Sportsman's News April 2015 Digital Edition

SportsmansNews.com

April 2015

Volume 11 Issue 4

The Kenai On A Budget

By Michael Deming

T

he dream of hooking onto one of those 50 plus pound king salmon on the Kenai River is often just that, “A Dream”. Not because it isn’t possible, but because it is out of our price range. A quick internet search about Alaska and the hundreds and hundreds of lodges will reveal just how much a person can spend on one of these dream trips. The total price tag can easily reach into the five figures range when it is all said and done. If you do manage to scrape together the needed dollars for this adventure, figuring out where to go, when to go and who to continued on page 6

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

An Alaskan Gem – The Togiak River

By Kent Danjanovich

A

s most of you know, I spend quite a bit of time in Alaska each year. In fact, many wonder if I have become an Alaska resident or if I actually still call Utah my home. Well to tell you the truth, my situation is one that I will never complain about and holds true to the phrases, “Living the Dream and Having the Best of Both Worlds”!

There are not many species of fish that I don’t get excited about going after, but one in particular that I love to target is salmon. And you know what, it is tough to say which salmon species is my favorite. Each one offers a different challenge and mystique, making for a great adventure each time I hit the water.

Now there are many great salmon rivers throughout the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’, but for one reason or another, many are starting to experience historically low runs of salmon, especially the rivers with runs of Chinook or king salmon. Even the famed Kenai River has unfortunately been pulled into this category, with runs so low that catch and release regulations and even partial closures have had to be implemented the last two years.

Of course, the questions and possible answers are almost endless, with the sport fishermen blaming the commercial guys, the dip-netters blaming them both and all blaming other parts of the western reaches of the western U.S. coast and Canada for causing problems before the fish even have a chance to make it back to their spawning grounds.

Well, no matter the reason, I hope we soon start to see those historical prolific runs start to return, for the sake of all concerned. But in the meantime, part of my job as Senior Editor of Sportsman’s News is to find those waters that still offer the best chances of providing fishermen from around the world the opportunity for a true trip of a lifetime. And yes, there are a couple of rivers that still host runs of king salmon that deserve much of our attention.

Two of these rivers lie in the Bristol Bay region of southwest Alaska,

Sportsman's News Pro-Staffer, Rick Rosenberg is all smiles as he holds up another great king salmon on the banks of the Togiak River in southwest Alaska. namely the Nushagak and Togiak Rivers. The Nushagak holds the distinction of hosting the largest number run of king salmon in all of Alaska, with runs even today still numbering around 100,000 fish each year. And of course, all five species of Pacific salmon return back to the region each year, in their return to the place of their birth in the quest to continue the cycle of life.

The lesser known river of the two, the Togiak, lies roughly 400 miles southwest of Anchorage and 55 miles from Dillingham, the hub for thousands of fishermen each year.

Here is a little information about the Togiak region: Protecting important seabird nesting sites and major salmon spawning rivers, Togiak National Wildlife Refuge extends over 4.7 million acres - an area the size of Connecticut

and Rhode Island combined - from the cold waters of Bristol Bay to the treeless tundra uplands of the Ahklun Mountains to the north. Almost half of these lands, the northern 2.3 million acres, are designated as the Togiak Wilderness Area, the second largest contiguous Wilderness Area within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The rugged Ahklun and Wood River Mountains lie partly within the refuge which also includes drainages for the Kanektok, Goodnews and Togiak Rivers. These pristine, free flowing rivers not only offer scenic qualities and outstanding recreation opportunities, but their runs of salmon serves as an important subsistence fisheries as well as luring sport fishermen from around the world. The rivers contribute a large part of Togiak’s production of

nearly three million Chinook, sockeye, chum, pink and Coho salmon annually.

The refuge’s striking landscapes are complimented by a striking variety of wildlife as well. Togiak is home to moose, caribou, brown bear, wolverine, wolves and many smaller mammals.

From headwaters at Upper Togiak Lake, the river flows from the southern foothills of the Kilbuck Mountains to Togiak Bay, draining about 2,000 square miles. Exceptionally clear, the river flows 40 to 80 feet wide in its upper reaches and 150 to 250 feet wide near its mouth over a distance of nearly 60 miles from Togiak Lake. In its lower reaches, the Togiak River slows, with large meanders and oxbows. The lower continued on page 6

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Did You Win?

Logon to www.sportsmansnews.com to see who won the very first Sportsman's News Pro Membership Giveaway for a once in a lifetime New Mexico Elk Hunt with Hunt Hard, worth more than $10,000. If you weren't entered to win, don't worry. There are still $290,000 worth of hunts and gear left, so go enter now!

A

pril will be the first full month of giveaways for the Sportsman’s News Pro Membership Sweepstakes. The bottom of the page shows all the world class trips we have lined up for some of our members in the month of April. Make sure you pay close attention to the deadline dates because they are ten days before the scheduled drawing. Each sweepstakes has its own page on the Sportsman’s News website with all the details of each trip and what is included. The drawing for the trophy elk hunt in New Mexico with Hunt Hard was held on March 30th, which will be after this edition prints, so log onto www.

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sportsmansnews.com to see if you were the lucky winner of this ten thousand dollar trip. If you weren’t lucky enough to win or didn’t even get entered, don’t worry because we have just committed to another one of these trips for next years’ giveaways.

The center page spread of this issue will also show all the great trips, guns, and gear we have in store for our members for the next 12 months. For a complete list of details on how to win the April trips and all the others for the year, visit us at www.sportsmansnews. com. Each and every month we will be adding the trips for the following year as we select our lucky winners.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

SPORTSMAN'S NEWS 2322 W. Industry Way Cedar City, UT 84721

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Mike Deming President/Publisher 435-669-4624 mdeming@sportsmansnews.com

SENIOR EDITOR Kent Danjanovich 801-231-9838 kdanjanovich@sportsmansnews.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER Eric Christensen 435-879-1212 echristensen@sportsmansnews.com MANAGING EDITOR Dan Kidder 435-865-1680 dkidder@sportsmansnews.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lisa Deming info@sportsmansnews.com PRODUCTION MANAGER James Dansie jdansie@sportsmansnews.com

Subscribers should contact Managing Editor for changes of address.

Sportsman's News is published monthly.

The entire content of this newspaper is Copyright 2015 © All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the Managing Editor.

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April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Words From The Publisher

By Michael Deming

B

y the time you are reading this issue of Sportsman’s News, we will already have had one deadline pass for the Sportsman’s News Pro Membership Sweepstakes and possibly two. The drawing for the Trophy Elk Hunt in New Mexico with Jeff Lester of Hunt Hard was held on the 30th of March, but had a deadline to enter of March 20th. This hunt is a $10,000 plus hunt which includes a landowner voucher for a premium unit in New Mexico and we know this will be an epic experience. The first sweepstakes for the month of April is with Papierski’s Big Game Hunts for a trophy antelope in Colorado. This is one of the hardest to draw units in the state, which always yields some giant antelope.

As if that wasn’t enough to entice those sitting on the fence, we threw in a Savage Long Range rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor and dialed it in with a Nikon Monarch 7 long range scope.

The entire package is worth over $6000. However, the deadline for getting in on this sweepstakes was March 30th, 2015 and the drawing will be April 10th, 2015. Some pretty great drawings have already passed,

but don’t worry, there are a lot more to be had, about $280,000 worth more. Either see the center spread in this issue of Sportsman’s News or visit us on the web at www.sportsmansnews.com for a complete list of sweepstakes and deadlines over the next 12 months. We have also added the “Pro Member Update” on page 3 of this issue to show you what is coming up next. Because of the delay we have in printing the publication and getting them out to the stores, we will have a bit of a lag in announcing winners in the printed issues. We will post winners immediately after the drawings on our website as well as to our social media followers, so please like us on Facebook.

One major question we have been asked over the first month of the sweepstakes being launched is how did you come up with a price of $27 a month or $297 for the year? This was something we researched for over a year and a half while this was being developed. Since we are the first people to pursue a venture like this and not protected under the veil of a nonprofit organization, we didn’t have an open market to compare pricing. We did however look at pricing for various ticket packages being

offered for raffles around the country.

We found anything from $2 a ticket up to packages of tickets for $1,500.

We also noted the quality of the prize packages being offered. In most cases there were less than ten percent of the prizes being offered that were truly a prize worth winning that would have an impact on someone’s life.

So, we put together a prize package that would knock your socks off and we do it all year long. We provide enough tickets in each drawing (5 each) for your membership to make it less expensive than the cheapest raffle we could find. Tickets end up being $1.65 each and when you win, it is truly a trip of a lifetime or guns and gear that you won’t be looking to sell.

Everyone likes to win, but this wasn’t just about winning, although it is a pretty darn good perk. We wanted to provide some true value to our members, regardless of whether they win or not. I’ve hired some top quality writers to provide us stories on unique trips, special discounts and opportunities exclusive to members, which they get emailed to them each and every month. The SNTV DVD series is put out 8 times a year. Each episode has 4-hours of great hunting and fishing adventures. Many of them provide unique information on areas we hunt or fish as well as tips and tricks on how we do what we do. We are sending those DVDs to your house eight times a year. Want to visit one of our endorsed outfitters, but don’t want to wait until you win? Well, you also get a 5-percent discount off of your trip that you book with one of these endorsed outfitters or lodges, which in most cases equates out to more than enough savings to pay for your Pro Membership . These are just a few of the added benefits of being a Sportsman’s News Pro Member. Visit our website at www.sportsmansnews. com for a full list of benefits and see what exciting sweepstakes drawings are still ahead.

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WHAT'S INSIDE

2 Togiak River Lodge 3 Pro Member Update 5 Words From The Publisher 10 Platinum Approved Outfitters

By The Headlights 18 Camping Thinker: Productive 20 Fishful Equals Fun Started With Long 22 Getting Range Shooting News Pro 24 Sportsman's Membership Giveaways 26 Sako Finnlight 28 Pro's Pick: Winchester Turkey Loads Afield: Mitsubishi 32 Wheels Outlander Contest: First Elk 35 Writing Adventure 36 Choosing a PLB Outdoors: Northwest 38 PacWest Black Bears 40 Business Directory 42 Pro's Tip: Turkey Subspecies 44 Primos Club XL Blind Product Reviews 45 Video Writing Contest: Frozen 48 Eyelashes Goose Game Recipe: venison 49 Wild Pepper Steak 50 M855 Ammo Ban Update 51 5 Tips For Turkey 52 No Excuse For Not Applying

www.facebook.com/sportsmansnews Become a Fan of Sportsman's News for Fan Only contests and post comments about Sportsman's News.

Tell your friends.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chad LaChance Shane Adair Andy Lightbody Japrix Weaver Gary Lewis Jason Herbert Eric Christensen Jacquelyn Gross Guccini Steve Mayer Al Schultz Braden Cooper

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

SALMON CATCHER continued from page cover

go with, creates another major decision.

Here at the Sportsman’s News office, we don’t have an unlimited budget either, so we are always looking for outfitters and operations that provide a good product and service at an affordable price. We travel the world evaluating outfitters to put our “Platinum Approved Outfitter” stamp on and the Salmon Catcher Lodge in Kenai, Alaska is one lodge that fits the bill. To become one of our endorsed outfitters, you obviously have to run a good operation and deliver on what you promise. The things within your control need to be very well taken care of and if something does go wrong during your trip, the outfitter must always be willing to make it right. We call this “putting people before profit”. Our final litmus test is; if time or money were no object, we would come back and visit this operation each and every year. Cost and value of a trip is always a consideration and Salmon Catcher Lodge gets an A+ in this department as they are truly one of the best values of any of our Platinum Approved Outfitters.

With fishing packages ranging from $1195 out to $2195, there is definitely something that will fit the majority of people’s price ranges. These start in May and run into September to catch all the major runs of Pacific salmon and come in packages of 5-nights lodging with 3-days of fishing all the way out to a full week of lodging and 5-days of guiding fishing.

Remote fly out trips with first-class operations like High Adventures Air Charter are just one of the many quality trips offered during your stay with Salmon Catcher Lodge.

We visited this operation during the heat of the sockeye (reds) season in 2014.

Sockeye are one of my favorite salmon to eat because of their bright red color and unbelievable taste. In fact, fresh sockeye is probably my favorite meal.

The Kenai River gets more than its fair

This is one of the many cabins on the Salmon Catcher Lodge property, which can be reserved for your larger groups. It has all the comforts of home with the rustic feel of Alaska.

share of these great fish each year, with over 1.5 million of them making their way up the river from July 1st through August 14th in 2014, which made for some unbelievable fishing during our stay. However, this is only one aspect of the fishing and the reason people choose to come to this area. The main reason to come to the Kenai Peninsula is because of the diversity of opportunities to be had here. Just about every type of fish and fishing in Alaska is available in this area. Most lodges in Alaska are focused on one specific type of fishing due to their location and the runs of fish they have available. If you don’t know what type of fishing suits your personality and what you enjoy most, this is a great way to see Alaska and figure out what is your favorite type of fish and fishing.

During a trip to Salmon Catcher Lodge, you have the ability to experience all different kinds of fishing and target species. You will be able to do this with some of the very best guides on the Kenai Peninsula as well. The relationship with these guides has been built over years of having a successful operation.

With lodge owner, Terry Johnson and his family living here and being part of

the community, he has the ability to see these guides year around and truly get to know them. This allows him to pair his clients with the very best guides this area has to offer. These trips consist of power boat trips on the world famous Kenai River. It got its’ popularity over the years from its giant king salmon, but big numbers of sockeye, pinks and silvers also come up this massive river each year as well.

You might do some back trolling for kings or flossing for reds. The pink salmon and the silvers will bite aggressively, so you might be throwing spinners or flies at them. Regardless of your method of fishing and time you are there, the Kenai will also have a lot of people sharing the experience with you. It is truly worth it because of the numbers of fish coming up this river.

But if seclusion and privacy is a bit more up your alley, the Kasilof River might be a better selection. This river is a short drive from the lodge and significantly smaller. It has smaller runs of fish, but it also has significantly less people on it as well. Powerboats aren’t continued on page 14

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

TOGIAK RIVER continued from page 2

river corridor is flat, with distant hills and mountains visible inland.

All of these factors contribute to why the Togiak River is quite possibly the best king and silver salmon river in Alaska. In fact, many anglers who have fished all over the world describe it as ‘incomparable’. One of the biggest reasons why the Togiak River is so productive, is the absence of pressure, with the Togiak River Lodge being the only permanent structure lodge on the river. Our first visit to Larry Lund’s operation was back in 2010 and since I returned from that trip four years ago, my return trip just couldn’t happen soon enough!

Many areas of Alaska are even more remote, but the Togiak River requires just enough ‘extra’ effort that many choose to visit the more accessible areas. Well, I am here to tell you that you need to change your thinking if you want to experience some of the best salmon fishing in the world in some of the most beautiful country you will ever see.

Your trip really begins when you arrive in Anchorage. From there you have two options: Over-night there and catch a fight the next morning with Trans Northern Aviation that will take you direct to the town of Togiak or fly on either Alaska Airlines or Pen Air to Dillingham, which then requires either a floatplane flight to

the lodge or a rubber tired flight to Togiak. If you fly into the town of Togiak, the staff from the lodge will meet you at the small airport and you will be transported by boat to the lodge which is situated about six miles up-river from Togiak Bay. All of these options will work, but my recommendation is the Trans Northern flight direct to Togiak, which can be arranged by Larry and his staff (All of these options are not included in your package pricing).

Once you arrive at the lodge, usually around noon, all guests meet in the main lodge for lunch, a quick orientation takes place for the new fishermen and then it’s off to your cabin for a change of clothes and anything you think you will need for your first afternoon of non-stop action on the river, which is literally just a few steps from your room.

Now let’s talk about the fishin’.

Mid-June through July are the months for reel bustin’ kings. Larry and his great staff of guides will have you on fish non-stop, while incorporating many different techniques designed to keep the action fast no matter of the tides or weather conditions. A few fishermen bring their own equipment, but each guide’s boat is well stocked with up-to-date rods and reels and well used, fish catchin’ lures that will get the job done. Back-trolling, back-bouncing, hovering, down river spinner trolling and the use of floats are all part of their arsenal and your guides will also have a bag or

The author with a big Togiak king salmon, one of a dozen landed on our third morning of fishing.

About the only thing that rivals the fishing at the Togiak River Lodge is the abundance of breathtaking views in every direction. two of special “roe” seasoned and colored to catch the noses and eyes of all of those silver bullets making their way up the river.

The lodge offers many packages, with the shortest length of stay including three days of fishing. If you book far enough in advance, you can really add as many days as you would like to this base, with most guests staying for at least five days and many for as many as ten. Yes, the fishing is that good and if your arms can handle fighting fish after fish ranging up to and occasionally over 40 pounds, I would recommend pushing yourself to the limit, because

you just never know when you might have the chance to experience a trip of this magnitude again. But for many, their return trip will be booked before the end of the week arrives!

Of course, many factors come into play when you are talking about a trip to Alaska, with weather playing a big part in success at times, but even on somewhat down years, where clear skies with water temps and levels causing a few problems, success rates will still far exceed anything you can comprehend with catch rates usually averaging 40+ fish per boat daily, with many days continued on page 16

Rick Rosenberg with a fresh, chrome bright king and if you look close, sea lice are still clinging along the fin line in front of his right hand.

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

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SportsmansNews.com Logon to our website for a full list of endorsed outfitters with photos, descriptions, and details about each.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

SALMON CATCHER continued from page 6

allowed in the upper section of this river which made for an extremely peaceful day of fishing where we only saw a couple other groups of fishermen during our trip. The limits on this river were more liberal during the time we were there and we were each able to keep six sockeye instead of the limit of three on the Kenai during the same timeframe.

The Kasilof River also usually has a good run of king salmon and many of the locals target this area so there are significantly more people on this river during the early king run than during prime sockeye time.

Most people love halibut and a hundred pound fish will quickly fill a fish box to take home. These trips are done out of several places on the Kenai Peninsula. Trips out of the Homer area and Seward are both available on these Salmon Catcher Lodge packages. Each trip is over an hour’s drive from the lodge and provide an opportunity to see different areas of the Kenai Peninsula. This is ocean fishing at its finest and can yield

numerous different kinds of fish which include halibut, salmon, ling cod, yellow eye and various different types of rock fish, all of which provide great table fare when you get home. Early season ocean fishing can be extremely productive on big kings as well.

There are a good number of rivers in the area that produce some excellent rainbow and Dolly Varden fishing as well as big numbers of silver salmon.

These are walk-in style trips where you will be fishing in medium sized rivers and smaller streams while wading with your guide. If you want to experience a float plane ride to a more remote location, this is available as well. At the end of each day of guided fishing, if you still haven’t had your fill, there are plenty of walk-in areas close to the lodge which will allow you to fish well into the night and beyond. Terry provides all the gear you will need for these doit-yourself adventures including top of the line Gary Loomis Edge rods. If fishing isn’t your thing or if you come with a family that is like mine and half want to do one thing and the other half want to do another, this is possible as

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Begin your Kenai adventure now By scanning our complimentary resources app!

(907) 335-2001 P.O. Box 2200, Kenai, Alaska 99611

Kenai, Alaska

www.salmoncatcherlodge.com Email: salmoncatcherlodge2001@gmail.com

The Canyons float trip on the upper Kenai is one of my favorite experiences of all time when visiting Alaska. Dolly Varden, big rainbows, and all the salmon you could handle were the norm for this float. well. Fly outs for bear viewing as well you really need to watch each and every as other ecotourism types of adventures penny. Terry Johnson and the Salmon are always available. So, the experience Catcher Lodge is a tough place to beat. here is extremely diverse and provides They are definitely a top-end lodge something for everyone. and worthy of our Platinum Approved When you are done with your daily Outfitter status. Being able to have the fishing and travels, you will enjoy just best guides already secured with a set relaxing at the Salmon Catcher Lodge. schedule suited for your needs and qualTerry Johnson spared no expense pro- ity lodging makes this a true vacation. viding quality lodging for his guests. All you need to worry about is your food The entire lodging facility is situated and fresh fish can be had each and every on several acres and is designed to ac- night. As with all great things at a great commodate guests in an at home feel. value, there is limited availability. So, my Whether you travel as a group of two or one recommendation is to book as early a huge corporate group of 46, you will as possible to secure a great trip with have all the comforts of home. There Salmon Catcher Lodge. For more info, are numerous different cabins on the visit them on the web at www.salmonproperty which accommodate groups catcherlodge.com or call Terry Johnson with your own private getaway. Each personally at 907-335-2001. facility has a full kitchen where you can prepare all of your meals.

There is a barbeque area which has multiple barbeque units, more than enough to accommodate everyone on the property even if they all decided to cook at the same time.

Having your meals and their timing in your control is a big benefit to you and allows Terry to keep the cost very affordable to all. It allows you to tailor your trip to your own desires and timeframe and if you don’t want to cook, you can enjoy one of the many restaurants in the area. A visit to their website at www.salmoncatcherlodge.com will give you a complete description of the entire facility.

Wild Game Wine owner Steve Mayer When you are looking to experi- holds up a good mix of reds and pinks ence Alaska and all it has to offer, with lodge owner Terry Johnson.

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Power Bedding™ Integral Bedding Blocks for Outstanding Accuracy

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Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ Trigger Offers a Crisp Release with an Adjustable Pull Weight

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Flush Fit, Four-Round Rotary Magazine Provides Smooth, Reliable Feeding

Visible, Accessible and Easy-to ActuateTang Safety

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Three-Lug, 70˚ Bolt Throw Provides Ample Scope Clearance

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The 100% American-made, Ruger American Rifle™ is the latest engineering innovation from America’s leading firearms manufacturer. Offered in short- and long-action calibers, the Ruger American Rifle™ combines the rugged reliability of Ruger’s past with the award-winning ingenuity featured in so many of Ruger’s new products.

Larry Weishuhn, “Mr. Whitetail”

WWW.RUGER.COM/AMERICANRIFLE

©2012 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

TOGIAK RIVER continued from page 8

approaching the 100 fish mark during the season. And we are mainly just addressing the king salmon season!

Chum, sockeye and pink salmon are also plentiful in the Togiak and the silver salmon runs in August and September are a story in themselves.

And big rainbows and Dolly Varden are present in the river whenever the salmon are running as well and you just never know when you might hook into one of those as well.

Everything else during your stay will just about make you forget you are in the middle of the wilderness.

Guests enjoy breakfasts cooked to order and hearty shore lunches can be prepared on the river, if you wish. After a full day of fishing, the comforts of the Togiak River Lodge will be a welcome respite. Relax in the lounge, enjoy refreshments before dinner then join everyone for delicious fourcourse “family style” dining. After dinner, enjoy a movie, camaraderie or relax and dream of tomorrow’s

angling opportunities.

With great accommodations, in the middle of the wilderness along with exceptional food and just about all the comforts of home, don’t you think it is about time to get on the phone and give Larry Lund and his staff and call to talk about all of the possibilities and secure a spot for the quickly approaching fishing season.

To g i a k R i v e r Lodge, 503-7847 9 1 9 o r v i s i t After a great shore lunch was prepared for all of the guests at the lodge on our final day, a few them on the web of the fishermen displayed the fruits of their labors with kings running in size from 12 to 40 at www.togiak- pounds. lodge.com.

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April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Camping By The Headlights

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

W

hen it comes to camping, we all dream of loading a pack and setting off for a remote location miles from our vehicles, trekking for days on isolated trails in the backcountry. The reality however, is that far more people pull up to their camp location in their truck or SUV and haul as many comforts as possible with them in

their vehicle, than they do on their back.

The benefits of car camping are many.

The most noticeable is how much and the types of gear you can take along. I can cook over a tiny backpacking stove, but for a large group of hungry campers, I would much prefer to do my cooking over a Camp Chef Pro 90 Triple Burner Stove. The Pro 90 offers three 30,000 BTU cast aluminum burners, a fold-up design that minimizes space in the truck, and easy to adjust knobs to help get the heat just where you want it.

A variety of accessories from grill boxes, to full length griddles, to portable pizza ovens are available for your Pro 90 stove to help you get the most out of your outdoor dining experience.

Depending on the size of your camping group, having a common area protected from the sun, rain, and bugs is a real plus. The Clam Six Pack 1660 Mag Screen Tent

gives your clan 94 square feet of covered space to congregate. It has a center height of 7-and-a-half feet and is large enough to fit a picnic table. Mesh walls let the breeze blow but keeps the bugs out. The Clam 1660 is rugged strong, made of the highest quality elements, so it can withstand even the windiest days and it goes up in less than a minute, far faster and easier than standard pop-up canopies.

To keep everything cold, a cooler big enough and rugged enough to hold all your perishable food and also protect it from bears is a necessity.

For this purpose, we recommend and use the Grizzly 75 Cooler. This 75 quart cooler is ideal for long weekend getaways and keeps ice for over ten days in our testing. It measures 33.25

inches wide by 18 inches deep and stands 18 inches high. This hardcore unit is made from rotomolded plastic, which insures that the wall thickness is consistent throughout, making it extremely tough. It is injected with environmentally friendly insulation that truly will keep ice longer than any other cooler on the market. The 2� drain plug allows for quick draining and the full length drain channels on the bottom of the cooler complete this process. It comes with non-slip and non-marking rubber feet which will keep the unit in place on the deck of your boat or bed of the truck.

Handles are molded in, but also comes with rope handles with a nylon sleeve and heavy duty rubber handles. There continued on page 30

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

THE RUGER

®

LC380 ™

The Ruger® LC380™ is the perfect pairing of the award-winning LC9™ pistol and the popular .380 Auto cartridge.

It features a dovetailed, high visibility 3-dot sight system, 7-round magazine and finger grip extension floorplate, manual safety, loaded chamber indicator and light recoil spring for an easy-to-manipulate slide.

The LC380™ is the same size as the LC9™, yet offers reduced recoil making it Ruger’s lightest recoiling personal protection centerfire pistol yet.

Finger Grip Extension Floorplate Can Be Added to the Magazine for Comfort and Grip, Included FREE

Same Size as the LC9™ but with a Lighter Recoil Spring for Easier Slide Manipulation

Includes internal lock, Manual Safety, Magazine Safety and Loaded Chamber Indicator, Which Provides Confirmation of a Loaded or Empty Chamber

WWW.RUGER.COM/LC380

Dovetailed, High-Visibility 3-Dot Sight System

©2013 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Chad LaChance

A

s a TV Fishing Show Host and Professional Guide, I get a lot of emails filled with questions. Most often they are technique or lure related (“what’s your favorite lure for?”), sometimes they’re location related (“where can I catch a family-sized pile of”) and

Productive Equals Fun sometimes they’re business related (most commonly “how do I get sponsored?”). I answer all of them personally and try to match the sender’s level of courtesy and enthusiasm. You know what nobody ever asks? How can I make my fishing more enjoyable? Funny thing is, that’s really the root of why we fish, at least for sport.

I presume that when folks send those emails, that’s actually their goal, to make their fishing more productive and therefore more enjoyable, since the two go hand in hand. They’re hoping to improve the enjoyable part by being more productive with my answer. Well, I’m going to cut to the chase; you don’t even need to ask - I’ll just tell you several things that will make your fishing more productive.

Let’s look at bank anglers first; after all, there are more of you! A very easy way to make your fishing more productive from the bank – and we’ll include streamside fishing in this category – is to organize the load. What I mean is carry your tackle more efficiently. Bank fishing is a pedestrian undertaking; making your

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tackle easy to carry is key. My preference is a Plano Softsider Tackle Bag. Because I can easily swap out the Plano plastic boxes within it to facilitate the day’s fishing, I can carry tools in side pockets and I can sling it over my shoulder/across my chest for hands-free transport. These bags are available in a bunch of sizes to match your level of tackle addiction. Since you can now carry your stuff and fish at the same time, you can easily cover more water and you always have your stuff in reach. Another benefit of shouldering your tackle is that you can now carry more rods on your walk (which allows you to better match specific conditions) and unlike with a backpack full of tackle, you can access your stuff while it’s shouldered (think wading).

Another way to increase productivity for bank dwellers is to utilize very high quality polarized sunglasses. Let’s face it, you don’t have sonar “fish finders” on the bank, but you do have eyes and any info they can give your brain regarding cover or vegetation, bottom content, current, bug/baitfish life or fish themselves will help you. Great polarized glasses will help your eyes do their job. I wear Costa glasses with a green mirror glass lens on rivers or from the bank. They increase contrast in browns and greens while eliminating glare making those aforementioned items that are so fundamental in fishing easy to see. I consider my glasses as one of the most important tools I have, especially on running water.

I have a couple of things that will help boaters be more efficient and therefore enjoyable. One of them is an item I think every boating angler really should have on board, unless you don’t care about money; a plug retriever. I’m not talking about the retrievers that dangle from rope and are barely usable, I’m talking about Frabill’s 15’ telescoping model more akin to a golf ball retriever than fishing tool, but what a tool it is! The rigid telescoping handle allows you to reach out away from the boat if the plug is in

very shallow water or up on the bank.

Of course, I’d never cast into a tree, but in case you do, the retriever will prevent you from paying penance up there too.

There are very few hard plugs - which are typically some of the most expensive lures – that dive deeper than 15 feet, so you can get almost all of them back from bottom snags. When I look back over a season of guiding, I can’t tell you how many times Frabill’s retriever has saved our lures, but suffice it to say it has paid for itself dozens of times over. It collapses, stays on the boat deck and is easy reach anytime we’re fishing jerkbaits, crankbaits, etc. Want to be more productive?

Don’t donate lures to the lake when you can easily get them back!

Speaking of Frabill, consider their Conservation Series of nets whether you bank or boat fish. What makes these nets cool is that they have a flat bottom that allows the fish freedom of movement while in the net. This allows the fish to move and breathe while you “rest” them in the water as you remove the hook and/or ready your camera. These nets really excel at reviving tired fish; you can hold them in the water and let them relax rather than the old school tail hold method or having them bound up in the netting.

Conservation Series netting is coated to preserve the fish’s slime coat and they’re offered in a huge range of styles and sizes to fit your needs, including some that are very treble-hook friendly. There’s even a couple sizes with folding hoops for easy storage. These nets may not improve your catching directly, but they will minimize your impact and speed fish handling as well.

The last thing I’ll toss out is to carry a pocket multi-tool (originally made popular by the Leatherman) in your tackle. I never used to carry one. Then I tired of either searching for a tool or not having it at all and I bought a Berkley model. I use it all the time for everything from reel repair, to (gasp) removing “birdsnests”, to who knows what else. I keep it handy and it keeps me fishing.

Nobody ever asks about tackle transport, sunglasses, plug retrievers or tools, but I venture that if you did consider these items the way you do other aspects of fishing gear, you could indeed increase your productivity. And I promise you that watching a fish swim around in your net just prior to release will make you enjoy it more, too!

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Getting Started with Long Range Shooting

By Shane Adair

T

he winter is over and it's time to start planning our next hunting season. Tag deadlines are every month for different states and always seem to creep up on us in the spring.

Just like planning and preparing for our hunting season in advance, we need to do the same pre-preparation with our shooting. While we always budget for our hunts, we need to budget for our weapons, ammo, powder, etc. None of these things are cheap.

With that in mind, I’d like to spend some time talking rifles. What can you make work within your budget? How do you know what rifle will work and which ones won’t? That depends on the end result you are looking for. If it’s going to be a bench gun only, then find a heavy barrel rifle. For most, it’s trying to find a happy medium with a hunting rifle that doesn’t weigh a ton yet shoots accurately. Most manufacturers today have the proper barrel contours to fit this bill. Stay away from the penciled down barrels which will affect accuracy.

A medium contour will usually be fine for the 500-600-800 yard shooting. If a custom rifle is in your budget then get it ordered now, because they usually take 4-6 months to take delivery. These will set you back between $1,800 and $4,000 and are well worth it, but as most factory rifle manufactures are producing some extremely accurate rifles, it makes it hard to choose with so many options.

Deciding to purchase a new rifle or just using one that you already own should be based on how well you can shoot it and how well it fits you. Not everything has to be changed to make

it work right now, but you will find that as you start long range shooting not only will you evolve but your weapon and some of the components will evolve. Most of the time, major overhauls aren’t necessary, but some small critical ones are. The most common upgrades which make the biggest difference in your shooting are triggers, proper bases, and rings. One very crucial one is the stock. A stock needs to fit the shooter. Most custom rifles will already have all of the proper components needed, but factory rifles can be adapted to fit the bill as well.

The Remington 700 is a great platform that is accurate and very easy to adapt to a shooter. You can find almost any component to make a Remington fit your needs. Winchester model 70’s are great; not too heavy and very reliable in all conditions. Ruger and Browning are well built accurate shooting rifles but a little more complicated to uprade and don’t have as many upgrade options.

This isn’t a problem if the rifle already fits you well. Sako rifles shoot really well. Savage has done a great job with very accurate rifles. Weatherbys shoot great, a little bit heavy and long in the stock for some hunters, but by no means a hard to handle rifle. Kimber builds a great precision rifle, but with the light contoured barrels, beyond 500 yards has been hit or miss, but what a joy to pack. Other than a few featherweight rifles from these manufactures, most can be a very good 600-800 yard guns with the proper optics and ammunition.

A gun that beats you up on the bench will not work very well. A muzzle break is a good option and highly recommended. Most important is to

shoot what is comfortable for you on the bench. If a gun is beating you up then it’s going to beat itself up as well.

Heavy recoil will cause excessive vibration and jumping around. This energy will transfer all over the weapon as well as onto the shooter, and most shooters really struggle to shoot accurately with high recoil. How do you know that your rifle will do the job? You need to take a good quality ammo that you can always purchase or reproduce and be able to shoot better than a 2-inch group at 200 yards. 100 yards will not work.

This is crucial! At 200 yards, a gun will tell you almost everything you need to know. Rifles will sometimes seem to shoot okay at 100 yards, but the bullets have not settled down and taken their true flight path yet. If a rifle will shoot at 200 yards it will shoot at 500 and farther. Put the lead sled away, put the front of the rifle on a bipod or bag, put the gun in your shoulder and shoot it on the bench. No more sighting it in at 25 yards or 2.5 inches high at 100 yards. It must be zeroed at 200 yards. With a little finesse, we can make almost all rifles shoot better than a two inch group at 200 yards. Now, with Rifle chosen and ammo found, you need to

pick your optic. Optics needs to be a minimum power of 14. That’s a great starting place. To shoot well out past 800 yards, I would recommend a 20 power or more. It must have an adjustable turret for elevation or elevation bars in the scope. The hold-over days are over. With these three components put together properly, you will be amazed at what you can do. This can be a lengthy process and takes many trips to the range, and most ranges are not set up to shoot past 200 yards. If this is too much for you to tackle, this is where Adair Precision can help you out. We have the ability to shoot every rifle out to the desired yardage of the customer and most will be shot out to 800 yards.

With access to the best ammo loads on the market and a knowledge of scopes that fits the needs and budgets of the shooter, we make this a very simple process for you. Ship the rifle out, UPS, FedX or US Postal and we will set up your rifle package to meet your needs.

When done we give you the option to shoot it with us and then take it home, or we will ship it back ready to hunt.

If extending your range and abilities is your goal we can make it happen for you.

We Take The Gun You Already Have, Customize It And Extend Your Range

Shane Adair (435)559-7764 LongRangeShane@gmail.com

Tune Up Your Rifle Turn Your Rifle Into A Long Range Gun Re-scope W/custom Turret One On One Shooting Lessons Educate You With Shooting Tips Custom Fit A Bullet And Load Cedar City, Utah

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

ER N N I W TED C E L SE

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April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Sako Finnlight 85

By Mike Deming

good if not better than all of my other custom rifles and at a fraction his is a rifle I have been putting of the cost. It isn’t an inexpensive to the test for nearly a solid rifle by any means and will set you year now. So, it is a bit more of back around $1,500. However, when a hard core field test than most guns you compare it to a full custom rifle we write about here at Sportsman’s it is about a third the cost. Most News. Since I’m a self-admitted long people are willing to bite the bulgun snob and have numerous custom let to get a custom rifle because of guns in my arsenal, I know I’m a bit their accuracy guarantee. With those harder to please than most. I practice higher prices usually comes a .5” shooting long range on a regular or 1” MOA guarantee, hence why I basis with some pretty accomplished have custom rifles. We have tested shooters as well. So, the equipment both the 7MM and the .300 WSM I show up with for our outings has in the Sako Finnlight 85 and have to perform at the highest level or the consistently achieved sub .5” MOA public ridicule might be just a bit too out of each rifle shooting premium much to tolerate. ammunition. The 7MM, shooting The Sako Finnlight 85 is definitely Doubletap DT Longrange ammo with in this class of rifles and shoots as 145 grain Barnes LRX bullets delivers .5” 3-shot groups at 200 yards nearly every time, making it better than all of my custom rifles.

This rifle comes in 13 different calibers starting at the .22-250 with a short action all the way out to the .300 Win Mag and a long action. There are four different action lengths in this line which insures that there is no slop and has a very controlled feed to the chamber. The action itself is the smoothest and easiest to operate that I have ever used. “Smooth like butter” would be an understatement when describing the working parts This is a 3 shot group at 200 yards using of this rifle. premium ammunition.

The stock is two step in-

T

jection molded with grey softer grip areas in the pistol grip, fore-end sides and bottoms. Black outer surfaces are Soft Touch finished which provide for a solid grip on the rifle. Even though the stock is a sport style stock and very light weight, the flat bottom allows for a good stable base when shooting on a bag or across your pack. The 24 3/8” barrel is fluted and full free floating stainless steel.

The 7MM has a 1 in 9.5” twist. The overall weight of this rifle without optics is 6-pounds 13-ounces making it a bit heavy to be considered a lightweight mountain rifle, but the additional weight helps to absorb the recoil and eliminates the need for a muzzle break even on the largest of calibers. Those extremely narrow diameter barrels which cut a significant amount of weight have a tendency to have accuracy problems after a few shots and that isn’t the case with our test rifles. So, I’m happy to carry a few extra ounces on my back when I’m targeting the trophy of a lifetime.

The single stage trigger on this rifle is extremely crisp and has absolutely no creep. It can be adjusted from a light 2-pounds up to 4-pounds and can be done with just a small Allen wrench without the need of a gunsmith. I personally keep mine set at just a hair over two pounds and have no safety concerns. The safety itself on this gun is a single stage, but does have a mechanism which will allow you to unload the rifle with the gun on safe. This mechanism is a small button just in front of the safety which, when depressed, allows the bolt to function. The box magazine

in this model will hold 4-rounds with an additional one in the pipe. It fits extremely precise into the action and has absolutely no play and requires some getting used to when removing it from the rifle. It requires you to put slight pressure on the magazine inward as you push the release button. This does insure that the release button isn’t accidentally pushed in the field, resulting in a lost magazine.

The scope mount rail is very unique to the Sako rifle and specifically designed for their own bases and mounts. These mounts are a bit hard to find on the market, but work extremely well and can be special ordered through Sportsman's Warehouse or Beretta USA. There are a couple of aftermarket mounts like “Talley” which are well known and work extremely well if you can’t find the Sako bases and mounts. This was the only negative thing that I could find about this rifle in my full year of putting it to the test.

I mounted a Leupold VX-6 in 3-18X44 with firedot reticle and windplex on this gun. The short tube on this scope required me to add the extended bases, but once I had the correct parts, I’ve never looked back. This rifle will be my go-to rifle for nearly all of my big game hunting needs for years to come. With a rifle of this quality, there is truly no need to spend the money on a custom rifle. Make sure you top your rifle with a high quality optic which will give you the most out of any rifle and always shoot premium ammunition. The Sako Finnlight 85 can truly be the last rifle you will ever need to buy.

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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The confidence to stay in shape.

Extremly soft shooting and easy to control, the powerful and accurate Beretta Pico is confidence you can carry.

• Thinnest .380 ever made for super concealment • Hammer-fired operation for reliability • Exceptionally smooth trigger for greatest control For information on gun safety and concealed carry visit www.beretta.com/pico HU

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Talkin’ Turkeys Winchester Style

By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor

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t is no secret that turkey hunting has become one of the most popular sports among spring and fall outdoors men and women across the country. The revitalization of the wild turkey is one of the greatest success stories in our hunting world.

When talking about turkeys and eventual success of the hunt, one of the most important things is knowing your shotgun’s pattern, something that is directly affected by a combination of your guns choke and ammunition used. Knowing your limits can quickly become your advantage when a gobbler’s timing is bad and your shot is good.

Back in the fall of 2013, Winchester introduced the 12-gauge Long Beard XR in 3 and 3 1/2- inch shells with shot sizes available in No. 4, 5, and 6. The shot has a muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps propelling 1 3/4 and 2 ounces of cop-

per plated lead pellets. In the normal situation, traditional lead shot would not be dense enough for all of the shot to hold its shape when propelled through the barrel because of the high velocity; however, the Long Beard XR is designed with a SHOT-LOK filler which allows the shot to keep its shape when leaving the gun barrel for a more uniform shot pattern.

SHOT-LOK is a resin-like liquid that is injected into the shot cup prior to adding the lead shot during manufacturing. The liquid fills all of the air spaces between the pellets and it cures to a solid matter, encapsulating the entire shot load. The solid filler pro-

tects the lead shot from deformation as it is pulverized during in-bore acceleration.

The shot accelerates and launches through the barrel and choke almost perfectly round, allowing for extremely tight long-range patterns. According to Winchester, “this produces twice the number of pellets in a 10″ circle out to 60 yards with 10 percent greater penetration over standard lead beyond 50 yards.”

Forty yards has long been the standard by which all turkey loads were measured. It’s time to go farther with Winchester Long Beard XR, the most innovative lead turkey load in its history provides increased lethality at longer ranges, more than any other turkey load.

Long Beard XR has the knockdown power of popular heavier-than-lead loads at a fraction of the cost, meaning it’s a turkey-slamming game changer for hunters looking to push the limits.

And new for 2015 are to two even more powerful Magnum loads. Winchester Long Beard XR is now being offered in the following specifications: Gauge Technology 12

SHOT-LOK MAG

12

SHOT-LOK MAG

12 12

respected distance beyond 40 yards.

Long Beard XR includes Shot-Lok Technology—a hardened resin that completely encapsulates the lead pellets. Shot-Lok actually eliminates air space around the pellets, preventing movement, which ultimately leads to virtually no pellet deformation.

As the shot is charged, the resin fractures, forming a micro-buffer as the shot pattern leaves the gun barrel—the pellets remain round and fly straighter and tighter, resulting in highly consistent payloads and devastating knockdown at longer ranges.

Advantages Of Shot-Lok Technology Protects shot during in-bore acceleration shot launches from barrel near perfectly round for extremely tight long-range patterns twice the number of pellets in a 10” circle out to 60 yards 10% greater penetration over standard lead loads beyond 50 yards devastating terminal on-target performances.

Shell Length

Oz. Shot

3 1/2"

2 1/8

SHOT-LOK

3 1/2”

2

3”

1 7/8

SHOT-LOK

3

1 3/4

Shot-Lok Technology When turkey hunting, it’s important to identify your target, usually attempting to call in a bird within 40 yards or less. However, it is sometimes difficult to measure the exact distance, so every hunter wants a load they can depend on to reach the turkey at a

Velocity Shot Sizes 1050

4, 5, 6

1050

4, 5, 6

1200 1200

4, 5, 6 4, 5, 6

“When you pull the trigger, the shot is charged, the resin fractures, buffering the round pellets without deformation. We’re seeing twice the number of pellets beyond 50 yards as in other standard lead loads, offering tighter, truer and straighter patterns with definitely more energy downrange”, Brad Criner, Winchester Ammunitions Senior Shotshell and Rimfire Product Manager.

Haven’t shot this remarkable load yet? You need to. Like any load, pattern Winchester Long Beard XR on a target. Learn how your shotgun performs with your shell selection and make any necessary adjustments to your choke or sighting system. It’s continued on page 34

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

The Ruger 10/22 Takedown ®

™

combines all the features and functionality of the 10/22® rifle with the ability to easily separate the barrel/forend and action/buttstock for convenient storage and transportation. The simple reassembly of the barrel and action yields a rock-solid return to zero for consistent, reliable performance. Packed in a rugged, ballistic nylon case (included), the Ruger® 10/22 Takedown™ makes it easy to keep America’s favorite rimfire rifle by your side.

WWW.RUGER.COM/1022TAKEDOWN

©2012 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

CAR CAMPING continued from page 18

is a 2” tie down slot on each side which allows you to not only tie it down, but even lock it to your vehicle. The internal molding in this cooler is designed to hold the Grizzly frozen dividers which, are powered by Arctic Ice. If you will be camping in bear country, this cooler is also Grizzly Bear compliant. Each cooler has a lifetime warranty and is made right here in the U.S.A.

For a good night’s rest, you can rough it on the ground, but a good quality air mattress will make your sleeping more comfortable and keep you warmer. When car camping, you can take along the Coleman Queen Size Double High Airbed WithPump. This inflatable mattress rises to normal bed height and features 34 individual coils for added support of your body. Welded seams insure your mattress won’t leak all night long. It fits standard sheets and has a sueded microfiber top to prevent your sheets from slipping off during the night. When deflated, it rolls up easily and is kept compact by the Wrap ‘N’ Roll Storage System and takes up only minimal space. The included 120V DC pump lets you quickly fill the mattress by using a car inverter, or you can pick up the rechargeable Quick Pump for use where there is no access to electricity.

For those more daring souls,

a Camping Hammock from Eagle Nest Outfitters offers the comfort of a hammock and the luxury of a tent. Zip-in bug netting, rain fly, stakes, and extension straps provide you multiple protection from the elements and flexibility in setup options. Accessories such as a wraparound quilt or lights make this a super comfortable option where you will have the ability to suspend the hammock.

And for those who like a cuddle buddy at night, they offer the ENO DoubleNest 2 Person Hammock so you can stay extra warm.

Your tent is your home away from

home and having enough room to comfortably sleep your entire clan and all of their gear is a necessity. For ultimate group camping the Browning Buckmark Six Man Tent offers two rooms with their own entrances split up with a removable divider. This 9x14 tent stands 6'8” in the center and features a free-standing steel three-pole design with fiberglass shock corded tent sup-

ports. A rain fly covers the top and is easily assembled in a short amount of time. Straight walls offer more room for people and gear and the already waterproofed and sealed tent means you can take it straight from the store to the field without treating the seams and letting it dry before use.

To extend your camping pleasure, good lighting is a must. Thermacell offers their Camp Lantern that not only puts out up to 300 lumens of light in a 360 degree arc, but it also is equipped

with Thermacell’s non-topical insect repellent technology to keep the bugs away. It will run for up to 50 hours on its highest setting. It has three brightness settings as well as a flashing SOS setting and features a battery level indicator. For keeping the biting bugs at bay, the Thermacell butane cartridge and repellent pad form a 15 by 15 foot protection zone of virtually odorless and silent protection from insects. The base of the lantern features a hook that makes it easy to suspend in a tent or above a camp table to more readily allow the light and insect protection to be extended to their maximum effectiveness.

The say camping is all about the fire.

The experience of sitting around the campfire telling and retelling tall tales is one of the more enjoyable camping activities. To help make building and continued on page 34

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander

A carryover from last year’s major design changes, it’s simple and practical, but is being left “out and behind” by many of its competitors.

F

ive years ago, when the Mitsubishi Outlander was redesigned for 2010, it received good marks for its aggressive styling and features that made it competitive in everything from engines and AWD, to nice interior appointments. When the Outlander was unveiled for 2014, many of us had high hopes that we’d see more eye-opening styles and technology innovations for the little compact front-wheel drive or All Wheel Drive (AWD) Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). It simply did not happen. And in many ways, the Outlander was actually “tamed” in the styling department and basic engine designs were carried over.

Fast forward to 2015 and there were hopes and rumors that Mitsubishi might be adding a turbocharged engine and some upgraded sport features.

Again, it didn’t happen and insiders at the car company say that the “real news” for the Outlander is not going to be available until 2016, when they hope to introduce a radical Outlander with a totally new design, featuring the first AWD Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

Outlander PHEVs are currently being sold in Japan, Europe and Australia, but battery shortages and technical issues keep pushing back the U.S. introduction.

Being touted to have a range of nearly 500 miles and getting 150 mpg with its small supplemental gas engine, Mitsubishi is expecting a huge demand from the “greenies” and the shortto-medium range commuter crowds.

How well that is going to translate to a practical back-country traveling AWD SUV for the sportsman’s marketplace is questionable.

All that said, the 2015 Outlander SE with its Super-Wheel Drive (S-AWD) system has a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that’s mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and kicks out a meager 166 horsepower. On the plus side, the Outlander SE turns in a respectable 24 mpg city/29 mpg highway and a combined 26 mpg fuel economy rating. Opting for the GT version, the vehicle has a larger 3.0 liter V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers 224 horsepower. Both engines are rather tame and mild and there is a distinct lack of quick/snappy acceleration. Both may be good for daily cityfide commutes or if traveling slowly on back roads and trails while in fourwheel drive, but can’t be called “exciting,” when out on the open roads and running off to your next outdoor adventure.

Inside, the vehicle is comfortable and the driver is going to find all controls easy to access with comfortable seating.

Second row of seats follow suit in the comfort department and are adjustable for plenty of leg room. The third row seating, however is rather cramped and is best used for short commutes or car pooling with folks that you don’t necessarily like a whole lot! With seat rows two and three folded down, you’ve got just over 63 cubic feet of room for your camping, fishing or hunting gear. It’s not bad, but other makers seem to be finding ways to add increased inches and cubic feet to other vehicles in this SUV class.

While driving on the open road is comfortable and the handling is good and responsive, we actually enjoyed taking the Outlander at slower speeds and when traveling on dirt, mud and in snow. Sporting 8.5 inches of ground clearance, the SUV is not going to rate as a “rock-crawler,” but with the SAWD feature, the vehicle does a great job of crawling along at slow speeds and having good traction to the tires when negotiating ruts, dips, muddy bogs and snow bumps. Slow and deliberate, the Outlander SE was dependable when the asphalt ended and all of our test-drivers felt confident with the steering, acceleration and handling.

Overall, the Outlander series for 2015 seems to reflect where Mitsubishi wants to aim a SUV that is main-stream, practical and simple. It’s not super luxurious or plush, but it has all the essential amenities and conveniences. It’s not a race-track contender for the owner seeking performance characteristics.

But it also doesn’t have a “sticker price” that pretends that it is.

It is solid, dependable, has a good service/quality record and is going to shuffle through this year as nothing more and nothing less.

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

ALSO AVAILABLE AT

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

CAR CAMPING continued from page 30

maintaining your fire easier, Zippo has created the 4-In-1 Woodsman Axe and Saw. This full sized axe features a 5-inch blade that doubles as a hammer on the

back side for driving in tent stakes. Inside the handle resides a large-toothed wood saw blade that attaches to the handle and the axe blade cover to form a bow saw for cutting wood. The metal loop on the bottom not only tightens the saw blade, but also acts as a tent stake puller.

For locations that don’t allow fires, the Camp Chef Redwood Portable Propane Fire Pit gives you the atmosphere of a campfire without the risk of burning wood in a dry environment. It connects to a portable propane tank with a 6-foot hose and puts out 55,000 BTUs of heat; enough to cook on or use for heat. It is self-lighting so matches are not needed.

The 15-inch diameter fire bowl gives off plenty of heat and light and a stainless steel safety ring protects little ones from falling in the fire. A wide base keeps a stable platform for the 12 pounds of lava rocks, especially on uneven surfaces.

Once you have set up camp, cooked a meal, built the fire, and pitched your tent, there is nothing left to do but sit back and relax in the beautiful outdoors.

For hours of camp comfort, the Alps Aluminum Camp Chair will provide

you with a wider seat than most other portable chairs. It also offers better support, a heavy duty powder coated frame, and folds up compactly for transport.

The ALPS Aluminum Camp Chair offers better stability on uneven ground and provides a more rigid backrest for hours of comfortable enjoyment. Padded, curved armrests and a cup holder pocket complete your throne, letting you focus on being king of the campsite.

This summer, take the family out and enjoy the wonderful outdoors together.

In too short of time the kids will be grown and gone, so take this time to make valuable memories spent together as a family. But just because you are

WINCHESTER

continued from page 28 always the responsibility of the hunter to take the most ethical shot no matter what the distance — get that dealclosing confidence you need to get the job done on that big ol’ tom!

And another great tool that has been created at Winchester that is new for 2015 is the Winchester Pattern Board application that embodies all that Winchester stands for: excellence and innovation. It allows you to choose shotgun gauge, pellet size, shell length, chokes, brands and adjust distance to pattern your shotgun loads out to 70 yards. Winchester has actually patterned over 3,000 rounds

camping doesn’t mean you can’t rough it in comfort and style the next time you camp out. And while you are at it, look into some of the wonderful State Parks that offer camping for families. These parks are often underutilized except during major holidays like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. The rest of the year, you may find yourself all alone with your loved ones in first-rate campgrounds. If not, you just might meet some fun neighbors and strike up a life-long friendship. Save me a S’more.

on the range to compile this information just for turkey hunters. You can compare up to four loads at a time, review their patterns, save your favorites, see what loads and patterns other users are shooting and receive product recommendations to improve your shot. This application is packed full of features to make the richest, most integrated and useful shotgun patterning application available. It is the single best way to see shotshell patterns, unless of course, you have the time and resources to do it all yourself!

Available on your laptop, tablet or smartphone, the new Winchester Pattern Board app is the first of its kind offered for shotgunners. The app allows turkey hunters to see how different loads pattern at varying distances without actually testing each individual load at the range.

For more information about Winchester Ammunition, the new Pattern Board and all Winchester products, visit www.winchester.com.

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

First Elk Adventure

By Japrix Weaver

I

passed my hunters safety class and got my badge. My 12th birthday arrived and it was time to put in for some hunts. I was 1 of 3 very lucky kids to draw out for a youth elk hunt in New Mexico.

After much preparation, the time came to go on what my Dad kept reminding me was a “Once in a lifetime hunt.”

My posse for this “Once in a life time hunt,” included my dad, my 14 year old sister Dream, my uncle, and my boy cousin Madsen, also 12 years old. We drove from Utah to New Mexico on a Friday; we arrived late into the night to a pre-determined spot. We set up our camp trailer, ate dinner and lots of candy, and then got some sleep. We stayed one full day at this camp; we spent this time sighting in the Remington 270 I borrowed from my big brother.

The next morning, after all of our backpacks were stocked for our unknown adventure, we set out on foot, entering elk country. The hike was long, the trails went up and down. We had to stop for a while to catch our breath. Sometimes while we were walking I said prayers to my Heavenly Father to ask for help so I could finish the hike and get to our spike camp. A spike camp is where you sleep in tents or under the stars without running water or electricity and stuff like that. At least that’s what a spike camp means to me. So any way I think I said about five prayers during this 5 mile hike to where we would sleep that night.

We enjoyed some canned dinner, and a quick night’s sleep. I used my extra clothes as a pillow and dad let us eat more candy. When the dark morning came, it was finally time to hunt. We set out on foot, making plans and strategy’s as where to go and how picky to be. It was fun hearing the elk so close and so noisy. I passed up a few smaller bulls and kept on hunting. Later that day, I got a shot at a decent sized dandy, but missed.

The morning hunt was over, but missing ended up being a blessing.

Before I knew it, it was time to go out hunting again. This time I was feeling very lucky!

We made it to a place where we knew we would find some luck. The elk were bugling like crazy; we found the biggest one and began to prepare for a shot. The conclusion was made that I was too far away and needed to be at a closer range, so we decided to split up. Dad, Dream and Madsen were staying behind on one ridge, to cut down on noise and so Dream could take video. My uncle and I started working our way in to better position.

Once I was close enough my uncle told me what spot on my scope to put on the elk, once I was ready I pulled the trigger.

I was sure I hit him, but he didn’t go down I would have to finish the job. My skinny body was shaking from head to toe, my uncle helped me get stable, I shot a second and third time. A few staggering moments later, the massive animal fell to the ground. We waited and listened. During this time we could hear it panting and

kicking its feet everywhere. I was feeling so excited. Once we were sure it was dead we went to see what I had bagged. A six point bull elk.

My first thought was, “its huge I can’t believe I killed that thing!”

As you know we had to take tons of photos of the big kill! It was dark by this time so we had to use the flashlight to take photos, so it was hard to keep my eyes open for the picture. I would try so hard to keep them open, that is why my smile looks funny!

As soon as we were finished with the pictures we took time to cut up the elk.

We took the meat and the antlers. We put all the meat, which seemed to be tons of pounds of meat, in our back packs. We then started our challenging ten mile hike back to our main base camp. We decided we would rather hike the entire ten miles in the dark, instead of sleeping one more night at the spike camp full of mosquitos. That way we could have a good night sleep back at the cozy, warm trailer. So that’s just what we did. We

Sportsman’s News Outdoor Writing Contest Winner See pg. 4 for entry details.

started hiking with a few breaks here and there. We hiked from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. to get to our spike camp.

There we packed up camp and added more pounds of equipment, clothes, and sleeping bags into our back packs. We left our spike camp at 12:30 a.m. Imagine a 12 year old girl and boy, one 14 year old girl and two dads, with their back packs stuffed with meat, elk antlers, a rifle and equipment hiking through the New Mexico terrain, being led by flashlights in the dark of night. We hiked up hill about 75% of the time. After what seem to be an eternity and several more prayers to my Heavenly Father; we arrived at the trailer and truck, just a little past 4:00am.

It was one of the hardest things I have ever done at the same time one of the most rewarding. I slept like a rock that night as you could imagine.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Choosing A Personal Locator Beacon

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

F

or those who go deep into the wilderness, far from any cell towers or busy roads, having a personal locator beacon (PLB) is a necessary piece of kit in an emergency.

They are expensive, with some requiring a subscription and they each have different strengths and weaknesses, but if you are injured, trapped, lost or just need rescue, these little electronic gadgets are a must-have.

Before 2003, when the FCC approved PLBs for land use, you would give a friend or family member your itinerary, an idea of the path you were planning to take and if you were

o v e rd u e , t h e y would notify search and rescue of where you might be. For those who spent days or weeks in the wilderness, this meant that the odds of being found before it was too late if you got in trouble were pretty slim.

With the advent of satellite technology, GPS enabled PLBs can now provide immediate notification and location in an emergency.

While far from being inexpensive, for what they provide, these devices are a priceless companion.

When it comes to selecting a PLB, we want to look at both the strengths and weaknesses of each of the three major players; ACR, SPOT and Delorme inReach.

ACR ACR utilizes a government satellite system to provide location over most of the globe. Their transmission system is by far the strongest of all of the PLBs, however, this stronger signal power is needed because the satellites used by ACR are in a far higher orbit than those used by SPOT and inReach. In addition to the 406 MHz transmission used by the ACR, it also sends a 121.5MHz homing signal to help rescuers pinpoint your location on the ground. The network of satellites and ground stations are run by the governments of Russia, the US, France and Canada. This can result in a delay in response time, as well as the way the satellites move.

It can also delay how long it takes for help to be dispatched. On the upside, these devices are very rugged, can be used in most locations that have a clear view of the sky and come with an immense network of support. On the downside, they have an internal battery that must be maintained, battery life is limited, it must be replaced by a technician and it requires frequent testing as well as registration with the nation in which it will be used.

SPOT Messenger The SPOT Messenger not only acts like a PLB, but gives you the additional feature of being able to send pre-set text messages and also share your location and track on social networking sites, like Facebook. The SPOT Messenger utilizes the Globalstar satellite network, consisting of 48 geosynchronous satellites in low orbit and a series of 24 ground stations. By using low orbit satellites, the transmitter doesn’t need to be as strong and it also helps conserve battery life and reduce size and weight of the unit. The SPOT Messenger runs on three AAA Lithium batteries that are user replaceable. The upside to the SPOT Messenger is that it is easy to use and only has six buttons. Four of the buttons are for standard pre-set messages and tracking broadcasting and two covered buttons for calling for help or rescue. One of the pro-

tected buttons messages a predefined contact for assistance and the second broadcasts an SOS to activate search and rescue personnel to come get you, along with your coordinates so they can quickly find you. Another plus is the price. The SPOT Messenger retails for about $119 and plans are inexpensive and flexible to meet your needs. The downside is the Globalstar network only provides full-time coverage over about 66 percent of the globe and uses third party ground stations to prioritize incoming distress messages before contacting GEOS. This can create a delay in getting help moving to your location. For the rest of the globe, Globalstar will pick up your signal within 20 minutes as satellites move into position. This delay is especially noticeable nearer the poles and in parts of Africa and reception is non-existent in certain locations. In a life or death emergency, when every second counts, this can be a costly delay. Another negative is that the messenger only offers oneway communication, so you have no confirmation that your message has been received and help is on the way.

SPOT does offer satellite phones with very reasonable plans, as well as a Bluetooth device that allows texting via your smart phone, but these features are not included in the SPOT Messenger.

DeLorme inReach SE and inReach Explorer For true two way communication, the inReach products from DeLorme offer the ability to confirm that your message has been received and help is on the way. Continual communication

Globalstar, used by SPOT has dead areas at the poles and in the southern part of the African continent.

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

with rescuers allows you to provide them feedback as to the extent of your injuries, conditions in t h e a re a a n d landmarks to help them get to you.

The inReach SE and the inReach Explorer both have an on-screen keyboard or can be paired with a smart phone via Bluetooth to utilize the two-way communication features.

The Explorer offers the additional feature of navigation, by utilizing the GPS as a navigator. They also feature a digital compass, barometric altimeter and accelerometer and also includes an odometer and displays useful trip statistics while in the field, such as trip time, max speed, moving average and trip distance. By pairing it

with your smartphone, you can also download detailed NOAA maps and weather data. The DeLorme inReach devices use the Iridium network of 66 satellites providing truly 100 percent global coverage all of the time.

Additionally, the Iridium network is directly monitored by GEOS insuring faster response time in an emergency.

This 100 percent coverage and faster response is why the DeLorme inReach is the Sportsman’s News teams’ pick for a PLB. Coupled with the flexible monthly, annual and seasonal subscription plans and the amazing Earthmate App for your smart phone, the inReach is a powerhouse PLB and so much more.

The downside is that the screen on the

SE and Explorer is a bit small and is not touch enabled, so you have to navigate between features via a small series of buttons that can slow down your texting and using of the features.

The maps on the Explorer do not have any detail, but you can use it with detailed maps on your smartphone they just aren’t all contained in a single unit. The batteries on the inReach devices are internal rechargeables, so you can’t swap them out if they die, but you can recharge the units via a solar panel. The battery has 100 hours of runtime on a full charge though, so it will last you for the long haul.

Whichever PLB you select, make sure you know the features you will need, learn how to properly use all of the features of the unit, pre-plan your route and itinerary as much as possible in advance and also use the unit’s online features and make sure they are pre-set and active before you head out.

If you are hunting in the deep backcountry where cell service is non-existent and something happens, having the piece of mind that help is

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only a button push away, will help you enjoy yourself even more. The ability of the inReach devices to check in and also receive text messages means that not only can you seek help if needed, but the folks back home can get word to you if a crisis develops and they need you to come home. Our publisher, Mike Deming was able to use his inReach Explorer to learn that his daughter won a soccer tournament while he was in the mountains of British Columbia last fall, so he could celebrate with her from far away in the remote wilderness.

Having a plan, having the training and having the right tools are three keys to staying safe in the rugged wilderness that so many of us enjoy.

These tools are a great way to stay safe and let others know if we run into trouble, as well as how to find us. Look into getting a PLB is you are planning a trip into the wild. All of the products mentioned in this article are available for purchase at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse gift bar or online at www.sportsmanswarehouse.com.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Black Bear In The Northwest

On the hunt for Ursus americanus in Washington and Oregon.

W

By Gary Lewis ith mild temperatures and abundant food sources, bear habitat is ideal along the Pacific Coast. There are many places to pursue Ursus americanus, but Washington and Oregon offer some of the best numbers and opportunities in North America.

WASHINGTON Black bears occupy all the forest habitats of western Washington, the Cascade Mountains, the Okanogan, the Photo courtesy Bravo! Mfg

Selkirk and Blue Mountain ranges. For management purposes, biologists divide the state into nine black bear management units (BBMUs). Based on computer modeling and reconstruction studies, the statewide population is thought to number between 25,000 and 30,000 animals.

Hunting for bears with bait or with hounds has been illegal since 1996. Since then, bear seasons have been lengthened and bag limits increased. In most areas, fall black bear seasons begin between August 1 and September 1 and continue through November 15. Spring seasons start in early or mid-April and run through late May or into June.

In the last 15 years, hunter success has averaged between 3- and 9-percent.

In 2012, the last year for which all the data is available, general season hunter success was 7.3-percent. Hunter success in the spring bear permit hunt was 18.2 percent. Overall statewide total harvest was 1,633 bears.

Organized according to population dynamics and habitat type, the BBMUs vary in size and, of course, accessibility. Harvest numbers are highest in the coastal zone (BBMU 1), in the Cascades (BBMUs 3, 4 and 6) and in the northeast corner of the state (BBMU 7 with 422 bears).

Spring Hunts Bears peel tree bark to get at the cambium layer. Such activity has a significant

Watching the food sources paid off for Washington resident Heather Aldrich on a family hunt in late summer.

Photo courtesy Bravo! Mfg John Aldrich with a brown-phase black bear from Washington. economic impact with potential losses that can figure in the millions of dollars.

Several spring hunts – the Kapowsin in Game Management Units 653 and 654 north and west of Mount Rainier National Park, Monroe spring hunt is held in a portion of the GMU 448 (in the North Cascades), Copalis hunt is held in GMU 642 (northwest of Aberdeen) on Rayonier Timber Company land and the North Skagit hunt in GMU 418 –address the growing population of bears and tree damage.

In northeast and southeast Washington, a number of small spring hunts are offered to provide recreation opportunity and minimize human/bear conflicts.

With seasons that start in early April and run into June, hunters have a chance to target big males in the breeding season.

Hunters interested in applying for a spring permit must purchase a hunting license that includes bear as an option and a permit application. Hunting license, bear transport tag and bear permit application can be purchased at http:// fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov or by calling (866) 246-9453.

Fall Hunts Though the spring hunts offer the highest success rates, the fall provides the most opportunity with long seasons and the opportunity to pursue secondary species. In the statewide late summer and fall hunts, an individual may take up to two bears, only one of which may be taken on the east side.

In the northeast corner of the state, hunter success ran 10 percent in 2012.

Male bears made up the majority of the harvest.

On the coast in BBMU 1, hunter success was a reported 6.5-percent. Total harvest was highest in the Olympic (621) and Wynoochee (648) GMUs. The traveling hunter should pay attention to localized seasons and restrictions. A hunter must have a special deer permit as well as a bear tag to hunt bear in GMU 485 and the Long Island GMU 699 is designated archery-only.

Successful black bear hunters must submit the premolar tooth. Tooth envelopes are available at all WDFW offices.

OREGON Oregon’s bear population numbers between 25,000 and 35,000 animals, spread over approximately 40,000 square miles of habitat. In 1994, voters banned the use of hounds or hunting with bait. Hunter success plummeted in the years after the ban, but as bear numbers increased and more hunters adapted to spot-and-stalk and calling tactics, hunter success has improved.

Bear population densities are highest in the Coast and Cascade ranges and in the Blue Mountains of northeast Oregon.

There are fewer bears in the high desert and in the arid Great Basin region.

Color phases are more common in northeast Oregon. One study made in Wallowa County showed that 46 percent were brown, 26 percent were black, 24 percent were blonde and 4-percent were cinnamon phase.

Spring Hunts Sometime in March or April, when the sun pushes back the clouds, when the grass turns green and the buttercups bloom, Oregon’s black bears emerge from their long winter sleep.

Hungry bruins head straight for the river valleys early in the spring, taking advantage of succulent forage they find below the snowline. Grasses, grubs, flowers and the tender shoots of smaller trees and shrubs are the target as the bears get their digestive juices flowing again.

Want to know which areas of the state harbor the most bruins? Take a look at the Oregon Big Game Regulations. continued on page 41

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

NORTHWEST BEAR

ing trips. Invest the time in places where you find fresh sign and be patient – the bears are there.

continued from page 38

Spring hunts, beginning in April, are used to control bear numbers in areas where predation on elk calves and deer fawns is high and where bear numbers need to be kept in check to minimize conflicts. Oregon’s spring hunts are controlled by a lottery system that limits hunters in each of the open units.

Tag numbers and success rates run highest in the Snake River, Sled SpringsChesnimnus and Pine Creek-KeatingCatherine Creek hunts.

If you want to draw a tag the first year you apply, the best odds are in the Wilson-Trask, Saddle Mountain-Scappoose, Hood Unit, South Central, South Blue Mountains and Starkey hunts. The application deadline for the spring hunt is February 10.

While northeast Oregon holds the highest success rates, the best opportunity lies in the southwest corner of the state. In the spring hunt there are 4,400 tags available on a first-come, firstserved basis.

West of the Cascades, the season opens

Fall Hunts The general statewide season runs August 1 – December 31 on the west side of the state. East of the Cascades, the bear season runs Photo by Gary Lewis August through November. ResiBryan Murphy prepares for a call set on a spring hunt dents and non-resin eastern Oregon. Where bears feed on deer fawns idents may buy an and elk calves, a predator call can bring a bear on the additional tag in run at any time of the season. When calling bears, set southwest Oregon up downwind of your target area. Work the call with aland the Cascades. most constant sound for at least an hour. A black bear For more dehas a short attention span. Constant sound keeps him t a i l s , s e e w w w. on the move. dfw.state.or.us/ April 1. April 15 is the opener in most of resources/hunting/big_game.

Successful hunters must present the northeast hunts. Hunt the middle of the season for the best chances of seeing the bear ’s skull (unfrozen) to an bear; use the early season for scout- ODFW office during normal business

hours within ten days of the kill to be checked and marked.

To order a signed copy of Gary Lewis’ Hunting Oregon, send $24.95 (includes S&H) to GLO, PO Box 1364, Bend, OR 97709 or visit www.GaryLewisOutdoors.com.

Photo courtesy Bravo! Mfg John Aldrich notched his Washington black bear tag with this brownphase bear last year.

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42

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Subspecies of the Wild Turkey - What’s the Difference?

By Jason Herbert

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’ll never forget what an incredible sensory experience my first turkey hunt was. I had heard from grandpa and grandma that there were a few birds hanging out near the hay field out back. Until this point, wild turkeys in my home state of Michigan were an elusive creature that only the greatest hunters could ever tag. I had yet to see one, but still drew a coveted tag and was hugging the edge of the field come opening morning. Running late, I was

wet from morning dew and sweat from the hurried hike. Nestled with my back against a small elm tree, my decoys stood tall with promise and I was hoping today would be my day. It didn’t take long and I heard it - “GOBBLE, GOBBLLEE, GOBBBLLLEEE”, thundering below me at the edge of the swamp. My heart started racing and throughout the rest of the morning that wise old tom teased me. Answering my calls and occasionally peeking out into the field, he never did come close enough. I never got a shot at that bird, but he lives on in my memory. From that moment forward, I’ve become obsessed with wild turkeys and turkey hunting.

As many hunts as I’ve been on and as much as I’ve learned about these feathered rascals, I still wonder about a few things. One of my biggest questions is, “What’s the difference between the various subspecies?” So, this winter I took the time to do a bit of research.

With help from my friends at The National Wild Turkey Federation, here’s what I discovered.

Most biologists feel that all of the subspecies are derived from one ancient

North American Wild Turkey Range

Eastern Wild Turkey Florida/Oceola Wild Turkey Goulds Wild Turkey Hybrid Wild Turkey Merriam's Wild Turkey Ocellated Turkey Rio Grande Wild Turkey

turkey. Through a process called “Natural Selection” biologists feel that the strongest of the species survived and continued to adapt to their surrounding and environments.

The subspecies of turkey tend to have many characteristics in common, with a few subtle differences. I was speaking with my local NWTF biologist, Ryan Boyer and he had this to say about the animal’s adaptations; “Individuals with higher survival and reproductive rates have likely evolved from individuals with traits that offer a competitive advantage.”

Pro’s Tips

Eastern The most plentiful of the five subspecies, the Eastern wild turkeys can be found in 38 states and at least four Canadian provinces. Usually hanging out on the eastern side of North America, hence their name “Eastern”, these birds are made for cold hardwoods and rolling hills. Also one of the biggest, some Eastern toms can get over 4ft tall and according to the NWTF, over 20 pounds. I personally remember one giant old tom that my dad and I hunted for years. When my dad finally killed him, he weighed in at 26 pounds!

These birds are big for good reason. Their range tends to be the northernmost and therefore the coldest.

Almost a “chocolatey” iridescent brown in color, the Eastern toms are truly beautiful. Their tail feathers are dark, with brownish and copper hues.

With wings composed of white and black bars,

National Wild Turkey Federation GIS Disclaimer: Maps are for general graphical purposes only and do not represent a legal survey.

The NWTF, its officials, employees and volunteers make no warranty as to the correctness or accuracy of the information set forth on this document or media.

The NWTF holds no liability for any damages, errors or omissions in the data, maps or media.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the NWTF at info@nwtf.net.

they’re easily capable of flying high and far. I feel like I’ve scared them every which way and am still amazed at how fast these big birds can fly. When angry or lovestruck, the tom’s head will fill with blood and display brilliant colors of red, white and blue. They almost look patriotic! As with any male turkey, Eastern toms grow long, sharp spurs for fighting and thick, dangling beards from their chests when mature. Also with any subspecies of turkey, the local pecking order is important. Birds will fight for dominance. We all know toms fight for their rightful spot - but hens are competitive too. Hens will establish their own pecking order as well to continue to ensure the finest specimens as possible to carry on the breed.

The Eastern hens aren’t nearly as big or bright as the toms, weighing an average of only 8-12 pounds. With duller feathers and coloring, their heads have much more of a feather covering. As nature would have it, with almost any birds’ species, the males are big, bright and obnoxious, whereas the females tend to blend in and try to keep a low profile.

All turkeys exhibit similar breeding habits. Generally the males will gobble, strut and fight in hopes of being selected for breeding. When a hen thinks she has found Mr. Right, she’ll wander nearby and crouch down for him to breed her. I tell people at seminars that if they’ve called in a tom, they have beaten the laws of nature. Usually in the turkey world, the toms sing and dance and the hens come to them. For most other species, the interest is the other way around where the males are in high pursuit.

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

The hens will generally lay a clutch of 10-12 eggs and sit on them for close to a month. When the poults hatch, they immediately start to mimic behavior and learn most by “imprinting” (which is a rapid type of education for the young birds). This is very common among prey species of animals. The ability to quickly learn survival behaviors gives the young poults the best chance at seeing the fall and another spring.

Rio Grande The Rio Grande subspecies or “Rio’s” as they’re affectionately called, tend to live near the central and southern plain states down through Texas and into northern Mexico. Named after the Rio Grande River, these birds can be found throughout the plains near water and they seem to prefer river bottoms.

These birds tend to prefer more open, brushy country rather than rolling hills, although some have been found at elevations up to 6000 feet.

Roughly the same height as the other sub species, the Rio’s tend to have much longer legs than their Eastern cousins.

They look similar as well, but Rio’s have more of a yellowish/tan coloring in their tail feathers and bodies vs. the darker chestnuts and browns of their Eastern cousins.

Most everything else about the Rio’s is similar to the rest of the subspecies.

They prefer to roost high either in trees where available or on power lines and water tanks. The toms gobble to attract hens. The hens lay a similar sized clutch of eggs as the Eastern do and the young Rio poults also learn as much as possibly as quick as they can through imprinting.

Merriam’s Found in the mountainous and western regions of the continent, the Merriam’s are most easily recognized by their bright white plumage on their tail feathers. All turkeys are sensitive in their habitat needs, but Merriam’s seem to suffer most when over timbering or

forest fires happen in the west. With no trees to roost in or little cover to hide them, the birds will not survive long.

Similar in size to the rest of the birds, their white tail feathers have a more dark, almost black or purple appearance. Also unique about the Merriam’s is the fact that they’ll migrate to various elevations throughout the year. Seeking cooler temperatures with lush greens, they’ll migrate high in the spring and summer, then return low in the winter to avoid snow. These birds are wanderers and it’s nothing for a flock of Merriam’s to cover a distance of 40 miles or more in a year.

Once again, the hens are smaller with a little duller coloring of camouflage and a feathered head. Merriam hens will also lay a clutch of about 10-12 eggs and within a month or so, will have a mess of impressionable poults to care for.

Gould’s Ironically due to their warmer home range, one would think Gould’s would be small, but they are actually the biggest of the subspecies. Usually birds in warmer climates need to be small for heat dispersion, not retention. Taller, with bigger feet, longer legs and longer feathers, the Gould’s are very close in resemblance to the Merriam’s. Generally found in southern Arizona, southern New Mexico and northern Mexico, the Gould’s are a mystery to most.

Although their appearance is most similar to the Merriam’s, Gould’s tend to have a more coppery, greenish coloring rather than the velvety black of the Merriam’s. No stranger to rough country, the Gould’s love rugged

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canyons that northern Mexico and the southern U.S. has to offer. Similar to the others, when the hen finds a nice place to nest, she will sit on about 10-12 eggs and ride out the good part of a month incubating them.

turkey lives in or near the Yucatan Peninsula of Central America. Males and females of this species of turkey look similar, with a bronze/green iridescent color scheme. From a distance it is difficult to tell Ocellated birds apart because males do not grow beards from their chest and both sexes have similar looking heads. The Ocellated have a blueish/gray tail feather coloring with an “eye” pattern near the end of their tail feathers. In fact, the Latin term for eye is “oculus”- hence their name. Not much is known about these rare birds, but they are certainly worth mentioning as some hardcore globetrotting turkey hunters have them on their hit lists.

Osceola Isolated to central and southern Florida, these birds were named after the famous Seminole Chief Osceola who led his cornered tribe in a war with Americans for over 20 years! Very similar to its cousins to the north, the Eastern’s, the Osceola are a bit smaller and lighter. Generally speaking, the birds are living in hot, humid climates and need to be smaller to best handle the sweltering heat that Florida can dish out. The Osceola are a bit darker in color as well with their feathers showing off a reddish/green iridescence.

The coloring of the Osceola turkey are perfect for Florida’s bush, with green conifers, oaks flats and palmettos galore. Once again, the hens are a bit smaller and duller for camouflage purposes. The Osceolas tend to breed a bit earlier in the year, with some starting in January. Their breeding rituals resemble most, with lots of gobbling and strutting. Following suit, the hens lay about 10-12 eggs and incubate them for a month before hatching.

Hybrids In some areas of the United States where various subspecies of the wild turkey may overlap, there has been interbreeding resulting in a “hybrid” version of some birds. For instance, in many of the central plain states Easterns and Rios have been breeding together.

Also, in some western states Rio’s and Merriam’s have bred as well. For record book junkies it is difficult to determine where each hybrid bird would exactly fit in, but many love to hunt them just the same.

Ocellated Technically an entirely different species of turkey, the reclusive Ocellated

Grand Slam Speaking of wild turkey classification, there is a “Wild Turkey Grand Slam”. For hunters seeking this illustrious award they would need to legally harvest one of each of the following: Eastern, Merriam’s, Rio Grande and Osceola. If the Grand Slam has been reached and the hunter isn’t satisfied yet, then they can go after the Gould’s and achieve the “Royal Slam”. Harvesting one of each of the six turkeys is called a “World Slam”. Getting one of each of the three birds living in Mexico is considered the “Mexican Slam”. A bird in each Canadian province where possible is called the “Canadian Slam”. Lastly to round out the record books, if a hunter kills a bird in every state possible - that’s considered the “U.S. Super Slam”.

All in all, chasing wild turkeys, regardless of the species, is an absolute riot. If you’ve already collected a few beards and spurs, maybe it’s time to try one of the slams. My next step is the Grand Slam. If you’ve never heard the sweet gobble of spring, by all means, get out and try turkey hunting! And may I just say in advance, “Welcome to your new addiction!”

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Primos Club XL Blind

By Eric Christensen

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ne of the first thing’s I look for when shopping for a ground blind is how user friendly it is to setup. The carrier bag comes with adjustable shoulder straps to transport your blind into your hunting area. The Club XL blind has very easy to find nylon webbing handles to grasp and pop out a section. The sections burst right out with little effort. You can really feel the sections snap into the locking hubs when the poles flare out. This makes it very convenient to move onto the next section to pull out.

There is abundant room for two adults inside The Club XL at the same time and still have leg room. I’m a little over six feet tall and I was able to stand upright and not have my head touch the roof of the blind. I was also able to sit or kneel and draw my bow with another adult inside the blind with me. We then set up a shooting tripod for firearm or shotgun situations. We had loads of room for a

comfortable shot while the muzzle of the firearm was cloaked inside the blind.

Another great feature is the max view adjustable windows. They give the hunter significant 360 degree mobility.

This allows you to move undetected inside the blind while getting yourself in the proper shooting position. The SS hooks are very quiet and easy to remove, along with replaceable shoot through netting for silent opportunities. The netting also is removable for a completely unobstructed view of your target, another archery benefit if you are shooting expandable or turkey broad heads. The versatility of the window configuration gives the user multiple choices of setup.

When we set the blind up in the direct sunlight, we were able to have the shooting window open and leave the windows behind us closed. At even 10 yards I could not see movement of any kind inside the blind. I find this very helpful, especially when hunting with archery equipment, allowing you to draw your bow in total darkness. There

is a convenient pouch built into the inside of the blind to house stakes that restrict the blind from movement.

This is a nice piece of thoughtful design for those of us who can overlook little details on our hunt.

The Club XL by Primos also includes nylon cord so the blind can be tied down. This is another useful feature if you’ve ever left your blind over night or been in one during heavy wind. You will appreciate the extra support.

The Dura Matte HD fabric with Ground Swat camo is a great combination of quiet durability and versatility. The Ground Swat camo is a great choice, giving the hunter a wide variety of landscape locations to hide in. The fabric offers a low sheen glare to help

disguise the framework of the blind.

One element that is offered with The Primos Club XL is brush deception holders on the exterior edge, so you can attach sticks and branches to maximize concealment. The Club XL is the midsize blind for the Primos ground blind line.

It’s a great choice for a variety of hunting needs. Check one out at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse or online at www.sportsmanswarehouse.com.

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April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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2015 New Video Product Reviews

Camp Chef SmokePro SE Pellet Grill

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ust because the SmokePro SE tion system keeps the grill clean over from Camp Chef has fewer fea- multiple uses, and an ash bucket coltures than its bigger brothers, lects burnt pellets so you don’t have doesn’t mean it is lacking in capa- to clean the ash out after each use. bility. The Smoke Pro LE offers the A heavy-duty auger feeds pellets same self ignition, self feeding pellet from the large hopper directly into hopper, and internal temperature the combustion chamber for worrysensor as the larger Camp Chef Pel- free cooking or smoking. The hopper let Grills. will hold up to 18 pounds of pellets, With the ability to heat up to so you spend less time refilling.

500 degrees, the SmokePro LE ofA large 19.5-inch by 22-inch grillfers the ability to work ing area is large enough as a smoker, or a pellet for most applications, and feed barbecue grill. It will additional optional jerky automatically keep the racks are easily inserted to desired temperature from give you even more smok160-500+ degrees. Just set ing area. the dial, and let the auto You can smoke meat on feed system maintain the Scan this QR Code with your both low or high heat setsmart phone to view the perfect cooking tempera- Sportsman's News YouTube tings for more versatility Channel. Video Available and longer smoking times ture for you.

A built-in grease collec- after April 5th. for that amazing slow

smoked flavor, or turn it up to quickly smoke your favorites and get them on the plate faster.

At 106 pounds, this smaller version is lighter and easier to transport to hunting camp or the cabin. Wheels help with moving it around once you get it to your smoking location.

F o r t h e m o n e y, t h i s feature-packed smoking powerhouse is a great portable pellet smoker or perfect for those who want to get started with pellet smoking without losing out on the functionality found in larger grills.

Carl Zeiss Victory PRF Rangefinder

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nowing the exact yardage to a Even in extremely low light situatarget is essential to making a tions on deer sized targets, we have clean and humane shot. So, you been able to get nearly 100% success should never leave for a hunting expe- on ranges out to 750 yards. The 8X dition without a quality rangefinder. magnification is higher than most other The Zeiss Victory PRF has been units on the market and the added around for several years now and al- power is very welcome when trying to ways performs extremely well when find your target. The PRF is extremely we test it up against other rangefinders quick to generate a yardage reading. It on the market. The Victory is a bit is rated at up to 4-seconds to generate larger than other rangefinders on the a number, but we have yet to see it go market and is designed to be held with out past 2-seconds. two hands instead of just one making The PRF is extremely easy to use and it much more stable when you are at- doesn’t require a significant amount tempting to range items out past 800 of time to figure out as we have found yards. The unit is 5.25” high and 3.75” with many other units on the market. wide and is just short of 11 ounces. It Zeiss has kept this very simple. You is rated to range from 10 yards out can set the unit to U.S. or Europe to 1300 yards depending settings, which will either on the reflection being put generate yards or meters. It out by the animal you are is equipped with a Ballistic targeting. We have been Information System (BIS) able to get ranges of buildwhich will give you the coring, cars, rocks and other rect bullet drop depending highly reflective items out on your setup. Using the past 1400 yards consistently.

U.S. settings, you can choose this QR Code with your When we tested in real field Scan between a 100 and a 200 yard smart phone to view the situations on deer, we have Sportsman's News YouTube zero and six different ballistic been successful at getting Channel. Video Available charts for each. One of these after April 12th. yardages in the 950 range. is going to be very close to

your current rifle setup and provide you with the range to your target and the bullet drop for your specific setup.

If you are dealing with a moving target, press and hold the range button for 3-seconds and the unit will automatically move into the scan mode and continue to provide you with yardages to your target.

Once you release the range button in either mode, it will shut off and reset.

Additionally, the PRF includes an integrated rain/snow mode that automatically “cuts through” the snow, rain and fog and gives the user the range to their solid target downfield. This is an extremely handy feature while trying to range an animal in inclement weather.

The Zeiss Victory PRF is an extremely durable and very simple unit to utilize.

It is ideal for those hunters who are just looking for a rangefinder that is highly accurate and will work for them in all circumstances, without the need to carry and read a cheat sheet when you want it to work. Most of all, the PRF will ensure you can make accurate and humane shots whenever you pull the trigger.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

2015 New Video Product Reviews

Leupold RX1200i Rangefinder

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he Leupold RX 1200i is a power watched your arrow sail off target and packed rangefinder for its small the animal run away? Well this feature size. Its design and features was designed with you in mind. It encompass avid bow hunters, rifle will eliminate trying to judge distance hunters and those who want maxi- and elevation. If you bow hunt out of mized long range accuracy. The fully a tree stand or on extreme changes in multicoated 6-power viewfinder is elevation, the Leupold RX-1200i will incredibly clear, even when the internal have your back, giving you actual true display is lit up with measurements. horizontal distance to the target.

And with all this data being displayed, Users can scan moving targets efit doesn’t interfere with the view. fortlessly without changing modes.

With a few clicks you can change the The RX-1200i comes with a Cordura display brightness dependholster case and lanyard ing on your situation in that attaches to your belt the field. Switch the mode allowing for quick access. to BOW and the internal Bouncing the laser off anidisplay will give exact meamals from 5-800 yards away surements +/- .5 yards out is surprisingly easy. I was to 125 yards including inable to get fast and accurate cline or decline shooting Scan this QR Code with your readings of people walksituations. This range finder smart phone to view the ing a trail between 600-800 Sportsman's News YouTube has True Ballistic Rang- Channel. Video Available yards. Large objects like ing or TBR. Have you ever after April 19th. trees, houses and boulders

out to the advertised 1200 yards also proved to be quite comfortable.

Leupold allows users to match their ballistic load and gives them accurate and immediate data. Tech savvy shooters will love the new features that come with the RX-1200i.

Users can choose these options to enhance their firearm of choice and get quick down-range data by one click of a button, once familiar with the different settings. Choosing a mode takes a little time to get the desired shooting scenario dialed in.

I was very impressed with the Leupold RX-1200i. The amount of accurate data shooters can get within 1-second will make any one from novice to

expert a better marksman. The unit has a battery meter and auto shut-off after 7-seconds to extend battery life.

I recommend anyone considering this unit to practice and familiarize yourself with all the modes and you will enjoy becoming a superior crack shot.

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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2015 New Video Product Reviews

Nikon Prostaff 7 Riflescope

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ig scope features with a small windage can be quickly made. Screwscope price tag is what the on covers protect your turrets and Nikon Prostaff 7 with BDC avoid accidental movement. reticle delivers.

Our test model is a 4-16x42 MM and Housed in a 30 MM tube for superb offers exceptional clarity without addlight gathering, this long-range scope ing a lot of additional weight. It weighs offers 4-16 magnification, side focus, a mere 19.4 ounces and at 13.6 inches and a 42 MM objective tube to suck in long, it is a small enough package to be light like a black hole. barely noticeable on top of your rifle.

A fully sealed nitrogen gas purged The side focus knob is adjustable anodized aluminum housing keeps it from 50 yards to infinity and can be dry and fog free on the insides and will used to estimate distance to target. even take be submerged in The BDC reticle allows 3 feet of water. Fully multieasy adjustment at various coated lenses resist dust and ranges out to 500 yards scratching while optimizing without making changes to clarity and brightness. your turret. Just line up your Finger adjustable target shot in the various distance turrets with spring returnrings in the scope for elevato-zero adjustment dials Scan this QR Code with your tion adjustments out to 500 smart phone to view the allow easy zeroing of your Sportsman's News YouTube yards for standard velocrifle and ¼ MOA adjust- Channel. Video Available ity rifles and 600 yards for ments for elevation and after April 26th. magnums.

For more exact adjustments, input your load data and variables into the Nikon SpotOn Ballistic Match Technology, available on the Nikon website at www.nikonsportoptics. com/spoton. This will allow you to create the ideal dope for your rifle, ammo, optics combination.

With a price tag of under $450, the Nikon Prostaff 7 offers amazing value for the money, cramming features usually reserved for much pricier

scopes into an everyman pricepoint.

Quality glass, rugged tube, and packed with features, the Nikon Prostaff 7 line of scopes offers you the ability to reach out without digging deep. Check them out now at Sportsman’s Warehouse, as this scope is so new that they are one of the only retailers selling them just yet. Be one of the first to get the power and value of the Prostaff 7 from Nikon.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Digital Edition Only Special Content

Jolly Ole’ Goose Hunting - Iced over Eyelashes

Jolly Ole’ Goose Hunting

By Jacquelyn Gross Guccini

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J and I were up and at`em with the good old smell of coffee brewing.

I walked into the kitchen to read the temperature gauge that read -5º F, but with goose hunting on the brain, I really wasn’t worried about the chill.

Katie (our dog) was up at this point, tail a wagging, knowing we were about to be on our way for some shotgun action.

Long johns on and hand warmers in my pocket, I was ready to beat the below freezing temperatures. I opened the door to let her out and wow was it ever so cold. Brrrr….

Living on the river is always an advantage for us because once we are ready, we just head out the door and walk a few hundred yards and goosing here we come. We hiked down to the river, glassing to see if there were any deer or elk grazing in the late morning;

just enjoying the moment of being in the outdoors.

Once settled into our blinds, the sense of cold started to set in. It was cold enough that I immediately started to wiggle my toes and my fingers to ensure blood circulation would move through my feet so they wouldn’t freeze. The snow had been so deep that when I had set my gun down snow had covered my chamber. So I was quickly rubbing the snow off my gun so my old trusty Mossberg wouldn’t jam. TJ and I walked on the ice shelves to ensure they were safe for us to hunt off of.

The morning started off slowly with only a few birds flying high. I could see a few mallard drakes and hens in the distance but it was foggy on the river so the visibility made it a little harder than usual. The sun started to peek up over the mountains and I could see something big flying over the river, “What is that?” I asked TJ. As it came closer and closer it turned out to be a bald eagle.

The eagle was soaring over the river and as soon as it flew by us we could see duck action but no geese.

We waited and waited, which felt like forever. I was really starting to get cold.

My eyelashes had ice on them from the steam off of my breath

and they were literally freezing. At this point we could hear the honkers and the sound kept getting closer and closer. My heart started to beat faster; I am wide eyed, looking to see where they were. At this moment, the feeling of cold had disappeared. They were flying downriver right toward us. Katie started to get anxious, as she could feel my nervousness. I told her “wait, wait, wait,” then in a split second they are right in front of us. I shot off two rounds, watching a big Canada tumble into the river and Katie took off. Canada geese are the most commonly hunted waterfowl in North America. The flock was flying in the middle of the river so Katie was out swimming in the worst of it. I bailed out of my blind, running downriver to keep up with my dog and the goose.

Being a worrier, I always meet Katie down river so she won’t try to swim up river to me, especially in these types of weather conditions. I am trotting as fast as I can to keep up with them. Wow, does the river run fast, or am I just out of shape? When Katie catches up to the goose she starts nudging it to me. I yell, “Fetch it uppp!” She is doing what she does best; RETRIEVING! As she has that big ole` jolly goose in her jaws, I can see that it is as big as she is. Finally she was in safe waters and dropped the goose onto the ice shelf. She climbs up shaking and wagging her tail. I continued to tell her, “Good girl, come with it.”

I was so proud of my dog. Katie and I walked back up river to show TJ our

Sportsman’s News Outdoor Writing Contest Winner See pg. 4 for entry details.

prize. He was hugging me, all smiles.

We got our first goose of the season! We were so happy.

Even though I was all warmed up at this point from running down river and walking back, it was still pretty chilly. Back in the blind, we waited and Katie was shaking. Her thick fur was starting to ice over and I continued to rub her to keep her from shivering. Regardless of how cold we all were, the adrenalin to keep hunting was in our blood. Goose hunting takes a lot of patience and I was ready to warm up so we called the day with only one goose.

We had enough for dinner and I was ready to eat some breakfast.

The most important thing was to experience these adventures with my best friend and husband, TJ Guccini. As I matured to be a woman huntress, I came to the realization that sometimes it’s truly not about the harvest, but all of the memories you take from each experience being in the outdoors. I always say it’s the passion, the desire, and the thrill that you receive during each hunt. Make the best of it. Success is a relative word and it’s what you make of it or what you want it to be; always hunting with big smiles.

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Digital Edition Only Special Content

Presents Wild Game Recipes of Steve Mayer "The Wine Guy"

Venison Pepper Steak

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his is a great way to change up the old venison dinner with a little taste of the orient. Deer, Elk, Antelope, Caribou, and Moose all are excellent in this recipe. The different ingredients all blend together to add a new flavor profile to your game cooking. You can embellish this recipe with any number of condiments. Add some hot peppers, fresh ginger, water chestnuts, or drizzle some sesame oil over prior to serving.

The sky is the limit. Get creative, and explore this Venison Pepper Steak Recipe!

Ingredients • •

1 ½ pounds venison 2 teaspoons Montreal Steak seasoning

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

¾ cup beef broth ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup red wine 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder 1 ½ teaspoons sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon white pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil split 3 large bell peppers sliced into strips (A variety of colors is awesome) 1 large onion sliced into strips 1 tablespoon corn starch 2 tablespoons butter Cooked rice

Preparation Method

The sirloin cuts from the hind leg are perfect for this dish. Remove all the silver-skin and fat. I prefer to wet age the venison for at least a few days in a zip lock bag with a sprinkling of

baking soda and some olive oil. This really tenderizes and breaks down the meat. Slice the meat against the grain into strips about ¼ inch thick and a couple inches long. Spread the strips out and season with the Montreal Steak seasoning.

In a medium bowl mix together the beef broth, soy sauce, red wine, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper. Add the meat and blend well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate again for an hour or two.

While the meat marinates, chop the peppers and onion into nice bite sized slices, and have them ready, as the cooking process all happens quickly.

I like to use red, yellow, orange, and green peppers for the color contrast, but go with what you like. Remove

the meat from the marinade to a plate and reserve the marinade.

Now in a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add some of the venison to the pan and arrange so it doesn’t overlap and can cook evenly.

Depending on the size of the skillet, you will have to cook this in a few batches. Flip after about 2 minutes and cook another 1-2 minutes until just browned but still medium rare.

Remove to a large bowl and repeat the cooking process until all of the meat is cooked. Add the other tablespoon of oil to the pan and add all of the peppers and onion strips. Cook these, stirring and flipping them often, for about three minutes. They should still have some good crunch in them. Remove these from the pan and add them to the bowl of cooked meat.

In a small cup put 3-4 tablespoons of the reserved marinade, add the cornstarch, and blend well. Put the rest of the marinade in the skillet and bring to a boil, stirring well. A whisk really helps here, but a fork will also work. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add in the cornstarch mixture.

Keep stirring the sauce as it thickens.

You may have to add a little water (or wine) at this stage to get a nice consistency. When the sauce is as thick as you want it add the butter and stir it in to give it a velvety sheen. Add the bowl of cooked meat and vegetables back into the sauce, stirring until every piece is well coated. Remove from heat and pour over a platter of cooked rice, whip out the chopsticks, and serve.

This dish is rich and flavorful and pairs incredibly well with a California Syrah. Check out my website at www.wildgamewine.com for some outstanding California Wines and a unique game meat and fish wine pairing guide.

Cheers!

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Digital Edition Only Special Content

Push To Ban Common Sporting Ammunition Not Over

Provided by the National Shooting Sports Foundation

I

ndustry members and politically aware gun owners know the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fire-

arms, and Explosives (ATF) tried to pull a sneak play by quietly releasing a proposal to adopt a new regulatory framework that would ban M855 and SS109 “green tip” rifle ammunition in 5.56 and .223 calibers. This type of

ammunition had been exempt from the 1986 Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act (LEOPA), which outlawed armor-piercing ammunition.

ATF justified its attempt to remove this exemption by arguing that the introduction of certain AR-platform handguns in recent years rendered obsolete the sporting purposes exemption. ATF and the White House also claimed this ban would protect law enforcement, even though FBI data shows that a police officer has never been killed using armorpiercing ammunition fired from a handgun through a bullet proof vest. The head of the Fraternal Order of Police in Washington also said that “green tip” ammunition “has historically not posed a problem to law enforcement.” His remarks were quickly echoed by Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke and other police spokesmen.

Much to ATF’s chagrin, the blowback grew more intense. The Bureau received more than 90,000 comments on the proposal, a record-setter for the bureau. Meanwhile, 299 Members of Congress — 241 in House and 58 in the Senate — signed on to letters to ATF Director B. Todd Jones urging him to rescind the proposal.

This situation escalated when it appeared ATF had already effectively enacted the ban without telling anyone. In the latest version of the Federal Firearms Regulation Reference Guide that was released in January, the exemption for M855 “green tip” ammunition — which had been listed in previous editions of the guide since it was issued in 1986 — was not included. Once this discrepancy came to light, ATF announced it was just all a “publishing error.” While they may have jumped the gun in publishing it in January, well before the framework came out at 4 p.m. on the Friday of a 3-day holiday weekend, the fact that that critical section was removed from the draft and internal ATF review raises concerns that the bureau’s decision was made before seeking comment from industry and the public in a short, 30-day period.

Considering the secrecy of this proposal and how quickly ATF backed

off, one has to wonder whether the Obama Administration may have been testing how far it can go in stealthy implementation of gun control by executive action.

It took only days for anti-gun Congressional Democrats to begin a media campaign to demand that ATF resuscitate the proposal and only a few more before a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives. That bill will not go far, but it makes for good political theater for the antigun base.

For its part, ATF committed to revisiting the issue in some form. In March 12, 2015 testimony before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, ATF Director B. Todd Jones said that the bureau would not act on more than 30 requests (pending for more than three and a half years) for sporting use exemptions sought by ammunition makers for various non-traditional ammunition designs without a new regulatory framework in place. ATF has acknowledged these petitions are for the hunting market, which ATF regards as a “traditional sport.” Jones’s remarks came in response to questioning from Chairman Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) whose committee has jurisdiction over ATF’s budget.

This much is certain; it’s not over.

On March 16, NSSF and the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufactures’ Institute (SAAMI) submitted detailed comments to ATF, which can be viewed here. Stay tuned.

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Digital Edition Only Special Content

Five Tips To Help You Bag Your Turkey

By Al Schultz Sportsman's News Pro Staff

I

took up turkey hunting in 1990 primarily as a reason to be in the woods “hunting” (and scouting) during the “off-season”, which meant any time it wasn’t deer or elk season!

Primarily for the same reasons I took up predator calling as well (although I started that long before I became a turkey hunter!) But after that first season and my first jake (immature/ young Tom turkey) I quickly became “hooked”, addicted, whatever it is; I am that! I enjoy calling animals, it started on the farm mimicking chickens, ducks and geese, cattle and pigs and eventually carried over into my exploits in the wild, elk bugling, cow chirps, deer grunts and bleats and rattling. I love calling cougars, bobcats and coyotes imitating rodents, injured rabbits, pups and other coyotes. Or, in the case of mountain lions, imitating deer and elk fawn bleats, etc., duck and geese hunting, it doesn't matter. I like talking to the animals. It became no different with turkeys, and once that first Tom “thunder gobbled” in answer to my call I was in, too deep to ever come out. Now I can’t wait for the spring, to fly fish, predator call and “talk turkey”! Since 1990 I’ve learned a thing or two about turkeys, especially here in the west. The following five tips will hopefully help you bag your bird as they have for me nearly every opening week for the past 10 years:

1. Hunt where the birds are Sounds obvious, but it needs to be said. Just because there are birds in Klickitat County doesn’t mean anywhere/everywhere in the county you will find birds. This is where scouting comes in and “roosting”. Roosting is a technique I use to locate the birds the evening before I intend to hunt them.

It is pretty basic and my preference is load up the truck at dark with my hunting buddies and calls and drive slowly down the dirt roads in my hunting area.

Every half mile I’ll shut off the truck, step out and give a couple chirps on my slate call, or box call and listen for a response. Some folks use owl hoots, crow calls, etc. I have the best luck using the same hen calls I use during the day.

Generally, if there is a “Tom” within earshot, he’ll sound off from his roost tree. Once I determine the general area of his roost tree, I have a starting point I need to be at the following morning!

2. Don’t “over-call” Once I “know” where the birds are, I’ll try to slip in before daylight and I mean well before daylight and just settle down quietly in my hide, ground blind, ambush spot, whatever. This is where some hunters struggle because once they are in the woods and set they want to start calling. Bad, bad, bad! Just sit down and hush up. If you slipped in close (within 100 yds) of the roost tree you will hear the birds. You will either hear them fly down, cluck and chirp as they locate one another, or you will hear the Tom sounding off. Only after you hear the other birds do you start talking and then enter in a conversation. Remember, mind your manners! Only speak when spoken to! Turkeys out west get call shy quick after the opener.

3. Use decoys If you know you are where the turkeys are, pick a highly visible area (Tom’s like to strut where they will be the most visible) and set up your dekes. Proper set up should allow 10 to 15 yards between your dekes, this way the Tom can strut around any one of them. Normally, in the turkey

woods the Tom struts and the willing hen comes to him (which is why some guys get stumped when Tom’s “hen up”). If your dekes are set up in a place where a Tom can see them from a distance, especially if he is alone, he will come towards and into the dekes strutting and puffing, which leads us to my next tip: 4. Don’t go home for lunch!

Often in the spring the hens will be bred and starting to nest by the time the April opener rolls around in WA. In the morning, everything is status quo and the birds leave their respective roost trees and assemble and do their social feeding thing. Along about late morning or noon-ish the hens wander off to set on their nests or build their nests, etc and the Tom looks around and begins to feel lonely. Now it’s the middle of the day and all the gals are gone and he is desperate for company. This is especially good to remember when you find a Tom “henned-up” in the mornings. Now is the time to have your dekes out, a sandwich in your pack and make a few subtle “lonely big boy?” clucks from the old box call. I’ve taken more late morning, early afternoon Toms than any other time of the day, period.

5. When all else fails, “run and gun” In archery elk hunting we call it “stick and move." Bugle and move rapidly towards the response. The same applies to turkey hunting. Unless the Tom is obviously close and/or coming towards you, move to him. BUT, beware, this is the ultimate stealthy stalking test, especially if you call as you move because that Tom will be keenly looking for a little hot hen making it all the easier for him to spot 200 pounds of hulking man-love! Move as swiftly, and quietly as you can trying to cut whatever your distance is in half, then set up and call again. If the Tom has held, you will be able to better pin point him and possibly move closer, if he has moved away, chances are good that he has hens with him and they are leading him away from the shameless little hussy that would take him away from them. Make your move based on what you hear. If you hear nothing, sit and wait, he could be coming silently into your set. If he’s moved away, move closer. If he’s holding, that is a good sign and depending upon how close he is I might try to close the gap, or I might just try to pique his interest. When you do shoot, aim for the base of the neck (with a shotgun). This way, your pattern will get all the vitals. The head is a small target and isn’t the best “center” for your shot pattern.

Good luck! Happy hunting!

52

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015

Digital Edition Only Special Content

No Excuse For Not Applying

We Front The Fees.

W

orldwide Trophy Adventures has the most robust, competitive priced, full service Tag Application Service in the industry.

There is not a hunting Tag application we can’t or won’t help you with. Even more than that we help you create a valuable portfolio that will allow you to meet or exceed your hunting goals.

The next question you should ask yourself is what does that mean to me and my hunting endeavors? First it means that you will no longer have to worry about the cash flow it takes to apply for multiple permits in multiple states. We Front those costs and leave you with nothing to worry about until you draw the permit. This is very important when it comes to drawing Tags and building a portfolio of Bonus/Preference points in multiple states. You have 0 worries about the $1000’s of dollars floating out there and the stress that puts on your bank account. Nor do you have to worry about when that refund check is going to hit your mailbox. Secondly it means we will strategize your individual hunting goals and the species you are most interested in harvesting. This is very important because it helps WTA build your personalized portfolio that consists of each state and the opportunities that are available in that state. We do that so we can match your interests, time constraints and budget with those opportunities.

This is something we review every time an application is submitted as well as at year end to make sure we are on track with your goals. Lastly once we have that

finished we will load your profile into our computer software program and you are done. From there, you don’t have to worry about anything as we will manage your portfolio and make sure you are applying for exactly what you want every year. This all starts with you filling out a simple Tag Application Form.

Twenty one years ago I sat around the kitchen table with my Dad and a couple of my siblings. On the table sat a Utah Hunting Application and Regulations Guide Book. My Dad had heard from co-workers that Utah was implementing a new method of issuing tags and it involved a point system. It was exciting because we thought that meant more opportunity but in that moment none of us had an idea of how that book and point system would shape or affect our hunting opportunities for life. The first year it was deer and elk applications for me because you could do both. The next couple years just elk but then I switched to deer for a year or two just because I felt like hunting deer those years. Looking back on things no one really understood just how costly missing one years application or switching species would be. After 5-6 years and no Tags drawn it started to sink in just how important accumulating points would be. It was that moment in life when I learned that it wasn’t just Utah with a point system it was most western states. I realized if I wanted to hunt the best units in the west for the biggest Bucks and Bulls I would need to apply but more importantly I would need to accumulate points. I am sure there is a couple things we can all agree on and that is the cost of hunting is not getting any cheaper and tags aren’t getting any easier to draw but applying and drawing permits is hands down the cheapest way to get out and hunt.

This is why I can’t stress enough the importance of putting together a multiple state portfolio focused on your goals and interests. I was

lucky because I had a father that introduced this concept to me at a young age.

I can now tell you that what I know now will pay dividends to my kids and their hunting opportunities in the future.

This leads me to my next topic. Applying your kids. This is something that a lot of us think about but don’t understand how beneficial and cost effective this really can be. Most states cater to youth hunters even Non-resident youth. A good example of this is Arizona. Adult non-residents have to purchase a $160.00 hunting license as well as pay a $15application/bonus point fee. If you apply for the 4 main species Elk, Sheep, Deer, Antelope then an adult will be $220 into those 4 points every year. If you apply a youth the license is $5 and a $15 per specie application/point fee. That puts their application cost for those 4 same species at $65. By the time they are 18 they have enough points to start to draw some great permits and if they want to hold out for the premium units they are way ahead for a fraction of the cost. There are also a lot of states that allocate special permit numbers to youth only. These youth only hunts can give your kids great draw odds for some exceptional hunts. This would be something else to consider if you just want to give your kids opportunities to hunt. This is just another detail that we pay attention to because we understand how important

it is to give kids opportunities to hunt also giving you the ability to pass down your hunting heritage. For this reason we will set your kids profiles up and do their applications FREE for the first year.

They will thank you for life.

Another area that is often overlooked by most hunters is Outfitter Draws. We make sure and cover this in depth when setting up your profile. In some states, by attaching your application to a specific outfitter, you can greatly increase your odds. Because WTA has relationships with hundreds of outfitters, we are able to find the perfect fit for the tag you are interested in and the kind of hunt you want. We have spent years vetting these outfitters, not by accepting discounted or free promotional hunts but by paying full price as a client with them. With our hard-earned dollars on the line, we find the best guides around and our extensive experience makes us very particular customers. We know what makes a good hunt, a great hunt and above all, what really makes the hunt of a lifetime. When we choose to utilize Outfitter Draws as a strategy for our clients in an Application Service, we are combining that selective approach with a deep understanding of you as a hunter and what you really want when your time and money is on the line.

You will have the opportunity to find this out first-hand when you draw that coveted tag. You are not just a number

April 2015 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

53

Digital Edition Only Special Content to us at Worldwide Trophy Adventures!

I really think it is important hunters start to change the mindset that surrounds applying and accumulating points in multiple states. Every state has a different system some are similar but each try to put their own little spin on how they allocate tags, the order in which they draw or the type of point they use (Bonus, Preference). These systems will continue to evolve and unfortunately it won’t always and most likely won’t be in favor of the Non-Resident. I do think however the evolution of these points

systems is a good thing because states are starting to realize they can generate more revenue from non-residents by giving them more opportunity. As these systems evolve it only makes sense to be the one a head of the game by already have the points to draw the permits.

You need to be positive and think positive about some of the aspects of the applications game. The cost should be looked at as an investment as crazy as that sounds. The most common excuse I hear is that applying in multiple states is too expensive for most people.

This couldn’t be further from the truth especially with a specialized portfolio tailored to your goals and budget.

This is an excuse WTA really took to heart. That is why WE FRONT THE FEES for you. We know and believe that drawing tags

is still the most cost-effective way to hunt. As a Non-Resident don’t stress too much about the draw odds. One thing is for certain; you won’t draw if you don’t apply. As a non-resident it’s not always those with the most points that draw the tags mainly because most of the coveted tags get drawn in the random draw. Yes, you will probably pull a goose egg a year here or there but with a few well-placed bonus points, your chances will grow each season. It’s an investment that can yield amazing returns if you use the right strategy. If not you it is going to be someone else. Also your time is valuable, you shouldn’t be giving up your valuable time trying to figure out each states details and draw odds. The time it takes to understand all the details of every state’s application deadlines, license requirements, draw odds and harvest statistics is time you should be spending with your family so when you do draw you can spend more time in the field or researching the tag you drew. To many good hunters are kept out of the field every year because

they think they can do it themselves and it doesn’t get done or it doesn’t get done right. By using WTA’s Tag Application Service, you are guaranteed to save time, money and your sanity.

It’s What We Do I am sure you have heard us at Worldwide Trophy Adventures say it before and I am sure you will hear it again. This isn’t some part time gig. We dedicate countless hours every year scouring the country and each individual states odds and statistics for some of the best and most unique hunting opportunities that exist. The majority of these opportunities are only available to those that draw a permit through a lottery process. The personalized portfolios and strategies we develop for each individual client is second to none and we do it for the most competitive price in the industry.

Honestly, next to my own hunts, helping others plan their own successful hunts has been one of the best parts of my career in this field. When our clients send us their trophy pictures, we know we did our job and we love it.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS | April 2015