Sportsman's News April 2014 Digital Edition by Sportsman's News

SportsmansNews.com

April 2014

Volume 10 Issue 4

Tree Tops Lodge By Kevin Orton Field Editor

have to admit that I really like to hunt. Because of that I have always thought of Alaska as a premier hunting destination. I have hunted several times there and it is in fact a great place to pursue game animals. However about 10 years ago I got to go to Alaska for the first time to fish. Since then I have been back to fish multiple times. What I have learned is that while Alaska is in fact a premier hunting destination it is a world class fishing destination as well. And even better than that is the fact that Alaska is a world class “catching” destination. I have loved every day I have spent fishing the waters no matter where they are in this state. However, I have to admit that there are a few destinations I have been that compel me to go back again and again. I just can’t get enough. Tucked away in the continued on page 6

Kent Danjanovich is all smiles as he struggles to display this huge lingcod on our trip last fall to Tree Tops Lodge.

EAT WELL

BACKCOUNTRY

TO BACKYARD

Page 2

www.CampChef.com | 800.650.2433

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

Camp Chef

hat’s cooking? Well let’s hope it’s something tasteful. There is nothing worse than coming into camp after a long day of hunting or fishing, you’re tired, hungry and just want a hearty meal. Then you realize the only edible food is Ramen noodles or freeze dried pasta. To make things worse the conversation usually turns to a discussion about what burger joint to stop at on the way home. Most of us have been there far too often, so if this situation sounds all too familiar you might want to tune in. I’ll show you how to change that familiar scenario into something a bit more appetizing. I would like to introduce you to my friend, Camp Chef. No, I’m not referring to Uncle Joe who burns the Dutch oven potatoes each year at deer camp. I’m talking about the guys who make the cooking gear that changes any outdoor menu into something you actually look forward to. Most of us associate Camp Chef with the campsite, as we should. But there are actually two sides to the story: First Camp - Then Chef. When we combine the two stories into one we actually find that Camp Chef is with us every step of the way. From the hunting trip to the months that follow, Camp Chef can help us create and preserve our hunting memories each time we sit down for dinner. From the field to our kitchen table, I would like to show you how Camp Chef is the way to cook outdoors.

Before we get into the Chef part of things, let’s talk about Camp. For many hunting or fishing trips some type of basecamp is usually involved. This could be a camper trailer or just your pickup truck and basic tent. No matter how your base camp looks, the outdoor kitchen should be a vital aspect of the layout because let’s face it, you can’t control the weather or the fishing, but you can control the way you eat. It is up to you to make it enjoyable, so when all else fails at least you have a good meal to look forward to. Hunt after hunt, camping trip after camping trip, Camp Chef is an outdoor company that has always provided outdoorsmen with the equipment they need. Camp Chef started on the notion that there just had to be a better way to cook outdoors and they continue to make outdoor cooking better with rugged equipment that is powerful, portable and versatile. Camp Chef stoves are powerful, producing about 30,000 BTUs on a typical burner. To help you put that into perspective, your average stove top range at home will produce only 10,000 BTUs, making these camp stoves three times as powerful as your stove at home. Now that’s power. Camp Chef stoves are also portable. With removable or foldable legs (depending on the model) and carry bag accessories, it’s easy to go from the patio to the camp. Just pack it up, throw it in the truck and you’re ready to go. Camp Chef stoves are very versa-

tile. Having the ability to do more than boil has always been very vital to Camp Chef. That is why they have designed accessories that convert a basic stove into a grill, griddle or

Hunt after hunt, camping trip after camping trip, Camp Chef is an outdoor company that has always provided outdoorsmen with the equipment they need. even pizza oven. So say goodbye to the limited menu items and open your camp to something that offers taste to satisfy the entire camp. Each entrée on the menu will come hot from a single Camp Chef stove. This kind of versatility means your outdoor menu options will expand to an almost endless list of recipes. If you would rather keep things a bit more traditional, try cooking with a Dutch oven. It may seem intimidating to start out, but Dutch oven cooking has its benefits. Even heat, durability and unlike other types of cookware, it gets better with each use. Camp Chef Dutch ovens are made of cast iron, a cooking material that has been around for hundreds of years. Cast iron is still very popular today because of the benefits I just mentioned. Dutch oven cooking can be an adventure in itself. It’s a type of cooking

that our ancestors used for almost every meal. A bit different than the drive-through orders we are so accustomed to today, Dutch oven cooking is usually done with charcoal briquettes, over an open fire or on a Camp Chef stove. Dutch oven recipes can range from easy baked beans to taco soup or pork chops and veggies. There isn’t much you can’t cook in a Dutch oven, another reason they are so good at the campsite. After you have spent a week hunting or fishing, let’s hope you’re ready to fill your freezer. But what do you do with all that meat? That’s where the Chef side comes into play. Camp Chef is an outdoor company and has established its roots as an outdoor company. However, when it comes to cooking outdoors they have not excluded the home and patio. Besides, where else do you cook most of your wild game and fish? Yep, at home. So before the freezer burn sets in, it is important to know how you can utilize the meat in your freezer. Camp Chef can help you with that. When someone talks about cooking on the back patio, grilling is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But that is starting to change. Especially if you are cooking wild game. Smoking meat is a great way to add or preserve natural flavors that cannot be experienced any other way. Remember how you were the most

continued on page 14

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

WHAT'S INSIDE

2 Camp Chef 3 Words From The Publisher Contest: Passing The 5 Writer's Torch 10 Platinum Approved Outfitters 16 Pro's Pick: Grizzly 16 Cooler 18 Sighting In Your Rifle 20 Video Product Reviews 24 SpringBank Plantation - Georgia Tips: Aggressive Turkey 26 Pro's Hunting 28 Outfitting Your Best Friend 30 Fitness: Motivation 32 Turkey Gear 34 Business Directory 36 Fishful Thinker: Big Fish 38 PacWest Outdoors: Sage Rats 40 Wild Game Recipe: Wild Boar Chil 42 Writer's Contest: The Spoon

Outfitter's Corner:

www.facebook.com/ sportsmansnews Become a Fan of Sportsman's News for Fan Only contests and post comments about Sportsman's News. Tell your friends.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kevin Orton D. Lynn Hadlock Shane Adair Jason Herbert Dan Staton Chad LaChance Gary Lewis Brandon Jewett

Words From The Publisher

By Michael Deming

hanks for picking up this copy of the Sportsman’s News publication. Whether you’re a long time reader or just picking it up for the very first time, we appreciate your patronage. This is the largest free outdoor publication in the nation and we have you to thank for this. We have dedicated our last ten years to this venture and we continue to do all that we can to make you very informed consumers. We visit outfitters and destinations throughout the year and only provide you with articles and endorsements from the good ones. Over the past 10 years, we have looked at well over 250 different outfitters. We have a very strict evaluation process before we even consider visiting one of these operations and after all the background checks, we only endorse about 20% of the group. I know there are thousands of outfitters out there and we have only scratched the surface, but ten years has told us that 80% of them have problems. We know when you book a trip with one of our Platinum Approved Outfitters, you will get a great experience as they are some of the very best in the business. We feel that they put people before profit and value each and every customer and a good majority of them have been in business for twenty plus years. In addition to informing you on the best places to hunt and fish, we provide you knowledge on the newest and best gear to spend your hard earned dollars on. We field test a lot of this gear and

provide you with the feedback in all of our issues throughout the year. So, making sure you pick up a copy of the Sportsman’s News on a monthly basis will keep you informed. Since it is free, it’s always in your budget. However, we know that not all of you live near a Sportsman’s Warehouse store location and don’t have the luxury of picking up a monthly issue. Last year, we launched the Digital Edition of Sportsman’s News which is also free. It has been very well received and our subscription base on this is growing very quickly. We will be focusing on growing this media source heavily over the next few years as it allows us to expand our readership all over the world. We currently have 13 readers in Denmark which is extremely exciting. This doesn’t mean we will discontinue the printed version. We know many people enjoy this publication

when they are unplugged from the dayto-day life and in the back woods. We also know it proudly decorates many bathrooms and men’s man-caves each and every month! Regardless of where it is, you can count on the printed version being available to you. We have hired specific writers to handle exclusive articles on the digital edition only. You will see specific articles for the digital edition in the table of contents each and every month. Subscribing to the digital edition is the only way you will get these tidbits of information and we have planned some really good stuff for this year. Those of you that follow us on a regular basis know we give away a lot of gear during the year. We are going to continue this process with our digital subscribers and reward a lot of you with great goodies. We have sponsors like Outdoor Edge, DoubleTap Ammunition and Camp Chef just to name a few who are providing us with some products each and every week to give away. Those of you who are already subscribers will already qualify. If you aren’t a current subscriber to the digital edition, please log onto our website at www.sportsmansnews.com and find ‘Subscribe to the Digital Edition’ on the right side of our home page. Make sure you validate your email when you subscribe or the process won’t be completed and you won’t be registered. Weekly give aways will start April 8th and will continue throughout the year. Subscribers will be notified of some special trips, guns and gear give aways as well. Don’t forget, it’s all FREE!

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

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

ADVERTISING Mike Deming National Advertising Manager 435-669-4624 mdeming@sportsmansnews.com

SENIOR EDITOR Kent Danjanovich 801-231-9838 kdanjanovich@sportsmansnews.com SALES ASSOCIATE Collin Dalley 435-862-7441 cdalley@sportsmansnews.com MANAGING EDITOR Dan Kidder 435-865-1680 dkidder@sportsmansnews.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lisa Deming info@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 2013 © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the Managing Editor.

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April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Passing the Torch By D. Lynn Hadlock

ver the years I have enjoyed countless successful elk hunting trips. When I say “successful” I don’t mean that all of them have resulted in the harvest of an animal. Successful to me is a feeling of accomplishment, the memories made with friends and family, and the fact that everybody returned home in one piece. I learned most everything I know of elk hunting by trial and error with my best friend and brother BJ by my side. We have spent nights in lean-to shelters, been cold, underdressed, hungry, and to be honest; half scared to death at times. We packed sub-par equipment, and have spent many days and nights talking about the “someday” theories of hunting. It has taken us years of blood, sweat and pain, and a couple of good fortune turns, but we have both realized the dream of becoming proficient hunters with the right gear to do the job. The only twist to the story is that now it has become time to hand the tricks of the trade off to a younger generation and become more of a mentor and spectator than the guy pulling the trigger. The fall of 2011 my daughter Madi turned 12 and was anxious for her first elk hunt. October found us in the mountains of Colorado. Madi had her first Youth Elk Tag and a Remington 25.06 in hand. We spent the better part of five days dragging her out of bed, hours before sunrise, feeding her Pop Tarts on the go, and walking her into the ground. Countless hours of sitting, calling, glassing, and sneaking naps under the boughs of a pinion tree later, we had finally found a bull down in a deep canyon. The bull answered back to a few cow calls around 4:00 in the afternoon, and due to the fact that the hunt is post rut, the wait was on. Madi was pretty excited at the sound

of the first bugle, but two and a half hours later was beginning to lose interest. She was cold, then hungry, and then upset because she had a stomach ache. I tried to console her with the speech on how “hunting isn’t easy” but she wasn’t going to hear it. I tried to tell her that we needed to sit tight for another 15 minutes, and then we could go back to the truck and head for camp, food, and a warm bed. The bull had answered back several times, and was getting closer every time we heard him. She simply didn’t care, and was hell bent on leaving. I started to gather gear, and get ready to leave when BJ said those two words that send chills up and down my spine every time I hear them; “there’s elk." It didn’t take Madi long to forget about her stomach ache. The bull popped up down the draw from us beneath a canopy of oak brush broadside at 390 yards. I told her to find him in the scope, and let me know when she was on him. It took all of about 2 seconds before she said “I see him!” I told her to put the cross hairs on top of his shoulder, reached forward, clicked off the safety, and had not even gotten my binoculars back up before the shot went off. The bull disappeared so fast that I wasn’t sure whether she had hit or missed him until her uncle BJ let out a high pitched whoop. At that point, I could see the bull kicking, and the celebration began. Fast forward two years later, and after Madi had killed yet another nice 5 point bull, the 2013 elk hunt was upon us. This year my oldest son Mason had turned 12, and was ready to live up to his sister’s reputation as the “elk slayer." I also had Don along, a good friend of mine. Don hails from Alberta, Canada and is an avid hunter, but at 38 years old is a first time elk hunter as well. Now the pressure was on. I had a 12 year old boy and a good friend both anxious to tag out on a bull. As the season started, we put in three hard days of hiking, sitting, glassing and trying to find the elk that had magically disappeared

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

from the week before. Most of you are going to understand what I mean when I say that pre-season scouting doesn’t always work out on general season public land hunts. When the pressure hits, and the camps move in, oftentimes there are tents pitched, and four wheelers roaming the spots where elk had frequented all summer. Day five at about 2 o’clock in the afternoon with Don, Mason, Madi, BJ and I all in tow, we headed into a canyon where we had spotted three cows earlier that morning. We continued to climb up the canyon and as we topped out, I stepped around a pinion tree and on the opposite side from us in a big bowl saw 20 – 25 head of elk scattered along the top of the hillside. I motioned to the rest of the party to stay low and whispered those famous words again, “There’s elk.” I shed my pack, handed the spotting scope to my brother, and told Mason to drop his pack, lie down, and get ready. Now, I need to tell you that the elk were a long way off at this point, across canyon, and slightly uphill. BJ and I have spent countless hours researching, reloading, shooting and tuning our custom built rifles. I shoot a 7mm Remington Ultra FBS (wildcat), with a Shilen barrel, custom action, and Jewel Trigger. It is topped off with a Night Force 5.5 - 22 x 50 mm scope. This set up is propelling a 180 gr Berger VLD 3,348 fps at muzzle. It is tuned and capable of shooting long range. We have also put the time and effort into making long shots; the kids included. They shoot milk jugs at 800 + yards. Although I had hoped to get Mason a shot at something in the 200 – 300 yard range. It looked like the perfect opportunity to put our long range equipment to the test was unfolding before us. BJ grabbed a range, and said “he’s at 879 yards”. I pulled out my chart, dialed the scope, and helped Mason get set up.

The elk continued to feed and move uphill, when a nice 5 point split off to the side and stepped up on a little rise above the Oak Brush as if to say “here I am.” He was now at 900 yards on the nose. I made the adjustment to the scope, and asked Mason if he was comfortable taking the shot. He said “yes, I’m on him.” I told him to squeeze the trigger a couple of times. He did so; and said “I’m ready.” I told him to go ahead and put a round in the chamber, and to make sure he was solid before taking the safety off. This is where the non-emotional part of Mason’s personality comes into play. After what seemed like minutes, I heard the safety click. BJ was in the spotting scope while Don and I had our eyes glued to the bull through our binoculars. I waited for the shot, and waited, and waited. I finally asked “are you going to shoot?” Mason replied “yeah.” After about another minute, the gun barked. One and a half seconds later the bull humped up, took three hard steps forward, and rolled! I could hardly believe what I had just seen. Not only did Mason get his first bull, but at 900 yards! I looked down at my son to give him a fist bump, and remember him saying “I knew I could shoot one at 800 yards, but wasn’t sure about 900 yards.” The things kids will say. I think it will take years until the magnitude of his first hunting experience really sinks in. I really don’t blame all the people who look at me and say “yeah right” when I relate the story to them. My buddy Don was also able to connect with a nice 6 point bull a couple of days later. The whole process of taking Don’s bull took 23 hours, and required some back breaking work and a lot of cursing while getting off the mountain. Don hammered his bull at 506 yards using a Remington 7mm Mag and Huskemaw Scope. So as I reflect back on elk camp 2013, I will remember our camp as being successful for many reasons. Good food, good company, and another opportunity to spend time in the woods with my brother, who is a selfless and amazing friend and uncle. Needless to say, the torch has been handed off and there are three new “elkoholics” roaming the mountains now. Look out. Preparations for next year have already started.

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

TREE TOPS

continued from cover small cove of Thorne Bay on Prince of Wales Island is just such a place. This is where you will find Tree Tops Lodge with owners Bubba and Tracey Griggers, two of the most gracious, kind and hard-working people in the business. This was my second trip to this lodge and of course it was nothing short of amazing once again. Most people that book a fishing trip in Alaska go there to fish and there is no shortage of that with Tree Tops. However there is so much to do that this is truly one of the great “destination” locations for people that really want to experience Alaska. You may not be aware that this area of southeast Alaska is home to one of the largest rain forests in the world, The Tongass National Forest. It is absolutely incredible to say the least. You may not realize that this rain forest is the size of Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined. That makes it approximately three times the size of any other national forest. In total it is over 17 million acres with over 5 million acres of old growth trees that range from 200 to 700 years old and some like the coniferous yellow cedar that can survive over 1000 years. The Tongass contains nearly 30% of the world’s unlogged temperate rain forest and can receive up to 200 inches of rain per year. This is a place you will never regret getting to spend time admiring as you walk to fishing spots among these trees.

If you like to get close enough to take incredible pictures of bears in the wild fishing for themselves, you would really love the Anan Creek Bear Observatory. It is located about 30 miles southeast of the town of Wrangell and an easy boat ride from Tree Tops Lodge. Anan Creek has the largest pink salmon run in southeast Alaska. The abundance of salmon attracts large concentrations of black bears, bald eagles, harbor seals and a number of brown bears to feed. All this activity makes for exciting viewing and photography. People from around the world have come to enjoy the unique experience Anan offers. The walk from the water on the boardwalk through the rain forest to get to the observatory presents a thousand pictures by itself. Once you arrive Anan consists of a covered viewing shelter, decks and a photo blind. It is always very cool to see bears in the wild, but to watch them fish up close and personal is an experience you cannot describe in the printed word. You just have to experience this for yourself to see what I mean. There are so many things to do when you visit Tree Tops, but one other that is worth mentioning is vising the El Capitan Caves. This is the longest mapped cave in Alaska. If you and your family are into exploring this is a destination you cannot pass up. It is an opportunity to explore the truly unique landscape of the region when visiting this 13,000 foot wormhole of rock. You will need to make sure you dress in warm, waterproof gear for this part of your adventure as the cave is

Tree Tops Lodge sits along the shores of Thorne Bay and offers great accommodation, exceptional food and the memories to last a lifetime.

The halibut fishing was excellent as usual. No giants on this trip, but 25lb to 80lb fish were abundant, the perfect size to take home and eat. damp and runs a consistent 40 degrees in temperature. Of course huge runs of salmon migrate from the open ocean, around Prince of Wales Island and into the protected waters of the Inside Passage near Ketchikan. This mass gathering of five species of salmon is the reason that this area is known as the “Salmon Capitol of the World”. This region of Alaska is particularly noted for its strong runs of trophy fish, along with the finest saltwater fishing for giant halibut, red snapper, ling cod and rock fish in the world. You cannot find better vessels than the two that are used at Tree Tops. Bubba and his son Chris are your cap-

tains and they definitely know how to fish these waters. The ocean gives you a chance to fight huge halibut, lingcod and yellow eye (red snapper) as well as the many species of salmon in the protected waters of the Inside Passage or the outer Alaska islands. The Thorne River gives you a chance to fish during the early season for world class steelhead or trout. There is almost nothing you can’t do at Tree Tops Lodge depending on the time of year you go. For this trip we were going at the very end of the season in 2013. The rivers were filled with salmon making their continued on page 8

The Anan Creek Bear Observatory is located about 30 miles southeast of the town of Wrangell and an easy boat ride from Tree Tops Lodge.

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

TREE TOPS

continued from page 6 way to their spawning grounds. In this part of Alaska the pinks run every year and so we did have to fight our way through to the silvers. If you wanted to catch the pinks, well you could do that every cast and in the river with a fly rod the fight was on. To me there is nothing like catching a wild salmon on a fly rod in a river system. The fish immediately go crazy and the fight is as fun as it gets. However we were there for the silvers and for us the “hunt” was on. With our polarized sun glasses we could see fairly clearly into the waters where the silvers were lurking as they swam with the pinks. It was an absolute riot to find them and then cast to a particular fish among hundreds of others. Lucky for us the silvers were very aggressive as they snatched our flies and exploded up river peeling our fly line into the backing time and time again. We spent three of our days on this trip hunting the silvers in every river Chris Griggers could find for us in Thorne Bay. It was amazing fishing as virtually every cast

produced a fighting ball of muscle. My knuckles were hammered and my fingers were cut in many places as the fish had no mercy as they would strip line time and time again from my reel. It was truly amazing fishing. The other two days of our trip were spent on the big boat in the ocean with Chris as our captain hitting all of the “honey” holes they have charted. We usually started by trolling for silvers while heading out to the halibut areas. As the silvers stage in the bays getting ready to go up stream they travel in schools. All at once the poles would start going nuts and we would all have silvers on, fighting to bring them to the boat. We kept Chris hopping with trying to drive safely and net all of our awesome chrome silver salmon. In the two days we were able to fill a couple of fish boxes to the brim with huge beautiful silver salmon filets. The halibut fishing was excellent as usual. No giants on this trip but the 25lb to 80lb fish were abundant, the perfect size to take home and eat. We did hear the stories of the big ones landed during the year including a

The author with a nice yellow eye, one of the most colorful species available in the waters of Alaska. 300+ pounder that took over an hour to get to the boat. I am usually not a good ocean traveler as I get sea sick really easily, but this was my second trip on the Inside Passage and not even a spec of queasiness came my way. If you have a hard time in the ocean you should try your hand at fishing with Tree Tops on the Inside Passage. You won’t find two more genuine people than Bubba and Tracey Griggers. Tracey is an exceptional host and the food is always great, but the meals that Tracey does the cooking are especially delicious. You need to go prepared to gain some weight because there is no way around it. The lodge

will host 16 at a time with all the amenities including satellite TV and WiFi. There are reasons why people that can go to Alaska year after year, anywhere they want to, go back to the best places over and over again. Tree Tops Lodge in Thorne Bay is one of those places. If you are looking for a destination that has all the fishing you can handle, plus every adventure on the planet, you should give Bubba and Tracey a call at 907-209-8650 or visit their website at www.treetopslodge.com. There is a reason why they are one of our favorite Platinum Approved Outfi tters. You should find out that reason for yourself. PB

Halibut, Salmon, Yelloweye, Rockfish, Lingcod, Shrimp & Crab If you want to catch BIG fish along with seeing breathtaking beauty every day then you need to visit Tree Tops Lodge. 5 STAR EVERYTHING!

www.treetopslodge.com Phone: (907) 209-8650

Greg Pilling displays one of many great silvers he brought to the boat during our trip to Tree Tops Lodge on Prince of Whales Island.

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

The Sportsman's News Platinum Approved Outfitter is an outfitter that has excelled in every aspect of their business. They put people and customers before profit. They do what it takes to make sure that they will be in business for the long haul and ensure that they have repeat customers. They practice good game management, which will ensure a top quality trip with them every time you

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April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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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.

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

SOUTHWEST HUNTING

NORTH DAKOTA HUNTING

Backcountry Hunts • Mule Deer • Black Bear • Aoudad • Cougar • Antelope

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Private Fishing Charters All-Inclusive trips available

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UTAH

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teed tags on most of our ranches. We run professional, high-quality hunting camps with knowledgeable and experienced guides to pr ovide you with the hunt of a lifetime. “Make It Happen!” with J&J Outfitters. We look forwar d to hearing from you.

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April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

CAMP CHEF

continued from page 2 popular guy in camp when you reeled in that 50 pound king salmon? Now you can be the most popular guy in the neighborhood as it’s smoking on the back patio. So don’t be hesitant because the process can be very sim-

ple. As with almost any other hobby, you need the right equipment. Camp Chef has two styles of smokers that will tackle just about anything from elk jerky, to salmon or BBQ ribs and everything in between. The more basic of the two styles is the Smoke Vault. This simple smoker is available in an 18” or 24” version so you can pick the one that best fits your cooking needs. I prefer the 24” simply for the added space. It really helps a lot when you’re making large amounts food. However, the smoke vault is not just for smoking. With a temperature range from 160°F to 500°F it can be turned into an oven and used for almost all baking needs. That comes in handy during the holidays. Camp Chef ’s new Pellet Grill & Smoker is a personal favorite and the most user friendly. It has been designed for the backyard user, making it very easy to cook with. A built-in control panel will automatically maintain cooking temperatures up to 500°F. It also has two thermometer probes to monitor the smoke chamber and meat temperatures. Any pre-conceived no-

tions about clean up can be dismissed because the trap door ash can makes cleaning a breeze, so the smoker is ready to use for the next barbecue. No matter which smoker you choose, you will soon become satisfied with the results you can achieve. It may take some getting used to, but a little exploration never hurts. Usually, smoking temperatures stay around 220°F to 250°F. Obviously that number can vary depending on the foods you are cooking. Jerky is typically smoked around 215°F while with fish, you will want to keep it around the 160°F mark. Most meats are usually smoked around 225°F, but I would recommend trying a few things out to see what works best for you. If you really want to become the chef at home, try one of Camp Chef’s new pizza ovens. This will give you the opportunity to break out the artisan inside you. The oven can come as a stand-alone unit or an accessory to your stove, each working great on the back patio. They have been designed to replicate the heating patterns in traditional wood-fired ovens, so tem-

peratures can exceed 650°F. These ovens are also great for roasting meats, especially fish. So, no matter the type of cooking, from the campsite to the back patio, just remember there are two sides to the Camp Chef story: Camp and Chef. PB

New

from Camp Chef,

The Pellet Grill/Smoker • Trap Door Cleanout for the firepot • Built in High and Low Smoke Settings • Quality Digital control and readout

Watch for it in store at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse

www.CampChef.com

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

Grizzly 16 Cooler

hat is tougher than a Grizzly? Nothing that we have found when it comes to coolers. Grizzly coolers are manufactured and developed by Iowa Rotocast Plastic (IRP) here in the United States. IRP has been making rotomolded products since 1983 and their tough new line of coolers has what it takes to stand up to a hungry grizzly bear, let alone the tough usage of the average everyday Sportsman. We have been using Grizzly Coolers here at Sportsman’s News since long before they were known as Grizzly Coolers. We are still using some of the original coolers that we tested over eight years ago and they are holding up just fine. With some of these coolers spending more time in the field during a one year period of time than they would with most people over ten years, it is hard to believe they could make these products any better. It turns out that there are some good improvements as well as great new designs.

The Grizzly 16 is one such cooler and is our Pro’s Picks choice for this issue. This compact dynamo is absolutely perfect for all of those day trips and doesn’t take up excess space. The outside dimensions of this model are 20” wide by 11.5” deep and 14.5” high and has enough inside capacity to hold 20-twelve ounce cans or a six pack and your lunch. The environmentally friendly pressure injected insulation will hold ice for multiple days. When the Sportsman’s News team conducted our cooler test in the summer of 2013 and Grizzly Coolers outperformed the other brands with their ability to hold ice longer and the Grizzly 16 holds the same reputation. We filled the cooler with water, stuck it in the deep freeze for several days with the lid open and then put it to the test. We opened the cooler each and every morning and evening to check the status of the ice. The unit was stored inside the office at 72 degrees, so not exactly summer conditions, but a good test. On the 7th

evening, there was enough ice to fill an 8 ounce glass and was gone the following morning. It outperformed our expectations to say the least. We found it provides much more cold power than anyone should ever need. This unit is ideal for a standard lunch box or just a daytime getaway. It fits behind the seat of most vehicles. The heavy duty rubber latches secure the lid extremely well and provide a solid seal for the rubber gasket which is the reason why this unit holds ice for so long. If you are worried about one of your kids getting or maybe your hunting buddy sneaking your goodies inside, it has two different places to secure a padlock. This unit won’t just keep out your buddies, it is IGBC Bear certified which means a hungry bear couldn’t break into this thing with a full hour of contact.

Grizzly Coolers have proven to be the best coolers at keeping ice for extended periods of time as well as being durable. It is a great investment and well worth the money and the lifetime warranty insures it will be the last cooler of this size you will ever need to purchase.

“All our game goes in a Grizzly Cooler, nothing keeps our meat colder and trophies looking great!”

Fred Eichler Fred is the host of Easton Bowhunting TV and Predator Nation and the owner of Fulldraw Outfitters and is the first person to take all 29 North American Big Game species with a recurve bow to complete the Super Slam.

Grizzly Coolers are the perfect solution for serious hunters like Fred that need to be able to securely preserve freshness of the game until it reaches its final destination. With the ability to retain ice for 19 days, hunters don’t feel limited on where their hunt will take them. Currently offered in four sizes, the Grizzly 16, Grizzly 60, Grizzly 150 and Grizzly 400 are offered in a vast variety of colors and come with a lifetime warranty. The Grizzly 400, 150, 60 & 16 are certified bear resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. The favorite color of the Eichler’s is Sandstone and Tan.

For a Lifetime.

www.grizzlycoolers.com

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

IT’S TIME YOU GET SOME

TAX RELIEF PURCHASE A NEW BROWNING FIREARM AND/OR SAFE AND RECEIVE A REBATE OF UP TO 8% OF THE SALES TAX. When you buy a new Browning firearm and/or safe at retail between April 1, 2014 and April 30, 2014, you can receive a rebate of up to 8% of the purchase price to reimburse you for the state sales tax. That’s just like putting the sales tax right back in your pocket. Go see your Browning dealer for more information on how to beat the tax man in 2014. Rebate forms are available for download at browning.com. (Offer excludes Buck Mark and 1911-22 pistols. Offer only available in the U.S.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO DOWNLOAD YOUR REDEMPTION FORM VISIT BROWNING.COM

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

Sighting In Your Rifle

By Shane Adair

ifle is ready to go, scope and load have been determined and now it’s time to sight in your rifle. There have been so many ways people have been sighting in rifles over the years and most are inadequate for good hunting, let alone long distance. Rather than discuss all the do’s and don’ts, I’ll just tell you how I do it for mid-range and long range guns; Midrange being 300-400 yards and long range being anything over 400 yards out to 1000 yards. A 25-yard zero will not zero the gun for 100 yards and 2-inches high at 100 yards will not zero your gun for 200 yards. It’s simply a way to generalize for a proper site-in. Your bullet has not really settled down and determined its true path of rotation until it flies 200 yards. With the big magnums and high BC bullets, I find I sometimes shoot better at 300 yards than I do at 200 yards. I can’t stress enough how important the 200 yard mark is. This range will tell you almost everything you need to know about your rifle, optic and load combination. It is the key. Some like their zeros to be set at 300 yards, but I find this very hard for most to shoot it on the bench and have great confidence. It is very hard to find a suitable place to check your zero at 300 yards. Most outfitters are so used to the old 100 yard site-in, they struggle to see your need for anything further. It’s a struggle to have them set you up at 200 yards, let alone 300 yards and they will often lose their patience with you when they don’t

understand the need. Remember, 200 yards works perfectly. Now that you’re at the range, the goal is to achieve your sight-in and to do it without fouling your barrel to the point of needing a cleaning. You also want to do this without generating a bunch of barrel heat. Start out with a very large target at 50 yards and do your best to get it bore sighted. It’s pretty easy to pull the bolt out and look down the barrel on the bench and move the cross hairs. While having a bore sight tool is not a must, it can save you a few rounds in the sight-in process. While a bore sight is helpful it is not always a guarantee, so start with a large target at 50 yards whether a bore sight is used or not. This should only take two or three shots and the gun does not need to be perfectly zeroed. Have a buddy watch you with his naked eye to see if dirt blows up if the target is missed as you won’t always see it through the scope. Once the target is hit, then walk it in close (within 2-inches). Once you are close, take it out to 100 yards. Now your scope should work how it was designed. Do the math, it usually works. Count clicks and convert them to inches. A 1/4 MOA (Minute of Angle) scope will be one inch every four clicks at 100 yards. Once again, get it close but not perfect. Don’t worry about getting crazy over 100 yard grouping, while it is fun, it’s a waste of ammo and causes unnecessary fouling. Remember, the goal is a 200 yard sight-in and 100 yard groups are irrelevant. Now that 100 yards is done, put away your led sleds and shooting vises. Use sand bags and/

or a short bipod. While a vise is nice and helps build confidence and saves a little bit of beating, your impact at 200 yards will change when the rifle comes off of the vise and goes into your shoulder. Now that you’re at 200 yards, use large white pieces of paper and shoot at a 1-inch orange dot. The use of white paper and good optics will allow you to see all of your shots with ease. There will be no need to be running up and down the range at every cease fire. Once you are close to your 200 yard zero, it’s time to really bear down and concentrate on your groups. Your three shot group should consis-

tently be better than two inches. Most guns will shoot a little better, but that is a good goal. There are two things to remember at 200 yards which will help with the sight in process. First, don’t adjust your crosshairs to the bullet hits on the paper, adjust them to the center of your 3-shot group. Remember, bullet holes will not be touching, so don’t chase them. Second, your four clicks for one inch now has changed to two clicks for one inch. You have increased your distance, so now your clicks per inch will decrease. This will continue at each 100 yard

We Take The Gun You Already Have, Customize It And Extend Your Range

Shane Adair (435)559-7764 LongRangeShane@gmail.com

Tune Up Your Rifle Turn Your Rifle Into A Long Range Gun Re-scope W/custom Turret One On One Shooting Lessons Educate You With Shooting Tips Custom Fit A Bullet And Load Cedar City, Utah

continued on page 22

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10/16/13

10:26 AM

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April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

2014 New Video Product Reviews

Bushnell Elite 1 Mile ARC Rangefinder

his new rangefinder by Bushnell at each exact distance. Being able to is the ultimate in innovation and determine true horizontal distance at truly the long range shooters best these longer ranges helps to eliminate friend. It combines the best of a compact misses because of improper calculations monocular with the new Vivid Display due to the uphill or downhill shots. This Technology. Every range is displayed option is available out to 1000 yards. with rich contrast and stunning clarity no If you don’t have a custom turret, the matter what the lighting conditions and RIFLE mode provides line-of-sight, defour intensity levels will get you through gree of angle and bullet-drop/holdover extremely bright sunny days until those data based upon a predetermined ballistic grouping. It allows you twilight hours. At the push to determine your sight-in of a button, it displays the distance and with over 2000 exact distance to your target different calibers and load from 5 to 1,760 yards. Built-in combinations on the Bushnell Angle Range Compensation website to choose from, you (ARC) in the Rifle HD mode are sure to get the input data delivers line-of-sight, degree correct. This data can easof angle and true horizontal distance which is ideal for Scan this QR Code with ily be converted to clicks on your smart phone to view those of you that shoot with a t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s your regular turret, putting custom cut turret and already YouTube Channel. Video you right on target every time know where your rifle shoots Available after April 5th. with a little practice.

Ranging targets at long distances can be difficult, but the 7-power monocular combined with the ability to mount the rangefinder onto a tripod make this a very effective tool. The brush mode and bullseye mode also aid in these longer range calculations. At 800 yards, a few yards makes a difference. The bullseye mode allows easy acquisition of small targets and game without inadvertently getting distances to background targets that have stronger signal strength. When more than one object has been acquired, the distance of the closer object will be displayed and a crosshair will surround the bullseye indicator informing the user that the distance to the closer object is being displayed in the LCD. The brush mode is just the opposite and allows brush and tree branches to be ignored so that

Leupold VX-1 Riflescope

he Leupold VX-1 riflescope the VX-1 by installing finger-adjustable, line combines classic Leupold 1/4-MOA click windage and elevation Golden Ring ruggedness and adjustments. This allows quick zeroing dependability with modern styling and easy adjustment in the field and to provide hunters and shooters was very responsive during our testing. with a new riflescope standard at an The power selector ring incorporates extremely affordable price. It is de- a tactile indicator, making it easy to signed, machined and assembled right grasp and turn, even while wearing here in the good old United States of gloves. The fast-focus eyepiece with America. low-profile lock ring makes reticle The VX-1 3-9x40mm is built on a focusing easy to achieve and hold for one piece aluminum one inch tube. each individual user. The gold-plated It is available in a variety of reticles Leupold medallion, which has been and finishes tailored to a wide variety a go-to brand for many hunters, adds of hunting styles, game and ranges. a tasteful flair to the exterior design. The all-new Quantum Optical System Each Leupold VX-1 riflescope is oxygen features lead-free, precision ground purged and nitrogen filled for decades and polished lenses and of waterproof, shockproof is coated with Leupold’s and fog proof performance exclusive Multicoat 4 lens in the field. Like all Leupold coatings, which provides Golden Ring products, the great resolution, clarity and Leupold VX-1 series is procontrast with a 92% light tected by the Leupold Full transmission. The VX-1 lens Lifetime Guarantee. system delivers dependable target acquisition in any Scan this QR Code with Speciﬁcations: light conditions including your smart phone to view • Weight (ounces) 11.2 the Sportsman's News dawn, dusk and bad weath- YouTube Channel. Video • Weight (grams) 318 er. Leupold has improved Available after April 12th. • Length (in) 12.6 the mechanical function of

• • • • •

Length (cm) 32.0 Mounting Space (in) 5.6 Mounting Space (cm) 14.5 Objective Aperture (mm) 40 Eye Relief (in) 4.2-3.7

the distance only to background objects are displayed. When more than one object has been acquired, distance of the further object will be displayed and a circle will surround the brush indicator informing the user that the distance of the farthest object is being displayed in the LCD. This rangefinder combined with a lot of practice will make nearly everyone a better and more successful hunter.

• • •

Eye Relief (mm) 108-94 Elevation Adjustment Range (MOA) 52 Wi n d a g e A d j u s t m e n t R a n g e (MOA) 52

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

2014 New Video Product Reviews

ALPS Outdoorz Packs

option to leave the main part of the pack at the blind or starting point and just keep the detachable pocket with them. The detachable pocket can also be attached to the harness and waist belt via included buckles, so if hunters want to keep the pack on, but still want to have their calls in front and easily accessible, there are multiple options. The Crossfire also features a vented back to keep hunters cool while they’re conquering rugged terrain. It features a lightweight X-frame, that when combined with the padded shoulder straps and padded waist belt, makes for a very comfortable haul. There are large zippered Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view pockets on the waist belt t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s and two mesh pockets to YouTube Channel. Video keep water bottles easily Available after April 19th accessible as well.

Pursuit The Pursuit Pack is a 2700 cubic inch pack that weighs in at four pounds. It is perfect for keeping your bow or rifle secure and stowed away when you’re trekking through fields and rugged terrain. The lashing straps, along with the expandable pocket, make a great combination to securely keep your weapon in place. There is a large main pocket, large front pocket and lower side mesh pockets to keep your gear organized. The addition of the shelf to the organizer pocket is a great feature for those of you that like to know where everything is at all times. This is a great pack for the

tree stand hunter. The D-ring allows you to hang the pack and provides great access to this large organizer pocket and shelf. It comes with a blaze orange rain cover which is a great asset when wet weather rolls through. The waist belt is padded so when you’re carrying a little bit of extra weight, the comfort level is still going to be top of the line.

ew to Camp Chef’s line of and cordierite ceramic pizza stone pizza ovens is the stand- that removes moisture from your alone version of the Italia pizza and gives you a perfect artisan Pizza Oven. Readers of Sportsman’s crust every time. A built-in therNews have seen us review the Camp mometer provides you the internal Chef Italia Pizza Ovens previously, temperature of the cooking chamber, and those one and two pizza models and the option of an infrared laser were a huge success, but required a thermometer lets you measure the Camp Chef stove on which to sit. The temperature of the baking stone. new stand-alone model allows you to The Italia offers a vented oven quickly set up and use your door, a shelf, and a micropizza oven without puradjust valve with auto chasing or carrying along ignition for precise tema separate Camp Chef two perature management. Beor three burner stove. cause of this precision, the The Italia has a 17,000 Italia can cook much more BTU burner built right into than pizza and is ideal for the unit, allowing you to roasts, planked salmon, this QR Code with heat the oven to an internal Scan and even cinnamon rolls. your smart phone to view temperature of 750 degrees t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s An assortment of accesFahrenheit. It runs on small YouTube Channel. Video sories is available separateAvailable after April 26th. one-pound propane tanks, ly, or you may purchase or you can use the included them all in a single kit five-foot hose to connect to larger that includes two wood pizza peels, bulk propane tanks. a pizza spatula, an infrared laser The Italia is constructed of at- thermometer, and the rocking pizza tractive stainless steel and features cutter, all in a single package. double walled construction and The Italia is 15 inches high, 16 specially designed burners. It offers inches deep and 26 inches wide ventilation for even heating and a without the shelf. The shelf adds

an additional 5 inches to the front of the unit. The Italia easily fits two medium sized artisan pizzas simultaneously. Whether you want to bring the flavor of old Italy to your rustic camp, or just want the taste of arti-

san style pizza on your back deck, the Italia Standalone Pizza Oven from Camp Chef is the perfect accessory to provide brick oven flavor without the pricey and bulky construction of a full sized brick pizza oven.

he Sportsman’s News team has been a big fan of the Alps packs for many years. They have proven to be extremely durable, well designed and best of all, affordable. The new Crossfire pack and the redesigned Pursuit are proving worthy of your consideration in a pack for the upcoming season. Crossﬁre The Crossfire is a 2325 cubic inch pack that has a large main pocket, large organizational pocket and a detachable front pocket. The detachable front pocket has webbing and buckles that allow hunters to wear the pocket across their chest to keep calls and other essential items close and ready. This also allows hunters the

Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

SHANE ADAIR

continued from page 18 increment. For example, 4-clicks = 1-inch at 100 yards, 4 clicks=2 inches at 200 yards, 4 clicks=3 inches at 300 yards, 4 clicks =4 inches at 400 yards and keeps on going. 4-clicks will =10 inches at 1000 yards. The math works, so be patient. Now let’s practice your shooting fundamentals; trigger ease, breathing etc. Again, these 200 yard groups are very important. Once your zero is established and a 3-shot group is good, I like to shoot multiple 2-shot groups at the same orange dot letting the barrel cool a little between groups. There is no need to melt it down and cause quick fouling. Multiple 2-shot groups at the same dot will give you often better results than 3-shot groups. What will a 2-inch group give you? It will equate to a 5-inch group at 500 yards and an 8-inch group at 800 yards in good conditions. Next, MOA is often confusing to most hunters and shooters. I often think of it as margin of error. It is you and your weapons ability to shoot with error factored

in. You will know what amount of “error” you have by practicing at two hundred yards. The further you go out, the more your margin of error is amplified. While shooting at 100 yards your margin of error is not amplified enough to really tell you what you are doing. One very important part of this site-in and then practicing process will be paying attention to your cleaning regime and establishing a pattern with your gun. I find that most sweet spots seem to be between shots 3-25. The first couple of shots after a cleaning aren’t always the best and then you will see accuracy taper off after around 25 rounds. Also, the magnums will foul faster than the smaller calibers. I try not to let the magnums go much past 20 rounds. Ok, now how do we clean? While shooting or between short periods of time to the range, I use a good powder solvent, 4-5 patches. As I often say, “It gets the mud out of the barrel”. The powder comes out easy, but usually the copper is more difficult. Once four or five wet patches of powder solvent

have gone down, I follow it with a nylon brush with copper solvent on it, then 10-15 patches of copper solvent will usually work. Then five dry patches - No oil is necessary; it is only needed when the rifle will be sitting for a while. Oil will make for some very inconsistent first groups. Find a pattern and stick with it. When you are still trying to find a load for your rifle, I will clean between different bullet manufacturers. Not all bullets are made with the same metal compounds and often they will not shoot well if not cleaned. Just a quick wrap up. For most hunting conditions, a 100 yard site-

in is not good enough and for long range shooting, a 200 yard site in is an absolute must. Be patient - don’t melt the barrel down. Space out the timing of your groups. Practice at 200 yards as often as possible. It will really help your fundamentals. Find a cleaning pattern and stick to it. Once confidence is established, practice at those longer distances. Believe me, you will get better and it will become addicting. When it comes down to it, we owe it to the animals we are persuing.

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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

Dovetailed, High-Visibility 3-Dot Sight System

122812

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

SpringBank Plantation - Georgia

he hunt has long been a Southern tradition to manage and preserve game and the lands. The 1,800acre SpringBank Plantation, part of the wonderful Barnsley Resort, offers upland game hunting and one of the Southeast’s most extensive shooting clays facilities–over water, in open field and in the woods. Shooting guides ensure that all hunters–beginners and experts–fully enjoy their outing. SpringBank’s hunting courses are made up of nine large areas which include rolling hills and flat lands. These areas have been planted with an excellent quail habitat of broom sedge, love grass, partridge peas, milo and native grasses. The tall Georgian plantation pines make it challenging for hunters and as bobwhite coveys burst into the air, SpringBank is reminiscent of the days when wild birds were prominent in this part of the world. To complement your hunt, they have professional guides with custom built Jeeps and well trained dogs. They

even have guns available for hunters who are not able to travel with their own guns. Leading the charge this season is new Plantation Manager Lyle McClure, a certified NSCA Level I instructor and experienced guide. Most recently, he ran all aspects of operations for two hunting preserves. However, he began his career at Barnsley Resort where he honed his skills as a shooting instructor and quail guide. He is pleased to return to SpringBank Plantation, where he will manage the hunting operations. For guests looking for the thrill of the hunt, Barnsley Resort’s SpringBank Plantation is the perfect setting for quail hunting, as well as pheasant and turkey treks. New this season will be a “Driven Pheasant Hunt,” consisting of a group of 12 going afield on a walk-up hunt. Dog handlers and blockers will help keep the birds from running and flushing from the walking hunters. The club will also host a number of “Continental Pheasant Releases” this sea-

son, where participants will be encouraged to don traditional hunting breeks and use side-byside shotguns. Taken by Jeep to the plantation, visitors are guided on half- or full-day, seasonal excursions. Quail and pheasant hunts are led Great cover and good pointing and retrieving dogs make from October to your day a SpringBank Plantation a dream. March and turkey hunts from March to May. Both morning and af- $550 and include a guide and vehicle. ternoon hunts are offered and include Corporate packages are also available. bird dogs, expert guides, plantation Two (2) hunter minimum for all quail vehicle, shotgun safety, hunting license, hunts; only two guns will be allowed bird limit, cleaning and packaging. The in the field at a time in any one section courses are comprised of nine large of the Plantation. areas that include rolling hills and flat For a premier shooting experience, lands planted with grasses that provide SpringBank Sporting Club is host to an excellent quail habitat. one of the top sporting clays faciliAdding an extra layer of challenge ties in the Southeast. For starters, the for participants are the tall Georgia 12-station clays course boasts a diverse plantation pines that provide an ele- layout of shots in the open field, under ment of surprise as the hunting dogs a natural canopy in the woods and over flush the wild birds into the air. Rates water with two reclaimed bauxite mine vary and depend upon the target spe- ponds. A covered five-stand layout cies. Quail half-day hunts start at $399 overlooks a larger pond, for shootand include guides, dogs, 12 birds, ing in most any weather conditions. transportation and cleaning. Pheasant Sporting clays are a popular option for half-day rates begin at $299 ($375 for resort guests to try their hand at somegroup driven hunts) and include birds, thing new. As an authorized dealer of dog handlers with retrievers and a Caesar Guerini Shotguns, rental oplight meal. Turkey half-day hunts are tions and ammunition are available at SpringBank Sporting Club. For shooting enthusiasts, annual memberships are also available. Together with the leading manufacturer of Italianmade over and under shotguns, the Caesar Guerini Wings & Clays School is based at SpringBank Sporting Club at BarnKent Danjanovich with a pile of tasty quail after a perfect sley Resort for a afternoon hunt. world-class shooting experience. PB

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Each school is offered in a one- or two-day session, depending upon each individual’s schedule and shooting needs. Any experience level shooter, from the first-time “shotgunner” to the experienced upland hunter and clay target enthusiast, receives personal attention and instruction from the certified instructors. Regardless of skill level, an instinctive approach to shot-gunning allows each student to develop his or her natural style during the lessons, which always emphasize the fundamentals in a relaxed setting tailored to each student’s pace. Each school includes a short classroom session before moving to the shooting grounds. During hunting season, quail shooting can be incorporated into the school. Caesar Guerini shotguns are available or participants may bring their own. The staff of NSCA (National Sporting Clays Association) certified instructors keep the ratio of student to instructor to a 4:1 ratio, ensuring that each student has personal attention. The team is led by Skip Smith, an NSCA Level III instructor with more than 15 years of

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

professional teaching experience. Every effort is made to group shooters according to ability to ensure all can progress at an even pace. SpringBank Plantation @ Barnsley Resort is home to one of the Southeast’s premier Sporting Clays facilities as well. The 12 station sporting clays course is located on the 1500 acre resort less than 5 miles from the hunting preserve. So, it is a fantastic way to warm up for your hunt or extend your day of shooting. As the summer warms things up they have the comfort of shooting in the woods under the natural canopy. In addition to the sporting clays course, there is a covered 5-stand layout that over-looks a large bauxite mine pond. The 5-stand allows shooting in all weather conditions as the shooters are always under the protection of the covered area. In addition to SpringBank Plantation, Barnsley Resort boasts a world-class spa, award-winning golf course and additional recreational choices such as horseback riding, tennis, paintball, kayaking, 12 miles of hiking trails and more. Designed in the style of an

English country village, the luxury resort just north of Atlanta features upscale accommodation c h o i c e s f ro m guest rooms to suites and even multi-room cottages featuring living rooms for groups. Gourmet dining options include Designed in the style of an English country village, two restaurants Barsnley Resort, just north of Atlanta, Georgia features and a Beer Garupscale accommodation choices, great dining options den that is open and beautiful surroundings. during warmer accommodations are in private rooms, months. In the foothills of the Blue Ridge suites or cottages, all luxuriously apMountains, Barnsley Resort welcomes pointed with a mix of old-world charm guests into a storybook romantic setting and modern convenience. of incomparable service. Encompassing 3,300 acres, the historic grounds offer a SpringBank Plantation unique getaway experience. Originally 597 Barnsley Gardens Rd. built as an opulent estate in the 19th Adairsville, Georgia 30103 century, the grounds have been trans- 770-773-2457 formed into a world-class resort. All www.springbankplantation.com

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

Aggressive Turkey Hunting

By Jason Herbert

ripping with sweat, I had no idea how dirty I was about to get. As the first and only “gobble” I’d heard all day resonated off the stoic oak trees, I quickly hopped down off the old rail bed to get setup. Another call quickly got the attention of three lovesick toms, but my setup wasn’t ideal. The birds were actually on the other side of the rail bed. I had two choices, crawl over it and risk being seen or sneak through the muddy creek under the old bridge. Opting to stay low and hidden, I crawled on my hands and knees, through the creek under the old bridge. Staying dry or clean wasn’t even an option- and my biggest concern was keeping my gun dry and being quiet. Once I arrived on the right side of the tracks, I called again. “GOBBLE - GOBBBBBBBLLLLEEEE” the birds were close! Using a fallen tree to hide my movements, I belly crawled to a young maple that split three ways at the ground. As I slowly came to a kneeling position in the crotch of the tree, I could see the lead tom’s bright red

head pacing back and forth through a small opening. A few more minutes of reconnaissance helped me realize two smaller toms were behind him, watching the primitive ritual unfold. For a brief second each time, the tom walked through a slight shooting lane in the thorns. I timed the shot well and the bird went down effortlessly. By the time I grabbed him, his bloody head was covered with scavenging swamp mosquitoes. Dripping with sweat, muddy and soaking wet, I enjoyed every step of the one mile hike back to my truck. By the time I arrived back at the truck it was almost 5pm! This bird was big and I earned every ounce of him. Proud that my plan had worked - I could almost taste the turkey jerky made from his breasts and thighs. When I turkey hunt, I usually don’t quit until I’ve killed a bird or the sun sets. I also never step foot out of my truck without having a clear, concise plan as to how I’m going to hunt that day. Phase one of my plan starts at a roost area. Turkeys like to roost in solid trees with many horizontal branches. Usually a good roost tree sits next to a hill, where the birds can fly off the top of the hill and easily make it into the tops of the nearby trees. They also like to roost in the protective cover of conifers. I like to get out well before light. In fact, I’m out before the songbirds are chirping. If the little birds are awake, so are their bigger cousins, the turkeys. When the turkeys are awake, it’s hard to get a proper setup without getting busted by them. Ideally, I’ll be set up about 100 yards from the roosting zone, between the roost and wherever the turkeys plan to

Pro’s Tips

go next. In most cases, the birds like to fly down into the wind. They also like to come down away from the sun, so they can clearly see exactly where they’re going. Always paranoid, the turkeys don’t want to land and be greeted by a predator. In some areas, the turkeys like to eat first thing in the morning. I’ve seen some go to water before anything else. I’ve also seen some fly down and strut before taking care of other business. The lesson here is that one needs to scout the birds properly before the season starts to know exactly where they head after fly-down. This is a great opportunity to bow hunt a turkey, as their daily patterns are most predictable. Set up a permanent blind, pattern their daily habits and wait for them to walk by. In my area of the country, I’ll hunt my first setup until about 9am. This is where most people give up and head for coffee. In most cases, the toms will be “henned-up” or surrounded by real hens on the roost and for a few hours after. Usually the breeding takes place fairly early in the morning. The hens will then retreat to their nests, leaving lonely toms out looking for a gal to go round #2 with them. I usually won’t call a whole lot during phase one. I may give a few soft “tree” yelps really early, just in case some lonely tom didn’t find himself a mate to roost near the night before. When the toms are with hens, it’s silly to call a lot to them. It is possible to call the hens in by mimicking their cadence, but in a submissive tone. I also don’t use decoys at this point.

They’ll either walk by or they won’t. No sense showing my hand too early in this poker game. There’s a lot of daylight left. At about 9:15 or so, I usually find myself in a strut zone. A strut zone can be any open area where the turkeys can see for a long distance, be seen from a distance and receive full sun. Farm fields, river bottoms, ridge tops and small clearings make great strut zones. The birds strut to show off, so the visual impression is important. The sun really highlights their iridescent feathers they are so proud of. I like to set up a decoy and call quite loud and aggressive in the strut zones. It’s a good opportunity to use a jake or tom decoy as well. Nothing makes a boss gobbler angrier that showing up to his strut zone to find some other dude already there! What’s worse? When the intruder has a few ladies close by. I always face the decoys toward me. A tom will try to make eye contact with a hen as well as get between her and a potential rival. So, by facing the decoys toward me, I ensure the real tom has to turn his back to me at some point, allowing for movement and a safe, ethical shot when he turns back around. I’ll hunt the strut zone until late morning. I usually don’t have to stay much later than noon. This is the best time of day to hunt and more often than not, I’m tagged out by now. If I haven’t had any luck yet, I’ll usually drive to a new farm, head to a strut zone and start over with phase two. I continue driving to new farms for the rest of the day if possible. I like to have PB

many turkey hunting properties lined up, where I can come and go quickly. If the birds are interested, I’ll hunt them, if not, I’ll stop wasting my time and go find one who is. If driving to a new farm isn’t an option, I try “runn-gun”. Run-n-gun is where the hunter walks around the property, calling the entire time. The idea is to strike a lonely gobbler and work him into shooting range. If I do get a gobble while out walking around, I set up quickly. From my experience, at this point in the day if a tom gobbles, he’s coming in quick. When running and gunning, be sure to use new calls, a different cadence and just simply try to sound different than you have all morning. Unless you’re hunting a giant piece of property, the chances are good that the toms have already heard your starting lineup. Now it’s time to bring in the relief. Be careful stalking calls, they could be another hunter in disguise. If lady luck still hasn’t shown her face by about 3pm, I’ll head to a dustbowl, food source, water hole or any other place I think a turkey might show up. This is another good place for a decoy setup. Probably just a lone hen to be safe. I also like to take advantage of this precious time to catch up on a bit of sleep. A few times I’ve awoke to startle a few turkeys, but the much needed nap was well worth it. Come dinner time, when my stomach is rumbling and my eyelids are getting heavy again, I move back to the roost area. This time though, I get right below the roost trees. This is my last-ditch effort to kill a bird today. Eventually the turkeys have to come back to bed. I don’t call or decoy here, I just sit and wait. If anything, I’ll be able to hear where the birds end up roosting and have a solid idea where to start the next morning. It’s really important to mention to check the state’s regulations. Some states do not allow turkey

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

hunting after noon, some allow it all day and others have rules that meet somewhere in between. The most important thing to remember when turkey hunting is that they have to eat, they have to drink, they have to sleep and they have to breed. Be sure to have a few trusty calls and use them conservatively. Calling certainly has its place in turkey hunting, but it isn’t the only way to kill a longbeard. Throw in a bit of scouting, mixed with a little stubbornness and determination and you’ll have a guaranteed recipe for consistent turkey hunting success. Always check local and state regulations regarding legal shooting hours. Every state is a little different in their regs. As always, be safe, shoot straight and have fun!

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

Outfitting Your Best Friend activity, having the proper gear can mean the difference between an enjoyable time or a miserable one. It is no different for your dog. When it comes to outfitting your best friend for activities together in the outdoors, Sportsman’s Warehouse has a wide selection of products for your canine. Here are a few that we have tested out and suggest for Fido.

Ruffwear Diogenes shows off some of the great dog products available at your local Sportsman's Warehouse. By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

here are times it seems that I have far more gear than I could ever possibly need. It also seems that my dog has twice as much gear as I do. The fact is, depending upon on outdoor

Ruffwear knows dogs. They have a large selection of products specifically designed for the active canine. Grip Trex Boots Those of us who spend a lot of time in the outdoors know that Vibram soles make our boots tough and comfortable and provide optimum footing on all kinds of terrain. Ruffwear has incorporated that same traction in their Grip Trex Dog Boots to protect our best friend’s paws from stickers, cactus, sharp rocks

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and hot pavement. The rugged nylon top, adjustable Velcro straps, and flexible mesh make these boots easy to put on and helps keep them on even the most active of dogs. Their reflective trim helps keep your dog visible in all kinds of lighting. A word of advice about putting boots on your dog. Many people will put the boots on indoors to try to help the dog adjust to wearing them and then enjoy the spectacle of their dog running around acting crazy because it isn’t used to wearing the boots. This spectacle not only makes it difficult for the dog to adjust to the new footwear, but also can be frustrating on the owner because the dog focuses on the boots and will try to pull them off and eventually chew them up. Put the boots on and immediately go outside to play. Don’t let the dog focus on the boots, but instead have them focus on the playtime. This will help your dog associate playtime with the boots and make the exercise more enjoyable and fruitful than if you try to allow them to adjust to wearing the boots. Polar Trex Boots The Polar Trex boots are designed with the same great features as the Grip Trex, but feature the Icetrek pattern on the Vibram outersole that features better grip on snow and ice. They are taller, for running around in deep snow, and feature a locking traction cam buckle to help them stay on as your dog hikes through the snow. Their three-layer laminated soft shell upper is DWR coated to make them

breathable, while protecting your dog’s paws against cold and moisture. These boots are ideal for dogs that will be in the snow with cross country skiers, and I use them on Diogenes, my Search and Rescue K9 as we look for lost snowmobilers in the Utah mountains. For dogs who will spend prolonged periods of time in the frigid outdoors of winter, these boots will help protect their feet and ensure hours of outdoor fun for both you and your canine companion.

K-9 Overcoat To further protect your dog from the elements, Ruffwear offers the K-9 Overcoat. It has a fleece lining on the inside to keep your best friend warm and toasty and trap in body heat. A thick abrasion resistant exterior offers protection from the wind and weather while acting as a brush guard. The fit of the coat is designed to provide your dog with a wide range of motion and not limit their activity while staying in place. The overcoat features quick release buckles on the sides to make putting on and taking off the coat a breeze. Just like people, dogs can suffer from hypothermia if exposed to the cold for long periods. The length of their coat, their age and physical condition, their weight and level of physical exertion are all factors that will determine how susceptible a dog is to exposure to cold weather. The K-9 Overcoat helps eliminate this risk and can prolong the amount of time your dog can spend in the cold. PB

Bivy Bowl Carrying food and water for your friend is another way to extend your time together in the outdoors. The Bivy Bowl is a lightweight and collapsible dog bowl that can be used to provide either food or water to your dog. The bowl collapses to take up less space when stored but expands to allow you to provide ample food or water. When expanded, the Bivy Bowl is roomy enough for 1.8 liters of

continued on page 37

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

Dan Staton MS, CSCS Fitness Editor www.sportsmansfitness.com

ear is a thing that we make up, it is a thing we can destroy. If you fear failing as a hunter, you are not doing enough preparation leading up to the season. A quote I like to live by is from Abraham Lincoln who said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” If you have one week to hunt, you should spend months preparing. Use the idea of failure as a catalyst for off-season preparation, this is paramount for hunting big game out west. Physical strength and endurance are key predecessors to your journey, but more of your overall success boils down to your motivation in the offseason. Hunting has always tested me physi-

What Motivates You? "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." cally and mentally. What other passion can have you feeling the lowest of lows one minute and in an instant have you tasting the highest of highs. Each day is an opportunity to grow stronger, to accomplish more than you thought possible and to push harder. Start by searching for the high road, making small victories everyday. Make your weapon your closest friend, know it inside and out and practice beyond what you used to think was necessary. Next is to sacrifice something daily in the name of better hunting. Eat less junk food, avoid fast food and cook more at

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— Abraham Lincoln home. Watch less TV, sweat daily from exercise and refuse to be lazy. Lastly, believe in your unwavering desire to be successful and believe in your ability. Our actions follow our thoughts and images. This means to only look where you want to go, block out the negative thoughts. Your attitude can determine your outcome. I fear a “bad attitude,” a negative persona or even an envious nature. Be allergic to negative people, negative thoughts and attract positive people that want success as bad as you do. Choose an attitude of confidence, have a can-do attitude, a belief that you can handle whatever comes your way. Never succumb to self-defeating thoughts. This takes control. The hallmark of a mentally tough hunter is the ability to maintain poise, concentration and emotional control under the greatest pressure and the most challenging situations. Positive people stay committed, so stay connected with a cohort of folks that are self-directed, highly motivated and that want it more. Avoid jealousy and all the wasted energy that comes with it. If you’re in a circle that hates on others, find a new circle. Jealousy is always a symptom of fearful insecurity. The more work, preparation and diligence we produce the less energy we have available to put into jealousy or insecurity. B.C. Forbes says it best, “Jealousy - is a mental cancer.” Watch your attitude, take responsibility for it and develop a positive one. Know that every step

forward is a step toward achieving your goal of success. The off-season is full of work that needs to be done. You have to research and apply for the best tag opportunities. Once you’ve locked down your hunts and destinations you have to study anything you can get your hands on. This means research from home, studying Google Earth, topography maps, harvest statistics and calling biologists. Finding information from Internet forums, personal messages, social media and digging deeper than you have before. Boots on the ground is highly critical, putting out as many trail cameras as you can afford. Learning the country, finding the animals and discovering new ground and establishing back up plans are critical. There’s so much to be done, that if you catch yourself being idol, trust me when I say someone else out there is frantically working harder to put them in a better position for success. Fear of failure is something we all face. Choosing to use it to aid in your preparation, approach and attitude will make you better. I firmly believe each of us has a choice to get better or worse, none of us stay the same. Hunting big game out west is not easy. Use fear of failure to propel your thoughts and actions in a positive light. What comes easy, won’t last. What lasts, won’t come easy. Use fear to make you hustle and stay disciplined through the long off-season. Separation is in the preparation. -Gary Lewis

on August 17, wh tion dedicated to Anglers who Nut, Apex Trout K For flash, tie o to take your bait Many anglers In deeper wat raise the rod tip 1 and the Luhr Jens When jigging fo

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hen kokaholics from across the West will gather to test their gear and know-how. the enhancement of inland kokanee, trout and salmon fisheries. Kokanee Power will host their next tournament on Odell Lake want to learn more about fishing for kokanee have a resource in Kokanee Power (www.kokaneepoweroregon.com), an organizaKiller or a Mack’s Lure Double Whammy. Bait the hook with a kernel of white corn or Pautzke’s Fire Corn. on a Luhr Jensen Willow Leaf or Mack’s Flash Lite troll system. Knot on a 24-inch leader followed by a lure like a Shasta Koke A down to about 40 feet. Lead-core line is another option for serious kokanee trollers. s switch to trolling in early summer when the larger fish are found in deeper water. A three-ounce “banana” sinker can be used ter, fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark paint schemes can make the difference between catching a few fish and “limiting-out.” 12 inches and let the jig flutter back down. sen Needlefish are good bets. Mark kokanee on the depth finder then drop the lure to their level, crank it up a few inches, then or kokanee, the aim is to imitate a wounded baitfish. Lures like the Crippled Herring, Sep’s Kokanee Kandy, Shasta Humdinger

kanee

w.odelllakeresort.com k must be at least 30 inches long. Cash prizes are given for biggest fish to the top 10 finishers. For details on the next Mackinaw rts the Friday before the event. Fishing begins an hour before sunrise. The derby ends with dinner and an award presentation. ell Lake Resort hosts a Mackinaw Derby with cash prizes for the biggest fish. The entry fee is $100 and includes dinner.

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April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

Talking Turkey By Collin Dalley Field Editor

pringtime is upon us and that means turkey season has finally arrived. Turkey hunting is one of the most exhilarating hunts one can experience. Hearing that unique and authentic sound is music to a hunter’s ear. With so many products available these days it can be difficult deciding which ones to use. A turkey’s senses are second to none and fooling Mr. Tom is the name of the game, so let’s go over a few products available at Sportsman’s Warehouse to make sure you’re ready to chase the gobble!

Doghouse Blind The Doghouse blind by Ameristep is the ultimate in full concealment for all weapon choices. The blind practically sets itself up, providing ample room for 1-2 hunters. The seven windows are covered in removable shoot-through mesh, maximizing shooting opportunities without sacrificing field of view. The Carbon Enhanced Shadow Guard interior helps manage odor and reduces shadows for absolute concealment. Designed to be ultra compact and portable, the Doghouse ground blind easily folds into the included carry case with backpack straps, making light work of transportation and setup [60in footprint, 66in shooting width X 66in internal height]

HS Ground Blind 12ftX27in Staying concealed is an important part while hunting turkeys with their keen eyesight. The Ground Blind from Hunter Specialties is collapsible, super lightweight and a perfect fit for your vest. It’s made of a durable spunbonded polyester or polypropylene with dimensional die cuts to enhance the camouflage effect. Sometimes we only have seconds to set up before a bird may appear. That’s why the compact size of 18” long with a simple setup time of less than one minute is essential, making this ground blind perfect for your on-the-go concealment. [Dimensions 12ft X 27in]

Dead Hooks GLS Pan Call The “Dead Hooks” Glass Pan Call from Hunter Specialties offers unmatched high pitch hen sounds that are sure to attract any love struck toms. It’s part of the Dead Strut series this year and comes with two strikers: a hardwood composite and a carbon striker. Between the both of them it creates a very authentic turkey sound that’s ready for all weather conditions. Slingshot Turkey Vest The Beard Buster Slingshot Turkey Vest provides all day comfort and functionality. It has a drop down 3-inch foam seat that will keep you on top of the ground and hunting in comfort. Why the single strap? Well, the mono strap allows for a shotgun to be un-obstructed by shoulder straps you would find on a backpack. The Slingshot Vest comes with a molded foam back for added comfort and has plenty of room for all your gear including, two box call holders, a slate and striker holder, shell loops and pouches for your decoy, mask, gloves and turkey.

Jake Snood & Suzie Snood Decoy Sight can be a Hunters worst enemy, especially when it comes to hunting turkeys. They have exceptional eyesight and can seem weary even of their own shadow at times. Having a good decoy can keep the attention off you and increase your chances of success. The Jake & Suzie Snood decoys from Hunter Specialties are lightweight, easy to setup and made from E.V.A (expander) rubber that prevents your decoy from those unwanted creases and dents. I really like how easy it fits in a vest with its collapsible folding stake system. The decoy has an internal tube for the stake, making it effortless to set up on those dark mornings. Hunter Specialties went all out bringing this deke to life. With a no-flake paint and attention to detail, the Snood decoys have a true body profile that will bring the party to you.

The Zombie Box Call The “Zombie Box” Call from Hunter Specialties is another one from the Dead Strut Series turkey calls line. The cherry lid and poplar wood bottom together create authentic yelps, cuts, purrs and gobbles for unmatched quality that’s sure to bring the strutter’s in close. It’s waterproof for all weather conditions and never needs chalk. It’s the perfect size for your vest and comes with an elastic strap to keep the call quiet while sneaking through the woods.

Get it

April 2014 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

Papa Strut The new Papa Strut is the first-ever full-body 3D turkey decoy from Montana Decoy. It features a twopiece design that uses a magnetic system to quickly and quietly transform it from 2D into a life-size strutting tom. The 3D tom has amazing photorealism and weighs only 17 ounces with the leg pole. Its compact design folds into a 11-inch circle with a thickness of less than three inches. I found the compact design was great for transport and fits in a vest easily. If you want lightweight and durability, check out the new Papa Strut decoy.

Gobstopper Submissive Hen Decoy Decoys are an important part of hunting turkeys and just may give you the advantage needed to fool the leeriest of toms. The new Primos Gobstopper Series is a great choice for a lightweight packable decoy. Its sturdy design has lifelike detail with three proven positions. I like how easy it is utilizing the stake to position the deke in a submissive or contented position. You can even remove the stake to place the submissive hen on the ground to mimic breeding. The Submissive Hen will provide a durable product with a true value and realism that will improve your success in the field.

Hacked Off Mouth Calls Minimizing movement can maximize success while hunting, making the Hacked Off mouth calls from Primos ideal calls to have. When using diaphragm calls its important to have a good seal so the air can go across the reeds to produce the best sound possible. This means finding the perfect fit can be difficult, but Primos has designed two pre-printed trim lines, making a custom fit possible. You can choose from two models; the Buzz Cut and Saw Tooth. I like the Buzz Cut for soft raspy yelps and crisp cuts, while the Saw Tooth is perfect for higher pitched, clean yelps.

Cyclone Pushpin If you are the type of person that likes to keep it simple then look no further than the Cyclone Pushpin by Quaker Boy. This is one of the best sounding pushpin calls Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve tried. It operates seamlessly in rain or wind and perfect for the crisp spring mornings with its adjustable clucker button. I like how maintenance free this call is with never having to worry about chalk or sanding. The minimal movement needed to operate the call will have your prey wondering what hit them.

Hook Up Box Call When it comes to hunting turkeys, speaking the language is one of the biggest keys. Having a reliable product with a consistent and realistic sound will help with your endeavors. The Hook Up box call from Primos can take the guesswork out of calling. This innovative design has a patented magnetic hinge to properly position the paddle for you. I like how simple this call is to produce crisp cuts, yelps and smooth purrs. No matter your skill level, The Hook Up box call can help you speak the language!

The Grand Old Master Tried and true the Grand Old Master is back by popular demand! This has been a favorite of hunters for years, with its five piece wood bottom and cherry paddle producing realistic tones. The Grand Old Master from Quaker Boy will produce clean sounds for those long distant turkeys and it tones down for those heart-pounding moments. Being able to gobble, yelp, cut and purr from one call is sure to bring the toms home. continued on page 35

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

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April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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TALKING TURKEY continued from page 33

Turkey Thugs Rim Shot 3-in-1 Slate Call As part of the Turkey Thugs line up, the Quaker Boy Rim Shot 3-in-1 slate call will give you a combination of sounds to coax the leeriest toms. It’s an extremely versatile pot slate call with three strikers to choose from, making it sound like three different hens from one call. It comes with a carbon striker that’s perfect for those rainy days and produces a high pitched or soft raspy sound, while the wildwood ash striker produces a loud or soft clear mellow call. The acorn head striker is fully adjustable and allows you to set the striker to a preferred length while producing a loud and soft realistic tone.

TP14 Turkey Pack The new Tenzing TP14 Turkey pack is the first of its kind. We all know turkey hunting can test a hunter’s patience and sitting on the ground for long periods of time isn’t the most comfortable of places. The TP14 is a pack, vest and chair all-in-one. For starters it has two spring-loaded legs that act as support for the backrest and a padded seat with magnetic fasteners to keep it secured when you’re on the go. The finished product is a pack that converts into a hunting chair for all day comfort. The front of the bag is built like a vest with its 28 pockets, consisting of dedicated compartments for your box call, diaphragm calls, slate calls and shotgun shells. When its time to move locations the chair legs retreat quietly against the bag and you’re off. You’ll have plenty of space to haul your trophy away with the expandable turkey compartment too, while a hunter orange pullover provides safety on the walk out.

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

Big Fish

Chad LaChance

t first, we all just want to catch fish, period. We spend our fishing time working through the basic stuff in an effort to just get bit and then hang on and hope our paltry skills and equipment will help us win the ensuing battle. Before too long, if we’re a decent observer, we get to catchin’ more often than not. At some point we get consistent enough that average fish no longer satisfies the itch, We want to catch big fish. After a considerable chunk of our life is spent angling and our fish count has long since been forgotten, some folks eventually get to where they want to catch big fish, how they want to catch them. A good example of this is, say a 200 pound tarpon on the fly rod. Yes it’s a noble concept, but let’s face it, most of us never get over being happy about catching a big’un, regardless of exactly how we accomplish that. So, that takes us back to catching big ones. I want to catch big ones. So, most likely, do you. The problem for me is that, over a decade of guiding other anglers or filming fishing shows, I’ve gotten to be very good at consistency. That’s a problem. It’s a problem because, to be consistent, you have to focus on the fat part of the population curve and you have to do so in areas fish congregate en masse and you have to employ mainstream techniques, not tricks. Sure, if you fish enough while doing all of that, you’ll catch a few big ones, but by and large, big fish specialists do it differently. The first thing that needs to be adjusted is our mindset. No matter how you slice it, truly big fish are a tiny percentage of the population. Besides that, they likely got big by being smarter than the average fish and

they almost always have different places they haunt. Big fish don’t act like little fish. You have to be mentally strong enough to spend a lot of time not catching and possibly facing the proverbial skunk to really develop an understanding of where big fish live and how to get them to bite. Big fish test your tackle. By that I mean the obvious part of successfully hooking, fighting and landing one, but also the fact that your tackle details should be more in order overall. Quality everything comes into play when you’re fishing for giants and since you’re fishing for relatively few bites, even a small percentage gain by having your tackle properly prepared will matter. I once lost a trophy pike because it went out a hole in the net of all the stupid things; I’d netted a bunch of average fish in that crappy net with no problem, but sure enough my huge river dwelling pike came unhooked as he was netted, found the hole and escaped . Not just your line and hooks, rather all your gear should be in order to avoid heartbreak. I mentioned that the biggest fish in any system have different haunts than their smaller family members and this is the biggest key to getting a big bite. After all, you can’t catch big fish if you’re not fishing around them. What constitutes the kind of places big’uns live? Well, that depends on the species, but there are a few generalities. First, they almost always have deep water near by. Deep is relative, so it might be safer to say they always have escape-to-deep-water routes within a fin stroke or two. Second, they are often loaners or possibly hanging out with similar specimens. Third, they can have a different diet because they can physically eat a wider variety of items and because their size allows them to roam wherever their food is found without as much fear of becoming food themselves. On a lake I guide on, the average walleyes eat shad, but the giants eat 8-10” stocker trout. Obviously this affects both where and how we fish them. There is one specific tool and skill set that I know boat fishing reservoir anglers can work on that will help with both locations and forage; the use of your SONAR and GPS in combination. Why? Because big fish often live on subtle spots other anglers miss and even more often they live offshore. If I’m seriously trophy hunting, I spend a high percentage of my time studying my Lowrance SONAR and/or StructureScan 3D imaging, always looking for subtle changes in bottom content, isolated cover and any good cover located on good structure. The structure provides depth change and the cover puts the fish at ease. The

c StructureScan helps me comb large flat areas looking for subtle things which I’ll mark on the GPS and then come back and fish later. Traditional down-viewing SONAR is strong when really looking at bottom content or looking for suspended fish. Suspended fish are, in my opinion, the last frontier for most anglers. It’s where we’re learning over time that a bunch of the biggest bass, walleyes, reservoir-dwelling trout, wipers and others spend their retirement years. Think about it; they have immediate access to deep water, very little competition from their smaller brethren and a diverse range of prey that can be investigated on a whim. Most importantly, very few anglers even attempt to address suspended fish outside of the common fall feeding frenzy. We all get suckered into fishing bank oriented fish because they are a much easier puzzle to solve. When I target suspended fish with any real chance at success, the Lowrance units get my undivided attention. One quick tip on that; learn about your unit’s grey-scale/ colorline, sensitivity and ping/scroll speed. Those items will help you a bunch!

Want to catch a true giant? Me too and judging by my volunteer time with fisheries biologists sampling fisheries, there are always bigger fish than those we catch, regardless of where I’ve sampled. Focus on the mindset, tackle and locations using ALL your tools - you’ll need them and a little luck as well, but the reward will stick with you forever! The Fishful Thinker moto is “Fish Big” for a reason.

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

DOG GEAR

A ergonomically designed Talon Clip makes putting it on and taking it off very easy, even with gloves. The handle of the leash features a buckle that allows it to be strapped around a post or even your belt for hands free walking. Another great feature of the elastic webbing is that it will decelerate a dog as he runs after a critter without jarring the person holding the leash. The bungee action is perfect for joggers and trail runners who want to spend time with their companion on the trails.

continued from page 28

water. The Bivy Bowl is engineered to easily stand up when in use and remain stable. The material is easy to clean and is watertight and rugged. It can be used in the fully or partially collapsed position or fully extended to give you options on type of food and the amount of water you provide your pet.

Huckama The Huckama Dog Toy is made of a rugged and tough rubber that is virtually indestructible. I had to stop letting Diogonese play with tennis balls because he would render them into tinny rubber chunks in just minutes. The Huckama is his favorite toy and he will chew on it for hours without leaving a single tooth mark. The Huckama is designed to roll erratically because of its unique shape. When thrown, different facets on the ball make it bounce wildly and unpredictably providing him the added challenge of chasing it without knowing which way it will go. Holes in the sides allow you to place treats inside and also cause it to whistle when thrown. Not only is the rubber material tough, it sheds dirt and cleans up with just a quick rinse. It is made from natural latex rubber, which is a sustainable resource, so not only is it a fun toy, but it is safer for the environment.

TurnUp Toy Like the Huckama, the TurnUp Toy is made from rugged and tough latex rubber and will stand up to the abuse of even the largest of dogs. Its smaller design is ideal for dogs of all sizes and its shape makes it wildly bounce and roll in unpredictable ways. It fits in most brands of ball throwers for added distance and is a great way to get the exercise an active dog needs quickly. The surface of the TurnUp is designed to help massage your dogs gums for clean and healthy teeth and the holes in the top and bottom allow you to fill the TurnUp with treats for hours of entertainment for your dog.

Gourdo Made from the same tough materials as the Huckama and the TurnUp, the Gourdo offers a larger fetch toy with the inclusion of a rope. This is Diogonese’s special reward toy on a search and he will spend hours chasing and fetching it. The throw rope allows for amazingly long throws of the toy and also keeps me from having to handle the slobber end of the toy when he returns it. Special bumps on the surface act as gum stimulators and the size and weight of the Gourdo are similar to those of a duck or other upland or waterfowl bird so it is ideal for training those retrievers. The rope is easily replaceable should you wear it out, which I have to admit we did. Roamer Leash The Roamer Leash allows your dog to stay by your side or roam a little farther afield. Elasticized nylon webbing provides more than 6 feet of additional stretch on the leash. The leash is 7.3 feet when slack and will stretch to 11 feet long.

Garmin Garmin has long been known as a leader in the navigation markets, but they also make a variety of products for dogs. These electronic training and tracking devices are reliable, easy to use, and provide valuable tools for getting the most out of your working or sporting dog. Alpha 100 The Garmin Alpha 100 provides tracking and training of up to 20 dogs on a single handheld unit. The Garmin Alpha 100 handheld unit provides ease of use with a 3” color touchscreen that can even be operated with gloves. It is pre-loaded with 100K U.S. TOPO maps, an electronic compass, barometric altimeter, and wireless communication with other units, with the ability to send preset messages. It is IPX7 waterproof, and operates off of a replaceable rechargeable battery pack that will run for hours on a single charge, depending upon use. The handheld can track up to 20 different collars, and even comes with the ability to add dogs that are already on the hunt without being near the receiver. This is especially useful if you want to meet up with another hunter and coalesce all of your data into a single BaseCamp map to see the area covered. BaseCamp will also allow you to track dogs in real time with ANT+ technology. The Tri-Tronics Technology allows you

to communicate with the dog through either a tone, or a constant or momentary stimulation of the TT 10 electronic collar. This can be used to train your dog for a variety of activities, as well as signal it to return to your location. Additionally, you can remotely activate lights on the collar of each dog to make them visible from a distance, or to blink quickly or slowly. You can also adjust the reporting interval of the collar to broadcast its location from every 2.5 seconds to every 2 minutes. Garmin Delta Sport Dog Trainer The Delta collar provides a variety of modes and is so easy to use that it is intuitive right out of the box. All of the controls can be accessed with one hand. Three main signal buttons are available on the front of the device, and a well-lit easy to read LCD screen. Depending upon the mode you select with the mode button on the side of the device, the hand unit will signal the collar to either generate a tone, a vibration or momentary or constant stimulation. The modes are easy to figure out as they are keyed to the order of the buttons. The TVM mode means that the first button generates a tone, the middle a vibration, and the bottom a momentary stimulation. VCM is vibration, constant stimulation (up to 8 seconds long), and momentary stimulation. The unit comes with five different configurations. Not only does the Delta Sport allow you to train commands, it helps break bad habits. Anyone who has raised a puppy knows that barking and howling, especially at night, can be a real problem and strain even the most loving relationships between human and pet. The Delta Sport comes with a built-in BarkLimiter. When the handheld is set in this mode, it differentiates between a single bark and prolonged barking and uses its Autorise feature to adjust stimulation until the dog stops barking. It can even filter out the barking of other dogs.

Whatever outdoor activity in which you engage, your local Sportsman’s Warehouse store has a great selection of top-notch gear for your best friend. From leashes and collars, to toys and treats, check out the great dog products available at Sportsman’s Warehouse.

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

Sage Rats From The Second Story

By Gary Lewis

n case you haven’t noticed, the price of everything is higher than it used to be. We can’t blame inflation because the government’s economic indicators tell us that inflation is low. But consider the price of gas for example. We are now burning in our tanks, a fuel blended with corn, a substance we formerly called food or, if we gave it to cattle, feed. That has caused the price of both food and feed to increase. Perhaps you have noticed that ammunition (when you can find it) is quite a bit more expensive than it used to be. Again, it is the law of supply and demand at work. Orchard grass and alfalfa are another type of supplemental feed for livestock. Alfalfa is high in protein and is easily grown in our climate. The trouble with alfalfa and orchard grass is the company it attracts. Belding’s ground squirrel is a creature of the high desert, an animal that, in uncultivated conditions is not likely to grow out of balance. When a squirrel leaves the rural environs and moves into a large acreage of alfalfa, he can find so much grub he will never have to look for a meal again. Then he invites all the relatives and they tunnel down to build vast apartment complexes beneath the green. According to Dave Malott at Central Oregon Ranch Supply in Redmond, Oregon, alfalfa is running $14.99 for an 85-pound bale, while orchard grass is going for $12.99 a bale. The price varies according to demand, as well as supply.

spend their time making more sage rats. Females give birth to a litter of five to eight pups, which are sired by multiple males. They eat the aboveground parts of the plant and then mound over the crop with dirt as they burrow. Farmers often damage their machines on the mounds, the burrows lead to loss of irrigation water. Photo by Gary Lewis It was easy to see where the squirrels were making a Ethan (left) and Trevor Allison hunted ground living. Their runways were squirrels in alfalfa fields in Klamath County worn to bare earth and their last week. One study showed that, in a single mounds stood six inches day, 355 Belding’s ground squirrels (a.k.a. above the tops of the grass. sage rats) can consume the same amount of One fi eld was so burrowed, forage as one cow, and 96 squirrels can conI thought we might fall in. sume the same amount as one sheep. We figured we could keep I wasn’t the only one with my eyes the price of tractor repairs, turf and on the price of feed. We met the owner T-bones down, with well-placed shots. of the property we were hunting early After 125 rounds through the Ruger, in the day. He encouraged us to stay I switched to my CZ 17 HMR and then all day if we could and shoot as many sage rats as possible. We rolled into the fields at Dairy, Oregon, pulling a trailer equipped with Roe Outfitters’ Varmint Extermination Unit (VEU). On the first level were three shooting benches; a fourth shooting bench was located on top, with an uncommonly good view. OOT UNTS Down on the ground level, the sage LY IN UNTS rats scurried back and forth in the groceries. Our first field was in orchard PECIALIZING IN RCHERY IN grass. Darren Roe parked the VEU and set the jack stands. We uncased THE OW NLY ONE our rifles. Rex Allison and his boys, Ethan and Trevor, would start with bolt-action 17-calibers and progress to semi-auto 22s, while Dan Goetz and I would shoot Ruger 10/22s and Colt Competition ARs with Warne scope mounts and Leupold optics. We used standard capacity magazines that would hold 20, 25 and 30 rounds. In keeping with the theme of supply and demand, I focused on economy and waited for the biggest and boldest rats that stood tall in the green grass. One study showed that a single sage rat will eat 14.55 pounds of alfalfa between green-up and the first cutting in June. The sage rat is an eating machine and when they are not eating, they

to the Oregon-made Colt Competition. The rifle was built in Canby, Oregon, the scope mounts were made in Tualatin, Oregon, and the scope was made in Beaverton, Oregon. The bullets, Nosler’s Varmageddon Ballistic Tips, were loaded in Bend, Oregon. Most shots came in the 50- to 75yard range, but when the closest critters had their heads down, we reached out to 200 yards and beyond. As the day warmed, the wind picked up and the Ballistic Tips proved the best projectile for use at long range. According to the math, we saved 2,401 pounds of livestock fuel. I will be going back out to help ease the demand before the first cutting of hay this season. There is a lot more to do. Look for your savings in the meat department. No need to thank us, we enjoy the work. Gary’s latest book, A Bear Hunter’s Guide to the Universe, is available as an e-book on Kindle and Nook or in print at www.GaryLewisOutdoors.com

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April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

Digital Edition Only Special Content

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

Wild Boar Chile Verde

fter whitetail deer, American wild boar are the most popular game animal in the United States. Wild boar or “feral hogs” exist in at least 39 states in this country and there are ample opportunities to hunt them. In most states there is no set season and tags are available over the counter. They make for some mighty tasty vittles as this recipe proves. This is a simple recipe with the sauce being

store bought, but it comes out really well, so give it a whirl. You could kick it up with some diced jalapenos or hatch chilies if you like a spicier chile verde.

Ingredients • • • • •

2 ½ lbs wild boar meat cut into cubes Kosher salt Black Pepper Flour 4 tablespoons canola oil

• • • • •

2 tablespoons butter 2 brown onions diced 6 cloves chopped garlic 1 12 ounce beer 5 7ounce cans salsa verde

Preparation

Cut the meat into cubes. I like a larger cube of ¾ to 1 inch for a chunkier texture. Season the meat generously with salt and pepper and then dredge in flour. Heat the oil and butter in a

heavy frying pan over medium high heat. Add the pork in small batches and brown well on all sides. As the pork browns, transfer it to a large pot for cooking. You may have to add more oil and butter if the pan starts to dry out. When the meat is all browned, toss the onions into the pan and cook them over medium heat for about five minutes or until translucent. Add the garlic and cook another couple of minutes. Place this mixture in the pot as well and then return pan to heat. Toss about a ¼ cup of the beer into the frying pan and get all the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. This is called deglazing and contains a ton of great flavor. Add this to the pot. Add the cans of salsa verde to the mix and then about half of the beer. This is a good point to finish the rest of the beer yourself. Stir well and bring up to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 2-3 hours or until the meat is fork tender. Taste and add more salt and pepper as needed. Serve this baby with some shredded cheese, a sprinkling of cilantro and some fresh flour tortillas. I accompanied my dinner with a robust Zinfandel. There are a ton of great wine pairings and exceptional values on California Wine available at www.wildgamewine.com. PB

April 2014 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

Digital Edition Only Special Content

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2014

Digital Edition Only Special Content

Outdoor Writing Contest: The Spoon By Brandon Jewett

remember the first time I tried it as if it were yesterday. I knew right then that it would be part of my life forever. I just didn’t know how much it would affect me, and how big a part of my life it would become. It grew worse as I grew older. The day I received my driver’s license just gave me an overwhelming sense of freedom to do it whenever I wanted. And I did. It was hard, but I managed to keep it a secret for a long time. When spring rolled around I was in class more often. Hunting season was over, and I had to be present in all my classes to play baseball. Then I started showing up late to practice looking tired, and disappearing for hours afterward. I would find myself standing in center field becoming overwhelmed by the unbelievable urge to sneak around the left field fence, beyond the batting cages and out to my truck. People started to wonder. I knew they were starting to catch on. My teammates especially. Some were angry, but they were mostly concerned. I tried to stop and often thought back to how it started. My dad did it, and I guess I wanted to be just like him. Then the worst happened. My junior year my grades dropped below passing and I had to sit out a couple games. I’ll never forget the feeling as the boys pulled out of the parking lot in the bus to go play Hanford. Billy Urquhart waving, “Love you Jewey!” It was terrible. I went to my truck and looked at myself in the mirror ashamed, but I still couldn’t stop it. I turned around and looked at my gear stashed under my back seat. I sat there and stared at the spoon that had consumed so much of my life, and maybe taken some away. It wasn’t near as shiny as it used to be, and was slightly deformed. That happens when they’ve been on fire as many times as that one had. It was covered in some kind of unknown crude and a little blood. The devil on my shoulder spoke up and reminded me that I had several more hours to allow my habit to consume me since I wouldn’t be playing in that day’s double-header. To this day the angel that is supposed to fight him hasn’t showed up. Jerk. I gave in. I got my grades up and coasted through the rest of high school, but still couldn’t kick my habit. I simply got better at hiding it, and came up with better stories of where I had been. It wasn’t until the summer after

my senior year that I knew I was going to be ok. I was playing ball for the Yakima Valley Pepsi Pak and was two hours late to pregame batting practice. This is not a good thing. Especially since we were playing the Beatles. I tried to slip in unnoticed, but didn’t make it far. I knew Coach Mike Archer could sense my presence and probably smell the stench of my addiction on my tattered clothing. I looked out of the clubhouse door for ONE second, and he spotted me from the press box. Before I knew it Coach Mike was in my face. Way up in there. I’m still not sure how, as I was a full foot taller than him. The man could have been so angry he was levitating, not sure. He delivered a butt chewing for the ages. A fine show indeed. A crowd consisting of my teammates, the majority of the other team, a couple umpires, and a few folks that just happened to be walking by gathered in awe. I just stood there looking him in the eye, wearing every word and agreeing with him; as he is a very respectable man, a phenomenal baseball coach, and an all around pleasure to play for. He delivered his punishment of 100 poles and a spot next to him on the bench listening to “the Beatle Beatle lady” all night. Brutal. He turned his death stare the other direction and made his way back to the press box. I turned around ashamed, only to be greeted by Coach Rob Archer and Coach Jansen; they were red in the face. Not from anger, but from fighting back the laughter while Coach Mike brought into question my very existence as a ball player and human being in front of the entire town of Selah Washington. I crossed eyes with Jans, and he just stared at me. “So did you catch any Jewett?” “Hell ya coach! I lit that crick up! My magic SPOON was on FIRE!” “Get dressed and meet me in the cages. You need to learn how to hit the baseball to right field, not just play there.” “Yes coach.” It was then I realized that people understood that I had a trout fishing problem. They understood, they accepted me, and life was going to be just fine. I didn’t have to hide it anymore. It all began for me as a child. Yes there are bigger and tastier fish in the Northwest than the rainbow trout, but yet they are so intriguing. It truly is fishing at its core. Light rods, simple rigs, and a true appreciation of the hook and the worm. Watching a bobber, the smell of Power Bait, and the strenuous search for the perfect forked

stick. Most likely a child will receive his or her first pocketknife before a trout fishing adventure. A right of passage only a few of us can understand. The scar left from the wound they inflicted on themselves immediately after receiving the knife, most likely sharpening the end of the perfect forked stick, will become a cherished memory. So don’t worry dad, it will heal, and your wife will get over it. The days spent at Burke Lake as a child listening to my dad’s childhood fishing experiences are stories I will pass down to my children. I’m sure my sister will do the same. The knowledge I learned on the banks of that lake goes way beyond fishing, and has proven useful. They fill our streams, rivers, and lakes, and it seems as though they are always biting. It’s not expensive or hard either. Break open an old tackle box passed down from generations and it’s a pretty safe bet you can catch a trout on something in there. If the box produces anything that is bent, chipped, stinks, or has a fossilized worm clinging to it’s hook, I would start with that. Just saying. I doesn’t matter if it’s bait, tackle or flies, it’s all fun. And quite addicting. As Dustin and I sat in the boat at Lake Roosevelt the last few days, fishing through a snowstorm, wind chills to the bone, mediocre fishing, and eating jelly-filled powdered donuts it occurred to me that I was enduring weather of biblical proportions, for a trout. “Is this really worth it.” Absolutely. If for no other reason, because it’s one of the only places it’s socially acceptable to eat jelly-filled powdered donuts. It’s not as though you can eat them on your way to church or work. You look like a slob and people will start wondering what that powder is on your shirt, and why you have so much energy. We sat there and told stories from our childhood. Stories about catching trout all over this beautiful place we call home. The surrounding boats must have thought we were about half crazy when we remembered an adventure from high

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M school that sent us both into a sugar-driveno hysterical fit of laughter. Dustin, our cousin Brendon, and myselfA were pretty lucky to have shared my lastS year in high school together. We were a tripod. Our family had spawn in every grade.L It was pretty epic. We all played baseball soa we saw a lot of each other, which simply meant more time to plan our adventures. We had a scheduled day off coming up, compliments of coach Wyckoff and much to the disappointment of Coach Van De Brake. So of course we went fishing. Our adventure lead us deep into the bush of the unknown, a stretch of river we had never fished before. A stretch of river that may not have even been open, but in those days this was a minor detail. Fishing was good, but not as good as we were hoping for. And then… Brendon: “What’s that?” Brandon: “I believe that is Trout Meadows.” Brendon: “What’s that?” Brandon: “It’s a place people go when they’ve given up. You pay to catch trout.” Brendon: “That’s not illegal?” Brandon: “Should be.” Dustin: “Waiting on you fellas.” Dustin has always had an incredible knack for stating what we are all already thinking. We all knew we were going to do it. We just needed the motivation and courage. Picture three shirtless, muddy, bloody, 6-foot teenagers, fishing poles in hand, Rooster Tails hanging out of our hats (mostly brown with a gold blade, proven killer) sneaking across a WIDE OPEN pasture. Brendon: “Do you think they can see us?” PB

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Brandon: “No dude. We are good. Some adults work during the day.” Dustin: “Losers.” We crept up to the bank and casted simultaneously. “Fish on!” “Fish on.” “Me too!” For five minutes fishing was hot. In fact, I’m pretty sure we set a record for most fish caught in a five-minute span. But then, “HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Brandon: “Waiting on you fellas!” Brendon: ”Run!” Now Picture two shirtless, muddy, bloody, 6-foot teenagers, fishing poles in hand, Rooster Tails hanging out of our hats (mostly brown with a gold blade, proven killer) SPRINTING across a WIDE OPEN pasture. The following conversation took place mid sprint: Brandon: “Damn, we’re in a tight spot. Make it to the tree line and we will reassess our current situation!” Brendon: “Awesome O’ Brother Where Art Thou reference. WAS THAT A GUN SHOT?” Brandon: “Definitely a gun shot. Thanks. Let’s make it to the other side of the river and we will reassess our current situation.

Where’s Dustin?!” Brendon: “He was fighting a fish!” Brandon: “Was it a good one?” Brendon: “Looked pretty good. Was that another gun shot?!” Brandon: “Yep. What did he hook it on? Brendon: “Brown. Gold blade.” Brandon: Proven killer. We’ve got to go back for him.” Brendon: “Yep. Rule number one: Never leave a fellow angler behind.” Brandon: “Ha-ha good one! He’s shot at us three times he means business.” Brendon: “He hasn’t hit us yet. Amateur. There’s Dustin!” About that time, running faster than I have ever seen him run before, Dustin appeared full sprint over the small rise in the pasture. Laughing hysterically, trout still dangling from his Rooster Tail. To this day as far as I know, Dustin Daniels is the only person on the planet to have run the 100yard hurdles, carrying a fishing pole with a fish still on his line, in Summer Olympic qualifying time. Throw in the fact that he was being shot at and the hurdles were barbed-wire fences, and well, impressive.

Dustin: “HAHAHA This guy is really shooting at us! Hahaha!” Brandon: “Damn, that’s a nice fish.” Dustin: “Brown. Gold blade.” Brendon: “You guys got anymore of those?” We held our breath and jumped into the river. We crossed in haste, where we successfully released Dustin’s trout into a more natural setting. We caught our breath, laughed, and fished the rest of the day. This is just one of many memories I hold dear to me. Time spent with friends and family on a boat or on a bank are times that I always knew should never be taken for granted. I haven’t and I won’t. Over the years the adventures have changed, our tactics have changed, our boats have changed, and we have changed. However, there will never be a time in my life that I can’t venture back to that day we back doored Trout Meadows and laugh out loud. Or when Brendon, Dustin, and I are old and shooting squirrels out of the nursing home trees with sling shots fashioned from the elastic taken from our underwear,

if one of us mentions that story, we will laugh. It may kill us, but we will laugh. This Saturday marks a special day for young and old anglers alike. Many lakes statewide have been stocked with trout, and will open up for fishing. We urge you to take your kids out and catch some fish. Yes, it will most likely be cold. Bundle them up. It will be worth it. Many of the lakes you can drive right to. If your youngster gets cold, let him/her sit in the rig for a while. Hopefully the fishing will be hot enough, they will forget about their cold fingers. Give them a pocketknife, teach them to tie a barrel knot, let them find their perfect forked stick, teach them to nurse a pocketknife wound, feed them jellyfilled powdered donuts, and build some memories. I promise they are memories that will last a lifetime. If they are lucky, their addiction will grow strong and out of control. After all, your kids could be skipping school do to a lot worse things than going hunting and fishing. Dustin and I will be out there somewhere with our dads and friends. We hope to see some of you. Good luck.

HuNT HARd, EAT wEll. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CAMP CHEF VISIT www.CAMPCHEF.COM

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Outfitter's Corner: Renfro's Alaska Adventures By Wade Renfro

lot of people talk about ten footers. Those two words represent the “holy grail” when speaking of Alaska’s big bears. Some tell of brown bear with hides that square an honest eleven feet. And in certain very unique areas with temperate winters, large salmon runs and great genetics, I suppose there’s been the odd brute that put the tape to such tests. However, after a decade of chasing them and around 40 successful hunts, I seriously doubt I’ll ever see an honest 11’ bear walk, much less hunt one. Possible, maybe, but not probable. This past October I stood on the bank of a small, nameless salmon stream in western Alaska. The familiar, ancient, round topped, coastal mountain range towered above my client, apprentice and I and to the west the Bering Sea shimmered in the last light of a late October evening. Washed with a sense of pride of a job done well and the finality of another season, hence another chapter (in a life such as mine) coming to an end. I’d be lying if I claimed there wasn’t a hint of sadness lurking in my thoughts as well for I knew that it’d be half a year before I’d be immersed once again in this timeless land, whose hooks lay imbedded so deeply in my soul. I’d been in the field guiding clients for pretty near four months straight and it had been one of the best seasons of my career. A perfect conclusion to a dream season. I very literally hunt for a

living and this year all the stars aligned perfectly. Besides helping my dad take a beautiful old Dall ram on a week-long break (my boss graciously allowed me) in August, I’d really hung it out there for my clients as well. The proof lay firmly in the trophies and more importantly, the experiences that they took home with them. Sometimes effort, opportunity, and a bit of luck just come together perfectly. Lost in my thoughts, I looked down upon the folded heap of an immense boar my client had taken just minutes ago. Knowing how special this bear was, I kind of just wanted to soak it all in. It required very little imagination to realize that I was likely looking at a thousand pounds of bear and that this old boy represented the extreme upper potential of what the surrounding country can produce. The fact that he’d very probably been walking this country, learning to be a bear, for nearly as long as I’d been alive, was not lost on me. The large mature boars are something specia, and arguably represent the most impressive game animal on our continent. Plenty of people talk about ten foot brown bear and some hunters have had the fortune of stalking such a giant predator, but after one selectively hunts large male bears with some success, he quickly learns, such a bear simply isn’t “common” in the vast majority of the country the big beasts call home. For in most Alaskan habitat, it takes quite a few years (mid-teens to late twenties), mild winters, an excessive annual food source and uncommonly good genetics to grow

a brownie of such magical proportions. Observing such a colossal boar on the ground is arguably about as impressive and humbling as it gets in our modern hunting world. As the weather turned dark and the relentless Alaskan rains began once again, Tom, Jessie and I found ourselves at the culmination of a hunt that had tested all of us in numerous ways, not in the least uncommon when hunting bears in big country. While it’d been a fairly physical hunt as far as bear hunts go, my client and apprentice were in good shape and I was hardened from nearly five months (including spring) of constant Alaskan hunting. We weren’t fatigued physically, it was our spirits that needed mending. Jessie and I had been thoroughly soaked for over 16 day’s according to my journal. And if the monsoon like rains hadn’t been enough, the wind surely made up for it. He’d been out learning the ropes and apprenticing for me on two consecutive hunts at this point. In that time we’d pretty well stayed in a constant state of misery, lost two tents and struggled to keep our clients morale up for the duration. The first hunt had been tough, although we’d found a grand old giant and chased the traveling brute as far as our client could possibly go, simply being out walked in the end. The weather cost us the duration of that hunt, with zero-zero visibility and simply no way of getting out there and locating another bear. Keeping the tents up proved a chore in itself and with all our efforts we barely

managed in the multiple western Alaska storms that ensued. By the beginning of the next hunt, the weather cleared enough for us to move our camp and collect my last client for the season. Tom Brummit proved to be an even-keeled gentleman from Missouri, who just happened to share my passion for hunting outsized brown bear. Amazingly enough Tom already was the proud owner of four boars that broke the coveted nine foot mark and had hunted with some of the bigger named outfits on both the lower AK Peninsula and Kodiak Island. With considerable effort and a positive attitude, we were about to exceed Tom’s expectations and prove once again what I’ve known for quite some time - that the far western coast of Alaska indeed is a “sleeper” area for above average brown bear. Tom’s first hunting day started out just about like Jessie and I figured it would; wet and windblown. Because, why wouldn’t it? The last half a month had been much the same. At this point we just figured if we expected the worst then it wouldn’t be nearly as depressing when it worked out that way. We were admittedly weary of this wet, late fall weather. At least we could see to hunt; a big step in the right direction as far as we were concerned. Sure enough, having a few hours of decent glassing visibility paid big dividends and enabled me to not only find a great bear, but nearly seal the deal with him. We’d left the tents with the light of

dawn and had hunted about four miles west of camp to an area I knew held the last trickle of silver salmon through this particular country. In our stretch of western Alaska, huge runs of salmon aren’t needed to hold the right bears late in the fall. If a hunter can find just a few fish that are easily assessable to the bears, he’s likely to find a mature boar working those fish. And we did. He was an unusually light colored boar in what I estimate to be the 9’5” to 9’7” range, right around nine and a half foot. A “shooter” bear anywhere in the world. Long story short, at the stalk I played it a little too aggressively and working with a lateral wind the big yellow boy swung around into our scent in a spot a little closer than I’d expected him to appear. He made us and literally ran for his life, blowing at about 35 yards. I spotted him again that evening and was amazed that he was still in the same time zone. Usually second chances with a bear of that caliber are not awarded or expected in my experience. This particular boar would prove largely a-typical in his patterns

April 2014 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

over the course of the next five days as I was fortunate to learn more about him. The next few hunting days were met with mixed results and filled with intermittent horrible weather. We quickly agreed to just ignore our misery and went hunting whenever visibility allowed. These efforts reaped multiple sightings of the yellow bear and a few others, while offering no opportunities in which I was 100% confident we could kill him. Killing the big straw colored guy was gonna take patience, not aggression. The morning of the seventh day broke clear and Mama Weather’s stormy temper subsided. This was the day. We were all thinking the same thing: We’d been patterning this bear for five days now and had been screwed by the weather constantly. This was the day we were gonna make it happen. We hiked the couple miles on that morning with clear skies and the wind in our favor. Life was good. I was going to get a second chance at that pretty-boy bear after all. I’d do better this time! We got set up and very literally sat and

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glassed that flooded back slough all day and while the bears had indeed come out of the woodwork with the favorable weather, there was no sign of that big yellow bear. A solid three hours past his normal feeding time found me restless and disappointed. I got the boys up and made plans to hike about a mile back towards camp early in order to glass a different section of country. We hadn’t made it half of that mile and I made a routine scan of the country in a 360 degree arc after topping out on a fifty foot cutbank. “Big bear, right there guys!" In the very slough we’d been set up over all day was a giant of a bear fishing in the yellow boys favorite hole! No wonder pretty boy had no-showed. This big, dark brute in front of me was a MONSTER! Trying to decide which way the bear would go, I took Tom and set up on a point of the cutbank that would afford us a good vantage. I’d nearly given up on him showing again when I caught a glimpse of him ghosting through the little no-name creek below us. We were above him and had the wind and the short stalk and gun work, though

up close and personal at fifty yards, was relatively anticlimactic, especially when compared with the good fortune and persistent hunting efforts that had lead us to this opportunity. And what a prize! The old brute squared out an honest 10’2”, with a skull over 27 inches. With a dark chocolate late fall coat and his huge bulk, he was as impressive a trophy as any of us had laid eyes on. Far exceeding any of the four large bears Tom has to this date, he was respectfully in awe once again of what a truly large brown bear represents; age, wildness, freedom - a surety that there are indeed places where such predators roam at will. Such a bear represents the north. He represents all that is Alaska. So it was with a tinge of melancholy that I soaked in the moment, after the photo ops, before knife-work and heavy pack back to camp. But apart from that, I’d be lying if I wasn’t already thinking about a particular lucky yellow bear and some unfinished business we have for next fall.

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Stores in Red Open in 2014

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11 9 30 28 12 10

55 15 16 14

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31 7

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40. Logan, Utah 91 East 1400 North 41. Midvale, Utah (801) 567-1000

42. Provo, Utah (801) 818-2000

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1. Corporate Office Midvale, Utah (801) 566-6681 2. Anchorage, Alaska (907) 644-1400 3. Fairbanks, Alaska (907) 374-8800 4. Soldotna, Alaska (907) 420-3000 5. Wasilla, Alaska (907) 864-8000 6. Mesa, Arizona (480) 558-1111 7. Phoenix, Arizona (623) 516-1400 8. Tucson, Arizona (520) 877-4500 9. Chico, California (530) 897-0500 10. Rancho Cordova, California Opening in 2014

43. Riverdale, Utah (801) 334-4000 44. St. George, Utah (435) 634-7300 11. Redding, California (530) 222-5500

21. Twin Falls, Idaho (208) 737-9900

12. Rocklin, California (916) 782-9900

22. Ankeny, Iowa (515) 963-3500

13. Colorado Springs, Colorado (719) 597-9200

23. Lexington, Kentucky (859) 263-7000

14. Grand Junction, Colorado (970) 243-8100 15. Loveland, Colorado (970) 461-5000 16. Thornton, Colorado (303) 428-6500 17. Idaho Falls, Idaho (208) 542-1900 18. Lewiston, Idaho (208) 743-2000 19. Meridian, Idaho (208) 884-3000 20. Nampa, Idaho (208) 468-7600

24. Southaven, Mississippi (662) 349-5500 25. Bozeman, Montana (406) 586-0100 26. Helena, Montana (406) 457-7200 27. Missoula, Montana (406) 523-9000 28. Carson City, Nevada (775) 884-2100 29. Las Vegas, Nevada (702) 474-1100 30. Reno, Nevada (775) 828-1500

31. Albuquerque, New Mexico (505) 761-9900 32. Farmington, New Mexico (505) 326-2100 33. Bend, Oregon (541) 693-5000 34. Hillsboro, Oregon (503) 844-9100 35. Medford, Oregon (541) 732-3700 36. Portland, Oregon (503) 777-8700 37. Salem, Oregon (503) 589-0800 38. Columbia, South Carolina (803) 731-3000 39. Chattanooga, Tennessee (423) 892-6300

45. Vernal, Utah Opening in 2014 46. Roanoke, Virginia (540) 366-9700 47. Federal Way, Washington (253) 835-4100 48. Kelso, Washington Opening in 2014 49. Kennewick, Washington (509) 736-2200 50. Puyallup, Washington (253) 864-0800 51. Silverdale, Washington (360) 307-6900 52. Vancouver, Washington (360) 604-8000 53. East Wenatchee, Washington (509) 886-7200 54. Casper, Wyoming (307) 233-3700 55. Cheyenne, Wyoming (307) 635-4500