Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2024 i Game & Fish East

The buck was a dandy, especially for my 13-year-old son, who at that point had never taken a shot at anything larger than a 5-point. I tried to keep him calm while hiding my own excitement, which wasn’t an easy task with the two of us inside a 4-foot-square blind and the buck just 60 yards away. Jacob managed to slowly, and relatively quietly, get his rifle in position and rested on the edge of the sturdy blind’s wooden frame. I had the utmost confidence in him. We had practiced shooting from a tripod at a 100-yard deer target throughout the fall; this buck was only about half that distance, and the blind provided better support than shooting sticks. He had this. “When you have a good shot, take it,”…

In 1915, Savage introduced the .250-3000 rifle cartridge. Also known as the .250 Savage, it’s generally considered the first factory American rifle cartridge to achieve 3,000 fps. It set the stage for several other successful .25-caliber cartridges, and for many years hunters relished these quarter bores. But, as of late, their charm has diminished. We’ll discuss why shortly, but first, let’s look at why hunters liked them so much to begin with. DUAL-PURPOSE APPEAL Part of the quarter-bore cartridges’ appeal involves sectional density (SD), the ratio of a bullet’s weight compared to its diameter. Historically, SD has been a controlling factor regarding the nominal weight of rifle bullets as they relate to caliber. Often, the most common hunting bullets—by caliber—have an SD of around 0.25. This is why the 100-grain…

The good news: more than three-quarters of Americans approve of hunting, fishing and recreational shooting. The bad news: that supermajority of supporters is declining, according to a survey of national attitudes concerning our field sports that was released last year. The slipping support comes after nearly 30 years of increasingly favorable attitudes toward hunting and fishing, and it has caused some conservation leaders to suggest that we participants need to do a better job of projecting the public benefits and personal joys of hunting and fishing to Americans who may have no familiarity with the activities. The “Americans’ Attitudes Toward Legal, Regulated Fishing, Target/Sport Shooting, Hunting and Trapping” survey was released in August by the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF), a non-profit organization that uses research to recruit a…

GUNS 1 REMINGTON MODEL 870 Is any gun safe complete without an 870? I bring out the 20-gauge Express Magnum my father gave me for a few hunts each season—both for nostalgia and for utility. 2 STEVENS 555 This budget-friendly over/under is a great entry point for any hunter falling for the siren song of the classic stackbarrel configuration. Interchangeable chokes and a barrel selector allow for strategic shot strings. 3 WINCHESTER WILDCAT SPORTER New to me this season, this feather-light semi-auto .22 LR offers several modern innovations, including an optics-ready Picatinny rail. LOADS 4 CCI SUBSONIC HOLLOW POINT .22 LR For close- to mid-range shooting where high velocity and long-distance accuracy don’t matter as much, it’s hard to beat these classic CCI rounds. 5 BOSS SHOTSHELLS BOSS’ copper-plated bismuth…

COBBOSSEECONTEE LAKE, ME: This mouthful of a lake covers nearly 5,000 acres in the towns of Manchester, Litchfield, Monmouth, West Gardiner and Winthrop in Kennebec County. With a maximum depth of 100 feet, it offers a diversity of habitats, from deep-water shoals and humps to extensive shallow weed fields. The lake is considered one of the best crappie and perch lakes in central Maine. LAKE CARMI, VT: Located within Lake Carmi State Park in the town of Franklin, this lake has a maximum depth of just 33 feet but offers ideal habitat. Because of its small size and northern location, ice takes hold early. Good action is best in the extensive weed beds, which start on the north end off Lake Road or Vermont Route 120 and continue all along…

A lot of the gear you already have will probably work for an elk hunt. That said, there are a few items not to skimp on when it comes to prepping for the trip. PACK: Your whitetail day pack might cut it for getting around with your gear, but good luck getting your elk off the mountain while keeping your back and shoulders in functional, working shape. The Mystery Ranch Pop-Up 40 ($425; mysteryranch.com) served me well. It cinches up tight as a day pack when you don’t need much in the pack, then expands to serve as a meat-hauling machine when needed. It’s easy to adjust to attain the perfect fit and ensure comfort under load. No matter what pack you go with, get it early and ruck with…

For my money, the burbot is the most exciting gamefish species that Northeast anglers have access to during the ice-fishing season. Also commonly known as cusk, they’re the only freshwater member of the cod family. Under optimal conditions, the action is fast, the fight is always exciting and the table quality is top-tier. Part of the appeal to me is that burbot do not require specialized gear or fancy electronics. A handful of productive locations and a bit of trial and error are all that is needed to take advantage of this unique species. Most of the best bite windows occur during the nighttime hours, which gives anglers a handy excuse to extend their day of fishing deep into the darkness. As winter loosens its grip at the end of…

If you want to set a new record for a particular species of fish, the following suggestions might help you in your quest. Though some waters are famous for their propensity to grow big fish, other rivers and lakes off the beaten path also have the right stuff. We’ve included them, too. What constitutes a likely record producer? A lot depends on habitat, food sources, predation by other fish and water quality … and, of course, angler expertise. LARGEMOUTH BASS Best Bet: The word record is 22 pounds, 4 ounces and is shared by Lake Biwa in Japan and Montgomery Lake in southern Georgia. There’s probably bigger bass swimming in Lake Biwa, but Montgomery Lake has pretty well had it as a lunker fishery. Set your sights on California to…

If it’s waterproof and not yellow, bring it,” said Shane’s father as he topped off the Thermos and squeaked the lid tight. Outside, endless sheets of rain pounded the earth. But what was rain to a couple of duck hunters keen on taking a late-season limit? Surely it would let up soon. When it did, they’d be in the blind, shotguns loaded and looking up. The hunters turned off the kitchen light, closed the front door behind them and scurried to the truck. What was typically a 40-minute cruise to the pond turned into an hour-and-a-half white-knuckled journey as the windshield wipers engaged in a losing battle. Shane realized how bad it was when his father passed by the gate and then had to make a U-turn in the county…

STRAIGHT TALK (NO GUFF) WITH JIM SHOCKEY In a revealing G&F interview—“A Conversation with Jim Shockey”—the renowned hunter shares personal stories of his loves, losses and the field-to-table lifestyle. BASS CLASS A CLICK AWAY Stay sheltered from winter’s cold and improve your bass game by cozying up to our popular video instructional series, “Bass Crash Course” and “Beyond the Bait.” WHAT’S THE LATEST BUZZ? Read the hunting and fishing stories everyone is talking about under our new “Trending” category—updated weekly with links to our most popular content. GREAT GUNS FOR HUNTERS We attended January’s hunting trade shows to seek out top gear for the upcoming seasons. “Best New Hunting Rifles for 2024” reveals some of the hottest firearms of the year. SPRING TURKEY PRIMER Spring turkey season is just around…

Two sections of towering pines loomed ahead, a single 10-foot-wide mowed grass path running between them and extending beyond sight. In front of me, guide Parker O’Bannon stood on the forest edge, cautiously scoping out the two-track. It was mid-afternoon, and he was worried about spooking birds on our way into the property, a 2,300-acre parcel along Florida’s Nature Coast. It was one of several pieces of land, totaling almost 10,000 acres, owned and managed by Florida Outdoor Experience (FOE) near Chiefland. As O’Bannon had explained earlier, the path cut through the flatwoods—a distinctly Floridian mix of pines, palmettos, shrubs and grasses extending across a flat expanse—before eventually leading into a thick swamp. This bog harbored several turkeys, including some gobblers that trail cameras had captured walking and strutting along…

Recently, Joe Rossetti, hardwood initiative coordinator for the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), came to my land to give advice on managing the 38 acres my wife Elaine and I live on. Of course, we did some of the usual timber stand improvement projects, such as daylighting oaks, but the key takeaway point from the visit involved the topic of invasive woody flora such as autumn olive, multiflora rose and ailanthus. The forester said there’s no bad time to attack invasive trees and shrubs, but the best times are fall and winter when sap isn’t rising like it is in the spring. In those two latter seasons, chemical applications can go straight down into the tree’s or shrub’s root system and be much more effective at killing it. With that…

I’d spent almost a month as nervous as I can ever remember being prior to a hunt. I had camp gear, camp clothes, a loaded pack, bow case, base layers, mid layers and rain gear. The truck had coolers, a tire plug kit, tools and everything I could think of. I was loaded for bear and headed for elk, but it felt like something was missing. If you ask me to pack for a whitetail hunt, turkey hunt or fishing trip I can be ready in about 20 minutes and not worry at all that I’d be missing something. But as the time came to depart on my first elk hunt—a DIY archery hunt in north-central Colorado—my head was spinning. I was certain that I had forgotten something. To my…

By far, my favorite time to fish for river smallmouths is the summer. To me, few things are more pleasant than drifting down an upland river during that season. But perhaps the best time to catch large river smallies is the late-winter/earlyspring period when the fish concentrate in their winter haunts. The keys to success now are understanding how water temperature affects lure choice, knowing what time of day is best to be on the water and understanding how cloud cover affects bass activity. CRITICAL CLUES When I asked guide Brian Kelly of White Fly Outfitters (whiteflyoutfitters.com) what the most important factor is for wintertime success, his answer came without hesitation. “Water temperature is absolutely crucial,” he says. “Smallmouths obviously are cold-water creatures, and the lower the temperature the more…

Most anglers opt to simply batter and fry burbot chunks or incorporate them into hearty chowders, and both are undoubtedly great ways to enjoy the flaky white fillets. However, in my travels I have picked up a unique recipe that reigns supreme in my opinion. Harvesting a few burbot to share with friends is a great way to help further elevate the species as a top-tier game fish. INGREDIENTS: 4 skinless burbot fillets2 liters of lemon-lime soda (not diet)1 stick of butterSalt and pepper COOKING INSTRUCTIONS: Cube fish into bite-sized pieces and place in a medium-size saucepan. Next, pour enough soda to completely cover the pieces. Then, gently simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the pieces are firm to the touch. Strain and let cool slightly before seasoning with…

Arelative newcomer to the hunting rifle market, Stag Arms was founded in 2003 and initially focused its efforts on the AR platform. Notably, Stag pioneered the development of the first left-handed AR, complete with left-side ejection. Since moving its headquarters from New Britain, Conn., to Cheyenne, Wyo., in 2018, the company has continued to develop American-made, competitively priced rifles for law enforcement officers, recreational and professional shooters, and citizens concerned about self-defense. However, one of Stag’s latest rifles, the Stag 10 Pursuit, was designed specifically for hunting with the goal of being as lightweight as possible without sacrificing accuracy. The Stag 10 Pursuit combines reliable functionality, impressive accuracy and appealing looks to meet the needs of discerning hunters. It is available in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win. chamberings with an…

I love the shine of a new bass boat. While some folks are drawn to sports cars, I always do a double take at a new bass rig being towed down the highway. However, with the cost of a brand new, fully outfitted bass boat clearing six figures, investing in the upkeep of my existing rig seems the more fiscally responsible option for now. The 2004 Skeeter ZX225 in my garage was once a sparking thing of beauty; however, days spent in the sun chasing bass together have aged both of us, evidenced by the sunspots on my skin and the severe oxidation to the metallic blue gelcoat on the boat. Once the oxidation began a few years ago, the haze advanced further and became more apparent each year, particularly…

I’d be hard pressed to survive the Vermont winters if I didn’t hunt rabbits. I don’t ski, ride snowmachines or make maple syrup, so I’m glad I discovered wintertime rabbit hunting to get me by. My introduction was on a bright and balmy mid-February afternoon a few years ago. With nothing else to do, I took an impromptu walk with my 20-gauge over/under and gave it a shot. The air was warm and light, and the sun was melting away the ice and snow beneath the bushes to reveal a bunny buffet of grasses and other greens. Rabbit tracks crisscrossed my path and their droppings were scattered every which way. I felt as if I‘d struck a goldmine of small-game opportunity that day. If you’ve never ventured into the winter…

During the latter part of winter, my fishing buddy and I target sunfish, crappies and perch because they are abundant and offer steady action. But at this time of year the action can be spotty, even frustrating, in favorite hotspots. Some ice anglers think a so-called lull takes place. Others, like my partner and me, are not convinced. We know the fish are still there, are still hungry and are still willing to cooperate. But February is a time that often calls for a change in thinking and tactics. THE SLOWDOWN, EXPLAINED Once water nears the freezing mark, and certainly once ice takes hold, all fish—predators and prey alike—experience environmental changes that lead to a slowdown in action. Understanding what those changes are and how to deal with them can…

Jamie Gold lives in Northern Virginia and travels all over the East in search of recommends two Pennsylvania rivers, the Susquehanna and Juniata, for cold-water action. “The Susquehanna has great numbers of quality smallmouths and good numbers of really big smallmouths,” he says. “The population of forage fish is part of the reason why. The other reason, especially in the winter, is the bank-to-bank rock cover. “The Juniata is basically just a smaller version of the Susky. Because of that, it’s great for canoe and kayak anglers, is easier to fish and has less pressure.” Gold recommends guide Tom Spacht (spachtscustomflies.com), who takes clients on both rivers. Brian Kelly recommends the Upper Potomac in Maryland, West and Virginia. “February and March is a great time to fish for the Potomac’s…

A fishing world record is a record, right? Usually, but it’s not always as simple as weighing a fish, as some of the freshwater-fishing world-record holders have discovered. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and musky represent what are arguably the most famous freshwater records in fishing history, but even they weren’t clear-cut for one reason or another. The controversies and disputes that surrounded them are interesting history, whether you’re a diehard record-chaser or just an angler with big dreams. PICTURES CAN LIE You might say that for a long time, the world-record walleye literally didn’t measure up to its place in fishing lore. As the tale is told, the 25-pound fish was landed Aug. 2, 1960, by a Tennessee angler who was night-fishing the upper reaches of Old Hickory Lake…

Stevens Arms has been around for a long time. The company was founded in 1864 and was acquired by Savage Arms in 1920. At that time, the merger made Savage the largest firearms manufacturer in America. Though operating in a semi-independent status until 1942, Stevens has remained a part of Savage since the acquisition. However, during a period in the 1990s, there were no Stevens firearms made. In 1999 Savage revived the brand, and last year it introduced the Model 334 bolt-action rifle. The Model 334 is available with a wood or synthetic stock and is chambered in .243 Win., .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor. With the Model 334’s suggested retail price of $389 for the synthetic-stock version and $489 for wood-stock version, the new rifle fills a gap in…