Arkansas and Louisiana, but the east side of the Mississippi River also has some good hunting,”

Photo by John N. Felsher

50 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

advised Houston Havens, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks waterfowl program coordinator. “It all depends upon the water conditions and how many birds came down the river. The best duck hunting in Mississippi occurs in the Delta region. In the Delta, people kill many mallards, but they also kill a lot of gadwalls, green-winged teal and shovelers.”

The Duck Highway

The Mississippi Delta spreads across nearly 7,000 square miles of the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley, one of the most critical wintering waterfowl habitats in North America. The MRAV includes parts of seven states between Baton Rouge, La., and southern Illinois. The Mississippi Delta runs about 200 miles along the eastern bank of the Mississippi River and includes all or part of 19 Magnolia State counties between Vicksburg, Miss. and the Tennessee state line. For millennia, the Mississippi River periodically flooded low swampy areas along its banks recharging wetlands. Sporadically, the volatile river changed course, leaving behind numerous oxbow lakes that once marked the main channel. The capricious river built a well-watered alluvial floodplain dominated by numerous waterways, backwaters, cypress swamps and flooded bottomlands – prime waterfowl habitat! “The Mississippi River is a big interstate for migrating ducks,” explained Mike Boyd with Beaver Dam Hunting Services (662-363-6288, www.beaverdamducks.com) in Tunica. “Ducks have been coming here for eons. It’s in their instinctive maps. People have been hunting ducks in this area for a long time. Before the railroad came through in the 1880s, people would come down the Mississippi River from Memphis in steamboats.” Besides creating a major waterfowl migration corridor, the Mississippi River continues to nourish some of the most fertile agricultural land in the world. In the past century or so, crop fields replaced many virgin hardwood bottomlands, but considerable forests remain. In the past few decades, many Mississippi farmers switched from cotton and other crops to planting rice. Also, landowners began turning more acreage into duck habitat by digging potholes and flooding fields during the winter. These ac-

Hunters watch for ducks from a large blind located in a cypress brake of an oxbow lake near Tunica, Miss. Many ancient oxbows along the Mississippi and other rivers provide outstanding waterfowl hunting in the Mississippi Delta region.

Adventures On A Budget Photo by John N. Felsher

Rising in Tippah County, the Tallahatchie River flows 230 miles before merging with the 165-mile long Yalobusha River to form the Yazoo River at Greenwood. The Yazoo flows another 188 miles through rich bottomlands and agricultural fields before hitting the Mississippi River just north of Vicksburg. One of the major tributaries of the Yazoo, the Big Sunflower River rises in DeSoto County and runs about 100 miles until it hits the Yazoo River near Satartia northeast of Vicksburg. Another good river, the Big Black River begins in Webster County near Eupora and flows 330 miles southwest until it enters the Mississippi River about 25 miles south of Vicksburg. When rivers flood bottomlands, they create excellent waterfowl habitat. “We manage quite a bit of bottomland hardwood habitat in the state,” Havens commented. “The duck population in a given area depends upon water levels. Watch the river and creek levels. When a river or creek overflows its banks in a forested area, it creates ideal duck habitat, especially for wood ducks. We are constantly looking for ways to add new wetland habitat to the state. We’ll provide technical guidance to landowners across the state who would like to enhance their wetland properties.”

Garrett Holland with Beaver Dam Hunting Services prepares to retrieve a mallard drake while hunting in a reclaimed aquaculture catfish pond near Tunica, Miss.

Hot Public Properties For Ducks

tions made northwestern Mississippi even more attractive to waterfowl. The Mississippi Delta historically holds one of the highest winter concentrations of mallards in North America. The region also attracts many gadwalls and green-winged teal. Sportsmen might also bag blue-winged teal, pintails, wigeons, shovelers, lesser scaup, ring-necked ducks, occasional redheads or canvasbacks and other ducks. In wooded areas along lakes and rivers, wood ducks comprise a large part of the harvest, second only to mallards statewide. Open areas of the Delta, such as flooded agricultural fields or moist soil units, attract good goose numbers. People frequently see large flocks of snow and blue geese flying high overhead. Some Canada geese stay in the area all year long. In recent years, more white-fronted geese, locally called specklebellies, began wintering on Delta fields. Not many people specifically hunt geese in the Delta, but in the right spot, the big birds might give duck hunters some bonus action. Since 1982, Boyd hunted Beaverdam Lake, an old oxbow about five miles south of Tunica. Legendary writer, Nash Buckingham’s father joined a hunting club on the same lake in the late 19th century, so young Nash grew up hunting Beaverdam Lake and often wrote about it. “God made Beaverdam Lake, but Nash made it famous,” Boyd quipped. “We hunt three blinds in a cypress brake on the south end of the lake. We also hunt a farm east of the lake and an old fish farm in northeastern Tunica County. Years ago, we mostly killed gadwalls and some wigeons on the lake. Around 2010, we started killing more mallards, but we still kill a lot of gadwalls and wigeons. We also kill a few greenwinged teal and other ducks. The other properties are more open and we kill a variety of ducks and some geese there. On the fish farm complex, I’ve never seen as many pintails in my life as I did in that area during the 2017-18 season.”

Many Rivers Run Through It

Not everyone can afford to hire a guide, but the Delta provides abundant opportunities for do-it-yourselfers to bag birds. Navigable waterways like river channels and many lakes belong to the public. Therefore, sportsmen with boats can hunt just about any place they can safely shoot a gun, but check the local laws just to make sure. Several rivers flow through excellent hunting areas, offering waterfowlers hundreds of miles open to public hunting. People can also hunt many oxbows that they can still reach by boat off the Mississippi River or other streams. Many river runners hunt from small camouflaged boats. Some sportsmen attach commercial pop-up blinds to their boats. Others simply hide in thick vegetation or other available cover. When hunting from a boat, waterfowlers can stop practically anywhere, toss a few decoys into a promising backwater and wait for the birds. If the ducks don’t show up, boaters can easily relocate to another pothole. In a morning, prepared boat hunters might try several spots until they find the birds. “We have to be mobile when hunting river ducks,” remarked Mike Caruthers, a duck hunter from Vicksburg. “Because we can move a boat so easily, ducks don’t get used to seeing blinds in certain places. When hunting a river, keep in mind the water level. I like it when it’s stable or slightly rising and high enough to flood the backwaters, but not too high. If the river drops too much, ducks leave.” Some of the best waterfowl action in Mississippi occurs along the Yazoo River and its tributaries. The Yazoo generally marks the southern boundary of the Mississippi Delta.

While navigable waterways belong to the public, adjacent lands usually remain private. However, many streams flow through one of the 52 wildlife management areas in the Magnolia State. These properties offer sportsmen more than 665,000 acres for public hunting. The Big Sunflower River flows through Sunflower WMA, part of the Delta National Forest. One of the best public waterfowl proprieties in Mississippi, Sunflower WMA contains 61,481 acres in Sharkey County about 10 miles east of Rolling Fork. The habitat consists of periodically flooded hardwood bottomlands and managed green-tree reservoirs. Wildlife managers flood some areas each fall to create additional waterfowl habitat. In addition, several water control structures flood nearby sloughs. Not far from Sunflower WMA, Howard Miller WMA covers 2,400 acres in Issaquena County about 13 miles from Rolling Fork. The old farm contains 48 fields separated by levees and ditches. On selected days by a drawing, waterfowlers may hunt on 24 hunt units, each approximately 80 acres in size. The state sets aside another 420 acres as a sanctuary to keep waterfowl in the area. “Howard Miller WMA was previously a rice and soybean farm,” Havens recalled. “We lease out the farming rights every year so it’s still farmed. After the crop is harvested, we manage it for a waterfowl hunting impoundment. It has good habitat because of the agricultural operation. We also do some rotations for moist soil management to give the birds a little variety. It’s usually a pretty good duck hunting area. We allow people on the property on a draw system so we can Garrett Holland with Beaver Dam manage the hunting pressure Hunting Services crouches down in native on it.” brush while hunting a flooded wetland near About 15 miles north of Tunica, Miss. Vicksburg, Mahannah WMA consists of approximately 12,695 acres of bottomlands, agriculture fields, reforested hardwoods and impoundments in Warren and Issaquena counties near Redwood. The state plants about 1,200 acres in millet, milo, corn and soybeans and floods it. The property also contains several hundred acres of flooded timberlands. The area produces mostly mallards, but sportsmen might also bag some pintails, wigeons, teal, gadwalls or wood ducks. “Mahannah WMA is another good waterfowl area,” Havens suggested. “Mahannah WMA is part of one of the most ecologically intact and biologically diverse bottomland hardwood ecosystems in the Mississippi Delta. Photo by John N. Felsher Mahannah and Howard October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Adventures On A Budget Miller usually rank among the highest waterfowl harvest areas in the state. Mahannah has more diverse habitat than Howard Miller. It’s mostly moist-soil vegetation, but does have some flooded timber areas.” In the northern delta, try Muscadine Farms WMA in Washington County near Greenville. Muscadine Farms started as a 700-acre catfish farm in 2002. In 2009, the property expanded by another 700 acres of catfish ponds and approximately 1,400 acres of replanted trees. The WMA now covers 3,048 acres and includes 90 old catfish ponds intensively managed for waterfowl. The state manages these former catfish ponds for waterfowl and allows limited hunting by drawing. The state also planted some corn, milo or millet and set those areas aside for duck sanctuaries. “Muscadine Farms and Malmaison are among the best waterfowl areas in the northern Delta,” Haven recommended. “Muscadine Farms used to be a catfish farm. We manage those former catfish ponds for shallow water seasonal waterfowl impoundments. Malmaison has a green-tree reservoir and a cypress-tupelo swamp. People who like to hunt out of boats can find plenty of opportunities on Malmaison.” Near Greenwood, Malmaison WMA spreads across 9,483 acres of bottomlands, old fields and forested uplands. The Yalobusha River meanders through the property. Many oxbow lakes, cypress-tupelo swamps, sloughs and seasonal wetlands can hold good concentrations of mallards and woodies. Sportsmen might also bag some green-winged teal, gadwalls, wigeon and pintails. Easily reached by Memphis along Interstate 55, the property does receive considerable hunting pressure.

Photo by John N. Felsher

Will Murray, Jacob Sartain and Jim Murray call it a day after a successful waterfowl hunt near Greenwood, Miss. They bagged several duck species, two blue geese and a specklebelly goose. In recent years, hunters report killing more geese in the Mississippi Delta region. They often make a bonus bird or three, for duck hunters.

More Public Hunting Opportunities

Some national wildlife refuges in the Magnolia State also allow limited duck hunting by permit. The Tallahatchie NWR includes 4,083 acres in Grenada and Tallahatchie counties not far from Malmaison WMA. The 2,418-acre Mathews Brake NWR in Leflore County frequently hosts more than 30,000 ducks in the winter. Many ducks rest on a 1,180-acre shallow oxbow lake surrounded by cypress and tupelo gum trees with abundant buttonbush and swamp privet thickets growing in shallow water. The refuge frequently attracts some colorful hooded mergansers. Many people also hunt the 38,697-acre Panther Swamp NWR about 10 miles southwest of Yazoo City. The property contains 21,000 acres of bottomlands, plus seasonally flooded moist soil units and impoundments. In some winters, the refuge holds more than 100,000 ducks. “Panther Swamp NWR offers some good waterfowl hunting at times,” Havens said. “Tallahatchee NWR is another good public place to hunt. Most of the big reservoirs in the state also offer some duck hunting. Sometimes, the shallower emergent marsh type of habitat with a lot of lily pads along the lake shorelines can hold a lot of birds.” More known for providing excellent crappie catches, the “Big Four” U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control reservoirs can also offer some good duck hunting. At pool stage, Arkabutla Lake spreads across 11,240 acres of Tate and DeSoto counties southwest of Hernando. The Coldwater River flows into it. Sardis Lake covers about 32,500 acres on the Little Tallahatchie near the town of Sardis. On the Yocona River, Enid Lake spreads across 17,000 acres near Batesville. The southernmost of the Big Four, Grenada Lake covers 35,000 acres on the Yalobusha and Skuna rivers. “Many public waterways can be good for waterfowl hunting, especially when most shallow water impoundments are frozen,” Havens explained. “Grenada Lake is usually a popular duck hunting area. Sportsmen get a good mix of birds. Ring-necked ducks are pretty common.” During the winter, the USACE draws down each of these big reservoirs. Low water concentrates birds. As popular fishing lakes, these reservoirs attract considerable boat traffic at times. When anglers run from spot to spot, they could keep ducks flying.

Before You Go

For Mississippi waterfowl seasons and limits, see www.mdwfp.com/ media/253620/18-2018-19-wtd-hunting-season-flyer-4-individual-pages.pdf. The state also holds special youth waterfowl days on Nov. 17, 2018, and Feb. 2, 2019. Season

52 October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

dates and other regulations could differ on some public hunting areas so always check the regulations before hunting anywhere. For information on specific properties, see www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/wma. Unless exempt for any reason, sportsmen would need to purchase a federal waterfowl stamp, a Mississippi waterfowl stamp and a Mississippi hunting license before hunting waterfowl. Visiting sportsmen can buy seasonal or short-duration trip licenses. For licenses information, see www.mdwfp.com/license. To hunt on any wildlife management area, a person would also need to buy a WMA user permit. The WMA permit allows the holder to hunt all season long on any state WMA for any legal game, provided the holder also buys all other required licenses. To buy licenses on line, see www.ms.gov/mdwfp/hunting_fishing.

While In The Area

While in the area, take advantage of the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Delta. The area gave rise to many famous musicians. Music lovers might visit the Grammy Museum (www.grammymuseumms.org) in Cleveland. The Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum (biedenharncoca-colamuseum.com) in Vicksburg displays many exhibits and memorabilia documenting the history of the popular drink. Visitors might want to take a sip or order something sweet in an authentically restored candy store from the 1890s. While in Vicksburg, Civil War buffs should visit the Vicksburg National Military Park (www.nps.gov/vick/index.htm.) For more than a year, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Union Army tried to take the “Gibraltar of the Confederacy.” The city finally surrendered to the future American president on July 4, 1863. Don’t forget to see the U.S.S. Cairo, exhibit. The U.S.S. Cairo, a Union ironclad gunboat, sunk in the Yazoo River in December 1862 while supporting the Vicksburg Campaign. In town, tour the Old Court House Museum. The building survived the war with minimal damage and now houses more than 100,000 artifacts. In Tunica, (www.tunicatravel.com) check out the Tate Log Home Museum. The oldest structure in Tunica County dates back to 1840. Looking for something more modern? Several casinos in the Tunica area provide food, lodging and entertainment. To plan your Delta visit, see www.visitthedelta.com. Bordered by its namesake river in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, the Magnolia State offers sportsmen some great waterfowling. People on a budget who don’t mind working for their birds can often find incredible action, often with less pressure than the popular gunning places on the other side of the mighty Mississippi River.

OUTDOOR WRITER'S CONTEST

Hunting Elk The Hard Way By Marv Smith

have hunted for sixty years and have seen many changes over the years. In bygone days, most people hunted to put food on the table for their families. If someone shot a big buck or bull, it was coincidental to getting meat for the family. Guns were also very different. I shot my first deer with a Marlin 30-30 with open sights. Most hunters did not have guns with scopes because they were either unavailable or too expensive. The hunters I knew had limited funds, so in order to be able to hunt, they had to budget all year for hunting season. Most hunters camped out where they hunted and, if fortunate, had an army surplus tent to sleep in. They brought their own food and a box of shells.

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

Actual hunting meant walking until you found game and then stalking close enough for a sure shot. Two things you did not want to do were waste meat with a poorly placed shot or lose a wounded animal because of bad shooting. Today most hunters are more affluent. Everybody has a 4-wheel drive pickup and a gun, usually a magnum, with a scope that may cost as much as the gun. Most hunters today are more interested in the size of horns than the excellent tablefare elk provide. In their quest for trophy animals, many hunters hire guides, outfitters, and pay to hunt private ranches to increase their odds of getting a big elk. Their guide spots the elk for them and then gets them in a position for a shot using shooting sticks. Unfortunately, the trend seems to be anything from 500 to a 1,000 yards is fair game. Shooting an animal at 1,000 yards is possible, but is that hunting? Matching wits with your quarry and stalking close to them seems to be a lost skill-set with many guides and their clients. My son, Preston, and I think the hardest part of hunting is drawing a tag for the area we want to hunt. This year we were fortunate to draw the area we wanted on public land. The first day of our hunt we did alot of walking, getting away from roads and quad trails. By doing so, we were seeing elk all day in small groups of cows but no bulls. On day two, we saw a nice 6x6 bull but because of the wind could not get any closer than 700 yards, so we both passed on him. We didn’t want to take a chance at wounding or losing him. On day three, with the wind in our favor and the sun behind us, we decided to hunt down into a canyon that had plenty of juniper for cover and some open areas. We split up and moved slowly and quietly down into the canyon. After two hours I heard Preston shoot and knew he had an elk down. I eased down and over to see Preston with a 5x4 bull. He said he spotted three bulls an hour into the hunt and then took another hour to stalk within seventy-five yards. He had a clear shot of the 5x4 bull and decided to take him. Preston stated the other bulls, one being a 6x6, did not spook and continued to feed ahead of him. After congratulations and pictures, I helped Preston get his bull ready to pack out. As we were taking our first load out of the canyon, I spotted the 6x6 bull through the trees. Dropping my pack, I was able to stalk within forty yards and with one broadside shot, my hunt was over. We were both ecstatic that we were able to get our our elk within hours of each other. We had both met the challenge of stalking close enough to know exactly what you had in front of you and then making an easy sure shot. It’s hard work to get close to a bull elk and even harder work to bone and pack out an elk on your back, but that’s hunting elk the hard way! At age seventy-five, I’m happy that I’m still up to the challenge. October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Garmin inReach Explorer+

By Michael Deming

magine that you have just been successful on an early season archery elk hunt and you are 4 miles from the trailhead and in grizzly country. You have buddies that owe you bigtime and you just need to get out to the trailhead where you get some service and let them know where you are so that they can come help. You hang the elk quarters high in a tree and load up your pack and head for the truck. A mile into your hike back, a sow grizzly and two cubs smell you and your pack loaded with fresh elk meat. She charges you and knocks you to the ground. You play dead while she rips and pulls at your pack while standing on your head. As quick as it started, it stops and you are laying there without your pack and a gushing head wound. If you don’t make it to the truck where you have service, this might be your last elk hunt ever. This sounds like a horrible experience from a movie, but this has played out in the Rocky Mountains on numerous occasions. If the hunter had just been able to communicate with his buddies or even emergency services once the attack had happened, he wouldn’t be in a life-threatening situation. Thanks to Garmin and the InReach Explorer+, you never have to put yourself into this type of situation ever again. This is a handheld GPS unit, which has the ability to utilize satellites to communicate with society. You can also pair it with your standard smartphone and text just as you would any other time when you have an assigned monthly service plan. Sat phones and these types of devices have been around for numerous years and we have tested them regularly; however, their connectivity and operation has left a little bit to be desired in all of our testing. This year we decided to give the new Garmin inReach Explorer+ a thorough field testing and this is what we found. Whenever we test a product like this, we always read all the marketing materials and website to see what sort of claims the companies make about their products. Garmin claims 100% global service with Iridium and no cellular coverage needed. My intent was to get the unit set up and pair it with my smart phone so that I could use all of the bells and whistles available with this nearly $500 piece of equipment. I’m fairly tech savvy for someone fifty years old, but I wouldn’t say that the directions to accomplish the initial setup were very comprehensive. After reviewing a few tutorials on YouTube, I was able to get the unit registered with Garmin as well as paired with my phone and an active service plan. There are numerous different service plans to choose from whether you are an occasional user or a professional guide who is in the field all the time. You also have the ability to choose from monthly services, which all allow you to cancel after a few months service that will cost you a bit more money every month, or annual plans that offer you much more and at a less expensive monthly price. There are plans that run as low as $20 per month all the way up to $150 per month. The more you pay, the more unlimited kinds of services you have available. With this unit, you can send preprogrammed texts to loved ones saying you are okay and all good or I’m ready for pickup. Regardless of your service, these are unlimited. Every time you send a text, you will also be sending the receiver a pin of your location. When paired with your smart phone, you can send custom texts just as you would with your regular cell phone. This also sends a pin of your location. The lower priced plans will provide you with 10 texts a month and then you will pay for additional texts. Premium plans have unlimited texts. This unit will send tracks every ten minutes, so that family can check your location from time to time. Having dialed in a Freedom Expedition monthly plan, we were just

PRO'S PICK

over $100 for our first month’s service and we were ready to hit the woods for some hard-core testing. The back woods of Utah while scouting for deer was a great start. The Earthmate mapping is some of the best and detailed that I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. The trails and road systems which are on this preloaded software is far superior to anything I’ve ever used in the past. This unit has all the bells and whistles of all the top of the line Garmin GPS units and marking way points, checking trip data, and compass types of stuff is just as you are used to. It has NOAA weather on this unit and your service plan allows you a certain amount of detailed weather reports, which is a huge asset if you are traveling to the extreme north country where getting picked up by a bush plane is the difference between life and death. Once you have initially paired the unit with your smartphone, doing it again is extremely simple. Our communications back to home were flawless. This wasn’t just the case on our early testing in the lower 48, this was the case in all of our field tests in Alaska and Canada for early season sheep hunts. The SOS feature on this unit is something hopefully you will never need, but with the push of one button, you can notify emergency services that you need help. It will send them your location and scramble the necessary people to get you the help you need. This SOS button is secure so that it isn’t accidentally pushed as well. Overall, I would say that Garmin has definitely succeeded in building a communication device that is pretty bulletproof and dependable. Although the service is a bit pricey, I only need to keep it active for a few months out of the year and I’m sure that if what happened to the hunter at the beginning of this article ever happens to me, I won’t be sorry for having the Garmin inReach Explorer+ and the service that goes with it.

October 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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