Read the latest articles from Outdoor Life (Page 154)

A georgia hunter with a red-phase wild turkey.
Turkey Hunting

‘I Couldn’t Believe How Awesome He Looked.’ Hunter Tags Rare Red Turkey After Two Years

After smoke-phase, red-phase is the most common color variation among wild turkeys

A Merriam's turkey strutting on a wooded hillside.
Opinion

Hunting Mentors Are Great. You Still Need to Hunt Alone

Confidence in the woods comes only when we make our own decisions — advisable or not

Two mule deer stand in the middle of a road.
Wildlife Management

California Confirms Its First Two Cases of Chronic Wasting Disease

The positive samples came from two deer that were found dead near the Sierra Nevadas

We tested the best hydration packs.
Gear

The Best Hydration Packs, Tested and Reviewed

We evaluated eight different reservoir-compatible backpacks across a range of outdoor pursuits

A whitetail buck in a grassy field.
Wildlife Management

Oklahoma Plans to Combat CWD by Releasing Captive-Bred Deer into the Wild

A new law passed in Oklahoma plans to enhance "genetic durability" of wild whitetail deer. Critics say it's moving too far too fast

Rain water droplets on blue green waterproof fabric
Gear

PFAS Explained: These Forever Chemicals Are Being Banned from a Variety of Outdoor Products. Now Gear Makers Are Scrambling

PFAS are poisoning America’s watersheds and will eventually be banned in several states. That will require the outdoor gear industry to make some major changes

Minnesota’s 8 Best Fishing Destinations

Minnesota’s 8 Best Fishing Destinations

The North Star state is a premier fishing hotspot and these are some of its top waters.

two canoeists pull canoe along in river from the rocky bank
Trout Fishing

Six Against the River: Canoeing 600 Miles Through the Canadian Wilderness

We wanted to take one really tough trip together before we finished college and took on the responsibilities of adulthood

Shooting the best rifle of 2023, the Marlin 336, offhand.
Hunting Rifles

The Best Rifles of 2023

We made the pilgrimage to Gunsite Academy once again to test this year’s best new rifles

Marrow-style dog treats stuffed with fish hooks that were discovered along the Appalachian Trail.
Wildlife Management

Thru-Hiker Finds Dog Treats Stuffed with Fish Hooks Along the Appalachian Trail

More than a dozen treats laced with fish hooks were discovered on Pennsylvania State Game Lands #217 over the weekend

We tested the best beginner hiking shoes.
Gear

The Best Hiking Shoes for Beginners of 2026, Tested and Reviewed

If you're interested in getting into hiking, try one of these comfortable and durable shoes

A man holds a 200-pound alligator snapping turtle and measures a giant gar.
Freshwater

Fisherman Catches Gigantic 200-Pound Snapping Turtle, Then Lands World Record Gar

Yeah, he released them both

Key West: America’s most varied and historical fishery

Key West: America’s most varied and historical fishery

World records await.

The Benelli M2 Turkey Performance Shop shotgun resting on a split rail fence.
Shotguns

Benelli M2 Turkey Performance Shop Review: An In-Depth Look at a $3,000 Turkey Gun

This lightweight, tricked-out 20 gauge shoots incredible patterns, but all that performance comes at a price

Freel shooting a 1911 pistol
Handguns

How to Hold a Pistol

Handgun shooting can be difficult to master, especially if you don't start with a good grip

Retay Gordion Turkey
Shotguns

Retay Gordion Turkey Review: An Affordable Semi-Auto That Shoots Excellent Patterns

This slick 20 gauge from Retay shot better than some 12-gauge turkey guns that we've tested

Matthew J Broncho's remains were discovered by a shed hunter and recovered by search and rescue in April.
Hunting

Utah Shed Hunter Finds Skeletal Remains of Man Who Went Missing 5 Years Ago

The missing man has been identified as Matthew Jay Broncho of Fort Hall, Idaho

Smith & Wesson 1854
Hunting Rifles

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Review: There’s a New Powerhouse in the Lever Action World

Smith & Wesson's first lever gun shoots and runs even better than it looks

Author is roasting a marshmallow with her daughter.
Camping Gear

The Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Moms

The top gear we’ve tested to help her get outdoors more

turkey load lethality
Turkey Hunting

Lessons from the Most In-Depth Turkey Load Lethality Test of All Time

The author's team evaluated 6,940 pellet strikes into turkey heads and necks