Thanks to changes in elk behavior due to land use, development, human encroachment and more, the elk we hunt today do not behave as the species did in our granddaddies’ days. Here’s how to zero in on modern habitat where elk seek refuge, and how to hunt it.
Just before the breeding season bucks make seemingly random decisions, forcing us to analyze their habitat’s food, water and cover and how each factor influences their behavior.
An ideal optics setup for Western big-game hunting includes a binocular, spotting scope, rangefinder and riflescope. Here’s how to choose the best of each for your needs.
The B1.2 is lightweight, well balanced, water- and fog-proof, and the optical clarity is outstanding. It is tripod adaptable and versatile, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Eastern wild turkeys, found in 38 states, are our most widely distributed subspecies of wild turkeys—and also perhaps the most confounding bird to hunt. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Try these tactics to avoid frustration.
Harvest data from Western states and provinces suggest shooting more bucks one year reduces the prevalence of chronic wasting disease the next. What’s more, the pressure on the buck segment seems to be more effective if the harvest occurs near or during the rut.
Application deadlines, research into the best game units, bonus points: Any hunter who has never navigated Western states’ big-game draws has a lot to learn. Here’s how to approach “tag season” for your best chance at success.