Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2021 i Game & Fish East

Let’s call him Clay. He was a senior colleague and one of my mentors in thinking about hunters’ obligations to wildlife. He could hold a room in rapt attention as he discussed the finer points of our North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. He could wax eloquent over a campfire about the spiritual connection between humans and wild animals. He was also an occasional hunting partner. So, when he took a snap-shot at a running mule deer buck, I was surprised. But then when Clay refused to follow up on his “miss” to confirm there was no evidence of a hit, I was irked. “Probably just a flesh wound, if anything,” he rationalized. I had been taught to confirm every shot at an animal, even when it appeared to be…

While hunters and anglers around the region might mourn the passing of October, the severity of that woe is certainly offset by all the opportunities that abound in November—namely deer hunting, and, more specifically, the rut. Across the region, from the deep woods to the suburban crannies, big bucks come out to play. But there’s more than that, too. From ducks and geese to salmon and stripers, November functions just fine as a follow-up act to October. Here’s a look at some of the highlights. 1 MAINE MONARCHS In the big north woods of Maine, deer hunting is far from easy, but the rewards can be monstrous during the rut. Every November, massive bucks are shot in the remote woods of Aroostook County, usually by hunters who track the big…

It’s interesting that the bucktail jig is enjoying newfound popularity in bass fishing circles. For many of us, it never went out of style. Hair jigs—typically made of deer hair, but also rabbit and bear hair and synthetics—can be substituted for many of the presentations detailed above. Like finesse plastics, lightweight hair jigs of 3/16 or 1/8 ounce can be offered to river bass holding in mild current areas. Cast them to weed edges for lake-dwelling largemouth and smallmouth bass. When fishing deeper in a lake, move up to 3/8-or 1/2-ounce bucktail jigs in place of blade baits to show fish an alternate profile. Like plastics, they can be dragged or shaken along the bottom, or they can be snap-jigged more aggressively like a blade bait. Whether fishing a lake…

Most hunters know how to remove choice cuts like the backstraps and tenderloins from deer. Fewer are as familiar with the legs, particularly the hindquarters. This is a shame, as the rear legs offer fantastic cuts fit for various cooking styles. They’re also not as difficult to break down as many perceive. First, if possible, hang the deer at least a day or two in cool temperatures to allow rigor mortis to subside. Also consider dry-aging before butchering. Done correctly in safe temperatures (33 to 40 degrees), it yields more tender and flavorful meat. When it’s time to start cutting, use an area that provides ample space for the hindquarter and your tools. Consider a curved, semi-stiff boning knife and a straight, more flexible fillet knife for separating connective tissue…

The late season is a magical time, in which cold weather and northern winds send waves of Canada geese winging down toward us. If you’re out there on the right day, it can seem like there’s an endless stream of birds working their way south. But just because you can see them doesn’t mean you can get them to work. These geese have had several months of education by now, and they have become quite adept at identifying calls, circumventing decoy spreads and generally steering clear of loads of non-toxic shot. To get wary, late-season Canadas within shotgun range, you’ll need to change up your decoy strategy, adjust your calling and maybe even head to a new location. Use the following tips from seasoned pros to score now with tough,…

PENNSYLVANIA: The Keystone State offers a special youth pheasant hunting opportunity this month (though the application deadline was in September), with a general statewide split season that began in October and runs in segments through the end of February. Either-sex harvest is allowed statewide, though no hunting is permitted within the state’s Wild Pheasant Recovery Zone. Zone boundaries and stocking information can be found at the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s web site (pgc.pa.gov). A special pheasant permit is required in addition to a general hunting license. NEW JERSEY: The Garden State releases both ringnecks (50,000 on 20-plus WMAs, Fort Dix and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area) and bobwhite quail (5,000 on a pair of WMAs) throughout the season, which runs on select days and segments from early November through…

It is hope that drives the deer hunter, and that hope is never higher than it is as the rut begins to kick into overdrive. This is the time deer are on the move the most, and even trophy bucks, in their drive to breed, get a little dumb and are apt to make mistakes. Every season, Instagram and Facebook feeds are loaded with nice bucks taken during the rut, but we all know that many more hunters come up empty-handed. Don’t be one of those hunters. Go into the rut with a game plan for success. Know how you are going to put yourself in a position to take the trophy you dream about. The key to making such a game plan is knowing where to hang your stand…

Sea ducks don’t enjoy a favorable reputation as table fare, but the birds are quite tasty if prepared correctly. Some describe the mild, flavorful meat as tasting like venison tenderloin, and the birds can be prepared in many ways. You could breast them out and fry the boneless chunks, or wrap the breasts in bacon and grill them. Add a little barbecue sauce and season to taste. Others put the breasts or quarters in stews and gumbos. Or you can slow-cook them with assorted vegetables, mushrooms and other ingredients of choice. I cooked ours by first seasoning the skinned duck breasts with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder and a hint of ginger. Next, I heated a cast iron skillet to a low to medium-low heat and melted bacon grease…

The most common vacuum-sealing device is the external vacuum sealer. Place the open end of a sealer bag into a tray, clamp the lid down and suck air out of the bag. The other option is a chamber vacuum sealer. The entire bag goes inside the machine, and the sealer removes all air within the chamber—inside and outside the bag. External vacuum sealers are inexpensive, and their design permits sealing larger cuts of meats. Chamber vacs excel at sealing liquids and other moist items. They’re great for marinating meats or for sous vide applications. They require more money upfront and are less portable. With adjustable seal time and vacuum settings, and an integrated bag roll holder and cutter, the MEAT! Pro External Vacuum Sealer, left, ($179.99; meatyourmaker.com) ups any hunter’s…

1 The mighty Saint Lawrence River flows northeast from Lake Ontario to the North Atlantic via the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the world’s largest estuary. In addition to being a vital shipping route, the big river can provide excellent goose hunting when the backwaters freeze. 2 Located along the northeast coast of Massachusetts, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge comprises more than 4,700 acres of sandy beach, cranberry bog, maritime forest and freshwater marsh. Hunters can get in on late-season goose action in a unique coastal setting. 3 Hunters in Pennsylvania should consider a visit to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. There, they can draw for one of the WMA’s excellent blinds or hunt in any area open to the public. Just be aware that there is a one-goose…

Pheasant preserves often get a bad rap as being unrealistic, but that’s often an unfair representation. Many operations feature a variety of natural habitats, along with top-notch hunting scenarios. Here are a few that offer hunters a memorable day afield. MARTZ’S GAP VIEW HUNTING PRESERVE Dalmatia, PA Offering ringnecks, Hungarian partridge and chukars, Martz’s Gap View has been supplying hunting experiences to the public since the late 1950s on its now over 1,300 well-managed acres. (martzs.com) EASTERN VIEW OUTFITTERS Plattsburgh, NY As real as it gets, thanks to well-flighted birds and thousands of privately-managed acres of mixed habitat. Of note, only non-toxic shotshells are permitted on this facility. (easternviewoutfitters.com) ORAPAX HUNTING PRESERVE Goochland, VA Conveniently located just 30 minutes from Richmond and 45 minutes from Charlottesville, Orapax Hunting Preserve encompasses…

During the rut, having the ability to change stand sites from one day to the next, or even during a single day, can be the difference between being in the game and merely being a spectator to the action. These two stands enable mobility and adaptability to whatever the rut throws at you. COMPLETE HANG-ON With the Lone Wolf Assault Hunt Ready System, every piece necessary to create the ultimate rut stand setup is included. The system features Lone Wolf’s Assault II compact treestand, a four-pack of Lone Wolf Climbing Sticks and the convenient Alphatech Stick Quiver, which snaps onto the stand and holds the sticks so they can all be carried with the optional padded backpack straps. The combined weight of all components is just 20 pounds. ($469.99; lonewolfhuntingproducts.com)…

Perhaps no other waterbody more richly connects with both the history of the United States and waterfowl hunting than Chesapeake Bay. Europeans first visited the area in the early 16th century, but Native Americans hunted here for millennia before that. Just up the James River from Newport News, Va., visitors can explore a replica of the Jamestown settlement established in 1607 or visit the colonial capital of historic Williamsburg (visitwilliamsburg.com). A short drive from either, history buffs can tour the Yorktown battlefield (nps.gov/york) where George Washington defeated the British Army in the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. On the Maryland side, waterfowlers might visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (cbmm.org) in St. Michaels. The museum highlights the history, environment and culture of the Chesapeake Bay region and includes…

To my LR Hunter I mounted the new 6-18x50 mm Bushnell Banner 2 riflescope. The entire Banner 2 line offers a ton of value, with most models retailing for around $100. The glass is above average for the price and the second-focal-plane BDC reticle is clean and easy to use. Best of all, it pairs with the free Bushnell Ballistic app, which provides yardages for each of the hashmarks on the vertical axis once you enter your scope configuration and load data (bushnell.com). I fed my rifle Federal Premium ammunition loaded with 130-grain Swift Scirocco II bullets. The Scirocco II is a bonded bullet featuring a pure-copper jacket and lead core. Its distinct black polymer tip aids in expansion at both far and close range, but it really shines at…

When Shane was younger, the boy’s father hunted ducks with a fellow named Robert. Bob, as Shane’s father called him, was in his early 30s, ambitious and outspoken. Many considered him an up-and-comer at the company where Shane’s father worked. Robert was always out-fitted with the latest gear, and it didn’t take long for Shane to recognize that the former high-school quarter-back star was a darn good shot. Robert shot at everything that flew or paddled by, and he was seldom short on shells. He was quick to call out his triumphs and even quicker to tease anyone who missed a duck, young Shane included. Despite all this, Robert was a decent enough guy and so he was often invited when Shane and his father ventured afield. One overcast morning…