Innholdsfortegnelse for December/January 2019-20 i Game & Fish East

YOU LIKELY have noticed (and, we hope, have enjoyed) the “Bucket List” feature that has appeared in each issue of Game & Fish since September 2019. While most of us do the majority of our hunting and fishing close to home, there are other places where, one day, we’d like to visit for the chance to take different game or fish species. Perhaps you’re a Florida bass fisherman who’s always wanted to try for salmon in Alaska, or a whitetail hunter who would love to chase elk bugles through the mountains of Montana. Maybe your dreams include more exotic destinations: Argentina for doves, Namibia for kudu or New Zealand for brown trout. Whether the trips require hours of driving or days of flying, we all have a personal hunting or…

ALTHOUGH MANY hunters overlook them due to their limited range, shotguns can be effective for predators, too, especially when calling in thick brush. In some cases, shotguns work well even in the wide-open spaces of the West. I’ve seen coyotes cross nearly a mile of open ground and come within 20 yards of a call. Shotguns are also pelt friendly. You might put several small holes in the hide, but you won’t get those blown-out, gaping tears that drop the price of furs. While everything from slugs to birdshot can handle predators at close ranges, No. 4 buckshot offers the best balance of power, patterning and reach.A 2 3/4-inch No. 4 buck shotshell will hold about 24 pellets.That offers a much denser pattern at distance than a nine-pellet 00 buck…

WHEN YOU are the gun guy in the neighborhood it’s amazing how many “friends” you have. My shop is the first stop when somebody is having gun troubles. All too often it’s an accurate rifle that has suddenly started misbehaving and spraying the target with patterns instead of groups. I have little tolerance for times when a good rifle goes bad. There is one course of action: Find the problem and fix it. Don’t let a bad rifle off the hook. Make it take responsibility and behave again. I’ve developed a checklist of steps, which you can use in your own shop, to help. CLEAN THE BORE—CORRECTLY I can’t tell you how many times a fouled bore has been the source of accuracy problems. I also can’t tell you how…

THE GREATEST natural spectacle I ever witnessed occurred while I was peering from under the roof of a metal box buried in an Arkansas wheat field. In the sky above, silhouetted against the gunmetal gray clouds of February, were tens of thousands of snow geese. The birds moved unidirectionally, in pairs or vees or giant masses, and from one horizon to the next there were living creatures blanketing the dark winter sky. It was the peak of their annual migration on the Mississippi Flyway and it was extraordinarily loud: Even over the raucous honks of the electronic calls I could hear the collective voice of the birds cackling overhead. “They never stop,” I said. “Not this time of year,” said Chris Jennings from Ducks Unlimited. Chris was a veteran of…

IN ALMOST every instance, the human behind the trigger is the weakest link in the shot sequence. Developing the “perfect trigger press” is a matter of perfecting the sequence through a systematic approach. Here are the components that comprise the perfect trigger press. NEGATIVE ENERGY A rifle is at its most stable when it is independently at rest and not interacting with the shooter. There are arguably several shooter-to-rifle interfaces, for instance—the rifle mount. However, it is the shooter-to-trigger interface which most greatly affects the accuracy, as errors introduced here lead to errant shots sent downrange. The best rifle shooters minimize the amount of negative energy input into the rifle at the shooter-to-trigger interface. That is, any input into the rifle that negatively affects accuracy. HARD PRESSED So, what is…

THIESSENS HEAVYWEIGHT BIBS AND PARKA A good pair of bibs and a quality parka can make or break a day in the field. Thiessens manufactures high quality winter wear—at very reasonable pricing. Thiessens uses Thinsulate and a moisture wicking, anti-odor core lining, which keeps hunters dry and odor-free. The outer shell is windproof, keeping you warm when the weather turns nasty. Thiessens bibs and parka are available in Realtree Edge and have integrated hand warmer pockets for the harshest weather. The bibs feature a lower leg lining that makes getting in and out of the bibs with your boots on easy (thiessens.com; bibs/$179; parka/$199). AMERISTEP CARETAKER KICK OUT BLIND A quality ground blind can make a world of difference when out battling the elements. AmeriStep’s new Caretaker Kick Out is…

DRIVING THROUGH the ranch access gate, we met the second half of our predator hunting gang returning from an early-morning sojourn. The seasoned group of hunters hailed from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Ohio and knew how to hunt. The early risers were feeling slightly beaten up, as they hadn’t seen a single critter or solicited any response to calls. To make things even worse, we bragged about sleeping in, enjoying a big breakfast, and heading out to hunt feeling fresh and enthused. Most predator hunters will tell you “the early bird gets the worm,” but that isn’t always the case. Basing our hunt times on solunar information, we planned on being in the field from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the predicted peak times for game movement. The solunar theory…

An outstanding video solution for ice and boat. Offers crystal-clear video in full 1080p HD, using prescription-grade optics and unique software tools to eliminate distortion and auto color correct the video signal. Unit can be hard-wired to the 12V power system in your shelter for extended underwater video without limitations of a small battery. An integrated HDMI port allows video output to be displayed on larger monitors or even recorded to be shared.XD camera housing is compatible with modular accessories for open-water use: trolling fins, pole adapter and Aqua-Vu’s unique Live Strike system.…

I STUDIED the school of bonefish moving up the flat with the incoming tide and a stiff wind at their backs. They moved slowly along, frequently pausing to tail-up while they fed on the Sound’s translucent shrimp and small fiddler crabs. A few puffs of sand beneath the surface about 60 feet away attracted my focus as I cast the bait sidearm to a spot 15 feet in front of the approaching school. Two fish raced for the shrimp morsel, and the speediest nailed it and took off on a long run across the shallow flat. I held on tightly to the light-action rod as the powerful bonefish pulled out several yards of my 8-pound test fluorocarbon line seemingly at will. Sometimes, that’s all you can do. The spinning reel’s…

SHANE’S DAD backed the battered Chevy to the shed where a handful of guys from camp were already gathered. Some were drinking beer and talking excitedly, most were bloody from the elbows down, and all were admiring three nice bucks that hung from the pole. Before the truck came to a stop, the guys peered over the bedrails to see a weathered 11-pointer with massive main beams. “She’s a night for the books, boys!” said Pat, as he waved his flashlight over the animal. Shane deftly secured a noose around the base of the buck’s antlers just as someone began cranking the winch. Moments later the buck was hoisted into the cold air where it would age until the last full day of camp. Shane hopped out of the truck…

I SHOT the first coyote I ever called in. Tagged out during a deer hunt in Oklahoma, I was working a mouth call when three coyotes stormed me. I punched the front varmint through the center of the lungs with a 150-grain Winchester Power-Point fired from a .270 Winchester at about 70 yards. I didn’t see any reaction, and the coyote ran almost 100 yards before piling up. One of the last coyotes I killed was in Wyoming. I smacked him mid-body with a 95-grain Hornady V-Max, fired from a 6.5 Creedmoor, at about 160 yards. He immediately face-planted into the snow. That’s the difference between a real predator bullet and a big-game bullet: In both instances the coyotes died, but the one shot with the V-Max died immediately. The…

BOWHUNTING LATE in the season is tough. The primary rut is now in the rearview, and Mother Nature has her nastiest snarl on, as winter’s icy grip tightens. While conditions may not be ideal for bowhunting, now is still a great time to arrow your best buck. HANG TOUGH Bowhunting in the late season is not for the faint of heart. The weather is often inhospitable, and climbing in and out of treestands or blinds is a slog for even the most dedicated archer. It seems like all the excitement is gone. Sadly, many bowhunters hang their bow on a hook as the weather worsens. They settle into a cozy rocker with the remote instead of grinding it out in a miserably cold, uncomfortable treestand. Admittedly, there are some great…

I’LL NEVER know how many guns I haven’t won on raffle-ticket drawings at local duck-and-buck club banquets, but it’s way more than the firearms I’ve acquired in more conventional ways. But my lack of success doesn’t stop me. Every year, I peel off more $20s for a chance at a Mossberg or a Kimber or a Winchester. I do it only partly because I want more guns. The main reason I attend these banquets, and optimistically contribute to these 1-for-$10, 3-for-$20 raffles, is to help raise funds for conservation, whether to put more ducks in the marsh, pheasants on the wing or public access improvements in elk country. I do it to share a meal of rubber chicken (or double-tough steak) with fellow hunters, happy in the knowledge that we…

Winchester Xpert Snow Goose is a dedicated light-goose load that combines the company’s Xpert steel shot with its Diamond Cut wad. The 3-inch 12-gauge load offers 1 1/4 ounces of steel shot delivered at 1,475 fps, and the 3 1/2-inch load offers 1 3/8 ounces of steel at an impressive 1,550 fps. Both are available with No. 1 and No. 2 shot or BBs, and these high-velocity loads offer excellent terminal performance and reliable cycling. What’s more, the matte-finish hulls reduce glare that can cause geese to flare. These loads offer consistent patterns out to extended ranges, and that makes them an ideal option for shooting birds at widely varying distances. I shot the 3-inch loads in Winchester’s SX4 12-gauge semi-auto and found the combination to be effective, yet recoil…

Timney’s new HIT trigger is exceptionally easy to install. The all-CNC-machined unit’s pull weight is adjustable from 8 ounces to 2 pounds, with adjustable overtravel too. The NP-3 plated sear adds a measurably better lubricity to the assembly, polishing off the pull. On the range, my new Timney HIT pressed without any perceived resistance, sending rounds downrange as if my brain was hardwired to the trigger. The trip was repeatable shot-after-shot, which shrunk my groups considerably over the stock trigger assembly. If you’re looking to improve your shooting, I recommend dropping a Timney into your favorite rifle. As they say at Timney, “When your brain calls for you to take the shot, a great trigger doesn’t argue—it agrees.”…

IT’S BEEN the same for nigh on 40 years now, I guess. I rise at 3:30, then sit a while. Maybe it’s meditation, I’m not sure. Then I head out into what still qualifies as night. It’s cold, often brutally cold, but simultaneously beautiful. The world somehow seems cleaner. New. The river steams. The snow crackles. My breath hangs in the pre-dawn chill. Frost forms on my beard. As the eastern glow threatens the darkness, anchor lines pull up snug. Half-shells settle into the powder. Blind doors creak and bolts slam home with a sharp familiar metallic CLANG! The whistle of unseen wings overhead. The sound of a hundred voices—in the black. It’s almost time. From The Keystone State to New England and onto the choppy waters of the Atlantic,…

MODERN DAY icefishing enjoys deep connections with open-water angling. Think about all of your purpose-driven rods for summer fishing; that same need for species- and technique-specific rods has reached the ice, with manufacturers now offering expansive libraries of rods designed to present specific lures to particular fish. The same is true of lines, where new hardwater braids shed water to minimize ice accumulation in line guides and reels, while strong yet supple fluorocarbons reduce visibility while providing crucial abrasion resistance at the jagged interface separating ice and water. Nowhere is the mutually beneficial union between ice- and open-water fishing more apparent than in the realm of electronics. While the whirring motors of mechanical flashers may have been state-of-the-art at the end of the last century, the modern hardwater angler now…

OKAY. SO, if you’re like me, come the first of December, you’ve been hunting for 90 days. Doves, early geese, ducks, geese. Then there’s grouse, woodcock and maybe a rooster pheasant or two. Follow it up with whitetails, and let’s not forget fall turkeys, and it’s time for a cool-down period, right? Wrong. Come December, most hunters are just hitting their strides. There’s a ton of goose hunting yet to be done. Ducks, too. And if you’re looking for something perhaps a little bit out of the ordinary, spend the morning following a pack of beagle dogs through the alder thickets as they nose out a varying hare or two. So, don’t even think about hanging up that hunting coat and overhauling that pump-gun for the off-season. Here’s a look…

MOST BIG-GAME bullets are designed with features that help control expansion and retain weight to create wound channels that penetrate deeply into vital organs. Deep penetration is not necessary or even desired for predators, however, and projectiles built for coyotes and other varmints are instead designed to dramatically expand within the first several inches after impact. BIG-GAME BULLET Hornady InterLock • Grooves in the front section of the jacket assist initial expansion to a designated point. • Thicker jacket toward the middle of the bullet slows expansion to control frontal diameter and promote penetration. • Cannelure and InterLock ring near the rear of the bullet mechanically lock the core to the jacket to prevent separation, and retain weight and energy. PREDATOR BULLET Hornady V-Max • Hard polymer tip is forced…

YOU CAN “manufacture” a second-rut response from bucks by giving them a snoot full of estrous odor. Wildlife Research Center’s Premium Doe Urine with Estrus Secretions is concentrated, emitting a strong estrous odor that triggers a buck’s curiosity. To use, apply it to a wick and hang it within sight, preferably within 20 yards of your treestand or blind location. Keep the scent dispersal close, as chilly late season shots are considerably more difficult than warm-weather plinks.…

G&F: Your social media is littered with photos of GIANT spotted bass. What’s that all about? CM: It’s phenomenal spotted bass fishing in northern California. There are multiple world records that have been broken on the lakes around here. I’ve fished for spotted bass since I was in high school and this is my favorite time of the year to do it. It’s cooling down and that’s when the big ones start to bite. G&F: You at one point held a record for the largest spotted bass, if we’re not mistaken? CM: I had the world record for roughly three months. I was big in Japan at one time, just because of my height. I caught a 10.8-pound spot on December 16, 2016, at New Bullards Bar Reservoir in California.…

HATE THEM or love them, many non-native species are here to stay. Whether someone introduces them deliberately or they hitch a ride on a sea-going vessel, quite a few species of plants, fish and land animals have arrived on our shores and set up shop. Not every non-native species becomes a problem. Some die out on their own for lack of suitable habitat. Others provide a benefit of some kind; consider the ring-necked pheasant, originally from Asia, that is managed as a game bird here and provides countless hours of pleasure for birdwatchers and bird hunters alike. But when a non-native species takes hold of the resources in an area and aggressively outpaces the native species in growth and reproduction, it turns from mere interloper to potential destroyer of native…

THE BIG 9 stepped into the cornfield at about 2 p.m. I gently slid the safety forward, and the crack of my muzzleloader shattered the silence. And just that quickly, it was all worth it. The sub-zero temps, biting wind, wind-chapped cheeks and my unstoppable runny nose meant nothing. It was mid-December, the rut was over, and all the other hunters were on the couch watching football, or so it seemed. Like many times before, I’d found better hunting in bitter post-rut weather than during the rut itself. PREDICTABILITY As the mercury plummets in late season, deer often become more patternable. This, thanks to a combination of the drive to feed, food availability, harsh weather and little or no hunting pressure. While there’s no guarantee the early to mid-December time…

THE ADVENT of cold weather, where here, ‘cold’ translates into downright nasty, introduces new and often challenging situations to today’s waterfowler. You have to stay dry. You have to stay warm. Your fingers should work. Your shotgun should work. And your coffee? It should stay hot. All day long. Since tagging my first duck in ’74, I’ve gone through a lot of gear designed to accomplish the above (i.e., dry, warm, hot and operable). Looking back, it’s been chest waders that showed the most variation; that is, some worked very well, and others, well, didn’t. A couple years ago, I found the Black Label Insulated Wader from Banded ($599.99; banded.com) and haven’t looked back since.The Black Label has everything I’m looking for in a chest wader, without all the bells…

A powerful CHIRP sonar unit with an integrated chart plotter that will help you to find and catch more fish on the ice as well as on the boat. This unit leverages the power of CHIRP to provide clean sonar displays and virtually eliminate crosstalk from nearby units. Accepts Humminbird LakeMaster digital contour map chips in MicroSD format and includes the powerful AutoChart Live custom mapping tool so you can create your own maps on demand. Includes a shuttle and a sealed lead acid 12V battery and charger, in addition to a power cable and open-water transducer for easy transferring over to your boat.…

IF YOU’RE a waterfowl hunter and you haven’t, for whatever reason, spent time in a layout boat, you need to stop and make arrangements to do so this season. There’s nothing quite like lying your back in an elaborate hunk of fiberglass, your face inches from the swells of the Atlantic, and watching flock after flock of sea ducks work the decoys like, well, like you weren’t even there. Long recognized as a leader in ’fowling boat design and construction, Ron Bankes ( bankesboats.com ) offers a trio of traditional layout boats built precisely for the open-water situations commonly found on Cape Cod, the Eastern Shore or anywhere big-water birds abound. The Pumpkinseed is a one-man skiff measuring a full 10 feet in length but weighing only 100 pounds. The…

THERE’S NEVER been a better time to be a coyote hunter than now. Coyote populations continue to expand, offering more opportunity for hunters, and technology has increased the odds for success. While coyotes are cunning as ever—some veteran predator hunters argue even more so—we now have an improved arsenal of specialized tools and gear to help us in our pursuit. Sub-MOA rifles are more common and affordable. New bullets with high ballistic coefficients minimize wind drift. User-friendly scope-adjustment systems eliminate the guesswork of holding over, and illuminated reticles stand out clearly on a coyote’s hide from the first minutes of dawn to the last minutes of dusk. Ultra-clear digital recordings imitate meals and mates perfectly. Clothing with high-tech element barriers, insulation and camouflage patterns keeps us comfortable and well hidden.…