The Archery Trade Association’s annual show is billed as a chance for industry buyers, sellers, and go-betweens to do business, network, and introduce new products. A rookie ATA exhibitor said plainly: “You haven’t done squat in this industry until you get invited to exhibit at the ATA.” And he’s right. Eat Elk Meat’s staff was … Read more
When good friend and longtime hunting buddy Lance Fitzgerald asked me if I wanted to join him on a 10-day hunting trip in South Africa with the world-class outfitter Dries Visser Safaris, my first thoughts were – ‘Yeah right, like I could ever afford to do something like that.” But, as fate would have it, … Read more
Easy there, partner. Understanding deer scrapes is more complicated than it may seem. I’m no expert, but I’ve spent a lifetime trying to decode deer language. And one thing I’ve learned is whitetail deer speak louder with their body language than any other way. It’s essential to understand what a deer is trying to say … Read more
The simple answer to the question of who owns wildlife in the US is that it’s complicated. We all collectively own our natural resources, right? You’d be surprised to learn it’s not quite as straightforward as you may think regarding fish and game. To fully understand this question, you must delve deeper into the world … Read more
You should know this up-front — Coues deer are definitely not for the faint of heart. They’re tiny in size but pose huge challenges for any hunter. I’ve spent many years chasing these elusive ‘Grey Ghosts’ through Arizona’s stark and scrubby desert brush. Coues deer are tough and skittish, with an uncanny ability to disappear … Read more
What goes through your head when a non-hunter unexpectedly asks you about hunting? If it’s someone you know well, it’s no big deal. But if it’s someone at work you don’t know personally, you may be wary. And if that non-hunter is a stranger, you might even feel defensive… will there be an argument? It’s … Read more
You’re standing at the edge of a mountain clearing, bow or rifle in hand. Suddenly, you hear a loud and eerie bugle sound echoing through the trees. It’s so haunting and powerful that it sends shivers down your spine. When you hear that unforgettable sound, it may mean you’re closing in on an 800-pound bull … Read more
What’s going on here? The ghostly green image from your trail camera clearly shows deer taking a stroll at 11:18 PM… but shouldn’t they have bedded down hours ago? After all, the conventional wisdom is that deer are “crepuscular,” meaning they’re primarily active at dusk or dawn, then spend the rest of their time hunkered … Read more
So you want to hit the backcountry and go bow hunting for elk? Are you just getting into the sport but don’t know where to start? Do you have a couple of seasons under your belt and are eager to keep growing? Or are you an expert looking for some advice they’ve already heard a … Read more
You’re looking for the best draw weight for elk and have probably spent a lot of time online trying to get a straight answer from forums and hunting sites. This search can be a confusing and frustrating process. To simplify things a bit, I put together this unpretentious guide to help novice hunters feel more … Read more