Sportsman's News August 2015 Digital Edition by Sportsman's News

SportsmansNews.com

August 2015

Volume 11 Issue 8

By Raymon Kemper Sportsman’s News Pro Staff

Flaming Gorge Resort

s the sun peaked over the horizon, it illuminated the valley floor. Beautiful Ponderosa pines covered the mountainside. It was a brisk morning and the smell of Spring was in the air. It was time to load up the fly rods. Our guide Kevin, from Flaming Gorge Resort, has more than 20 years experience in the area. With drift boat in tow, we drove the four miles to the Flaming Gorge Dam, where “Section A” of the Green River starts. I thought, “How lucky I am to fly-fish this magnificent, world-class, blue-ribbon trout fishery.” It had been a long time since I had been so excited to fly fish an area. As we drove across the dam, I gazed at the Green River below. For the first time, it took my breath away. The magnificent rock walls on both sides of the river and the crystal clear water looked magical. All of my life, I have heard stories about Flaming Gorge and the A, B and C sections. With very high expectations, I was about to finally fish the legendary Green River. We slowly went down the windy road to unload the drift boat, double checked all of the equipment, and pushed off. The water was so clear you could easily see 15 feet down. My guide, Kevin, told me that the cicadas were emerging. Very few places have this unique hatch along a river, especially in the numbers that you can focus in on. I could hear the cicadas serenading from the trees as our guide posicontinued on page 2

Raymon Kemper with a beautiful Green River brown trout.

See your aiming point in any lighting condition with Leupold’s advanced VX-R® riflescope. PAGE 8

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

FLAMING GORGE

and set the hook – “FISH ON.” A nice rainbow jumped out of the water and continued from cover went down into the strong current. I tioned the boat to fish our first eddy. quickly swung my rod to the eddy to I noticed a few locusts floating down help pull him to the calmer water. The the seam and suddenly a fish rose up fish moved behind the boat and went and took it right off of the surface. straight down as I slowly worked the My excitement grew as I started to rainbow into Kevin’s net. Wow. What load my fly rod and gently laid my a way to start the day. We released the fly above the seam and watched it 18-inch, spotted missile, as I dried off slowly float into the main current. All my fly and made another cast back of a sudden, there was an explosion. into the seam. My fly disappeared. I raised my rod Another splash. I quickly attempted to set the hook. My fly line went floating through the air. Needless to say, I was too fast on the draw. I had to tell myself to calm down, but there was so much excitement in the air. I took a deep breath and dried my fly as we reThese floats are through some of the most beautiful positioned the country in Northeastern Utah and 50+ fish days are not boat down river. uncommon.

I took a quick look down into the water and was surprised that I could see the fish, with such clarity. Our guide positioned the boat, river-left, and told me to cast into the main current. I looked at him like he was joking. But, I could tell by the look on his face that he was serious. I said, “Okay,” as I started to look around and tried to figure out what I was missing. Then I spotted all of the fish that were suspended in the current. Three casts later, I was fighting another fish, resulting in a very nice brown trout in the net. As we worked the current, I was amazed with the number of fish that I could see. We boated four more fish, then drifted down to another huge eddy. We started on the down-river side, working the pool very slowly. There were a large number of fish sipping dry flies off of the surface. I paused for a second, just to take it all in. I noticed a large fish, feeding about 20-feet from the boat. I made my cast about 10 feet above it. The fish made a beeline for my fly, hitting it so fast that I barely had time to set the hook. It jumped one, two, three times in a row. Back

Fat, healthy fish are the norm on this river. and forth it went. We finally landed the beautiful 20-inch rainbow. After that I checked my leader and looked at my fly. It was definitely showing signs of wear. Kevin quickly changed out my rig. With all of the splashing around from the last fish, there were hardly any fish boiling, but we noticed a lot of cruisers in the calm water. I picked one out and placed my fly about 10-feet in front of him. I could tell it was another nice continued on page 6

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August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Words From The Publisher

By Michael Deming

he printed issue, as well as the digital only edition of this August issue, have some things we are very excited about. Every issue we have is always packed with gear reviews, outfitter evaluations, and other “how to” types of articles. We always have some of the very best writers and professionals in the industry, who truly do what they write about. Many of you don’t know, but many articles in this field are ghost written. That’s right, the names that you know and trust don’t always write the articles you read in many of the outdoor publications. We know why they do it and we know it is done, but we don’t agree with the policy nor will we ever endorse it here at Sportsman’s News. So, if we don’t have a great professional on staff or contracted, we will just drop that column from our pages until we find one to pick up the slack. My good friend and archery professional Shane Chuning moved to Colorado a couple of years ago. He had written our archery column for several years at the time and is a wealth of information. There isn’t a bow he can’t tune and once he is done with your bow, you will become a better shooter from the very first shot. He was always able to translate these “how to” types of articles perfectly for the reader. However, getting settled into Colorado and building on his new

business base left little time to write for us. This left a huge void in our writing staff which has went unfilled. Fortunately for all of our readers and dedicated archers, Shane Chuning is moving back to Cedar City, Utah and will once again be a big part of our staff here at Sportsman’s News. We will be working on a full schedule of articles in 2016 for which Shane will tackle and be a monthly contributor. I was able to get him to tackle the archery roundup article for this August issue. We got some of the new and best bows from the manufactures selling at Sportsman’s Warehouse. We put them in Shane’s hands and let him do his magic. Each bow was tuned perfectly and put to the test of the best I’ve ever seen with a bow. If you are in the market for a bow or just thinking that it might be something you would enjoy, don’t miss this great review. In our digital edition is what we hope is the beginning of a long term working relationship with Dennis Dunn. He is the author of the book Barebow.. He is one of the few who have taken the North American 29 with a bow and arrow. Dennis has taken this quest a step further in the fact that he has done it without the use of a sight, peep, release, or anything which would tip the odds in his favor. I’ve had the pleasure of reading about a great deal of his pursuits and he is the real deal. As you can imagine, he has

had a great deal o f f a i l u re s a s well as successes and isn’t afraid to share them with his readers. In a society where the pros seldom show or talk about their failures, it is a welcome read to see someone like Dennis embrace the hunt and the adventure itself instead of just the trophy. Between now and the end of the y e a r, w e w i l l have a column from Dennis. Each column will be the full experience of one of his great adventures. These are only available through our digital subscription which is “Free” at www.sportsmansnews.com so make sure you log on and sign up to catch each of these great articles as well as other digital edition only articles. The Pro Member Sweepstakes is in its’ sixth month and we have given away over $80,000 worth of trips, guns, and gear. Since each membership is for a full year, there is $300,000 worth still up for grabs. We are getting calls from some great outfitters who want to be part of this program going forward, so we know we have developed something special. We are in the process of vetting more of these business and will continue adding the best of the best trips to our sweepstakes. If you haven’t heard about it already, please look on page 3 for details about this month’s giveaways as well as our most current winners or log onto www.sportsmansnews. com for full rules and details on how you can become a Sportsman’s News Pro Member and get your chances to win one or more of the great prize packages.

WHAT'S INSIDE

3 Pro Member Update 5 Words From The Publisher 8 Leupold VX-R Riflescopes 10 Platinum Approved Outfitters 14 New Archery Products Pick: Wilderness Athlete 27 Pro’s On A Budget: 28 Adventures Henry’s Lake Trout 32 Pro’s Tips: Skull Bleaching Outdoors: Odell 36 PacWest Lakers 40 Tikka T3 Superlite 42 Fishful Thinker: Getting Jiggy 46 Savage A17 Rifle 48 Business Directory 50 Video Product Reviews 56 Little Warrior’s Camp 58 Wheels Afield: 4Runner Contest: Fishing With 59 Writing the Master 60 Barebow! Sagas Game Recipe: Wild Boar 63 Wild Enchiladas

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 Raymon Kemper Dave Domin Shane Chunning Gary Lewis Shane Adair Andy Lightbody Mandy Medina-Sparks Dennis Dunn Steve Mayer

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

FLAMING GORGE continued from page 2

brown and as he swam closer, I prepared to set the hook. The brown raised up and just nosed my fly, never taking it in. My first rejection. I started to think, “Is it not a soft enough presentation or was he just looking for something different?” Either way, it had already been a great morning and we hadn’t even drifted a mile down the river yet. I finally did pull two 17-inch fish out the eddy, and we floated down the river to a good looking seam that ran right along the rock wall of the canyon. I again rolled my fly into the main current. It disappeared as soon as it hit the water. A quick raise of my rod and the hook was set. The fish swam to the bottom of the river immediately, as the strong current aided him in his battle. My rod bowed over hard, with the tip almost touching the water. It seemed like every time I would bring him in a foot, he would take two. After fighting back and forth, I was finally able to swing the fish to my guide stretching out with his net, securing a muscular, golden brown trout.

As the day went by, we replayed every one of these scenarios over and over again. It didn’t matter whether we used dries, streamers or nymph rigs. The result was always the same. “Fish On.” I honestly lost count of the number of fish that I caught, but I can tell you, it was one of the best days I have ever experienced, anywhere. The Flaming Gorge Resort is located in the heart of the High Uinta Mountains, located in Northeastern Utah. There are Ponderosa Pines as far as the eye can see. The resort is only four miles south of the Flaming Gorge Dam, where the Green River starts and 3-miles from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The Flaming Gorge Resort offers a great all-around experience, with almost 50 years experience of meeting the needs of visitors to this recreation area. They also offer the very best guides that I have ever had the pleasure of fishing with. Their overall knowledge of the area and the river, along with their willingness to go the extra mile, showed me how much they truly love this area. The Flaming Gorge Resort fishes the upper

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26 miles of the magnificent, worldclass, blue ribbon trout fishery of the Green River. The tail-water is home to more than 15,000 fish per linear mile in Section A of the Green River. Section A is 7.2-miles, Section B is 9.5-miles and Section C is 13-miles long. The Flaming Gorge Resort offers full-day guided fishing trips for 1 to 2 people, which includes transportation to and from the Green River, a hardy lunch, and expert guide instruction. The resort also offers self-guided raft and kayak trips. Their most popular Green River trips originate below Flaming Gorge Dam. Several rapids between the dam and Little Hole makes this 7-mile float fun for the entire family. Flaming Gorge Resort has a wonderful home-style family restaurant and café open from 6 am to 10 pm for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food is second to none. After a fantastic meal, enjoy their comfortable and cozy motel rooms. They offer 2-bedroom, 1-bath, up to full apartment accommodations. If RVs are more your style, they have 103 RV sites with full

and would like to thank each customer for its success. From stoves to smokers and a complete line of cast iron cookwqare, Camp Chef is The Way To Cook Outdoors. For more information go to www.CampChef.com today.

This big brown attacked a large top water bug and put up a tremendous fight before landing in the net. shower facilities. After a good night’s rest, stop by the fly shop/gift shop/ general store. It has a large selection of flies, rods, waders, and rentals, with all of the accessories that you will ever need. Flaming Gorge Resort has their own gas station where you can fill up your tank, or even pick up a paddle board for a fun filled day at the lake. The resort is open all year long and they even have ski rentals in the winter. This world class fishery can truly deliver a trip of a lifetime. Flaming Gorge Resort in Dutch John, Utah; 435-889-3773 or visit them on the web at www.flaminggorgeresort.com.

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August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

Light Em’ Up With The Leupold VX-R Riflescope.

By Dave Domin

id you know that hunting big game with illuminated scopes is legal in all 50 states? Many hunters don’t. That is why Leupold introduced the VX-R line of riflescopes in 2011 for American hunters seeking a brighter, more functional scope designed for low light conditions. It didn’t take long for this optic to gain a global foothold, and its popularity on modern sporting rifles and bolt guns is increasing annually. As with all Leupold Gold Ring products, they are proudly built at Leupold & Steven’s state of the art facility in Beaverton, Oregon and are backed by the Gold Ring Full Lifetime Guarantee. VX-R riflescopes are packed with features beginning with the Quantum Optical System. Leupold optical engineers and scientists, mechanical engineers and product line managers have developed the optical system for Leupold’s newest riflescopes, which includes the VXR. The Quantum Optical System is a new way of thinking about optical system design and is a significant leap forward in performance. Using the rugged foundation of the legendary Vari-X series and employing state-of-the-art optical and mechanical design software and manufacturing processes, this system delivers new levels of performance in every optical category. Lead free, ecologically friendly glass compositions are used throughout. The result is razor sharp imaging across the typical light conditions experienced on any hunt—from the bright daylight

of varminting to the dawn and dusk hours when big whitetails are on the move. By repositioning optical elements, employing new coatings and importantly, leaving key, time-tested mechanical aspects of the Vari-X system untouched, significant performance gains have been achieved in many other areas as well. The Quantum Optical System has greatly enhanced light transmission, resolution and color fidelity—all while preserving the ease of use and nearly indestructible ruggedness that has been a hallmark of Leupold riflescopes for generations. The VX-R incorporates Index Matched lenses with DiamondCoat in its 30mm, one piece maintube. A Leupold exclusive, the Index Matched Lens system has nearly perfected Leupold’s already impeccable light management. Beginning with edge blackened lenses, to reduce unwanted glare, Leupold engineers specify different coating materials for each lens surface in the riflescope, based on the lens’ index of refraction, placement and function, layering each coating to eliminate reflections and maximize light transmission. The result is unparalleled brightness and extremely sharp resolution across the entire visual field. The addition of DiamondCoat to the exterior lenses delivers the ultimate in abrasion resistance and light transmission. The result is a flawless sight picture over a lifetime of hard use. DiamondCoat has made a difference in battle; now it can make a difference where you hunt. While many Leupold scopes are still filled with nitrogen to keep them waterproof, the VX-R line features Leupold’s exclusive, proprietary Argon/Krypton gas blend. Its advantages are two fold: it nearly eliminates the

effects of thermal shock, and the Argon/ Krypton molecules are significantly larger than nitrogen molecules, reducing the diffusion of gases sealed inside the scope even more than proven nitrogen technology already does. Leupold pioneered riflescope waterproofing, and now with Argon/Krypton they’re exceeding the standards that they themselves set. The VX-R’s generous eyebox and fast focus eyepiece makes it faster and easier to get behind the riflescope and achieve a full, clear sight picture. Setting up for longer shots one will appreciate the flexibility it affords, and in close up big game or dangerous game situations the quick target acquisition will be a difference maker. At high power, the longer eye relief and more generous eyebox gives incredible head position latitude and an improved sight picture that fills the eyepiece completely. While the one-turn, non-locking eyepiece accommodates a wider spectrum of visual acuity, even in diminishing light. Near-sighted, farsighted, or anywhere in between, adjusting the focus of the reticle is smooth, fast, and precise. The VX-R introduced the world to Leupold’s FireDot Illumination System. Available reticles vary by model but include FireDot Duplex, FireDot Circle, Ballistic FireDot, FireDot LR Duplex, FireDot 4, FireDot Pig Plex, FireDot TMR and FireDot SPR. Once activated, the dot within the reticle illuminates with bright, sharp definition, while the rest of the reticle is non-illuminated. Sleek design with daylight-capable illumination; the Leupold VX-R’s patented 1-button design minimizes bulk, while allowing users to select between 8 intensity settings, including a low/high indicator. The readily available CR-2032 coin-cell battery produces remarkable run times,

while the fiber optic light pipe eliminates the need for an eyepiece-based control module. This combination leads your eye naturally to the center aiming point and makes target acquisition quick, precise, and simple. Finally, one of VX-R’s most important features is Leupold’s exclusive Motion Sensor Technology (MST). The reticle will automatically switch to “stand-by mode” after five minutes of inactivity, then reactivate whenever the rifle is moved. This eliminates the need for excess movement reaching for buttons, while extending battery life at the same time. Select VX-R scopes are available with Leupold’s Custom Dial System or CDS. Unlike other systems that use generic ballistics information to generate equally generic drop data, the CDS uses the shooter’s unique ballistics and environmental conditions to calculate true custom drop values that are laser engraved onto the dial. The first step in getting this done is to determine the best load for the rifle. Since no two guns will shoot the same load identically, it is important to get the most accurate ballistic data possible. Since the CDS system will be as accurate as the information the shooter supplies to Leupold, loads should be chronographed and the elevation and temperature, +/- 2000 feet and +/- 20 degrees Fahrenheit respectively, should match the intended use area. Leupold will need the following data: cartridge, bullet type, bullet weight, ballistic coefficient, muzzle velocity, average altitude, average temperature and sight height. The CDS will have a 100 or 200 yard zero in most cases (determined by continued on page 34

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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book. These are outfitters you would be proud to refer to a friend. We know this because we are proud to endorse each one of these outfitters based upon our staff members personally visiting each one of these operations. These outfitters have proven to us that they have what it takes to be "Sportsman's News Platinum Approved."

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

New Archery Products For The 2015 Season By Shane Chunning and Eric Christensen

he Sportsman’s News team spends hundreds of days in the field each year. Our team of experts has sought out the best new archery tackle to hit the shelves this year, and here are our reviews, just in time for archery season.

Bear Archery Arena 34 My first impression of the Bear Archery Arena 34 was more on the military side of things, feeling like it was ready for combat. With the powder coated sand colored finish and black limbs, it definitely has a tactical appearance and will catch attention when looking down the line of bows hanging up in your local Sportsman’s Warehouse. The powder coated finish seems very clean with no noticeable flaws. Overall balance is great and the grip is very nice when shooting off the riser. There are two options on grip; one being a bare riser with the very thin little side plates or the other, a rubber molded grip. My personal preference is shooting off the bare riser with the Bear Archery bows. Bear Archery Arena 34 specs : • Cam System: H15 Hybrid cam 7075 Aluminum • Weight 4.0 pounds • Brace Height 6.5” • Axle to Axle 34.5” • Let-off 75% • Draw weights available 50#,60# and 70# • Draw length range 26.5”-31”

• Reflexed Machined Riser • Max Pre Loaded Quad Limbs • BCY X Strings and Cables

My initial setup on the Arena 34 consists of a Trophy Taker Smackdown Pro rest, AXT 4 pin slider sight, Gold Tip Pro Hunter 300s with Blazer vanes and 100 grain fieldpoints. The end results with this setup yielded both bareshafts and fletched aligning perfectly at 20 yards. The final bow settings were, centershot 13/16”, top cam hitting 1/16” before the bottom at full draw, nock height was a hair nock high, pre lean with an arrow on the right side of the cam was nearly parallel with the aim string. These listed settings would be a very good starting point to start your tuning process and in some cases, you might just find these settings on the money for you as well. Each bow can vary slightly but should not be too far from what I have listed above. The H13 cam that Bear Archery came out with a few years back was a huge leap in my opinion and the new H15 has surpassed that this year. They really are a true performer in every way. This particular bow was set up at 29” draw 72 pounds, with a 406 grain arrow coming in at 313 fps. This put the Bear Archery Arena 34 at a 344 IBO equivalent calculated speed rating, which is 4 fps over its 340 IBO rating. Kudos to Bear Archery in their speed rating for being conservative in the advertised numbers, it will lead to very pleased customers in the long run. The H15 cam is very smooth for the kind of speeds it produces and I am highly impressed with the performance, while still maintaining the ease of let down at full draw. As fast as the Arena 34 is, it still maintains a very quiet, shock free shot. The fully adjustable string suppressors do their job of stopping string oscillation,

while at the same time, reducing vibe and noise. There’s a lot packed into this powerhouse of a bow and it is appealing in so many ways. The hinge guard system Bear uses is similar to what they used when it was first introduced but in my opinion they have really refined it, in what it is today. It has very smooth operation on the draw and helps relieve the torque on the overall system that is applied by the cables. One of the biggest things I continue to be impressed with, is how well this and the riser design work together to really even out the limb loads during the draw cycle. I give a big shout out to the engineering department at Bear Archery. Great job. Strings are the BCY X material and are better built quality from years past and would easily last you a season or better. The newer designed speed nocks seem to stay put, which has been a problem for some of the aftermarket stuff available today. Most people don’t realize, but the speed nock locations can be critical from a tuning standpoint, so the last thing you want is your speed nocks moving on you over time; it can compromise your tune. Overall, the Bear Archery Arena 34 is by far my favorite bow sold in any of the box stores today. I am so impressed with these bows and the direction that Bear Archery has taken over the last 5 years. In fact I am so impressed I would even put them in my top 3 bows from box stores to pro shops of all time. For those looking for a new bow, do yourself a favor and do not overlook the Bear Archery Arena 34. It’s a true performer, no matter how you slice it.

PSE Bow Madness 32 At first appearance, the Bow Madness 32 has a very clean camo finish with no major flaws. Generally PSE does well on their finishes and they hold up well in appearance for those who might be a little rough on their equipment. Overall balance is great and it felt good in your hand upon first impression. Grip is your typical slim design that makes it harder to induce unwanted torque in the wrong areas and promotes a repeatable grip, shot after shot. This paves the way to better and more consistent accuracy down range.

Bow Madness specs are: Draw Length range 24”-30” Axle to Axle is 32.38 80% let-off 340 IBO Weight 4.1 pounds Available draw weights 50#,60# and 70# • 6” brace height • Hybrid cam • • • • • •

My initial set up for this bow consisted of Trophy Taker Smackdown Pro, AXT 4 pin slider sight and Gold Tip Pro Hunter 300s with blazer vanes and 100 grain fieldpoints. After fine tuning through bareshafts my centershot was sitting right between 3/4” and 13/16”, the nock point was sitting dead level and pre lean on the top cam if you were to put an arrow on the left side of the cam, projecting it down to your nocking point, the string would split your arrow dead center. These

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settings would be a very good point to start your tuning process. The settings I listed above yielded perfect bareshaft and fletched results at 20 yards. The draw cycle was quite smooth for the speeds the Bow Madness 32 produced down range. For this particular setup at a 29 inch draw, 71.5 pounds of draw weight, with a 406 grain arrow, produced speeds at 314 fps. That would be equivalent to a 343 IBO speed rating calculation. Now it’s rated at a 340 IBO so it is nice to see the conservative speed rating by PSE. Nothing worse when buying a bow and not getting what is advertised in the speed department. I will add that the Bow Madness 32 does draw more like half an inch longer than the 29” setting. I did account for that when calculating speeds and it still produced above 340 IBO equivalent speed calculated numbers. On setting up the Bow Madness 32 the strings were fair and lacked the

tight center serving I would prefer. On the initial setup of the D-loop using the Viper pliers, it gave way to serving separation fairly easy. This can be frustrating over time and can change the nocking point, thus changing a tune over time. The strings also had some peep rotation at first, which was fixed by adding some twist to the aim string. Overall, they would last you a season with moderate use. For heavier use, I would recommend a custom set of strings. The bow has low to moderate vibe and recoil that can be easily tamed by a good stabilizer. For me personally, I shoot with a very relaxed hand so the whole vibe and recoil thing might not effect me compared to others who have more of a grip on the bow. Either way you look at it, it was very low in the vibe and recoil category. Overall, I would give the Bow Madness 32 a thumbs up for draw cycle, speeds, overall ease of tune, as well as overall appearance and balance. This would make for a great mid range bow for those looking into a new bow purchase.

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Diamond Archery Specs: Draw weight range 5-70 pounds Mass weight is 3.2 pounds Draw length range is 13”- 31” Axle to Axle is 31” IBO speed rating at 70# 30” draw is 310 fps • Brace Height 7” The Diamond Archery Infinity Edge Pro comes with a ready to shoot Boondocks Package, which includes an Apex Gear 3 pin sight, Octane 5 arrow quiver, D loop, peep, Octane Stabilizer and Octane Hostage rest. For the price point of this” little gem of a do-all bow”, from youth to adulthood, I was really surprised by the overall quality. The Infinity Edge Pro really has a nice balance and feel to it. The draw cycle is very nice, even at the max draw weight of 70 pounds. The large flat surface on the draw length modules gives you a very firm backwall. They don’t cut corners either, even at this price range. The strings and cables seem to be well built and much better than other bows at even a higher price point than the Infinity Edge Pro. Speed nocks are even included to achieve peak speeds, something most bows at this price point leave out. The cable slide is very smooth with no chatter during the draw cycle. Initial set up from factory only needed a slight adjustment in cam synch to get everything perfect from a tuning standpoint. It is definitely a solid bow that I would not hesitate to purchase. Whether you are looking for a one bow purchase for your son or daughter to carry them through their years, or an entry level bow that will fit your needs when you’re not sure of proper draw length or draw weight, the Infinity Edge Pro will do it all. • • • • •

Diamond Archery Infinity Edge Pro Diamond Archery pulled out all the stops for the new Infinity Edge Pro. This bow has amazing adjustability that will well exceed the entry level archer’s needs. It is a bow that will meet the needs of the youth just starting out due to the extreme adjustability in draw weight as well as draw length. It literally has crazy adjustments in draw weight from 5 pounds to 70 pounds; not to mention the draw length adjustability from 13 inches to 31 inches. I sure wish this option was around when my daughters first started shooting. It’s a bow that will take the youth literally all through their years of schooling, to the point they would eventually buy their own after they graduate. With the 13 inch to 31 inch draw length adjustability you don’t have to worry if the bow will fit or not. Add to that the adjustability of draw length from 5 to 70 pounds and not worrying about having to switch limbs to get that range of adjustment is so appealing when thinking of a first bow purchase.

Diamond Archery Provider RAK Package Bow The first thing I noticed with the Diamond Provider was the bow’s mass weight. This bow comes in at a very light 3.2-3.3 pounds and it’s definitely something you will notice on this entry level bow. The fit and finish was average with a few small spots that were random throughout the camo finish. The finish as a whole was fairly clean with crisp images throughout. Also at an entry level price point, this is a very worthy bow to take a look at. continued on page 18

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Diamond Archery Provider specs are: • Range of draw weight adjustability 20-70# • Draw length range 25.5”- 31” • Weight 3.2-3.3 (one of the lightest available bows on the market today) • Let-off 80%

• Axle to Axle 31” • IBO speed 310 fps • Brace Height 7.5” This Diamond Provider RAK package comes ready to shoot, with a 3 pin Apex sight, Octane Stab, D loop, peep and Octane arrow rest. Upon initial set up, I found this bow to be very close right out of the gate straight from the factory. Centershot, I did not have to change, coming in at 15/16”, and the nock height I adjusted a touch to make it nock level, cleaning up the vertical nock travel. When tuning, I generally bareshaft tune everything that goes through my hands, but in this case, with the Hostage arrow rest, it can be trying to say the least with this style of rest. I decided I would give it a go and got equal results with bareshaft and fletched but it did take much longer in doing so. Normally I would not recommend this style of tuning with that style of rest. Shooting through paper would be a great starting point when using them. Pre lean in the top cam was very minimal. Placing an arrow on the left side of the top idler wheel, the arrow comes and just starts to intersect the aim string at the nocking point.

The specs on this particular bow are 28.5” draw; peak draw weight coming in at 70 pounds. With a Gold Tip Pro Hunter 300 weighing in at 406 grains, speeds came in right at 283 fps. This bow is advertised at a 310 fps IBO but I am seeing it closer to a 323 equivalent IBO calculated speed rating when at 70# . The draw cycle is nice and smooth with a pretty good backwall. If you are looking for your first bow at an entry level price point this bow is worth considering. The adjustability makes this bow very appealing for those looking for a bow to grow with and not break the bank doing it. They come very close for a tune right out of the gate so the entry level shooters will be ready to go in no time. Overall, this is a solid choice for those entry level bows. I sure wish I had choices like this one years ago.

G5 Quest AMP The very first impression that comes to mind with G5 bows is the toughest and best finish in the business. Their

The DURAFUSE FINISH is incredibly tough and image quality is second to none. The very next thing I noticed is the Hybrid cam. It seems like others are jumping in on their own hybrid cam modifications since the hybrid cam patents have expired. The first mental note was the addition of limb stops that added to the more widely noted cable stops. Hybrid cams are known for their cable stops and are still widely used in that fashion today. There are a couple of companies that have added limb stops to the Hybrid cam system but I am still not sold on this added feature. G5 Quest AMP specs: • Axle to Axle 32” • Brace Height 7” • Weight 3.9 pounds • Draw length range 26.5”- 31” • Draw weight range 40#, 50#, 60#, 70# • Standard finishes Realtree Xtra/ Black • BCY 452X strings and cables • RAD (Rotating Adjustable Cam) • New Stabilite Riser

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The G5 Quest AMP I set up had a Trophy Taker Smackdown Pro rest, AXT 4 pin Slider sight, Gold Tip Pro Hunter 300s with Blazer vanes and 100 grain fieldpoints. This particular setup resulted in perfect bareshaft and fletched flight but was a little finicky; I will discuss this a little more. The specs were 29” draw, 70 pounds peak weight, with a 406 grain arrow at 303 fps; putting this particular bow at a 338 IBO speed equivalent calculation. The G5 Quest AMP is advertised at a 340 IBO, so it is right there, give or take a couple feet per second. The first thing you will notice is the smooth drawing cam with a very solid backwall, due to the limb stop verses the more traditional cable stops. Now when it comes to tuning these Hybrid cam limb stop bows, which are fairly new to the market, I have noticed they can be tricky. This is probably due to throwing one more thing into the mix. When you incorporate a limb stop you are also adding uneven loads on the limbs at full draw to a Hybrid Cam System that is not traditionally known for additional loads in those specific locations. This being the case, along with the location of the limb stops when using a limb tip style press, can be a little more time consuming when attempting to fine tune your setup. My end goal was still accomplished when my bareshafts were flying the same as fletched at 20 yards. The settings that yielded the best results were, nock height level, centershot 13/16”. The dots on cams were a very close reference for cam synch, pre lean when putting an arrow on the left side of the top cam projected down to nocking point was just starting to intersect the aim string at nocking point. These settings are a very good starting point to begin your tuning process and should put you very close out of the gate. The G5 Quest AMP is fairly quiet and has very minimal vibe. I did notice the buss cable starting to get serving separation within the first 100 shots. Just something to look for that might create some cosmetic or possible wear issues down the road. The other issue I had was the cable slide roller chattering a little during the draw cycle, and I could actually feel it as well.

Overall impression was top notch finish, the best in the business; smooth draw; and firm backwall. On the downside, was the limb stops and their location which can make for a more time consuming process when fine tuning due to the limb stops position when pressing the bow. With that said, if you are in the market for a mid range price bow, this is one to consider.

Range Rover The market is full of archery sights that advertise easy set-up and adjustments. I have found this to be somewhat misleading if you are not a seasoned archer. I just tested out a new sight from TRUGLO, one of the industry leaders in bow sights. The Range Rover is a single-pin sight, with a ZERO-IN adjustment dial. Its build is very clean and is designed to last through years of service. The single pin is extremely bright, even in noon-day sunshine. The sight housing has an easy-to-see shooters ring that I like to use when lining my peep up with the target. Its design helps cut out unnecessary weight that other adjustable single-pin sights seem to have too much of. It features tool-less yardage lock and pin adjustments. Sight adjustments are done on an ultra-smooth ZERO-IN dial that really does move very smoothly and effortlessly. The dial has a quick yardage lock that feels solid and never comes loose. I was able to lock and unlock the dial with one turn of my wrist, which I really appreciate when having to make a quick adjustment in the field. I sighted my test model out at 20 yards and then moved to forty. This wasn’t as effective for my longer yard marks; distances past 70 yards. I found sighting in at 20 yards and then moving to 70 yards more effective to match my bow to a specific yardage tape. I do recommend that you mark the secondary distance with a pen or marker to match your premarked tape. The Range Rover comes with 40-pre-marked yardage tapes and should accommodate all types of bows and setups. I’m not recommending this procedure for sighting in the Range continued on page 22

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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Rover, but I found it more precise for my shooting setup. The yardage dial comes with built-in yardage stops that can be set to the longest distances from which you feel comfortable shooting. The yardage tapes range from 20100 yards in distance. The pin-protective housing also includes a must-have level to prevent excessive cantering of the bow. The sight housing will accommodate a quiver bracket that can mount to the site without interfering with its operation. One thing to consider when looking at 1-pin adjustable sights, is having the ability to quickly adjust your pin to the correct distance. If you are considering shooting your bow further than the traditional 5-pin sights will allow, I would definitely look at getting yourself a Range Rover from TRUGLO. The Range Rover sight is the easiest and fastest 1-pin sight to adjust that I have had the chance to test out this spring. Rinehart Self-Healing 3D Target Choosing a 3D archery target is another reason to make a trip to your

local Sportsman’s Warehouse. But, one of the questions many archers ask this time of the year is, “which target do I choose and why”? Well, I’ve had the opportunity to shoot many 3D targets in my archery career and I think Rinehart Targets are one of the best on the market. Go to any 3D archery shooting tournament and you will most likely be shooting daggers at their targets. John Rinehart was the first to design “self-

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healing” foam, giving longer life to their targets. Rinehart also has a vast line-up of all kinds of 3D targets to choose from. Our test model was the Giant Mule Deer. Why buy a 3D target for your practice session? First off, how many 2-ft. square block animals have you killed on a hunt recently? By shooting at 3 dimensional, life-sized target, you develop necessary skills that are carried into the field. Getting used to arrow placement can absolutely get you a hero picture vs. long stories of a missed shot. I recently shot at a 3D event in Ely, Nevada. It was unmarked yardages, an event that can frustrate even the most seasoned archer. Having the opportunity to estimate distance and be comfortable with an animal-sized target, will no doubt help your skill when actually hunting. I could have never done it without my practice on full bodied targets. One piece of advice I would pass on when shooting 3D targets is the choice of practice tips. Use a bullet tip that is slightly larger than the shaft of your arrow and you will experience less teeth gritting when pulling arrows out. The

Giant Mule Deer target has a replaceable core that is basically a rough dimension of vital organs. Being able to see where the arrow must be placed time and time again will be beneficial when sizing up your target. Because of this, the repetition will be more natural when you draw back on a trophy buck in the fall. The target did not allow deep penetration and pulled nicely for a new set to be shot. As your hunt nears, you can also sight in your broad heads with this target, with both fixed and expandables. Rinehart 18-1 Our other test target was a Rinehart 18-1. This target promises to be the longest lasting that Rinehart has ever offered. If you can manage to shoot out all 18 sides of the target, you can bring it back in to your authorized dealer for a no-hassle replacement 1 year from date-of-sale. This target is extremely mobile and can be set-up for practice in a matter of a few seconds. It’s size and weight make it ideal for transporting to hunting camp for a few shots before continued on page 24

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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setting out on your hunt. The bright green dots and the black foam show-up brightly in a noon-day sun. It is easy to pull arrows out of, and after two months of daily shooting still shows only minimal wear.

TenPoint Turbo XLT TenPoint has been a leader among crossbow manufacturers for several years, and they continue to develop and enhance their crossbow line. We tested the Turbo XLT II and were very impressed with the overall function of it. The Turbo XLT II has been upgraded from the original XLT with faster operations and a lighter frame. The Turbo XLT II differs from its predecessor in several ways. While it still features a radically compact bow assembly, spanning 13.5-inches from axle-

to-axle when cocked, its 11-inch IsoTaper Limbs are now double laminated for improved strength and durability. The bow assembly, fitted with D-75 string and yoked tunable cables powered by NEW MR cams, is mounted on a 7/8” longer barrel that increases the power stroke to 12.875-inches. This new combination produces a sleek and maneuverable 180-pound crossbow that shoots 345 fps with TenPoint’s NEW Pro Lit carbon arrow. Our test model performed up to par with all the tests we put the crossbow through. In our testing, we were only able to achieve 325 fps with the scope mounted, but our three arrows were touching at 30 yards. We then tested the Turbo XLT II out to 75 yards. The groups were around 4-6 inches, which was mostly a result of human error. I felt totally confident in making a shot out to that distance. The bow felt smooth, with a precise trigger pull. The rope cocking device really made cocking the bow easy. The Turbo XLT II is also equipped with TenPoint’s NEW Fusion Lite stock, which weighs five ounces less than the original fusion stock. The weight reduction is achieved by a new aesthetic cutout above the trigger guard, a cored-out fore-grip to stabilize the stock dimensions by evenly distributing the composite material during molding, and ventilation holes in the butt stock to help the camo pattern adhere better to the stock. We also found the thumbhole stock complimented the grip very well. The safety switch is right above your shooting

hand and is easy to get to when you are ready to shoot down range. The Turbo XLT II comes standard with TenPoint’s 3x Pro-View 2 Scope and, like all TenPoint crossbows, features their patented DF (dry-fire-inhibitor) and 3.5-pound PowerTouch trigger. Available with or without one of TenPoint’s two patented cocking units, the ACUdraw or ACUdraw 50, the Turbo XLT II is decorated in Realtree APG. continued on page 26

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Trophy Ridge React Pro The archery arena is inundated with five-pin sights. How do you choose one that is right for you? I like to look at sight manufacturers who are constantly improving, and care about their sights performing on the target range and in the field. Trophy Ridge has developed a series of sights that are hard to beat in performance and affordability. The React Pro is a 5 pin sight that can literally be sighted in and ready for use in about 10 minutes. It only requires three steps to dial your yardage pins out to 60 yards; sight in the 20 yard pin using the tool-less micro adjustments and then move back to 30 yards. Once you have sighted in these two distances, the rest of the longer yardage pins will automatically be set. The React Pro is built upon Trophy Ridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development of the REACT system. By turning the master yardage adjustment knob, the REACT system will move all 5 pins at the exact same time. No more shooting and wrenching one individual

pin at a time, which can drive you senseless. I was able to sight in my test model with no problems in less than 10 minutes after installation. I shot the 20-yard pin

first and then I actually moved back to 40 and adjusted the sight from there. Most modern compound bows shoot so fast that 20 and 30 yard pins are very close together. I felt it would be advantageous

to skip 30 and move to 40. I shot all 5 pin distances and found the React adjustment system to perform as advertised. I really enjoyed the innovation and hassle free adjustments the sight offers users. The peep sight glow-ring is easy to see in bright noon day sun, and lights up in the dusk. The fiber optics are fully protected from the elements in a durable plastic shell; another step that Trophy Ridge incorporates to add longevity for the React Pro. The React Pro is constructed of a solid 6061 aluminum frame. The aluminum bracket has 5 different mounting set-ups for a variety of pin gap choices. The entire operation of the sight adjustments are toolless, which is a feature I really appreciate for making quick changes. The windage and elevation have a micro adjustment lock when you get your sight dead on. The micro adjustments are smooth and efficient to adapt the sight to your shooting style. The sight ring has a precision installed leveling bubble, which is large for a sight, but I really liked it and it was very easy to see and adjust my cantering.

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Wilderness Athlete By Eric Christensen Field Editor

hat’s the first action you take when you draw that special tag for the fall? Well for most, the planning and dreaming of where the adventure will take us and how it will play out is the answer. We get our gear ready and make sure it is operational and ready to perform when called upon. But you know what? The most important gear we often overlook is our body. I’ve been a professional guide for over 10 years in the mountains of Utah and have put my boot track on some of the most demanding landscape this great state has to offer. I can tell you first-hand that one of the most important preparations you can make is to get yourself in good enough condition, physically and mentally, to tackle the country that the four-legged animals you will be chasing call home, so all the preparation and gear you bring on your trip will not be a colossal waste. Getting your body in the best condition possible for your trek to the backcountry should be the first priority on your gear list. Being able to traverse one more ridge, pushing yourself just a little bit extra, can absolutely mean the difference between a trophy of a lifetime and complete failure. The folks at Wilderness Athlete are dedicated to delivering products that will not only get you in shape for your hunt, but also keep you going while you are on your quest. I’ve been tackling the 28-day challenge that Wilderness Athlete offers; a combination of products that are with you from start to finish during your daily routine. During the challenge, I utilized the Meal Replacement Shake 5-days a week; once in the morning and once after my noon workout. I know many of you think that programs like this will taste nasty, but these tasted just fine, similar to a regular protein shake. I mixed one scoop of Green Infusion with each Meal Replacement Shake. Green Infusion is a blend of super greens and fruits, vegetable extracts, adaptogenic herbs and probiotics. It is loaded with essential nutrients and is easily digestible to help cleanse your body while reinforcing proper digestive function and restoring healthful “friendly” intestinal microflora. Green Infusion also supports increased energy and endurance, and is gluten free. Every morning, I also took Lean Life pills to

help reduce my body fat. Lean Life helps control appetite, boost your metabolism and inhibits your body’s production of new body fat. I also took the Ultimate Pre-Workout pills 30 minutes before my gym workouts or while hiking early in the morning. I have tried several pre-workout supplements while getting in mountain shape. All of them had some sort of side effect like turning my skin lobster red or burning and itching a few minutes after digesting the supplement. I was very curious how the pre-workout would perform. It is one of the best parts of the challenge, where I really noticed a difference. My workouts seemed to allow me to push through my exercise regimen more freely. I also seemed more focused on what I was accomplishing, pushing myself to go just a tad more than I thought I could go. I really noticed my renewed energy towards the end of week the first two weeks. I started to look forward to my workouts, not talking myself out of it. This will definitely be a new asset to my gear list for those early morning death marches, up the mountain I used to agonizingly dread. When you start to loose body fat and replace it with muscle, it is imperative that you fuel your body with more sustainable fuel than when you’re stocking up for the winter hibernation. I added two protein chocolate shakes, one at mid-day and one early afternoon. I really liked the shake with milk for taste, but I don’t recommend it for weight loss, because of milk’s fat content. I also hydrated my body with 10 to 12 glasses of water every day. The 28 day challenge chart includes a urine chart to tell you where you should keep your aqua intake for optimal hydration. After the first 14-days of the challenge, I was able to shed over 9 pounds. My goal by the end of the challenge was to lose 20-25 pounds and guess what? The magic number ended up being 22. I am now ready for trekking wherever duty calls this fall. I am a believer in what Wilderness Athlete stands for and the people behind the name are really behind what they sell. They are very familiar with their products and can get you the right supplements to reach your goals. They offer a host of supplements to fit your needs, including a few I can’t wait to try in the field this fall. You can get your supply of Wilderness Athlete supplements at many Sportsman’s Warehouse locations across the country or online at www.SportsmansWarehouse.com.

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

Monster Trout On Henry’s Lake

12 feet in depth, with its deepest point less than 25 feet. An outlet dam was formed on the southeast corner of the lake in 1923 to enlarge the capacity for downstream irrigation use. Now, like any fishing water, Henry’s Lake can be absolutely on fire one day and then the next have you thinking that there must not be a fish anywhere in the lake. Cold fronts, water temps, algae blooms, high winds, and a host of other factors can literally turn the lake upside down. That said, if you are persistent and are willing to go with the flow and change your tactics at times, your patience will pay off with plenty of fish stories to take home to your buddies that will have them itching to join you on your next trip to this magical place. If you haven’t fished Henry’s Lake before or you will not be fishing with someone that has fished it, I would highly recommend hiring a guide, at least for your first day or two. Just like on any water, you need to get to know some of the areas and acquire a feel for how to fish them. I’ve known the guys at BS Flies , Chris Chase and Mike Smith, for years and it will be well worth the money to spend a day or two with either of them. You will become a better fisherman for it, not only here, but wherever you fish.

Adventure On A Budget

Noel Smith of Sandy, Utah with a beautiful cutthroat on a crisp October day. By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor Fly fishing has taken me to many great destinations throughout the west. And, although Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana offer some of the country’s most sought after fishing waters, when I want to try my luck at catching a truly big, hang on the wall sized trout, I head for Henry’s Lake in Island Park, Idaho. First, a little history. Early western explorer, Major Andrew Henry, discovered the area in 1810. Both the Henry’s Fork River system and the head waters that they have as their source, Henry’s Lake, bear his name. The lake lies in a loop of the continental divide, which is part of the wall of the Island Park Caldera, perhaps the largest collapsed volcanic caldera in the world. It is some twenty by thirty miles across and the river meanders the entire length. The lake is fed by seven snow and rain supplied creeks and by icy springs on the lake bottom. It is very rich water for trout, loaded with weeds and insects, with almost all of the action being subsurface. Many premier fishing and sightseeing opportunities abound in this eastern corner of Idaho, with West Yellowstone and the entrance to Yellowstone National Park, just 18 miles up the road. On August 18, 1959, a massive earthquake of 8 on the Richter Scale hit this area,

sending out shock waves felt in seven western states. The resulting aftermath formed Quake Lake, one of Montana’s many great brown trout fisheries. Montana is also home to Hebgen Lake, which is considered by many to be the best surface feeding, stillwater fishing destination in the country. Henry’s Lake, which sits at an elevation of roughly 6,500 feet, is said to hold as many as one million cutthroat, hybrid rainbow-cutthroat (commonly known as cutbows), and brook trout that have the reputation of growing to incredible proportions. Hybrids up to 19 pounds have been reported, as well as world class cutthroats and the Idaho state record brook trout. Henry’s Lake regulations are a little bit different than other trophy fisheries. It opens on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and closes the last day of December each year. Although it is open to bait fishing and many fish are caught by this method, trollers and tube fisherman are the most successful at Henry’s. Bank fishing is limited because of prolific aquatic plant growth. Great fishing can be had from the opening weekend through the first part of July. By August, the surface temperatures can hit 70 degrees, a critical level for trout. Most of the fish will head for deeper water and the many tributaries and springs around the lake. With the lake covering almost five miles of surface space, it only averages about

Many fishermen set their sights on the opener on Memorial Day weekend as the ice comes off and the fish are a little bit easier to get to because the aquatic growth hasn’t had a chance to take off yet. Plenty of fish are caught throughout the summer months, but this is the time when experience is key to success and the wily veterans can be seen working the weed lines in search of those Henry’s Lake monsters. My favorite time is October. In fact, some of my best success has been as far into the month as the weather allows. The weather can start to really have an effect on just about every aspect of your trip and its success, and the one thing you will find out about this lake - she doesn’t have much mercy on its visitors, as some have found out the hard way over the years. Equipment of choice: • U-boat float tube or pontoon boat. I would recommend also using an electric motor if possible, not so much for continuous use, but in case you need to get back to shore in a hurry because of weather. continued on page 30

My favorite time is October at Henry’s Lake. Some of my best success has been as far into the month as the weather allows. The weather can start to really have an effect on just about every aspect of your trip and its success. And the one thing you will find out about this lake - she doesn’t have much mercy on its visitors as some have found out the hard way over the years.

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

HENRY’S LAKE continued from page 28

• 6-wt fly rod, with type II or III sinking line and strong leaders, 12+ lb. Almost all of the fishing at Henry’s is done sub-surface as you will be fishing down in the weed channels. • Plenty of flies – wooly buggers and leaches, browns, greens, crystals, rusts, maroons sizes 6 and 8. Trailing smaller patterns, nymphs size 12-14 or Pheasant Tails or Hares Ears.

Wooly buggers like this black and brown crystal beadhead offering with flash are a good choice while working your way through the weed channels at Henry’s Lake.

I am always on the move, slowly kicking along and usually slowly stripping my line in and then casting back out. It is important to vary your speeds and retrieves to find what the fish are looking for. Also, keep changing your flies to find what they are interested in on that particular day. To give those of you who have not fished Henry’s an idea of just how good it can be, I had a day back in the late 90’s that I landed over 50 fish. A mix of cutthroats, cutbows, and brookies from two to 12 pounds in weight. Another trip in 2009 produced my largest fish to date, a 14 pound cutbow that measured 32 inches. I have also had days where I have struggled to stay out of the skunked column as well. So as I mentioned earlier, the spectrum can be wide but rewarding. The real neat thing about the Henry’s Lake experience is that you can truly experience it on a budget. You and a couple of buddies can pick up some groceries and make the trip together. Rent a cabin on the lake and swing by Sportsmans Warehouse in

This young man is all smiles (and braces) as he displays his big Henry’s Lake brookie. Idaho Falls for some gear. From most places in the west, you can experience two or three days of some of the most outstanding fishing and scenery imaginable at a very affordable price.

Idaho’s Henry’s Lake – One of my favorite places in the world. I know I plan on spending a couple of days there this fall and I hope to see you there too.

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August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

Bleaching Your Skull

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

uropean mounts are an attractive and tasteful way to display your trophies. Whether they are of a smaller animal that doesn’t warrant a full mount, or you just like the look of a skull with antlers hanging on the wall, having a skull boiled and bleached can be an expensive proposition. The Tan-

nery provides hunters with the ability to do their own skull bleaching, and it is not difficult nor expensive. In just a few easy steps, you can have a professional quality bleached skull ready for your European mount. The Tannery provides everything you need for a professional quality mount in their Skull Bleaching Kit. The kit includes a bag of bleaching powder, a bottle of 3S Degreaser, gloves and a disposable apron. It only requires the skull to be boiled for about an hour and then the skull can be bleached overnight. The process for bleaching your own skull is very simple. First, remove the hide from the head with a sharp knife, being careful not to score the bone beneath with the blade of the knife. Use a knife to remove as much of the meat and sinew from the skull as possible. In a large pot, cover the skull with water. The antlers can and should stick out of the pot. Bring the water to a boil and add the required amount of 3S Degreaser. The instruction will tell you how much

Pro’s Tips

based upon how much water you have used. One quarter cup is the amount for five gallons of water. Boil the skull for an hour and then remove it from the water and using a pair of pliers and a knife, cut away any remaining meat and cartilage. The hardest part here is to remove the brains that have now boiled into a congealed mass. One trick I have used is to attach a piece of wire clothes hanger to the jaws of an electric drill and put a slight bend in the end. Insert this into the hole at the base of the skull and use the drill to pulverize the bits of brain and then flush them out with a garden hose. Once the skull is cleaned, you want to put it back into a pot of cool clean water. This will keep the skull wet for the next step, the bleaching. Mix the bleaching powder, included in the kit, with regular over the counter 3 percent hydrogen peroxide until it forms a paste. Spread the paste all over the white boney portions of the skull, avoiding the antlers and the

teeth. Let the skull sit for 24 hours, and then brush off the dried on powder. That is all there is to bleaching your own skull, and for less than $25, you will receive enough material to do two standard sized skulls. So stop paying someone to make your European mount, check out the Skull Bleaching Kit from the Tannery at your Sportsman’s Warehouse store.

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August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

LEUPOLD

continued from page 8 the customer), then read in 50 yard increments out to the maximum yardage that can be reached in 14.5 minutes of angle (MOA). The CDS dial itself is a one turn dial with a built-in zero stop. This allows the shooter to come back to zero without looking or counting clicks. For non-calibrated ammunition, all CDS-equipped riflescopes come with a ¼-MOA elevation dial. Each CDS equipped VX-R riflescope includes one free custom dial, available through the Leupold Custom Shop.

From August 1, 2015 through September 15, 2015, Leupold is teaming with Sportsman’s Warehouse and giving away a free set of Alumina FlipBack lens covers with the purchase of any VX-R riflescope. Designed for Leupold scopes built after 2003, Alumina Flip-Back lens covers feature powerful neodymium magnets to hold them securely closed and the triple O-ring seals provide maximum protection from the elements. Constructed out of durable 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum, they are precisely machined to allow for quick and easy operation, and a low-pro-

file position, when open, make these Flip-Back lens covers stand above the rest. The round objective and ocular models can be rotated so they can open in any direction. For more details about this offer, stop by your local Sportsman’s Warehouse or visit Leupold.com/rewards today.

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

The Ruger 10/22 Takedown ®

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

How Big Is Big?

Fishing for lake trout and landlocked sockeyes in the Cascades

By Gary Lewis

What kind of fish eats a big fish? A bigger fish.

That’s why we use big plugs when we target “keeper” lake trout at Odell Lake. Odell is the place to go to target big mackinaw where a keeper is 30 inches and weighs nine or ten pounds. But how big is big? In most lakes, a ten-pound trout is a big fish, but at Odell, something is trying to eat them. The only thing bigger than a big lake trout is a bigger lake trout. Odell Lake still holds the Oregon state record, a 40-pound, 8-ounce glutton that was boated in 1984. The state, in a net survey, once caught a 50-pounder. Those big fish are out there. The thing to remember is that lake trout are predators and they will try to eat anything that is up to one-third their own size. I confess, I wasn’t thinking big fish when I bought the Spiderman rod. I picked it up late at night. An outdoor writer ’s reputation is shaky

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enough without Photo by Gary Lewis being seen with a Spidey rod. The clerk asked, “Would you like a bag for that?” “ Tw o p l e a s e . ” I put the second bag on top and scuttled out. Yo u c a n f i n d them in sporting goods section of any department store. There is usually a selection of themed rods for five-year-old fish- Ken Laudahl shows off a trophy lake trout from Odell ermen. I briefly Lake. This one measured 33 inches and weighed 13-1/2 considered Barbie, pounds. Note the bite marks halfway along the body. Transformers and Disney Princess but Spiderman is Jones, Corey McCort and I fished known for being expert in the applied with Jon Ditgen the first afternoon. sciences, for his neuroses, for grab- My old friend John McDevitt guided bing hold and not letting go. Sounds the other group for kokanee. like a kokanee fisherman. We motored toward the west end where, Ditgen said, the fish had been Big macks and medium kokes on the last few days. We found them on the menu the first pass, a stack of big macks From various points of the compass, that showed as orange smears on the a dozen of us converged at Odell depth finder, ninety feet down. Lake Lodge. Sierra Koepfle with We dropped two M-2 Flatfish plugs Carson Oil and Ben Brown from on the downriggers then clipped on Chevron had put the trip together two U-20 Flatfish on the inside rods. and I tagged along for another try at In less than five minutes one of the catching the new state record. rods bounced. I wouldn’t be using the Spidey Ken Laudahl popped the line out pole. I’d be looking for a victim. of the downrigger clip and set the Two weeks prior, Jon Ditgen, the hook. The rest of us reeled in and owner of Odell Lake Lodge, called cleared the decks to let him battle to tell me that one of his clients, a the fish. A few minutes later, the big 40-something angler who hadn’t spotted char flashed like a mirror fished in three decades, caught a in the clear blue water. In the net it 39-pound, 2-ounce lake trout, not measured 33 inches and my scale far off the state record. Those big said it weighed almost 14 pounds. It fish are hard to get in the boat, but I was a brute, but it was also bleeding think someone is going to break that from puncture wounds on both sides record soon. of its dorsal fin. Lake trout, also called Mackinaw, Tooth marks. are gluttons. They eat fish (kokanee, Something tried to eat that big rainbows, bull trout and other macks) mack. Something had that 33-inch up to one-third their own size. While fish down its throat and clamped they are choking down the last meal, down on both sides. Something at they try to grab another bite. least twice as big as a 33-inch MackiAt Odell, the kokanee run 10 to naw. 18 inches and the limit is 25. The We made a slow turn and dropped landlocked sockeye are considered our baits again. This time, Kimmons one of the best-eating of all the grabbed the rod when it doubled salmon species. continued on page 38 Scott Kimmons, Ken Laudahl, Gene

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

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There are many mineral products, but most are just gloriﬁed salt. Of the true minerals, only one is also a long-range attractant – LEGIT from BIG&J®! Its intense apple aroma draws deer from farther away. And, its high calcium/phosphorus content keeps deer coming back.

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OREGON LAKE TROUT continued from page 36

over. I tried to reel in the smaller Flatfish and hooked his line. As soon as Ditgen had cut the U-20 free, the fish ran through the other two lines and we had a nasty web of braided lines to unwind while Kimmons kept the pressure on the big fish. This one pulled the scale to 22 pounds and stretched the tape to 38 inches. The next fish was McCort’s, an eight-pounder. Then Jones landed his, about the same size. Being last in line I caught and released a fivepounder and a nine-pounder. We had hookups on each pass. Our other boat managed to land a few kokes, the biggest of which ran about 16 inches. Using our Spidey-sense In the morning, we swapped boats. We went three hours without a bite. Even the chocolate doughnuts didn’t have enough magic to break our slump. McCort was first to crack. “Give me something to do,” he said. “I’m going crazy here.” I handed him the Spidey rod and tied on a red Crippled Herring and told him to strip out 60 feet of line. We trolled and McCort held the rod like it was a web shooter. The minute hand on my watch

ticked off another thirty minutes of tedium. Bink. McCort’s spider-sense kicked in. “I got one.” He reeled in a ten-inch kokanee. McDevitt zigged and zagged. We dropped the downriggers down, cranked them up again and changed speeds. No bites on the trolling gear. McCort kept jigging and then he set the hook again. He swept that Spidey rod up over his head like he was driving the steel home in a 50-pound chinook. “Whoa there. With great power there must also come great responsibility.” But the filament held and the rod flexed with the weight of another 10-inch landlocked sockeye. You’d have thought we were a bunch of five-year-olds the way we celebrated when McCort pulled his second fish into the net. At Odell, kokanee are a worthy quarry in their own right. We don’t take them for granted, especially on a slow day. But 30-inch Mackinaw see kokanee as bait. And something in that lake thinks 30-inch macks are on the menu. Someone is going to break that state record one of these days. To order a signed copy of Fishing Mount Hood Country, send $24.95 (free S&H) to GLO, PO Box 1364, Bend, OR 97709 or visit www.GaryLewisOutdoors.com

Photo by Gary Lewis

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Jon Ditgen (left), owner of Odell Lake Resort, and Gary Lewis with a big lake trout.

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

Tikka T3 Superlite 7MM Rem Mag

his is where authenticity and legends run together, with history being the root. When it comes to choosing a rifle, the choice can be difficult, but there is one company based out of Finland that is well-known for producing quality craftsmanship and durability. That company is Sako Limited. They have a savvy proficiency, and the ingenious thinking company attracted great interest from Beretta Holdings; the world’s oldest continuously operating gun manufacturer. This Italian-based firearms house carries the Berettafamily slogan: “500 years. One passion.” In 2000, Sako became a proud part of Beretta Holdings Group, providing a much better reach across the globe. Since then, Sako continues to produce one of the most intelligent accuracies. Always improving their functionality, Sako designed the Tikka T3 as a convenient luxury, and a unique addition to their gun selections. The Tikka T3 Superlite 7mm Rem Mag is just that, super light. With a total weight of only 5.8 pounds, the 7mm gives you the knock down power without the excess weight; ideal for hunts where reduced weight is a priority. This model is sold exclusively at Sportsman’s Warehouse, and comes in a black synthetic stock and fluted barrel. The fluted barrel is cold-hammer forged, and is free-floating with a stainless steel barrel and stainless steel action. All of the metal parts are made of Sako’s high-grade stainless steel, providing durability and protection against corrosion and rust. Shooters who are looking for a durable gun will be impressed with the overall craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The Tikka T3 Superlite has a detachable synthetic magazine for quick and easy removal with just the press of a button. This will help to safely unload your gun instead of having to individually eject each round. Additional magazines are also available for purchase and are extremely lightweight as well. The fiberglass stock is reinforced with copolymer to give this gun a solid foundation that’s ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store. The Tikka name is known for their reliability and accuracy. I took the Tikka T3 Superlite to the range and put it to test to see what all the hype was about. After shooting five rounds, I maintained an impressive grouping. Set up at 100 yards, I had no problem grouping five shots at 1 MOA, exceeding the factory standards that guarantees a three shot 1 MOA out of the box. I was impressed with the trigger and its adjustability from 2-4 pounds. The bolt action is extremely smooth, making reloading quick and simple. The adjustable trigger provides added stability due to its responsiveness and helps reduce excess movement while squeezing it. The Tikka T3 7mm Rem. Mag. offers unmatched accuracy with a solid foundation and impressive ballistics without the excess weight. The precision accuracy combined with ample knock down power for big game is sure to make this gun a favorite for hunters and shooters. It’s important to have reliable equipment you can trust. Hunting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences one will ever encounter. It’s those memorable thrills that keep us all coming back, in hopes for that one adrenaline racing moment, where

time seems to stand still while waiting for the perfect shot. It’s these moments when one shot is all you have, and that’s why the T3 Superlite is an obvious rifle of choice for precision accuracy. In addition to the 7MM Rem. Mag, the Tikka T3 Superlite has been offered in .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .308 Winchester, .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, and .300 Winchester Magnum. For 2015, the Tikka T3 Superlite is available in two new calibers; 7MM-08 Remington and .243 Winchester. Also, Superlites with stainless steel fluted barrels and actions and black synthetic stocks are available as a Sportsman’s Warehouse exclusive. And now, there is extra incentive

to getting a Tikka T3 Superlite. Any Tikka rifle purchased between August 1st and October 31st, including the Exclusive Tikka T3 Superlite rifle in our review will qualify for $150 in Free Beretta Gear. Just purchase your rifle, visit the Tika website at www. Tikka.fi/promo and register your purchase to receive a redemption code that can be used to purchase Beretta gear online at www.berettausa.com. Beretta Bucks obtained this way can be redeemed until April 30, 2016. Shooters who are looking for a durable, luxurious rifle, will be impressed with the overall craftsmanship and detail of the Tikka T3 Superlite 7mm Rem Mag. Stop by your local Sportsman’s Warehouse to see this exclusive gun for yourself.

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION |August 2015

Getting Jiggy

Chad LaChance

’m going to be blunt: if you fish artificial lures, you need to be proficient with jigs. Period. No variance. No wavering or tip-toeing around the issue. You NEED to be good with a jig, unless you really don’t care to be consistent in your catching. That’s a big statement and it’s not

one I’d say about any other genre of lures. Yep, the oldest lure in fishing is still the most versatile and effective tool lure-tossers have for any species, fresh or salt or a mix there-of, at any time of year. There is no season, body of water, depth or fish that the jig is not a good tool to handle. Sure, there may be times when a given lure may out-produce a jig, but there is never a time that a jig is totally out of the ball park. Any other style of lure has many times when it will not produce; the jig does not suffer that fate. Gotta have a simple answer to the old, “if you could have only one lure” question? The jig is it. Why? Versatility. Jigs excel because they can range from miniscule to monstrous, allowing you to match any forage or target species size. They can be fished horizontally or vertically or some mix there-of and because they typically sink, jigs can be fished at any depth. Since a jig is really just a hook with a (typically) lead-head molded onto it, it can be tipped with soft plastics of all shapes, tied with hair or feathers or it can even be tipped with bait.

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Jigs are literally the only genre of lure that I don’t leave home to fish without - ever. So, yea, jigs are versatile - but that does not mean they are always easy to catch fish with. In fact, I would say that after more than a dozen years of professional guiding for bass, walleye and trophy trout, most folks struggle to fish jigs well. Between choosing the right jighead weight for a given scenario and then working it correctly to generate the bite and then detecting said bite, there is a lot that can, and often does, go wrong. Let’s try to simplify a few aspects, shall we?

Jighead weight is the most fundamental aspect; after all, it starts before we even tie one on. The vast majority of my jig fishing has a weight ranging from 1/16 to 1/2oz. That covers the aforementioned species as well as white bass/wipers, crappie, pike and inshore salt water species (think redfish, seatrout, flounder, snook, etc). If you add deep-water species like lake trout or perhaps some specialized jigs like those skirted styles common for bass or pike, the weight range is expanded up to about 1-oz. The weight of the jig can be detercontinued on page 44

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

THE RUGER

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44 SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION |August 2015 GETTING JIGGY Let’s say you picked out my nucontinued from page 42

mined by the depth of the water in some cases, but more often than not, it has more to do with the either the “fall rate” or the speed that a given jig body can be retrieved at and still stay down in the water column. A 4” curly tailed grub will rise upon being retrieved. The faster it is swam, the higher in the water column it will run on a given weight of jighead. If you want to run that grub just above the bottom at a certain speed, run it on a heavier head. If you want to run it just below the surface at the same speed, put it on a lighter jighead. The same thing goes for fall rate. If you want a faster sink, use a heavier head or vice versa. All things being equal, the more hydrodynamic resistance the jig body gives off, the heavier the jighead will need to be to keep it down in the water column or to make it sink faster. Our 4” curl-tail grub will sink a bunch slower or ride higher in the water column at a certain speed for a given jighead weight, than will a 4” straight-tailed minnow body, which has far less resistance in the water.

mero uno jig choice - the 3” Gulp. Minnow in smelt color - and you threaded it perfectly straight (very important.) on a 1/8 oz. jighead. How do you fish it when, as with almost all other jig/soft body combos, it can be fished a gillion different ways? Well, if I want to cover water and expect fish up off the bottom, I may cast it out, count it down to a certain depth (typically just above where I expect my fish to be in the water column) and reel it back while twitching or snapping the rod tip. I will commonly utilize a lift-and-drop technique, where the jig is lifted off the bottom and allowed to settle back on slack line or pendulumed back on tight line. Incidentally, this same retrieve works great through the middle reaches of the water column as well, though admittedly, it is tough to keep track of exactly where in the column you actually are; I use this retrieve most often for suspended fish we mark on the Lowrance sonar units or in running water. You can also fish it vertically, either directly below the boat or through an ice hole. In this case, the jig may be hopped

fast or slow, for a small to huge hop. At times, the jig can be allowed to hang nearly motionless - the classic “dead stick” presentation – or even suspended under a fixed or slip bobber for ultimate depth control. In all cases, the single biggest mistake I see anglers I’m guiding make is not focusing on controlled slack line. A slight bow in the line is typically ideal, not slack sitting on the water ’s surface or tight line. Except with the pendulum retrieve, which requires semi-tight line for the jig to swing back to you rather than sinking straight down, I want to see enough slack to allow the jig to behave as naturally as possible, but not so much that the angler has no clue where exactly the jig is in the water column. Want to catch more fish with a jig? Maintain line control and watch your line. Always, as in, all the time. I’ve been guiding for more than a decade and in that time, I’ve learned that line watching as a means of detecting jig bites is critical. You’ll feel some bites, but most you will not. If your line is tight enough to feel them, you won’t get as many bites. Watch the line where the bow enters

the water. If it pulls straight away, sinks faster than normal or moves sideways, set the hook. My personal favorite bite that almost all clients miss is the “pressure bite”; the fish takes the weight off the jig or prevents it from sinking. You lift up and the jig is gone - no resistance. Again, set the hook. I’ll end with a couple of quick tackle details. First, get great polarized glasses. My Costa 580 lenses allow me to see that line where it enters the water, even in the glare. For the record, I prefer the green mirror, 580 lens in most applications. Also, use your highest quality rod for jigging. I use fast or extra-fast action St Croix Avid X or one of the Legend Series rods because they are very lightweight, super accurate and “crisp” in how they work a jig. Great rods and sunglasses will catch you more jig fish. Old school? Yes, jigs are old school. But, as with anything that stands the test of time, there is good reason. In the case of the jig, it’s versatility. Pay attention to the details and I promise jigs will become the most important tool in your arsenal.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION |August 2015

Savage A17 Rifle with Bushnell Banner Scope

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

n 2009, all makers of semi-auto .17 HMR rifles issued a recall, because the rifles were expelling super-hot gases from their actions from the velocity of the hyperpowered little rounds. From then until now, nobody has made a .17HMR semi-auto. Savage Arms took on the challenge to make a safe and accurate semi-automatic rifle for the speedy cartridge and this year they have introduced the A17, with all of the features Savage owners have come to appreciate. Featuring a black synthetic target stock with a beefy forend and a lower comb (1

¼-1 ½ inches of drop) for good eye relief, the A17 offers comfortable ergonomics and a manageable length of pull of 13 ¾ inches. At only 5.41 pounds, the stock length and weight make this gun a good fit for the majority of shooters from adults to even younger marksmen. The action is smooth and features Savage’s popular AccuTrigger for enhanced accuracy and trigger control It is adjustable by the user with the included trigger adjustment tool from 2.5-6 pounds. To overcome the problems encountered with previous .17HMR semi-autos, Savage incorporated a delayed blow back design to prevent the rapid expansion of gasses from escaping the chamber

too quickly. While this imperceptibly slows down the action, it was not slow enough to notice and I was able to launch a rapid string of rounds downrange as quickly as I could pull the trigger. This gives an easy followup shot for varmint hunting and is just a lot of fun. The 22-inch button rifled barrel provided excellent groups at 100 yards. The bolt of the A17 is all steel and chrome plated to provide very smooth operation. One 10-round rotary magazine is included with the rifle. The flush-fit magazines overcome the problem of tilt, common with rimmed cased cartridges, which can result in misfeeds. While the A17 will accept and fire the majority of .17 HMR ammo on the market, CCI has created a special cartridge designed specifically for the A17. The 17 grain varmint tipped round advertises velocities 100 feet per second faster than standard HMR rounds, but in our testing we were achieving speeds 200 feet per second faster than those advertised by CCI, for an average in excess of 2,800 FPS. The soft, lead tipped bullets provide excellent penetration and expansion, and the cartridges were

very accurate, providing sub-MOA performance at 100 yards. Our test model of the A17 came preinstalled with a Bushnell Banner 3.510x36 scope with a Multi-X reticle. It also included 6 turret adjustment rings for creating a specific adjustment zero for a variety of different ammunitions and bullet weights. Hand adjustment knobs for elevation let you quickly adjust your scope on the fly for varying ranges. This combination of custom designed scope, superbly crafted rifle, and specially designed ammunition makes the Savage A17 a reliable rifle for varminting or just plinking, and gives you a much faster bullet delivering optimum force to your target.

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August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

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August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION |August 2015

2015 New Video Product Reviews

Sitka CORE Base Layers

electing a base layer should be a con- weather. Permanent Polygiene Odor sideration while preparing for any Control Technology will destroy bacteria type of hunting season. Base layer or fungi trying to grow in the material systems have been strongly developed and ruin a stalk on a trophy animal. The over the past few years to provide hunting CORE lightweight series will help keep and outdoor enthusiasts a warmer and you warm on those early morning headlighter way to be comfortable in the back- lamp hikes into your hunting location and country. Sitka Gear has been developed in also keep you cool when thermals start to the most rugged and remote wilderness of change for the midday hikes. The CORE North America. Sitka Gear has developed lightweight bottoms have a gusseted base layers for early, mid, and late hunt- no-bunch crotch and a low profile elastic ing seasons to accommodate year-round waistband. The bottom also features Perhunting opportunities. manent Polygiene Odor ConThe lightweight CORE base trol Technology, which will layers come in short and long also help stop bacteria growth. sleeve versions. They also The Lightweight CORE base offer a lightweight hoody layer system will move with with the same features as all your body and prevent the the CORE lightweight series. need to bring extra clothing The top base layers come in Scan this QR Code with your and added bulky weight on a low-profile crewneck and smart phone to view the your early hunts. will help wick away moisture Sportsman's News YouTube The next base layer Sitka Channel. Video Available on those long treks in warm after August 2nd. has designed is for the middle

season hunts. During these seasons where the weather is unpredictable as a seasoned mule deer, having a solid system on your body will provide a better and more comfortable hunt. The CORE Midweight Zip-T will keep you warm and moving on those bone-chilling days. It features light insulation and a high zippered neck. It also comes standard with the odor fighting technology and the Sitka proprietary next-to-skin technology will keep you warm without feeling tight and restricted when in the active part of your hunt. The micro-grid fleece is a light insulator and will actively wick moisture away from the skin. The Merino Core Zip-T top and bottom offer the same benefits as the CORE Zip-T. They are a versatile combination from the demanding Rockies to the freezing low tree stand whitetail country. Again, these base layers are a great choice to avoid extra weight and keep you warm and comfortable.

The CORE Heavyweight ZipT will keep your core temperatures high during even low activity. They feature a lofted fleece insulation and a high zippered neck. With a new hoody version available, which I really like, to help keep that nasty cold wind off the back off your neck. The CORE heavyweight also has the odor control technology and next-to-skin technology that will move with you just like a heavyweight fabric. The CORE Heavyweight Bottom has the same features as the top. The Heavyweight CORE base layers can make your late hunts more enjoyable by protecting your body from the cold, which I have found keeps me looking harder on those late hunts.

ing wheel is shifted towards the hand used to operate it for greater ergonomic benefits. There is also enough space to operate the focus wheel with gloves in cold weather. This new position of the focusing wheel allows the hand to hold the binoculars in a very relaxed position for hours of fatigue-free viewing. The newly developed anti-slip tread on the focusing wheel improves the grip for quick focusing, even in wet conditions. ZEISS engineers have integrated their Smart Focus concept into the VICTORY SF binoculars. Conventional binoculars require the focusing wheel to be turned 2.5 rotations in order to change from the close focus to the maximum observation distances. The VICTORY SF only requires the focus wheel to be turned 1.8 rotations, a distance that is 39% shorter.

This makes it possible to focus more quickly and accurately; an ideal feature for quick and precise game observation. The VICTORY SF binoculars are proudly manufactured at the Wetzlar production site, with the distinction of being “Made in Germany” and backed by an industry leading no-fault/limited lifetime transferable warranty.

Zeiss Victory SF Binoculars

arl Zeiss Sports Optics has an- optical performance. This allows for nounced the release of the new hours of fatigue-free viewing with the VICTORY SF binocular as the highest possible optical quality. In addiperfect complement to the VICTORY tion to this radical reduction in weight, super-premium line of products. Next to the ZEISS VICTORY SF also introduces the VICTORY HT, which is specialized a new revolution in ergonomics: the for extremely low light, the VICTORY Ergo-Balance concept. Unlike classic SF is the ultimate all-purpose binocu- binoculars, the focal point of the lens lar. It offers some of the most brilliant is shifted further towards the objective images with the widest fields of view lens for more comfortable viewing for available. This combined with perfect extended periods of time. This is a prodergonomics makes it is ideal for all types uct feature that hunters will definitely of hunting. notice when using the VICTORY SF in The core of the new ZEISS VICTORY the field. SF is the Ultra-FL lens, designed to The newly developed seven-lens eyeachieve new levels of resolution, bril- piece with ZEISS field flattener technolliance, and color reproduction. ZEISS ogy creates an extremely sharp image engineers have developed a new, with extremely wide fields of view. The highly innovative optical VICTORY SF 10x42 with 360 system comprised of two ft. field of view (FOV) and fluoride lenses made with VICTORY SF 8x42 with 444 SCHOTT glass. The result ft. FOV at 1,000 yards are is a spectacular and previunmatched in their classes. ously unimaginable viewing In contrast to the traditional experience, full of brilliance double-link bridge, the meand intricate details. The SF Scan this QR Code with your chanics of the new ZEISS binoculars weigh in at just smart phone to view the VICTORY SF were moved to Sportsman's News YouTube 27.5 ounces; extraordinarily Channel. Video Available the bridge above the focusing light-weight for this type of after August 9th. wheel. As a result, the focus-

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

2015 New Video Product Reviews

Leupold BX-3 Mojave Binoculars

eupold Optics have been a leader added high-definition performance, in the outdoors industry for which is really apparent at dawn and years and have been used in my dusk. Anyone who hunts knows how family for generations. My Grandpa crucial the first and last couple hours bought one of the first VX series scopes of daylight are and having a pair of for his .30-06 Springfield many years binoculars that perform beyond exago. A couple generations later, that pectation during those hours, could be .30-06 is now mine and that scope still the difference between harvesting that helps me to drives nails with the com- trophy or going home empty-handed. bination. For me, the name Leupold Like most of their optics, the Pro-Guide is synonymous with dependability HDs have fully multi-coated lenses, and I love having the peace of mind giving you the crispest image possible. that whatever product it is, The BX-3s offer an open it will probably outlast me. bridge design, making them Leupold just released an lightweight and ergonomic. upgraded version of their They are also 100 percent BX-3 Mojave series of binwaterproof, making them oculars, the BX-3 Mojave perfect for any environment. Pro-Guide HD. The Mojave Being an outdoor videogPro-Guide Binoculars are Scan this QR Code with your rapher, this is especially smart phone to view the beautifully crafted and come Sportsman's News YouTube important to me because I in Kryptek Typhon or High- Channel. Video Available travel all around the world after August 16th. lander patterns. They have in all sorts of conditions,

so having equipment that is rugged and durable is a must. They also have added extra grip in the thumbs and fingers area, providing a nonslip grip even in wet conditions. The added grip also makes them comfortable to hold, giving you less strain on your hands. The longer you can stay behind the glass looking for your target animal, the better your odds are on bagging it. The twist-up eye cups provide exceptional eye relief for any user, even those who wear glasses or sunglasses. The long eye relief also helps to eliminate the effects of glare caused by the sun on cloudless days. I was amazed by how fast and smooth the focus ring performed, even while wearing gloves. One of the things that I absolutely love about Leupold is the Gold Ring Full Lifetime Guarantee. The Guarantee covers any of your Leupold products for the life of the product. If the

product is not performing the way you think it should, send it into the guys at Leupold and they will repair or replace it for free. Optics for most of us are a big investment and with Leupold, you get the peace of mind that they will always perform. Check out the New BX-3 and many other models in the Leupold line at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Goal Zero Nomad 7 Solar Panel

Store While the Nomad 7 is powerful enough to directly charge your electronics, on cloudy days, having the ability to collect solar energy is possible using a power cell or battery. Collect This allows the lower output when Place your powerful Nomad 7 overcast to continue to collect elecsolar panel in the sun to collect and tricity. One such battery from Goalrecharge your portable battery. The Zero is the Lighthouse 250 power Nomad 7 features dual 5” by 8” source and light. Use your Nomad 7 solar panels and produces 7 watts to collect electricity and charge the of electricity in direct sunlight. It powerful internal battery for up to is ultra lightweight, just 1 pound, 7 48 hours of continuous runtime. An ounces, and folds up into a compact additional 1.5 amp USB port allows package that measures 9 inches by you to use the stored energy to charge 6.5 inches and about a quarter of an mobile electronic devices such as inch thick. The Nomad 7 includes cameras, cell phones, or GPS units. three permanently attached cables, Dimmable LED lights let you so you won’t lose them, provide omni- or unidirecone each for the Guide 10 tional lighting, thanks to its portable power supply, a DuaLite technology, giving USB charging cable, and a you up to 250 lumens of standard 12 volt adapter light. The Lighthouse 250 plug for your automotive can be charged via a tradiplug appliances. It also tional USB wall plug, from f e a t u re s a n i n p u t p o r t Scan this QR Code with your a solar panel, or by a 12 volt smart phone to view the for chaining your panels Sportsman's News YouTube car plug, via a USB adapter. together for additional Channel. Video Available The USB charging cable is afterAugust 23rd. charging capability. permanently affixed, so ollect it during the day, and use it all night long. That is the power of the GoalZero Nomad 7 solar panels and the Lighthouse 250.

you won’t lose it, and conveniently s t o re s a w a y b y wrapping inside a storage channel, so it stays out of your way when not in use.

Use The Lighthouse 250 gives you the ability to light up your camp, control your light for specific tasks, and even has a red rotating LED emergency beacon on top. Four blue LEDs on the front show you how much remaining power is in the battery. An easy to use rotating dimmer knob lets you quickly select to light all of white LEDs by turning the adjustable knob to the right, or just half of the LEDs by turning it to the left. A folding stand provides stability and elevation for your light and collapses against the housing for storage. In

an emergency when additional light is needed after the battery has been depleted, a hand crank will provide you two minutes of light for every one minute of cranking. Used together, the Nomad 7 solar panel and the Lighthouse 250 provide a versatile power management combination to keep your electronics running and your camp lit.

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Buy any Leupold® BX-3 Mojave® or BX-2 Cascades™ binocular between August 1st - September 15th, and receive $50 after mail-in rebate. Visit Leupold.com/rewards for complete details. © 2015 Leupold & Stevens, Inc.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

2015 New Video Product Reviews DeLorme Earthmate Outdoor Navigation Mobile App

he power of handheld navigation renewal each year after. This gives you has come to your mobile device access to all of these features on your thanks to the DeLorme Earthmate handheld device, as well as additional Mobile App. Utilizing DeLorme’s state features available on the DeLorme webof the art mapping and navigation tech- site at explore.delorme.com. nologies, Earthmate lets you download The service includes unlimited, detailed maps for all 50 states directly cacheable map downloads and storto your mobile device. So long as your age on the cloud. Maps include North mobile device has an active GPS feature, America Topo Maps, Public Lands, and Earthmate will allow you to determine U.S. NOAA Charts, so it can be used on your current location, navigate a route land or at sea. or to a waypoint, track your progress, The online website lets you plan set and manage waypoints, your adventures and then and even utilize the built-in sync them to your handheld compass. You can also plan device. Once the data has your entire trip ahead of time been input into your phone online and save all your trips or tablet, you can use it in with the unlimited cloud the field, even without Wistorage. Fi or cellular access. When The app works on an an- Scan this QR Code with your you return to civilization, nual subscription, and the smart phone to view the any data you entered into News YouTube cost is an initial $29.99 for Sportsman's your device in the field, will Channel. Video Available the first year and a $14.95 after August 30th. automatically sync with the

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cloud when you have a Wi-Fi or cellular signal. The application has the ability to create a MapShare page that you can send to friends and family so they can track your progress as you move in and out of cellular range. If the Earthmate App is paired with an inReach satellite communicator, you will have the ability to use the GPS tracking, which will automatically update your location in near real time via satellite, even when you are not in Wi-Fi or cellular range. It will also give you access via the Iridium satellite network to DeLorme’s global emergency rescue monitoring service and SOS features, as well as two-way texting capabilities. For users who purchase Earthmate by itself and later add an inReach Explorer, DeLorme is offering a special airtime credit towards your first month of service. By itself, Earthmate is a robust navi-

gation platform for your smartphone or tablet, with detailed maps and trip planning. With the addition of an inReach device, the Earthmate Mobile app gives you live communication and SOS capabilities anywhere in the world with 100% global satellite coverage. Check out all of the DeLorme navigation and satellite communication products available at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse gift bar and see which one is the right fit for you.

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August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

Digital Edition Only Special Content

Little Warrior’s Camp Story and photos by Dan Kidder Managing Editor

ome are waiting for their parents to return. Some will never see them again. They are children of all ages. They come from all races, both sexes, and across socio-economic classes. As different as they are, they all have one thing in common. They are the children of the brave men and women who serve this nation in the armed forces. While Utah celebrated their pioneer heritage with parades and fireworks, a large group of volunteers took time away from their own families for this three day weekend to take a bunch of kids fishing and provide them with a three day summer camp in the hills of the Utah Elks Association Camp Wapiti. Sponsored by Hand in Hand Outdoors, Survivors Outreach Services, the Utah Elks Association, and the Truesdale Family, the Little Warrior’s Camp provided, free of charge, 3 days of outdoor activities and recreation. The three groups have formed an umbrella organization called the American Heroes Project. “There are all kinds of activities for soldiers and veterans, but it is always the children who get left out,” said Bob Pagnani, Chairman of the Utah Elks Veterans Outreach Committee. “We wanted to include the children, because they also sacrifice for their country. They are little warriors.”

Not only were 52 children able to enjoy a mini summer camp in the hills above Tooele, UT, but thanks to the contributions of time, money, and products, scores of volunteers were able to directly impact the lives of these children. All of the meals were provided by BML Construction, Barbacoa Mexican Grills, The Utah Elks Veterans Committee, the Truesdale family, the Walmart Distribution Center, and the hard work of volunteers from the US Army medical staff at Dugway Proving Grounds. Craft time was provided by supplies and manpower from Home Depot. The Army National Guard provided an indoor BB gun range for the children to try their hand at marksmanship. Additional activities were available on the 8 acres of the $2.5 million facility, provided by the Utah Elks Association. Camp Wapiti was started in 1990 as a place to provide summer camp for children with diabetes, cancer, hemophilia, lung disease, congenital heart disease, the deaf, and the abused. In the 25 years that the camp has been in operation thousands of children, many terminally ill, have been able to participate in activities all paid for with dues of members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in the state of Utah. The camp has 17 cabins, which can each sleep 12 people. The Little Warriors Camp was started in 2013 and served 12 children that

Brian Lee, owner of BML Construction prepares to cook 200 hamburgers and hot dogs for the Little Warriors and volunteers. All of the food for the camp was provided by volunteers and supporters.

Little Warrior’s Camp activities included swimming in Camp Wapiti’s oversized pool, BB Gun range, volleyball, movies, arts and crafts, and fishing. first year. In just 3 years the program has expanded to provide activities for 52 children this year. Plans for future events call on the program to serve even larger numbers of children each year. The Elks of Utah have donated use of Camp Wapiti during the third week of July in perpetuity, as long as the program continues. On the first day, dinner was provided by Brian Lee, Owner of BML Construction out of Ogden, and his family. BML Construction is also donating hundreds of hours of labor and materials to help

construct A Place To Heal, a camp for disabled veterans on Flaming Gorge Reservoir on the Utah/Wyoming border. Once they were fed and checked in, the children gathered to observe the posting of the American flag by soldiers of the Dugway Army Medical Clinic. The posting and retiring of the colors were done each morning and evening in honor of the family members of the children who are serving our nation. A movie, S’mores, bonfire, and the very full and sleepy campers wandered off to their cabins for the night.

Soldiers from the Dugway Proving Grounds Health Clinic were active vounteers and provided respectful posting and retiring of the colors each morning and evening.

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After a fantastic dinner provided by Richard Hemsley, President of Barbacoa Mexican Grill, the colors were retired and the campers headed off to more S’mores, a camp talent show, and another movie before dropping into their beds from exhaustion. The last day was about breaking camp, and after a hearty breakfast, campers packed up and headed home, after sad goodbyes and exchanging contact information from newfound best buddies. In every way the retreat was a typical three-day summer camp, exactly the same as many experienced by children all over the US. And that is what made it exceptional; the normalcy of it all. Because for many of these children, those who have lost a loved one to war The idea of kissing their first fish was more attractive than the reality, as or suicide because of war, their lives Tatianna Gannon, age 9 of Sugar House, UT and Odessa Longmore, 10 of are anything but normal. Each day Valley City, ND both discovered. they are confronted with the grief that On day two, breakfast was provided many children who had never dipped only the children of warriors can ever by the Utah Elks Veterans Committee a line in the water to the joy of the sport. know and fully understand. and the campers headed off to a variety Even though the fishing was com“By creating a normal experience for of activities, including arts and crafts, pleted late into the evening, kitchen staff these children, we help them heal a BB Gun shooting, fishing in Tooele Res- stood ready to clean and fry any trout little more,” said Capt. Steve Henline, ervoir, hiking, volleyball, swimming, that was caught so the children could founder of Hand in Hand Outdoors. and much more. At lunch, provided experience eating their first fish. “Events like this Little Warrior Camp, by the family of and others we Gunnery Sergeant host, can only Alan Truesdale, a provide a day or 22 year veteran of two away from the United States the stress and Marine Corps and anxiety that losBronze Star recipiing a father or a ent, the children son must surely refueled for even create, but it is more activities. For our way of tryJesse Hansen, 8 of Woods Cross, Parents, children, and volunteers all many, the fishing UT takes aim in the Army National got a chance to toss a line for some of ing as we strive was the biggest to make this a Guard BB gun range. the trout living in Tooele Reservoir. draw, introducing better commu-

Hundreds of S’mores were consumed over the three day camp as demonstrated by 7 year old Kailee Carter of Eureka, UT, still dressed in her sparkles from the camp talent show.

The camp was open to children of all ages from those not yet born to 22 years old. Madison Hartley, 15 (rear) and Kim Rice, 17 (front), both of Provo, UT were on the upper end of the ages represented.

nity for all of us to live in and to remind these incredible families that we will never forget them and the great price they have paid for the price of liberty.” As the program continues to expand, the need for additional resources continues to grow as well. Sportsman’s News readers who wish to contribute to the American Heroes project can contribute directly to Hand in Hand Outdoors, via their website at handinhandoutdoors.org/give-back/. Hand in Hand Outdoors is a 501C(3) tax-exempt non-profit and one hundred percent of all donations go directly to programs to assist veterans and their families.

Campers and volunteers pose for a Little Warriors Camp photo on the 8 acre $2.5 million Camp Wapiti, operated by the Utah Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

Toyota 4Runner

The 4Runner is Leading the Pack When It Comes to REAL SUVs

n today’s world of itty-bitty, small, medium and dozens of “crossover SUVs,” many companies in the auto maker world have all but abandoned the full-size SUV marketplace. Many feel that this segment is going the way of the dinosaur and extinction. Drive, test, climb, rut and thrash the Toyota 4Runner and you can instantly see how wrong that philosophy is or should be. If you like the dirt, the back country trails and enjoy getting serious with your outdoor hunting, fishing and camping adventures, the 4Runner is one of those distinct vehicles that will get you to where you want to go and back. And in a style and comfort level that is going to please and surprise. To begin with, it is one of the few remaining SUVs today that utilizes “body-on-frame” construction. Without getting technical, it translates to a design for some serious off road travels and capabilities. And while it won’t

give you the ride comfort of a car-based crossover SUV when on the pavement, the 4Runner does not pretend to be a mini-van for the soccer Mom. Regardless of model (SR5, Trail, Limited or TRD Pro), all sport the same 4.0 liter V6 engine that kicks out 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. The tranny is a five-speed automatic, and all can be ordered with 4WD. Why anyone would want an SRT or Limited with just rear-wheel drive is beyond our comprehension. Part time or full time 4WD is available depending on model, and on the Trail and TRD Pro lines, there’s a locking rear differential for better approach and departure angles (33 and 26 degrees). The 4Runners also have both a “hillstart” and “downhill assist” systems. The downhill assist control is great when going down slippery/wet/ muddy/snowy hills and automatically keeps the vehicle at a low speed so that the driver can focus on and keep their attention on steering. On the flip-side, the hill-start control helps keep the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting up an incline. To y o t a ’ s A Trac is an active traction control system that distributes needed torque to any wheel that has the most traction. As an option, you can add the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) which will automatical-

ly disconnect the vehicle’s stabilizer bars in lowspeed offloading conditions when traveling though deep ruts, and over rocks and boulders. In plain English, it smoothes the ride when you are extreming. Throw in a ¼” steel front skidplate to protect the driving components up front, and 9-9.6 inches of ground clearance, and the 4Runner is up for most all off road challenges. If you are an experienced off road traveler, all the buttons, switches and gizmos in the vehicle will allow you to adjust everything to your “Baja-racing/driving” skills. If you are not familiar with all the “fine tuning options,” it may take a little getting used to and awhile to sort it all out. When it’s time to get back on the road, simply flip the switches to put the vehicle back into the standard rear-wheel drive mode, and its ready for pavement driving, where the 4Runner is rated to deliver 17mpg in the city and 21mpg on the highway. Both those mileage figures are pretty realistic for a vehicle that tips the scales at 4425 pounds. Wi t h t h e t r a i l e r hitch/tow package, the 4Runner is rated to pull a travel trailer, boat or flat-bed with camping gear and ATV toys up to 4,700 pounds. We pulled a 3,250 pound travel trailer, and while the 5-speed auto trans is adequate for driving and towing, a more modern tranny with an additional gear or two would be a welcome addition. While the exterior of the 4Runner screams “dirt beast,” the interior

actually is pretty tame and laid out well. Front and rear passenger seating rates as very good, and the materials are great quality and comfortable. Dials and gauges are centrally located and make sense for easy reading and functuality. Our test vehicle came with lots of whistles and bells; touchscreen audio, nav system, smart phone apps, backup camera, opening/tilt sunroof, and plenty of both 12volt and 120 volt power outlets. In the rear, was a sliding cargo deck that was a nice touch for aiding in loading and unloading our sporting goods goodies. The rear seat folds flat to the floo, so long gun cases and oversized gear (tent, sleeping bags, and canoe paddles) all fit into the roomy nearly 90 cubic feet of storage area. Up on top, a large roof rack handles the overflow, or area for a canoe or kayak. If you plan on driving and spending most of the time on the road, there are better family vehicles to probably select from. The Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango are two, for consideration. With the 4Runner now celebrating its 30th anniversary, it’s a vehicle that has not been compromised in the hardcore, go nearly anywhere department. And for us, that’s a good thing.

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Fishing With The Master By Mandy Medina-Sparks

y Dad is “that guy.” He is the one person that inspires, that makes others glare with envy, and the one that has that certain “something special” that makes people wonder if he has a unique combination of bait, lures, or some kind of magic elixir that he uses. People wonder if he has secret fishing holes (which he does, but those “Honey Holes” will never be disclosed because it took nearly 40 years before he shared them with his own children). Granted, the years of endless photos depicting stringers of fish prove his prowess, but he slays them wherever he goes. Rivers, lakes, and even tiny pools on shallow streams where you can clearly see the bottom and seriously wonder if anything is even in there….. that is where he finds them and entices them to take a bite and then plays a delicate dance with each and every one until he eventually brings them to shore. Whether or not he keeps each fish that he has reeled in is a personal choice, but each one kept is with the utmost respect and gratitude and promise that it will not be wasted. He is a master of the local rivers because he has fished them for decades, since the days when he waded in them with his own father. But, his mastery and skill is due to his innate understanding of the entire river and the in-

terplay of all the unique environmental factors that create each section of the stream. He, like his father and older brother, Richard, reads the rocks, the

currents, the wind, the flowing algae, and the depth of the water seen in the transition of color from light to dark. He knows when the fish will be hungry

Sportsman’s News Outdoor Writing Contest Winner See pg. 4 for entry details. after a cold snap, or why they prefer one type of bait on a particular day. Even when other folks try to imitate him or fish in the same pools they often walk away shaking their heads in frustration and jealousy as he fills his stringer. One time we took a day-long family fishing trip to a lake. There were 6 people fishing along the same bank. A total of seven fish were caught that day; all by my dad. We had all used the exact same type of bait and spent the same amount of time fishing, yet somehow, some way, he prevailed; yet again. Some say that he has a “secret weapon.” I know he does and she has a name. His favorite fishing pole is nicknamed “Little Red.” She is nearly always by his side and has been there for many years. Once he even lost her when he momentarily turned away and a feisty Carp had taken her for a swim. He sent a text telling me she was lost and I knew it was a serious enough situation that I immediately headed home to grab my waders and meet him at the pond that had stolen her. It was nearly sunset and I knew that my dad continued on page 62

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015

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On The Edge Of Space

had heard it said that to hunt Rocky Mountain goats with a bow was to take your life in your own hands. At least in the Cascades of Washington State (where the mountains tend to be more vertical than diagonal), I could understand the basis for such possible hyperbole. I guess I never really believed it or took the warning seriously, however, until the events of Saturday, November 1, 1973. It was the last weekend of the archery goat season in the Goat-Davis Mountain Area and the entire region had been blanketed Friday night with about 14-inches of dry, powder snow. All day Friday, it had rained steadily. Along about evening, the temperature had dropped precipitously under the spur of a northern cold front, so the

fresh snow, which greeted me Saturday morning, concealed a thoroughly treacherous and nearly uniform layer of water/ice underneath it all. So intimidating were the conditions, in fact, that — if it had not been for the fact that my hard-to-draw goat tag was about to expire — I would have simply turned around and driven back home. Earlier in the season, Indian summer conditions had prevailed and I had already spent a glorious nine days hunting in the area. The mountain goat population in Unit 27 was one of the highest in the State and I had seen and photographed numerous goats up in the higher, alpine parts of the area during the month of September. By November 1st, however, the right circumstances had never quite come together to allow the taking of my trophy goat with a bow. I had hoped to make it back up into the area for a weekend or two in October, but it was the political silly season and my full-time job as the elected Chair of the King County Republican Party prevented me from returning to “God’s Country” until the season’s final weekend. Given the heavy, fresh snowfall on the season’s final Saturday, I knew I had to find a goat relatively down low and that my best chance would be to drive the Fish Lake Road and scout the steep northern flanks of Goat Mountain. The morning dawned clear and very cold. Around 8am, I spotted a pair of goats

“Goat Country” in the Cascade Range of Washington is as rugged and spectacularly beautiful as any in any mountain range in North America.

(looking very yellowish against the total whiteness of the new snow) feeding approximately 1000 feet above me on a small ledge, suspended directly over some nearly vertical cliffs. Hunting alone and knowing the terrain I was facing was likely to be far more dangerous and difficult than it would have been the day before, I filled my backpack with more clothing and survival gear than usual. Fortunately, before leaving home, I had thought to throw a 200-foot length of mountain-climbing rope in my car, but as I waded the small river and started to gain elevation, I realized I was cussing myself for having forgotten to bring my crampons, as well. As it turned out that day, it was a very lucky thing I had made mountaineering my principal recreational activity during my four years of college. Otherwise,

I would likely not have survived the events that were about to unfold. The pack on my back and the bow in my hand made it hard to cope with the nearly knee-deep snow and the icy rocks hidden below. A couple hundred yards to the left of the goats was a break in the cliffs that looked as if it might afford access to my quarry. Yet, the going was painfully slow. Nearly every step of upward gain was matched by an intervening one where the boot would not hold its grip on the slippery surface that was so well concealed underneath the innocent-looking white blanket. Every bit of vegetation was welcomed as a gift from heaven, but there were long stretches of unbroken whiteness. After more than four hours of probably the most treacherous climbing I had ever done in my life, I finally reached the base of a narrow chute which led

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

upwards through the same set of cliffs I had glassed from the road below. On three separate occasions during the ascent, I had nearly peeled off the side of the mountain and as I worked my way up the last 50 yards of the chute, the thought of my suddenly becoming a human bobsled or toboggan was something I fought desperately to force from my mind. At long last, around 1pm, I discovered the two goats once again --- about 100 yards away, feeding in almost the identical location where I had first spotted them five hours earlier. Once at the top of the chute, the going became much easier and after dropping my pack and drinking at least a quart of water, I quickly worked my way laterally to a point of concealment, some 30 yards above the unsuspecting goats. The smaller one was not visible from where I knelt in the deep snow, but I could just see the long back of the larger one as it pawed for food in the bottom of the tiny basin directly below me. While moving into position, I had lost track of the smaller goat and, as I silently “kneed” my way down the slope, through the dry powder toward the rim

of the little cup containing my prize, I had an uneasy feeling that something I wasn’t quite ready for was about to happen. In anticipation of imminent action, I had re- moved my outer glove from my shooting fingers and placed an arrow on the string of my old Bear Archery recurve. All of a sudden, the missing critter sat up abruptly on its haunches, not more than five yards in front of me and gazed out over the valley! He had been bedded just below the lip of the hollow. As I arrested my motion and “froze” in my knee-prints, the animal turned its head and looked at me as if in utter disbelief. What followed was a staring-down contest that lasted a good ten minutes and caused me to choke on my heart more than once. I knew if I spooked this goat, my chances of taking the bigger one would be slim-to-none. The contest was both frightening and comical at the same time. When I had dropped my pack earlier, I had tied a camo bandana around my face and now I was suddenly trying to win this marathon kind of “stare-athon” by closing one eye and by squinting

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at my adversary with the other eye, half-shut (Two open eyes will give you away every time!). My worthy opponent tried many tricks himself to try to get me to give myself away, including going through the motions of feeding and then jerking his head up quickly in an effort to nail me doing something I shouldn’t be doing. Like breathing or blinking! I guess in the end, that goat must have concluded I was simply some strange kind of bush that had sprouted overnight. After what seemed like an eternity, he slowly shuffled down, outof-sight to join his companion. The bitter cold had turned my fingers completely numb during the showdown and, as I quickly slid forward on my knees toward what I knew would be the moment of truth, I wondered if they still had enough strength left to draw my bow and make a decent release. One, slow look over the edge told me I was about to find out. There were both goats, 20 feet below me, walking slowly up a steep trail, obviously intending to exit the basin around 10-yards to my left. I had precious little

time in which to act. The goat I wanted was in the lead and as it neared the top of the rise, going directly away from me, I quickly rose, drew and released one of the most perfect arrows I have ever shot during my hunting lifetime. The arrow entered behind the front shoulder, right next to the spine and passed through and out the center of the chest. The animal increased its gait only slightly and, after five seconds passed (I was counting), it suddenly died on its feet and tumbled off a ledge into a narrow snow bank, just below it. Had it slid even five feet further, it would have disappeared over the edge of the drop-off and only come to rest some 800 nearly-vertical feet below. Had that actually happened, my fingers might have sustained some real frostbite, but the field dressing of the animal right there on the spot allowed me to warm my hands up inside the goat’s body and I have never been more grateful for small or large favors than I was on that frosty afternoon for the precious gift my Rocky Mountain goat made me of his very life’s blood. continued on page 62

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BAREBOW! SAGAS continued from page 59

Once the field dressing was finished, I began to contemplate seriously the real dangers that still lay ahead before nightfall. Any alpinist will tell you that descending a steep mountain is virtually always more difficult and dangerous than climbing up the same mountain. Unless, of course, you have a rope you can use for rappelling! Given the nature of the “under-carpet” beneath the snow blanket that was covering my particular peak, I knew trying to descend the way I had come up would be tantamount to suicide. Thank God I had brought the rope up with me! The real challenge, needless to say, was how to get myself AND the goat off the mountain, using the one and only rope I had to work with. Dead carcasses have exceedingly limited rappelling ability and the nearly vertical cliff directly below us was going to have to be negotiated in segments of no more than 70 - 90 feet at a time. The 200-foot rope couldn’t simply be tied off on a tree-trunk at one end; it

WRITING CONTEST continued from page 59

was, at that very moment, doing all he could to retrieve her from that pond. It was a virtually impossible feat but my dad is one of the most devoted men I know and he would never walk away from such a cherished lifelong friend. So there he was, casting over and over, hoping that somehow, against all odds, he could get her back; and just when the sun was going down he felt a tug. There it was, that little hint that something was on his line. He reeled and reeled and then he saw that he had caught a line, a yellow line. Could it be? His line is yellow. It’s always yellow because it’s easier to see. He kept reeling and then pulled on the line until it happened. Little Red popped out of the water and the Carp was still on her hook! Now it is my personal goal to learn the locations of the “Honey Holes” where my family has fished for generations. I am trying to make a deliberate attempt to learn his methods, and those skills he has honed for decades so that I can one day interpret the wind, identify the flow of currents, know how the bait will dance across the rocks in the flowing currents, identify the

had to be doubled, so it could be retrieved at the bottom of each section of the descent. The technique I developed out of harsh necessity actually worked pretty well, after a bit of trial and error. At least there were no fatal errors! I would tie the goat securely to one end of the rope and then — taking three wraps around the base of a stout, upthrust shrub or alpine fir — I would lower the animal to near the midpoint in the length of rope or at least until the “payload” reached a little ledge or some other little tree or bush in that vicinity down below. Next, throwing my half of the rope toward the valley floor, I would shinny down it while my trophy served as the counterweight. Once I caught up with the goat again, I’d pull the entire rope down from above and start the whole process all over. I don’t recall any longer just how many segments it took, but — if anything — the total descent proved even more difficult than the climb up. Somehow, by the Grace of God, my prize and I both reached the river in one piece, just before dusk.

Fording the stream with a whole goat on my shoulders was the last obstacle left between me and the security of car and home. Adrenaline is a wonderful thing! As I struggled the last few yards up the steep bank to the edge of the road, my sense of exhilaration was more than a match for my physical exhaustion. I knew that my safe return from the edge of space was

change in the color of water that indicates a transition to greater depths, and to identify where the fish are and vary my bait, depth and technique based upon my desired catch. That complex challenge with so many variables and the friendly competition we have is why this gal loves to spend the day fishing with her dad, anywhere, anytime. And I hope that one day I can read the rivers, lakes, streams and my little section of the world even half as well as he can and I will always look forward to seeing the smile on his face when he sees what I have caught and I will always be grateful because he took the time to teach me and now the fishing experience has come full circle in our family and in my mind Little Red will always be one of the most priceless things in the entire world because of all the memories she shared with us over the years. She was there for all of those countless hours that flew by under the open skies when all that mattered in the world was that I was spending time with my Dad and Uncle and trying to learn as much as I could, limit out, and catch a big one. It has taken decades to get to this point, but now, finally, I bait my own hooks effortlessly, tie my own flies, navigate the riverbeds with deliberate attention and try

to read the rivers well enough to compete with the best of them, or at least I’d like to think so. I’m catching those 20 inch long trout but still have to ask for help reeling it in, after recent shoulder surgery. Dad is patient with me, but the look on his face was priceless and it was awesome to see how proud he was to see my catch, almost as though he had caught it himself. He may not have been the one to set that particular hook, but he was the one that taught me when, and how, and that made such a great catch as much “his catch” as my own because it took decades of his time and effort, and dedication to teaching me the art that landed “that big one.”

an even more precious victory than the Pope & Young head that would soon adorn my living room wall. I had survived — and with a sense of gratitude to the Almighty more profound than any I had ever known before. The BAREBOW! Sagas – Adventure and Misadventure in the Wilds of North America Dennis Dunn doesn’t just tell hunting stories, he shares his dreams, his victories, his disappointments, his wisdom and he teaches from his knowledge and experience. The BAREBOW !Sagas will not only acquaint you with the sweet taste of success and the bitter agony of defeat; it will convince you that well-regulated hunting sustains the use of wildlife and gives the animals increased value to justify their conservation and preservation. This is the first story in our series as Dennis takes you along on his quest for the North American Big Game 29 Super Slam. A bow, a string, an arrow – no trigger, no peep-sights, no pins – just fingers, guts and instinct. That’s hunting BAREBOW!

August 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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

Wild Boar Enchiladas

he succulent meat of a wild pig lends itself perfectly to this creamy enchilada recipe. I tend to use the tougher cuts, like the front shoulder, and slow cook the meat. You can spice the meat any way you would like while cooking to add additional flavor profiles. We eat these often in our home, and you should make it a staple in yours. They really are fantastic. You may want to double up the recipe and freeze a pan for later. Just thaw and cook for a quick meal.

Ingredients • • • • • • • • •

4 Cups pre-cooked meat 1 can Green Chile Enchilada sauce 28oz 1 can diced green chilies 7oz 1 can cream of chicken soup 10.5oz 5 ounces (1/2 soup can) milk 1 ½ cup sour cream 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning 4 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend- reserve at

• •

least a cup for topping 1 package flour “burrito sized” tortillas Paprika

Preparation Method

There are a variety of ways to prepare the meat for this household favorite. You can use ground meat and pan fry it with onions and garlic for a home-style flavor. The meat can be cubed and fried similarly for a meatier texture. My favorite is to slow cook the pork and shred it. This is a more authentic way to prepare this “south of the border” delight. In a medium bowl blend together the sauce, chilies, soup, milk, sour cream, and spices. At this point you can kick it up with some additional spice if you like it hot. I prefer to add some cayenne pepper and ancho chili to the mix. The sauce is very adaptable to any type of flavors you would like to develop. Try a bit of cumin for a chili-type flavor, add some fresh herbs to liven it up even more.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13” baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray. Generously cover the bottom of the pan with the sauce mixture. You are now ready to roll. Lay a tortilla across your palm and wrist, cradling it to make a slight bowl in which to put your filling. First a healthy spoonful of sauce down the whole length, enough meat to cover the sauce, and finally as much cheese as you like. Put it down on the counter, fold a third over the filling, pulling back to make it snug and continue rolling until you have a nice tube. Plop this down in the pan, rolling it in the sauce until coated and slide to the end of the pan seam side down. Repeat until you have used up all the fillings and the pan is full. Now take the leftover sauce, and pour it over the top. Use a spatula to wiggle between each enchilada so the sauce can get into each crevice. I even pick up the pan an inch or so, and GENTLY drop it a couple of times to make sure there are no dry spots. Cover the pan with foil and place in the oven. Somewhere between 30-45 min, your casserole will be bubbling around the edges. When that happens, remove the foil and liberally cover the top with the remaining cheese. I like to sprinkle a little paprika over the top, the red color and smoky flavor really enhance the dish. Return for 5 min or so, or put under the broiler for an even crispier cheesy top. Serve these up alongside a crisp green salad with a touch of cilantro in it, and a light vinaigrette dressing. I enjoyed a California Zinfandel to go well with this, or a crisp dry Riesling. Check out my website www.wildgamewine.com for more ideas on which wines to serve with your game and fish dinners. We specialize in wine produced by the best winemakers in California’s Central Coast.

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION| August 2015