Sportsman's News November 2016 Digital Edition

SportsmansNews.com

November 2016

Volume 12 Issue 11

Trophy Caribou of Quebec

By Mike Deming

T

raveling out of the country to hunt can be an intimidating experience for many, but the thoughts of huge Quebec-Labrador Caribou are enough to get most people over their fears. When you have been fortunate enough to win a hunt of this caliber like Rick Hudon of Yakima, Washington did in the Sportsman’s News Pro Membership Sweepstakes, it’s really easy.

When I called to notify him of his good fortune, he was sitting at elk camp and was elated with this opportunity. Traveling abroad to hunt was continued on page 2

Trevor Marques of Nevada, makes the most of his first trip out of the country and kills a whopper Quebec-Labrador caribou with a bow.

Leupold VX-3i

See what’s hiding in the shadows PAGE 6

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

QUEBEC CARIBOU continued from cover

something that he had never done, but embraced the opportunity to do so. It would be nearly nine months before he would depart on this hunt with me and a group of other Pro Members. This would allow him to get a passport and prepare for any sort of vacations that needed to be arranged.

In late September, we all met in Montreal, Canada in preparation for our trip north to the Leaf River. This is where Alan Tardiff, owner of Leaf River Lodge spends most of his summer and fall. This is also the main lodge for the operation, although there are several other outpost camps as well.

When I booked this hunt for the winner, I chose to hunt the Leaf River camp so I could spend some time with Alan during the week, as well as have our hunt winner get to meet the owner of one of our Platinum Approved operations.

We departed Montreal in what seemed like the middle of the night and according to my western clock, it definitely was. In the air at 4:30am, mountain time was pretty early to me, but what it would take to get us through the required stops and plane changes to get us into camp. Rick was already enjoying the experience and had both eyes wide open while I was trying to keep one partially open.

After a two-hour flight on a prop

plane, we landed in Loc Pau where we would stage our gear for the smaller twin otter plane, which would take us to camp. We drew the first float plane ride out, which would be another two hour ride to the “Leaf”. After weigh-in and loading, we settled onto the plane for the scenic ride. We put Rick up into the co-pilot seat to get the most out of the experience. Only an hour into the flight, I opened my eyes to see us dropping in altitude and preparing to land. As we motored to the dock, I recognized the camp as the lower camp Loc Desbergeres. I had hunted here back in 2009 with great success.

The pilot said the weather at the Leaf had deteriorated so bad that they wanted us to turn back. However, he felt that leaving us here and moving last week’s residents back to fly out was a better plan. We could at least hunt from this camp and by the looks of the departing hunters’ racks, this was a good play.

The plan would be to wait the weather out here for the day and hopefully get to the main camp the next day, but by the next morning, the plan was still the same. So, after breakfast, we sat around and waited for word on the plane situation. With on and off snow flurries, the flights were called off for the day just after lunch. So, we decided to hunt the rest of the day at our current location.

Trevor Marques and Gabe Mackey were the first ones dressed and ready to go and before they even got out of

Sportsman's News publisher Mike Deming finally connects on a double shovel bull.

Jelindo Tiberti kills his 30th of 31 North American Slam animals at Leaf River Lodge. the camp, they saw two good bulls us. He was about 600 yards out and swimming the lake in front of camp slowly feeding along. As if on que, and heading right towards us. Gabe he dropped down into the trees and confirmed through the spotting turned right towards us. He was scope that one of them was a bull he out of sight for at least ten to fifteen would gladly shoot. It took nearly minutes. Due to the roll in the hill, I thirty minutes for the two bulls to figured that he would be within 100 get across the lake and our group yards when he was visible again or was watching as they climbed out. he would turn east in the trees and Gabe was watching through his we would never see him again. scope, as the biggest of the two shook We had just about given up on this off the excess water when he hit the bull when I stood up and caught antler shoreline. With one well-placed shot, tips coming up the hill. Rick was sethe piles up on the shore and one tag tled in on my pack as if taking a five was filled. hundred yard shot, so this hundred Next, I loaded in the boat with Rick yard shot was going to be fairly simfor a few hours of afternoon hunting. ple. Within minutes, he was broadside We hadn’t been on the water for even at 98 yards and Rick put a fatal shot on an hour when we saw a bull stand up him to put an exclamation point on from his afternoon nap. The boat had his big win. As we walked up to the disturbed his sleep and he quickly animal, it was obvious to me that Rick got up and out of sight without let- was a true sportsman who enjoys the ting us get an opportunity to judge experience. He gave the animal a mohim. Rick asked my thoughts and I ment of silence and thanked the Lord let him know that this decision was for his success, as well as the opportuone hundred percent up to him. If nity to harvest this majestic animal. It it was a bull he would be willing to was a true trophy and experience of a shoot on the last day, it should be lifetime for this lucky winner. a bull he shoots now was my only With our hunt winner tagged out advice. in one day and before we even made We motored around the water’s it to our regular camp, the pressure edge to a place where we could get was off to get a show. Good friend, out and hopefully get a better look Trevor Marques of Bull Ridge Guide at this bull. We climbed to the top of Service from Ely Nevada, was along the hill and our guide, Michel, im- on the hunt. He was going to attempt mediately got his eyes on the bull. I to harvest a bull with his bow, which put the bull in my spotting scope and would add to the show and if everytold Rick to take a look and see what one else tagged out, I would be the last he thought. He gave us the thumbs one to hunt. up on the bull and we started develcontinued on page 5 oping a plan as he walked towards

November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Words From The Publisher

By Michael Deming

E

njoy the experience! I’ve said this statement to more people than ever this year during the hunting seasons. This seems to be a lost reality with many hunters these days. With all of the social media out there, our beloved way of life has become all about the now. “What has been harvested today? I’ve got to get something big killed today so that I can get some posts out there and gain more followers”. Very seldom do I see or hear people at camp talking about and just enjoying the experience of the hunt, spending time in the woods with family and good friends, sharing the failures on the mountain that give you more knowledge for future success.

I’ve shared the mountain with many whom have spent more time looking at their devices and the things other people are doing in the world as opposed to making their own memories. I’m not sure what this means for the future of our sport, but it doesn’t feel or look good. If you are only as good as your last trophy, then you are likely to step over the line and do something illegal. It has happened too many of the folks who put too much emphasis on always killing a huge trophy and not enjoying the experience.

I love harvesting trophy animals as much as anyone and we put in lots of field time to tip the odds in our favor. We are successful more often than not. However, it doesn’t always happen regardless of our efforts. It isn’t all about the kill or the posting of a trophy photo. As a matter of fact, all of the trophy photos we have posted as a company in twelve years combined have only a fraction of views and support of one where we saved a young calf elks life. A yearling bull was stuck in a barbed wire fence in Oregon and we removed it from the fence and let it get back to the herd. Within seventy-two hours, it had over three quarters of a million views. My wife, Lisa said that she was happy that I was viral due to saving somethings life instead of killing something.

I enjoyed that experience as much as all the trophies I’ve harvested this year. If one person who reads this, takes a step back, leaves their phone at camp and has a great day in the woods because they read this article, it’s worth the ink and time it took to climb up onto my soap box.

Every week, our team is out in the field with another one of our Pro Membership Sweepstakes winners. It’s this time of year with these lucky folks that makes

me so happy that we started this program.

We get to see a number of these people getting to experience a trip of a lifetime that would otherwise be just a dream.

In some cases, it is a trip that some never even considered. My most recent experience was with Rick Hudon of Yakima, Washington in Quebec for caribou. It is the cover story this month and truly one of the best experiences of my life with a winner.

Rick is the epitome of someone who enjoys the experience. He was happy for every bit of the experience and was like a kid hunting for the first time. We pick a grand prize winner every ten days, so if you haven’t taken an opportunity to look at the Pro Membership Sweepstakes, now is your chance.

The center page of this issue will show all the great grand prizes we will be giving away over the next 12 months. Best of luck to all of you who become a member. It’s exciting to think about all the great trips we have planned and I’ll be traveling with a few of you myself. Every member that I talk with says they are excited all the time because we have a major drawing every ten days and it gives them something to look forward to.

Have a great rest of your fall and don’t forget to enjoy the experience.

WHAT’S INSIDE

3 Words From The Publisher VX-3i 6 Leupold PacWest Outdoors: 8 Hungarian Partridge 10 Platinum Approved Outfitters 16 Pro's Pick: Browning Maxus 18 Christmas Gift Guide Member Sweepstakes 24 Pro Fishful 34 SuccessThinker: Keys to Member Update: Ranchland 36 Pro Outfitters 40 Video Product Reviews 43 Pro's Tip: Scent Control Business Directory 46 Wild Game Recipe: Venison

48 Stuffed Peppers On A Budget: DIY 50 Adventure Whitetails 52 Writing Contest: Pike Are Biting

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Dave Domin Gary Lewis Chad LaChance Steve Mayer Bernie Barringer Tammy Scott

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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

SENIOR EDITOR Kent Danjanovich 801-231-9838 kdanjanovich@sportsmansnews.com MANAGING EDITOR Dan Kidder 435-865-1680 dkidder@sportsmansnews.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER Shane Chuning 435-592-6106 schuning@sportsmansnews.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lisa Deming info@sportsmansnews.com PRODUCTION MANAGER James Dansie jdansie@sportsmansnews.com

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

QUEBEC CARIBOU

just inside a hundred yards from the smaller of the two bulls and about continued from page 2 120 yards from his desired target.

We were excited to get to our main He patiently waited for two hours camp and start hunting all day, so before the smaller bull got out of the next morning we were more his bed for good and walked back than a little bummed when we got towards his buddy. Trevor capitalword that the weather was still bad ized on the opportunity to get closer. and we would have to be on hold. At seventy yards, he set up his tripod We spent the majority of the day and video camera to self-film the around camp waiting for word on shot. Once rolling, he moved to fiftythe planes. However, we never got five yards and waited for the bull to the go ahead from the weather. I rise from his bed. As if on que, the talked with Alan on the phone that bull rose to his feet. I hit the record night about us just staying at the button from 800 yards away through current location so that we could my PhoneSkope and Trevor came to focus on hunting and he said that full draw. As the bull lunged, I knew was fine. So, the next morning, we Trevor had made a great shot and the would start hunting and planned bull raced nearly two hundred yards on being at the Desbergeres camp before piling up. Another successful throughout our hunt.

Leaf River Outfitters hunter was in The next morning, we heard from the books for 2016. the other groups that they were all Day four of our trip only had one in caribou and bulls were hitting the other hunter and myself without dirt and it didn’t take long for us to punched bull tags and before lunch, find our first pair of bulls ourselves. we were down to just myself. By One of them had everything Trevor late afternoon, we spotted three was looking for in a bull. He had big mature bulls nearly two miles good top points, double shovels, big away. We hoped they would come bez points and long beams. The stalk our direction, but they disappeared was on, but those two bulls didn’t out of sight and we didn’t see them like what we had planned and they materialize the rest of the afternoon. took off on a dead run back towards With only a couple of hours before the lake and out of sight. It took sunset, we decided that we needed about thirty minutes for us to find to make a move on them or at least them again and they hadn’t made their last known location. They could it into the water. They had settled have likely slipped out without us down and were feeding in a great seeing them, but at least it was back place for an archery stalk. I settled towards the boat. in behind the spotting scope on a With an hour of daylight left, we good vantage point. This would al- were at their last known location low me to guide Trevor in on the bull and we slowly peeked over the hill if needed and film from a distance. every twenty or thirty yards. I picked An hour later, Trevor was sitting up antler movement below and I knew they were there. Looking at them at nearly two miles was way too far to judge their trophy quality, but at two hundred yards, I was getting a full frame. They were mature, but appeared to all only have one shovel – not quite what I was looking Being this far north this time of year provides a trefor. I’ve always mendous light show of the Auroa Borealis at night. wanted to har-

vest a caribou with big double shovels and big bez points.

I had just gone into “pass mode”, when the biggest of the bulls looked up the hill at me and exposed a matched set of double shovels. We immediately went into kill mode and I jacked a shell into the chamber.

At the same time, the group of three decided to get out of dodge. In the excitement of it all, I blew my first shot over his back. The biggest bull hit a higher gear and started running through the trees and I connected with the second shot. Wow, that was fast and furious action and a great end to a world class trip.

In four days, we had harvested seven great bulls, eaten like kings and had extremely comfortable accommodations which included hot showers, beds and Wi-Fi service.

Leaf River Lodge Desbergeres has been one of our Platinum Approved Outfitters for ten years now and I’m sure another ten are in order.

We will be giving this same trophy hunt away again in 2017 for a hunt in 2018 with the Sportsman’s News Pro

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Sportsman's News Pro Member Gabe Mackey, smokes a whopper caribou after it swam the lake.

Membership Sweepstakes. So, don’t miss your opportunity to enjoy this same hunt and if you just want to book a spot to come with us, please let me know. We have a Sportsman’s News group reserved already and room for a few special guests.

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Reinvented for 2016: The Leupold VX-3i

By Dave Domin

I

n today’s world, riflescopes are more advanced than ever. When speaking of riflescope performance, most are judged by their overall light transmission but not all light transmission is equal. It’s not enough to merely have a high percentage of light transmission because most riflescopes are optimized to transmit midday light, when light transmission matters least. This is how so many optics companies can claim such high percentages of light transmission. It is for this reason that Leupold optical engineers worked diligently to redesign one of the greatest scopes of all time into the all new VX-3i.

The VX-3i is built around Leupold’s new Twilight Max Light Management System which balances all available light wavelengths, eliminates glare, and pushes resolution to the limit. Beginning with lead-free lenses, Leupold applies Twilight Max lens coatings.

These coatings optimize the red and blue frequencies of light, those found at the very first and last moments of the day, while maintaining a high transmission of the light at the center of the spectrum, delivering exceptional contrast and low light performance.

These lenses are then topped off with Diamondcoat 2 for the highest level of abrasion resistance. The next step is the elimination of glare. Although not often said, this step actually lowers overall light transmission by removing or absorbing stray light, only transmitting useful light to your eye, creating an improved sight picture.

This is accomplished by first precision machining the VX-3i’s interior and then by blackening the edges of key lenses within the scope.

Leupold engineers didn’t stop at light management on the VX-3i. They began with a one-piece maintube crafted out of aircraft grade aluminum for unrivaled durability. With a large range of magnifications, from 1.5-5x

to the jaw dropping 8.5-25x, 1 inch and 30mm tube diameters, and eight reticle options, this new riflescope will be ideal for virtually any hunting situation. An aggressively redesigned power selector is easy to grasp and turn and allows the shooter to quickly verify the power setting due to larger and brighter numbering. The dual spring, ¼ MOA finger click adjustment system ensures match grade repeatability and strength. Lastly, Leupold purges the scope of all its oxygen and replaces it with their second generation Argon/Krypton gas which more effectively resists thermal shock and ensures a 100% fog proof and waterproof seal.

Select VX-3i riflescopes are equipped with Leupold’s Custom Dial System or CDS. When the CDS is coupled with Leupold’s latest generation of RX rangefinders, shooters are afforded the best possible combination to achieve long range accuracy.

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 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.

The RX-850i TBR and RX-1200i TBR/W are the perfect companion for the Custom Dial System. Leupold’s latest Digitally eNhanced Accuracy (DNA) rangefinding engine incorporates advanced signal processing techniques to generate longer range capability with more accurate returns. Leupold’s exclusive True Ballistic Range (TBR), and True Ballistic Range/Wind (TBR/W) available on select RX rangefinders truly sets these units apart. TBR links laser ranging, an inclinometer, and an advanced ballistics program to give extremely accurate distance measurements-regardless of the angle at which the laser is fired. TBR/W retains all of the capabilities of TBR with the addition of wind hold values. TBR and TBR/W algorithms were developed by the same engineers who developed Sierra Infinity Exterior Ballistics Software and who helped develop navigation and guidance systems for ICBMs and other missiles with far more demanding trajectory requirements than a hunting bullet. The result is distance measurements accurate to less than a yard, no matter the angle at which the laser is fired. Bullets travel in a ballistic arc, yet conventional range-

finders only provide a linear distance to your target. TBR delivers the ballistic equivalent range to the target, accounting for the effects of inclines or declines on the path of your bullet.

For rifle shooters, the Leupold team has added to the TBR functionality by adding wind hold calculations that will provide a fixed 10 MPH full wind value. Other features that are provided for firearms are outputs that display either MOA adjustments, inches, centimeters, or mils of holdover at that specific distance. TBR eliminates any potentially significant error, and provides a precise range for your aiming calculations. TBR is matched to each of seven firearm ballistics groups, while TBR/W is matched to twenty five, allowing compatibility with today’s most popular cartridges.

When these two state of the art technologies are combined, hunters and shooters are armed with the best possible tools to achieve long range first shot hits.

It took Leupold to bust the myth of “light gathering” optics and turn the conversation to light transmission.

Now prepare to hear a lot more about light management, as the rest of the industry tries to catch up to the new VX-3i. Check out the new Leupold VX-3i at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse today.

November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Without Twilight Max Light Management System

VX-3i with Twilight Max Light Management System

COUNT THE MINUTES ’TIL DAYLIGHT

OR COUNT TINES

INTRODUCING THE VX®-3i AND THE TWILIGHT MAXTM LIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. Nothing outperforms the VX-3i in low light. The Twilight Max Light Management System transmits light evenly across the entire visible spectrum and strips out glare that degrades images. Game stands out from any background, in even the deepest shadow. We all get the same amount of daylight, make sure you get the most out of it.

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Haunted by Hungarian Partridge Washington, there’s a quiet place called the Mica Creek Cemetery.

We turned on a dirt road past the small collection of grave markers, shaded by pines and yellowed vine maples and wild rose and hid the rigs in a gully.

Joe Biggs, a guide from Double Barrel Ranch in the Spokane Valley, joined us for this hunt. We already had a couple of pheasants in the bag, but now it was time for the main event - a hunt for Hungarian partridge.

This fascinating European import is a challenge to hunt in the rolling hills where it makes its home.

O

By Gary Lewis ut on a low hilltop on a little rectangle carved out of farm ground near Rockford,

Photo by Gary Lewis Liesl and a rooster pheasant - a bonus bird on a hunt for Huns.

Bob Mulligan turned out Duchess, a four-year-old German shorthair and kept her close to heel. My cousin, Neil Lewis, carried the camera - we would trade off shooting pictures and shooting a 20-gauge CZ Ringneck.

“We’ll head to that little hilltop to start, then work back and forth through these little washes,” Biggs whispered.

I remembered my very first Hun, taken on a long-ago chukar hunt in Oregon. That bird came from a small hay field close to a creek. We had thought we were finished with for the day, when one of the German shorthairs went on point. A handful of birds came up and I knocked one down. The experience taught me a lesson about where these interesting gray partridge live.

Liesl, my almost two-year-old pudelpointer and Duchess worked ahead, quartering back and forth.

Duchess seemed to catch the scent

Photo by Gary Lewis Bob Mulligan, of Portland, OR, with Duchess, hunting Hungarian partridge at Double Barrel Ranch in eastern Washington. first, tightening her circles, acquiring scent, losing it, picking it up again. As soon as she locked up, on point, two partridge jumped into the air. I tipped one into chest-high rye and, moments later, two more partridge were aloft.

After the shooting was over, Liesl made a retrieve on her first Hungarian partridge.

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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e have 24 years of outfitting and guide experience.

We manage thousands of acr es of private hunting ground throughout the state of Utah. We offer quality fair-chase hunts for Trophy Mule Deer, Elk, Shiras Moose and Mountain Lion. We have guaran-

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PO Box 244, Henefer, Utah 84033

e-mail: jwayment@allwest.net • (435) 336-4146

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teed tags on most of our ranches.

We run professional, high-quality hunting camps with knowledgeable and experienced guides to pr ovide you with the hunt of a lifetime.

“Make It Happen!” with J&J Outfitters. We look forwar d to hearing from you.

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

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

PARTRIDGE

continued from page 8 Perdix perdix is the scientific name for the bird we affectionately call the Hun. Early in the 1900s, this bird was successfully introduced in the United States when some 40,000 partridges were transplanted from the game coverts of Europe into America.

Henry Oldys, a biologist of the day, wrote in his report, “Introduction of the Hungarian Partridge into the United States”, that the first successful transplant was in 1899 at Lynnhaven, in Princess Anne County, Virginia. Ninety-seven birds were stocked in the Willamette Valley in 1900. Some 2,000 partridges were released in eastern Washington over a three-year period starting around 1906. After three years, along the northern border of the state, they were reported to be “almost as plentiful as pheasants.”

In my experience, this partridge is a bird of open farmland, preferring coverts in tall wild rye, native

Photo by Gary Lewis Neil Lewis and Bob Mulligan walk in on a point. grasses, millet and other crops. I’ve found them in coveys of half a dozen to as many as 15. They run ahead of the dogs, then try to hold or flush atop a rise. The rise can be explosive as birds seem to pop out and go in various directions. Most, though, go the same direction and the birds can be located again atop the next rise.

I find where there are Huns, there a single family. Many of the headare hunters haunted by them. Joe stones only listed a first name, date Biggs is one such, he has chased of birth and passing. them since he was a kid.

Tendrils of wind ghosted in the “We have Huns here, native to the treetops. If one inclined an ear at area. The habitat suits them well, dusk, he might hear the partridge. they love the bluegrass fields and Kieerr-ikk. Kieerr-ikk. the wheat fields and live out on the Some of the people at rest here, no rolling hilltops and ridges.” doubt, were hunter/farmers who We often find the birds in short, welcomed the European import light cover. And they are almost with the orange head and grey legs always a surprise when we expect and habit of holding tight on little quail or pheasant instead. hilltops like this one.

We had to stop early because our To contact Gary Lewis, visit www. dogs were tired and the weather GaryLewisOutdoors.com was unseasonably warm, but we Scent conditions were difficult each had a bird to in the hot, dry air on this endhand and that was of-September hunt. enough.

I took a few minutes to walk through the old cemetery. It was officially established in 1905, but there were older markers, probably all belonging to Photo by Gary Lewis

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Photo by Gary Lewis

An understated beauty

I

n hand, the Hungarian partridge has an understated beauty. Wings of white and mottled brown allow the bird to hide from predators by holding still. A pastel-grey on the breast blends on the head with shades of brown. Their eyes are surrounded by a pencil-thin border of red. Flanks and breasts are splotched with markings of chocolate brown.

We often find the birds in short, light cover. And they are almost always a surprise when we are expecting quail or chukar or a wary old rooster.

Huns feed mainly on grains like corn, oats, wheat and barley, but also eat weed seeds and green leaves. They start the day after most of the dew dries off the grass then feed until late morning, loaf in a grassy area until mid-afternoon, then resume feed­ing until dusk. The birds roost in alfalfa fields, grain stubble, short grass or even on plowed ground. They often form roosting rings. In winter, Huns may roost in a depres­sion in the snow or burrow-roost under it.

Coveys normally consist of 10 to 12 birds. Huns do not hold well when first approached. They tend to sneak ahead of a hunter or dog, then burst from cover in unison. The covey remains together. Early in the season, Huns fly only a short distance. As the season pro­gresses, they go farther, some­times over half a mile.

PACK - FEATURE ICONS:

Joe Biggs, manager at Double Barrel Ranch, with Gary Lewis and a Hun taken on a hilltop not far from where Huns were first established in eastern Washington more than a century ago.

-Gary Lewis

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Replace Your Blade, Not Your Knife.

“To break down and pack out a full-size bull I need a strong, reliable knife that stays sharp through the whole process.

That’s why I carry Outdoor Edge’s RazorPro. With just one knife and a few replacement blades, I can finish several bulls and never worry about my edge going dull. I just push the lock button, insert a shaving sharp new one and I’m right back to work.”

Mike Eastman, Founder

Eastman’s Hunting Journals

Pick up a Razor-Pro before the next hunt for a strong, surgically sharp knife with blades that change safe and easy with the simple push of a button, plus gutting blade to open game like a zipper.

See your local dealer or call 800-447-3343 www.outdooredge.com

Browning Maxus

R

eal-world reliability is the most important feature any manufacturer can build into a firearm. That’s why it was the first priority when Browning set about developing the Maxus. But reliability isn’t the whole story.

The Maxus delivers 18% less felt recoil for greater comfort, 44% less muzzle jump for more accurate follow-up shots, 19% faster bolt speed and 24% faster locktime than the nearest competitor. Unequalled reliability and features, all found in one of the finest, most reliable gasoperated autoloaders ever to swing on a bird.

Speed and reliability are the key words for today’s autoloaders and the engineers at Browning have done an excellent job of both. This gun looks fast, starting with a sleeker, thinner profile than any other gas autoloader.

Browning’s Maxus is made from a lightweight aluminum alloy that allows each model to come in under seven pounds.

It has a lengthened forcing cone and has three adjustable chokes, so shooters can adjust a desirable shot pattern for short or long distances.

Looking at the fore-end, you will immediately notice the absence of a screw-on end cap.

The Speed Lock Forearm is one of the most innovative features found on the Browning Maxus autoloader shotgun. A simple lift of a lever allows you to remove the forearm with a flip of your finger. The simplicity of this system allows the fast re m o v a l o f t h e f o re - e n d : n o more over-tightening and having to use a pair of pliers and a rag to take your fore-end off or

under-tightening and dealing with a rattling gun.

As for its action, called the Power Drive Gas System, it is essentially a re-vamping o f t h e a c t i o n s h a re d b y t h e Browning Gold and Winchester Super X-2. Years of extensive research, prototyping and testing have resulted in a new gas piston that has been designed to be more reliable in all conditions, fire a wider selection of loads, reduce recoil and cycle shells faster. The new Power Drive gas piston features large exhaust ports that effectively dump gases faster on heavy loads, while the piston has an approximately 20% longer stroke for superior reliability with light loads.

How is it on the shoulder?

Browning added an advanced soft-rubber recoil pad with what they refer to as “Inflex Technology” to the rear of the Maxus. This pad, combined with the new action translates to one of the softest-recoiling guns on the market, easily handling the hardest-kicking 3.5” shells down to light, 1-ounce skeet loads. It has no trouble on the range or in the field, even when purposely mixing loads.

The Maxus is available in several models specified for waterfowl, field and sporting use. Any one of these is sure to please and from my experience, the Maxus is one of the best all-around guns on the market today. If you are looking for a shotgun that can cover all of your needs, Browning’s Maxus just might be the one for you.

November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

FREQUENT FLYER REWARDS.

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Christmas Gift Guide

The coolest gift ideas from the Sportsman's News Staff

Butthead Decoys from Native by Carlton Wayne Carlton was one of my ultimate outdoor idols as a youngster. Everything he wrote, I read and tried to become a student of his elk killing habits. He has probably called in more elk than anyone I know and is one of the most knowledgeable men and elk hunters I’ve ever met. Now that I’m in the industry, I can now call him my friend. When he develops a product for elk hunting, it is all about fact and not about the hype.

The Butthead decoy is truly one of those items. Its’ three dimensional face does something to elk that you can’t even imagine. Decoys have been around for a long time, but this one takes things to a totally different level. We used it during the fall of 2016 during the archery and muzzleloader hunts and I saw bulls go out of their mind when we put the Butthead decoy in play. It takes a warry bull and puts him at ease. Better yet, it makes a lead cow totally relax when they see the profile of this decoy. Regardless of whether you are hunting with a bow, muzzleloader, or rifle, this decoy will help you to get that extra few seconds to get off that fatal shot. The elk hunter in your life will be happy to see this gift under the tree.

Sitka Gear For the past ten years, we have been wearing Sitka Gear for all of our hunting and outdoor adventures here at Sportsman’s News. We spend well over 1000 man days in the field and in many cases, our life depends on the clothing we wear and that is why we choose Sitka Gear. Regardless of whether you are talking about a base layer, insulation, or weather protecting outer layer, we know that we can always count on the dependability of Sitka Gear. It is some of the most expensive products on the market, but when you realize the testing and development that goes into these high quality garments, you won’t ever question the price. When your life depends on staying dry and warm, you won’t ever worry about the amount of money spent on any one of these items. Whenever we test outdoor clothing, we always compare it to Sitka Gear and how it performs. Building a complete system of Sitka Gear begins with one item and the person who receives a piece of Sitka Gear will know that you care about them and their life.

FoodSaver GameSaver Big Game Vacuum Sealer System Designed for outdoorsmen, the FoodSave GameSaver Big Game Plus Vacuum Sealer System delivers big capability and easy operation. Made to work wherever you are, this highly capable vacuum sealer comes packed with features sportsmen want and need. Rugged and strong for big jobs, this baby gives you the versatility of dual power use, allowing you to use 110V AC or 12V DC, so you can use it anywhere you have power. Giving hunters the ability to seal and preserve everything from dried fruit to elk steaks, the Gamesaver Big Game Plus helps you keep fish or game fresh longer without freezer burn and helps you store convenient, easy-to-use single serving portions to reduce waste. Easy-to-use design combines a simple Easy Touch button operation with oversized rubber buttons and an Easy Lock Latch closure. The double-wide sealing strip delivers an incredibly strong seal you can count on. Sealer also comes with a removable, easy-clean drip tray, accessory port for use with canisters (not included) and a built-in carry handle for easy transport. Includes integrated roll storage and bag cutter, 6’ AC power cord and 15’ DC adapter cord. Unit comes with one 10’ roll each of 8” and 11” FoodSaver GameSaver bag material, five 1-quart bags and five 1-gallon bags. 80 consecutive seals. Manufacturer’s lifetime limited warranty.

SJK Hone Backpack New for Fall 2016: SJK has combined their best-selling features into one versatile hunting daypack. The new Hone combines an expandable game bag shelf-pocket for easy harvest hauling with self-canting shoulder straps that automatically contour to your shoulders to enhance comfort and movement. With 2088 cubic inches of storage space and weighing 3lbs, 4oz, the Hone features a single aluminum stay and HDPE frame sheet suspension to comfortably carry heavier loads. This pack boasts multiple external storage compartments including two zippered help belt pockets, twin low profile side pockets and an external compression panel that doubles as a trophy carry system. This pack also features a versatile weapon carry system that securely holds your bow or rifle. Also, if your better half is looking for a great pack for herself, check out the Wild-Her backpack as well that offers most of the same features as the Hone, but with just the right amount of feminine style. The Hone and the Wild-Her packs are available in the Kryptek Highlander pattern. continued on page 20

November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Take it hiking. Take it hunting. Take it on the water. Montana™ 650t features a bold 4-inch color touchscreen display with dual orientation capabilities. Preloaded 100K TOPO maps come standard, plus support for multiple mapping options like BirdsEye Satellite Imagery and BlueChart® g2 (each sold separately). Montana packs a 3-axis tilt-compensated compass, barometric altimeter, and a 5-megapixel camera to boot. Buy the power mount and City Navigator® and it’ll give you spoken turn-by-turn driving directions. It’s big. It’s versatile.

It’s tough. It earned the name Montana – the ultimate in touchscreen toughness.

www.garmin.com NASDAQ GRMN ©2012 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries

Sportsman’s Warehouse: America’s Premier Hunting, Fishing & Camping Outfitter www.sportsmanswarehouse.com

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CHRISTMAS

Bushnell’s Elite 1 Mile CONX Combo Laser Rangefinder The Elite 1 Mile CONX Combo includes a Kestrel Sportsman Ballistics continued from page 18 Weather Meter. The Sportsman takes the guesswork out of long-range shooting and is the perfect companion for your Elite 1 Mile CONX, the first Laser Rangefinder that interfaces with your smart phone, the Elite 1 Mile CONX is a technological advantage for long-range shooters.

Once your smart phone is connected via CONX you can set up the rangefinder from your phone and set up to three different custom ballistic curves. Get hold over values from the Laser Rangefinder in inches, MOA or MILs on your smart phone or the Rangefinder’s display. The Kestrel Sportsman runs on a single lithium AA battery and weighs only 4.7 oz. Both the weather meter and the rangefinder wear the same Coyote Brown finish, each can be mounted to the top of a tripod and a wind vane mount comes with the combo.

Features: 7x magnification, Blue Tooth Wireless connectivity via CONX Technology (Requires Android operating system 4.3, or iOS 8.1 or newer for Apple devices), VDT (Vivid Display Technology), range from 5 – 1760 yards, Diopter adjustment, is compatible with magnetic attachment system and offers a built-in tripod mount.

CRKT Chogan T-Hawk Designed by Ryan Johnson of RMJ Tactical, the Chogan is a serious tool for the outdoorsmen. Modeled on tomahawks carried by early mountain men and early indigenous people, the Chogan features a 19-inch Tennessee Hickory wood handle for easy, two-handed operation. A hefty hot-forged steel head provides a 3.5 inch cutting blade with a tapered beard and a sturdy hammer head. While Johnson has been one of the leaders in developing tomahawk techniques for the military, this tool is a great addition to your outdoor kit, as it will make fast work of shelter construction and even pull duty as a camp axe. Small and lightweight enough at just over two pounds, it won’t weigh down your pack and it will give you a multi-use tool that will prove to be an invaluable addition to your gear.

Sprongs In my mind, the most innovative product of the year is hands down the Sprongs from MerkWares.

A long handled fork and spoon nest together for easy storage and transport, then flip over and reconnect to make handy tongs. The hook on the fork also doubles as a heat resistant bail for lifting a pot handle. They are made of a tough, BPS-free food grade nylon, so they are resistant to heat, are shatterproof and rugged. Their dimensions are based on the silverware you use at home, so they are comfortable in the hand and in the mouth. Their long length let you get to the bottom of MRE entrees and freeze dried camping food pouches and the spoon holds one tablespoon for easy measuring. Get one for every member of your camping group or they will steal yours once they try them.

ALPS Lynx Tent The Lynx Series tents from ALPS Mountaineering are designed for the back packer. They are available in one, two, or four man options and will even have a six-man option next year. Their two pole dome style design makes them quick and easy to setup and have mesh sides offering a lot of ventilation which is perfect for those summer trips when temperatures are high. Alps haven’t cut any corners with these tents and the high quality zippers and sealed seams will make sure that this tent lasts for many years. continued on page 22

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

CHRISTMAS

continued from page 20

Helly Hansen Impertech Rain Gear The human body sheds body heat 25 times faster when it is wet than when it is dry. The rain gear from Helly Hansen has no equal and is worn by those who must function in harsh weather all over the world, from deep sea commercial fishermen, to construction workers, to emergency personnel.

Using their patented Impertech technology, Helle Hansen has created a warm, waterproof and breatheable jacket and pant for those who will spend time in heavy rains.

The Deluxe Jacket has two roll top, Velcro closure waterproof pockets, with hand warming slit pockets on the sides. An attached hood rolls up out of your way into the collar when not needed and gives plenty of roomy coverage when you do need it. A cape on the back allows ventilation to keep you dry and a wicking interior pulls sweat away from your body.

The Impertech Bib provides an ample cut for freedom of movement, knee length zippers to allow it be put on over heavy boots and snap gussets in the waist to allow rapid adjustment for fit, depending on how heavy the clothing you wear under it. Double Impertech panels on the seat and knees make these bibs durable and long-lasting.

Both the jacket and bib feature Microweld seam construction for improved waterproofing and durability.

Yeti Hopper Flip 12 For carrying a lunch or a twelve pack of cold frosty beverages, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is a leakproof, cold-keeping companion that won’t take up a lot of room. It is square shaped and the flat top gives you easier storage than the regular Hopper, allowing it to be stacked with your other gear. Ideal for a day’s worth of food and drink for a single person or for enough brews for two for the afternoon, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 has the same zippers you would find on a dry bag and a zipper dock to lock the zipper in and prevent it from leaking at the corner. Made of a thermomolded foam and tough nylon and rubber, the Flip 12 also features nylon webbing attachments for the inclusion of the optional Sidekick Gear Case for space to store your valuables or other items. The Flip 12 is the perfect size for a Yeti Cooler Ice Pack. These tough plastic, liquid-filled ice packs are designed with a center cutout to reduce freezing time and engineered to keep your beverages just above the freezing point. The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 has enough room for a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans and room on the top and bottom for these ice packs, so you can keep everything ice-cold for days.

Hi Mountain– The First Choice for Hunters.

Hi Mountain has an extensive line of jerky and sausage making kits and seasonings for your hunting lifestyle. Whether it’s big game, game birds or fish, we have the perfect blend of seasonings.

800-829-2285

www.himtnjerky.com

Suunto Traverse Alpha For that special someone who has been very nice this year, the Suunto Traverse Alpha watch has all of the features they could ever use. Built in navigation, GPS, altimeter, step counter and much more give this watch more functionality than a Swiss Army Knife. Additionally, the watch connects to your smartphone to display incoming calls, text messages, the ability to download maps and waypoints via the Suunto Movescount app. You can even set up your watch setting via your phone. The watch itself is an attractive and rugged digital timepiece enclosed in a composite case with a stainless steel bezel and a sapphire glass crystal. It is waterproof down to 330 feet. It has a flashlight mode and red backlighting. The coolest feature is a shot detection mode that marks a POI at your location when a shot is detected so you can find your way back to where you fired from. The tough nylon band is stylish in that ‘tacticool’ kind of way, but also stands up to rigorous abuse. The watch has a rechargeable battery that you connect to any USB power source or you can sync it with your computer while charging. The battery will last for about a week between charges with standard use and much less if you are using the navigation features. Multiple modes for hunting, hiking and fishing let you easily access the features that matter most to you. For an all around outdoor powerhouse of functionality, nothing compares to the Suunto Traverse Alpha. continued on page 26

November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

DESIGNED WITH THE TOUGHEST STANDARDS IN MIND BUILT TO PERFORM IN THE HARSHEST CONDITIONS

Short Takeup Trigger with Positive Reset

Recoil-Reducing Barrel Cam, Low Mass Slide, Low Center of Gravity and Low Bore Axis

Performance Tested for Sustained +P Ammunition Use

Genuine Novak ® LoMount Carry Three-Dot Sights

Modular Wrap-Around Grip System for Adjusting Palm Swell and Trigger Reach

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Safe, Easy Takedown with No Tools or Trigger Pull Required

to perform in the harshest conditions. A true American innovation, this pistol was developed through a rigorous “Voice of the Customer” process – where numerous law enforcement and military trainers, firearms experts, distributors and retailers provided input, feedback and testing in the determination of the form, function and features of this firearm. The resultant new pistol is a revolutionary platform for Ruger, one that utilizes the combination of a recoilreducing barrel cam (which is designed to better spread recoil energy over time) with a low mass slide, low center of gravity and a low bore axis to provide an unparalleled shooting experience.

Ambidextrous Slide Stop and Magazine Release Allow Actuation with Either Hand RUGER.COM/AMERICANPISTOL © 2016 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. 121615

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

CHRISTMAS

continued from page 22 One Series Sunglasses by Optic Nerve Nothing ruins an outdoors adventure faster than forgetting your sunglasses, especially in the summer time. It doesn’t matter if its hunting, fishing, or just hiking not being able to shade your eyes is always an annoyance. I have always been one to buy the more expensive polarized glasses with the mind set being if they cost that much they must be good. The only problem is if I damage them then it takes a while of saving moneyto buy a replacement pair. This season I’ve been wearing a pair of polarized sunglasses from the One series by Optic Nerve and for only being thirty dollars they’re honestly one of the best sunglasses I’ve ever worn. I’ve worn them for hours and they’ve stayed comfortable on my head and the lenses are as good as some brands that are a lot more money. The best part of finding a reliable pair of sunglasses in the lower price range is that if I damage them on a hunt or lose them fishing, I can easily afford to replace them.

Vital Knife from Gerber This little knife is a must have for any hunter when it comes to skinning and caping out an animal. The economical grip is extremely comfortable and fits very well in your hands. They make them in a fixed design and a pocket folder, which I prefer. On this year’s archery elk hunt it performed flawlessly and I never even had to change a blade while caping an elk out. The blades were the perfect balance, not too thin or not too thick for that tedious work. I did notice the sharpness stayed pretty true throughout the caping process and never broke any blades on the two elk I caped out. One of the nicest features is the ease of blade changes. There is absolutely no need for a set of pliers to change blades. With one simple push of a button you have a very easy blade change all while keeping the blade secure with no unwanted movement while in the locked position. At the end of the caping process, even with the knife a little dirty, I had zero issues with changing the blade at the end to get it ready for its next animal.

ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent Lantern The Mosquito Lantern by Thermacell was a new item I took with me this year on a 6 day backcountry trip. This lantern is light-weight and equipped with a little drop down hook at the bottom. This is great when hanging it.

It is light and offers ample lighting. The coolest feature was how Thermacell incorporated one of their Max Light Repeller Mats into this unit, all powered by 4 AA batteries.

This is a great feature to keep insects away within a 15x15 area, making your outings more enjoyable. The 220-lumen light will run up to 10 hours on the highest settings and also has 4 different light setting options. The Thermacell Scout Camp Lantern has been evaluated by the EPA for its safety and effectiveness. continued on page 28

Convection Style Smoking

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BETTER Take your outdoor cooking to the next level with a SmokePro Pellet Grill by Camp Chef. Designed with the home griller in mind, built-in features simplify the process of smoking so you can cook to perfection every time. SmokePro Pellet Grills are available with features ranging from innovative digital smoker controls to dual temperature sensors. Discover the real secret of award winning BBQ cooks, low and slow smoking.

www.CampChef.com | 800.650.2433

Pellet Hopper Clean-out (Select models)

Grease Catch Pellet Auger

Ash Clean-out System (Patent pending)

November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

䰀伀夀䄀䰀吀夀

㄀ Ⰰ

␀

䜀䤀嘀䔀䄀圀䄀夀

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圀椀渀 ㄀ 漀昀 ㈀

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␀㄀Ⰰ ␀㄀Ⰰ ␀㄀Ⰰ ␀㄀Ⰰ

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CHRISTMAS

Black Diamond Storm The Black Diamond Storm features variable brightness levels, green continued from page 26 and red light options, as well as the PowerTap Technology feature.

This PowerTap feature lets you tap the side of the unit to go in and out of dim to bright mode. It provides more than adequate light with the OneQuad Power LED and one white DoublePower LED that puts out 250 lumens on max. I liked this unit enough that I will be retiring my other headlamps and I picked up a second Storm for a backup. The red and green single power LED’s for night vision have dimming and strobe settings that activate without cycling through the white mode. The colored LED’s even come with brightness memory. The new and improved Storm is powered by 4 AAA batteries and they still managed to keep it light weight, with an overall sleek design.

Goal Zero Nomad 7 and Venture 30 The two units together are fairly lightweight and the slim design makes it easy to fit in any backpack out there.

They have become a staple in my packs when heading into the backcountry. On short outings the Venture 30 alone will get you 2-3 charges on your phone and wouldn’t have a problem keeping you powered up on those 2-3 day trips. Anything longer than that, the Nomad 7 solar panel then becomes a necessity for keeping those extended stay charges going. It will also keep some AA rechargeable batteries charged for any accessories you might need. When you are looking to keep all those things we consider “basic necessities” going and keep communication right at your fingertips in the backcountry, it is worth looking at Goal Zero’s Nomad 7 and Venture 30 combo.

Wayne Carlton’s Elk Calls These closed and open reed calls take very little effort to create realistic elk sounds. More effort means more blowing, that results in a wet reed that does not perform at its best. The calls come in three varities, the Boss Cow Call, The Li’l Heifer Cow Call, and the Whispering Cow Call. Their diaphragm calls can be used in two ways; a cow call and a bugle can both be used with exceptional sound quality through the Mega Grunt Tube. Whether you’re a seasoned caller or one just starting out, Hunter Specialties series of Wayne Carlton’s Calls will get the job done, not to mention how the reed calls just look awesome as well.

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

ELECTRO-OPTICS

HARDWIRED F OR B AT T L E ROMEO4c

1X20mm

ROMEO4 is the ultimate red-dot sight when fast, accurate target acquisition is a must. Whether it’s a moving target, dangerous game at full charge, or a fast-breaking tactical situation at close quarters.

No matter the lighting conditions, weather conditions, or terrain, the extremely rugged ROMEO4 red-dot sight has you covered. Shoot with confidence with both eyes open, when it counts.

DUAL RETICLE SYS TEM Advanced LED illumination system toggles between a 2 MOA Red-Dot for precision aiming and a 65 MOA/2 MOA Circle-Dot for rapid target acquisition.

SOLAR POWERED ILLUMINATION SYSTEM Always ready with both battery and solar, the ROMEO4c is up even if your battery is down. 50,000+ hour battery life.

SEE THE F ULL LINE AT SIGOP TICS. COM SIG SAUER ELECTRO-OPTICS, PORTLAND, OREGON, USA | ©2016 SIG SAUER, INC

Includes both M1913 Picatinny low profile and 1.41” cowitness riser mounts.

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CHRISTMAS

continued from page 28

Cobra Jump Pack XL Anytime you can jump start your vehicles and power your phone off the same device, it is worth a look. It won’t be the lightest thing to pack around in your backpack but I do consider it on the moderate side, coming in at just over 1 pound. This compact, portable power pack contains a UL-registered 41.1Wh (11,100mAh) battery with a 3 Amp USB output to rapidly charge any 5 Volt portable devices. These range from smart phones, tablets, to digital cameras, and many other devices, making it the ideal emergency battery pack for home, office, vehicle or the outdoors. Depending on how much you use your phone in the backcountry, you could go all week and still stay fully charged with the Cobra Jump Pack XL. It also features a built in LED light that can be used as a flashlight or can be switched over to a strobe light for emergency situations. The Cobra comes with a handy small carrying pouch that fits all your attachments for charging, and includes the jumper cables for jump starting your vehicle. There is lots of power packed into this little device and definitely worth a ride in your backpack or to keep in the glove compartment in your vehicle for those emergency situations. This is something to consider if you’re not sure what to get someone this Christmas season. It has become a mainstay in our family vehicle and I’m sure it would make its way in yours.

Grand Trunk Nano 7 Hammock This tough little packable hammock can fit in your cup holder of your car, inside probably the smallest compartment in your backpack and darn near about stuff it in your pocket, but don’t let the small size fool you.

This little thing has a weight rating of 300 lbs, comes with aluminum carabineers, and it is built out of ripstop nylon construction. With the triple stitch construction it realistically can hold up to just about anyone with that weight rating, all while staying extremely packable. I liked using an egg carton style floor mat in conjunction with it and this makes for some comfy afternoons. During the warmer months I wouldn’t hesitate to just use it with a sleeping bag for an ultra light weight weekend trip in the backcountry. I was creative and used the carrying case or sack that it comes in (which is secured to the hammock) as a drink holder while in use. The Nano 7 Hammock made taking a few naps in the high country very easy and comfortable while the cool breezes and birds sort of lull you to sleep.

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眀眀眀⸀匀瀀漀爀琀猀洀愀渀猀圀愀爀攀栀漀甀猀攀⸀挀漀洀

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CHRISTMAS

continued from page 30 Fox River Socks Fox River socks have got to be one of the nicer fitting socks out on the market. I put the Peak Series Atlas to the test this year in the high country and they performed exceptionally well. When in my hiking boots they stayed put without sagging even after a long hard day with a couple thousand feet of ascents and traversing down rocky slopes. They hug your foot very well and since they pay attention to the wear areas in their build process you have extra support where needed. They are made with Primaloft that definitely stands up to any adventure you can throw at them. Their Helix fit system, really hugs in the areas where it’s needed most, all while still having superb breathability. The comfort mesh ventilation zones maximize air flow, keeping moisture away and really help at keeping your feet dry.

I really like the smooth flat comfort 5.11 Tactical Rush 12 Pack With16 total compartments, the Rush 12 Pack provides a wide range of storage options, each one sized for a specific use. Additional features on the Rush 12 backpack include an internal admin

toe seam that they have; you don’t even feel it after a long hard day in the field. These are an all weather medium weight sock that is built specifically for your right and left foot to maintain the exact comfort and extra support you need for each side.

panel for organizing small accessories, a 60 oz. hydration pocket that keeps you on the move, and a fleece-lined sunglass pocket that protects your eyewear. An extensive wrap-around web platform is MOLLE and SlickStick System compatible, allowing you to customize your storage to suit your needs. The Rush backpack offers external compression straps, adjustable shoulder straps, and a centered sternum strap to e n s u re s t a b i l i t y, and water resistant construction to keep your gear dry and secure in any climate. The Rush 12 makes a great all purpose backpack for day hikes, kicking around town with attitude, and even a rugged book bag for ths edgy student.

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Four Keys To Success

Chad LaChance

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onfidence. Diligence. Discipline. Determination.

Four words that can be very powerful, especially when applied collectively to a challenging task. They occurred to a few months ago as I was formulating a coaching strategy which ultimately proved to be very successful; the team I coached won the Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship while competing

against 174 other high school fishing teams from around the country and Canada. Those four words became the cornerstones of how we conducted our practice and ultimately the tournament itself. Now, in hindsight and after further consideration, they seem more appropriate than ever when I consider how those concepts affect the outcome of my days not just on the water, but also in the woods.

As I’ve matured as an outdoorsmen, I’ve learned that all the fancy tackle or guns in the world won’t put fish or game on the table regularly without whoever is manning them participating in the pursuit confidently and diligently while staying disciplined and determined. After all, more often than not, the fish or game wins. You know why they win?

Because, by nature, they embody all of those concepts. Show me a mature whitetail buck that does not display those qualities in his day to day activity and I’ll show you a soon-to-be dead deer. Geez,

the very reason the rut is productive for hunters is because mature bucks loose two of those key factors - diligence and discipline - as they go about their lustful business. They’re still confident in their senses and abilities and they’re very determined to not only survive but to procreate as well. However, they lack diligence and discipline as their judgement is clouded by romance. I can relate, but let’s move on.

Confidence is obvious. As an angler or hunter, you have to be confident in your abilities and equipment or success becomes a product of luck. Problem is, confidence has to be built and it’s a very fragile thing. Success both requires and builds confidence in a chicken and the egg sort of way such that, early on in the field, we rarely proceed with confidence.

As our time afield grows, so does our knowledge of how those days often go. The more correct decisions we make, the more confident we get. The more confident we get, the more we act on those

correct decisions and therefore achieve success.

Good confident decisions are important, but it’s equally important to act on them with the three big D’s in mind. Diligence is most tied to preparation, whether it be map study, casting or shooting practice, or equipment readiness.

Diligence is what helps prevent equipment or body failure over a long day in the field. It’s helps increase confidence, too; I’m always more confident when I know unequivocally that I and my equipment are prepared.

Discipline is always a tough sell. Though some folks are better at it than others, nobody really likes discipline; discipline is what keeps us from cutting corners or taking the easy way out. Its’ what keeps us from hitting the snooze button on those stupidly early summer fishing trips, taking the direct hike rather than routing for the perfect wind, or fishing with a lure that’s already tied on because it’s “good enough” rather than selecting the perfect one we know we have in the tackle box. Discipline and diligence are closely related I figure, and both are tough to apply without the other such that diligent people are usually disciplined as well.

Determination is a whole different beast. Determination is what keeps us from quitting when the life in the field becomes uncomfortable….and life in the outdoors can often be very uncomfortable!

When our legs and lungs are burning, determination keeps us climbing. When we haven’t seen a deer in days, determination keeps us in the stand. After five long days of practice and two grueling tournament days in 95 degree heat, determination keeps us casting and allows us to catch a late day kicker fish to win the high school national championship. It’s pretty easy to give up, notice it’s very hot out and the fishing is slow, and subsequently lose focus which is, in and of itself, a very specific kind of discipline.

Determination prevents that. It’s worth noting that, of the four

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Alberta’s Premier Waterfowl Destination - Ranchland Outfitters The decision was made to set the dates for the season opener, September 1st. The hunt would consist of five fully guided sessions of hunts (morning, evening, morning, evening, morning), three nights’ accommodations, all meals, license and stamps and ammo.

Even 12ga. semi-autos were available for those that did not want to worry about bringing their firearms along for the hunt. Now all we needed was a winner and their guest to accompany me on the trip.

Well, the later was soon taken care of with a spin of the barrel, as hundreds of golden cards tumbled ‘round and ‘round. The hatch was opened and the lucky ticket was drawn, as Bond Isaacson was announced as the winner of the Ranchland Outfitters waterfowl hunt. He and a guest would be venturing to Alberta for a waterfowl experience of a lifetime.

On the afternoon of August 31st, I met up with Bond and Bond Jr. at the Edmonton International Airport and we quickly loaded our gear into Rob’s awaiting truck and headed to the town of Elk Point, about 2 ½ hours to the northeast, towards the Saskatchewan border. Flat farmlands, sprinkled with pockets of forest could be seen for miles in every direction as we made our way to our destination. Along the way, it seemed like just about every pond had ducks or geese splashing around and many fields supported big flocks of ‘Big’ honkers. To say the anticipation was mounting a little would be an understatement!

Soon we found ourselves pulling up to the “Outback Ranch House” Restaurant, the premier eatery of the area, which would be our home to luscious meals, morning and night, throughout our stay. Rob’s wife, Lori and her staff do an exceptional job with the food to say the least. We met the other eight hunters that would Sportsman’s News Pro Membership Sweepstakes also be mingling with us during our winner, Bond Isaacson and his son, Bond Jr. stay and after some pose for a photo after their first day of goose discussion on the hunting in the rich farmlands of northeastern plans for the next Alberta, Canada with Ranchland Outfitters.

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By Kent Danjanovich he Sportsman’s News Team is always on the lookout for new operations to join the ranks of our Platinum Approved Outfitters family. Some lodges, guides and outfitters contact us, many are referred, but all are vetted to make sure that they truly deliver on what they advertise.

That has been our biggest emphases since the inception of this program and always will be.

We know that the average sportsman in most cases is going to have to diligently save up his hard earned money, sometimes for many years, to be able to experience that trip of a lifetime. Our job is to make sure we offer that sportsman some great choices that will pretty much make it a lock that they will experience success on their adventure.

One such operation that fits our mold perfectly is Ranchland Outfitters in northeastern Alberta, Canada.

Rob Reynolds has been operating his waterfowl portion of the business for eleven years and has built a reputation unrivalled in the industry. If you are looking for a truly world-class waterfowl experience, then Ranchland Outfitters is the answer.

When we were putting together our list of grand prizes for our Pro Membership Sweepstakes, Rob was one of the first outfitters we contacted about being included. Since I had already visited his operation for both waterfowl and whitetail deer, I knew that both of these hunts would be worthy of placement in our prize rotation.

morning, it was off to our accommodations and a few short hours of sleep before we headed for the field at 3am.

Our first morning found us unloading our layout blinds and decoys in a harvested pea field about 20 minutes from town. Rob instructed us on the setup, making sure that we would be taking the wind direction into consideration for the incoming birds.

This morning, the sun would be to our backs, making it a little bit easier for me to capture the events on film for an upcoming edition of our SNTV series (watch for it at the registers during October and November at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse).

Almost as if the birds knew when legal shooting time began, they started to appear on the horizon. Soon, hundreds, if not thousands of birds could be seen in waves all over the sky. Rob quickly went to work with his calls and the first group of geese started their decent.

Knowing that Bond and Bond Jr. had not been on a waterfowl hunt of this magnitude before, I took a quick look over at them in their layout blinds.

I could see that the anticipation was reaching a crescendo and I couldn’t wait to see them explode out with guns blazing for the first time!

Soon the flock of eight speckle belly’s set their wings for the last time and Rob gave the word, “TAKE ‘EM”! All five

hunts exploded out of their blinds and fire could be seen flaring into the sky as five birds crumpled to the ground.

I don’t think I can justly express to you the looks on the faces of our newly christened goose hunters – but I will say you could see a glimpse of a smile – literally from ear to ear on everyone as high fives began and continued for the next hour and a half!

Wave after wave of geese descended on our decoy spread and soon, Rob gave the unwelcomed delivery statement of, “We only need two more birds’ guys”! Five minutes later, our morning hunt was over, as 40 geese (five specks, two lesser and 33 big Canada’s) lay piled in five neat bunches behind our hunters blinds.

After a quick photo session, we all pitched in rounding up the blinds and decoy spread as we loaded everything into the trailer and headed back to town for a great breakfast spread and shared stories with the other group of hunters.

After a little midday siesta, we headed to another area near town to try our luck for a few ducks. Although they weren’t flying quite like we would have liked them too, the group did continued on page 38

Layout blinds, covered with harvested pea vines were our camouflage on this beautiful morning.

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圀圀圀⸀匀倀伀刀吀匀䴀䄀一匀圀䄀刀䔀䠀伀唀匀䔀⸀䌀伀䴀

November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

䌀䠀䄀䴀倀䤀伀一吀䄀刀䜀䔀吀⸀䌀伀䴀

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RANCHLAND

continued from page 36 manage to down a variety of feathered species, including mallards, pintails and spoonies.

Day two found us again loading into the trucks at around 3am and heading to another field, this time a large grain field to the south. We would pull all of the pea vines out of our layout blinds and line the outside of them with straw from our new field to match the surroundings. At about 6:30am, the first birds could be seen in the distance.

This morning would be a little different from the first. Not that the outcome was any different, as we were able to limit out with our 40 birds in just over an hour, but the birds didn’t come into our setup in the big groups on this morning. Smaller groups of four, five, six birds descended on our decoy spread, providing our hunters with point-blank opportunities that they all took advantage of. The Isaacson Boys put on a clinic right before my eyes, as I don’t remember many birds escaping the wrath of their smoking Super Black

up their limit of geese and add 16 ducks as well.

Our last morning found us again in a pea field changing out our blinds, preparing for the onslaught.

This time Rob set us up near two small water holes in hopes of Good shootin’ fellas! Thirty-five Canadian honkluring in a few ers and five speckle bellies filled our limits the more ducks as first morning of the three day hunt with Ranchland well as geese. BeOutfitters. fore we had even Eagle II’s. finished putting out our last decoy, the That afternoon, Rob, Bond, Jr and I ducks started dive bombing us and for decided to try our luck at a little var- the next thirty minutes, hundreds of mint action. After hearing plenty of mallards filled the morning sky in front coyotes’ howling our first two morn- of us. Of course, this was all taking ings, Rob ran us around the outskirts place before legal shooting time! But of town in hopes of taking a few ‘dogs’ don’t despair, they just kept coming out of the population. Unfortunately, in for the next two hours, along with they weren’t too cooperative, but still plenty of geese as well. a good time was had by all. The other Because the wind was coming in group of hunters did manage to finish from the east on this morning, the

sun was right in our faces, making it almost impossible to film. So begrudgingly (well kind of) I put down my camera and picked up my shotgun for a little shooting of my own. And what a morning it was – 35 geese and 45 ducks.

That afternoon we sadly said our goodbyes, but you can bet it won’t be for long. I fact, I will be back in November to film another winner from our Pro Membership Sweepstakes on an exciting whitetail hunt and we have already secured another waterfowl hunt to be given away for the 2018 season as well. Yes, membership has its privileges, just as Bond Isaacson and his son, Bond Jr. They have both won prizes in the Sweepstakes and you know what they say, “You can’t win if you don’t enter”!

For more information about Ranchland Outfitters, give Rob Reynolds a call at 877-924-8440. And for more information about our Pro Membership Sweepstakes, visit our website at www.sportsmansnews.com or www. promembershipsweepstakes.com, you’ll be glad you did.

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2016 New Video Product Reviews

ALPS OutdoorZ Delta Waterfowl Gear Zero-Gravity Layout Blind

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ince 2007, ALPS OutdoorZ has cold, hard ground and positions been designing and manufac- your legs comfortably, all while turing high quality hunting providing a low, stealthy profile. The packs and gear for today’s modern fabric on the body of the blind flares hunter. Brought together by a shared on all four sides, further hiding you passion for conservation and a love from ducks and geese by eliminatof waterfowl hunting, ALPS Out- ing harsh edges. And the best thing doorZ partnered with Delta Water- about this great blind is the fact that fowl this year to bring to market a there is not one pin or pole to deal brand new line of high quality gear with to assemble it. for waterfowl hunters. Using the We had four of these blinds sent same first-rate fabrics, components up to one of our Platinum Approved and design elements found in all Outfitters in Alberta, Canada for of their products, ALPS OurdoorZ us to try out on an opening week is proud to present Delta goose and duck hunt in Waterfowl Gear – Gear for September. The camo patduck and goose hunters, tern that is used in the by duck and goose hunters. design was probably good The Zero-Gravity Layout enough to have concealed Blind is undoubtedly the us, but with plenty of stubmost comfortable layout ble straps available all over Scan this QR Code with your blind you will ever use. smart phone to view the the blind, we were able to News YouTube The elevated, Zero-Gravity Sportsman's completely conceal ourChannel. chair keeps you off the selves from the keen eyes

NiteIze LED Lighting

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he folks over at Nite Ize know lighting. For 2016 they have created two new lighting products, the 400L Lantern and the Inova STS PowerSwitch Headlamp.

output and protect your eyes from the bright LED. A spring clip on top allows the lantern to be hung in a tent or over a table in your campsite.

It weighs a mere 11.6 ounces and stands just under 8-inches tall by 3.86 inches in diameter.

Nite Ize 400L Lantern The Nite Ize 400L Lantern is a compact battery powered lantern, Inova STS PowerSwitch Headlamp with big lighting capability. FeaturFumbling with buttons on your ing three brightness levels, a single headlamp can be a pain, especially push button switch and a rugged when it is cold. For 2016, Nite Ize case, the 400L Lantern provides up has improved their Swipe-to-Shine to 400 lumens of light projected onto (STS) technology to make their a conical reflector for 360 degrees of headlamps more responsive. STS light. Simply push the button again allows you to just slide your finger to cycle through dimmer settings of to the left to activate the white light.

170 lumens or 30 lumens. The lower Slide again and it flashes. Slide to the lumen setting, the longer the bat- the right and the light will turn off. tery life. The 400L provides 26 hours From the off position, a slide of the of continuous runtime at finger to the right will ac400 lumens on the three tivate two small red LEDs D-batteries. It provides and a second slide will 112 hours of runtime at 170 cause them to flash. From lumens and a whopping any position that the light 795 hours of continuous is shining, a quick slide runtime at 30 lumens. The will turn it off. In addi400L also comes with a Scan this QR Code with your tion to the improved STS carrying bag that acts as a smart phone to view the technology, the new Inova Sportsman's News YouTube diffuser to soften the light Channel.

STS has a removable, re-

of group after group of wily mallards and big Canadian honkers.

Because of the positioning of the layout chair in the blind, you are ready at all times to burst out when the words, “Take ‘Em” are uttered from your hunting partner or guide. The doors run the full length of the blind, giving you plenty of freedom of movement and more than ample room to swing both left and right.

Also, the spread-out design gives you plenty of room for anything you might want to take along to the blind with you. And because you are sitting in basically a reclined easy chair, you will never feel that cold

ground under anything other than your boots!

Additional features include a comfy headrest, no floor for easy cleanup, carry straps, zippered flag doors, gear pockets, ample stubble straps and a one-year limited warranty.

chargeable lithium battery that can be connected to a micro USB cable for recharging. While it is recharging, you can power the headlamp with three standard alkaline AAA batteries, giving you the option of power sources. It comes with a comfortable 1-inch wide adjustable strap, but will also work with any of the Inova Multi Mount Systems for attachment to their bike mount or helmet mounts. The headlamp will run for two hours and 20 minutes

on 280 lumen high white, and 76 hours on 9-lumen low white and for 58 hours on 8-lumen high red and 785 hours on .3-lumen low red on the rechargeable lithium battery. It sill run three hours and 10 minutes on 265 lumen high white, 108 hours on 9-lumen low white, 69 hours on 8-lumen high red and 875 on .3-low lumen low red on AAA batteries.

Check out the great new lights from Nite Ize at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse store.

November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

Master the challenge.

New ZEISS VICTORY V8

// PRECISION MADE BY ZEISS

New ZEISS VICTORY® V8 The most sophisticated, precision hunting solution from ZEISS. Unsurpassed in its versatility and unrivaled in its optical performance, the new VICTORY V8 from ZEISS gives hunters everything without compromising anything. The brightest optics combined with 8x zoom enable fast, intuitive reaction time and flexibility at any distance, under any light situation, no matter the hunting scenario or style. This one-of-a-kind masterpiece of engineering is available in four models: 1-8x30, 1.8-14x50, 2.8-20x56 and 4.8-35x60. All models include TALLEY Signature Rings and a coupon for free TALLEY® Steel Bases. ®

www.zeiss.com/victoryv8

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2016 New Video Product Reviews Outdoor Edge Knives and Accessories

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illing your tag is one thing, but solid go-to piece of equipment. It is getting your game from the field two knives in one. The first is a drop to the freezer is another. Out- point skinner with a razor sharp edge door Edge has you covered for every and has the ability to break down any aspect of this part of your hunting and and all animals. With the push of a game processing. We have been using button and the flip of a blade, you the Outdoor Edge line of products have a world class gutting blade that here at Sportsman’s News for over ten won’t cut the intestines and taint your years now. David Bloch is the owner, hard earned protein. It allows you to designer, and producer of these great cut under the skin and not through products. There is a reason that he the hair, which allow your skinner always delivers products to the mar- to stay sharp for multiple uses. This ket that are just what we as hunters setup comes as a standalone knife or a in a knife/saw combo need and at an affordable pack, which I prefer. The price. This is because he is saw is always handy for a hardcore hunter himself splitting rib cages or more and he spends lots of time importantly, for clearing an in the field to know what area for world-class trophy we need.

From the minute you Scan this QR Code with your photos. phone to view the If sharpening knives isn’t pull the trigger and need a smart Sportsman's News YouTube in your wheelhouse, the knife, the Swingblade is a Channel.

Razor-lite series is the perfect resource for all of your knife needs. It is a replaceable-blade knife that always has you using a razor sharp blade. The black-oxide coated blade holder provides an extra strong support for these blades, which allows you to apply side pressure when caping, and eliminates the worry of breaking blades like competitors brands.

Once your trophy is back to camp, breaking it down into serving sized portions can be done with many of the numerous processing kits available. The Wild-Lite is the lightest of all the Outdoor Edge processing kits, yet has all you need to break down any of the North American game animals.

The Wild-Pak is the next step up and has a few more accessories, and the

Game Processor is the Mack Daddy of all knife sets and has everything you need for processing game from moose to mackeral. Each of these kits come in a hard side carry case which fits in your pack, truck, or storage cabinet.

Outdoor Edge has everything you can possibly need for game processing and at a price anyone can afford.

cludes instructions for ordering a custom dial for your rifle and ammunition combination at no additional charge.

Easy turn adjustment dials make windage and elevation modifications easy without tools and even while wearing gloves.

The VX3i is available in a variety of configurations from a 20MM objective to a 50MM objective and in magnifications from 1.5X to 19.2X. It comes with the choice of either a Duplex or BDC reticle.

Dependability, a first-in-class lifetime warranty, exceptional o p t i c a l c l a r i t y, a n d m a d e i n America means that these scopes will provide a lifetime of value and become an heirloom to be handed down to young hunters for generations.

So no matter what you call it, LEO POLLED, or its proper name LEW POLLED, the VX3i from LEUPOLD will out perform your expectations and the guys working the optics counter will know what you mean.

Leupold VX3i CDS Scopes

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eupold makes some of the performance and contrast in all most rugged, dependable, conditions. It not only transmits and crystal clear optics light, but manages it for excepon the planet. Their reputation tional clarity under all lighting is so strong that they proudly conditions without it getting mark every one of their scopes washed out. with a gold ring for instant S e c o n d g e n e r a t i o n A rg o n / identification. They vigorously Krypton gas more effectively retest and abuse their products to sists thermal shock and the dual make sure they can withstand s p r i n g p re c i s i o n a d j u s t m e n t whatever real-world use you can system ensures match grade put them to, and top that with repeatability and strength. Diaa Gold Ring Full Lifetime War- mondCoat2 external lens treatranty that is transferable. ment prevents scratching and The VX3i is a manifestation repels dust and dew for even of that unparalleled commit- better optical imaging. ment to quality. The VX3i is a The magnification adcompletely reengineered design justment ring has been recustomized around the Leupold designed to give the user Twilight Max Light Management a quick view of their magSystem. nification setting T h e Tw i l i g h t M a x without needing Light Management Systo take their eye tem delivers the highest away from the average light transmisscope. sion in all colors with The VX3i is emphasis on the blue also part of the this QR Code with your a n d r e d p o r t i o n s o f Scan Leupold Cussmart phone to view the the light spectrum for Sportsman's News YouTube tom Dial System Channel. exceptional low light (CDS) and in-

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Become Invisible To the Nose

By Shane Chuning

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f you have been hunting long enough, I’m sure you have encountered situations when

you get busted by the wind. I am still amazed at how well some of the big game animals we pursue have such a keen sense of smell.

Every time I go out, I am consistently checking the wind on a stalk to try and stack the cards in my favor.

Even then, I can think of one recent i n c i d e n t t h i s y e a r, while on a archery elk hunt, where I spotted a 370+ bull about two to three miles away.

I made a conscience effort to identify wind direction before even planning my stalk.

The bull was working his way through heavy timber to a feeding area for the evening. Planning my stalk accordingly, I

made my way out on the ridge line, closing the distance fast, since it was in the evening and didn’t want to lose light. When I got within 100 yards I spotted the bulls rack and knew without question it was him. I then proceeded to take my pack off and forgot to spray down with Scent-A-Way Bio-Strike, after that long 2-3 mile trek in very warm conditions.

Everything appeared to still be good and he never knew I was even there. Just as I started closing the distance, trying to get within 60 -70 yards, the wind switched directions as I felt it hit the back of my ears. Within seconds after that I saw his rack tip upward in the air, catching wind of something he smelled.

I never saw his body due to the terrain, but knew exactly what he was doing. Shortly after that, all

Pro’s Tips I could do was watch that 370+ bull completely run out of sight due to all the perspiring and odor I put off. He never saw me, but knew something was not right and I was sure wishing I had sprayed down before that stalk.

On this same elk hunt, I encountered another opportunity where I had a big bull about 600 yards away. Checking the wind as usual and spraying down this time, helped me stack the odds in my favor as I closed the distance on the last stretch. With open sagebrush flats and aspen grove pockets throughout, I managed to get within 400 yards. Knowing continued on page 44

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SCENT

continued from page 43 I needed to close that distance even more, I belly crawled another 290 yards. This put me at 110 yards with the wind swirling and that bull with 30+ cows never even knew I was there.

The only problem I had on this encounter was running out of legal shooting light, so I had to pull out.

I went through a 5 day period

wearing the same clothes in some very warm weather in the backcountry. With prior treatment of the Bio-Strike laundry detergent and Odor Shield laundry additive on my clothing and spraying down mornings and evenings, I found this combination worked amazingly well at keeping the human odor down. I pulled out after that 5-day stretch to take care of some work. After getting home, I had my wife test out my clothes for odor and she c o u l d b a re l y smell any sign of body odor.

This stuff really works better than anything I have used in the past.

On my last day of a long, hard backcountry elk hunt, I made a plan to stalk

up on one of the bulls I had previously encountered. I determined he would be with all those cows in the same general area. Needless to say, they were nowhere to be found. I was quickly running out of time on the last evening. I remember sitting there contemplating on making a last ditch effort to locate a bull. In preparation, I sprayed down completely with the Scent-A-Way Bio-Strike before heading out.

After moving about 500 yards from my original location, I threw out a bugle and got a response immediately. With light closing in fast the last hour and wind swirling on the mountain, it was all or nothing. I closed the distance on that bull with a few more bugles and knew he was getting closer by the minute. With my gear completely sprayed down this time, I had that bull come within 15 yards.

I made a clean shot, as the arrow passed straight through him. I honestly believe if it wasn’t for

spraying down everything an hour prior to that shot, the situation may have been different due to the swirling winds on the mountain at 10,000 ft.

In saying all this, we can definitely stack the cards in our favor when we are pursuing big game animals every year. I have not experienced anything better than Hunter Specialties Scent-A-Way Bio-Strike. During this year ’s archery elk hunt, I put the BioStrike products to the test with over 20 days in the backcountry.

This was in very warm conditions for most of the hunt and included extended periods of not showering. Not to mention, my wife was completely shocked at the lack of odor over that 5-day stretch with the same clothes. I would highly recommend implementing the Bio-Strike line of products to assist you in your future hunts. In doing so, you will increase your success rate. These are excellent products that are definitely worth checking out.

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concepts, only determination occurs commonly by itself, without the other three. Many folks are very determined but lack the diligence and discipline needed to gain confidence. Typically they’ll still succeed occasionally by virtue of not quitting.

I have a major deer hunt this month, the tag for which took years to draw. I’m approaching this hunt with supreme confidence and here’s why. I know the area from both from having hunted it before and from extensive map and aerial imagery study. I’m very familiar with

my quarry, my weapon, and all of my equipment because I have been diligent in preparation. I’ll hunt each day with discipline, always hunting to the conditions and following known trophy buck hunting strategies. And while they taste the same, I’ll exercise discipline in passing up many bucks, only willing to harvest a deer worthy of my tag. And I’ll hunt daylight to dark for all nine days if that’s what it takes, because determination is not to be taken lightly.

Confidence, diligence, discipline, and determination; four words that shape my time afield.

With them, I consider myself empowered to succeed.

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Digital Edition Only Special Content

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

N

eed a new way to use some of your ground venison?

This is a simple recipe that will be enjoyed by everyone in the family. It is really easy to make and the kids will have fun helping out on this one! It will also work well with beef or pork, or a combination of the two.

Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • •

8 large Bell peppers 1 tbsp. bacon grease (or butter/ olive oil) 1 ½ pounds ground venison Kosher salt Cracked black pepper 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 5 cloves finely chopped garlic 1 10 ounce can Rotel diced tomato 2 cups cooked Spanish rice 1 cup sour cream 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• • • •

Venison Stuffed Peppers

Hot pepper sauce 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese ¼ cup chopped green onion

Preparation Method

This recipe is great with green bell peppers, but is exceptional with a multi-colored pepper presentation.

A mixture of red, yellow, orange, and even purple bell peppers create a really festive feel to this tasty concoction. Pick out peppers that are blocky and will stand up on their base well.

Slice off the tops of the peppers and remove the seeds and rib membranes. Par-boil the peppers for 5 minutes in a large pot of boiling salted water. Remove the peppers

and let them drain. Do not overcook the peppers as you want them to stand up when they are stuffed.

Use a large non-stick skillet to make the stuffing. Heat the bacon grease in the pan over medium-high heat. Add the venison and cook for 5-7 minutes until nicely browned and fully cooked. It is important to break up the meat using a wooden spoon or a spatula into equal-size pieces as it cooks. This ensures that all the venison bits cook evenly.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Drain off the excess fat. Using a slotted spoon, push the meat to the other side of the pan and scoop it out onto a paper-towel-lined plate.

The paper towels will any remaining fat. Wipe the pan with a paper towel to remove any remaining grease.

Return the meat to the pan and add the chopped onion and garlic along with the can of diced tomatoes. Stir well to blend and simmer over low heat for a few minutes. Next in the pan is the cooked Spanish rice, sour cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to incorporate everything evenly.

Add a dash or two (or more depending upon your propensity for heat) of your favorite hot sauce. Taste the filling and spice as needed. Remove the pan from heat and allow the mixture to cool.

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees F. You will need a baking dish large enough to hold all the peppers leaving some room between them.

Stuff the peppers with the filling, leaving a little room for the cheese topping, and place them in the baking dish so they stand up.

Bake in the oven uncovered for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and top each pepper with the shredded pepper jack cheese. Place a dollop of the sharp cheddar in the middle and then back into the oven to finish for another 10 minutes. Garnish with the chopped green onion and you are ready to serve!

These beauties with a crisp green salad make for a nice hearty meal. I would pair this dish with a hearty Zinfandel or a Rhone blend. On the beer side, this dish is delectable with a hoppy Pilsner or an IPA. This is a recipe you definitely will make again once you try it, so give it a whirl. It is easy to prepare and your family will love it.

Cheers!

November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

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Digital Edition Only Special Content

Five Steps to a Successful DIY Whitetail Road Trip

By Bernie Barringer

W

hitetail deer have been a passion of mine since I started bowhunting nearly 45 years ago. A couple decades ago, I began to combine my interest in mature whitetail bucks with the thirsty boots I seem to have been born with. I have always had a great desire to see what’s just over the next hill. Travelling to other states to hunt deer started slowly at first, but then blossomed into a full-blown addiction.

I have had the good fortune to hunt whitetails in quite a few states, some successfully, some well, let’s just say I have learned from each trip. One of the most important things I have learned is that I can do more trips if I save money. I have nothing against outfitted hunts, but they do not produce the same level of satisfaction that I get from a DIY hunt. In fact, the majority of my hunts these days take place on public land.

Allow me to offer you five important points that should help you increase your odds of being successful on a money-saving DIY hunt.

Choose Your Location Wisely Once you start digging into the options, you will find there are a lot of excellent places to go

The author with a buck he shot on public land in Kansas.

where you can have a successful DIY hunt on a budget. First you must ask yourself some probing questions about what you want to get out of the hunt. What are you willing to pay for a tag? How long are you willing to accumulate preference points before going on a hunt? Are you interested in an early season hunt, a rut hunt or a late-season hunt.

The possibilities are complex; far more than we could cover on these pages. Here are just some examples. For an early season hunt where the deer are still unpredictable, late-summer feeding patterns, options like Montana, Wyoming, Kentucky, North Dakota and Nebraska are good choices because they each have seasons that start on or about September 1st. Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Ohio offer excellent rut hunting opportunities. A big buck could come walking through the hardwoods at any moment during the first two weeks of November.

Getting a tag is another issue. It might take you 3-4 years to draw a tag in one of Iowa’s most desirable zones, but tags are available over the counter in nearby Missouri.

With preference points and fees, an Iowa tag is going to set you back about $700, while Missouri offers two deer and two turkey tags for $250. Wisconsin, South Dakota and Indiana offer similar bargains.

Predictably, the hunting pressure on public land is much higher in Missouri than it is in Iowa.

Another factor to consider is the style of hunt. Do you want to experience something very different than you have at home or would you rather stay within your hunting style comfort zone? There are lots of options to explore, so the key is to decide what kind of a hunt you are looking for and start the planning process.

Plan Ahead Once you have determined the state you want to hunt, use B&C and P&Y data to determine which general area has the best potential to put you in front of a mature buck. Internet research will lead you to more specific areas to check

out. Using aerial photography helps cut down on the learning curve for a new area.

I spend a lot of time looking at aerial photos of public hunting lands. I am looking for off-beat locations that look good. I want to have a list of places that may be potential bedding areas, feeding areas and terrain features that might funnel deer travel during the rut.

I want to know how much hunting pressure a property is likely to get and the best way to find that out is to ask people from the area.

Calls to biologists and conservation officers are an important part of this decision-making process. Be sure to ask about hunting pressure other than just the deer hunters.

Are coon hunters running the property at night? Are small game hunters walking through it during the weekends? These will affect deer behavior.

Adventure On A Budget

Scout Hard Once you have arrived, it’s important to lay eyes on all those places we looked at online. I hunt much more aggressively than I do back home. I have a short time to make something happen, usually a week to ten days. I will check out bedding areas and walk the property out before getting in a

stand. I want to know as much as possible before I ever start hunting. I will get scouting cameras out and check them every day.

Knowledge of the property cannot be overstated. Early on, I couldn’t wait to get in a tree stand.

As soon as I found a great looking spot, maybe an area all tore up with rubs and scrapes, I put up a stand and started hunting.

Over time, I have learned that I have better success if I wait until I know the area well before getting in a stand, especially during the rut. Success can require long hours of sitting in a tree and if you don’t have confidence that you are in the right spot, staying put is a lot harder. That confidence comes from a thorough familiarity with the deer movements and terrain.

One mistake many hunters make is to focus their efforts on finding a place to hunt without spending enough time finding the right route to and from the stand. When you are scouting, think about how you can sneak into the stand and sneak back out with a minimum of intrusion. Big bucks living on public land become masters at patterning the humans who arrive at

Scouting is an important part of being successful on public land.

Avoid the temptation to get into a tree stand too soon.

November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION

the property. Find ways to keep a low profile from the deer and other hunters.

Hunt Hard Most people who hunt at home go out a couple evenings a week and on the weekend. Some hunters might be surprised at the effort it takes to hunt hard from daylight to dark every day for a week or more. After a few days, especially if the weather is making things difficult, the temptation to hit the snooze button can be very strong.

It can be hard to stay motivated.

One of the best ways to stay motivated is to be planning at least a day ahead all the time. Don’t go to the stand one evening not knowing where you are going to hunt the next morning. The time to set up a location for the following morning has past. Keep trying new things in new areas so your enthusiasm is high from seeing new sign and you remain optimistic. One of the best ways I have found to keep my optimism at a high level is to keep checking those scouting cameras and keep them on great spots. Seeing photos of nice bucks always helps me slip on my boots and step out into the cold with a positive attitude each morning.

Remind yourself that you waited a long time for this hunt and you are going to regret it for a long time if you do not give it your all.

Realistic Expectations Outdoor television has provided a fertile ground for many hunters to have unrealistic expectations about a DIY road trip hunt. You see a hunting celebrity pull up in his decal-covered truck and kill a nice buck all in 30 minutes. DIY hunts are for tough hunters who are willing to work hard and sort things out for themselves. If you are successful in killing a mature buck on 30-40% of you hunts you are above average.

Use your cameras to determine the top-end potential of the area.

If your cameras are set in the hightraffic (feeding areas) and high-interaction (community scrapes) locations, you will be getting photos of the majority of the bucks in the area within 2-3 days. There’s no sense holding out for a 140-class buck if all you are seeing on cameras are 120’s. Trust your instincts when it comes to what you are willing to take home.

Once you have found a property you really like, you can increase your odds of success on mature bucks by going back to the same place again and again. Each year you hunt, you add more experience to your memory bank and you become more adept at picking the right place at the right time. That’s a trade-off with the excitement that comes from trying a new hunting area. I do some of each because I love the challenges.

My suggestion is to go with low expectations the first time you try

Long hours on stand are a key to bringing home a buck. Doing the homework before you leave home, then confirming the deer movements through first-hand observation will increase your odds of success.

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this. Endeavor to work hard and learn as much as you can. Have fun while doing it, enjoy the overall experience and if you tag a buck, it’s a bonus. If you have this attitude, you will have a successful hunt no matter whether you come home with a buck in the truck or not.

Scouting cameras are a valuable tool in inventorying the deer, learning more about their patterns and keeping the hunters’ optimism at a high level.

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Digital Edition Only Special Content

The Fish Are Really Biting

By Tammy Scott

W

hen the six Safari Club International Foundation Sables members, from the Denver chapter, got together for a half-day of fishing, little did they know that blood, a lot of blood, was going to be shed before the day was through.

At 7:45 am we met Nate Zelinsky, guide and owner of Tightline Outdoors, and guide Will Dykstra, at Spinney Mountain Reservoir for a half day of fishing. Spinney, a gold medal fishery, is located about 2 and a half hours south and west of Denver. Nate left it up to us how we would split the anglers and guides. Since I had fished with Nate prior on a fantastic trip on Antero Reservoir, I spoke up and said that Peggy (my mother) and I wanted to go with Nate. Glenna thought this would be fun and was our third angler.

It was a sunny and gorgeous, but cool start to the day. We were all wishing we had brought more clothes, but by noon it had warmed up to 75 degrees. Honestly, it was a slow day for everyone on Spinney, not just our two boats. We were getting a few hits trying different lures and techniques. After a couple of hours, Mom caught an under 20-inch cutbow (a cross between a cutthroat trout and rainbow trout), so by regulation we had to put it back. She was really excited to have landed one. Then mom caught a rainbow trout that was over 20 inches, so we got to keep that one (I was thinking “Mmmm. Dinner!”)

Nate decided we needed to try trolling. We were up for anything that would offer us the opportunity at catching more fish. We were at it for a little while and then my reel went "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" I started reeling and reeling. Nate tightened the drag on my reel and I kept trying to bring in whatever was on the other end of my line.

My triceps were screaming and I was wondering what the heck I had hooked into. I kept thinking that I didn’t know if I could bring this fish all of the way into the boat, but I really didn’t want to give up and ask for help. As the fish got closer, Nate put the smaller of the nets back and got out the much larger net. I could see that it was a northern pike and I kept thinking “Don’t get off! Don’t get off!” Nate scooped up my fish and was smiling from ear to ear. “You have a real trophy here!” I had caught my first ever northern pike! I was so happy that my cheeks hurt from smiling.

I was glad that I hadn’t given up and asked for help getting him to the boat. We took some photos and then put a tape measure on him.

Forty six wonderful inches!

Not only was this my first northern pike, but a huge o n e . We d e cided that we needed a few more pictures with both Nate and I in them.

Glenna was the photographer.

Nate was holding the pike

and I was just smiling! After the last picture, just before we were going to release it, the fish had decided that it had enough, it whipped around trying to get loose while Nate was holding on tight and hit Nate on the face, which made Nate stumble, almost falling in the reservoir and he dropped the fish.

Nate caught himself, bent over and picked up the fish. When Nate looked up, we saw blood all over the left side of his face. We didn’t know if the blood was from the fish or Nate. Nate wiped his face and it bled more. Uhh oh. We tried to stop the bleeding and after a closer look we could see that the pike had bit Nate’s face! Yes, you read that right; the pike actually bit Nate on the face. The pike was fine, so Nate put it in the hold while he tried to stop the bleeding. It looked like a comb made of razors had dragged down his face. Nate was ecstatic about the pike and wasn’t too worried about the wound or all of the blood. Every time he smiled, it opened the wound and blood would pour out of his face again.

Needless to say, with such a great fish in the hold, he kept smiling!

Nate called Will and said to cruise on by and look at what we had caught. Nate had a permanent ear to ear grin. I’m not sure what

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

Will was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t the huge pike Nate pulled out of the hold. The jaws of everyone on Will’s boat dropped when they saw how large the pike was.

It was such a cool feeling to know that I had such a lucky day. Will and the three anglers were all talking at the same time asking who caught it, how big is it, etc. Everyone was very happy for me. We put the pike back in the reservoir and it swam off to wait for the next lucky angler.

When asked about the experience, Nate said, “Well, after landing over 1,500 40-inch pike over the years, today they got revenge.

Immediately after this photo, no lie, this 46-inch monster flipped around in my hands, with so much power and speed and drilled me in the face. I totally went numb, dropped the fish and almost went in; ha, ha! Don’t worry, the fish was fine and lived to fight again.

I’ve never in my career seen a fish with more power and speed! I’ll be black and blue by morning! My hats off to these mega pike! I’ve been beating them for 16 years, I guess they deserved a shot at me this time!”

All three of the anglers on the other boat limited out with trout.

Glenna and I left without any fish in the cooler, but all of us have a fish story of a lifetime!

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November 2016 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS DIGITAL EDITION