It’s the eve of opening day of Maine’s 2019 expanded archery season, and John Altman is listening to news he’d rather not hear. A NOAA weather radio reports wind speeds of 20 knots and 13-foot swells. Altman and his hunting crew specialize in hunting coastal islands in the expanded archery...
Biologists have researched the habits of whitetails for decades, and there’s a lot of data available. But how much of the information out there is actually relevant to deer hunters? As with many scientific discussions, the answer is: It varies. But when hunters collect their own intel and then pair...
Really old whitetails with undesirable antler traits appear nationwide, but sometimes, these animals exist in higher concentrations. This occurs even in states and regions known for incredible genetics. From unmanaged areas to properly managed tracts, let’s examine this phenomenon. Unmanaged Areas In unmanaged settings, many hunters are satisfied with shooting...
There are promised lands in the elk world where a 300-class bull is just okay, compared to the mammoths roaming around. Multiple elk states have these hidden gems. The difficult part is drawing a tag. Each state handles things a bit differently, and wait times can be up to 20...
One of the fastest-growing hunting trends is deer management. It has value, but the right perspective is critical. It’s difficult to produce big, mature bucks on purpose, even in great areas. I’ve seen the challenges with managing for big deer. When Trophy Management Works Most of the time, it’s random...
Years ago, a friend and I were walking down a dusty Texas dirt road in search of gobblers when something fell from the sky and landed with a thud at our feet. Upon closer inspection, we discovered it was a recently hatched turkey poult. Since there was no way that...
Hunters of old likely never imagined aerial, topo and hydro maps all rolled into one, let alone types with other complex layers. Now, onX Hunt is altering the course of the mapping world and charting new territory, aiding hunters worldwide. That’s why we digitally scouted a fictional property with onX...
Getting paid to trek through wilderness in pursuit of stunning wildlife images would seem to be a dream job for many. But the life of a wildlife photographer isn’t always glamorous. Tough weather and terrain combined with long hours at the computer are part of the job description. But pros...
One of archery’s most persistent misconceptions is the need for a rock-steady hold to shoot well. Archers often stress too much over this and ultimately shoot worse than if they let the pin float. Truth is, with solid shooting form, your pin doesn’t have to be stationary to hit the...
The American West is one of our nation’s most prized possessions, long associated with adventure and land that’s as wild as it is beautiful. For many eastern hunters, it’s also a place where dreams can be found in the form of pronghorns scattered across the open landscape, mule deer grazing...
For us, it’s custom to creatively break the news of tagged bucks. For example, after one successful hunt, I nearly made it through dinner before someone finally asked how it went. I began a deadpan delivery about seeing a big one, how it worked a rub at 50 yards, then...
After spring turkeys are tagged and before fall deer, upland, and small game seasons kick in, summer can drag on forever. Sure, you can go fishing, but a hunter can only sit in a boat for so many days. We need a critter to chase during those off-season months. Luckily...
