Innholdsfortegnelse for December/January 2018-19 i Game & Fish East

This issue we’ve focused on the best locations to tag a monster buck. Game & Fish magazine partnered with the venerable Boone & Crockett Club and state agencies to identify what we call ground zero, the destination near you where stud bucks roam. Check out our reports starting on page 20. To accompany you on that road trip, we’ve supplied helpful info: gear to go, tips to pack your truck, guns to bring with you, and even a playlist for the highway. Post a photo to our Facebook page or tag us on Instagram from your fall journeys, and we’ll pick a few to share with everyone. See you on the road, again.…

AMERICANS HAVE been driving their pickup trucks to the end of the road, and beyond, for more than a century since the Ford Model TT rolled off the assembly line in 1917, followed by the Chevy Model 490 a year later. The Model 490 was available in a chassis-only configuration, opening the cargo box design to a wealth of possibilities we are still experimenting with today. Pickups were rugged, Spartan vehicles until we began to embrace outdoor recreational pursuits in the 1950s. By the 1990s, most pickups were used primarily as passenger cars with a litany of creature-comfort options, which continues to expand exponentially. Our 21st century lifestyle is steadily pushing these vehicles away from their original intended purpose, leaving Americans wondering about how to use them on an adventure…

We partnered with the Boone & Crockett Club to examine the top-scoring bucks in the last five years in Pennsylvania. Old age is one of the most important factors in growing big antlers. Deer must live long to grow big ones. Beaver County is considered “the” honey hole for top end Pennsylvania trophy bucks. This area certainly possesses some of the key elements for producing trophy bucks. First and foremost, there is a lot of private property where deer can escape hunting pressure. However, there are public lands here to hunt. Beaver County has three huntable public properties. SGL 285 is situated near the Ohio border west from West Mayfield and has some 2,609 acres. Secondly, SGL 173 is a small state game land, totaling a scant 1,063 acres. The…

LATE SEASON deer hunting in Pennsylvania is a very different game than early season, pre, rut or post rut. Sadly, many hunters are unaware of this fact. Far fewer deer hunters trek into the woods during the late season, whether due to weather or any number of other reasons. Human influence is a large reason deer behave the way they do during the regular firearms season. Hunting pressure in some areas can keep deer moving all day long, especially on opening day and the first Saturday. Deer eventually respond to this by finding places to hide. These places typically are places where they are nearly impossible to approach. Once December arrives, deer movements is not nearly what it was earlier in the season. Keep this in mind if you hunt…

THIS IS an incredibly exciting time to be an ice-angler. During the past decade, our favorite frozen pastime has witnessed a revolution in bite-triggering presentations and purpose-driven equipment, resulting in more and bigger fish hitting on the ice than ever before. Central to the dawn of truly modern ice-fishing is a wave of 21st century high-tech advantages that have converged on the surfaces of frozen lakes, each making anglers more successful. Gone are the days of shivering on a pail, staring at a lifeless bobber, and hoping for a nibble or two. Now is the time to be mobile, to fish aggressively, and to leverage ice-fishing’s tech innovations to find and catch more fish. Whether you’ve been a passionate hardwater angler for as long as you can remember, or you’re…

PFBC Issues Alert to Contain Invasive Species in Lehigh County AFTER CONFIRMING the presence of the aquatic invasive species (AIS) known as New Zealand Mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarium) in Little Lehigh Creek, Lehigh County, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is reminding anglers and boaters that cleaning their gear is the easiest, most effective means of preventing its spread to other waters. If you suspect you have found New Zealand Mudsnail (or any other AIS) in another waterway, please file a report at pfbc.pa.gov/forms/reportAIS.htm. New Game Commissioners Welcomed TWO VACANCIES on the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners were filled by Scott H. Foradora, of DuBois, and Dennis R. Fredericks, of Amity, to bring the board to its full complement of eight. Foradora was selected from Region 3 filling the position left…

SOME GEAR IS made for the road. In our travels, we found that truck-bed storage that organizes gear and yet still lets you throw a deer or two in there is a welcome addition to our hunts. Tents that pack down tight but set up into a comfortable home-away-from-home, tough gun cases, coolers and backpacks round out the new road gear we want to share with you. TRUCK GEAR TRUCKIN’ IT Having everything organized makes a huge difference in the field. How often have you said, “Crap! I left my knife sharpener (or knife, or chokes, or shells) in my garage.” No more. Here are a few options to bring organization to your chaos. TRUCKVAULT They are the original storage system and have a great reputation among sportsmen. TruckVault specializes…

Boone & Crockett Club is North America’s oldest conservation organization, founded in 1887 by Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell. Since its creation, B&C has helped implement countless pieces of crucial conservation legislation, champion some of the first national parks, and spawn and support many key wildlife conservation organizations. It’s also responsible for creating the Fair Chase code of hunting ethics and a scoring and data-collection system for North American big-game species. While used to objectively measure big game, the scoring and data-collection system also helps gauge species and population health and habitat quality. Data for this article came from an analysis from B&C, but you can also access record information about North America’s big-game species through the organization’s Trophy Search feature on their website. You can filter results with…

FAR TOO OFTEN, hunters and anglers could best be described as singular of purpose. That is, they’re either hunting or they’re fishing, one or the other. Fortunately, and for those who sure don’t mind their walleyes with a side of whitetails or their large-mouths mixed liberally with their longbeards, the Midwest offers an almost infinite list of opportunities for those opportunists who enjoy practicing the fine art of the “cast and blast.” “Cast and blast,” you say? In Iowa, that might be October walleyes at first light, before climbing into a tree-stand in the afternoon ... or if Ohio in April is more your speed, a gobbler off the roost followed by some post-lunch crappie fishing. Partial to the Black Hills? If so, there are plenty of possibilities that should…

TYPICALLY, IN the late season there are few hunters out pushing and subsequently moving deer. As such, you will have to get out with your walking boots on and take the hunt to the deer. White camouflage patterns, typically featuring some sort of large barren branches on a stark white background, can be advantageous during the late season when snow typically dominates the woods. These patterns allow you to blend in much easier than typical early season patterns with their blacks, browns and green hues. Some hunters fear their hunter orange vest or hats will give them away to the whitetail. Ironically, deer are red-green color blind — so they do not perceive blaze orange as blaze orange. More importantly than your blaze orange vest and hat is the way…

Game & Fish readers are hardcore sportsmen, and don’t all sportsmen have an opinion? You bet. We want to hear your thoughts on our fishing and hunting stories, our gear coverage and how the magazine is laid out. Is there something we’re missing? Can we do a better job? We know you have an opinion. Let’s hear it... CONTACT US EMAIL: todd.kuhn@outdoorsg.com INSTAGRAM: @gameandfishmag FACEBOOK.com/gameandfishTEXT: 404-934-8928 MAIL: Todd Kuhn / GAME & FISH 3330 Chastain Meadows Pkwy., Ste. 200, Kennesaw, GA 30144…

THE RISE in popularity of long-range hunting and competitive shooting have spawned a new generation of hunting rifles that are outfitted with heavy-contour barrels, muzzle brakes and adjustable stocks. And while features make shooting at long distances simpler, there are disadvantages. In many situations, hunters and travelers are better served by shorter, lighter firearms — guns that are maneuverable, packable, yet accurate enough to make the shot. Known collectively as truck guns (or, for those who still prefer four-legged transportation, saddle guns) these short, lightweight carbines are ideal for a broad range of situations. The term “truck gun” is something of a misnomer, though. Sure, these rifles are perfectly suited for ranchers looking for coyotes during calving season in their pickup, but they’re also excellent for hunting in treestands or…

Music makes road trips better. From a driving rock-n-roll rhythm to smooth country licks or rootsy pitches, the songs set tone, attitude and anticipation for any hunting or fishing adventure. Editors of Game & Fish suggest our favorites. These tunes saturate our souls while we roll down the interstates. We hope you enjoy them, too. 1 RUNNIN’ DOWN A DREAM TOM PETTY 1989 2 COPPER CANTEEN JAMES MCMURTRY 2015 3 RUNNING LIKE THE WIND MARSHALL TUCKER 1979 4 TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT JOHNNY PAYCHECK 1977 5 HUNTIN’, FISHIN’ & LOVIN’ EVERY DAY LUKE BRYAN 2015 6 THE AMERICA I KNOW NATE HOSIE 2017 7 RAMBLIN’ MAN THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND 1973 8 7&7 TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS 2010 9 TRAVELLER CHRIS STAPLETON 2015 10 THE LUCKY ONE ALISON KRAUSS 2001…

RIVERBANK LODGE Petersburg, Illinois Whitetails are a major draw for Riverbank, which has a wide variety of accommodation price-points. Anglers will want to try the Sangamon River adjoining the lodge. (217) 632-0202 riverbanklodge.com $ BUCKTAIL LODGE Winter, Wisconsin Located on beautiful Barker Lake, Bucktail Lodge features four spacious cabins with room for two to nine guests. Summer means northern pike, walleyes and panfish; fall and winter are for whitetail, black bear, grouse and waterfowl hunters. (715) 266-8013 bucktail-lodge.com $ PARADISE RESORT Bemidji, Minnesota Walleyes or whitetails. Black bears or bluegills. Paradise Resort has something for every outdoor enthusiast. Relax in the Northwoods Lodge or rent a pontoon boat. (218) 343-6596 paradiseresort.com $$ RADER LODGE Glen Elder, Kansas Located in central Kansas just minutes from Waconda Lake, Rader Lodge offers unmatched fishing for white…

TECHNOLOGY ON ICE Technological advances are helping ice-fishermen catch more fish. We solve 10 common ice-fishing challenges. By Dr. Jason Halfen PANFISHING GEAR TIPS Here is some thoughtful insight into choosing the right gear for catching more slabs out on the ice. By Joel Nelson GO MOBILE FOR WALLEYES The ability and willingness to go mobile when fishing for walleyes can determine whether you catch fish or not. By Joel Nelson MASTERING MONSTER HARDWATER PIKE Use these techniques to increase your chances of catching a trophy pike this winter. By Dr. Jason Halfen…

“PLANNING THIS TRIP is as easy as folding a map,” I said. “You’ve mangled this map like wrapping paper the day after Christmas,” my wife Dawn said. “Aren’t you going to use this one? You’ve crossed it out with a huge ‘X’.” “Look closer,” I said. “That’s not an ‘X’. It’s a figure eight. That’s the route Horace and I are taking.” “Horace?” “Yeah, Mike. I started calling him Horace when we started planning this trip. You know — Horace Greeley. ‘Go West, young man.’ Because that’s the direction we’re heading first. Then we’ll loop south, then north, then back east, and finally dip south again before coming home. See? A perfect figure eight.” Our guys vacation was shaping up to be an epic outdoor odyssey. We had two weeks…