Indholdsfortegnelse for January/February 2026 i Game & Fish

Opening day of pheasant season in my county is normally a festive affair, with parties of hunters converging on the cafés and bars after cleaning multiple limits of roosters. But the 2025 opener was somber, with hunters complaining about low bird numbers while enumerating the whitetail deer carcasses they had encountered. The deer, dozens of them in some fields, were felled by a localized epidemic of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). A particularly nasty contagion spread by biting gnats, EHD causes whitetails (and to a lesser extent mule deer, antelope, and even moose) to bleed to death from ruptured lungs and blood vessels. The only cure is a significant frost that kills the gnats and spares the survivors. While we wait on the frost and commiserate, deer hunters in my part…

Deer hunters may not celebrate does the same way they do big bucks, but does deserve our appreciation, too, especially late in the season. In winter, after regular seasons have closed, antlerless deer are the only big game option available to many hunters across much of the country. If you still want meat for the freezer, a doe—or does—can certainly fit the bill. And, if you like a challenge, just try staying off the radar of an entire herd of does. It can be just as difficult as duping a mature buck. MEAT, MERRIMENT, MANAGEMENT There are many good reasons to hunt does late in the season. They present an additional opportunity that extends your deer-hunting window. In one-buck states, shooting does may also be necessary to fill the freezer.…

Call it a preview of what’s to come, a trailer for the latest blockbuster movie starring big, female largemouths bulging with eggs. The full-length flick may not hit theaters until mid-March, April, or even early May, but in some southern waters, early bedding offers bass fans an exciting prelude to the long-awaited spawn well before the vernal equinox. The windows of opportunity can be brief, and the weather has an impact, but certain places will provide trophy bass action in the shallows as much as a couple of months ahead of schedule. As Louisiana guide Darold Gleason points out, early spawners aren’t necessarily a secret, but prespawn bass staging on points, grass edges, etc., receive a greater percentage of the late-winter efforts. And less pressure in the shallows means more…

When the winter chill keeps most fly-anglers indoors, the savvy ones find a worthwhile escape on many tailwater streams, where milder and stable water temperatures keep trout active through the colder months. At this time, the water temp often exceeds the air’s by 10 degrees or more, providing sort of a warm blanket for anglers fishing a stream, keeping them a bit more comfortable. Because hatches of larger insects are typically absent during wintertime, identifying the prevalent choices on the trout’s menu becomes simpler, and a handful of flies is all you need to ensure you bring fish to the net. LIKELY WHEREABOUTS In winter, we can forgo faster runs and riffles and seek out deeper pools and longer runs—with water moving at a walking pace or slower—that provide ideal…

On any given day, you might struggle to understand what is going on inside the mind of a coworker, a friend, or even your spouse. Even so, you do your best to read the tea leaves and plot a way forward for the day without fully knowing his or her mood. Of course, with humans we can also talk to the person in question to ascertain clues that can help us choreograph the day’s proceedings. We do not, however, have that luxury with coyotes. With the song dogs we need to draw up a game plan and determine the conversation we’re going to have without ever having met the creature. Successful choreography of a coyote hunt comes from experience, instinct, improvisation, and a healthy dose of imagination on our part.…

Any fishing trip requires good gear, and we had it in spades with a collection from Columbia that kept us comfortable and ready for all the Gulf had to offer. PFG Pro Sport Boot: Excellent traction and support on slick decks PFG Wild Cast Long Sleeve Shirt: Cool, quick-drying protection from the unrelenting Gulf sun PFG Shadowcaster Zero Long Sleeve Shirt: Ideal for humid Southern heat, keeping you dry and ventilated throughout the day PFG Bahama X Relaxed Shoe: Lightweight, breathable, and perfect for long days offshore PFG Force XII ODX Jacket and Pants: A full foul-weather system that shrugs off wind, rain, and spray PFG Wild Cast 34L Backpack: Keeps tackle, rain gear, and electronics organized and dry…

Whether you hunt or fish in winter, few things ruin a good time faster than cold feet. Not only can frigid extremities force you to quit long before you’d like, they can also lead to trouble. A good boot that fits your given pursuit and activity level can be a game-changer. Quality wool socks (or a liner-and-wool-sock combo) also help. While some situations call for lighter, less-insulated boots to avoid excessive sweating, consider one of these options when conditions demand insulation measured in four figures instead of three. WINTER WORKHORSE LaCrosse Cold Snap II $230; lacrossefootwear.com The 9-inch-tall, fully waterproof LaCrosse Cold Snap II tackles any winter hunting task with 2,000 grams of Thinsulate Ultra insulation and a warm fleece lining. Its Permafrost outsole features deep, aggressive lugs for traction,…

Cowboy Kent Rollins, as he’s known to some 7 million followers and subscribers across social media platforms and YouTube, has always loved cooking and the outdoors. His life’s journey has taken him from the banks of Oklahoma’s Red River to New Mexico’s rugged Gila Wilderness to cattle ranches across the country, usually with cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens in tow. Now, in his new show, Cast Iron Cowboy on the Outdoor Channel, he’s celebrating America’s cowboys and the food—which he prepares from his restored chuckwagon—that fuels their work. Game & Fish Magazine (G&F): Let’s start by talking about where you come from. What led you to where you are now? What led to your love of cooking? Kent Rollins (KR): I was raised in southwest Oklahoma near the Red…

By the time the last split rolls around, the ducks that remain are masters of self-preservation. They’ve seen more spinners than a carnival crowd and have learned that motion doesn’t always mean safety. Come late season, realism is the currency that matters most. Your spread must tell a story birds will believe—one rooted in posture, spacing, and attitude. Over the years, I’ve spent enough mornings in muddy blinds and on freezing tanks to learn that ducks are the best teachers in the marsh. But, for this story, I also leaned on some of the sharpest waterfowlers I know who live for the last weeks of the season, when every detail matters. From those conversations came one shared truth: Late-season success isn’t about numbers. It’s about precision, realism, and a spread…

In recent years, thermal sights have skyrocketed in popularity among hunters who chase predators and feral hogs at night. Wherever they’re legal to use for these species, thermal optics are now enabling hunters to take accurate, ethical shots in complete darkness. Technological advancements have led to lower prices, thus making these scopes more attainable for a greater number of hunters. Nevertheless, the average consumer still typically knows very little about thermal sights. My first exposure to a thermal sight was in the 1980s. The sight in question was part of the fire control system of the M1 Abrams tank and cost more than most folks’ houses. Since then, I have hunted predators and feral hogs with a variety of thermal sights costing between roughly $1,000 and $5,000. They all will…

CENTERFIRE CONSIDERATIONS Rifle loads for predators should have a fairly flat, consistent trajectory; little recoil; and deadly terminal performance. Most are high-velocity, with rapidly expanding bullets. Velocity and Trajectory: For shots ranging from 50 to several hundred yards, a fast, flat-shooting round using a low-drag bullet minimizes holdover and allows quick follow-ups. Varmint-style, high-velocity cartridges retaining sufficient energy out to distant yet ethical ranges are popular. Think .204 Ruger, .22-250 Remington, .223 Rem./5.56 NATO, etc., and light, fast .243/6 mm loads. Bullet Design: You want enough penetration to reach vitals from different angles, but bullets should also expand reliably and rapidly. Lightweight 40- to 70-grain projectiles (in .20 to .24 calibers) often penetrate 2 to 5 inches in soft tissue, then fragment violently. The ideal bullet dumps energy quickly for…

To choreograph like a pro, you need software to outline your moves. While your coyote moves may lack the elegant flow of a ballet, the routine still must flow with precision, and a hunting app is the tool to make that happen. There are several to choose from, but the HuntStand hunting app works for me, especially with its updated platform that debuted in 2025. Subscriptions to HuntStand Pro and Pro Whitetail are some of the most economical in the marketplace. What is the difference? With Pro Whitetail you get access to a wealth of whitetail information, including detailed rut-activity models for your area. Whitetails aside, the base and overlay layers detail hunting areas precisely. You get all HuntStand Pro maps and tools, plus comprehensive forecasts and features like detailed…

Where to refuel after a day on the water Nothing beats a good meal and a bit of revelry after a full day of fishing action. These spots offer the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate. THE GULF Waterfront dining in a restaurant constructed of shipping containers. Order the fish tacos or the blackened grouper, grab a cocktail, and watch the sun set over the water. DESOTO’S SEAFOOD KITCHEN A Gulf Shores staple for classic Southern seafood, DeSoto’s is known for heaping platters of fried shrimp, crab claws, and fresh fish served in a no-frills, family-style setting. FLORA-BAMA A world-famous roadhouse bar where Alabama meets Florida. Known for its live music, raucous crowds, and the iconic Bushwacker cocktail.…

Shouts and whistles couldn’t produce my inquisitive (and too bold) wirehair. Luckily, someone from my TV crew saw him 20 feet up a ridge, quivering on point at the edge of a plum thicket. That was one thing I learned hunting public ground for Kansas quail late in the season: Never pass up a wild plum thicket. It provides food and cover that is often virtually impenetrable by dogs and humans. Kansas is a prime winter quail hunting spot due to its potentially mild temperatures, a season that runs through January, and a wealth of public land. Kansas’ Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) program has more than a million acres under contract, and there are many other publicly owned grounds. Additionally, the quail habitat varies widely throughout the state. You might…

With the introduction of the Model 2020 Heatseeker, Springfield Armory is showcasing the versatility of its premium Model 2020 action by mating it to a Sharps Bros. Heatseeker chassis. Considering that Springfield has not made standalone Model 2020 actions available, this is welcome news for anyone who has been hankering to have a chassis rifle centered around one. The Model 2020 Heatseeker offers precision with modularity in a relatively light, detachable magazine-fed, suppressor-ready package that will satisfy multiple user groups: hunters desiring a discreet, adjustable, easy-to-carry rifle; precision shooters who want a compact, modular, and lightweight rig; tactical users who desire AR-style ergonomics in a bolt-gun chassis. Across the board, accuracy is the common theme. THE FOUNDATION The Model 2020 action is machined from a stainless-steel billet. An integral recoil…

DIFFICULTY : MODERATETIME REQUIRED : 90-120 MINUTES Want a better bird dog? Build one! OK, you can’t really “build” a dog (that’s your breeder’s job), but you can easily assemble a training table that can help turn your dog into a better hunter. It’ll help your back, too. For decades, pro trainers have been getting dogs off the ground because it works. To a dog, being elevated adds a bit of drama and import to whatever is being done. A dog off the ground is a little less full of himself and looks to his human for assurance. Essentially, you’ve got his undivided attention, his eyes widen a bit, and he wonders to himself, what the heck is going on up here? Wobbly barrels and elevated “place boards” are two…

Coyotes, foxes, and bobcats are incredibly cunning, wary, and adaptable species, and on private land, with limited hunting pressure, they’re tough enough to get in your crosshairs. On public ground, success can often seem unlikely. However, despite the odds, public-land predator hunting isn’t a futile exercise. With the right tactics, preparation, and—most importantly—mindset, it’s entirely possible to call a coyote into range on ground that anyone can hunt. PUBLIC-LAND PAIN POINTS Public-land predators have seen and heard it all. I often joke that coyotes on public tracts can probably tell the difference between a Johnny Stewart, FOXPRO, and Primos call, simply because they’ve heard them so many times. After listening to the same prey distress sounds on repeat, they’ve come to associate those noises with danger. Add in foot traffic…

In 2024, Terry Presta and I hunted elk on the Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico. Terry owns Simmons Gun Repair in Olathe, Kansas, so I figured he could—and would—get his hands on just about any newfangled rifle he wanted. Turns out we took almost opposite approaches. His was an old favorite in an old cartridge, a pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 in .30-06. Mine was an almost-new 7 PRC by Flat Creek Precision. Synthetic and Cerakote against Terry’s 70-year-old walnut-and-blue. Well, not exactly. Terry’s rifle did not wear a 1950s-era fixed 4X, but rather a new Athlon 2.5–15x50 mm scope. Mine wore a not-so-new Leupold VX6 3–18x44. On arrival, we quickly went to the range, checked zero on paper, then dialed up a bit and rang 400-yard gongs. The…

The first tug on the line came just as the last of the daylight slipped below the horizon. Our rods were planted in sand spikes, waves foaming around our ankles, and the salty breeze carried the faint thump of music drifting from the guides’ portable speaker. Beers clinked, laughter rolled, and conversation slowed to a halt when the drag on one of the rods suddenly screamed to life. The fight that ensued wasn’t quick. For the better part of an hour, we took turns battling a monster from the surf—a hammerhead shark that stretched more than 7 feet long when it finally hit the beach. As cameras flashed and we carefully worked the hook free before releasing it, I couldn’t help but think, If this is how the trip begins,…

At 200 miles long and up to 35 miles wide, Chesapeake Bay is the nation’s largest estuary. In bygone days, accessing its Eastern Shore was challenging, but now this part of the bay is highly accessible and, in the colder months, it offers several options for visiting waterfowlers, while the region’s small towns afford glimpses of days long past and opportunities to enjoy delicious seafood. WATERFOWL CENTRAL Big water hunting for sea ducks and divers takes place from Crisfield up through Tilghman Island, stretching to the bountiful shorelines and shoals of the Susquehanna Flats. Several sea duck guides operate out of Tilghman Island, hunting the wide mouth of the Choptank River. And Kayla Harvey, a waterfowl biologist for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, says that large flocks of redheads and…

The Square in downtown Oxford has been the city’s cultural and economic hub since the early 19th century. It boasts a variety of boutiques and shops, including Neilson’s, the oldest department store in the South (opened in 1839), and Square Books, one of the top independent bookstores, located in three historic buildings 100 feet apart. There’s no shortage of good and interesting eateries, too. City Grocery, one of four restaurants in Oxford founded by James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence, is not to be missed. Its menu includes creative takes on numerous Southern classics. The shrimp and grits, for instance, is the best I’ve ever had. If you’re in the mood for Italian, mosey over to Tarasque Cucina or Saint Leo on Jackson Avenue. For nachos or a burger and…

Southwest Oregon is rugged and beautiful and happens to produce some of the best wild winter steelhead fishing in the nation. When rainfall swells a river enough to provide fish with easy upstream passage and cover, but not enough to cause flooding, and turns the water emerald green, that’s the time to fish. Moving in during these high flows, bright winter steelhead settle into fishable holding lies as the river drops back into shape. Luck into a fight with one of these fish, and you won’t forget it. Southwestern Oregon boasts several great rivers for winter steelhead, but four stand out. CHETCO RIVER Beginning just north of the California border, the Chetco flows into the Pacific at the town of Brookings. Anglers can drive to the river’s edge at Social…

A few years ago, Maven, the Wyoming-based, direct-to-consumer optics maker, released its first laser rangefinder, the RF.1. The RF.1 found favor with hunters in large part because of its easy-to-use controls that include a switch to toggle between forest and field modes and a side-mounted dial that makes navigating settings menus much simpler than the push-button operation found on most rangefinders. I was (and remain) a fan of the RF.1 because it set a new standard for rangefinder design. So, when news broke that Maven was building on the RF.1’s success by adding a new model called the RFZ.1, I was anxious to see what upgrades the brand had made. Turns out the RFZ.1 represents another major step forward in rangefinder design by including variable magnification. Other rangefinders offer fixed…

In Shane’s experience, the nastier the weather, the better the duck hunting. So, while the neighbors were stacking firewood ahead of an impending cold front, Shane was readying his gear. By 7 p.m. it was 18 degrees. With any luck, it would be even colder when he and his buddy Andy launched the boat before dawn the next morning. Shane’s parents were not nearly as thrilled about the plan, but because Shane’s father was once a die-hard waterfowler himself, he understood. And Shane understood that when his father gave him the obligatory “be careful” lecture, it was meant for Shane’s mother as much as it was for Shane. “Yes, sir, I understand” said Shane. “Andy’s been hunting and fishing on the lake since he was 5 years old. He knows…