Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Game & Fish East

I’m blessed to work with folks who like to hunt turkeys. They understand the difference that a couple pellet sizes or hundredths of an inch of choke tube constriction can make, and they will tell me of their experiences with both. They, too, see the necessity in carrying no less than a dozen calls when perhaps three at most will be used during a morning’s hunt. They know better than to expect I’ll answer my phone before 10 o’clock on a May morning. This spring, three of my turkey-hunting coworkers are joining me on a mission to bag the four U.S. turkey subspecies on a nationwide hunt spanning three months. Kevin Steele, publisher of Petersen’s Hunting, started things off in March by chasing Rios in his home state of California.…

“Hold on hair, never on air.” That’s some of the great advice from Craig Boddington’s latest book, “50 Great Stalks.” Basically, it means do not shoot from so far away you must utilize a shooting technique or tool to compensate for trajectory or wind. Of course, with today’s high-velocity cartridges, precise-shooting rifles and high-tech optics, hunters are shooting at previously unimagined distances. There are several effective techniques for this, but what many don’t realize is the oldest of these is the one you should be most familiar with. Let’s examine the most common distance-shooting techniques and tools, and the pros and cons of each. KENTUCKY WINDAGE This approach has been around as long as we’ve been shooting rifles. Kentucky windage refers to any shooting where you aim at a point…

One of the hardest parts of being a parent of teenagers is listening to all the ways that they’re right and you’re wrong. A favorite debate strategy of this population—and I say this from experience as the father of three former teens—is doubling down on those few and fleeting instances when a parent admits their teen is right about something. I cringe to say this, but I think our hunting and angling community is increasingly acting like truculent, tone-deaf teenagers. All we want to hear are different variations on the self-validating theme that we saved America’s wildlife, or how our fees fund wildlife conservation in America, or how hunters and anglers deserve special treatment because of all the sacrifices we make for wildlife. Meanwhile, our standing in American society is…

For millennia, Atlantic salmon made their way from the ocean up ever-narrowing rivers and streams to spawn, then returned to the sea. At some point, a few skipped the return trip and established landlocked salmon populations. Originally limited to just a few drainages, they have since traveled or been transplanted throughout the Northeast and now inhabit many cold-water lakes in northern New England. While they may not match their sea-going cousins in size, they more than make up for it with blistering runs and acrobatic leaps. What follows are some places and practices to catch these silver kings of the North. TIMING MATTERS When you fish will influence how to fish and what to use. Hardy anglers want to be on the big water as soon as the ice goes…

There was a time not so long ago when I considered myself a dyed-in-the-wool run-and-gun turkey hunter. Running and gunning was cool. It was chic. It was what everyone else was doing. I’d hear a bird gobble, close the distance and set up in an effort to call him in. It often worked, but sometimes it didn’t. One day in particular changed my attitude. The air was crisp and still as a whisper that morning as I moved slowly and quietly along the edge of a tree line that bordered a large, rolling field. The moon was full and bright, so I stayed in the heavy shadows as I went along to avoid being silhouetted in case there were turkeys roosted near the field’s edge. As dawn began to break,…

The right equipment can significantly enhance your tournament kayak fishing experience and allow your day to run much smoother. That gear includes the following must-haves. PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD): Never compromise on safety. A comfortable, Coast Guard-approved PFD is non-negotiable. Foam PFDs are inherently buoyant and reliable. Inflatable PFDs are more compact and comfortable in hot weather but require inflation. Look for PFDs with pockets for storing smaller gear or a phone and features designed for paddling comfort. Make sure your PFD fits correctly and gives you freedom of movement for casting and maneuvering. COMFORTABLE SEATING: Unless you are fishing a weekday evening series, you are likely spending at least eight hours in your kayak during a tournament day. Invest in a kayak with a comfortable, adjustable seat that provides…

The lever-action rifle is revered on this side of the Atlantic. It symbolizes so much in the American psyche, and a lever gun with great handling characteristics, near-perfect balance and sights unerringly aligned as soon as the rifle touches the shoulder will always be wellreceived. Case in point: the classic, though modernly upgraded, Marlin Model 1894 Dark in .357 Mag. The superb combination of the 1894 Dark’s minimal width, light weight, balance and capacity of 8+1 rounds in a mildly recoiling package cannot be denied. The Marlin Dark lever gun satisfies the modernist preference with its black nylon-reinforced polymer buttstock and black anodized aluminum fore-end, featuring plenty of M-Lok slots for various accessories a user might want to carry. Spare ammunition, high-intensity light, laser target designator and more can easily…

IT’S STILL TURKEY TIME There’s still time to get out there and punch your turkey tag. Check out our “Regional Strut Update” with tons of turkey content to make the spring season a success, in the “Hunting” section. SUMMER CAMPING GUIDE From helpful how-tos on camping setups and reviews of top camping gear to family-favorite outdoor recipes and destinations, our Summer Camping Guide will get you ready for the outdoors. WILD KITCHEN Considered an invasive plant, garlic mustard is perfect for making pesto to add to pasta and more. Find an easy-to-follow garlic mustard recipe and others like it under “Recipes.” FISHING HEATS UP May is a great month to hit the water and reel in a few keepers. Find tips, tactics and the latest tackle for bass, crappies, trout,…

Some 35 million strong, the whitetail deer is the world’s most populous big-game animal, pursued annually by about 11 million American deer hunters. The deer cartridges we use are important, driving sales and new developments, and influencing shooters and hunters worldwide. Cleanly taking a deer is rarely a matter of extreme precision. The vital zone is not small. For most of us, shooting distances at deer aren’t far. Properly ventilating your venison is largely a matter of keeping your cool and making one reasonably good shot when the chance arises. How well you place that shot is far more important than what you’re shooting. That said, it’s important to have confidence in your choice. Around campfires, we argue endlessly and split our hairs, comparing one cartridge to another. There are…

Agreenhead horsefly hits like a rattlesnake. Unlike a delicate mosquito bite you won’t feel until the itchy bump crops up later, the fly’s sharp mouth pierces with the pinch of a hypodermic needle. A rivulet of blood runs from the wound after you’ve squashed the aggressor (greenheads may be vicious but they’re slow and oafish). By the end of the day, dozens of mangled flies slosh around the floor of the ramshackle wooden rental boat, becoming the protein in a stew of bay water, glistening chicken fat, fetid bunker oil and flowery Avon Skin So Soft. The concoction simmers all day in the sun, and while most would say it’s off-putting, to me it’s one of the greatest aromas in the world. It is the smell of crabbing at the…

1. SEBAGO LAKE Maine’s second-largest lake, and the one from which landlocked salmon get their scientific name (Salmo salar sebago), lies just 20 miles west of Portland and within a reasonable commute from almost anywhere in New England. It spans some 45 square miles with an average depth of 100 feet and a max of 300. Sebago’s salmon stock has waxed and waned over the years, based largely on the relative abundance of their preferred prey, rainbow smelt. Even in lean years, though, there are always enough landlocks to entice fishermen. Early anglers follow the receding ice in search of salmon, but as the smelt run approaches fish begin congregating just outside major river mouths. The Raymond Boat Ramp off Route 302 offers quick access to Jordan Bay, a good…

Mike Spratt, of Spratt Crafted Lures in Ottawa, Ont., spends as many as 30 hours on a single lure, which he tests in a small aquarium. To see exactly how much weight one of his creations needs to swim perfectly, he flattens sinkers with a vice, then tapes them to the bait. Once he discerns the exact amount of weight required, he drills holes and epoxies the weights inside the bait. His higher-end glide baits have hand-painted eyes and scale patterns. The fins are made from polycarbonate plexiglass. He does larger “batches” of baits, too, that he can sell for a lower price. Despite the enormous attention to detail he devotes to each piece (the catfish glide bait, for instance, has rubber worms that act as barbels), he still wants…

Just as fishing techniques are ever advancing, so, too, are the watercraft that take anglers to their targets. This is especially evident in the latest kayak designs, which are engineered with emphasis on the latest technologies in hull and deck construction, propulsion, electronics and onboard organization to help anglers not only reach fish faster but catch them more consistently. The kayak specialists at Florida Sportsman recently tested a number of new kayaks that showcase the latest in design advancements, and the following models are among the top options for anglers wanting to make the most of their time on the water. OLD TOWN SPORTSMAN PDL 120 PRO LENGTH: 12' | WIDTH: 36" WEIGHT: 131 lbs. CAPACITY: 420 lbs. HULL CONSTRUCTION: high-density polyethylene PROPULSION: pedal, paddle MSRP: $3,499 oldtownwatercraft.com TOP FEATURES:…

The long Memorial Day weekend was upon him, and Shane planned to go fishing all day on Sunday with his buddy Lee. On Saturday afternoon he began readying his tackle. “Dad!” called Shane from the doorway of the garage. “I just noticed I’m low on flies. Can I borrow yours?” Shane’s father was walking through the kitchen and stopped to talk. “That’s fine, bud, but remember: You aren’t 10 years old anymore; you have your own money and your own wheels. If you borrow my stuff, return it. If you lose it, replace it. I’m going fishing next Friday with one of my clients, and I want my gear to be squared away.” “Understood,” said Shane. “In that case, help yourself. And good luck tomorrow!” The following morning Shane and…

Whether you’re staying overnight in the woods or just stopping for lunch along the shore, a campfire is the perfect complement to spring and summer outdoor activities. A good fire quickly becomes the centerpiece of any outdoor gathering, providing warmth, sparking conversation and serving as an essential element in a celebration of being outside. Although a fire pairs well with many pursuits, at times conditions can make it tough to build a good blaze. For one, the ground and any wood lying on it may be damp from rain. Combine that with fickle breezes, and tinder and kindling gathered on the spot can be seemingly impossible to light and keep burning. With some knowledge of the best materials to use and attention to key fire-building principles, however, you can count…

Proper turkey blind positioning is key to scoring on a spring tom no matter what part of the season you’re hunting or whether you’re on private or public land. Set up where you expect turkeys to travel, keep the path of the sun in mind and position the blind hard against cover. Use a pruner to trim any small limbs or brush that could deflect your shot or arrow. On public land, stake your blind in such a way that both you and your decoys are not in line with the easiest access route.…

Kayak fishing is unlike any other method of fishing. It’s not fishing from the bank, and it provides a different perspective compared to that of fishing from a boat. You’re more immersed in your surroundings, more intimate with the body of water you’re fishing. Many anglers fish from a kayak purely for these reasons, but some crank things up a notch and participate in competitive kayak fishing tournaments. Tournament kayak bass fishing has exploded in popularity, offering an accessible and thrilling entry point into competitive angling. It strips away the complexities and allows anglers to make their experience on the water what they want, tailoring their rig to best fish in their style of choosing. Whether you’re an avid angler looking for competition or a weekend warrior eager to test…

As advanced as kayaks have become, they still benefit from being outfitted with a variety of gear that makes them more efficient and comfortable on the water. The cool thing about a kayak is you can rig it yourself, customizing your craft to the conditions you expect to encounter. Here’s a roundup of new and solution-based products that will take your kayak experience to new levels. NEWPORT 12-, 24-AND 36-VOLT 100AH LOPRO LITHIUM BATTERY PACK The Newport LoPRO (LiFePo4) lithium battery is the ultimate compact power source for small boats and kayaks, offering a lightweight design with expandable capabilities. Its rugged construction and optimized connectivity ensure unmatched performance and versatility for every fishing expedition. We think the footprint is an impressive detail with this battery system—one of the many benefits…

Hunters received the Axis very well when Savage introduced it in 2010, and rifles in the line have served hunters admirably for more than a decade. Now, Savage has introduced the enhanced Axis 2. This model is similar to the original Axis only with a modernized design and new features, but it’s still very affordable. Depending on how you count them, currently Savage offers seven variations of the new Axis 2. I recently got a chance to wring out the Pro version, and I think it should appeal to a lot of hunters, especially since it comes in numerous chamberings and stock configurations. Savage’s goal with the Axis 2 Pro was to offer an entry-level, performance, feature-rich rifle that was a step above the original Axis. (Savage has discontinued most…