Results by search “Elk” 148

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Elk Hunting on Your Own Most attempts at DIY bulls fail miserably, but these experts are here to help Nearly every big game hunter dreams of elk hunting out West, but most of the time, that dream is not a reality. Most first-time, out-of-state elk hunters go in unprepared, and then go home without an elk. That’s why we polled these three DIY elk hunting experts for their advice. Think of Yourself Bill Vanderheyden of Iron Will Broadheads, knows the elk woods well. The first thing the out-of-stater thinks about when planning for an elk hunt is being in physical shape, and that’s important. But if you live near sea level, nothing can prepare your body for the change in elevation except for time. Vanderheyden sees it every year. “The altitude can really take it away from you at first. It can reduce your ability for critical thinking and physically drain you for the first few days,” he says. “I’ve seen people come out here and have to turn around and leave because they felt so bad. If you

Post: 29 August 18:08

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ELK RETURN TO NORTH CAROLINA It took about 20 years, but elk have returned to the Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina. Once native to the Tar Heel State, eastern elk vanished in the 1800s due to human encroachment on key habitat. However, now, while exact numbers are still to be determined, elk are back in the Great Smoky Mountains in Southern Appalachian, the Citizen Times reports. Wildlife biologist Joseph Yarkovich has been involved with the project since its beginnings and hopes to one day “have one large, contiguous population throughout the East Coast again,” but adds, “that’s still way, way down the road.” For now, those involved with the elk recovery project are hoping to obtain an accurate population count. “What we’ve been doing up until now is conducting a minimum count,” said Yarkovich. “The park in collaboration with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the North Carolina Wildlife Commission will coordinate for three days in a row to count as many elk as we can s

Post: 16 September 18:34

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Dan Staton (ElkShape): Elite Bowhunter, Fitness Coach, and Hunting Influencer Who Is Dan Staton? Dan Staton is a well-known bowhunting influencer and the founder of ElkShape—a comprehensive training and coaching platform for western hunters. Based in Spokane, Washington, Staton is a fitness expert, podcast host, and lifelong bowhunter who inspires thousands of hunters to train harder, hunt smarter, and live more disciplined lives. At 40 years old, he balances family life with his wife and two children while leading the ElkShape movement. ElkShape: Hunting Training Program for Bowhunters ElkShape is not just a brand—it’s a lifestyle philosophy focused on preparing hunters physically and mentally for the rigors of backcountry elk hunting. Through a mix of online coaching, in-person ElkShape Camps, YouTube content, and his podcast, Staton delivers practical guidance on archery, gear selection, physical training, and mindset development. This program has become a go-to resource for ser

Post: 14 July 14:33

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Corey Jacobsen: Elk Hunting Influencer, Champion Elk Caller & Bowhunting Educator Corey Jacobsen is a nine-time World Champion elk caller, widely recognized as one of America's top elk hunting experts and bowhunting instructors. Through his educational platform Elk101.com, Corey has built a reputation not only as a skilled hunter but also as a trusted mentor in the field of elk hunting education. His content attracts tens of thousands of hunters seeking to improve their elk calling and backcountry strategies. Elk Hunting Style: Public Land and Archery-Focused Corey Jacobsen prefers hunting on public lands, particularly in the rugged mountainous regions of Idaho, where he resides. He exclusively uses a compound bow for elk hunting, which aligns with his deep commitment to ethical, skill-based hunting practices. His preferred method is DIY elk hunting, without guides or outfitters, relying on personal experience, precise planning, and strategic calling. Bowhunting Strategy and Elk Ca

Post: 16 July 15:33

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5 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT ELK ANTLERS 1. ELK ANTLER RETENTION IS TESTOSTERONE-DRIVEN Elk antlers begin to form immediately after the last set is shed. Because elk antler grows faster than any other tissue in its body, a healthy bull can grow nearly one inch of antler every single day, leaving them with a fully formed set of antlers within the next few months. In many cases, disputes with predators or other bulls will cause these antlers to break off, but they’ll actually shed on their own if left undamaged. Why? Because an elk’s ability to retain its antlers is driven by its testosterone levels. After mating season ends, the level of doe pheromones in the air decreases, causing bull testosterone to drop as well. Once a bull loses enough testosterone, its body will pick up on the change and begin to shed its antlers in response. 2. DIFFERENT ELK POPULATIONS HAVE UNIQUE ANTLERS There are many subspecies of elk, and at least six variants live in North America. Over time and multiple gene

Post: 21 May 17:25

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UTAH ADDS MORE COW ELK PERMITS TO 2021/22 SEASON There will be more elk opportunity in Utah for the 2021/22 season. Last month, the Utah Wildlife Board approved additional cow elk hunting permits across the state to help manage elk during the extended drought season, according to a press release. “These permits were proposed to help minimize conflicts and damage that could occur on big game winter ranges, as well as possible conflicts with agricultural properties. These additional elk permits are intended to reduce competition between elk and other big game species on winter ranges and to ensure the overall health of various elk and deer herds,” said Covy Jones, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) big game coordinator. “These issues are a result of the severe drought limiting typical habitat and feed for elk and other big game animals across Utah, so these additional permits are being implemented as a proactive measure.” According to UDWR, there will be an additional 1,052 an

Post: 16 September 18:42

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Utah cites hunters for killing wrong animals Every year, multiple hunters are cited for killing the wrong animal in Utah during cow elk season. While many of the incidents end up being more of a case of misidentification than poaching, it is still happening on an annual basis. In fact, several recent investigations conducted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) found that hunters shot either the wrong sex or wrong species and some are “so excited to see an animal that they make poor shooting decisions,” according to the agency. Here are some recent examples during the 2022-23 antlerless elk hunts, which began in August and runs through Jan. 31: Weber County: A man shot a moose instead of an elk during his hunt. Emery County: A hunter shot a branch-antlered bull elk, thinking it was a spike elk. Then he also shot a spike elk, thinking it was the same elk. He was charged with a misdemeanor. Sevier County: Officers investigated two cases where a hunter shot too many elk.

Post: 23 January 11:52

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SOUTH DAKOTA RANCHERS UPSET OVER NUMBER OF ELK CONTINGENCY LICENSES South Dakota ranchers are angry over the number of elk contingency licenses recently issued across four units, especially because they were involved in the creation of the new elk management plan in 2015. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) announced this week that there would be 20 of these licenses in units that span both public and private property, the Black Hills Pioneer reports. The elk contingency licenses are used to “reduce the elk population in areas that have been heavily affected by drought,” said Andrew Norton, SDGFP senior big game biologist. There is not set location for where these licenses are issued. Basically, it’s based upon where the elk are “relative to the department’s objective” so that the elk population can be reduced “in order to improve grazing conditions on forest service land that ranchers lease.” Yet, Aaron Thompson, president of the Spearfish Livestock Association, Eric Jenning

Post: 17 September 18:08

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Hunting in California offers a wide variety of opportunities for both experienced hunters and beginners. With its diverse landscapes, from mountainous regions to vast deserts, California is home to a rich variety of game species, including deer, elk, wild pig, turkey, and upland game birds. Before embarking on your hunting trip, make sure to familiarize yourself with California’s hunting regulations. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) strictly monitors hunting seasons, bag limits, and licensing. Every hunter in California is required to have a valid hunting license, and in some cases, specific tags are needed for certain species like #deerhunting and #elkhunting. The Golden State is known for its challenging #publiclandhunting opportunities, as it boasts millions of acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service. Popular public hunting areas include the Mendocino National Forest, Sierra National Forest, and Los Padr

Post: 11 October 12:01

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How to Call in a Bull Elk Like a Calling Champion Do You Use These Techniques? You might expect a top elk caller to focus his hunting advice on proper call selection, volume, tone, timing or teamwork. But one Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation World Elk Calling Championship winner says perhaps the most critical step to calling in elk is how you set up to intercept an approaching bull. Corey Jacobsen of Boise, Idaho, is one of the most decorated world champion elk callers in the country, as well as a consistently successful bowhunter. Jacobsen offers the following key advice on calling elk into bow range: “The setup might be the most critical step," Jacobsen said. "It always plays a major role in determining the outcome of a hunt. I can’t count how many hunts have been blown by a bad setup — too much brush to shoot through, not enough cover to hide in, no shooting lanes, inconsistent wind currents, caught in the open, the list goes on and on. “I always repeat one word to myself when I’m s

Post: 13 June 11:47

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Montana releases new elk management plan There’s a new elk management plan in place for Montana. This month, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) announced the adoption of the 2023 plan and environmental assessment. The new plan is flexible and “forward looking,” according to the agency. It will help FWP making informed decisions that incorporate conservation initiatives with regard to elk management and help guide future requirements for sustainably managing elk populations. “Development of the new elk plan was a long and expansive process, and we appreciate all the public input we received,” said Dustin Temple, FWP Director. “Elk management is controversial in Montana, but through this process we saw people with varying interests come together with new ideas. That collaboration is captured in the plan and will be critical moving forward.” Some highlights of the new plan include a less prescription, more objective/goal-focused management strategy as well as specific identification

Post: 7 December 09:17

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Hour-to-Hour Elk Hunting Tactics. Elk hunting differs from a traditional whitetail hunt in many ways. Elevation, rugged terrain and extraction adversities separate the two, just to name a handful of complicating distinctions. Another difference is the fact elk keep a schedule that offers hunting opportunities throughout the day, whereas whitetails may shut down. Focus on meeting locations that vary by the hour to engage your leggy quarry instead of napping under an old pine tree. 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. If I had to rate one period as the Holy Grail, it would be dawn through midmorning. Elk seem to be anxious, agitated and goal-oriented. That equals noise, and noisy elk are easy to track. The "anxious" issue arises from elk being exposed at sunrise to potential hunting pressure. They are anxious to move to private digs most hunters will be pressed to reach. Herd bulls are anxious to keep the harem together while moving through a barrage of tag-along satellite bulls. What is the goal? By midmo

Post: 17 September 18:10

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Second, your weapon will determine your season, which also determines your experience. It is nearly universal, for example, that archery season for big game happens in September because it coincides with the elk rut (mating season). Hunting during the elk rut is a uniquely powerful experience. During this time, bull elk vie for the attention of cows, piercing the mountain air with their signature bugles, grunts, chuckles, and screams. The ability to hear the animals and understand their intent, and engage in vocal communication with a 600-pound king of the forest, is one of the most intense, thrilling, and addictive elements of archery hunting. Elk language is nuanced and laden with information. As a bowhunter your goal is to paint a picture in the animal’s mind with the timing, location, tone, and intensity of your vocalization. In one situation you might imitate a cow elk looking for love, while in another you might communicate to a bull that you’re a bigger bull ready to rumble. (If

Post: 21 November 18:04

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Teen hunter shoots record Virginia bull elk Congratulations to Austin Prieskorn! The 15-year-old hunter is now the proud record holder of the only Boone & Crockett (B&C) bull elk for Virginia with a score of 413-7/8” after his dad, Bo, won a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) raffle. As GOHUNT previously reported, Virginia announced its first historic elk season last year following a successful reintroduction effort spearheaded by RMEF. Out of the five tags available, four went to Virginia residents lucky to draw and the fifth was raffled off by RMEF. Almost 32,000 applicants vied for their chance at a once-in-a-lifetime tag, generating $513,000 for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources general fund, according to B&C. The RMEF tag raised $93,000 and the monies will be used for elk habitat management. Bo was excited to hear that he won. “I haven’t hunted myself in seven years. It’s been all about my boys.” The Prieskorns live in New Mexico and Bo was an outfitter for 30 ye

Post: 20 February 10:44

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK CLOSES AREAS TO PROTECT ELK Elk that roam the Rocky Mountain National Park will get a reprieve from visitors as park officials began closing areas around the park to prevent intrusion during the fall rut. Targeted areas include roadways and trails in Horseshoe Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, Moraine Park, Harbison Meadow and Holzwarth Meadow, according to the Loveland Reporter-Herald. While 2020 had extended closure times from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. due to the uptick in park visitors, this year, closures will occur from 5 p.m to 10 a.m. and run through Oct. 31. Fishing will still be permitted in the Fall River, Thompson River or Colorado River as posted, but also closed from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. Colorado Parks & Wildlife stated that the “closures are intended to prevent disturbance and harassment of elk during their fall mating period and to enhance visitor elk viewing opportunities.” Stay tuned to goHUNT for further updates.

Post: 16 September 18:45

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife seeks elk poacher It’s definitely offseason for elk hunting, but someone didn’t get the message. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is looking for any leads in a recent poaching incident that occurred in Park County, Colorado around June 26. A large bull elk carcass was left to waste with the majority of the meat still there, according to Channel 9 News. CPW believes the elk was illegally shot between June 24 and 26 in the area between Como and Hartsel, west of Colorado Springs. The carcass was dumped along Pike National Forest Road 146. A high-power rifle was used and only the backstraps and one antler was removed. The rest of the carcass was left to rot. CPW is hopeful that campers or residents in the Tarryall area or the Indian Mountain Buffalo subdivisions may have seen something related to the crime. “This was a senseless and disgraceful act which demonstrates a complete disregard for Colorado’s wildlife,” said Ian Petkash, CPW District Wildlife Mana

Post: 12 July 14:23

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Stolen elk antlers and skull returned to owner Taylor Gyllenberg got an early Christmas present when the elk antlers and skull from her trophy bull were returned to her by the Baker City Police Department last week. The elk, which Gyllenberg killed on Oct. 27 in the Sumpter Unit in Oregon, was supposed to become a European mountl, according to the Baker City Herald. However, the memento from her first bull elk never made it to her wall. Instead, after Gyllenberg and her boyfriend prepped the skull and antlers over several hours, she discovered that someone stole the trophy right from the yard of her boyfriend’s home in Baker City on Nov. 18. “I don’t see how someone could take something that they didn’t work on themselves,” said Gyllenberg. “I just think it’s sickening to know that someone could ever take something they didn’t even work to get.” Gyllenberg’s friends gathered together to offer a $750 reward for return of the skull and antlers; however, Gyllenberg didn’t hold out much

Post: 3 January 12:39

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10 Elk Hunting Tips from the RMEF Do You Use These Tips? All tips were condensed from past features in RMEF's bi-monthly member magazine, Bugle. A subscription comes with an annual RMEF membership for $35. To join, call 800-CALL ELK or visit www.rmef.org. 1. Scout from Space If you've looked into the night sky, you've noticed the many satellites now orbiting our planet. They're great tools for today's hunter. Google Earth uses satellite images and aerial photography to give bird's-eye views of elk country. Locate meadows, burns, roads, water, heavy-timber escape areas and more. You can even find places where the forest canopy thins to suggest hidden grazing spots for elk. Newer GPS units accept uploaded coordinates from Google Earth, allowing you to walk directly to and more efficiently ground-truth potential honeyholes. 2. Count Points Quickly In good habitat, a bull normally has a 5-point rack as a 2-1/2-year-old and a small 6-point rack the following year. Instantly distinguishi

Post: 13 May 22:19

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Idaho reports "slightly above average" survival rates in mule deer and elk In Idaho, mule deer fawn and elk calf survival rates were up, following the latest data collected from animals outfitted with tracking collars. To date, 84% of fawns and 92% of calves have survived through the end of winter, putting their statewide winter survival rate “slightly above average,” according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). “From a statewide perspective, winter survival is tracking very close to what we saw in past two years,” said Toby Boudreau, IDFG deer and elk program coordinator. “If we continue on that trajectory, that's good news because we ended up with above-average winter survival in both 2019-20 and 2020-21. And every mild winter we can stack together is another step in the right direction for our mule deer herds.” Currently, there are 222 mule deer fawns and 201 elk calves outfitted with tracking collars. Even though the winter weather may be behind them, biologist c

Post: 22 March 10:23

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At 78 years of age, cancer has pretty much taken away my ability to climb mountains in search of elk. Don’t feel sorry for me, I have killed plenty of elk, mostly cows for the good eating. The good Lord has allowed me more than a charmed life. I have a wonderful family with great kids, grandkids and great grandkids and I have fly fished (my main sport) all over the world, sometimes in places I never dreamed I would go. My youngest son, Stefan, and I decided to do something we had never done before. We planned to go on a guided elk hunt. I work for the International Sportsmen’s Expositions telling fly-fishing tales and doing fly tying demonstrations. In my spare time I began to canvas the floor, down in Denver, looking for a suitable elk-hunting outfit. QRS Outfitters out of Meeker, Colo., was particularly attractive, and they thought an early season muzzleloader hunt would fit the bill for what we were looking for, so we booked our hunt. Neither of us has owned a muzzleloader, nor ha

Post: 13 October 23:12

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How to Plan Your First Antelope Hunt Pronghorns are the gateway species for Western big-game hunters, and there’s a long season full of opportunity. Here’s when to go I wouldn’t go so far as to say a dead antelope buck smells good, but I don’t mind their odor a bit. There’s a hint of petting zoo goat — not necessarily repulsive in itself — mixed with dry Western air and sage and musk. All combined, somehow, the smell is sweet, and for me it always triggers good memories of hunting adventures far from home. Just about every Easterner ever to buy a deer tag has at some point dreamed of hunting out West. I talk to eager prospects every year, and many of them want to come out swinging, with designs on an elk hunt in the mountains. I love elk hunting, especially in September. But I always temper any encouragement I give with this reality: If you’re not going guided, you’re probably not going to kill an elk. Not your first year. If you’re prepared to pony up for a guided elk hunt, go

Post: 16 September 11:09

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HOLY ELK! Look what we found at the Kilkenny Castle in Ireland. They are REAL antlers from a prehistoric Irish elk! AND (according to our guide) they are mounted on the wall at their actual height! They are the largest deer that ever lived, and went extinct between 8,000 and 6,000 years ago. They earned the name Irish elk because so many bodies were preserved in Irish peat bogs. These massive ungulates weighed between weighed 990-1,520 pounds and stood as tall as an Alaskan moose at 6 feet 11 inches at the shoulders! The size of their antlers was utterly staggering. In fact, that is very likely the cause of their extinction. Many agree that their huge antler size may have contributed to a mineral deficiency which ultimately killed the animal off. So at least it wasn’t humans!

Post: 5 May 19:08

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HUNTING SEASONS IN SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 Saskatchewan hunt with our province-by-province guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species: Whitetail Deer, Moose, Ducks and more. Saskatchewan’s expansive prairie grasslands, parkland forests and boreal woodlands support some of Canada’s largest whitetail deer herds, robust moose and elk populations, and world-class waterfowl staging areas. Across 39 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), hunters pursue archery and rifle deer seasons, limited-draw moose and elk tag hunts, and spring/fall duck excursions—governed by Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment regulations. Prepare an ethical, compliant hunt with exact season windows, bag limits and WMU-specific requirements for 2025–26. What Is There to Hunt in Saskatchewan? Big Game: Whitetail deer, mule deer, moose, elk, pronghorn antelope Small Game & Upland Birds: Sharp-tailed gro

Post: 31 July 07:12

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Hunting Seasons in British Columbia, Canada 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 British Columbia hunt with our province‑by‑province guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to waterfowl. British Columbia’s mosaic of coastal rainforests, interior plateaus and mountain ranges supports world‑class deer seasons, elk and moose hunts, black bear forays and waterfowl wingshooting. BC’s 225 Management Units (MUs) span nine regions, each with specific season windows, bag limits and provincial regulations. This guide compiles the 2025–26 deer seasons, elk and moose tag draws, small game and migratory bird dates, plus licence and weapon rules to ensure a compliant, ethical hunt in BC. What Is There to Hunt in British Columbia? Big Game: Whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, moose, black bear Small Game & Upland Birds: Ruffed grouse, blue grouse, snowshoe hare, wild turkey Waterfowl & Migrato

Post: 30 July 07:12

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Hunting Seasons in Alberta, Canada 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 Alberta hunt with our province‑by‑province guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from mule deer to ducks. Alberta’s vast landscapes—from boreal forests and foothills to prairie grasslands—offer premier deer seasons, elk hunts, moose stalking and small‑game pursuits. Hunters will find diverse habitat, robust provincial regulations and ample opportunity for big game and small game across multiple Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). This guide covers 2025–26 season windows, license requirements, bag limits and provincial regulations to ensure a compliant, ethical hunt of whitetail deer, elk, moose, black bear, upland birds and waterfowl. What Is There to Hunt in Alberta? Big Game: Whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, moose, black bear Small Game & Upland Birds: Sharp‑tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, snowshoe hare, wild turkey Wa

Post: 30 July 06:50

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HUNTING SEASONS IN UTAH 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 Utah 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 ducks. Whether you’re glassing a rutting buck in Wasatch foothills, slipping into high‑country aspens for bull elk, or running decoys for teal over flooded marshes, Utah’s mountains, plateaus, and wetlands deliver premier big game and small game under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Utah? Utah supports a legendary variety of game: Big Game: Mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, moose (Unit 1 draw), bighorn sheep & mountain goat (draw), black bear, cougar Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, gray squirrel, ruffed grouse, chukar, Hungarian partridge Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, wigeon), geese, coots, rails, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, fox, bobcat, be

Post: 24 July 15:02

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