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HUNTING SEASONS IN RHODE ISLAND 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 RI hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from white‑tailed deer to turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing a compound bow at first light in Westerly woodlands, slipping shorelines for early teal, or tracking coyote year‑round on private land, the Ocean State’s forests, farmlands, and tidal marshes deliver premier big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Rhode Island? Rhode Island supports a variety of game: Big Game: White‑tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear (limited draw) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, pheasant (WMAs), ruffed grouse, woodcock Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, black duck), Canada geese, mergansers, coots, rails, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, fox, o

Post: 23 July 08:19

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HUNTING SEASONS IN OKLAHOMA 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 OK hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to pronghorn to ducks. Whether you’re glassing a rutting buck on a cedar‑lined ridge, slipping decoys for teal over a flooded playa, or honing your predator‑control skills on coyote, the Sooner State’s prairies, woodlands, and wetlands deliver world‑class big game and small game hunts under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Oklahoma? Oklahoma supports a broad array of species: Big Game: Whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, elk, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, desert bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, swamp rabbit, fox & gray squirrels, bobwhite quail, scaled quail, ring‑necked pheasant (select WMAs), ruffed grouse, woodcock Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard,

Post: 22 July 09:54

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HUNTING SEASONS IN OHIO 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 OH hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing a compound bow at first light in Oak Openings, slip‑streaming decoys for mallards on the Lake Erie marshes, or tracking coyote year‑round on private land, Ohio’s forests, prairies, and wetlands deliver premier big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Ohio? Ohio’s diverse habitats support: Big Game: Whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear (limited draw), invasive feral hogs (no closed season) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, woodcock Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, wood duck), Canada geese, coots, rails, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, fox

Post: 22 July 08:20

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HUNTING SEASONS IN NEW MEXICO 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 NM hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from mule deer to elk to pronghorn and ducks. Whether you’re glassing a rutting buck at sunrise in high‑desert basins, slipping into pinyon‑juniper for a bull elk, or running decoys for teal over flooded bosque, New Mexico’s mountains, mesas, and wetlands deliver world‑class big game and small game hunts under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in New Mexico? New Mexico supports a diverse array of game: Big Game: Mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, desert bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion Upland & Small Game: Cottontail rabbit, jackrabbit, Gambel’s quail, scaled quail, Merriam’s turkey Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, pintail), Canada geese, coots, rails, mourning dove Predators & Fur

Post: 22 July 06:45

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HUNTING SEASONS IN NEW YORK 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 NY hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing a compound bow at sunrise for a trophy buck in the Adirondacks, slipping through cattail marshes for early teal, or trailing coyote year‑round on private land, New York’s forests, wetlands, and fields support premier big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in New York? New York’s varied landscapes sustain: Big Game: Whitetail deer, black bear, wild turkey, elk (limited zones), moose (northern draw) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, ruffed grouse, woodcock, bobwhite quail, pheasant Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, wood duck), Canada geese, coots, rails, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: C

Post: 21 July 14:09

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HUNTING SEASONS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 New Hampshire hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing a compound bow at dawn for a rutting buck in the White Mountains, slipping into cedar swamps for moose, or running decoys for mallards on a tidal river, New Hampshire’s forests, ponds, and fields deliver premier big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in New Hampshire? New Hampshire supports a rich variety of game: Big Game: Whitetail deer, black bear, wild turkey, moose (limited draw), elk (reintroduced; rare permits) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, gray squirrel, ruffed grouse, woodcock Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, wood duck), Canada geese, rails, coots, mourning dove

Post: 21 July 08:29

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HUNTING SEASON IN NEVADA 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 Nevada hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from mule deer and antelope to elk, turkey, waterfowl, and predators. Whether you’re glassing a desert buck at dawn, slipping through aspen groves for bull elk, or running decoys for ducks over flooded playa, Nevada’s sagebrush flats, pinyon‑juniper ridges, and wetland refuges deliver premier big game and small game hunts under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Nevada? The Silver State supports a broad array of species: Big Game: Mule deer, pronghorn antelope, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose (limited draw), black bear, mountain lion Upland & Small Game: Cottontail rabbit, jackrabbit, gray squirrel, Gambel’s quail, chukar, wild turkey Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, wigeon), geese, coots, rails, mourning dove

Post: 21 July 06:53

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HUNTING SEASON IN MARYLAND 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 MD hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing a compound bow in western oak ridges for a trophy buck, setting a rifle on the Eastern Shore for migrating geese, or tracking coyote year‑round on private land, Maryland’s mountains, piedmont, and tidal marshes deliver premier big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Maryland? Maryland’s varied landscapes support: Big Game: Whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear (draw hunts), moose (rare permit), invasive feral hogs (no closed season) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, wood duck), Canada geese, coots, rails, mourning dove Furbea

Post: 18 July 14:43

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Hunting Seasons in Kentucky 2025: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 KY hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing your rifle for fall deer seasons in ridge‑and‑valley woodlands or slipping into flooded timber for early teal flights, Kentucky offers diverse opportunities backed by clear regulations and accessible licensing. What Is There to Hunt in Kentucky? Kentucky’s varied landscape of hardwood forests, farmlands, and river bottomlands supports abundant game: whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear, furbearers like raccoon and opossum, and predators such as coyote. Waterfowl hunters pursue ducks, geese, and light geese across public and private wetlands, while small‑game enthusiasts chase rabbits, squirrels, grouse, and quail in the state’s rolling hills. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Kentucky?

Post: 16 July 07:15

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Hunting Seasons in Kansas 2025: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 KS hunt with our comprehensive guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and popular game species from whitetail deer and elk to pheasants, turkey, and waterfowl. With its vast prairies, agricultural fields, and river corridors, Kansas offers diverse hunting opportunities across big and small game categories. Whether you’re glassing open fields for rutting bucks or walking CRP land for upland birds, Kansas provides some of the Midwest's most rewarding experiences. What Is There to Hunt in Kansas? Kansas is home to a variety of game species. Big game hunters can pursue whitetail deer, mule deer, and elk. For small game and upland hunters, there’s an abundance of pheasants, bobwhite quail, rabbits, and squirrels. Migratory bird hunters can take advantage of extensive seasons for ducks, geese, doves, and sandhill cranes. With its open landscapes and reliable pop

Post: 15 July 19:21

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Darkhan-Uul Province: A Hidden Hunting Gem with big game in Northern Mongolia, hunting seasons, Demographics, Associations and Clubs, Laws Nestled in northern Mongolia, Darkhan-Uul Province is a region where rolling hills, dense forests, and expansive steppes converge to create a unique hunting destination. While not as widely recognized as other Mongolian provinces for big-game pursuits, Darkhan-Uul offers a rich tapestry of wildlife, cultural heritage, and untamed landscapes that attract hunters seeking authenticity and adventure. Big Game Hunting in Darkhan-Uul: Red Deer and Moose The wildlife of Darkhan-Uul reflects its diverse ecosystems, ranging from wooded valleys to open grasslands. Hunters in this province focus on several key species, each offering its own set of challenges and rewards: Red Deer (Cervus elaphus): The red deer is one of the most sought-after game animals in Darkhan-Uul. Known for its impressive antlers and majestic presence, this species thrives in the fore

Post: 9 June 15:20

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Hunting in National Parks, Special Territories: geography, types of hunting and hunting animals, hunting seasons and legislation in the region Geographical and natural features of the regions Lake District (England) The Lake District, located in the north-west of England, is known for its mountain ranges, lakes and moorlands. This region is ideal for hunting red deer and grouse. The hilly terrain and dense forests create natural shelters for animals, which makes hunting here especially interesting and challenging. New Forest (England) New Forest, located in the south of England, is a vast woodland area with open meadows and marshes. It is home to a large number of fallow deer, which are the main object of hunting. Easy access to the territory and a variety of landscapes make New Forest a popular destination among hunters. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs (Scotland) This national park in Scotland is famous for its mountainous landscapes, lakes and forests. Roe deer and wildfowl are

Post: 29 May 16:32

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Gippsland Hunting Regions: A Guide to Demographics and Club Networks, Legislation System, Associations, Laws and Hunting Seasons Nestled in the southeastern corner of Victoria, Gippsland is a hunter’s paradise, offering a mix of rugged landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a rich hunting culture. 1. The Lay of the Land: Gippsland’s Hunting Terrain Gippsland’s geography is as varied as it is vast, covering over 41,000 square kilometers. The region is divided into three primary zones, each offering distinct hunting opportunities: The Alpine High Country: In the north, the terrain is dominated by steep mountains, snow gum forests, and open plains. This area is renowned for its Sambar deer population, making it a hotspot for deer hunters. The Central Forests: Dense eucalyptus woodlands and rolling hills define this zone, providing habitat for fallow deer, wild boars, and smaller game like rabbits and foxes. The Coastal Lowlands: To the south, wetlands, estuaries, and grassy plains create id

Post: 19 May 22:27

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The American Foxhound: Your All-American Hunting Partner For generations, the American Foxhound has been a cornerstone of the hunting tradition in the United States. Bred for stamina, scenting ability, and pack-oriented teamwork, this breed is more than just a dog – it's a partner in the pursuit. If you're considering adding an American Foxhound to your kennel, here's what you need to know. Quarry: What Can an American Foxhound Hunt? The American Foxhound's name gives away its primary target: foxes. However, their versatility extends beyond just red and gray fox. These hounds are also effective on: Coyotes: Their endurance and pack mentality make them well-suited for chasing coyotes across open country. Deer: In some regions, American Foxhounds are used for deer drives. Important: Always check local regulations regarding the use of dogs for deer hunting, as it is restricted or prohibited in many areas. Rabbits and Hares: A skilled pack can effectively work brushy areas for rabbit

Post: 26 February 21:24

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SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE! 89.4+-ACRES $2,500,000 Sandy, OR Both sides of the Sandy River/Year Around Salmon/Steelhead fishing, Stocked Ponds with Trophy Trout up to 20Lbs, property backs to 2546 acres of BLM, lots of wildlife, ELK, DEER, BEARS, Cougar, Ducks, Geese, Turkey, multiple buildings, Income producing, LOP Big Game Hunting TAGS, 2 of each, Anterless Elk, Anterless Deer, Spring Bear. Bull Elk & Buck Deer in this unit are over the counter general season tags for archery & rifle seasons, general over the counter tags also include 2 Fall Bear tags and 2 Cougar tags/open year around. Multiple Year Around Creeks and Springs, Low Timber Deferral Property Taxes $5243 in 2024, only a 50 minute drive to the Portland Airport, 25 mins to Mt Hood and snow skiing Home • 1756 plus sq ft, 1949 fully remodeled in 2008/2009, 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths • Propane forced air, central air conditioning – electric • Wall heater in primary bedroom • Propane generator back up – runs partial areas in h

Post: 27 November 09:29

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Utah Hunting Seasons, 2023-2024 Utah’s hunting seasons are currently underway. The mountains of Utah represent a beautiful background for the Beehive State’s vast hunting lands. The most beautiful landscapes of the United States are found in Utah’s portion of the Rocky Mountains, allowing you to explore beautiful nature and achieve a bountiful hunt. On top of the scenery, the state offers premier hunting of big game, including deer, elk, moose and bighorn sheep. Utah Deer Seasons Archery Aug. 19-Sept. 15 Muzzleloader Sept. 27-Oct. 5 Early General Season Oct. 11-15 General Season Oct. 21-29 Utah makes deer hunting easy by providing permits through it Utah Hunting and Fishing app, allowing you to purchase permits on the go before heading out to hunt. First-time hunters in the state can participate in the trial hunting program, which gives new big-game hunters the opportunity to try out the sport without taking the required Hunter Education course. For more information, visit the Utah

Post: 1 December 10:05

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Searching the right haystacks is the best way to find needles. Pursuers of whitetails, this continent’s favorite and most widespread big game animal, take to the woods each fall for a variety of reasons. Many deer hunters simply enjoy communing with nature. Some are more driven to collect venison for the freezer. For others, the quest is all about antlers, and the bigger the better. Size really does matter to the 10 million-plus hunters smitten with white-tailed deer, whether it’s the driving force behind their passion or simply a bonus. Success depends on luck, skill and, most important, location. For the second time since Buckmasters launched its own Full-Credit (antler) Scoring System back in 1993, the nation’s largest deer hunting organization has tapped into its massive database to show exactly where hunters are felling this country’s best white-tailed bucks. By examining hundreds of recent entries into “Buckmasters Whitetail Trophy Records,” we’ve put together a Top 10 list s

Post: 5 October 08:19

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Province takes more steps to combat chronic wasting disease The province is taking more actions to prevent the spread of a deadly disease that impacts deer and other wildlife. Chronic wasting disease was first detected in Manitoba last year in five mule deer along the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border. CWD is an incurable, fatal disease that also effects elk moose and caribou. And while no additional cases have been detected, the province is expanding what’s called a mandatory sample submission zone, which requires hunters in certain areas to provide samples of their harvested animal for testing. And a strictly regulated and managed mule deer hunting season will be established. Both changes will take place along the western and southern borders of Manitoba. “Additional longer-term measures are needed to prevent any further spread,” said Maria Arlt of the province’s Natural Resources and Northern Development Branch. “If CWD spreads, it can become one of the greatest threats to population

Post: 18 September 11:58

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Province takes more steps to combat chronic wasting disease The province is taking more actions to prevent the spread of a deadly disease that impacts deer and other wildlife. Chronic wasting disease was first detected in Manitoba last year in five mule deer along the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border. CWD is an incurable, fatal disease that also effects elk moose and caribou. And while no additional cases have been detected, the province is expanding what’s called a mandatory sample submission zone, which requires hunters in certain areas to provide samples of their harvested animal for testing. And a strictly regulated and managed mule deer hunting season will be established. Both changes will take place along the western and southern borders of Manitoba. “Additional longer-term measures are needed to prevent any further spread,” said Maria Arlt of the province’s Natural Resources and Northern Development Branch. “If CWD spreads, it can become one of the greatest threats to populations of

Post: 28 July 09:39

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Pennsylvania Will Finally Allow Limited Sunday Deer Hunting. Pennsylvania deer hunters have reason to celebrate after lawmakers have done away with a “blue law,” which prohibited hunting on Sundays in the Keystone State for more than 100 years. Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to sign the law, which will allow hunters to hunt one Sunday during rifle season, one Sunday during archery season, and one Sunday to be determined by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The law also requires hunters to have written permission to hunt private land on Sunday (oral permission is fine on the other six days of the week.) Of course, it’s still up to private landowners to decide whether to allow hunting on their property. Sunday deer hunting has been illegal in Pennsylvania since the 1800s, although there are exceptions for coyotes, foxes, crows and non-commercial game preserves. Blue laws date back to a time when lawmakers thought it was appropriate to encourage people to attend church on Sunday instead of

Post: 27 September 20:08

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Iowa Hunting Season 2025: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025 IA hunting adventure with our complete guide to big and small game seasons, including whitetail deer, turkey, ducks, coyote, and more. Learn about hunting licenses, bow and rifle rules, bag limits, and Iowa‐specific regulations. Iowa sits at the heart of America’s Midwest, where rolling prairies meet winding rivers and wetlands teem with waterfowl. From early‐season archery hunts for whitetail deer under crisp autumn skies to late‐winter muzzleloader tags in snow‑blanketed woodlots, the Hawkeye State offers year‑round opportunities for both big‐game and small‐game enthusiasts. Whether you prefer a compound bow’s whisper in the timber or the thunder of a shotgun over flooded timber, you’ll find clear seasons, accessible public lands, and well‑managed wildlife populations. As you plan your 2025–26 hunting adventures, this guide will walk you through every key species—from white‑tailed dee

Post: 11 July 14:52

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Top 10 Rifles for Deer Hunting in 2025: Expert Picks 🦌 When it comes to deer hunting, your rifle is more than just a tool - it’s your partner in the field. Whether you’re glassing whitetails from a tree stand or stalking mule deer across open country, the right rifle can make all the difference. In 2025, hunters are spoiled for choice with reliable, accurate, and field-tested options. Here are my top 10 picks, based on real-world performance, build quality, and value. 1. Ruger American Rifle • Why it stands out: Affordable, lightweight, and surprisingly accurate. • Best for: New hunters or those needing a reliable backup. • Calibers: .308 Win, .30-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, and more. • Field note: Adjustable trigger and smooth bolt make it a pleasure to shoot A. 2. Tikka T3x Lite • Why it stands out: Finnish precision with a buttery-smooth bolt. • Best for: Long hikes and mountain hunts. • Calibers: Wide range including .270 Win and 6.5 PRC. • Field note: Factory trigger is crisp; sub-MO

Post: 28 June 21:07

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New Zealand: the perfect trip The more difficult the route and the further away the point on the map, the more carefully you prepare for the trip. And more often than not, expectations from a new place are too high. But not in the case of a trip to 🇳🇿New Zealand! This place cannot be overestimated. The beauty of nature, comfort, high standard of living, culture, service. Everything here 💯 is incredibly 💯 enjoyable! Hunting is also a mix of wild open hunting for local mountain tare and chamois and hunting on a farm for deer - red deer, wapiti, fallow deer, white-tailed and wild sheep. You can either run around the ⛰mountains in fair pursuit, or pick up beautiful antlers for a qualifying trophy down on the 🏞 plain. Tastes and goals are different. In New Zealand, everything will be selected so that you will definitely like it. 👉 We strongly recommend leaving a few days for traveling around the islands 🏝 and fjords. You will have something to tell your grandchildren! 💬 write

Post: 11 March 14:41

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Beretta BRX1 Rifle in .30-06 Review As an avid hunter, I recently had the opportunity to take the Beretta BRX1 rifle in .30-06 out for a deer hunt, and I wanted to share my experiences with fellow enthusiasts. After using this rifle on a challenging hunt, I have compiled a list of pros and cons based on my performance with the weapon. Pros: Versatility for All Shooters: One of the standout features of the BRX1 is its straight-pull bolt action, which accommodates both right-handed and left-handed shooters. This thoughtful design really impressed me, as it allowed for quick follow-up shots, especially when a deer appears unexpectedly. I felt comfortable using the rifle regardless of my shooting stance. Accuracy: The .30-06 caliber is renowned for its effectiveness in deer hunting, and the Beretta BRX1 lived up to those expectations. The rifle’s cold hammer-forged barrel ensured excellent consistency and precision in shot placement. During my hunt, I was able to make clean shots at di

Post: 17 January 11:36

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Hunters in Sasayama, Hyogo Prefecture, load deer after a recent hunt. The nationwide hunting season for wild boar and deer, which cause large amounts of agricultural damage, lasts until March 15. SASAYAMA, HYOGO PREF. – When the world rang in 2019, it also prepared to usher in the Year of the Boar. But in Sasayama, a picturesque, historical city of about 42,000 nestled in rural Hyogo Prefecture about an hour by train from Osaka Station, the wild boar is a symbol of pride, part of a famous local dish and a bane to farmers. It's also a highly intelligent, aggressive animal that hunters like Yuji Enso have long pursued and respected. "You have to be able to understand a wild boar's personality," says Enso, who heads a local hunting club. "You also need to thoroughly know the mountain terrain you're tracking the boar through. If you haven't mastered these two basic points, you won't catch them." The hunting season for wild boar and deer began on Nov. 15 and finishes March 15. https://w

Post: 13 November 22:03

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Shed Hunting 101: Expert Tips for Finding More Antlers This Spring Everything you need to know to find a pile of shed antlers this spring, from the basics of when and where to advanced bone-collecting tips Shed hunting comes at the perfect time of year. Big-game seasons are over in most places, and turkey seasons haven’t started yet. That means most of us are looking for a reason to get outside, and what better reason than a chance to get your hands on some antlers? But even if you’re not a big-game hunter, you should give shed hunting a try. Why? Because hunting for the shed antlers of North America’s deer species (whitetails, mule deer, elk, moose, and caribou) has something for everyone. It gets you outside and exercising at a time of year when not much else is happening, and it can turn into a fun hobby—if not an obsession—that results in a tangible reward. Meanwhile, you’ll be learning more and more about the deer or elk your areas, and for whitetail hunters especially, it can tea

Post: 13 February 10:20

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While I’ve been blessed to travel North America in search of big whitetails, I live and hunt mostly in Kentucky. But, growing up, I didn’t have enough access to let properties soak until gun season. I only had one or two places to go, and I wanted to hunt. I’m more avid about bowhunting than gun hunting anyway. So, it just never made sense to not hunt at the earliest opportunity. Then, in 2015, I started leasing another property, which gave me additional access here at home. Since then, except for a few seasons, the practice has been to leave the property unhunted until rifle season in November. My anecdotal theory is that whitetails will get pressured by neighboring bowhunters, which will push deer onto the lease, ultimately “stacking” deer onto it for gun season. Furthermore, if I or another lease member happen to pressure a mature deer once gun season opens, it’s less likely to vacate the area given that the rut is already in motion. Interestingly, studies show bucks are less lik

Post: 26 December 18:06

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5 Factors for Rut Hunting Success 1. Weather Having the right weather can influence how much rutting activity you see — or don't see — on any given hunt. A cold front with a little rain to break a stale weather pattern, followed by a clear, crisp morning can seem to bring deer out of the woodwork. On the flip side, warm weather can slow the action to a crawl. Contrary to popular belief, the weather doesn't determine when deer breed. But it does influence how much of that breeding activity you see out in the open during daylight. Does often hug tight to thick cover when in estrus anyway, and they move even less when it's warmer than average. Bucks don't seem to cruise in the open as often, or for as long, during those unseasonably warm days, either. Don’t Miss: Big Bucks in Nasty Places 2. Available Bedding Cover Rut tactics are almost always terrain-based. So if you aren’t hunting around the type of quality bedding cover deer need this time of year, action will likely be minimal. Fi

Post: 8 November 12:14

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The Long Game There is still no cure for CWD, and unfortunately, the short-term outlook isn’t positive. Yet CWD won’t seriously affect herd numbers until a sufficiently high percentage of deer contract it, and that just hasn’t happened yet in most places. Each summer, I get excellent trail camera photos of outwardly healthy whitetails meandering through the hills and valleys of our farm, masking the CWD issues at hand. We still have high deer densities and mostly healthy looking whitetails, with no signs of a population decline. I asked Sumners when we might see whitetail populations decline in southern Wisconsin. “In areas like that, with such a large population of deer, the proportion of the population that will have to die from CWD for the average hunter to see a visible decline would have to be significant," he said. "It’s a numbers game, and we haven’t gotten to the point of the disease where population decline is occurring.” Still, knowing what we know, we’re torn about how to

Post: 19 September 18:47

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How to Track a Buck in the Snow Have You Ever Slipped Up on a Deer in the Snow? No doubt about it, the vast majority of whitetail hunting today is done from some type of elevated platform – treestand, tripod or shooting house. That wasn’t always the case. To this day, many northwoods hunters still practice the age-old art of tracking in the snow. So can you, and here are a few tips to help you along the trail. To follow a track you first need to find one, and the more ground you cover the better the odds. Typically, the big woods hunters will drive the backwoods roads before daylight. These are often dirt logging roads, some accessible only by 4WD vehicle, which is what you want. Less Traffic, More Deer You’ll usually find an inverse correlation – the less vehicle traffic, the more deer traffic. If you really want to get away from the crowd, and back where the big bucks roam, unload your ATV and ride the least-accessible roads and trails into the more remote areas. Reading Tracks Once

Post: 7 July 10:34

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I shot this button buck Saturday night while sitting at the base of a giant oak tree. Three does came out of the cedars earlier that evening, but they were about 155 yards away and moving at a pretty good clip. Then this young deer came out, and when he finally moved out from behind a couple trees in front of me, he stopped quartering toward me and gave me a shot at about 75 yards. I don’t prefer to hunt with a muzzleloader, but the December season seems to be about the only time I get the opportunity to hunt deer. The shot rang and after a moment of blindness, the smoke cleared. I saw the deer bolt about 50 yards to my right. I thought I’d missed him, but as he approached a couple lone cedar trees in the open, he made a sharp, confused U-turn, and then crashed down into the dry creek bed to the north. I almost expected him to get up and continue running over the hill, or slip away down the dry bed. Trembling, I reloaded my gun. If he was there, I needed to give him time to die with

Post: 21 December 18:48

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DON’T ABANDON OTHER FOODS There’s no question deer migrate to oaks when acorns start falling, but even when a majority of their diet consists of acorns, they eat other food. "I have a couple of food plots adjacent to some mature white oaks,” Giles said. “I see deer feeding in the plots all the time, even when there is a good acorn crop. They don’t spend nearly as much time in the food plots when there are lots of acorns, but they will certainly stop for a few bites of clover or oats on their way to or from acorns.” The edges of bean fields also are worth hunting, but find an oak dropping acorns on the edge of that bean field and you’ve found a potential hotspot. Isolated fruit trees, native and planted, draw deer throughout the early autumn, too. Sandiford likes to find fruit-bearing persimmon trees near oaks. “If you can get a combination of foods in a small area, you’ve got a real good place to hang a stand,” he said. Hunting during an epic acorn crop can drive you nuts, but the

Post: 12 October 08:06

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3 Top States for DIY Big Buck Hunters These three stops all have over-the-counter tags and great potential for shooting a trophy buck For a Do-It-Yourself hunter, nothing beats the simplicity of traveling to another state, buying a deer tag over the counter, and then going to the woods. There are plenty of places for us DIYers to hunt like that and probably get a shot at a deer, too. But not as many have strong trophy potential. A 2 1/2-year-old 8-pointer is cream of the crop for most public-land hunting in states like New York, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. If your personal standards are a bit higher than that — maybe you’re after 3 1/2-year and older bucks — you might be facing long odds in most OTC states, at least on public lands. But shooting a mature buck on public land is within the realm of possibility in a few places, for hardworking hunters. These three states — all with OTC tags —have proven that they can regularly produce mature deer, and have some good public hunting to bo

Post: 8 August 21:28

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