Sportsman's News November 2017 Digital Edition

FREE November 2017 | Volume 13 | Issue 11

In Pursuit of the Trophy Dall Sheep Gary Lewis

Texas Ghost Boars Let's Go Catchin'

Pybus Point Lodge Page 8

Enter To Win A New Zealand Red Stag Hunt

With Every DVD Purchase See Pg. 46 for details

Chad LaChance

The Total Package

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

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

SENIOR EDITOR Kent Danjanovich 801-231-9838 kdanjanovich@sportsmansnews.com MANAGING EDITOR Dan Kidder 435-865-1680 dkidder@sportsmansnews.com PRODUCT SPECIALIST Wes Atkinson wes@sportsmansnews.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lisa Deming info@sportsmansnews.com VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGERS Sam Staudt sam@sportsmansnews.com Andrew Saullo andrew@sportsmansnews.com Subscribers should contact Managing Editor for changes of address.

Sportsman’s News is published monthly.

The entire content of this newspaper is Copyright 2017 © All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the Managing Editor.

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November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

WORDS FROM THE PUBLISHER

F

rom the minute animals start to sprout velvet growth on their heads, I enjoy my morning coffee looking at what my fellow outdoorsmen and women have been able to find in the woods. That eventually rolls into hunting season and we then get to see some of those trophies become a reality for many of those hunters.

It shows the true dedication of many who hit the woods as well as those that truly do get lucky for that once in a lifetime animal. I don’t care if it’s an animal scouted, patterned, fed, followed, or just stumbled onto, I’m happy to have the instant ability to see what is hitting the dirt. Social media makes this way more immediate than it used to be and I use it as a tool to provide me with real field data on antler growth, success or failure, and in some cases, letting me know that one of my target bucks or bulls now needs to be scratched off of my hit list.

The one thing I often get to see by following numerous people is something that has really began to bother me. It’s usually the comments that get me the most and they are usually something like this: “It was the last day and I didn’t want to eat my tag” or “Not as big as I wanted, but it will do”. In my opinion, there is way too much emphasis on the racks and not enough emphasis put onto the hunt and the experience in general. Sure, everyone wants to kill a trophy of a lifetime and me and my team work harder than most I know to make that happen, but it doesn’t always pan out. You show me someone who gets it done every time they go into the field and with every tag and I’ll bet the Game and Fish have them under surveillance for possible wrongdoings.

You have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and probably with family and friends. You have the ability to learn a little bit more about the game animal you so desire, which will make your skillset that much better the following season. Most importantly, you successfully punched your tag and have very healthy, free range, wild meat to fill your freezer. Most hunts on public land have a less than 25% success rate, which makes you better than nearly three quarters of the other people who took to the field in pursuit of the same animals. You have proven yourself to have a skillset that will likely help you survive and feed your family in the event of a disaster. There are many people who aren’t aware that meat doesn’t come from a styrafoam tray with plastic wrap on it. You are a successful hunter or huntress. Be proud of your success and share it without an apology. You can always count on a “like” and positive feedback from us here at Sportsman’s News.

It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is right around the corner. We have seen snow flying pretty early this fall, so we are ready to embrace it. The one great thing about this time of year is the gatherings with family and friends. It is usually an opportunity to share some of your fall bounty as well as some great story telling. Our managing editor, Dan Kidder, was tasked with some articles to help you in this department for this November issue. Before you plan your Thanksgiving feast, make sure you take in the articles on preparation for our feathered fowl as well as the different cooking methods. He has used products, types of cooking, as well as seasonings available right here at Sportsman’s Warehouse. So, take some notes, build a grocery list and tell your spouses that you have Thanksgiving dinner under control.

You will be getting all of the above essentials at your favorite sporting goods store and while you are there, you might as well stroll by the gun counter and see what’s new, exciting and on sale. There will be some great deals over Black Friday and you don’t want your spouse to have all the luck on saving you so much money. You should get the privilege of “SAVING” so much too.

Enjoy the rest of your seasons and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

By Michael Deming

WHAT’S INSIDE

4 In Pursuit of the Trophy Dall Sheep Seeking elusive rams in the wilds of Alaska..

Catchin' Not Fishin' 8 Fishing the waters of the inner passage.

Pro's Pick: Camp Chef Woodwind 10 Become a true pit master with the newest pellet grill.

Platinum Approved Outfitters 12Choose a Sportsman's News Endorsed Guide for your next trip.

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Pro's Tip: Ovens Are For Pies 16 Two alternatives for cooking your turkeys.

21 Aguila Mini Shells

More bang for your shotgun in a little package.

Browning Citori Crossover 22 A blend of beauthy and performance in the CXS. 24 Pro Member Sweepstakes

16

Over $300,000 In Giveaways. Drawing Every 10 Days.

26 PacWest Outdoors: The Haunt Stalking ghost pigs in Texas.

30 Waterfowl Essentials

The gear you need for ducks and geese.

37 Fishful Thinker: The Total Package The balance of skill and gear.

38

30

Otis Patriot Cleaning Kits

Compact cases for your complete cleaning needs.

40 Video Product Reviews

Four new product reviews for your viewing pleasure.

46 Business Directory 48 Wild Game Recipe: Turkey Pie 50 Adventures On A Budget Louisiana Red Fishin'

52 Outdoor Writing Contest This Is Why

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gary Lewis Steve McGrath Chad LaChance Joe Glotz Steve Mayer Sage Mori

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

3

In Pursuit of the Trophy Dall Sheep

By Mike Deming

S

ome of the very first articles I ever read about sheep hunting were from Jack O’Connor, in the faded pages of old sporting magazines that my great uncle had stacked up in the corner of his den. Jack was getting long in the tooth when most of these articles were written, but the tales of hardcore hunting in the north country grabbed my attention like nothing else. Yes, to the point that everything Jack wrote became like a bible to me. I was fortunate enough to get a copy of one of his books for a Christmas present one year and although my English teacher was sure I was illiterate, I will assure you that I absorbed every word in that book as if it was an instruction manual for life.

The adventures Jack was able to take were mostly set aside for the wealthy, as a trip to that part of the world was an event to even get to the trailhead, let alone get to where you might harvest an animal or two. These areas were rich with game, but travel was by horseback, boats and rafts which could take a man more than a month to pull off in many cases. It was even better if he survived the experience and got his trophies back to his final destination. To me, this was what hunting was all about and as a teenager, I was willing to hang up my school books and become one with the woods of the north. However, my beer budget with a Champaign taste would have to wait until I got a little older and more successful to accomplish.

By the time I was able to partake in my first sheep hunt, I had already done seven years as a U.S. Marine and was starting my second career in the financial market, which would allow me to part with the $6,500 it would take for this experience. My outfitter was far from superior or even qualified, but my physical fitness level from the Marine Corp allowed me to be successful in spite of the hand I was dealt.

Over the next two decades, I was fortunate enough to pursue Dall Sheep on many occasions as both hunter and observer. Some trips were successful, while others were just a great experience in the vast expanse of the north country. I had no idea that I would one day be following in the footsteps of my childhood idol, Jack O’Connor and sharing my experiences in the pages of outdoor publications.

The country hasn’t changed much, but the hunting and the experiences have changed greatly since those early hunters pursued these great white sheep. The invention of the Piper Cub, which is the taxi of this country, shrunk the vast landscape to a manageable size. With a good pilot and some work in the off-season, those remote sheep could now be hunted in a week or two instead of months. This greatly reduced the number of sheep seen on a hunt as well as those who were successful.

With over fifty years of this being the case, you have to make a few good decisions to tip the success meter to your favor. The first and foremost, as with any sheep hunt, is to be in as good of physical condition as you can muster. Regardless of how hard you train, you will always feel like you could of and should have done more once the hunt comes.

The next decision is to pick a rifle and train with it to be an extremely effective killer. The further you can shoot, the greater your chances of success will be. The last big decision is choosing who to hunt with. If you are a nonresident of Alaska or Canada, you have no choice, but to hire an outfitter. Unfortunately, there are more bad ones than good ones out there and since we evaluate outfitters for a living, I can assure you that this is a solid fact.

Since I have experienced both bad and good, I wanted to make sure we picked the right outfitter for our latest trip.

Scott McRae of Alaska Summit Guide Service’s name came up on my radar on

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November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Recommended Gear

W more than one occasion. Numerous industry professionals had spent time with him in the field and had good experiences. He was not the cheapest and he wasn’t the most expensive and when I talked with him, he couldn't care less whether you were royalty or just a blue collared, hard-working guy doing your first sheep hunt. You were going to be booked on a first come, first serve basis and he and his team were going to work their butts off to make sure you were successful. Definitely my kind of guy and when he said that he would be out in Utah in a few weeks and would stop by to meet, I was pretty sure he was the one.

When I met Scott, he was the epitome of a sheep hunter and exactly what I expected. He had a slender build, graying hair and looked like he could walk for days without stopping. His friendly personality, as well as his great history of success on trophy quality sheep, had me convinced to part with the necessary dollars to do a sheep hunt with him the following year.

My hunting companion for this trip was going to be my longtime friend, Jeremy Sage. He is passionate about hunting and had never tagged a sheep before. He is a tremendous marksman, trains religiously and is a great guy to have in camp. However, both Jeremy and I had been thrown curve balls during the year, leading up to our hunt. Jeremy had some major knee surgery and was questioning his ability to give it 100% and I had taken on a workload that limited my training ability. Knowing this is one of the keys to success. I was a bit worried prior to heading to Alaska.

However, we were both committed to giving it our all. Knowing that we would have ten days to get it done, as well as one of the best outfitters in the business, we took it in stride.

Scott met us at the airport and was coming off of an already successful hunt. Due to weather, we would be delayed in getting to the field by at least a day. This is a common issue when doing these types of hunts, so make sure you are patient when you do your planning. It actually took us until the third day to get to the area where we would hunt and since you can’t fly and shoot in the same day, we would be at the start of our fourth day prior to even having a chance. Jeremy was a bit con-

hen doing a sheep hunt, where you will have everything you own on your back for multiple days, you want products that have been thoroughly tested by yourself. This means to get it way before your hunt and start testing it out. Once you are in the field, a product failure means you will do without. Items like a backpack failure could be a major detriment to your entire trip. A high quality sleeping pad and sleeping bag are essential to feeling refreshed and ready to go for ten days or more in the mountains. I will often carry a slightly heavier pad to ensure that I sleep well and I’m not fighting rocks all night long. I utilize Sitka Gear as my clothing because it has been tried and true through the years.

I can honestly say that their rain gear is worth every penny you pay for it and it will take a lot abuse from the elements. When you are sitting on the mountain in a major downpour, you won’t ever regret spending the money. The layering system that Sitka provides also allows you to regulate your temperature very well when you are climbing as well as when you reach the summit. Boots should have at least 100 miles on them before you ever get to your hunting area. You should have utilized them on more than just a treadmill and walks around the block.

You should load up a fifty-pound pack and hike the steepest stuff you can find.

Make sure they don’t break down and better yet, don’t give you major blisters when hiking like this. Excessive blisters can ruin your hunt and make success impossible. Get a weapon you are extremely proficient with and practice, practice, practice. Hopefully you can practice in extreme uphill and downhill shooting environments because that’s the name of the game in sheep hunting. Learn to shoot off of your pack as well as shooting sticks. Buy shooting sticks that work for you and get used to them. Most importantly, train, train and train. All of these tips and advice are essential to being successful on an extreme mountain hunt and you can never hear it too much.

The Author and Kevin Sloan of Sitka Gear with one of the many sheep he has taken over the years.

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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cerned, but Scott assured us that there were some great shooters in the valley and we would get our shot over the next few days.

For the next two days, we glassed up and down the valley looking for one of the full curl rams Scott had identified as our target rams. However, the multiple flights in the cub to shuttle all of us had likely pushed them up and over into the next valley. The plan was to get up early the next morning, give one last look in the current valley and then go light and climb up and over the four-thousand-foot mountain and peak into the next valley. Not exactly an ideal situation, but what we were going to have to do to find our sheep.

When I rolled out of bed the next morning, I pinched a nerve in my back. The muscles spazmed severely and I was unable to even stand upright, let alone walk four thousand vertical feet. I assured the group that I would be okay to lay in my tent throughout the day, while getting some hot water in my waterbladder to hopefully loosen up the tight muscles so that I could hunt in the coming days.

From my vantage point, I got to see Scott, Jeremy and the packer climb for the better part of the day to where we had last seen some rams leave our valley. They checked on me via radio to be sure I was still okay and to let me know they would be dropping into the next valley and likely out of radio contact. However, three hours later, the radio crackled with static and I could make out that they had found a band of rams and Jeremy was going to take one. Several minutes later, I heard the crack of the rifle. Then another crack and another. Multiple shots are usually never a good thing, but my doubts were relieved when Scott said, “We got a good one, but we won’t be back until well after dark”.

I heard the guys roll in about 4 am, but was unable to get out of my sleeping bag to even see the ram. It took me nearly an hour to vacate my small tent and get to my feet around eight. A great ram graced our presence and the cape was drying on some nearby brush. I was so happy for Jeremy to be able to take his first ram.

The guys were up by ten and I got to hear the entire story. There were eight rams in the band and according to the sign, they had been living there the majority of the summer and early fall. There wasn’t much cover and Jeremy was going to have to utilize his best shooting skills to pull it off or come back up another day in hopes of them being in a better spot. Jeremy was sure that he could make the shot, but with no trees, long grass or mirage to evaluate wind, the first shot had to be the determining factor. His second shot hit pay dirt and a follow-up shot insured the big ram was down for good and Jeremy’s bucket list item was punched.

With my back not getting any better, I decided to pull the plug on the remainder of the trip. Some horrible weather was in store and I learned long ago to get while the getting is good when you are this far into the north country. I know that I’ll be back with Scott McRae and Alaska Summit Guide Service to pursue these great sheep in the future as the Sportsman’s News Pro Membership Sweepstakes has committed to do one of these hunts with Scott each and every year. So, if you aren’t a member, make sure you get your chance to win this great hunt in the future at www.promembershipsweepstakes.com. If you would like to book your own hunt with Scott McRae, visit him at www.alaskasummitguideservice.com or give him a call at 907-350-9457. He also offers quality hunts for moose, mountain goats and brown bears, as well as combination hunts.

He runs a very limited amount of hunts each and every year to maintain high quality as well as a personal hands-on approach to the outfitting business.

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

7

Catchin’, Not Fishin’ at Pybus Point Lodge

By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor

A

Pro Membership Sweepstakes winner, Jack Miller and myself, with a big silver salmon Jack hauled in on day three at Pybus Point Lodge.

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November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

laska is one of those places that once you have experienced it, you just can’t seem to get enough of it. Every area that you explore seems to offer a whole new adventure, be it interior, the western and eastern expansions, the inside passage or along its coast.

Over the years here at Sportsman’s News, I have had the great pleasure to visit many great lodges. As you know, I am a little partial to the freshwater river systems in search of all five of the Pacific salmon species, but each year I put aside my fly rods and head to the open sea, in search of a few flat fish (halibut), prehistoric looking species (ling cod comes to mind) and a myriad of other deep-water dwellers that my family and friends love to dine on.

One particular destination that I have literally fallen in love with is Admiralty Island and Pybus Point Lodge, located about 80 sky miles from Juneau. Scott and Jody Jorgensen have owned and operated the lodge since 2008, turning it into a great destination for all kinds of Alaskan visitors. Seasoned veterans, first time adventurers, corporate groups and many families have found, like me, that there is just something special about Pybus Point and the people that run it.

There is no equal to the beauty and splendor you will encounter at Pybus Point Lodge. From the time you step out of the float plane and onto the dock, until the time you wave “so long”, all that you require to enjoy the ultimate Alaskan adventure is yours. Packages include four, five and six days, with their six days/five nights schedule their standard. You will leave Juneau via float plane at 7am the first day of your trip, so plan on arriving the day before and booking a night’s stay in Juneau. Your package includes roundtrip airfare to and from the lodge from Juneau, all meals, private cabin with daily maid service, all rods and reels (except fly fishing equipment) as well as fish processing, freezer space and packaging.

Because of our long-standing relationship with the lodge, it only made sense to include them in our ever popular, Pro Membership Sweepstakes. A trip for two was awarded to Jack Miller of Eureka, Montana earlier this year and Jack and his guest, Julie Ward, met me at the Juneau Travelodge the night of July 29th. After a good night’s sleep, we jumped on the shuttle and made our way to Ward Air, conveniently located just a few minutes away, next to the main airport terminal.

A great mix of guests soon congregated in the hanger and as our names were read, we jumped in the van and headed to our awaiting floatplane. Twenty-seven of us in all would be partaking of all that Pybus Point Lodge had to offer for the next six days, all sporting broad smiles in anticipation of what was ahead of us. Our group consisted of Jack and Julie, fellow Pro-Staffer Dave Heath, his buddy Steve Wilken and myself. After a short, 40-minute flight, we arrived at the lodge.

As each plane pulled up to the dock to unload, the string of guests quickly made their way up the ramp to the main lodge. The staff then transported all of our luggage to the deck as we all nibbled on pastries and juice before hitting

the sandwich bar to prepare our lunches for our first day on the water. By 10am, all of us were decked out in rain gear (you can bring your own or the lodge has a room full of bibs, jackets and boots for your use) as a front was just finishing up its pass through the area. Each group was then assigned a boat and captain and we then all headed back down to the dock for our first day of fishing.

First on the docket would be a little trolling for salmon. After a 35-minute boat ride, we arrived at one of Captain Casey’s favorite spots. He quickly set up a downrigger on each side of the boat and then a rod out the center back, with a shallow diver setup. It didn’t take long for the first rod to pop up and Julie found herself fighting her first silver salmon in Alaska. Eighteen beautiful Coho’s found their way to our fish box in the next three hours. Our next stop would be for halibut and sea bass.

Again, it didn’t take long for the halibut bite to start, as all five of us quickly hooked up. It was quite a sight to see all of us fighting fish at the same time and slowly but surely, Casey hooked the gaff into each one and hoisted them over the side of the boat and onto the deck. It was then off to a rocky outcropping a few minutes away, as we quickly pulled in our limits of sea bass, literally hooking one on every jig of our lure.

By 4pm, we arrived back at the lodge, settled into our cabins and then made our way to the main lodge to do a little mingling and comparing stories with the other lodge guests before dinner. At 7pm, the bell rang and we all made our way to the table for the first of our many great meals during our stay.

After dinner, Jack and I jumped into one of the skiffs and headed to the back of Cannery Cove for a little pink salmon action on the fly. Literally thousands of fish were flooding into the stream at high tide and the “catchin’, not fishin’” was pretty easy to say the least. By 9pm, we found our way back to the lodge and then hit our bunks for a good night’s sleep.

Now one thing you need to know about Pybus Point Lodge is that they are not only the only lodge in the immediate area, they are also situated in what is called the inner passage of Alaska. Because of this, although you can still experience a little rough water at times, it is nowhere close to what you would expect on the open sea. And even more lucky for us, the next four days offered as good of waters for the area as I have ever seen. Smooth as glass would almost be an understatement!

We not only hauled in limits of silvers, sea bass and halibut the next four days, but also yellow eye, ling cod and even a few king salmon thrown in for good measure. Jack, Julie and Steve reeled in so many fish, they each won’t have to go to the gym for a month! What an experience for these first-time Alaskan adventurers as Dave and I took the opportunity to record it all for an upcoming edition of SNTV.

Robert Routsong and his fishin’ buddies had a pretty good day on the water as well on their first fishing trip to Alaska.

The main lodge is perfectly placed in one of the most beautiful bays anywhere in Alaska.

Steve Wilken, Julie Ward, Jack Miller and Dave Heath did a number on the halibut as well.

On our last evening, Dave and I joined one of the captains and a deck hand as we hit the crab and shrimp pots to supply the chef with scrumptious offerings for our last night.

Wow, there is just nothing better than ‘fresh’ seafood and with our catch barely an hour out of the water, it doesn’t get much fresher than that!

Well, as you can see, our adventure to Pybus Point Lodge was another rousing success.

And even more special in that the Sportsman’s News team was able to share it with some of our latest Pro Membership Sweepstakes winners, Jack Miller and Julie Ward. “Membership has its privileges” and if you haven’t signed up yet, you are really missing out on some great adventures and gear packages.

Remember, it doesn’t matter when you sign up, as you will be entered for a full year from the day you do. We will again be giving away a trip to Pybus Point Lodge for the 2019 season, as well as over $300,000 worth of other great trips and prizes. And if you just can’t wait, give Scott and Jody Jorgensen a call today (800-947-9287) to partake of the “Pybus Point Experience” even sooner. You won’t find better host’s and a more organized operation anywhere. (P.S. - Don’t forget to tell them Sportsman’s News sent ya!)

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill PRO'S PICK

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

I

n the world of outdoor cooks, there are those who barbecue and then there are pit masters. A pit master would never just toss something on the grill and he knows the meticulous ins and outs of smoke rings, rubs and mopping his meat.

For those who wish to move from the realm of the back yard barbecuer to a true pit master, without the lengthy learning curve, Camp Chef has created the Woodwind. Building off the success of their Smoke Pro Pellet Grills, the Woodwind takes the best aspects of a barbecue grill and mixes them with the heavenly aroma of wood smoke.

Because it uses premium hard wood pellets, derived from virgin woods without any waxes or additives, for fuel; you get the natural deliciousness of the smoke added to whatever you cook on it.

Not just a smoker, the Woodwind offers the ability to cook anything you can cook on a grill using the same natural wood fuel. While just about anybody with a match and a can of lighter fluid can barbecue, the pit master matches his fuel selection to the meat, adding subtle smoky flavor that creates a balance of flavor profiles. With a temperature range of 160-500 degrees, the Woodwind can grill meat, cook turkeys for Thanksgiving and even cold smoke cheese. Heck, you can even bake a cake in it.

Housed beneath a beautiful stainless-steel cover is a fan and burn box, with a heat defuser, to evenly distribute the heat around the cooking chamber. The huge, 19.5 by 22-inch grill can accommodate whole roasts, racks of ribs or about 100 hot dogs for the kids on its 570 square inches of cooking area.

If your back yard looks like mine, there is barely room to sit down because of the multitude of cooking apparatus. With the Woodwind, I can replace my grill, my smoker and my quickie propane BBQ with a single unit, freeing up more space for chairs for my guests.

10 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

The Woodwind features a side shelf, a spacious bottom shelf and a pellet hopper large enough to hold 18-pounds of pellets.

The electronically controlled auger feeds pellets into the combustion chamber as needed, so there is no worrying about having enough fuel to finish cooking.

An onboard computer, with a digital readout, gives you the cooking temperature and also features a meat probe to give you the internal temperature of your food.

Two heavy-duty rubber wheels in the front and a set of smaller casters in the rear, make the Woodwind easy to move around your patio with the welded handle on the side. Whether you are slow-smoking a tender brisket or just making quick burgers before the game, the Woodwind will not only provide you perfectly cooked meat infused with awesome smoke flavor, it will easily stow out of the way when not in use.

The Woodwind has a maximum temperature of 500 degrees, but for perfectly seared meat, Camp Chef has that covered as well. An optional accessory that bolts to the side of the Woodwind is the BBQ Sear Box. Providing the convenience of a gas grill at the turn of a knob, the BBQ Sear Box plates will heat up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows you to put a beautiful hard sear on your meat to lock in the juices. It is powered by propane and even includes a tank hanger that easily attaches to the Woodwind. The cooking surface is 180 square inches and features a 16,000 BTU propane burner, with enamel-coated cast iron and specially designed heat diffuser plates to vaporize grease dripping. Add this to your Woodwind and you will be an unstoppable pit master force. The attractive stainless-steel body of the BBQ Sear Box is a perfect complement to the stainless on the Woodwind.

With all the cooking choices on the market, the Woodwind is the Sportsman’s News team’s choice for feeding the crew. Why settle for a regular grill, when the Woodwind does everything a grill does, plus so much more? Take a look at the Woodwind Pellet Grill from Camp Chef at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse store and be prepared when your guests bow down to the pit master.

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Find Ruger: November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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

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15

PRO'S TIP

Ovens Are For Pies Two alternatives for cooking your turkey to save room in the oven for more pie.

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

I

am kind of obsessive about pie. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy some moist turkey and a dollop of mashed potatoes the size of a bear’s head, but for me, the holidays are all about pie. It never seems that there is quite enough pie during Thanksgiving dinner. One of the reasons for this, is the turkey takes up most of the oven for most of the day. To make room for more pies, I searched for two alternatives to oven roasting to make superb turkey the family will love.

Deep Frying

Crispy skin. Who doesn’t love a turkey with perfect crispy skin on the outside? The problem with many ways of roasting a turkey is that to get a perfect crispy skin, you risk drying out the meat on the inside. Deep frying your turkey solves this conundrum and is one of the fastest ways to cook turkey you will ever find.

For my turkey frying, I went with a Camp Chef High Output Cooker and a 32-quart pot. First lesson is that a smaller pot, like the Camp Chef 24-quart pot, requires much less oil. Since the oil runs about $30 for three gallons, this would be a benefit. With the turkey in the pot, it took just under 6-gallons to cover the bird for frying. It also takes longer to get your oil up to temperature with a larger pot.

Your first step when frying a turkey is to make sure that it is completely thawed. If there is even the tiniest bit of ice still in the bird when it hits the boiling oil, it will flash into steam, exploding superheated oil on anyone in the vicinity. A good way to ensure that the turkey is fully thawed is to brine it for 24-48 hours prior to frying.

Take your thawed turkey and place it in the pot. You can use the basket that comes with your pot or in my case, I picked up a King Cooker Turkey Rack and Lifter from my local Sportsman’s Warehouse. This rack gives a better vertical orientation and maintains it straight up and down through the frying. I don’t know if this helps it cook better, but I know it keeps it at the bottom of the pot and doesn’t let it bob up and down in the basket.

Deep fried turkey is a quintessential experience. Be wary that if left unattended, the bird may be stripped bare of her crispy skin. Also, this method of cooking turkey may spoil you for traditional roasting.

16 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

An injectable like Cajun Injector's Creole Butter adds spice and flavor all throughout your bird.

Once the bird has been placed on the rack, place it in the pot and add water until the bird it totally covered. Do this on the rack as the rack also displaces water. Remove your bird and then measure the water in the pot. That is the amount of oil it will require to cover the bird for frying. Drain the pot of water and dry it thoroughly. You don’t want any water in the pot. Remember the steam, burning, pain, screams? Get it dry.

After your pot is completely dry, put it on your burner and add the same volume of oil as the water you removed. Be pretty precise with this. Too much oil and you can overflow the pot when you put the turkey in. Too little and part of your bird will remain above the oil and might not cook all the way.

Once your oil is in the pot, cover it and light your burner, turning it up to high. Add a frying thermometer through the hole in the lid. You wondered why there was a hole in the lid, didn’t you? Let your oil heat. You want it to be at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177˚ C). The oil I like to use is a blend of Soybean and Peanut Oil from Cajun Injector.

The higher smoke point makes the oil safer to use than vegetable oil, it tastes better and leaves a nice dry crispness to the food you fry in it. While it heats up, you can prepare your bird.

Slowly lower your turkey into the boiling oil, using the lid as a splash shield. Let the bubbling subside a bit before finally setting the turkey completely in the pot. Hot oil burns.

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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18 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

PRO'S TIP I like a flavorful and juicy turkey, so I typically will inject it with a seasoning blend. My flavor profile of choice is Cajun Injector Creole Butter.

This tangy blend is the perfect companion for foul.

After you have dried your bird of the water you used to measure the volume of the pot, take your injector in hand and squirt your delicious injectable of choice throughout the bird. I like to use the entire jar, evenly distributed throughout the turkey.

Once your oil has reached the magic temperature at which it turns all things it contacts into a scrumptious morsel (ever had a deep-fried Twinkie?) you are going to turn off the burner. Some people don’t do this, but I prefer to be safe rather than sorry.

Your turkey still has some moisture in it and this will make the boiling oil roil and splash. Make sure you are wearing long pants and closed shoes for the next step. Long sleeves wouldn’t hurt. With your turkey returned to the rack, using your lifting hook and a silicone oven mitt, slowly lower the turkey into the pot, using the lid as a spatter guard to protect your face. Don’t just drop it in, but put it in a little at a time to let the enthusiastic roiling die down a bit before proceeding deeper. Once you have most of the bird submerged, you can finish your dunking. There will be some spill over, so make sure you set up your cooker in the grass or on a surface that can easily be cleaned.

Re-light your burner, cover your pot and cook Your pellet smoker, like this Woodwind from Camp Chef, is a great method to get a crispy outside and your turkey for three and a half minutes per pound. most and delectable inside. It will perfectly cook your turkey and remove the guess work.

You heard me right, in about 45 minutes, your bird will be done. Told you it was the fastest way to cook a bird. You are looking for an internal temperature, in the thickest part of the breast, of 180 degrees Fahrenheit (83 ˚ C). If it isn’t quite there yet, put it back and relight the burner, letting it cook for a few more minutes until you have reached the safe temperature.

Turn off the burner, remove the turkey carefully and set it in a roasting dish on a heat resistant surface to let it drain for a few minutes. Let the bird rest for 15-minutes before you carve it. During this time, you may wish to post an armed guard to prevent hungry bystanders from stripping your bird of her crispy skin. I will also warn you, that once you have tasted a fried turkey, you may be spoiled for turkey cooked in a traditional manner.

Smoked Grilled Turkey

People don’t realize that their pellet smoker is a super-efficient oven and grill, as well as a way to slow smoke meat. For our bird, we used the new Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill and Smoker. We have a separate review of the Woodwind on page 10.

Because it uses premium virgin hardwood pellets to generate heat, it also generates flavorful smoke that rolls around the bird while it cooks. For this bird, I went with Applewood pellets to give a mild, yet slightly sweet flavor that won’t overpower the mild flavor of the turkey.

To prepare my bird, I brined it for 24-hours, injected it with my Creole Butter and then rubbed the flesh with soft butter. On top of the butter, I coated it liberally with some of Hi Mountain Seasonings Poultry Rub Blend. It is the perfect companion for chicken, turkey or upland game.

I started my Woodwind at 500 degrees F (260 ˚ C), which is at the maximum end of its operating range. I placed the turkey in the center of the large grill surface and closed it down. Because the computer on the Woodwind precisely measures both the cooking temperature as well as has a probe to measure the internal temperature of the food, I was able to walk away and go bake a few pies with the room I had in my oven. I set my timer for 30-minutes to let the scorching hot pellet grill crisp up the buttered skin of my bird.

After 30-minutes, you cook your bird just like you would in the oven. I reduced the Woodwind to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 ˚ C) and cooked it for 15-minutes per pound, subtracting the 30-minutes I crisped it. The internal temperature probe let me know when the thickest part of the breast next to the bone had reached an internal temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit (83 ˚ C). Remove your turkey and take a bow as people “ooh and ahh” over the magnificent Norman Rockwell beast you have placed upon the table.

Whether you fry or smoke your turkey, the flavor is outstanding. The one down-side is that there are no drippings to make gravy. But, the upside is all the room in your oven for pumpkin, cherry, pecan, peach, apple, strawberry-rhubarb, lemon meringue – PIES!

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www.himtnjerky.com November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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20 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Aguila Mini Shells

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

F

un to shoot. Plenty of punch. Less recoil. Higher capacity. The Aguila Mini Shells provide many reasons to shoot, but at the end of the day, the biggest consideration for me was the ability to load more into my magazine without sacrificing performance.

These tiny, inch-and-three-quarter shells provide all of the versatility we love out of a shotgun, but because of their diminutive size, they take up less space, have lighter recoil, still deliver enough lead on target to be effective for hunting and home defense or just having fun with our smoothbores without taking the abuse that longer shells deliver.

Off the bat, there have been some warnings, including from Aguila, that the Mini Shells may or may not reliably feed in some pump guns. You need to try them out to see how they work in your gun. One gun that seems to really like them is the Keltec KSG. With the ability to double the capacity of the KSG, which normally holds 12, 3-inch shells, I may seriously look at adding one to my arsenal.

They definitely don’t have enough oomph to cycle the action on a semi-auto.

Aguila recommends them for use in side by sides, over/unders and single shot shotguns. But, being the stubborn human that I am, I decided to test them in my old Mossy 590 to see how they fed and also found two adapters that claimed to increase reliability of these shells in pumps.

The first adapter I tested was the Ralph Hollister Aguila MiniShell Adapter for Mossberg. This snapon nylon clip only works on Mossbergs and ran me a whopping $14.95 with shipping and tax. It has marginal success with feeding the Mini Shells reliably and ultimately, the gun fed just fine without the adapter, so my suggestion is to try the shells in the stock gun before you try an adapter. For my 590, this product actually degraded performance and reliability.

The next product I tried was the OPSol MiniClip, a $15 part I found online. Essentially it is a rubber feed ramp plug that acts as a backstop to the shell to keep it forward as it feeds into the chamber. This worked 100 percent, with about 200 rounds of 7 ½ birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. The one downside, is because it is just rubber and is held in place by nothing other than friction, it tends to slip out of the feed port over time and several minutes were spent searching the ground for the little booger. Perhaps a harder orange rubber, with slightly tighter tolerances, would have helped keep it in place and also made it easier to find when dropped. Despite these minor hiccups, I was very pleased with its performance.

All said, the Mini Shells fed in my Mossberg 590 just fine without any adapter.

I had one failure to feed and one failure to extract out of 200 rounds, which is about average for my gun with full-length, 2 ¾-inch shells.

Because they are so much shorter than standard 2 ¾-inch shells, I was able to load almost twice as many into the magazine on my 590. My Mossy will hold 7+1 of standard, 2 ¾-inch shells and I was able to load 13+1 of the buckshot or 7

1/2 shot shells into the tube. Because the slug has a small button that protrudes from the top of the projectile, I was only able to get 12 of those in the magazine and an extra in the chamber. Still, 12 or 13 rounds as opposed to seven is a real

improvement in the capacity department; provided they perform as well as regular, longer shells. They did.

Aguila Mini Shell 7 ½ Shot

The Aguila factory in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico still houses a shot tower left behind when Remington closed down their factory. That shot tower provides just a little longer drop in cooling water to provide very uniform and round pellets for use in the Mini Shells.

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

21

That uniformity provides a nice, even spread of pellets. In my Mossberg with a short tactical barrel and no choke, I was seeing a fairly dense pattern of 18-inches at 25 yards. In my over/under with a skeet choke, I was achieving 24-inches from the same distance. To see how this equated to performance, I took my O/U over to the Cedar City Trap Club to see how they did busting clays. Now, I will be the first to admit that I am not a sporting clays guy. I enjoy the sport, but it isn’t my area of expertise. I shot fifty birds, missing 14 with the Mini Shells. I would say that was pretty pitiful, but it was average for me, so I can’t blame the ammo. In short, it performed as well as 2 ¾” shells for busting clays. I will tell you that the amount of fouling in my barrel was slightly higher than normal, but I attribute that to less time to ignite inside the hull than with a longer shell. A quick swab with a bore mop and it cleaned right out. The best part of the Mini Shells for me, was that the recoil was similar to a 20 gauge and my arm wasn’t feeling it later. This is a great compromise for those who maybe only have a 12 gauge to shoot, but don’t want the stiffer recoil of a 12 over a 20.

Aguila Mini Shell Buckshot

The buckshot Mini Shells are composed of a mixture of #1 (.30”) and F (.23”) buck shots with a total weight of 19.65 grams (.69 oz).

They zip out of the barrel at around 1,200 feet per second and provide ample penetration of more than 16-inches in calibrated ballistic gelatin. They spread consistently to about 16-inches out of my Mossberg 590 from 25 yards. They were devastating to pumpkins and bottles of soda and I definitely wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of them. They make a great home defense round, but

don’t be mistaken in thinking that they won’t travel through dry wall. They punch right through two sheets of it and barely slow down. This is an excellent turkey load if you are trying to whack birds in dense brush or for taking coyotes at close range as they raid the hen house.

Aguila Mini Shell Slug

These little powerhouses are fun. They feature a cupped slug with a penetrator button on top and send a 25-gram (.88 oz) chunk of love at whatever you want to obliterate. The smooth slug lacks rifling to give it flight stability, but they were nose-heavy enough that they flew true and straight without tumbling. In the O/U with a rifled choke, it brought the groups much tighter. They have a velocity at the muzzle of 1,250 feet per second and deliver 1,328 foot pounds of energy on target. Because they have so much less recoil, they are a great choice for a home defense gun or for hunting, especially for girls; oh, and old guys like me who don’t like to get beat up by guns or anyone who has any sense whatsoever. If you are planning on putting a lot of slugs downrange in an afternoon, this is definitely the way to go.

All told, the Aguila Mini Shells performed very well for me and cycled reliably in my pump gun. You may have different results, but it is definitely worth grabbing a box and seeing how your gun feeds them. If your pump likes them, then you have almost doubled capacity and sacrificed very little in performance. In a double-barrel, they will do everything you need them to do without beating you silly in the process. Try them out. I promise they are a lot of fun. If you don’t like them, I will be glad to take them off your hands for you; being the nice guy that I am.

Browning Citori CXS Crossover A perfect blend of beauty and performance.

T

he Citori is more than a shotgun, it is the quintessential representative of the quality of the Browning brand. Wood-to-metal fit is paramount on the Citori and with tight, consistent junctions it doesn’t disappoint. Action components are machined to exacting tolerances, heat-treated for greater strength and fitted using the traditional lampblack-and-file method to ensure the precise fit of critical components prior to being assembled to the action. It is this extreme level of craftsmanship that leads to the dependable function, impeccable looks, championship performance and respect from both Citori owners and the competition alike.

Whether you are looking to break a few clays or drop some birds, the new CXS has got you covered. It is pretty enough to take to the range, but rugged enough to pack behind your favorite retriever. Yes, Browning just keeps adding to their exceptional line of firearms.

Construction is key to a great firearm and Browning is one of the best in the business. Hammers are powered by powerful coil-type mainsprings for positive primer ignition. The convenient barrel selector allows you to choose which barrel fires on the first pull of the single trigger and the second pull fires the remaining barrel. Ejectors are activated by a sharp hammer blow for a more positive ejection than the push imparted by competitors’ ejectors. The automatic ejectors eject fired shells when the

22 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

breech is opened and elevate unfired shells for easy removal.

The Citori CXS utilizes a transverse-mounted, full-width tapered locking bolt in its construction. The tapered locking bolt engages a full-width tapered recess in the rear barrel lugs. The taper allows the bolt to seat deeper over the years. The hinge pin extends from one side of the receiver to the other for maximum strength. It’s the reason people say a Citori wears in, not out.

All Citori shotguns feature chrome-plated chambers that resist the toll thousands of rounds can take on lesser quality guns. Corrosion resistance is also greatly improved to ensure years of non-stop use.

The CXS Crossover comes equipped with the Triple Trigger system, which allows you to fine tune the length of pull and switch between a wide checkered, a narrow smooth and a wide smooth canted trigger shoe.

• Lightweight profile, high-polished blued barrel • High-post rib with vented top and side ribs keeps the barrel cool • 50/50 point of impact suitable for sporting clays, skeet and the field • 3” chromed chamber boasts durability and easy cleaning • Triple Trigger System to fine-tune the length of pull • Invector-Plus Choke Tubes – full, modified and improved cylinder No over and under has more fans than the original Citori and it continues to reign supreme in top performance and incredible durability. Check out the new Citori CXS Crossover at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse this holiday season.

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25

The Haunt When the sun goes down, the biggest and the rarest of the wild hogs come out to feed. This is when a hunter might get a chance at a white or a silver boar.

Photo by Gary Lewis

By Gary Lewis

S

outh of San Antonio, twenty-four hours into a two-day hunt for wild boar, we stopped to check the trail cameras. In front of an automatic feeder, I’d set the first one, a new Bushnell Trophy Cam HD. When I put the card in the laptop halfway through the hunt, I clicked through more than 200 images. Huge numbers of animals had fed in and around the feeder from dusk till dawn.

An old razor-backed boar, long and lean and alone. Sows - young and old - and piglets and young boars and a big red, rounded out through the shoulders with good living. I paused and looked again when I saw the white ones and my gaze lingered longest on the hogs that were lighter in color with black markings.

Jeff Griffith, the owner of the new South Texas Bucks N Bows Lodge and Hunter Artz, an ardent student of all things wild boar, looked over our shoulders. Griffith owns 300 acres of south Texas mesquite and cactus country near La Pryor. Hunter hails from New Baden, Texas.

I’d had a chance at a young boar the evening before, just a glimpse when it fed along a trail cut through the mesquite. It showed itself a half hour before dark, then it caught some hint of human scent on the wind. Alerted, it stopped and looked at the blind, then went back to feeding. To shoot, I had to switch places with Sam Pyke. When he had moved his camera tripod, I slid into the vacated seat, eased the rifle up onto the sill and waited in vain. That spotted pig gave us the slip.

By the end of day two, it was that time in the hunt when I had to shoot something or risk going home empty-handed. I’d passed up chances at a dozen pigs – young boars and dry sows. On the second evening, after dark, I’d photographed a 300-pounder, chuffing like a bear on the edge of the light from the porch of the lodge.

“Pigs,” Sam hissed. A passel of piglets and three adults appeared out of the mesquite, into the long grass and then they spread out in the pathway. One was an eligible candidate. I waited until the black one was broadside with no other animals around it.

Twenty yards, no more.

White and silver pigs came out of the woods after dark. Reviewing the trail cam pics, the owner of the property saw pigs he didn’t know he had.

Photo by Gary Lewis

26 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Jeff Griffith checks the feeders and the trails in his custom farm Suzuki.

Already on the sill, the rifle was ready, I thumbed the three-position safety through to ‘fire’, dropped the crosshair to one-third up the body and tightened my finger with three pounds of pressure.

At the crash of the rifle, black pigs and piglets streaked in every direction. Hit, my target went down on its chin, then managed to get going again, running headlong into the mesquite. Ten yards in, it went around in a circle and crashed.

Sam and I grabbed the back legs and pulled the 140-pounder out to the trail where the outfitter would meet us with the truck. That was when we saw the white deer again. It was a fallow deer, pure white with velvet antlers. It had drifted out of the trees like a revenant, like a haunt, browsing, but watchful in the last light of the day.

In 20-years of hunting wild boars in a half dozen western states, almost all the pigs I see are black ones; maybe five percent have some color phase other than black or brown. I wondered if maybe the light-colored animals tend to stay hidden during the daylight hours. We only saw white or gray hogs on the trail camera after the sun went down.

In the morning, I handed the rifle to Sam. I’d try to operate the camera while Sam

Lewis passed up a chance at this solid young boar. This one fed out in the open for most of an hour.

Photo by Gary Lewis

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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28 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

This dry sow gave Lewis several opportunities over the course of the afternoon and evening. A Nosler AccuBond Long Range bullet proved the pig’s undoing at 20 yards.

Though the trail cam showed several white and silver boars, these larger, easier-to-see animals only came out after the sun went down. Borrowing the rifle from Lewis, Sam Pyke flopped down on a trail and shot this trophy boar at 61 paces.

Photo by Gary Lewis

Photo by Gary Lewis would try to take it with the 6.5 Creedmoor. This one was a Montana Rifle topped with a Burris Veracity scope and fed with Nosler’s 129-grain AccuBond Long Range. Zeroed at 100 yards, it was a good choice for this hunt, when shots could range out to 300 yards or more.

We took our morning stand in an elevated box blind. One piglet showed itself for all of one second. We sat the same blind for two hours in the afternoon. This stand seemed too open for a chance at what I was starting to call the “Ghost Hog.” There were several ghost hogs that we’d seen on the trail camera, three white ones and a silver with black spots.

“We’ll try for the Ghost Hog,” I told Sam. For our last evening hunt, we picked a spot deep in the woods surrounded by old growth mesquite, patches of cactus and all manner of thorny, spiky bushes. We imagined rattlesnakes in there Preston Coly too, big south Texas rattlers, picks out a tune but we didn’t see any.

This hunt was a scouting on his favorite mission to check out a new Breedlove guitar. hunting lodge, carved out of A pastor and the mesquite forest, south of singer/songwriter, San Antonio. Jeff Griffith is he makes his home building a bow-hunting only in La Pryor, TX. operation for hunters who chase deer and hogs with archery tackle. Ours could be the only rifle hunts on the Photo by Gary Lewis property. But I took my hog at bow range.

Less than an hour left in

our hunt, with the sun going down, we left the blind and looked down a long, narrow corridor overhung, with mesquite and oaks. In the gathering dusk, a ghostly figure caught my eye.

“Lay down on the ground,” I whispered to Sam. And he did so, although he hadn’t seen the animal yet.

It shimmered into view again, ghostly silver in the failing light. Ever closer it fed till it quartered toward us and paused, offering Sam a moment to put the crosshairs on it.

Then the rifle crashed and the pig, hit, charged on a diagonal into a patch of cactus.

Cautious, we followed it in, finding a little blood after the first five yards, then more, on both sides of the trail. The trail turned, then turned again where the animal had taken evasive maneuvers. When we saw it, the ears were up and it was eyeballing us.

Sam put another one in it, which proved to be wise when we did the postmortem. On the first shot, the bullet had angled through, taking one lung, but leaving the animal in possession of enough faculties it could have caused us problems in those tight quarters.

Out in the open, we admired what may be one of the most beautiful wild boars I’ve ever seen. While we had been haunted by the white ones, this one, silver, flecked with black, was captivating. Pyke’s first shot was at 61 paces. Although the angle had been good, the bullet placement was just a little off. It was a good reminder a person should always be ready to take a second shot, if necessary.

Back at the lodge, Jeff and Hunter hung the Ghost Hog Photo by Gary Lewis nose-down, then washed it down with cold water.

Preston Coly, a cowboy pastor/ singer/songwriter, sat on a stool and sang and played while we turned a big wild boar into the raw materials for tacos carnitas, barbecues and pork loin feasts.

To musical accompaniment, Hunter coached Sam in the finer points of using every part of the hog. He explained the use of each part - which would go for pulled pork sandwiches, the cuts that are best turned into steaks, burger and sausage and the organs he saves for his dogs. In a part of the country where wild hogs are often shot and discarded, it was a lesson we won’t ever forget.

To order a signed copy of John Hunter Artz shows Sam Pyke the fine Nosler Going Ballistic, send $24.95 points of using every piece of this trophy (includes S&H) to GLO, PO Box 1364, Bend, OR 97709 or visit hog. www.GaryLewisOutdoors.com.

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

29

Waterfowl Essentials

By Steve McGrath

I

f you are the type of hunter that likes a lot of opportunities and a plenty of days to hunt, look no further than waterfowl season. Getting into waterfowl hunting may be easier than you think, in fact, you may already have many of the items needed. Like many other forms of hunting, there are piles of specialized gear that can help but are not necessary. Here are some of the most important items you’ll need to successfully hunt ducks and geese this fall and winter.

The most essential piece of equipment for waterfowl hunting is a shotgun. It

Browning Maxus

tions you can encounter during a waterfowl season. Semi-automatics are nice for a number of reasons; they lessen the often, heavy recoil dealt from hard hitting waterfowl loads. They also tend to make a second and third follow-up shot a little easier, as you can stay on your target a little better. Sportsman’s Warehouse carries an incredible selection of quality guns. With my ties to Browning and Winchester, I may be called a little partial, but the Winchester SXP (MSRP $499) and the Browning Maxus (MSRP $1,739) are two of my favorite waterfowl choices, with both available in camo patterns as well as synthetic and wood grain stocks.

The options in ammunition are nearly limitless and widely available. Steel shot is the norm, though there are numerous other lead-free shells available for those that are looking for a premium load. Start by buying a few different brands to pattern, much like sighting in a big game rifle. Figure out what works best with your gun, then stick with that load for the season. There’s been a recent trend in waterfowl

helps to have a modern gun that is chambered for at least 3” shells, with many goose hunters liking the option of being able to shoot 3.5” ammo. Another important feature of a shotgun is the ability to change out the chokes, which controls your shot pattern down range and can make a big difference on the number of birds you down.

Many waterfowlers get started in the sport with a simple, yet effective pump shotgun. They are easily cleaned in the field and ultra reliable in the harsh condi-

Winchester SXP

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30 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS 17-WRA-163_SX4_Ad_9_75x5_375_Stack.indd 1

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4/28/17 4:59 PM

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.

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

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

31

ammunition to come up with specialized loads, some with “cutting” rings around the pellets, others in the shape of cubes, with the reasoning being that it causes larger trauma to the bird. Other innovations in recent times have been with the wad, the part that holds all the pellets together in the shell and follows it down the barrel of the gun. The idea being, you’ll have a better pattern and more pellets on the target down range, be it a duck, goose, or paper bullseye.

As was said earlier, take the time before the season kicks off to pattern your gun and you’ll have the confidence when you take to the field. Speed is the new name of the game and will dictate the pricing. Prices range from $10 to nearly $50 per 25-round box. Again, Winchester and Browning both offer great waterfowl loads, with both well stocked on the shelves at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Clothing is another important part of waterfowl hunting. Like many other outdoor pursuits, the weather fluctuates wildly and does have a large impact on the hunt. Unlike other hobbies, the vast majority of waterfowl hunting deals with water - go figure. Depending on the style of hunting, plan on spending a bit of time in the water, with waders on in many cases. Layering is key, as you want to have the flexibility to adapt to temperature changes as they come and also be able to protect yourself when the skies open up. Plan on a good base, mid and outer layer, as some of the best shoots are had when the clouds are low and the snow or rain is coming in sideways. Browning’s Wicked Wing line has taken their classic Pre-Vent fabric, PrimaLoft Synergy insulation and combined it with highly functional tailoring to produce a feature-rich selection of parkas, jackets, bibs and pants, along with base and insulation layers. Expect to pay top dollar for good camo, about $300 per set of bibs and also for the jacket.

Next, you’ll probably want a good pair of waders that will not only keep you dry, the obvious reason for having them, but also will be versatile enough to work with the changes in the weather. Typical waterfowl season starts early fall and can run late into January. Most parts of the country will see drastic swings in the temperatures during that time. There are two main types of waders, the first being neoprene, which excel in durability and keeping you warm when the temps dip down, but they tend to be a bit tougher to walk in and can freeze up in real cold temps.

The second option are breathable waders; think fishing waders with boots and camo added. The wader decision all boils down to how much you want to spend, what kind of temps you think you might encounter and perhaps most importantly, how hard you typically are on gear. Expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $150 to $400 for a good pair. Waterfowl Wading Systems, LaCrosse and Drake all offer great choices.

To fool smart or wary birds, you’ve got to outthink them. A large part of doing that is spending time scouting, much like preparing for a big game hunt. A big part of fooling those birds once you’ve figured out where they want to be is decoys and calls. Decoys vary from two-dimensional cutouts to high-end molded plastic that have been hand painted and flocked for something so realistic that many hunters fool themselves. Get what you can afford, as with many things in life, you get what you pay for and a good dozen decoys will make a world of difference. Spend time watching the birds while scouting to see where they are positioned in a field, replicate that as close as you can, leaving a gap in the “spread”, such as an “Xpattern” in front of you for the newcomers to land in. Avian X and Final Approach both have a wide array of great duck and goose decoys. Duck decoys start at about

32 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Nikon’s NEW RANGEFINDER BINOCULAR NEW for 2017

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November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Avian X Goose Decoys

at around $20. You will find that you may need an assortment to cover all of your species needs. And remember, practice makes perfect!

If water fowling is something new to you or something you are looking to get into, I’d suggest hiring a guide. Nothing shorts the steep learning curve better than going out with someone that knows the ropes. Even if you’ve hunted birds for years and are looking to take it to the next level, a good guide can help you improve that skill set. Look for someone in your area that has been guiding for years and knows how the birds work

Final Approach Duck Decoys

Primos Shock Caller Goose Call

34 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

$60 a dozen and goose decoys about $200 per half-dozen.

Calls are an important part of fooling the birds, making them think there are birds already on the ground or in the water. There’s a fine line on using calls, as bad or poor timed calls can easily show your hand and flare the birds away from where you’ve set up. Spend time learning effective calling from others or watching the many videos that have been produced.

Many great calls are available from Primos, Faulks, Rich N Tone and Zink, starting

the local area. You’d be amazed at the things you can learn from someone that chases waterfowl full time. Stillwater Outfitters in Colorado are one of the best in the business and have been an endorsed outfitter at the Sportsman’s News for many years Like a moth to a porch light or fisherman to Alaska, there is an indescribable attraction for hunting ducks and geese in Canada. If you are really into waterfowl and want to experience something truly amazing, set your sights on taking a trip up north. The styles and seasons are similar to ours in the lower 48, but with an unreal difference in the number of birds in the sky. Give Ranchland Outfitters in Alberta, a long-standing Platinum Approved Outfitter with the Sportsman’s News, consideration when you start thinking about heading north. Their crew will put together a hunt for you that will leave you wanting to return back again and again.

ZEISS Conquest V6 Riflescope The new precision scope for wide-open pursuits.

Made in Germany for the rugged demands of any hunting or shooting style, the new Conquest V6 with 6x zoom, 30mm center-tube and up to 103 MOA elevation adjustment is engineered to reach beyond expectations. ZEISS FL (Fluoride) Glass, enhanced T* lens coatings and LotuTec ÂŽ protective coating provide industry-leading resolution and shooter accuracy. Three models: 1-6x24 / 3-18x50 / 5-30x50.

Available with new ballistic turret and ballistic reticles ZMOA and ZBR for long-distance hunting or shooting. Protected by the ZEISS 5-Year No Fault Policy and Limited Lifetime Transferable Warranty. www.zeiss.com/ConquestV6

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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www.SPORTSMANSWAREHOUSE.com

You’ll find Remington VERSA MAX® and other Remington arms and ammunition at all Sportsman’s Warehouse locations. Also shop www.SportsmansWarehouse.com.

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

36

The Total Package

E

ver notice how some folks catch fish more consistently than others? You know, the kind of anglers that seem to be able to catch them all the time and especially those that can manage that kind of performance while taking on different species. Well, what is it about them that makes their outings consistently successful? Is it their fishing Chad LaChance rod? Doubtful. How about their boat?

Not likely. Then it must be their flies or lures, right? Nope, not in my opinion. It’s none of those - and all of those, at the same time. And probably not exactly how you think.

When I say it’s all of those items, what I mean is that each of those items are part of the equation, but not the biggest part. The biggest part of angling success is, in my opinion, derived from confidence and confidence comes with experience - lots of experience. But notice I said the biggest part of success is confidence? Well then, where does the rest come from? It’s in the details!

Money can’t buy confidence and it can’t really buy experience either, at least not at a normal person’s economic level. I mean sure, there are folks that can

take a year off and fish every day, thereby gaining a massive amount of experience in a short timeframe. There are others that will spend a bunch of money to fish with guides and/or take classes. These folks will for sure gain a ton of high quality experience and thus confidence, but we’re still out of the spending level of most anglers, even though I would suggest that this would, in fact, be money well spent, if you have it to spend. As a professional angler, I consider money I spend on guides as investing in myself; call it continuing education.

For most folks, it’s the details that are affordably manipulated within the constraints of our angling time that are best addressed. The million-dollar question becomes, which details do I adjust to up my success? To that, I offer that it’s the items that you have in play the most (think along the lines of your most used items) or even better, the ones you are most lacking in. Think technology.

The best anglers I know at least investigate new technology available to them on a regular basis. Sure, their favorite line has treated them well, but just maybe this new line, especially if it involves newer technology, will be better. Same goes for any other aspect of your tackle, boat or even clothing. I for one am constantly evaluating new technology in my angling and hunting for that matter.

Ironically, this is the reason I sometimes get emails calling me out on some new product I recommend.

It typically goes something like, “Last year at the seminar you said Line X was your favorite for bass in ditches and now on TV that Line Y is your favorite for the same situation. What gives? Are you just trying to sell me something new?” No, what gives is that Line X was, at that time, my best option, but Tacklerama came out with a new line that performs better in my testing, thereby earning my trust and subsequent endorsement to you, dearest viewer/reader/listener. While that may be frustrating at times, would you rather get recommendations from anglers that completely stagnate in their technological use?

The way I see it, a large part of my job involves evaluating new stuff and laying out the good, bad and best overall uses to folks that may fish a tiny fraction of the time I do.

This way, if you take my recommendation on some tackle, you know it’s as current as I can provide and the product will perform well, at least for what I tested it to do.

So what areas do I see the most room for technological improvement in for Joe Angler? As I sort of joked about above, line is one of them. If you’re still using one type of line for all your angling (assuming you participate in different types of angling like, say trout and bass fishing), I promise you’ll catch more fish if you look into different types of line specific to each application. Top-shelf anglers these days use a wide range of different line types.

Same goes with rods. Your short, old ultralight fiberglass rod might be fun and familiar, but a modern graphite rod will handle all aspects of casting, accuracy and line and fish control much better. Clothing is a huge one. The old brown cotton duck is fine, but not even in the same league as a modern fishing-specific parka and bib combo that will actually keep you dry and wind free. I could go on and on, but I think you see my point.

The very best anglers combine experience with technological improvement in a continuous, evolutionary process. Their experience level grows with time on the water, but their tackle only improves with a concerted effort to see if new technology actually helps. In some cases, it does and will improve their fishing. Some it will not.

Regardless, the very process of evaluating the new stuff does indeed help them grow as anglers whether or not it is any good.

Without question, experience trumps tackle, but to reach the top of the game, you’ll need both.

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Otis Patriot Cleaning Kit

T

he makers of the original Memory Flex Cable breech to muzzle cleaning kits and components have released their new Patriot Cleaning Kits, which provide a caliber specific, portable cleaning solution in a rugged plastic case.

Made in America, these kits offer high quality components, brass loops and threaded end caps and almost everything you need to give your gun a good scrubbing in the field.

In addition to their standard flex cable with brass threaded end caps on both ends, the Patriot Kits have one or two sections of threaded rod for scrubbing chambers with the included bronze brush for your caliber. The handles screw into threads on the included T-handle, giving you greater control of the flex cable and also the ability to use the rod. The handle also contains a T-20 hex bit, a flat head screwdriver tip, two different sizes of Phillip’s head bits and acts as a handle for using the bits. This keeps tools close at hand for tightening or removing an optic or grip panels for deep cleaning.

Each kit also includes a bore mop and a double-sided military-style nylon cleaning brush. All of the components have a place in the case so it is easy to put everything away and also quickly look to make sure everything is in its place and nothing has been forgotten or lost. The organization tray easily lifts out and has plenty of room for other components.

The only thing the Patriot is lacking is any type of cleaning fluid or lubricant, but there is ample space in the case for a tube or two of your favorite CLP fluid, such as Otis BIO CLP.

Handcrafted, American Made, Precision Ammunition Available in the following calibers:

.380 ACP 9MM+P .38 Spec. .357 Mag. .40 S&W 10MM .41 Rem. Mag.

.44 Spec. .44 Mag. .45 Colt .45 ACP .454 Casull .500 S&W .300 Win. Mag.

Scan with your smartphone to see it in action.

MADE IN AMERICA

Learn more at www.doubletapammo.com 38 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

The Memory Flex Cable cleans the gun from the breech to the muzzle, ensuring the brushes and patches follow the direction of the barrel rifling to provide superior cleaning as they pull fouling out of the barrel rather than pushing it into the action. They are made of plastic coated steel to offer superior barrel protection.

Patriot Kits are available in eight different rifle or pistol specific configurations and each differs slightly in the provided components, depending upon the caliber, action type or length of the firearm the kit is specifically designed to accommodate.

Perfect for cleaning in the field, at the range or even to organize your cleaning supplies on your bench, these kits keep all the tools you will need for your specific gun at the ready. And because it is Otis, replenishment of consumables is a breeze with Otis refill kits.

Because they are compact and self-contained, these kits are a great addition to your range bag or you can just toss it on the seat the next time you head to the range.

The kit will stay together and prevent components from getting lost, while keeping everything you need in one easy-to-find place, so you can focus more on shooting and less on cleaning.

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

Genuine Novak ® LoMount Carry Three-Dot Sights

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

Safe, Easy Takedown with No Tools or Trigger Pull Required

Anything Else Would Be Un-American.

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Designed with the latest U.S. Military standards in mind, the Ruger American Pistol is built ®

to perform in the harshest conditions. A true American innovation, this pistol was developed

Ambidextrous Slide Stop, Manual Safety and Magazine Release Allow Actuation with Either Hand (Pro Models Come without External Safety)

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.

Complete Your Ruger American Pistol® with the Officially Licensed Blade-Tech® Total Eclipse Holster at Your Local Retailer or Online at ShopRuger.com RUGER.COM/AMERICANPISTOL

© 2017 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

010317

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

39

Video Product Reviews

Leupold LTO-Tracker

F

inding downed game or positively identifying a noise in the night have both gotten easier with the introduction of the Leupold LTO-Tracker.

Using state-of-the-art thermal technology, the LTO-Tracker can spot a heat signature behind dense brush, differentiating it from the ambient air temperature and displaying it on the LCD screen.

With six different selectable color filters, the LTO-Tracker is useable in a variety of environments and temperatures; and can even be used in broad daylight, because it registers heat instead of bouncing infrared light, like most night vision devices.

The LTO-Tracker has a variable 6X digital zoom that can be accessed quickly by simply pressing a button. A user actuated reticle can be used for pinpointing your target.

The handheld unit is compact and weighs just 7.4 ounces and is just 5.6 inches long and easily fits in a shirt pocket.

The LTO-Tracker is waterproof, so it can be used in the elements. It has a detection range of 600 yards and a 21-degree field of view. It will register temperatures from -40 up to 572 degrees Fahrenheit and can operate in temperatures between -4- to 140-degrees Fahrenheit. The 1.22” diameter round 30 Hz FastFrame LCD screen provides excellent optical clarity with 240x204 resolution, which is excellent for a thermal imager.

It will run for up to 10 hours continuously on the included single lithium CR123 battery and shuts off after 15 minutes of inactivity to conserve battery life. Three easy access buttons provide power and user interface to cycle Scan this QR Code with between features and color filters.

The display will show the subject in red, green, white hot, your smart phone to view t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s black hot or hi-white or hi-black with multicolor thermal YouTube Channel. highlights.

The LTO-Tracker is machined from aircraft aluminum for a durable outer housing and is covered by Leupold’s 5-year electronic warranty. It is designed, machined and assembled in the United States.

Whether you are trying to find a wounded animal, tracking a fugitive, checking out that noise outside at night or scouting hogs or coyotes at night where it is legal to do so, the LTO-Tracker gives you a decided edge in finding heat-producing mammals in the dark or thick brush. It can also pick up a blood trail, helping you track and recover an animal.

From sniping your buddy in a nighttime game of paintball, to improving situational awareness around your domain, the LTO-Tracker has a multitude of uses. In areas where it is legal to use for hunting, the LTO-Tracker can improve your ability to harvest and track your prey. Check it out at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse gift bar.

Nite Ize - Solving Problems You Didn’t Know You Have

I

was first introduced to Nite Ize in the 90s, when I picked up a tail-cap switch and LED conversion for a Mini Maglite. This ingenious device solved a problem I didn’t know I had; it made my light brighter and gave me the control of a push button switch with the ability to activate the light intermittently or click it on completely, which was superior to the twist head of the existing light.

Since that time, Nite Ize has continued to innovate solutions to problems that I haven’t realized I had. Now, with thousands of different products geared toward solving everyday problems, I find myself carrying a wide variety of Nite Ize products in my vehicle, packs and on my person and every day, these products continue to solve problems for me.

Nite Ize has hundreds of solutions for problems you didn’t know you had and here are a few that are available at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse you should consider adding to your gear.

Dual CamJam

The CamJam family of products provides a variety of tiedowns with built-in cams to increase cinching power. The Dual CamJam looks like a typical cam lock cinch, but has an additional cam built into the buckle to not only allow you to get your load tight, but to let you place your buckle anywhere on the strap. The tough zinc alloy buckle has a rear cam to allow it to be moved along the strap and a forward cam for cinching it tight. The Dual CamJam comes with either 12or 18-feet of high strength, high density 1” polypropylene webbing, with an integrated bar tacked end loop, which allows the system to be used in two configurations; either a fixed end or a loop. This makes it a great tool for tying down gear on your vehicle or cinching it down to take up less room for transport or storage. The webbing has a 400-pound load limit and a 1,200-pound break strength.

CamJam Cord Tightener

The traditional CamJam features a carabiner-style hook, with an integrated sliding cam ratchet to allow any cord between 2-5mm (1/16-3/16 of an inch) to only slide in one

40 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view the Sportsman's News YouTube Channel.

direction, but can quickly be released to allow it to be loosened. This eliminates the need for tying knots and can be used on anything from an ATV to a hunting pack.

These are one of my favorite tools for attaching a rack and skull to my pack. The CamJam comes with two heavy-duty plastic CamJams and 8-feet of 5/32 rope and will work with most cord between 2-5mm.

CamJam XT

The same great reliability of the regular plastic CamJam in a strong aluminum body, the CamJam XT provides greater strength and the ability to use it in a closed loop or by tying one end of the included 16-feet of 550 paracord firmly to an anchor.

Watch the video to see these and several other great Nite Ize products in action and check them out at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse.

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

41

Video Product Reviews

Outdoor Edge Razor Series Knives

H

aving a razor sharp folding knife in the field to dress your game isn’t just a figurative way of saying you have a sharp knife. Not anymore. Outdoor Edge makes an entire series of surgically sharp knives that allow you to quickly and easily swap out your blade when it gets dull. The Razor Series of knives uses 3.5-inch Japanese 420J2 stainless steel blades sharpened to a surgical edge. These blades come with a scalpel edge and because of their heat treating, hold that edge longer than a standard razor blade.

The Outdoor Edge Razor series knives are required gear on every outing the Sportsman’s News team makes into the field.

Unlike other knives on the market that also use replaceable blades, the Outdoor Edge Razor Series knives quickly swap in the field without tools by simply pushing a button and sliding the old blade out of the handle. New blades slide in and click to let you know they are properly seated. The Razor Series blades are less likely to snap as well. Because every Razor SeScan this QR Code with ries knife has a blade holder wrapped around the back of the your smart phone to view knife, it prevents the blade from flexing and snapping. the Sportsman's News The Razor Series knives come in a variety of configuraYouTube Channel. tions for dressing game to laying linoleum to opening boxes.

And the price of the knives and the replacement blades is sure to make them your go-to edge when you are looking for that precision cutting tool.

And each knife comes with six replacement blades in the package.

Razor-Lite and Razor-Blaze

The Razor-Lite and Razor-Blaze are the first in the series and have been used on more trips by our staff than any of the others. Featuring a lockback design in a folding knife, the rubberized TPR handle ensures a great grip, even when wet with blood. Available with a black handle on the Razor-Lite and a hunter safety orange handle on the RazorBlaze, these knives are a workhorse for dressing your trophy. The Blaze comes in a Mossy Oak camo sheath and the Lite comes in a black nylon sheath with a belt loop for attaching to your waist or to a pack.

Razor-Pro and Razor-Pro Saw Combo

After using the Razor-Lite for years, the one tool that we missed the most was the gutting blade of the Swing-Blaze, because it slides through the hide and hair of an animal like a zipper. Outdoor Edge added a second blade, a 7Cr17 Stainless gutting blade, to the Razor-Lite so that you can quarter, skin, and gut, all with the same tool. To make it even more versatile, they offer the Razor-Pro in a combo with their folding pocket saw to cut through bone or wood in the field.

Mike Eastman

Founder Eastman’s Hunting Journals

Razor-Lite EDC

Surgical razor blade performance with the strength of a standard knife. Second gutting blade opens game like a zipper. Includes six replacement blades and Mossy Oak belt sheath.

Available at Sportsman’s Warehouse

www.OutdoorEdge.com

42 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

With all the features of the Razor-Lite the Every Day Carry version features double molded Grivory handles with rubberized TPR inserts for a non-slip grip, even when wet. The double-sided thumb stud allows easy, one-hand opening and the replaceable pocket clip contours with the handle so it feels like an integral part of the grip. The Razor-Lite EDC is available with orange, blue, or gray handles and is a perfect daily use companion.

Use your smartphone to click on the QR Code to see all the great Razor Series knives in action and learn how Outdoor Edge makes the most innovative and practical tools for cutting on the market.

THE VX®-6HD: OUR MOST VERSATILE LEUPOLD® YET. With a VX-6HD, you’ll take this and every other shot with confidence.

The two-turn CDS® ZeroLock® dials put you dead on at any distance.

Its In-Scope Reticle Level blinks if your rifle is canted more than 1˚ left or right, for superior long-range accuracy. Armed with the Twilight Max® Light Management System, HD clarity and contrast, and a powerful 6:1 zoom, your VX-6HD is made to send every shot home no matter the light, conditions, or distance.

Always designed, machined, and assembled in the U.S.A. Discover more at Leupold.com.

LEUPOLD FULL LIFETIME GUARANTEE

LEUPOLD | AMERICAN TO THE CORE November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

43

Video Product Reviews

Magpul Innovation

E

veryone who shoots is familiar with the Magpul PMAG, but many aren’t as aware that Magpul makes a wide variety of shooting accessories.

While the Ruger 10/22 Takedown rifle is a very cool innovation, Magpul has upped the ante by creating a replacement stock that enhances the coolness factor of this already cool gun.

The X-22 Backpacker is easily installed by removing the main stock screw on both the receiver and the barrel. Once removed, the old stock is replaced with the X22 Backpacker, adding even more features.

The X-22 Backpackpacker has a storage compartment that will hold up to three 10/22 rotary magazines. It also contains a removable divider to allow you to carry two magazines and a standard 50 round box of .22 long rifle ammo in the stock. The standard height flip up compartment cover can also be replaced with the included higher cheek rest for optics that need higher cheek weld for a comfortable sight picture every time.

In the base of the pistol grip is a rubber gasketed watertight sealed storage compartment for whatever you choose to put in there, such as spare batteries for your optic, a small survival kit, or other small items.

The exceptionally awesome feature is that the fore end snaps into the buttstock to hold the barrel assembly in place when the rifle has been taken apart into two segments. This holds the barrel in place and turns the dissembled rifle into a single easily transported unit. A pair of squeeze buttons release the barrel from the stock, allowing for rapid assembly of the rifle.

While the 10/22 Takedown is already tapped and comes with an optic mount rail, the addition of the Magpul X-22Backpacker Scan this QR Code with Optics Mount allows you to place a red dot sight or a Scout your smart phone to view scope on the fore end over the barrel, for a perfect return to the Sportsman's News YouTube Channel. zero every time. It clamps to the barrel and replaces the factory

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44 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

installed barrel block on the 10/22 Takedown by simply removing the spring latch and the two retaining bolts.

Magpul also has released a great set of pouches for the adventurer. These heavyduty polymer cases are made with serious waterproof zippers that let you carry small items and they come in three sizes and with the option of a clear window for easily viewing maps or other documents. Punchouts in the corners allow the attachment of cord or carabiners to attach the pouches to a pack. Recessed dots let you use a paint pen to create a digitized description of the contents and the pouches come in an assortment of your favorite tactical colors.

Finally, Magpul has created the perfect belt for the concealed carrier. Featuring a quality cowhide exterior that is durable and stylish, they have a polymer backing to provide shape and strength without sagging. With the appearance of a casual or dress belt, these rugged belts can not only keep your pants up, but are also designed to hang a variety of tools from them as part of your EDC. Take a look at all of the Magpul accessories on display in your local Sportsman’s Warehouse.

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#sigelectrooptics November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

47

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

Turkey Pie

L

ooking for something great to make with your hard-earned fall turkey?

This turkey recipe is a great way to enjoy all the flavors of Thanksgiving in one dish. You can “kick” this baby up with some additional spices or fresh herbs, add some grated cheese, or alternate some different vegetables to change it to your taste.

Wild turkey is known to be inherently dry, but this recipe will ensure a tasty moist dinner to enjoy with the family. Deviate from the run of the mill, with this turkey pie tonight!

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons Butter, divided • 1 box stove top style stuffing mix, prepared • 2 cups mashed potatoes (made with butter/milk/salt & pepper) • 3 cups cooked turkey, well chopped into ½” pieces (I brined and roasted mine) • Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper • 1 ½ cup cooked broccoli, chopped

• 1 cup cooked carrots, chopped • 1 cup sautéed mushrooms • ½ cup dried cranberries • 1 can condense cream of chicken soup (10.75 oz.)

• 1 can milk (use soup can) • 1 cup sour cream • 1teaspoon poultry seasoning

48 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Preparation Method

Preheat a large cast iron pan in a 400 degree F oven. Remove from the oven and add 2 tablespoons butter to the pan and let it melt and brown. Brush to coat the inside of the cast iron, as this will make the crust get nice and crunchy. Spoon the pre-made stuffing mixture into the pan, reserving about a cup to use later. Pressing firmly to form the “pie crust” up the sides and bottom.

Spread the mashed potatoes onto the stuffing crust. Nestle the broccoli, carrots, and mushrooms next. Finally top off with the dried cranberries.

In a small pot over medium heat, stir together the soup, milk, sour cream, and teaspoon of poultry seasoning until well blended. When bubbly, stir in turkey. Pour this mixture evenly over the pie, smooshing to make sure it gets into all the crevasses.

Sprinkle the remaining cup of stuffing mix on top. Dot with remaining butter.

Bake in a 350 degree F oven for approximately 30-40 minutes, until the crust is crunchy and filling heated through. Set aside for 15 minutes or so before serving.

Serve this meal in the pan with a refreshing salad and some candied yams. This meal deserves both a white and red wine. I would choose a Dry Riesling as a white wine, and a California Grenache, or Cru Beaugolais to enjoy this meal with. If you prefer beer with your turkey you can’t go wrong with an Octoberfest style Marzen.

Another great choice would be a Belgian wheat ale or Witbier.

Happy Holidays!

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

49

Louisiana Red Fishin’

By Joe Glotz

D

uring the fall and winter months, the Louisiana Marsh is the redfish fly fishing destination that dreams are made of. The marsh in average spans 15 miles from main land to the open Gulf of Mexico. It was created by sediment carried from up north to the south and deposited by the Mississippi River. The river system is the largest in North America and drains an area of 1.2 million square miles. In a time period of 6,000 years, the river has built a Delta onto the Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico, covering an area of over 9,000 square miles. These lowland marshes make up 22% of the total coastal wetlands in the lower 48. Needless to say, the Bio Mass here in coastal Louisiana is staggering. The Louisiana Marsh is no doubt the best redfish fishery the world has to offer.

Fishing for redfish is where you’ll learn what good line quality and proper drag settings really mean. These fish just don’t give up and will fight all the way to the fish box. Light tackle is the way to go for the ultimate fish fighting adventure. These guys will give you a glimpse of their bronze back just before making another line stripping run.

Redfish thrive and are therefore plentiful here in the marsh and coastal waters of south Louisiana where they can be fished year-round. Depending on the season, they can be found anywhere from the shallow duck ponds to the deep oil field canals. Redfish are known to be one of the easiest salt water fish to catch here in the marsh. You’ll catch big reds using artificial baits and flies which resemble minnows to live shrimp.

Louisiana fishing regulations allow a limit of five fish. All must be above 16”

50 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

with only one over 27”, pretty impressive numbers as far as size goes. With the ban on gill netting, these fish are becoming even more plentiful from one year to the next.

From October through February, the temperatures cool off for the run of schooling trout. Huge schools of red fish can be seen on calm days. Bull reds are commonly caught in the marshes in large numbers.

Different stages of the tides require different approaches. Most seasoned lighttackle fishermen know how to catch reds during low tide, when schools drift around shallow tidal flats and sight casting is the name of the game. During moving tides, in and out and during high tide periods, spotting redfish is more difficult, but they are not necessarily more difficult to catch.

Where To Look And What To Look For

When the falling tide drains all the water from the spartina marsh grass and forces all swimming creatures into the tidal creeks and mud flats, it’s prime time for catching redfish. Inshore redfish spend most of their time in water less than 2-feet deep and on the low tide flats they will almost always maraud in schools.

Look for signs like V-shaped wakes or nervous water signaling redfish schools chasing food. Fishing drop backs into tidal creeks that still hold water at very low tides will also commonly congregate fish.

When half-tide rising water begins flooding grass banks, oyster banks and points, then baitfish, shrimp and crabs flee to these safe havens while redfish often stage nearby, waiting for sufficient water depth to advance.

High tide flats appeal to anglers with and without boats. A venue for fly fishing anglers and light tackle spin casters, these flooded, hard-bottomed flats, teem with fiddler crabs and other small baits. They offer the excitement of stalking your prey with the thrill of the strike. Look for the same pushing wakes and nervous water as on low-tide flats, but also look for tails. You will rarely see tailing redfish on low-tide flats, but tailing is common in the high-tide grass. There aren’t many more beautiful or exciting sights than wiggling spotted tails glistening in the sunlight.

Techniques That Work

Techniques vary depending on the tide. At low tide, redfish fishing is a combination of hunting and fishing, because most of the time you cast to fish you have spotted. Two techniques work well after you spot the school. Casting in front

and well beyond the fish and reeling the lure back at a constant slow speed works well. The other option is the “drop and wait” where you cast several feet in front of the school and let the lure sit on the bottom until the fish reach it. A little jigging action will then get you hooked up. Be careful to cast to the edges of schools rather than over them, so you can catch several fish before they spook.

A deadly lure is the Strike King Redfish Magic, which is like a fresh water spinnerbait or a DOA 3-inch shrimp in addition to the traditional jig and trailer combinations.

When blind casting at low tide, you can dredge pools of deeper water on flats and outside of creek mouths with the same lure. Use a slow retrieve that bumps a jig along sandy bottom areas and a slightly faster retrieve if oysters are present. With the spinnerbait, a constant slow retrieve is fine since they rarely get hung up.

it reaches them, so quick and accurate casting is essential. Moving slowly and quietly, it is possible to get within range of feeding fish and make multiple casts without spooking them, but sometimes they just stop feeding and disappear before you reach them. Each approach has its plusses and minuses.

For wading high-tide flats, the gear is the same, but the lures are different. For the spin casters, try a 1-inch Gulp! molting peeler crab 6-feet beyond the feeding fish and slowly crank it back. Most fishermen should thread the crab imitation onto a 1/0 Gamakatsu circle hook with two medium split shot up the line to avoid gut hooking the feeding redfish that will certainly swallow the bait. Fly anglers should land a crab pattern like a #2, #4 or #6 Merkins, Fools Gold or Redfish Toad about a foot in front of the fish for a quick hookup.

Bait fishermen can lip-hook minnows on a Johnson spoon, use a Carolina rigged mud minnow or a cork rig with shrimp or minnows in all the same places and catch fish at all tides.

If you have always wanted to tackle the hard fighting red fish of the south, I hope this article has helped to spur your interest even more. And as for you red fish veterans, well, you already know how great they are to catch. And just like in any fishing adventure, don’t be afraid to spend a day or two with an experienced guide on your first visit. They have the knowledge and equipment to make your day on the water a very memorable one and hopefully you will take away enough knowledge that you can try it on your own on your next trip.

Mid-Tides – Rising and Falling

Mid-tide red fishing is like prospecting, since you rarely see the fish. You can use the same tackle and lures as at low tide and target the first shelf of oyster and mud banks and the first grass edges as they cover or uncover with water.

High Tide

Working high tides from a boat is similar to working mid-tides, except there is more water. Now you cast directly over flooded oyster points and deeply into the flooded grass with a spinner bait or a 3/8 ounce, gold Johnson or Nemire Red Ripper Spoon, which rarely hang up.

Another get tactic is wade fishing the high-tide marshes with a fly rod or light spinning rod. You are back to hunting when you fish this way and when you spot some tails you have two options — move fast or move slow and quiet. While shuffling rapidly toward tailing fish, your steps through the water produce a wake that will spook the fish as soon as November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

51

This Is Why

By Sage Mori

M

y heart was pounding so hard I could hardly hear my own thoughts.

This was the moment I had been dreaming about since I was a fiveyear-old little boy, watching the hunting channel. The silhouette of a massive bull elk stood only twenty-five yards away. The sun was quickly setting, and I knew it was now or never. My bow laid sideways as I slowly drew it back; trying to avoid frightening the beautiful bulls’ forty some cows.

As I raised my peep sight to my eye, the bull put his head down in the water trough.

Perfect. Just as my pins were settling onto my target the sound of a stampede startled me, as well as the bull I was tirelessly chasing. A cow feeding only five yards away busted me. He was gone. I would not have another chance to harvest a bull that night, and it would be the last opportunity I had to kill a bull with my dad around for the time being. My dad had to leave and would not be able to come back for another week. I was disappointed, but I needed to keep my mind straight so I could achieve my life-long goal of killing a bull elk with my bow.

My grandpa arrived the next day to help me put a big bull in the dirt. I sat in my blind the next couple days, hoping the bull I had my eye on would slip up and come to water in shooting light once more. I was quickly becoming impatient; standing up in my blind to glass the large flat in the distance. About an hour before sunset I caught a glimpse of a bull in the distance. I watched patiently as the bull started to head in the opposite direction of my waterhole. He was headed to the creek. At the time I was positive this was the same bull I was chasing. I watched him work his way through the trees until I could not see him. With about thirty minutes of shooting light left I made the rookie mistake of leaving my blind so I could try to get eyes on the bull and possibly see where he was watering. By the time I got back to my pickup it was dark, so leaving my blind ended my hunt for the day. I later learned that the bull I saw was not the bull I was chasing, and I captured pictures of the bull I wanted to kill watering about fifteen minutes after I had left my blind.

52 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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

I met my grandpa at the trailer and discussed a plan for the next morning. I was sure the bull I watched would not be back to water at my trough in the morning, so I decided to try another waterhole I had not had much action on. Grandpa decided he would go to the last place he had seen the big bull to see if he could find him again, and watch his next move.

The dreaded sound of my alarm woke me around four in the morning. My hopes were not high for the morning hunt, but I was not going to waste a morning. As I approached my blind in the musky morning air I pulled the SD card out of the trail camera I had set up. I crawled in my blind, dropped my pack, and started checking the pictures on my camera. As I scrolled through the recent pictures my hopes for any action only sunk; there was not one bull watering in daylight. Just as I finished checking the pictures and started to get settled in I heard a loud rock crash to the west of my blind. I did not think much of it because over thirty deer were using the spring. I peeked through a small hole in my blind and could see the mane on the neck of an elk. I could tell it was a bull, but I could not see his antlers. My heart started racing, not because I knew it was a respectable bull, but because I was not prepared. I still had my binocular case on, no release on, and no arrow nocked. As I slowly fastened my release and pulled an arrow out of my quiver the bull walked into view of my shooting window. Now my heart started pounding harder; this time was because I finally caught a glimpse of the large set of beautiful antlers that sat high above this animals’ body. In my mind, I was trying to decide if I wanted to shoot this bull or wait for the bull using my other water trough, but my body was already preparing to draw my bow back. The cautious bull stood motionless thirty-four yards away. As soon as he lowered his head to drink I drew my bow.

My chair was not positioned to take a shot causing me to bump the top of the blind as I drew my bow. The bull jumped and turned dead away from me. I sat with my bow drawn for what seemed like hours. Luckily, the bull turned broadside and put his head back into the waterhole. I put my thirty-yard pin at the tip of a sagebrush leaf that aligned perfectly with the top of the bulls’ vitals. As I slowly squeezed my release I felt my arrow sling from my face. It was over. My lifelong dream of harvesting a bull elk with my bow was accomplished, and I was fortunate enough to do it at eighteen years old.

I shook with excitement as I drove back to an area I could get service. I could not wait to tell my dad. My truck came sliding to a stop as I reached a small peak I had previously made a call. I kept my composure as he answered the phone. I told the story trying not to miss one single detail. I could hear my dad whooping and hollering on the other end of the line after I told him the bull had expired. Emotions overtook and I could hear my father starting to get choked up. At that very moment I was reminded why I have become to love the great outdoors the way I do.

I have been on countless hunts in my short lifetime, but this one meant more. Every time I think of that hunt I think of the phone call I shared with my dad. Harvesting this bull elk meant a lot to me, but the journey was the real trophy. The laughs I was able to share with friends and family, the frustration that overtook me more than once, and the uncontrollable rush that overtook my body while I was observing the majestic rocky mountain elk at close distances, all mean more than any animal I have ever harvested. I would give anything to go back and do it all over with my dad by my side. I feel very accomplished to be able to harvest an elk on my own, but I will not always be able to hunt with the man that sparked my love for the great outdoors. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have been presented with, and this hunt taught me valuable lessons and reminded me why I hunt.

I do not hunt for the trophy. I hunt for the memories. I hunt because I love the outdoors. I hunt to put my skills to the test. I hunt to watch amazing animals in their true element. I hunt to conserve wildlife for generations to come.

I hunt because I love Nevada. I hunt to spend time with my biggest idol, my father.

November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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54 November 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS