Outdoor Life - Hunting RSS

Instagram Photo Contest: Win a Turkey Decoy

Alex Robinson — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:20:40 -0400

This Flextone turkey decoy is up for grabs.

We're looking for the best "No Trespassing," "No Hunting," and "No Fishing" signs you've encountered in the field. Be sure to tag your photos with #olsigncontest and tag us with @outdoor_life. And here's another kicker: Your photo could end up in our magazine.

The contest will run through May 31.

Public Land Deer Hunting: How to Save America's Whitetail Woods

Alex Robinson — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:41:07 -0400

An hour before a November dawn, I’m at a dirt pull-off in New York’s Catskill Mountains. Around me are more than 280,000 acres of public forest. These are big woods, and getting bigger. By legislative decree, the oak, maples, and ash here can never be cut. They’ve been growing for a century now. Some hunters whose legs have become too old to climb these steep forested hills tell me there were once a lot of deer here. There were grouse and rabbits, too. And hunters came from a hundred miles away to chase them. These days, both the game and the hunters are mostly gone.

As I shoulder my rifle, a pickup stops. A man, his face dimly lit by dashboard lights, says, “Have you seen a deer yet?” “No.” “Why do we keep coming back?”

“Hope,” I say.

The Decline and Fall of Public-Land Deer Hunting
Dawn finds me up high, where I can see the gray forest rolling unbroken for miles. The few deer that still live here feed low and climb to bed in mountain laurel thickets near the top. A lot of foresters and wildlife biologists have helped me see the problem that’s as obvious as the stout-trunked trees right in front of me. The trouble is the forest itself, and how we live within it. For a long time now we’ve let the environmental story be told by people who don’t know what deer taste like, by people who act as if we hunters don’t belong here. Because of this, even though sportsmen fund most wildlife conservation in America, we’re too often losing control of our public lands.

The dilemma has become so common that in many regions, hunters are ending up with two totally different experiences: Those who own or lease private land can have pretty good deer hunting; meanwhile, those who go to nearby public lands where wildlife populations have declined with the aging of the habitat often don’t have the same quality of hunting.

Understanding and fixing this problem takes reevaluating our public forests and our role in them. It takes correcting some very wrong popular views. And it then means giving our state and federal land agencies a lesson in public input.

Loss of Cover, and Hunters
Grant Woods, a renowned deer biologist who creates dream properties for deer hunters, is worked up. He says many public lands are becoming inhospitable to wildlife.

“The unnatural idea that public lands shouldn’t be managed by man is creating deserts for many species of wildlife,” says Woods. “Right now preservationists are stopping logging and prescribed burns to create a static utopia. They imagine forests without man. They think anything we humans do is damaging by definition. Their wrongheaded ideas are harming wildlife and plant species.”

In the heyday of public hunting in the U.S.—the middle years of the last century—hunters had a strong voice in forest management. But as habitat has matured, leaving less food and cover for game species, hunters have stopped coming to and advocating for public lands.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, just 36 percent of hunters in the U.S. now hunt public lands. When you consider only whitetail hunters, Brian Murphy, CEO of the Quality Deer Management Association, says it’s only about 15 percent that hunt public lands, and the percentage is even smaller east of the Mississippi, where state forests and wildlife management areas have become uniformly mature.

The public lands Grant Woods hunted while in college in Georgia and South Carolina had plenty of deer and turkeys. “But as forests have aged and become unmanaged, I’ve seen deer and turkey populations decrease significantly. I’ve seen hunters and their dollars stop coming, too.”

He mentions New York’s Adirondack Park, 6.1 million acres on which logging and other management is banned forever. I’ve hunted there, so I say that seeing deer tracks in those woods is exciting. He laughs and agrees. “There were more deer there in 1960 than there are today, as the forest was at that time growing back and providing a lot of browse for deer.”

A Place for Wilderness
Most of the experts I consulted note that wilderness areas—where roads, logging, and other management activities are prohibited—are important for wildlife security and for many types of outdoor recreation. But they argue that uncut forests should be only one component of a diverse ecosystem. These sources, mainly wildlife biologists, note that remedies vary locally. In one area, mosaic logging may be an option. In another, prescribed burning might be a better way to create diverse wildlife habitat.

Woods points to the loss of logging in Vermont’s Green Mountains and throughout much of New England. He explains that public forests are becoming monocultures of aging trees across Pennsylvania, throughout Appalachia, and in the Upper Midwest, where state and federal lands are likely to be left idle rather than actively managed.

“The problems vary,” Woods says, “but the core reason for the loss of wildlife is the same. We’re often not managing for healthy ecosystems.”

There are a few bright spots. Some Southern states do a good job of leasing timber company lands for public-land hunting, and those lands feature timber stands of varying ages. In Missouri, where wildlife conservation is funded in part by a percentage of sales-tax revenue, habitat improvement projects on both public and private land are ongoing. New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is working with the Ruffed Grouse Society to improve habitat for wildlife and benefit hunters on smaller wildlife management areas.

Most agencies, however, have a hard time finding the funding and authority to make sure there is enough early successional habitat (what hunters often refer to as “cover”). Examples of this include overgrown pastures, thickets, and saplings. If these habitats are not mowed, burned, cut, or disturbed in some fashion, they eventually become forest. If a forest is never thinned, flooded, impacted by insects, or burned, it grows into a mature canopy that prevents sunlight from reaching the forest floor. When this happens a lot of wildlife and plant species disappear.

This is the dynamic that’s turned so much of our state and federal lands into relative biological wastelands. According to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, in the 1940s its wildlife management areas were, on average, 80 percent early successional habitat and 20 percent forest. Today, more than 90 percent of the Massachusetts’ WMAs are forested. Many of the public lands in the East and parts of the Midwest and South have undergone this same metamorphosis.

Many game managers are aware of this problem. For example, Dr. James Kroll was recently hired by Wisconsin to develop a deer-management strategy. In the plan, he wrote: “Habitat is a key element in deer management, often having more impact than harvest or predation. Yet, this is the element most often neglected by deer managers and land-owners.”

As habitat ages and game populations plummet, hunters give up. Vermont, for example, has seen hunting participation—and license-generated revenues—fall to historic lows partly because of aging habitat.

Instead of actively managing its public forests, Vermont recommends that property owners manage for wildlife, and the state’s wildlife agency connects landowners with federal agencies that provide funding assistance for habitat improvement. So while private landowners benefit, the folks who can’t afford to buy or lease their own land are stuck hunting areas that have fewer and fewer critters.

QDMA’s Brian Murphy, who is a certified wildlife biologist, grumbles when I ask him about this issue. “I find this frustrating because the science showing how to manage ecosystems for the good of native plants and wildlife is now so advanced, yet so many areas just can’t make it happen. Quality deer management helps the entire ecosystem, even non-game species, yet many environmentalists are opposed to humans hunting or improving habitat.

“Here at QDMA, we offer technical assistance to anyone who wants to improve their deer herds and habitats, whether on public or private lands,” says Murphy, “but not enough of what we’ve learned and taught is utilized on public lands. As a result, though hunters are the ones paying most of the bills for management of our public lands, they’re often funding a diminishing return. That’s unfortunate, because without the public-land hunter, hunting will fade away as an American pastime for the average Joe. I think that’s exactly what the preservationists have in mind when they resist thinning trees, controlled burns, and so on.”

Though the quality of a deer hunt can’t be measured by the antler sizes of bucks alone, it’s a useful indicator. Over the past decade, the Boone and Crockett Club has been asking those who submit trophies to note if the animal was killed on public or private land. Since asking this question, the club has found that 90 percent of whitetails submitted were killed on private property.

Blind to the Problem
Wildlife managers are trying to solve this problem, however they often become too focused on managing one occupant of the landscape—the deer—and not the entire ecosystem. They then come up with solutions to control deer herds, but neglect the fact that the entire forest is in need of management.

In some cases, wildlife managers direct deer management efforts—increasing the harvest of antlerless deer and hiring sharpshooters to remove overpopulations of whitetails are two popular options—to public land, simply because it’s politically more expedient than working with multiple—and potentially resistant—private landowners to address overpopulations of whitetails.

Another part of the problem stems from old-school thinking. Foresters have historically been taught to grow trees, not cut them. A century ago, America’s forests were in tough shape. A 1907 national census of forestlands conducted by the USDA found that 40 to 70 percent of the forest in the Midwest and East were gone.

Things began to change in the 20th century, as conservationists pointed out that the forests needed to be saved. Between 1910 and 1959, an estimated 43.8 million acres of farmland reverted to forest. Through the 1960s and 1970s, more than one million acres of open lands were returned to forest every year, according to Jim Sterba’s 2012 book, Nature Wars. Hunters in the East know this, as they’re used to hunting in woods crisscrossed with crumbling stone walls—walls that were once the borders of fields.

Wildlife and hunters benefited from these growing forests into the late 20th century, but now many of the forests are maturing. The result has been a crash in the carrying capacity of the lands and decreasing diversity of the flora and fauna.

Starting a Discussion
The solution to winning back public lands that aren’t properly managed is first to understand the problem. Next, sportsmen have to lobby state and federal land agencies to use smart logging and other practices to help native wildlife and plant species. We also have to do all we can to get the word out to the general public that managed forests are healthy forests. Many state and federal land managers want to do more, but well-funded “environmental watchdog” groups often tie up proposed timber cuts with litigation and/or endless challenges to rules and procedures.

That November morning in the Catskills, a young buck came by me with his nose to the ground, looking for a doe in estrus. The buck was there and then faded away into the sea of trees. I watched that deer and saw hope. The area has a point restriction, an idea that has swept through many state game departments mostly in the last decade. If this once-unthinkable change could happen so swiftly, then maybe we can change the popular view of what constitutes a healthy forest, too. Maybe then the public-land hunter—the average guy or gal who can’t afford to buy their own property—will come back with the game.

Land-Management Success Stories
The condition of America’s aging forests can seem unsolvable. How on earth can we return our public lands to the sort of wildlife havens that we see on neighboring private land? Luckily, we have some examples to guide us.

• Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is located in Kentucky and Tennessee between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. The 170,000-acre area is primarily devoted to “enhancing wildlife habitat,” and is actively managed with prescribed burning and selective logging.

• The Pennsylvania Game Commission manages State Game Land 223 in the southwestern region of the state for wildlife diversity. The 7,200 acres feature overgrown farm fields and old apple orchards.
• Chaparral WMA in south Texas is managed from “an ecosystem management approach,” meaning the Texas Game Commission works to maintain a diversity of plants and wildlife.

• In Oklahoma, the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant has huge bucks and diverse, actively managed habitat. To hunt here, you must draw a tag and use traditional archery equipment (mcaapcontrolledhunts.com).

• The B.F. Grant WMA is owned by the University of Georgia, which leases it to the state for wildlife management and public hunting. The WMA has about 14,000 acres and is known as being well-managed habitat that produces some good bucks.

A Wisconsin Deer Hunter's Decision
Tom Grall has been hunting public lands in northern Wisconsin for 27 years. A dozen years ago, he finally saved enough to buy 40 acres in central Wisconsin. He hunts both areas with his family.

“Over the decades, I’ve seen the deer population on the public lands I hunt drop,” says Grall. “Last season, I didn’t even see a deer during a week spent on public land in northern Wisconsin.”

He attributes the change to several factors. He says wolves have eaten a lot of deer, and that logging companies mostly replant with pines, which provide cover but not food. He also says the state’s now-repealed “earn-a-buck” rule caused too many does to be killed on public lands. Nevertheless, he loves hunting in the big woods and managing his back 40. He plans to keep doing both.

Forests cover 16.8 million acres (48 percent) of Wisconsin and support the largest forest-products industry in the U.S., with an annual value of $17 billion. But about 75 percent of the deer harvested in the state come from private lands.

Dr. James Kroll, Wisconsin’s “deer czar,” notes that federal forest policy has a dramatic impact on the Badger State’s deer herd. “Until there are policy changes, the solution to developing sustainable forests and deer habitat in this region will have to involve active management of privately and publicly owned (state, county, etc.) lands interspersed with or adjacent to the National Forests.”

Battle of the Bucks: The Finals

Alex Robinson — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:37:30 -0400

Each year, we round up photos of the country's biggest bucks and most thrilling hunting stories for the Outdoor Life Deer of the Year contest. We started off with 24 finalists, and we're now down to the final two. The overall winner will be awarded a Cabela's gift card and a Weaver range finder in addition to eternal bragging rights. Select your favorite buck and then hit the submit button at the bottom to enter your vote.

Results from the Final 4:
3-Beams Buck (39%) vs. Swamp King (61%)
Pigtails Buck (96%) vs. AZ 193 (4%)

Objective Lens Size: Finding The Perfect Riflescope for Deer Hunting

Alex Robinson — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:15:45 -0400

American hunters have been brainwashed into thinking they want the brightest riflescope they can buy.

They don’t.

Light-gathering ability is mainly a function of objective-lens size, which means the brightest riflescopes would be too large and unwieldy to be much help in the places most of us hunt. Picture a 65mm or an 80mm spotting scope strapped to your rifle. Bright as hell, but hugely impractical.

So, what’s the best magnification and configuration for big-game hunters? Like most things, it depends. But for all-around utility, it’s hard to go wrong with the classic configurations: a 2-10x42 or a 3-9x40. Here’s why:

LOW AND HIGH MAG
Assuming we’re talking here about second-image-plan reticles and what can be considered classic hunting scopes, as opposed to tactical scopes mainly used for target shooting, you want an optic with the best combination of light-gathering, magnification, and resolution.

One of the laws of optics is that as you change one of these legs of the stool, the other legs will also change. The wide range of magnification gives you the ability to dial down the power to gather more light and gain situational awareness. The higher mag decreases the amount of light arriving at your eye, but it makes your aiming point larger and clearer.

And the modest-sized objective lens allows you to mount the optic on a variety of actions using standard-height rings. These scopes are generally portable enough to let you carry your scope-mounted with ease in a wide range of terrain.

OBJECTIVE LENS
I used to be in love with big, high-riding 50mm riflescopes. I figured that the super-sized objective would let me gather more light at the time I saw most critters, at the day’s first and last light.

But then I missed a big mule deer at inside 25 yards. I wasn’t expecting to see him so close, but I was stalking another buck when I blew the big boy out of his bed. I didn’t have much time to shoot, but even though my scope was set at 6x, I shot right over him. The reason? I hadn’t practiced shooting at that close distance, but the high-mounted scope was way above my bore at that distance.

A scope that rides closer to your bore has all the ability to reach out at distance, good-quality glass will be adequately bright, and the lower-slung optic will allow you to make those snap shots at close range as easily as those distant shots at higher magnification.

Video: Lone Wolf Battles Elk in River

Alex Robinson — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:26:34 -0400

This amazing footage was shot by Boone and Crockett Chief of Staff Tony Schoonen in Yellowstone National Park. Here's the story behind the clip...

"The first week of April was spring break so my wife and I decided to take our six-year-old daughter to Yellowstone Park for a couple days. Spring is a great time to see wildlife in and around Yellowstone.

We were not disappointed. We saw elk, deer, bison, sheep, and pronghorn. As we driving up the Lamar valley we came to a spot where the Lamar River flowed close to the road and we noticed a yearling cow elk standing in the middle of the river. We thought it was odd, so I stopped the truck and started glassing. After about 10 minutes we spotted a wolf curled up and sleeping on a rock bar about 100 yards from the elk.

I wasn’t quite sure why the elk didn’t run out of the river opposite the wolf and figured there had to be another wolf or two around keeping the elk pinned in the river. We kept glassing but never spotted any more wolves. Suddenly, the wolf got up and ran down the rock bar, swam the river, and maneuvered around on the bank so he could jump on the elk. When he did, the elk got into the deepest water it could find so the wolf couldn’t touch bottom and would float off. The wolf attacked the elk several times and then would get tired and curl back up and rest for 20 minutes or so. Then he would go back and attack the elk again. Each time the elk would either run for deep water or dive underwater. At one point, the wolf did manage to tip the elk over and both went underwater and floated downstream but eventually the elk stood up again and the wolf floated off.

We watched this scene repeat itself for almost two hours. In that time several cars had gathered and we finally had to leave. My guess is the wolf won the battle eventually because he was getting rest and the elk was not. Regardless of the outcome, the experience left a permanent impression on my family. It is not something we will soon forget."

See the full video on the Boone and Crockett Club Facebook page.

Video: Whitetail Deer Jumps Through Bus Window

Alex Robinson — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:30:21 -0400

This video is about go viral, so you might as well see it here first. The YouTube clip was reportedly shot in Pennsylvania, but there's not much more information about it.

Luckily there were no passengers on the bus to be harmed by the wildly flailing deer. I have just one question after watching this video: Why didn't the bus driver open the door sooner?

Elephant Crushes Suspected Poacher to Death in Zimbabwe

Alex Robinson — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:02:29 -0400

An accused elephant poacher got a lot more than he bargained for when the Zimbabwean tusker he was after crushed him to death.

Authorities say Solomon Manjoro was found – or rather what was left of him was found – by rangers in the Charara reserve, near Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba in late April. Zimbabwe's government controlled Sunday Mail reported that Solomon was killed by the elephant while poaching with friends Noluck Tafuruka and Godfrey Shonge. Those two men have been arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearms and various wildlife crimes.

While I find elephant poaching appalling, I find the Sunday Mail’s reporting of this incident even more so. This quote in particular: "The poacher was recently trampled to death by an elephant after he failed to gun down the jumbo during a hunting expedition."

Poaching is not hunting. Poaching cannot occur during a hunting expedition.

Am I right?

Comment below.

Senate Gun Bill Fails, Would Have Allowed Open Carry on 12 million Acres of Army Corps of Engineers Land

Alex Robinson — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:42:50 -0400

An attempt to bring 12 million acres of watershed conservation areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the same firearm rules as other federal lands failed in the Senate on May 8.

Senators voted 56-43 for the proposal by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), four ballots shy of the 60 votes needed for passage.

The measure, backed by the National Rifle Association, would have let people use guns for any legal purpose -- including open and concealed carry -- on 12 million acres of ACE-managed lands that abound with lakes, rivers, campsites and hiking trails. The ACE estimates that 370 million people visit lands it manages -- more than any other federal agency because 80 percent of its tracts are within 50 miles of urban areas.

Right now, the ACE limits the use of firearms to activities like target-range shooting and hunting, and weapons must be unloaded while being carried to those activities.

Coburn proposed the bill as an amendment to a water resources bill because, he said, gun rights on ACE land should be the same as in national parks, national forests, and federal wildlife refuges, where federal law has allowed visitors to carry guns since 2010.

Coburn told the Associated Press that he will continue fighting for the measure until it passes. "I will offer it again, and again, and again until it does," he said.

In the wake of the May 8 Senate discussion of Coburn's proposal, the National Park Service on May 13 released a report on crime in national parks that show violent crimes increased in the immediate aftermath of the 2010 law allowing open and concealed carry, but has since declined and is now lower than the violent crime rate before 2009.

The park service numbers show 15 murder and manslaughter cases in 2010, up from four in 2009. Rapes also rose, from 34 in 2009 to 45 in 2010, as did kidnappings and aggravated assaults. Robberies dropped from 64 to 58.

However, Coburn's office said that an evaluation of those statistics shows violent crimes have dropped an average of 11 percent in the three years since 2010, compared with the average of the three years before the new policy.

While statistics always provide fodder for interpretation, Kurt Repanshek writes in National Parks Traveler on May 13 that the small sample size skewers any attempt at substantive analysis.

"Of course, crime in national parks is generally far lower than in other areas of the country, particularly major metropolitan areas," he writes. "As a result, even a few swings -- up or down -- in crime can result in significant percentage changes."

For more, go to:
-- Coburn amendment on allowing firearms at Army Corps lakes fails

-- Right-to-Carry Amendment Passes in U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Appropriations

-- Gun law not a deterrent for crime in national parks, report finds

-- Senator Coburn Vastly Misstates Impact Of Allowing Guns In National Parks

-- Senate rejects firearms on Army Corps of Engineers lands, boosting gun control supporters

-- BREAKING: Senate Fails to Pass PRO Gun Carry Amendment by 4 Votes in Bipartisan Vote

Dog First Aid: Kits, Meds, and Wound Treatment

Alex Robinson — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:28:16 -0400

I recently attended the Washington State Search and Rescue Conference in Ellensburg, Wash., and sat in on several canine classes – everything from double-blind testing that can stand up to cross-examination in court to the meteorology of scent.

Perhaps my favorite seminar was a canine first-aid class tailored to search and rescue folks, who, like hunters, usually find themselves in the backcountry and unable to easily get to a local vet when something happens, and who are also constrained by the amount of stuff they can carry.

The class was taught by Dr. Michael Fuller, a 30-plus-year veterinarian at the Ellensburg Animal Hospital. He covered a lot of material in the hour-and-a-half session, everything from must-have items in a first aid kit to broken bones. Here are just a few highlights:

First Aid Kits
Fuller recommends starting with a commercial first aid kit, and was impressed by the breadth of those available on market [URL: http://www.gundogsupply.com/firstaid.html], and adding a few items to it. You should carry bulky bandages for wrapping injuries, Benedryl, Neosporin “P” (or another triple antibiotic, the “P” being an included pain reliever), mineral oil, elastikon (or other sticky, stretchy wrap), and super glue.

Emergency Electrolyte Solution
For a dog that has started to become dehydrated, giving it an electrolyte solution can help. For a severely dehydrated dog, it’ll be tough to get it back to full fluid levels without an IV but giving it some liquid is better than nothing.

An emergency electrolyte solution recommended by Fuller is:

1 liter of water
½ teaspoon of salt
3 tablespoons sugar

Don’t let your dog gulp down all of the solution. Give him 25 percent and then wait and observe his response, giving more as needed.

Wound Cleaning
Surprising to most of the attendants, Fuller said not to use hydrogen peroxide, or even tap water, to clean a fresh wound. Of course, you do what you have to do when you’re miles into the backcountry, but peroxide, in particular, is too harsh on freshly exposed and tender flesh and will kill the top layers, impeding the healing process.

Instead, Fuller recommended using saline solution to clean the area. In an emergency, you can make your own saline by mixing one level tablespoon of salt with one gallon of distilled water (or boiled/filtered). Irrigate the wound with a syringe and 20-gauge needle.

Also: Fuller says 95 percent of wounds don’t need sutures, but if, however, you’re certain that stitches/staples will be required, be sure not to apply any type of triple antibiotic; just clean and cover it.

Pain Meds and Benedryl
Perhaps the best medication you can pack along on a hunt is Benedryl. It’s great for allergic reactions, stings, and even snakebites. Give 1mg/per pound.

While you can give aspirin for pain management (325 mg/per 65 pounds) Fuller recommends speaking with your vet about obtaining a prescription for Tramadol.

Tramadol is a pain med that is cheap, effective, and has nearly no side effects except that the dog gets sleepy. You can give a few, monitor the dog and give a few more if necessary. When a dog is hurt, you’ll not only want to help with pain but with keeping the dog calm – the side effect of drowsiness will serve as a benefit.

Why We Lose Hunting Access

Alex Robinson — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:29:51 -0400

In just the last four years, Cory Peterson’s outfitting business has doubled in size to nearly 60,000 acres of deer- and turkey-rich ground in Nebraska’s Sand Hills. But Peterson, who also farms corn and raises beef cattle in the area, didn’t pursue many of his leases. Instead, neighbors came to him, offering to lease their land for annual payments that range between $1 and $3 per acre.

The main reason Peterson’s Hidden Valley Outfitting has grown? His neighbors find it increasingly difficult to allow free public hunting.

“Most traditional farmers understand the idea that hunting is something that should be free,” says Peterson. “But these guys have had gates left open by hunters, cattle shot by hunters, and water tanks shot by hunters. After a while, they just run out of patience.”

In Peterson, they find a neighbor who is familiar with their property, knows how to behave around their livestock, and has the ability to compensate them for the use of their land. Plus, he sometimes hires their sons as guides.

“We don’t pay a ton of money, but it’s enough to help cover farmers’ property taxes, and they don’t have to put up with the headaches that come with letting everybody hunt,” says Peterson. “It’s not that these guys want to lease. It’s just easier than the alternative.”

Why We Lose Access
Ask two landowners why they lease their land to outfitters or paying hunters, and you’ll get a dozen answers. This is an admittedly subjective list, but it covers many of the reasons that sportsmen lose access. Some are legitimate concerns, others are excuses that landowners give to explain why the public is no longer welcome on their property.

1. Legal Beagles
Many landowners believe they have legal responsibility if a hunter is injured on their property. The details differ from state to state, but generally a landowner is not liable if the hunter was a non-paying invitee, and the injury didn’t result from negligence.

2. Fear of Fire
Landowners are rightly terrified of wildfires, which can destroy crops, buildings, timber, and rangeland. Hunters can reduce the chance of starting a fire by parking vehicles on bare, unvegetated areas. And by not smoking. Period.

3. Gate Gripes
The most common complaint of farmers is that hunters leave their gates open, or close gates that should be left open. Hunters need to understand the common law of farm country: Leave gates the way you found them.

4. Off-Road Rage
In much of the West, if a hunter shows up at a ranch house with an ATV in tow, permission to hunt becomes iffy. Ranchers want hunters to stick to roads, and walking hunters generally get preference over motorized hunters.

5. Wake-Up Calls
Too often, hunters don’t make arrangements to hunt private land until the last minute. Landowners who post their property often cite as one reason those 5 a.m. calls from strangers seeking permission. Secure permission weeks before you hunt, and never assume that because you got permission last year, you have it this year.

6. Thankless Hunters
You don’t have to give a farmer a wad of cash or a bottle of whiskey to say thanks for letting you hunt, but you should make some gesture. A card, a holiday ham, or an offer to help with fencing or farmwork goes a long way toward softening resistance to a follow-up hunting trip.

Photos: Opening Day of Wyoming's Shed Hunting Season

Alex Robinson — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:00:07 -0400

Each spring, hundreds of hunters converge in Jackson, Wyoming, at the end of April. Unlike on the opening days of most seasons, though, these hunters are not concerned with shot placement or scent control. Their eyesight and ability to run are perhaps their greatest assets. In a best-case scenario, their prey is an old carcass. These hunters are in search of elk antlers, and a lucky few will find intact skulls bearing not just antlers, but also ivory canine teeth. It’s like Christmas combined with the Daytona 500.

The top of Curtis Canyon provides a view of the National Elk Refuge, as well as the Tetons in the distance.

While the public is not allowed to pick up antlers on the National Elk Refuge, a dirt road leads hunters through it to the adjacent Bridger-Teton National Forest. In Wyoming, public land west of the Continental Divide—which includes the Bridger-Teton—opens for shed hunting every year on May 1. At 8:00 a.m. the morning before opening day, cars and trucks—some pulling fifth wheel campers or loaded horses trailers—lined up on the Refuge Road. License plates from Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, and Utah proved the widespread attraction of the area for its shed bounty. After all, the refuge and the adjacent land serve as the winter range for more than 5,000 elk. The wintering area includes rolling hills dotted with sagebrush, riparian areas, and the more rugged terrain of the Gros Ventres Mountains, which are covered in lodgepole pine, spruce, and fir forests. It’s a shed hunter’s paradise.

Many shed hunters viewed the event as an opportunity to search for horns—and tap into their horsemanship.

Justin Armacost and Rooster Seachris traveled from Cody, Wyoming, for the Jackson shed-hunt opener. Like many hunters, they were lured, in part, by friends’ stories. “We got a buddy who used to live in Jackson and he did it for a long time,” said Armacost. “He always tells us how much fun it is and what a rodeo it is in the morning.”

For Armacost and Seachris, however, finding antlers was only part of the appeal. “I just love to get out and work the horses,” Armacost said. While camped on the Refuge Road the day before the opener, the pair spent much of their time tending to their horses—brushing them down and riding them. While most hunters head home after opening day, Armacost and Seachris mapped out plans to spend several days in the forest. “We’re just going to take in a tarp and set up a little fly and camp as we go,” said Armacost. In addition to prepping and working their horses, the two shot the breeze with other hunters. “We’ve just been goofing off,” offered Seachris. “Talking to people. Meeting people we ain’t never met. Sharing stories.” After all, once parked on the Refuge Road, hunters had nothing to kill but time.

On the eve of opening day, hunters like Wayne Gilmore and Dan Atkinson ordered pizzas instead of firing up their camp stoves.

Despite a biting wind and temperatures in the thirties, most hunters spent their time outside talking with one another. Lawn chairs, tailgates, coffee, and beer facilitated the conversations—many of which revolved around strategy. “Pick your area and just work it out,” said Armacost. “A lot of time you have to do a lot of switch-backing.” Hunters also debated the merits of the two trailheads that can be accessed via the Refuge Road: Flat Creek and Curtis Canyon. Although those who hunted from horseback favored the terrain and large trailhead at Flat Creek, most hunters agreed the areas offer equal opportunities.

Newcomers to the hunt evaluated the advice of veterans. “I heard a lot of different things,” explained James Smith of Rigby, Idaho. “People say run until you puke and then start walking—I don't think it will be that bad.” Hunters also discussed whether they would keep their antlers or sell them. Although antlers are typically sold by the pound—for a price that can fluctuate significantly—a trophy rack might fetch several thousand dollars.

While waiting to be led through the National Elk Refuge and into the Bridger-Teton National Forest, hunters warmed up their horses.

As the night progressed, so did the anticipation. “I probably won’t sleep much tonight,” said Seachris. “I'll probably wake up at three and throw a saddle on my horse for something to do.” Yet he found other things to keep him awake through the night—like the falling snow. By morning, several inches of snow had coated in the valley. “I could feel it coming in on my face so I pulled my bedroll up over my head,” said Seachris.

Nonetheless, the horse trailer in which he camped seemed luxurious compared to the other horn hunters’ accommodations. James Smith shared the cab of a truck with three friends, including Chase Hines of Victor, Idaho. When asked how he slept, Hines was quick to reply. “Horribly,” he said. “Four people. Two blankets. I think we started the truck every hour and turned it off after fifteen minutes [to stay warm].”

The day before the hunt, cars, trucks, and horse trailers began to line up on the Refuge Road.

When morning finally came, hunters made breakfast and saddled and warmed up their horses. Opening day of the shed hunt begins at midnight each year, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not guide vehicles through the Refuge Road until 8:00 a.m. Increasingly, hunters enter the Bridger-Teton at midnight from the Gros Ventre Road, which runs northeast through the forest’s winter closure area. As he prepared for the day’s hunt, Chase Hines said, “The one thing that’s making me sick is there could be people in there now. That’s the game though, I guess.” En route to Flat Creek, these hunters stumble over six miles of rugged terrain, searching for sheds with nothing more than headlamps. The mileage they actually travel, however, can be even greater due to a tendency to switchback—and, for some, to lose their way.

Once at the parking lot within the Bridger-Teton National Forest, hunters took off running or swung into saddles.

At 8:00 a.m., an SUV from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service led nearly one hundred vehicles toward the national forest. While most vehicles continued to follow this pace car toward the Flat Creek trailhead, some turned off the Refuge Road to follow a second pace car to Curtis Canyon. Once at these trailheads, cars and trucks slammed to a stop. Passengers and drivers—many who had been traveling with their backpacks already on—dashed from their vehicles. Others unloaded their horses, jumped in the saddle, and rode off.

As these hunters headed toward the forest, the hunters who opted for the night hunt from Gros Ventre Road were emerging from the forest. Some bore packs loaded with antlers while others had lashed the bone to their saddles. Kurt Carbone of Jackson carried a bull elk head. “I had to cut it off—just used a little handsaw and cut through everything with that,” he explained. Like Carbone, many hunters arrived at Flat Creek in time to watch the morning arrivals take off running. The night-shift hunters then waited for rides back to town or to the vehicles they had left on the other side of the Gros Ventres. A few even called taxis.

A lone hunter carries the sheds he found in the foothills of the Gros Ventres Mountains.

Nick Lufkin of Jackson also hiked through the night. “We started at midnight and hiked up and over [the Gros Ventre Mountains] and ran into a blizzard, basically,” he said. “We had our heads down for a lot of it and ended up finding a cave about halfway between here and [where we started]. We hunkered down and built a fire and kind of waited out the storm until 5:00 this morning, and commenced horn hunting from there.” Lufkin and his friends found several sheds and a winter kill, from which they harvested a head with an non-typical rack. While hiking through the evening, Devin Wood of Idaho Falls, Idaho, found four antlers. “It was interesting. It was tough to find the antlers in the snow,” he said. “You had to pretty much step right on them.”

Despite the number of people who had searched through the night, hunters who began in the morning were still able to find sheds. Austyn Hines of Rigby, Idaho, watched his friends and his brother Chase run past two six-point sheds. “Boot tracks don’t discourage me,” he explained. “People get discouraged by boot tracks, but hunters can walk past antlers and not even see them.”

After all, the hunt for sheds rewards patience. May 1st was simply the opening day of the season—and a snowy one at that. As Wood explained, “Once the snow melts, those who are out will find them.”

And whether they were loaded down with sheds or left empty-handed on opening day, many hunters already had plans to return in the days, and years, ahead.

Erik Simanek hiked through the night to find this shed, which had eluded others. The shed was flanked by the tracks of earlier hunters who had missed the antler.

Photos By: Kyler Deutmeyer

Video: Man Catches Quail with Bare Hand

Alex Robinson — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:54:26 -0400

Here's one way to avoid chomping down on shot pellets in your quail.

There's not much info about this Youtube clip except that it promotes NFL quarterback Colt McCoy's new book The Real Win. The quail catcher appears to be coauthor Matt Carter.

Here's a tag line from the book: "Inside every guy is a burning desire to set goals and achieve them, to get ahead and finish strong—most of all, to win. So why do so many guys invest years striving for success only to discover that what they thought was winning actually turns out to be losing in all the ways that count?"

Maybe reading this book will teach you how to do sweet stuff like how to wear a hat backwards and how to catch quail with your bare hands. But then again, the last time McCoy was a starter was in 2011 and he went 4-12 with the Cleveland Browns. So, maybe he's not the best guy to take advice from when it comes to winning.

New Binoculars 2013: OL Reviews the Best Full-Size and Mid-Size Binoculars of the Year

Alex Robinson — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:13:33 -0400

From the flimsy to the fortified, this year’s field of 14 full-size binos and 4 mid-size binos have something for everyone. The most interesting trend is the continuing integration of electronics into hunting optics. Three binoculars feature rangefinders. See our review of the best new hunting binoculars on the market.

Full-Size Binos

Units with ranging features include the plasticky Pulsar Expert ($800), Bushnell’s Fusion 1-Mile ARC ($1,200), and the new Geovid HD-B from Leica ($2,945), which represents the pinnacle of this alliance of electronic and optical technology.

The Pulsar’s rangefinder is a simple laser unit with no angle-calculating inclinometer or ballistics information.

Bushnell has come a long way with its ranging bino since the first Fusion was launched a couple of years ago. The objective lens coatings are much clearer and the dot-matrix display is much easier to read. The Bushnell includes a sophisticated inclinometer, a bullet-drop calculator that displays holdover references for eight families of rifle calibers, separate bow and rifle settings, and a laser that ranged targets out to 1,800 yards. Bowhunters will like the Fusion’s close-in ranging ability.

The more traditional full-size binos ranged from Carson’s handy $250 3D to Steiner’s Tactical ($799), which sports bat-wing eyecups and a blacked-out finish.

Weaver’s Kaspa makes the case that a headache-inducing binocular is no bargain even at $125. Other disappointing optics included the Redfield Rebel ($175), the Sightmark Solitude XD ($399), and Leupold’s McKinley HD ($775), which had such boxy eyecups that most testers couldn’t get the binocular to comfortably fit their face.

Three super-size binoculars completed the field: Alpen’s well-priced and appealing 10x50 Teton ($445); a tight and bright Vortex Razor HD in 10x50 ($1,289); and the behemoth 15x56mm Minox BL ($899), which ships with a tripod adapter to minimize hand shake and fatigue.

Zeiss Victory HT 10x42

This stunning German optic may be the brightest binocular in the world.

Most well-made sports optics transmit around 90 percent of visible light to the user’s eye. Zeiss claims the Victory HT has “more than 95 percent light transmission,” and our testing seems to confirm its optical superiority. The binocular won our resolution test hands down, and was one of the top-scoring 42mm optics in our low-light test.

A new class of Schott glass is responsible for the bright, crisp image. But Zeiss has engineered plenty of hunter-friendly features around the glass. The durable short-single-hinge design and grabby armor lock your hands around the contoured barrels, and the oversize focus wheel makes adjustments easy and precise, even with gloved hands.

Whether you can afford that level of performance is another question.

Configuration: 10x42
Price: $2,499
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: A
Perceived Image: A
Performance: A
Design/Durability: A Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: An heirloom optic, with gem-bright glass and hand-gripping barrels

Nikon Monarch 7 10x42

With this light, bright, durable hunting optic, Nikon has delivered affordable excellence that bridges the gap between its flagship EDG and entry-level ProStaff lines.

The Monarch 7 was a unanimous selection for our Great Buy award, which is no small feat, as each panelist’s assessment of value depends on his experience and budget. The team felt that the Monarch 7 delivered “silly-nice” glass for $500. Testers praised its tacky armor and solid hand feel and balance, as well as its 23-ounce weight, which seems even lighter when supported by a binocular harness. Optically, the team noted clarity all the way to the edge of the image—we pay special attention to peripheral distortion, which can be a sign of inferior glass and grinding.

The Nikon finished near the head of the class in both low-light and resolution testing, and one panelist deemed it the “purest hunting optic” in our test. High praise, indeed, considering the field.

Configuration: 10x42
Price: $500
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: A-
Perceived Image: B+
Performance: B+
Design/Durability: A-
Price/Value: A
Final Verdict: A screaming value in a tight, bright, light, and grippy hunting optic

Minox BL

Configuration: 15x56
Price: $899
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: A
Perceived Image: B+
Performance: B+
Design Durability: B+
Price/Value: B+
Verdict: Very nice image in this gargantuan configuration. A good value.

Vortex Razor HD

Configuration: 10x50
Price: $1,289
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: A
Perceived Image: A-
Performance: A-
Design/Durability: A-
Price/Value: A
Final Verdict: A sweet optic, this well-made binocular is very fairly priced and very bright

Leica Geovid HD-B (Innovation Award)

Configuration: 10x42
Price: $2,945
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: B+
Perceived Image: A-
Performance: A+
Design/Durability: A+
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: Best rangefinder in the industry, monster field of view. A game-changer.

Steiner Tactical

Configuration: 10x42
Price: $799
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: A-
Perceived Image: B+
Performance: B+
Design/Durability: B+
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: Love or hate the bat-wing eyecups, the tactical-leaning Steiner has fine glass.

Alpen Teton EDHD

Configuration: 10x50
Price: $445
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: B+
Perceived Image: B+
Performance: B+
Design/Durability: B+
Price/Value: A-
Final Verdict: Great balance and hand feel, and adequately bright optics, in a value bino.

Sightmark Solitude XD

Configuration: 10x42
Price: $399
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: A-
Perceived Image: B
Performance: B-
Design/Durability: C+
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: Optically sharp, this priced-right open-bridge bino features textured armor.

Leupold BX-4 Mckinley HD

Configuration: 10x42
Price: $775
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: B+
Perceived Image: B-
Performance: B
Design/Durability: B
Price/Value: C+
Final Verdict: This tight, heavy bino features disappointing glass and a boxy frame.

Carson 3D

Configuration: 8x42
Price: $250
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: B
Perceived Image: B
Performance: B
Design/Durability: B-
Price/Value: B+
Final Verdict: Optically average, this is a solid price-point binocular.

Bushnell Fusion 1-Mile

Configuration: 10x42
Price: $1,200
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: B-
Perceived Image: B
Performance: B
Design/Durability: B
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: Optics and coatings are much improved in this fast, accurate ranging bin.

Redfield Rebel

Configuration: 8x42
Price: $175
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: C+
Perceived Image: B-
Performance: B-
Design/Durability: B-
Price/Value: B+
Final Verdict: An optically underwhelming but otherwise tight, value-priced binocular.

Pulsar Expert LRF

Configuration: 8x40
Price: $800
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: B-
Perceived Image: C+
Performance: C
Design/Durability: C+
Price/Value: C+
Final Verdict: The rangefinder in this plasticky binocular is adequate, but optics are not.

Weaver Kaspa

Configuration: 10x42
Price: $125
Overall Score: ★ ★
Optical Quality: C-
Perceived Image: C-
Performance: C
Design/Durability: C
Price/Value: C
Final Verdict: This bino is cheap in every way, from its price to its questionable durability.

Mid-Size Binos

This year saw a stark division between entry-level and more sophisticated optics in the mid-size class. At the lower end of the spectrum was Bushnell’s porro-prism NatureView ($100), detailed above, and the 8x32 Sightmark Solitude ($175), which failed to impress both optically and mechanically.

At the other end of the price and quality spectrums were the Zeiss Conquest HD ($900), left, and another European bino, the bright 8x32 Kahles ($921) that testers thought was overpriced.

Zeiss Conquest HD 8X32

As one of the handful of elite European optics dynasties, Zeiss is making some unconventional decisions. The German company continues to craft some of the world’s brightest, clearest optics. But this year Zeiss launched its Terra line—entry-level optics sourced in China and marketed to American hunters who want the Zeiss brand without the European price tag.

To make room at the bottom, Zeiss has elevated its mid-level Conquest line, which offers reasonably priced optics with a Euro pedigree. The Zeiss Conquest HD binocular is a fine example of this class.

For $900, hunters get a very good German-made binocular, featuring a durable, ergonomic design and bright glass. The do-everything Conquest HD performed better than several full-size binos on the resolution range. As such, some testers expected it to cost more than $900.

Configuration: 8x32
Price: $900
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: A+
Perceived Image: A
Performance: A
Design/Durability: A Price/Value: A-
Final Verdict: Bright glass in a durable, marvelously balanced optic. our only knock: the focus feels too slick.

Bushnell NatureView 6x30

An old-school, low-magnification binocular, this Bushnell belongs around the neck of every beginning hunter in America. And it’s just as much at home on the dashboard of your pickup as on the sill of a picture window. The 6-power porro-prism NatureView is light and bright, with a generous field of view. It’s not as compact as a roof prism, but the design allows Bushnell to manufacture an accessibly priced binocular that features decent optics.

The NatureView had the lowest resolution score in the admittedly small mid-size binocular field, and it struggled in low light. But the glass is not the reason to buy this bino. Instead, look to it for its durability, its no-nonsense design, and above all, for its price. “This Bushnell is, for me, the surprise of the test,” said gear editor John Taranto. “Its close focus isn’t great, but it has a lovely in-hand feel and is an incredible value.”

Configuration: 6x30
Price: $100
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: C
Perceived Image: B
Performance: B
Design/Durability: B
Price/Value: A Final Verdict: A basic porro prism with decent glass, this is a good deal for an entry-level optic.

Kahles

Configuration: 8x32
Price: $921
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality B+
Perceived Image: A-
Performance: A-
Design/Durability: A-
Price/Value: C+
Final Verdict: This tight, compact binocular is a good choice for a hunter who wants a bright, light optic.

Sightmark Solitude

Configuration: 8x32
Price: $179
Overall Score: ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: C
Perceived Image: C+
Performance: B-
Design/Durability: B-
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: This nicely sized and balanced binocular failed to focus well and caused eyestrain.

See how we test and evaluate optics.
See the riflescope review.

The 2013 Tick and Lyme Disease Forecast

Alex Robinson — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:42:42 -0400

What are your chances of getting Lyme disease this year? On average, I’ve been pulling two ticks a day off myself, just from walking through the woods and fields near my home in Virginia. That’s not counting the time I stumbled into a nymph nest under a cedar tree last week. I was picking those baby ticks off for a good 20 minutes. That amount of exposure sounds bad, but at the end of the day, your chances have a lot more to do with your geography than the amount of time you spend outside. Recent Lyme cases have been at their worst in the northeast, western Oregon, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Reported cases of Lyme disease continue to rise with more than 280,000 Americans being diagnosed since 2002, including 30,000 diagnoses just last year. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How is it that ticks make you ill? There are several diseases that humans can contract from a tick bite, but the most common and dreaded is Lyme disease. This illness is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Symptoms can include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic “Bull’s Eye” skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, a Lyme disease infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Even with treatment, this is an illness that can have lifelong debilitating effects such as arthritis, fatigue, and even neurological deficits.

The threat applies to dogs and other pets, as well. The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) predicts a worse than normal tick and Lyme disease season.

The CAPC reports that 6.56 percent of dogs tested thus far this year have been positive for Lyme disease. Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs often include lameness due to inflammation of the joints, lack of appetite, and depression.

As we progress further into spring, cut your risks by generously applying DEET or permethrin repellents to your boots and pants; doing a thorough tick check each day; and keeping tick repellent collars on your dogs and cats. If you’re not keen on using the chemicals, look for natural insect repellent products with pennyroyal oil, lavender oil, and/or citronella.

Be careful out there, and don’t hesitate to visit your doctor if you feel like you might have contracted Lyme disease.

ATK to Buy Savage Arms

Alex Robinson — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:15:25 -0400

Big news in the sporting world today. ATK, which already owns large swath of the outdoor industry’s leading ammunition and shooting accessories brands, has announced that it is acquiring the company that owns Savage Sports Corporation for $315 million in cash. This purchase is ATK’s first foray into firearms production.

The name of the company being purchased is Caliber Company, which is the parent of Savage Arms, Bowtech and other brands in the hunting and shooting world—though the deal only includes the Savage and Stevens firearms brands and Savage Range Systems and does not include the archery company Bowtech. According to ATK, the purchase should be finalized prior to June 30, 2013.

Officials from both ATK and Savage offered upbeat assessments of the deal.

"The acquisition will complement ATK's growing portfolio of leading consumer brands," said Mark DeYoung, ATK President and CEO. "This opportunity will allow us to build upon our offerings with Savage's prominent, respected brands known for accuracy, quality, innovation, value and craftsmanship."

Meanwhile, Savage’s president and Chief Operating Officer, Al Kasper, had similarly nice things to say.

"Savage offers customers a unique value proposition that is unmatched by any other firearms manufacturer and will be a tremendous complement to ATK's existing ammunition and shooting accessories portfolio," Kasper said.

The official announcement at ATK.com said that ATK will integrate Savage within its Sporting Group business.

And, in case you were wondering just how big ATK's Sporting Group is, the release offered this helpful description of the brands it currently owns: “ATK's ammunition brands include Federal Premium, CCI, Fusion, Speer, Estate Cartridge and Blazer. ATK's accessories brands include Blackhawk!, Alliant Power, RCBS, Champion targets and shooting equipment, Gunslick Pro and Outers gun-care products, and Weaver optics and mounting systems.”

The acquisition of well-known firearms brands by larger companies has often not worked out well for the firearms companies in question. Though, in this case, there’s reason not to panic. ATK has demonstrated an ability to bring new brands into the fold without uprooting those brands’ production facilities and personnel in the name of consolidation and cost savings, and has therefore avoided some of the errors that have plagued similar business deals.

My fervent hope is that Savage’s new overlords at ATK will proceed with a light touch. Savage is one of the most clear-cut success stories in the gun world in recent memory and its example should be emulated and not tampered with. Savage, which a couple decades ago was on death’s door, reinvented itself under former CEO Ron Coburn, and turned into a most improbable gun maker: namely, a profitable firearms company located in the heart of the anti-gun and heavily unionized Northeast that makes accurate and affordable guns for every-day shooters. (And for the record, no, I don’t equate the success of the AR guys, which is due to circumstance more than business acumen, with what Savage has accomplished.)

Likewise, I hope that Bowtech doesn’t languish in limbo as a result of this either. I can understand why ATK might not have been interested in acquiring the bow maker—to date, ATK’s brands have been focused purely on the shooting side of hunting and Bowtech was a tiny fraction of Savage’s business. Even so, it has been a remarkable and innovative force in the archery business and I hope that whoever ends up with it (I can’t imagine it will stay part of the financial group it is currently with for very long) treats it well.

Alligator Helps Police Arrest Fugitive in Florida

Alex Robinson — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:04:08 -0400

This is a nice story for those of you who believe in karma. Bryan Zuniga, 20, fled police last week after he was spotted driving erratically after 2 a.m. outside of Pinellas Florida.

Zuniga fled his vehicle on foot, kicked a hole in the fence of a nearby water treatment plant, and hid from police. He might have escaped if it weren't for one large and very aggressive alligator.

The gator attacked Zuniga biting him in the face and torso. Zuniga escaped the reptile, but had to check in to a local hospital because of his injuries. It wasn't long before police found him and took him into custody. He was charged with damaging a fence, eluding arrest, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and resisting an officer without violence, according to Time.com.

It's unclear how Zuniga managed to get himself to the hospital.

Wildlife Photos: Trail Camera on a Fox Den

Alex Robinson — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:13:31 -0400

We found the entry hole of a spring fox den and quickly set up a trail camera to record the kits' activity. Here's what we came up with.

Turkey Hunting: Tips For High-Country Gobblers

Alex Robinson — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:16:28 -0400

When he ran into my set-up, the gobbler’s chest seemed unnaturally huge. I assumed it was because he was so puffed up, ready to kick the grits out of the Cally Morris tom decoy posing in full strut.

But, later, when I checked my GPS and confirmed the elevation—10,400 feet above sea level—it occurred to me that the tom’s breast was so large because his lungs were freakishly big, an adaptation to living in that thin alpine air.

The New Mexico Merriam’s is easily the highest-altitude gobbler I’ve ever killed, and hunting him reminded me that high-country turkeys are different than their lowland brethren. Here’s what to keep in mind as you hunt gobblers above 5,000 feet.

STAY ON THE SUNNY SIDE
In the mountains, you’ll often be hunting canyons that funnel birds from lower to higher elevations. When you call, set up on the side of the canyon that catches the sun. In the mornings, that’s typically the northern slopes of the canyons.

CALL WITH THE WINDS
These mountain canyons are almost always windy. In the mornings, you can anticipate up-slope winds, and in the afternoons, the winds typically blow down canyons. Keep the prevailing winds in mind as you sound locator calls. Birds will hear you much better when you call with the wind. And remember the echo effect of your calls. If you call against the face of a steep canyon, you can literally bounce your call up side drainages and expand the reach of your searching calls.

USE OPTICS
The wide-open country of the West make good optics a turkey hunter’s best tool. On my New Mexico hunt, I was able to find birds by glassing more reliably than I found them with locator calls.

PULL ‘EM UPHILL
In sloped country, birds often want to approach a set-up from below. This is a rule with plenty of exceptions, but more often than not, I’ve had better luck getting uphill of a gobbler and pulling him into a call than trying to suck him in downhill.

USE SHOOTING STICKS
I’ve been a fan of shooting sticks for a long time, ever since I took my first youngster hunting and watched his shotgun barrel wave like a flag. Sticks are especially valuable in steep country, where you can’t always rest your shotgun on a knee. Set up sticks so that your barrel faces your decoy spread, and you’ll be settled and ready when a gobbler comes in.

WEATHER’S THE WILD CARD
Lastly, hunt aggressively. If you have a responsive bird that won’t break for your call, go after him. The weather can turn so quickly in the mountains, turning a sunshiny day into a snowy, blowy afternoon, that you need to strike whenever you can, rather than playing cautious.

Photos from My Hunt...
Merriam’s country. Here’s where northern New Mexico’s wild turkeys live, in elk habitat. This basin ranges in elevation from 8,000 to over 11,000 feet above sea level.

We drove through several herds of elk to get to the sunny side of the basin, where we expected to find turkeys. At one point, I told my hunting partners, “I’ll eat my hat if there are turkeys this high.”

But my buddy Jimmy Wright parked on a logging road and struck his box call just as the sun was hitting the high slopes. A gobbler responded. I looked at my hat, but there was no time for dining. We had to get set up, just below the road.

This is the remains of our decoy spread after we called in the gobbler, along with a hen and a jake. The tom beat the stuffing out of Cally Morris’s strutting gobbler decoy, breaking its neck with a wingbone chop, and then spurring the tar out of it. The gobbler then turned his attention to the jake, which was trying to mount Cally’s hen decoy. The tom beat up the jake, then got on top of the hen decoy and was trying to breed it when I hit an alarm putt. I wanted the gobbler to stretch out his neck and give me a good shot. Instead, the gobbler gobbled, while he was in full breeding mode. So I killed him, figuring he was at least going out on top.

Deer Management: Are Predators Eating Your Fawns?

Alex Robinson — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:20:57 -0400

Researchers in whitetail country have begun looking at the impact of coyotes and other predators on whitetail deer and the results are pretty grim. Coyotes are gobbling up fawns at an alarming rate and so are black bears.

In one such study, researchers in South Carolina captured and monitored 60 newborn fawns. Coyotes killed over 50% before fall. Fawns are particularly vulnerable immediately after birth as 66% of the kills occurred within the first 3 weeks of life.

A study in Georgia amazingly found that it took 78 does to recruit 2 fawns in a predator rich area! Once the predators were removed, it took only 3 does to recruit 2 fawns into the fall herd. Research in Pennsylvania found that in certain mature forest, areas bears are as effective as coyotes as fawn predators.

Much of the coyote research has looked at fawn survival rates (recruitment rates) before and after eliminating predators from a given area. In one Alabama study where deer numbers were reported to be declining professional trappers removed the predators (mostly coyotes with some bobcats). Fawn survival rates (surviving until fall or recruited into the adult herd at 6 months old) increased dramatically (over 200%) the following year!

Unfortunately research also indicates that predator eradication is only temporary. In areas where coyotes were “trapped out”, they became well established again after 12-18 months.

Most experts agree that good fawning habitat and a short fall breeding period is the best protection against fawn predation. Dense fawning cover (weed fields, dense brush, native grasses) makes predation more difficult as dense cover interferes with scenting conditions and efficient hunting by predators. A short breeding season concentrates fawn drop, which tends to overwhelm predators with targets. They can only eat so many fawns in a week. This allows more fawns to make it through the first few vulnerable weeks of life.

Fawn drop will gradually intensify and peak somewhere around June 1. If you have created plenty of good fawning cover and your deer herd is managed effectively (compact rut) plenty of fawns will make it to fall and the herd will be sustained. If, however only a few make it, deer numbers will start to decline and your whitetail hunting will show it.

For more information on creating whitetail habitat visit: www.northcountrywhitetails.com

New Riflescopes 2013: OL Reviews and Ranks the Best Scopes of the Year

Alex Robinson — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:22:26 -0400

If submissions to this year’s riflescope test are any indication, the confluence of the tactical and the sporting may finally be slowing. For the first time in several years, the number of scopes in the field designed mainly for hunting exceeded those configured specifically for shooting.

Of course, any capable optic can bridge the two disciplines. But some riflescopes—such as Nikon’s new M-308, with a holdover reticle tuned to .308-class ballistics—are designed to fill a specific, albeit robust, niche occupied by target shooters. Other scopes with attributes that lean toward tactical shooting include Konus’ disappointing Konuspro; the 1/8-inch-click Targetmaster from newcomer NikkoStirling; the 34mm, 2-pound Triple Duty behemoth from Sightmark; and Vortex’s tight, bright 1–6x Razor HD, a 30mm gem that would pair well with any AR. The most remarkable of what I’ll call these entry-level tactical scopes is Redfield’s $250 Battlezone. Although it’s optically hideous, this 1-inch scope won our favor because it ships with not one but two ballistic turrets: one tuned to the drop profile of the 55-grain .223, and the other configured for the 168-grain .308 match load.

The only bona fide tactical riflescope in the test this year was Bushnell’s Elite Tactical XRS (shorthand for “extreme-range shooting”), a massive 34mm scope with a remarkable 6.6X power range and a first-plane milling reticle that has all the durability and heft you’d expect from a 2.3-pound battle optic. The more purely hunting scopes run the gamut from the accessible—Weaver’s low-profile, redesigned Grand Slam ($415) and the lovely illuminated Meopta Meopro RD ($799), built on a sexy 1-inch tube—to the investment-grade. This latter category includes the stylish Minox ZE5i, a big 50mm illuminated hunting scope ($1,599); and the 56mm Nighthunter Xtreme from Steiner, which retails for a shocking $2,300 and features a complicated illumination system.

In between these extremes are some remarkable hunting scopes. They include the Austrian Kahles KXi, an illuminated 1-inch scope that retails for $1,500; the award-winning Leupold and Burris riflescopes; and Zeiss’ new mid-level scope. This optic, the Conquest HD5, retails for $1,000 and has some noteworthy features, including a big 5X magnification range contained in a sleek 1-inch tube, zero-stoppable turrets, and a precise side focus.

The optics are so good in this latter class of “hunting” scopes that they would be at home on any long-distance precision-shooting range, more proof that the gap between “shooting” and “hunting” scopes is slimmer than some marketers would have us believe.

Leupold VX-6 3–18x50 (Editor’s Choice)

The riflescope industry’s race to ever-broader magnification ranges has benefitted hunters and shooters who want a single optic capable of delivering wide fields of view and bright images at low powers, but also precise aiming points on distant targets at the upper end of the power range. The casualty of this race has always been style and proportion.

Many of the variable-power scopes with wide magnification ranges are, in a word, ugly. They feature oversize eyepiece units and ever-larger tubes to accommodate the complicated power-changing mechanism. Leupold’s remarkable new 6X magnification riflescope defies that trend. The VX-6 is a well-balanced, lovely scope that would dress up any rifle.

But the Leupold’s substance exceeds even its noteworthy style. Its mag range delivers an image that’s crisp and bright from 3X all the way up to 18, and its finger adjustments are precise and positive. Both the standard elevation control and the custom turret we requested for our .308 Win. control rifle performed well, and we appreciated the large, easy-to-turn controls.

The scope’s low-profile turrets and compact focus knob are in proportion to its 30mm tube. Leupold has incorporated one of the industry’s most user-friendly illumination systems in the left-side focus turret. Called FireDot, it lights up a center aiming point with the push of a button, and shooters can easily adjust its intensity by continuing to push the control. A motion sensor shuts off the unit after a period of inactivity but restores the illumination when the rifle is again leveled at a target. Optically, the VX-6’s lenses are bright, crisp, and well coated. The scope turned in the field’s top resolution score—the best indication of glass quality—but finished in the middle of the pack in our low-light test.

With a retail price of more than $1,600, this is not an entry-level scope. But given all its features, one can make the case that the VX-6 is a relative bargain for a big, serious, lovely, American-made optic.

Configuration: 3–18x50
Price: $1,625
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical/Mechanical Quality: B+
Perceived Image: A
Performance: A
Design/Durability: A
Price/Value: B+
Final Verdict: Light, bright, stylish. One of the great optics of our time

Burris C4 4.5–14x42 (Great Buy)

Optically, this scope is essentially the same as Burris’ utilitarian Fullfield E1. But the company has added a shooter-friendly feature—a custom elevation dial calibrated to a specific caliber and bullet type—that allows the user adequate long-distance precision at a fraction of the price of a true tactical riflescope.

The scope’s name references this new feature (C4 stands for “Cartridge Calibrated Custom Clicker”), and one reason the Burris wins our coveted Great Buy award this year is that the custom turret is free (buyers submit their ballistic information and Burris returns a turret). Normally this feature is about a $100 upsell. For our test model, we ordered a turret tuned to Federal’s 168-grain match load in .308 Win., and found the calibration spot-on at 300 yards and only slightly off at 500 yards.

The 42mm Burris scored near the top of the class in both our low-light and resolution tests, and testers liked the ample mounting dimensions on the 30mm tube. They also praised the reticle, which features hold-off references for windage. Panelists didn’t like the focus control, located on the scope’s objective bell, and had gripes with the elevation turret’s lack of a zero-stop or other indication to let you know when you’ve made a full rotation. With the addition of a reference mark for zero, this $400 riflescope will be an even better bargain.

Configuration: 4.5–14x42
Price: $399
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical/Mech. Quality: B
Perceived Image: A-
Performance: B
Design/Durability: B
Price/Value: A
Final Verdict: A zero-stop on the elevation turret would improve this scope.

Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS

Configuration: 4.5–30x50
Price: $2,150
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical/Mech. Quality: B+
Perceived Image: A
Performance: A-
Design/Durability: A-
Price/Value: B-
Final Verdict: Tactical scope features a first-plane reticle and 6.6x magnification

Meopta Meopro RD

Configuration: 3.5–10x44
Price: $799
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical/Mech. Quality: B-
Perceived Image: A
Performance: B+
Design/Durability: A-
Price/Value: A
Final Verdict: This is a stylish, affordable hunting optic. Wonderful illumination.

Zeiss Conquest HD5

Configuration: 3–15x42
Price: $999
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical/Mech. Quality: B-
Perceived Image: A-
Performance: A
Design/Durability: A
Price/Value: A-
Final Verdict: A lovely scope that packs 5x magnification in a trim 1-inch tube

Weaver Grand Slam

Configuration: 2–8x36
Price: $415
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical/Mech. Quality: B
Perceived Image: B
Performance: B
Design/Durability: B+
Price/Value: B+
Final Verdict: Sleek and versatile, a modern facelift to a classic hunting scope

Nikon M-308

Configuration: 4–16x42
Price: $549
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical/Mech. Quality: B-
Perceived Image: B+
Performance: B+
Design/Durability: B+
Price/Value: B+
Final Verdict: A bright, capable optic with a bdc reticle tuned to .308 ballistics

Kahles KX I

Configuration: 3.5–10x50
Price: $1,488
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical/Mech. Quality: C+
Perceived Image: A-
Performance: A-
Design/Durability: A-
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: An attractive, field-friendly austrian scope with subtle illumination

Steiner Nighthunter Xtreme

Configuration: 3–15x56
Price: $2,300
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical/Mech. Quality: B-
Perceived Image: A-
Performance: B+
Design/Durability: B
Price/Value: C+
Final Verdict: Configured for low-light hunting, optically bright but expensive

Minox ZE 5i

Configuration: 2–10x50
Price: $1,599
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical/Mech. Quality: C+
Perceived Image: A-
Performance: B+
Design/Durability: B+
Price/Value: B-
Final Verdict: This lustrous 30mm german scope exhibited some tracking imprecision

Redfield Battlezone

Configuration: 3–9x42
Price: $249
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical/Mech. Quality: C+
Perceived Image: B-
Performance: B+
Design/Durability: B
Price/Value: A-
Final Verdict: Optically unimpressive, the value is in its two ballistic turrets

Nikko Stirling Targetmaster

Configuration: 4–16x44
Price: $349
Overall Score: ★ ★ ½
Optical/Mech. Quality: B-
Perceived Image: C
Performance: C+
Design/Durability: C+
Price/Value: C+
Final Verdict: Disappointing glass and imprecise, the scope didn’t live up to its name

Sightmark Triple Duty

Configuration: 6–25x56
Price: $349
Overall Score: ★ ★ ½
Optical/Mech. Quality: C
Perceived Image: C
Performance: B-
Design/Durability: C+
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: Pros: appealing price for an entry-level tactical scope. Cons: optics

Vortex Razor HD Gen II

Configuration: 1–6x24
Price: $1,399
Overall Score: ★ ★ ½
Optical/Mech. Quality: C-
Perceived Image: B+
Performance: B
Design/Durability: B+
Price/Value: B-
Final Verdict: Tight 6x magnifying scope is durable, but controls are too sharp

Konus Konuspro T30

Configuration: 3–12x44
Price: $299
Overall Score: ★ ★ ½
Optical/Mech. Quality: C-
Perceived Image: C+
Performance: C+
Design/Durability: C+
Price/Value: B-
Final Verdict: Decent optics, but unreasonable mounting dimensions

Firefield AO

Configuration: 3–12x40
Price: $99
Overall Score: ★ ★
Optical/Mech. Quality: C-
Perceived Image: C
Performance: C
Design/Durability: C
Price/Value: B-
Final Verdict: A forgettable optic, with harsh illumination and poorly coated glass

See how we test and evaluate optics here.

Michigan Governor OKs Wolf Hunt

Alex Robinson — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:51:14 -0400

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday blocked efforts by animal activist groups seeking a statewide vote on a 2012 law that allows wolf hunting. The 2012 law that gives the Michigan Natural Resources Commission the power to designate species as game animals was given final authorization by the state senate on Tuesday.

Prior to this legislation, the responsibility of wolf management decisions fell on the backs of lawmakers. The MNRS plans to list wolves as a game animal for selected hunts in the Upper Peninsula areas today. The Governor is all for this.

"This action helps ensure sound scientific and biological principles guide decisions about management of game in Michigan," Snyder said. "Scientifically managed hunts are essential to successful wildlife management and bolstering abundant, healthy and thriving populations."

Governor Snyder also signed into a law legislation that guarantees Michiganians the right to hunt and fish and allows Michigan members of the military to get free hunting and fishing licenses.

Way to go Governor!

How We Test Riflescopes, Binoculars, and Spotting Scopes

Alex Robinson — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:16:30 -0400

Our optics test reveals subtle differences in quality and performance by applying both scientific analysis and subjective evaluation. The final score is based equally on both parts of the test. On the analytical side, we measure each optic’s resolution, or ability to see vanishingly small detail, using the gold standard of optics testing: a 1951 Air Force Resolution Target.

Because ours is a test of hunting optics, and we hunters rely most on our optics at dawn and twilight, the second half of the empirical score is based on low-light performance.

For this test, we plant one tester in an open field 100 yards (200 yards for spotting scopes) from our blacked-out house as darkness falls and have him slowly turn a wheel marked with contrasting black and white lines. Another tester looks at the wheel through the optics, and we record the time when the viewer can no longer discern the direction of the wheel’s lines. The longer an optic can “see” into the dark, the higher its score.

Riflescopes get additional treatment. We measure each scope’s windage and elevation adjustments to ensure they move the reticle in the advertised increments, and we also evaluate the visibility of the reticle in low-light situations.

Scores from our resolution, low-light, and mechanical evaluation are aggregated in our Optical/Mechnical Quality rating.

But there’s more to a hunting glass than the glass itself. How forgiving is a riflescope’s eye relief? How long can you look through a spotting scope’s highest magnification before your eyes beg for a break? How well can you see the points on the rack of a distant mule deer buck? We answer all those questions by glassing objects and animals at our Montana test facility and getting a feel for how the optic performs in real-world situations.
Those subjective assessments are reflected in our Perceived Image, Performance, and Design/Durability scores.

The optics in each category that we determine delivers the best value for the money gets our Great Buy award. And the optics with the highest overall scores earn our Editor’s Choice designations.

Camp Photo Instagram Contest Winner Announced

Alex Robinson — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:24:37 -0400

We recently asked readers to post photos of their hunting or fishing camp on Instagram with the hash tag #olcampcontest. We sorted through dozens of great entries and chose the photo above, submitted by @andybidz, as the winner. It's got it all: rustic charm, hunting buddies, and a big ol' gobbler. For submitting the winning photo, @andybidz will receive a Husqvarna 440e chainsaw.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. Don't forget to follow us at @outdoor_life, and remember to check our Instagram feed regularly for future contests.

Photo by @andybidz on Instagram.

Battle of the Bucks: Final 4

Alex Robinson — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:54:12 -0400

Each year, we round up photos of the country's biggest bucks and most thrilling hunting stories for the Outdoor Life Deer of the Year contest. Now, we're calling on you to help us pick America's best buck. We started off with 24 finalists, and we're now down to eight. The overall winner will be awarded a Cabela's gift card and a Weaver range finder in addition to eternal bragging rights. Select your favorite buck from each match-up and then hit the submit button at the bottom to enter your votes.

Today's Matchups...

* Required

Here's a quick look at the standings:
Last week's winners from the Elite 8
Slash (19%) vs. 3-Beams Buck (80%)
Lone Star Monster (19%) vs. Swamp King (80%)
Pigtails Buck (96%) vs. Walk Out Buck (3%)
AZ 193 (80%) vs. Washinton Whitetail (19%)

Wildlife Photos: Charged By a Bull Elephant in Botswana

Alex Robinson — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:18:39 -0400

This year Botswana officials announced that sport hunting would end in the country after the 2013 season. The decision was an emotional (not scientifically-based) one made by President Ian Khama, who stated: "The shooting of wild game purely for sport and trophies is no longer compatible with our commitment to preserve local fauna as a national treasure, which should be treated as such."

This decision was met with much criticism as the country has no formal wildlife protection plan. Some experts say the move will hurt wildlife (with some estimating that certain species will decline by 75%) thanks to the ever growing threat of ivory poaching and poaching for meat. Both types of poaching are currently being curtailed by hunter dollars. Wanting to see what the closure of sport hunting would mean first-hand, I stayed in Botswana for three weeks last month and was fortunate enough to tag along on elephant hunts for two of those weeks with Ivan Carter of Johan Calitz Safaris.

Elephant hunting actually isn't much different than hunting whitetails in North America. Botswana’s 205,000 elephants are free-ranging. Just like deer, elephants cause damage to crops and farmland, destroy their habitat if overpopulated, and are constantly coming in contact with humans due to habitat loss. The highways are spotted with elephant warning signs just like there are deer crossing signs on rural roads in the U.S.

Hunting for elephant is conducted through tracking and spotting and stalking. Hunting is done on both public and private land (again, all elephants are free-ranging here … really. Just try to stop one from crashing through a barbwire fence). Only 500 elephant tags are issued each year at a cost of $60,000 to $100,000. Hunts generally last at least 14 days and most elephants are shot at under 40 yards.

Early in the hunt we came across a lone bull that appeared to have pretty decent ivory. We decided to check him out despite the fact that he was obviously in musth. Musth or must is the period when reproductive hormones in bull elephants escalate exponentially. Testosterone levels will spike 60 times greater than normal. During this time, fluid surges from the bull’s temporal glands and seminal fluid drips from its penis. Tracking this elephant meant simply watching for wet sand. The smell was unbelievably rank.

Ivan led clients Brian and Denise Welker and me to within about 15 yards of the elephant and then judged his ivory too small. Ivan estimated the bull’s tusks to weigh about 40 pounds each. A good Botswana tusker will carry at least 60 pounds per tusk. At 15 yards you can hear an elephant breathing, listen to its stomach rumbling, and you'll choke on its musth stench.

Despite the fact that we were only 45 feet from the bull, he never knew we were there. An elephant’s eyesight is terrible, but his hearing and sense of smell is incredible. Playing the wind and keeping quiet are key. We watched the bull for a few minutes before he ambled off to continue feeding. We were still searching for a trophy bull, so Ivan sent our tracker Roy up a tree to scout for more “eleies.” Despite the fact that these animals weigh a couple tons and stand about 13 feet at the shoulder, spotting them in brush is unbelievably difficult.

No sooner had Roy climbed the tree than the wind swirled to give away our location. But rather than flee, the enraged bull turned toward us and charged forward.

Ivan had Brian, Denise, and I slowly back away as the bull thundered forward. Roy wisely stayed in the tree.

When the bull made it to the tree (about 9 yards from us on the ground), Ivan yelled, “Hey ‘ey ‘ey!” and waved his Heym .600 Nitro Express Double Rifle over his head to appear larger. The bull took notice and left in a cloud of dust and ammonia-scented musth.

Could the bull have killed us or pulled Roy from the tree? Absolutely. Under certain conditions, elephants can be the most dangerous big-game animals on the planet. This truth came to light when I heard news that just two days earlier Professional Hunter Erwin Kotze was killed by an elephant in another part of Botswana. Kotze was killed when an elephant charged and crushed him with its head and feet. Although killings such as these are rare, they do happen. According to the World Wildlife Fund, more than 200 people have been killed by elephants over the last 7 years in Kenya, which banned hunting in 1977.

When I asked Roy if he was scared, he shrugged it off as if the event was no big thing. “My God Roy, weren’t you scared?”

“Naahhh, he didn’t want me.”

I guess that Roy’s 30-plus years as a tracker have taught him to read an elephant's intentions.