Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2024 i Game & Fish

I had just finished settling into my stand when the ruckus started in the cedar thicket off to my right. Though it was still dark and I couldn’t see what was causing the racket, I just knew the breaking branches and hollow thuds had to be coming from a buck chasing a doe. It was, after all, the second week of November in Virginia, and the rut was cranking. The noise continued intermittently for the next 10 minutes before the cool woods went silent and the darkness turned to gray. When it was light enough for me to clearly see the iron sights on my flintlock, I issued a few grunts from the tube that hung around my neck. Moments later, I heard him coming. The buck, a wide 8-point,…

For every chase-filled, buck-laden, rut-crazed day I’ve had while hunting in November, I’ve had probably two dozen that were as dull as televised golf. Truth is, as much as I love bowhunting whitetails in November, I must also admit that it can be one of the most frustrating periods of the deer season. Why? Because the rut, by its very nature, ebbs and flows. It can also be heavily impacted by external forces, with hunting pressure at the top of that list. Over the years, I think I’ve become much more efficient and effective during November hunts because I’ve learned some hard lessons about what to do, what not to do and when to do either. Like most things, I think experience serves as the best teacher. Here’s what experience…

I’m not a huge fan of large, South Dakota-style pheasant drives. Outfitters like using them to maximize the number of people hunting and to ideally kill limits quickly and efficiently. However, as productive as they are, I often worry about safety. Participants typically work toward other hunters, and while they’re told to only shoot up in the air and keep guns pointed in a safe direction, when roosters flush everywhere, things can get a little hectic. Often, with multiple hunters shooting at the same birds, you can’t even tell who shot what. Inexperience is another concern, as it may be the only time some folks hunt all year (I know outfitters who’ve admitted to showing participants how to load borrowed guns). During big pheasant drives, the simple joy of dog…

The Midwest offers a multitude of destinations where anglers can pursue giant muskies, even potential state-record fish. While big-fish opportunities exist in musky hotbeds like Wisconsin and Minnesota, intriguing fisheries can also be found in other states, including some on the far edges of the musky’s natural range. Here are five options to consider this fall. WISCO WONDER Wisconsin’s Chippewa Flowage contains 15,300 acres of impounded waters and is famous for muskellunge. More taxidermized man cave and barroom trophies likely originated here than anywhere else. Check out pinch points and flow locations that taper to deeper water. MICHIGAN MARVEL Torch Lake in Michigan is home to impossibly large Great Lakes muskies due to its connection via the Torch River to Lake Skegemog and, in turn, Elk Lake, which connects to…

Some of my most effective decoy setups over the years have been mixed spreads incorporating an assortment of both floating decoys in the water and field decoys on dry land. These arrangements have accounted for countless ducks and geese on many hunts, largely because they depict contented, resting birds so well. They can include ducks, geese or a combination of both, regardless of what birds you’re targeting, as it’s completely natural for both types of birds to be present. In short, floater/field decoy combo spreads are versatile and deadly, and they should be part of any duck or goose hunter’s rotation. Let’s take a closer look at where to best employ these setups and how to create the illusion of a relaxed group of loafing birds. BUILD IT Open shorelines…

Ohio is very accommodating to out-of-state deer hunters. A non-resident hunting license and deer permit are required and easily purchased online. However, these are simpler and less expensive to obtain than in many other Midwestern states where drawings and expensive tags are the norm. Ohio hunting laws and season dates are enforced on the Wayne National Forest. Usually, hunting is allowed anywhere except for developed recreation areas—campgrounds, picnic areas, swimming areas, trailheads, etc.—which have boundaries. Hunters must also stay away from any oil or gas operations. Recreational target shooting isn’t allowed, but shooting at in-season game animals is. It’s also unlawful to discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a building, campsite, residence, recreation area, trailhead or other occupied areas, and hunters cannot shoot from or across roadways or bodies…

Shane was just 15 when trail cameras hit the market, but he was already obsessed with hunting big bucks and knew right away that a camera would help him bag a giant. He had to have one. His father, on the other hand, was more skeptical. “I don’t know if I like the idea of having to buy batteries and film for it all the time,” he told Shane. “Well, Dad, don’t you always tell me that a big buck’s best defense is not letting you know that he even exists?” “Yes, I believe that. But you know how you can tell if a buck exists without a camera?” “How?” said Shane, anticipating what his father was about to say. “It’s called scouting. Spending time in the woods. Reading sign.…

BEST STATES FOR WHITETAILS We crunched the data—such as harvest records, trophy potential, season length and public access—to rank the top deer hunting states in the nation. To see which ones lead the list, read “America’s Best Whitetail States.” LIVE FROM THE RUT Things are heating up in the whitetail woods. Our experts provide timely info on whitetail activity to help you tag a buck in our weekly “Regional Rut Update,” running through the end of November. THE FFS DEBATE Forward-facing sonar has had such a tremendous impact on bass fishing that some bass tournament circuits are changing competition rules in response. Find out why in “Pro Bass Circuits Limit FFS Use.” NEW DEER AMMO These hard-hitting loads won’t let you down when that monster 12-pointer comes into view this…

In Colorado earlier this year, the state Senate narrowly confirmed a vocal anti-hunter to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, the body that governs the state’s wildlife-management agency. The Kansas legislature passed a law this year that gives authority to appoint Wildlife and Parks commissioners to various elected officials, including party leaders of the state’s House and Senate and the Kansas attorney general. Vermont’s state Senate approved a bill in March that would have radically transformed the Fish and Wildlife Board from an independent rule-making body into an advisory board to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, the very agency that it historically has had the authority to govern. While that bill died in the state House, it revealed surprising support for considering changes to traditional fish-and-wildlife management. In general,…

As fall winds down, outdoor activity across the Midwest enjoys a final surge. November delivers the whitetail rut, an annual event to which no other hunting or fishing activity can compare. When big bucks lower their guard in search of does, deer hunting becomes a priority. However, upland hunters and waterfowlers have plenty to do, and many small-game seasons are open, too. And across the region, anglers are still bending rods in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. In short, there’s much to be thankful for in November. 1 BLUEGRASS BUSHYTAILS The northern part of a peninsula between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area contains 170,000 acres of forests and open lands teeming with squirrels. Dogs are quite popular for hunting this classic squirrel…

Fortunately, Midwest hunters have many options when planning pheasant trips. For some, decent hunting may be a short drive away. But, if you’re planning a serious trip, the following three states should be top of mind. SODAK SWEET SPOTS South Dakota yields more pheasants every year than all other states combined. There are more hunters, too. A great option for freelancers is hunting later in the year. There’ll be fewer birds, but also fewer hunters, and your chances of obtaining permission to hunt private property increases. Remaining pheasants also move back into the best cover on walk-in areas and waterfowl production areas (WPAs). Steer clear of prime areas between Mitchell, Gregory and Winner and around Pierre and Chamberlain, unless you know someone or are willing to pay. It’s great hunting…

Mr. Around Him was definitely going around him via the road ditch! Our hunting guide, Milton Around Him, a proud Native American from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, took a sliding detour off the road and around a stranded motorist on the ice-covered highway. For the past couple of days, winter’s first attempt had brought a downpour of rain instead of snow, resulting in sheets of ice everywhere. Despite the road of ice before us, I had convinced Milton to show me a new deer hunting location on the opposite side of the reservation. As we sped down the highway at a gripping 15 mph, the car ahead of us started sliding backward down a slight hill, forcing Milton to take the ditch. Luckily, the ice-covered grass provided better traction,…

It was a shock to most of the shooting world when Springfield Armory introduced the Model 2020 Waypoint bolt-action rifle. Unveiled in 2020 (hence the model number), with COVID raging across the world, the new rifle from Springfield was a bit of good news. Later came the Model 2020 Redline with a shorter barrel and minimalistic stock. A few months ago, Springfield announced another version of the Model 2020 called the Boundary, a traditionally styled hunting rifle with a few well-designed twists. The Boundary is built around the same action and comes with the same 3/4 MOA precision guarantee as the Waypoint. This push-feed action features an extractor positioned in the face of one of the bolt’s two lugs. Set 90 degrees to the centerline of the bore, the extractor…

Not all that long ago, suppressors were not very common. You likely didn’t know anyone who had one, and you rarely saw one at the range. That’s changed. Suppressors are now one of the most popular firearms accessories, and they’re frequently used for recreational shooting, competition and hunting. If you’re thinking about purchasing a suppressor for hunting, there are some things to consider: namely, legal concerns, your rifle’s characteristics and what you require from your suppressor. LEGAL LOGISTICS Suppressors are legal to own in 42 U.S. states, and legal for hunting in 41. First things first: check your state’s regulations. If you purchase a suppressor in your name, only you can use it; others can only use it if they’re in your company. However, if you purchase through a trust,…

It was opening morning of the Kansas firearm deer season, and there was a very real chance that a whitetail buck larger than any I’d seen in my life stood less than 200 yards away. I had just entered a box blind set on the ground atop a sandy knoll, and if I had spooked any deer at the nearby feeder on my walk in, I hadn’t heard them run off. So far so good, I figured. By headlamp light, I carefully extracted from my pack anything I might need to have close at hand for the duration of the hunt and gently set it on the spare metal folding chair inside the blind. I grabbed the already loaded detachable box magazine, inserted it into my Mossberg Patriot and slowly…

You hang your tree stands with care in the preseason based on hours of research and hundreds, if not thousands, of trail camera images. Inevitably, whitetails decide to drastically alter their patterns, leaving you facing a dilemma: Do you move a stand and risk spooking deer in the process? With a calculated plan revolving around the schedule and behavior of the deer you hunt, you can absolutely minimize accidental disturbances in the deer woods. GET READY Once you’ve confirm a pattern shift and have decided it’s time to make a move, enlist some help. Partner up with someone to hand you steps, untangle lines and clear shooting lanes as you hang your new stand. Any assistance, in whatever capacity, will usually help minimize noise and speed up the process. Next,…

November winds are swirling and the sky is gray. Shorter days and cold temperatures affirm that Old Man Winter is descending upon the Midwest. However, hold off on stowing the boat or digging out the ice fishing gear for now. Late fall is your best chance at a giant musky. As baitfish congregate, muskies aren’t far behind, and they gorge themselves now. Grab your long johns, zip up your lined parka and bibs, and pull on your pac boots. The weather may be ice-cold, but the musky fishing is red-hot. GO BIG As with many outdoor pursuits, time and place matter greatly when chasing muskies in the fall. For John Holmgren, fishing guide and host and curator of the Devoted Outdoors social media and YouTube channels, that means knowing where…

A heavy-antlered, timber-dwelling buck steps into view as he feeds on white-oak acorns along the edge of his bedding area. You’re downwind, and he only needs to walk another 15 yards to be in range. This is the public-land hunting moment many dream of—and that some are fortunate to experience on many national forests, including Ohio’s sprawling Wayne National Forest. While it certainly isn’t an easy place to hunt, the Wayne is a top Midwest destination if you’re serious about mature public-land whitetails. LEARN THE BASICS Wayne National Forest consists of more than 240,000 acres, with more than 200,000 of those open to hunting. The forest is broken into several tracts, including the Athens, Ironton and Marietta units. All are in southeastern Ohio, which is well known for big-woods deer…

Among hunters, the Zeiss name is synonymous with exceptional optics. The German company relies on nearly 180 years of experience manufacturing various optical systems to produce high-quality riflescopes, spotters and binoculars. Extraordinary glass doesn’t come cheap, and Zeiss optics have an equal reputation for being on the pricier side. Most of Zeiss’ top-end offerings run well above the $1,000 mark. At least that was the case until the new Conquest HDX binocular line debuted this fall. Hunters can now get premium German glass in several classic configurations right around $1,000. The new Conquest HDX series includes seven models: 8x32 mm, 10x32 mm, 8x42 mm, 10x42 mm, 8x56 mm, 10x56 mm and 15x56 mm. The first four come in at or under a grand, while the models with 56 mm objectives…