Sportsman's News Magazine February 2014

SportsmansNews.com

February 2014

Volume 10 Issue 2

Alberta’s Waterfowl Wonderland

By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor

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This picture says it all. Ranchland Outfitters is one of the best waterfowl operators in North America.

Majestic Kenai Peninsula

Gone Fishin' Lodge

hh, getting up at 4:30 am in northern Alberta, Canada in late October can mean only one thing — waterfowl. As we all pulled on our insulated Browning Dirty Bird bibs and laced up our boots, there was definitely a sparkle in our eyes, knowing that we soon would be positioning our layout blinds, tweaking our decoy spread and loading shells into our Browning shotguns.

Rob Reynolds, owner of Ranchland Outfitters in northeastern Alberta, pulled into the yard at the lodge and helped us load our equipment into the trucks. After a quick stop at the local C-Store for a breakfast sandwich and juice, we were off to our continued on page 6

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS February 2014

Gone Fishin’ On Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula

By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor

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he majesty and splendor of south central Alaska is truly something to behold. Lush, green growth seemingly in every direction, snowcapped volcanoes and mountain ranges as a fitting backdrop and animal life galore makes this destination a must see for every traveler and one that will keep you coming back again and again.

When you talk about Alaska, everybody has their favorite area and believe me, every person that you talk to will have very legitimate reasons for why that area is the best. And you know what, I have been around enough that I could easily fall into that category as well. But there is one area of Alaska that just seems to have a little bit more of everything that Alaska has to offer and that is the Kenai Peninsula.

Now I don’t know about you, but the mere sound of the words “Kenai River” brings goose bumps to my skin. Its sheer

power and beauty alone makes a trip down its waters worth the time and effort. But add to it the chance of catching a giant king salmon along with every other salmon species available from the Pacific side of the country, along with rainbow trout and Dolly Varden the size of two footballs, end-to-end, well I think you are starting to get the picture.

No other place in the world holds more opportunity to fish some of the most renowned stretches of water be it stream, lake or ocean. The dream of catching a literal fish-of-a-lifetime is the thought of fishermen of every shape, size, age and gender every year as they work their way to the northern most state in the union.

For the past nine years I have had the pleasure of visiting many lodges in Alaska, from five star resorts to remote outpost camps and a little of everything in between. Every one of my experiences has been first class in many ways, but many of them have one or two key aspects that make them special. I have found that one lodge in particular stands

out in my mind as one that allows me to take in just a little more variety of what Alaska is all about. This lodge just happens to be located on the banks of the world famous Kenai River and it is fittingly called the Gone Fishin’ Lodge. I have found that during my weeks stay, Kent Danjanovich and Guide Tyler Romig show off a big I and the other rainbow on the Upper Kenai. guests at the lodge have the opportunity to tailor our trips to riety” is their niche. There are 15 different have a totally different trip, chasing dif- package options available plus various ferent and exciting fishing species every specials for your review, all including day, while being treated by the staff like accommodations from Saturday to Saturday and either five or six days of one of the family.

A quick look at their website (www. fishing. You can even have them customgonefishinlodge.com) will give you the continued on page 14 first hint of what I mean when I say “va-

February 2014 SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

WHAT'S INSIDE

2 Gone Fishin' Lodge 3 Words From The Publisher Contest: All By My 5 Writer's Lonesome 10 Platinum Approved Outfitters 18 Mulies On The Kaibab 22 Fishful Thinker: Shack Nasties 24 PacWest Outdoors: Gobblers 26 Adair Precision: Getting Started 28 Pro's Pick: DoubleTap Ammo 30 Business Directory DIGITAL EDITION CONTENT Wheels Afield: Kia Soul

Wild Game Recipe: Venison Chili Writer's Contest

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 Mickey Bellman Dave Heath Gary Lewis Chad LaChance Shane Adair

Available at:

Words From The Publisher

By Michael Deming

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s I sit down to write this column, the Archery Trade Association just wrapped up in Nashville and the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor, Trade (SHOT) show is next week in Las Vegas. These are two of the largest outdoor industry shows in the United States. They are closed to the public, but as an insider, we get the ability to put our grubby little mitts on all the new gear hitting the shelves in 2014. Based on my visit to the archery show, it looks like there are going to be a few must-have items for the upcoming hunting season. We’re not going to let the cat out of the bag at this time on all those products, but the March issue will have pages loaded with items that piqued our attention, so,make sure you pick up the next issue. If you would simply like to see it delivered to your “INBOX” at your email address, please sign up for the digital subscription on our website at www.sportsmansnews.com. The sign up is on the right side of the home page and is free to all. It even has special sections, which will only be available to the digital subscribers.

We will have some major announcements about the digital edition in our March issue as well. We have worked out a program with several big supporters who will be providing us some products to give away

on a weekly basis. At this point in time, I know we will be giving away some Outdoor Edge knives, Double Tap Ammunition, and some other great products each and every week of the year. We will finalize our major gun sponsor for the year at next week’s show and we will dedicate several top quality rifles to be given away throughout the year for those of you who subscribe.

This issue starts our newest story contest.

One thing that will make all of those who submit articles very happy is that we will now start to publish at least two separate submissions each and every month. This will allow more of your stories to get a chance of being published and a better chance of getting a shot at the grand prize.

This current contest is a great fishing trip with one of our Platinum Approved Outfitters Dierick’s Tsiu River Lodge. We reserved one of the very best weeks in the middle of September, which will be prime time for the Coho salmon run. These late run fish are extremely large and have lots of fight. Kent Danjanovich, who is our Senior Editor and Chief Financial Officer, did the original endorsement visit with this outfitter and he hasn’t stopped talking about them since. One lucky winner will join Kent and our crew

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for a fishing trip of a lifetime, later this year.

So, if you’re interested in being part of this trip, keep the stories coming. Details on how to enter are on page 4 of this issue.

We have also drawn the winner of the 10th annual story contest and it is posted on our website at www.sportsmansnews. com, so make sure you visit us and see if you were the lucky winner.

Since this is the time of year when most of you start looking at booking trips for 2014, I want to remind all of you about our Platinum Approved Outfitters and what that means for you. Over the past 10 years, the team at Sportsman’s News has visited over 250 different operations and we only endorse about 20-25 percent of them. Even if we had unlimited time and money, we still wouldn't book with 75 percent of those we evaluate. Only the very best receive the Platinum Approved Outfitter endorsement from Sportsman's News. There are many more bad outfitters out there than good ones and there is no reason for you to spend hard dollars weeding through all the bad.

We have a full list of all of our endorsed outfitters on our website and several who have ads in this issue of Sportsman’s News.

If you are shopping for a specific hunt or fishing trip, let us know and we will be happy to share our information with you.

This information is free to you for picking up Sportsman’s News. Send me an email personally at mdeming@sportsmansnews. com and I will get it to the person to best answer your questions.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

February 2014

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

ADVERTISING Mike Deming National Advertising Manager 435-669-4624 mdeming@sportsmansnews.com

PB

SENIOR EDITOR Kent Danjanovich 801-231-9838 kdanjanovich@sportsmansnews.com SALES ASSOCIATE Kevin Orton 435-229-3900 korton@sportsmansnews.com MANAGING EDITOR Dan Kidder 435-865-1680 dkidder@sportsmansnews.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lisa Deming info@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 2013 © All rights reserved.

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

SPORTSMAN'S WAREHOUSE 7035 So. High Tech Drive Midvale, UT 84047

February 2014 SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

All By My Lonesome

By Mickey Bellman

t was not a dark and stormy night.

It was a gentle autumn day in the backcountry wilderness of Idaho.

We had been hunting mule deer for six days and I was buckless. My partners had already found three nice trophies.

There was still time, but I was running out of it.

Camping at 5,200 feet in pup tents allowed us to enjoy the 25-degree nights.

Days were better once the sun rose, but snow still lingered atop the 8500-foot ridges. Bucks and does roamed the mountainsides and we (except me) were finding them everyday. Oneshot Don had his 4-point in the first twenty minutes. Dave discovered a gnarly, 32-inch, 5-point trophy in a secluded canyon. Bob forded a creek and climbed to the backside of a ridge before finding his 4-point.

Days of hunting had resulted in a couple of blisters and hours of solitude as I searched the mountain slopes. My

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10X32 binoculars gave me an excuse to stop often and enjoy the scenery, and a chance to rest. Wilderness surrounded me with vistas of long ridges, rocky pinnacles, and steep, grassy slopes mixed with areas of blackened snags.

Islands of green pines and firs speckled the mountainsides and that’s where the mule deer lived.

Miles of terrain passed under my boots before I discovered a 4X4 buck.

It was my last chance to shoot a trophy when two does crossed the slope ahead of me. Trailing behind was an amorous 4-pointer. While I scrambled to find a shooting position, the buck stopped to watch me from a clearing just 200 yards away. But he grew bored with my antics and decided to leave at a slow trot. In a few seconds he would disappear beyond a ridge. All my months of preparation and days of hiking were distilled into a few seconds and one twitch of an index finger.

I eased the crosshairs of my 2X7 Redfield in front of the buck while my

finger squeezed the trigger of the 7 MM mag. and then the buck was rolling down the steep hillside! My 175-grain bullet had found its mark just below the left antler. I had a buck!

And, I had a problem. I was alone on the mountain, a half mile above the trail and a mile from camp. Time was critical as there was less than a day to get all our bucks and camp gear out to the backcountry airstrip for a noon rendezvous. Fortunately, there were three of us to get the buck to camp; unfortunately, those three were me, myself and I. I might have dressed and quartered the buck then and there, but I did not relish the idea of making two return trips up the mountain. The ground was steep and pointed in the right direction, so away we went—the buck slipping along as I pulled on one antler while trying to stay away from the sharp pointed tines.

All was sliding along pretty well until we got into a narrow, rocky draw. Dragging the 200-pound animal behind, I was forced to follow the old washout. It became a serious tug-ofwar while I skidded the buck down the chute and the rocks tried to keep the buck on the mountain. Sometimes the loose slabs assaulted me and congratulated my shins.

I needed some serious help. Sighting a distant rock, I fired three quick rifle shots to summon my hunting buddies in camp. And then I continued the drag while scanning the ridges for help.

After an hour with no relief in sight, I fired three more shots. Surely, that would bring my partners up the draw.

Nothing.

Another hour of tough dragging brought the trail in sight. My jellied legs protested with every lurch, but just a little further. Finally the trail arrived and I fired one more signal shot to let everyone know where I was. I tied a deer leg high to a snag and started to peel the hide from the buck. Once the hide was off, I set out for camp to get a packboard and greet my companions who would surely be coming down the trail.

A half mile later I discovered a deserted camp. My buddies had trekked off to the airstrip with their venison.

It was late afternoon and surely they would return soon, so I left a hastily

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

scribbled note to come help and started back to my buck. The deer still had to be quartered and packed to camp. It was a job I had never done entirely on my own and I needed guidance.

Back at the buck, an amazing thing occurred. I tried to remember all I had seen and been told about where and how to cut the quarters. Somehow, the front quarters were soon tied to the packboard! Within a half hour I was back in a still deserted camp, scribbled a desperate Come-Help-ASAP note and headed back down the trail. It was the hindquarters that really made me nervous. So much meat and so heavy…

For long minutes I agonized over backstraps, tenderloins and proof of sex while no help appeared on the trail. I slipped my Case folding knife from its 43-year old sheath and started hacking away. That knife had helped me with every blacktail, elk and mule deer I had ever shot; maybe it would know what to do.

Thirty minutes later I was lashing the hindquarters and assorted chunks of meat to the packboard. I struggled to my feet and headed for camp. At each bend of the trail I expected help to appear, but it was not until I staggered into camp when I saw my partners coming in from the airstrip trail.

I shed my packboard and collapsed on one of the benches near the campfire. They were all impressed that I had tagged, bagged and packed the buck into camp before dark. We would have plenty of time in the morning to pack everything out to the airstrip.

So what was all the gunfire about, my cohorts innocently asked? Why, those were my come-help-me shots, I answered, and the camp erupted with laughter. That thought had never occurred to anyone. Instead, they had visions of me trailing a wounded buck across half of southeast Idaho! In the end I had to laugh also. I had accomplished something I had never done before, and I did it all by myself!

Now I suppose I am expected to do the same darn thing again, all by myself.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS February 2014

RANCHLAND

continued from cover first morning hunt in a barley field about an hour’s drive from the lodge.

One of his scouters met us at the field and directed us to the spot where hundreds of ducks and geese had been feeding the night before. We quickly lowered the back door on the enclosed trailer and started unloading our layout blinds and decoys. As some of us started to add straw to our blinds to match the surroundings, others followed Rob’s directions in placing decoys in a V-shape, leaving a bountiful landing area for incoming ducks and geese, positioned for them to backpedal into the wind. As the sun started to lighten the horizon, we all settled into our blinds, quickly loading our guns as wings whistled above us.

Within minutes, Rob’s calling had birds circling our spread. The first group of 10 made their last cautious decent as Rob whispered, “Get ready — Take ‘um”! Doors flew open from our ground coffins and barrels drew to the sky as fire started; as big mallards flaring skyward started dropping all the way down the line of shooters. One lone bird made it through the gauntlet as our morning had officially begun.

By 8:30am we had limited out on early rising ducks, our focus quickly turned to geese honking to our west.

Lines of snows and big Canadas were heading our way as the Mojo’s shut off and Rob quickly switched over

to his goose calls. It didn’t take long for the first group to spy our decoy spread. After the second pass, all of us knew that it was going to happen.

The lead goose looked like a B-52 making its final approach as the rest of the group followed his lead. Another loud “TAKE ‘UM” rang through the morning air and six big honkers thudded to the ground.

With the skies quieting by 10:30am, we all slowly climbed out of our blinds and as Rob headed over to bring in the trucks and trailer, we all started piling up decoys and making a last walk around the area for downed birds. Our morning hunt had collected 48 mallards and 16 geese, not too bad for our first morning session and you know what, we had four more sessions to go!

That night our attention turned to filling our goose limit as we downed another dozen geese and the ducks just kept dive-bombing us as they made their way for a little dinner before they hit the waterways after dark.

Too bad we had already limited out on ducks during our morning hunt, but it made for some great footage for an upcoming edition of Sportsman’s News Television, that’s for sure!

Let me fill you in on a little bit more about the area. Ranchland Outfitters is located northeast of Edmonton.

They own many prime acres of land, but also have exclusive agreements with landowners throughout the area for both their big game (deer, moose and black bear) and waterfowl. This part of Alberta, near the

Our group of hunters watch the last bird fall from the sky during another successful session.

Rob Reynolds spots another group of honkers as he prepares to “Call ‘em in”!

Saskatchewan border, is right in the heart of where three migration routes converge. As the northernmost major grain-producing region in North America, this area is a magnet for migrating waterfowl raised across the boreal forest and Arctic. Starting in September, waves of Canada geese, white-fronted geese, lesser snows, Ross’s geese, mallards, pintails and other dabbling ducks descend on the region to gorge themselves on waves of grain stubble fields.

Back to the hunt. Our second morning found us in another area, this time setting up in a wheat stubble field, with a pond to our right about 200 yards away. Again, we found the location to be perfect and again the ducks were the first to arrive. Another 35 mallards fell from the sky, along with a handful of big Canadas. Now you may be saying, “Why not more geese?” As we talked over the trip with Rob earlier in the year, it was decided that we would make our visit in the later part of October when the duck hunting is usually hot and heavy and as you can tell, that is exactly what we found. Most of the lighter geese had moved through the area, but many of the larger Canadas had started to make their journey south, so the numbers were not as big as they had been in September, but you will not be hearing any complaining, that’s for sure.

That night at dinner, as we enjoyed appetizers and then a great turkey dinner with all of the fixin’s we had a chance to mingle with the other group

of hunters from Louisiana at the lodge and get to know the members of our own group a little better. I was joined on this trip by fellow Pro-Staffer, Steve McGrath, as well as our latest Writer’s Contest Winner, Eric Boley and his hunting buddy, Dr. Chris Krell from Kemmerer, Wyoming. We were joined by two special gentlemen as well. Rob had given me a call to see if it was alright to have a couple of members of the “Soldier On” program join us for our hunt. My answer was a resounding, “You bet!”

Rob had graciously donated two hunts to the “Wounded Warrior” style program in Canada, providing current or ex-military servicemen a chance to enjoy a little down time from their daily lives and as a big “THANK YOU” for their hard work and service. Rick Ostashower and Lorry Bellamy were able to join us during our stay and it was a honor and pleasure spending some time with them and sharing our love for the outdoors.

Our last morning found us in a new location, one that would facilitate us getting back to the airport in Edmonton by noon. Well, let’s just say Rob didn’t disappoint us this time either and we again had our full limit of ducks and a half dozen geese on the ground by 9am. We even managed to take a couple of beautiful pintails and a big, colorful drake mallard which will all probably make gorgeous

continued on page 8

February 2014

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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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February 2014

RANCHLAND

continued from page 6 mounts in our offices. Our late season waterfowl adventure had come to an end with Ranchland Outfitters, but

you can bet it won’t be the last.

We may have been there for the hunting, but let me say that everything else involved in our trip was also first class. The accommodations were perfect and the food was superb.

Rick Ostashower, Steve McGrath, Lorry Bellamy, Eric Boley, Dr. Chris Krell and Ranchland Outfitters Rob Reynolds display the morning’s mixed bag.

Each day, after our morning hunt, we made our way back to their restaurant and Rob’s wife, Lo ree a n d h e r staff laid out a great brunch for us and each evening scrumptious appetizers, entrees and desserts unfolded before our eyes.

It is no won- Steve McGrath gets a chance to do it all on his own on der Ranchland this big greenhead.

Outfitters has secured a place in our family of line) and spring black bear. You might Platinum Approved Outfitters and even be able to talk them into a little we are proud to recommend them to varmint hunting if you really twist all of our readers here at Sportsman’s their arms. Give Rob Reynolds and News. They offer not only the best his staff a call today to book your next waterfowl hunting that I know of, great outdoor adventure at Ranchland with very liberal limits of eight ducks, Outfitters. Check them out on our eight dark geese and 20 snows per website at www.sportsmansnews. day, but also great whitetail and mule com under our endorsed outfitters, at deer adventures as well as moose (we ranchlandoutfitters.com or by calling spotted a bruiser along a nearby tree 877-924-8440.

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ALBERTA Ranchland Outfitters offers First Class Waterfowl Hunts and Big Game hunts in Alberta, Canada.

If you are looking for an Outfitter that cares about each hunt, look no further. Ranchland Outfitters is a First Class Waterfowl and Big Game Outfitter.

American Hunter 2012 Golden Bullseye Award Winner for Ammunition of the Year.

The all-copper VOR-TX® Ammunition loads smooth and fires accurately with devastating double-diameter expansion. In standard rifle, metric, dangerous game and handgun cartridges.

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February 2014

Power Bedding™ Integral Bedding Blocks for Outstanding Accuracy

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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

February 2014

The Sportsman's News Platinum Approved Outfitter is an outfitter that has excelled in every aspect of their business. They put people and customers before profit. They do what it takes to make sure that they will be in business for the long haul and ensure that they have repeat customers. They practice good game management, which will ensure a top quality trip with them every time you

book. These are outfitters you would be proud to refer to a friend.

We know this because we are proud to endorse each one of these outfitters based upon our staff members personally visiting each one of these operations. These outfitters have proven to us that they have what it takes to be "Sportsman's News Platinum Approved."

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Located in Seward, Alaska, we provide the ultimate angler excursion tailored specifically to your schedule and skill level. Whatever the adventure may be, we will plan an Alaskan fishing experience you'll never forget.

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February 2014

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CANADIAN HUNTING & FISHING

Canada’s Best Fishing Lodge Of The Year!

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Five Star Main Lodge Featuring Fully Guided American Plan Packages

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Becharof Rapids Camp On the banks of the Egegik River on the outlet of Becharof Lake in the Bristol Bay region. Uninhabited, untouched, and pristine with the area a veritable salmon factory. All five species of salmon plus rainbows, Arctic char and grayling.

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• Chippewyan Lake • Wolf Lake • Jordan Lake • LeClair Lake

Ranchland Outfitters offers First Class Waterfowl Hunts and Big Game hunts in Alberta, Canada. If you are looking for an Outfitter that cares about each hunt, look no further. Ranchland Outfitters is a First Class Waterfowl and Big Game Outfitter.

www.ranchlandoutfitters.com 877-924-8440

CANADIAN HUNTING

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Alaska Raven Guides

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alaskaravenguides.com (907) 747-6405

Stewart and Sabrina Fraser Phone:(250) 249-5424 Cell: (253) 306-1771

Offering Brown and Black Bear Hunting Salmon, Halibut, Cod, Cutthroat, and Fishing Trips Rainbows, Dolly Varden

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ALASKA STATEWIDE GUIDES FOOT HUNTS FLY-IN HUNTS SPECIALIZING IN ARCHERY IN THE “BOW-ONLY” ZONE

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Fly-in Alaskan hunting for brown bear, Alaskan moose or black bear. Custom tailored trips.

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McIntosh Lake is part of the legendary Churchill River System which holds massive pike, trophy lake trout and scrappy walleye! Join us for a Canadian fishing adventure of a lifetime.

ruffossportsmanslodge.com

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COLORADO WATERFOWL

• Colorado's Largest and most productive waterfowl Outfitter • Exclusive Leases on over 50 Farms on the Front Range of Colorado • World Class Guides and Equipment • Hunts are conducted in spacious in-the-ground pit blinds

303.659.8665

www.stillwateroutfitters.net

Stillwater Outfitters is Colorado's oldest and largest Waterfowl Outfitter. We have exclusive hunting leases on over 50 farms on the beautiful Front Range of Colorado. Our goal is to provide the trip of a lifetime without any drama. We also offer Turkey and Trophy Whitetail Deer hunting.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

February 2014

NORTH DAKOTA HUNTING

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www.adoublejoutfitters.com chris@adoublejoutfitters.com rusty@adoublejoutfitters.com

WYOMING HUNTING

SOUTH DAKOTA HUNTING Hunt the Grand Slam of the Dakotas

Tumbleweed Lodge

World Class Pheasant Hunting Sharp-tail Grouse • Prairie Chicken Hungarian Partridge • Waterfowl

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

February 2014

GONE FISHIN' continued from page 2

ize a package that includes a glacier and wildlife sightseeing tour to Whittier or to the Kenai Fjords National Park out of Seward to witness the massive glaciers and give yourself an opportunity to see whales, sea lions, porpoise, sea otters and an abundance of outstanding scenery.

Even on many of their fishing excursions, you will have the opportunity to see and photograph moose, bald eagles, black and brown bears and many other sites that only Alaska can provide.

Knowing that most travelers have a limited window of opportunity each summer, Gone Fishin’ Lodge can help to put together a trip encompassing just the adventures you’re looking for. If you are looking for the chance to catch a new world record king salmon on the Kenai or Kasilof Rivers, June and July are the months for you. Many kings are caught each year over the 50 pound mark and you just never know when it may be your turn at “The Big One”! If you’re looking to hook into some red (sockeye) salmon then June, July and early to mid-August

would be your time frame. If you would like the opportunity of catching big numbers of silver (coho) salmon on both spin cast and fly rods, then July and August are definitely your months. If you would like the opportunity to catch all three species of salmon during your trip, then July is definitely your month! And don’t worry about trying to hit the halibut just right. May through the first of September is prime-time for hooking into a monster on either a trip to Cook Inlet or a multispecies trip to Seward or better yet -- A trip to both during your stay!

Now get yourself ready for a floatplane, fly-out trip for sockeye or silver salmon, June through August. There is just something about the sight of a floatplane skimming across the water on its way to a remote destination in the outback of Alaska that makes my skin tingle. When you arrive at your destination, you will be able to use a variety of fishing techniques either from one of their boats or wading the banks of a glacier fed stream while not only fighting reel blazing salmon, but all the while taking in the unbelievable beauty of your surroundings. The Kenai Peninsula has

A snowcapped peak overlooks Big River Lake, a popular fly-out destination with the Gone Fishin’ Lodge.

magnificent alpine glaciers, wildflowers season opens each summer on June 11th and wildlife in literally every direction. and the months of June and July can offer Need I say more? some unbelievable action, but the month Not far from the Gone Fishin’ Lodge, of August is when it really starts to heat over in Seward, the lingcod season opens up as thousands of salmon make their July 1st. Lingcod are prehistoric looking way into the system to spawn. As these fish, but their white meat is excellent table fish head for their last efforts in this life by fare. Lingcod hang out usually in depths dropping and fertilizing millions of eggs of 30-140 feet of water and are taken on for generations to come, the rainbows salmon rods using jigs. Silver salmon and dolly’s start to gorge themselves on return to Resurrection Bay at Seward in the eggs, making an upper-river drift early July through September, with limits boat trip an absolute must during your of six silvers per person/per day. During stay. Turquoise water flows out of glacier this time, halibut fishing is alive and well fed Kenai Lake and runs seventeen miles in Seward also. With all the variety of fish into Skilak Lake, the spawning grounds available it gives the Gone Fishin’ Lodge for hundreds of thousands of salmon an opportunity to do combination trips each year, making this section of the of “Lingcod/Silver Salmon”, “Lingcod/ river one of the best sections of water in Halibut” or “Halibut/Silver Salmon” the world for trout fishing! All fishing is and on every combo trip you may catch guided and done out of a drift boat or black bass, yellow eye and assorted rockfish. You will be fishing in the midst continued on page 16 of pristine glaciers and picturesque scenery. Often you will see wildlife such as whales, porpoise, sea lions and puffins.

Seward is truly one of the most beautiful places in Alaska!

Another mustdo day trip will take you to the upper Kenai River in search of gi- Gone Fishin’ Lodges Ralph Crystal and his smiling ant rainbow and group of guests after a day of great halibut fishing out Dolly Varden. The of Anchor Point.

PB

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Package includes: 7 Nights Lodging 5 Days Guided Fishing in Five Different Locations 1 Halibut Trip at Cook Inlet 1 Flyout Trip for Silver Salmon 1 Upper Kenai River Float Trip 1 Seward Multi-species Trip (Halibut, Ling Cod, Salmon, Snapper, Rockfish) 1 Silver Salmon Trip on the Kenai River

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February 2014 SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

February 2014

GONE FISHIN'

continued from page 14 by wading from sandbars. There are no power boats allowed on the upper Kenai River and the Kenai Canyon stretches.

Gone Fishin’s guides specialize in light tackle fishing with fly rods or spinning gear for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.

This can be a very special trip for those that have not had the pleasure of experiencing the art of fly fishing and your guide will be more than happy to spend a little extra time introducing you to the sport. The strict enforcement of catch and release for trout has made the upper Kenai one of the most prolific trout fisheries in the world and drifting a bead under 12 feet of leader with a couple of split shot can produce fish after fish, with oversized football sized leopard rainbows lurking around almost every bend in the river.

One of the unique things about the Gone Fishin’ Lodge is that they have learned to go with the flow. You will find them always looking for new and exciting changes and improvements that will not only help them improve and succeed,

but will make the overall experience of their customers the best it can be.

Again, a visit to their website (www. gonefishinlodge.com) will offer you a full list of possible packages, with one sure to fit your fancy. Over the years, a “Special Sportsman’s News August Trip” has been put together which includes 7-nights lodging and five fishing trips in five different locations and using five different fishing techniques. The trips include a morning or afternoon fishing for silver salmon on the Kenai River, halibut out of Anchor Point in Cook Inlet, a Seward multispecies adventure for halibut, lingcod, salmon, rockfish and snapper, an upper Kenai drift boat trip for sockeye salmon, trophy rainbow trout and Dolly Varden (a fly fisherman’s dream day) and then finishing off the week with a fly-out for salmon, bear viewing and sometimes even glacier fly-overs.

Although I love the August timing for my trip, you really can’t pick a time from May to September that won’t produce a fantastic experience. Every adventure is special and unique in its own way and it is really up to you what activities and

adventures you will take in during your week. I know that many of us can never get enough fishing, but one of the things I am going to take in on my next trip is possibly a trip to Whittier for a tour of the massive and impressive glaciers of the area or maybe a day cruise to the Kenai Fjords A day trip to Seward can really produce a mixed bag of out of Seward. fantastic filets!

There is just so much to do in the area that it is really through all of the possibilities and set hard to decide just what to include in you up for a trip that you will not soon forget. Give them a call today at 877your visit.

But there is one thing that I know for 462-5752. Alaska’s Gone Fishin’ Lodge sure, you don’t want to wait another awaits. I know that I will be visiting minute. Get on the phone right now them again this summer and who knows, and give Ralph Crystal or Dick Bowen maybe we will end up doing a little fishof the Gone Fishin’ Lodge a call to book ing together at one of my most favorite your trip for 2014. They will guide you venues in the world.

PB

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February 2014

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

February 2014

Mulies on the Kaibab

By Dave Heath Sportsman’s News Pro-Staff

I

have been an avid hunter for over 15 years and have never drawn what some would say is a premium tag.

That would change this year or so I thought. Each year I try and put in for multiple states for anything from antelope to bison, but when my dad couldn’t speak when he looked at our Arizona results, I knew we had drawn something special. I have never seen the old man so exited. He literally could not speak.

It took a little while to figure out that he and I had drawn for deer in northern Arizona. We were not sure what unit we drew or what season, but we knew a tag anywhere in that part of the state for deer was a good one.

After calling everyone that knew Arizona and deer, I figured out we had really drawn the worst tag you can get in northern Arizona. Well if you want to call it that. We had drawn Unit 12, a west early tag. This hunt is on the famous (or

infamous) Kaibab. The early hunt, as I have come to find out is more of a meat hunt with the potential of getting a nice buck. The late hunt is where they harvest most of the true trophy bucks. I was still excited to have a decent tag and have a chance at getting a buck I could put on my wall (or garage because my wife will

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not let my animals in the house, yet).

The Arizona Fish and Game does not want you to hunt with lead bullets on this hunt. So, I called Mike McNett at McNett’s Double Tap Ammo and he got me some great loads for my Browning 270 WSM that were lead free.

Scouting began with talking with more deer experts.

My first stop was at Muley Crazy to talk w i t h Ry a n Hatch. He is in my opinion the best mule deer hunter, period. Ryan’s wife had my same tag last year and got a great buck, over 190 inches. Ryan was nice

enough to circle some spots on my map and give me a few pointers for this unit.

I was pretty excited after talking with him. My hopes of getting a wall hanger were growing by the minute. I then decided to check out some articles and videos of deer taken on this hunt. After days and days of videos and articles, it sounded like a 160 to 170 class buck could be had on this hunt.

Five days before it opened, I ventured out to set up camp and started to do a little scouting. I was overwhelmed at the size of this unit and also the country. It was nothing like anywhere I had hunted mule deer. It was all tall ponderosa pine trees, with no place to get up high and glass. I have hunted mule deer for over 15 years and always get up on a high point and glass and glass and glass.

After the first day of scouting, I knew that was not going to be what this hunt was like.

continued on page 20 PB

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

February 2014

KAIBAB MULIES continued from page 18

The day before the hunt started, my good friend, Larry Lamprecht came out with me and we went to check out some of the spots that Ryan had circled for me. In one of the spots he circled we saw a buck going into the trees that was definitely a shooter.

Then we watched a bachelor heard of seven smaller bucks walking into the trees and I spotted a buck with deep forks and a extra point that I thought was a shooter. This area was a big area that I could get up high and try and glass a little. I was in the right spot to begin my hunt.

Opening day finally arrived and I decided to go with my friend, Brandon Walker and get in the thick pines where these deer were feeding into.

My dad and Larry were going to walk into the area where we saw the bucks feeding and hopefully get them between us so one of us could get a shot at one of these bucks. My brothers, Eric and Steve were spotting up on the hill to see where the deer were

moving. We walked in about mile and were set up right where the deer were feeding the morning before. Then we saw the bachelor group of bucks coming towards us at 150 yards. I got ready for the shot, but we soon found that the bigger bucks were not with the group. We circled around and saw other bucks, but no shooters. We spent the rest of the day looking at new areas and passed on other bucks. Nothing quite worth putting my tag on.

On day two I decided to go back and do the same thing I did the morning before, hoping to get one of those two bucks we had seen a few days before.

At first light, it was the same results, lots of little bucks, but no shooters.

Then Brandon spotted two deer and thought that one looked like a good buck. They were a little over a mile away, so we hiked over the first ridge and I got a look at them through my bino’s and I could see the one was a good buck. I told Brandon that we needed to get up over the next ridge to have a good shot opportunity. So we hiked over the next ridge, but found that it was a little farther than I

thought it would be, so he ranged him at 305 and I got a dead rest on a stump.

I took a deep breath and swack! I hit the buck in the front shoulder and he just sat right down! Needless to say, I was pretty excited I had got my buck.

Eric and Larry were spotting for me and got there just about the same time as I did. After some pictures the work began, but it was a cake walk because we had four of us there and the truck wasn’t far at all. It was a great hunt and I couldn’t have done it without

the help of family and friends.

On the way back to camp we checked our deer in with Arizona Fish and Game. On the Kaibab they take a picture of your deer if it is over 25 inches wide. Mine was only the second deer of the season they took pictures of to that point. I felt really fortunate to take a great buck in a very unique area.

We hunted for three more days with my dad, but never saw anything quite worth pulling the trigger on. You know what they say, “It is better to go home empty than shoot a buck that you are not happy with”. We even had our friend, Hoss from Arizona Strip Guides with us the last two days. He was a great help and showed us some great country, but we just were not able to get a shooter for dad. Maybe next year.

PB

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS February 2014

Shack Nasties

Chad LaChance

’m not one for being inside. Never have been, really, kind of always preferred time outside doing almost anything over time inside. Yet here, in the icy and dark days of mid-winter, I’m relegated to a higher percentage of my time indoors than during any other month. It’s a situation known to other outdoorsy types as well and the name for the condition is commonly known as cabin fever. For the record, I prefer the term shack nasties.

My best answer to the situation is to travel. Yep, hop a plane to my beloved Florida, tackle in tow and work on procuring some fresh redfish to be blackened and enjoyed with a tasty rum treat. Alas, that is not always a possibility though and this winter is one of those years.

The next best answer is to work on tackle. Given that we run a guide business and film multi-species fishing, my tackle room – known as La Cueva del Fishful – is jammed full of a wide range of gear. There is always something to be done in there, but by this late in the winter most of the heavy lifting has been handled. Typically the new gear we’ll use for the year has been procured, sorted and given a home.

Old gear has been serviced and all the gillions of lures and flies have been inspected, tuned, sorted and stowed. Now we more just sit around and fondle tackle, dreaming of the coming open water season. Happily, it’s only about 60 days away.

Of course we do a little ice fishing, some predator hunting and occasionally visit a tailwater stream to scratch the itch, but by and large, I’m relegated to life indoors. So, in an effort to make the next open water season better than the previous, I’ll invest

this inside time sitting by the fire and studying.

I’m a firm believer in being a true student of the outdoors. This could range anywhere from studying the biology, physiology or ecology of fish or game, to pouring over maps, aerial photos, Google Earth or whatever system is applicable to locate actual fish in a body of water you know or entirely new places to fish. This second point is commonly how we decide where to film Fishful Thinker TV; pick a spot we know nothing about and figure it out in a single outing. These are some of my favorite shows to film.

One great way to study the sport is to look at what aspect of your game has the most room for improvement. Or, look at areas you may be good at, but that being better at will yield big results. This year, for my personal angling, I decided that merely having high-end electronics in my boats and understanding the fundamentals of using them, is not good enough. Nope, I want to be the master of my electronics because I know unequivocally that it will lead to more fish in my boat. And - this is a big “and” when you fish “on the clock” like we most commonly do – it will allow me to fish more efficiently. We’ll spend less time looking for fish and more time catching them. That sounds pretty good, right?

I’ve run Lowrance sonar and GPS units all my angling life. I know the fundamentals and basic settings and I’m familiar with the menus. Having said that, the units launched in the last couple of years are light years more capable and complex. In that same time, I’ve taken a lax approach to mastering the new technology, mostly taking a “good enough” attitude. I shouldn’t have to tell you that good enough is never a way to excel.

So, while suffering through the throws of winter, I’m studying all things related to the use and interpretation of not only the features of the Lowrance units themselves, but also the data they generate. These days, effectively managing the data alone can be a big advantage.

Our 2014 Ranger boat is equipped with twin HDS9 Gen2 Touch units linked together via an on-board network. That network also supports a StructureScan 3D down and side imaging, SpotlightScan directional 3D imaging, Point 1 GPS antennae, GoFree WiFi to allow the system to communicate with my mobile device, and even SonicHub music management.

Yes, I can control my iPod through the

HDS units at the bow or console while music plays though speakers built into the consoles. This ain’t your grandpa’s fishin’ boat.

But, it’s all for naught if I don’t master the whole system. Sure, you can just turn it on, use the uber-simple touch screens to handle basic settings and get to fishing, but would that make it worth the money? I think not. This system is capable – deserving even - of so much more, and the best part is that the resources are out there to allow me to fully understand and apply all its power while I wait for the snow to melt.

The Internet is a handy tool for such things.

First, I’m working on knowing all the menus, along with what they do, off the top of my head; I don’t want to be on the water searching menus when I could be searching for fish or bait or thermoclines or bottom content changes or structure or cover or, you get the point.

Next, I’m cleaning up all my old waypoints, categorizing and naming them and then assigning specific screen icons for each type of waypoint. For instance,

rock piles will have different icons than beaver huts, etc. For the three lakes we guide on, I’m sorting waypoints by water level; the water levels move 30-60 vertical feet annually and waypoints are only good at certain levels, so I’m grouping them in 10 foot intervals and coding them accordingly.

Lastly, I’ll read, watch or otherwise ingest every piece of “how to interpret your sonar” I can dig up. Same thing for tweaks/tricks/tips. I’ll assimilate this new info with my years of experience and by the time we launch the new boat, I’ll have an extremely solid base to start with. A month or so on the water to fine tune myself should do it.

I’m about half way through my process right now and after writing this, I feel pretty good about my use of the winter doldrums.

Now I’m really looking forward to thawing lakes because I know for certain that my days on the water will be more successful through not just the basic use of the awesome Lowrance system, but the confidence that comes with mastery.

Idaho NWTF Banquets

Come and join in the fun of a local National Wild Turkey Federation Hunting Heritage Fundraising Banquet. The NWTF banquets are where you can buy exclusive merchandise, participate in live and silent auctions and have a great time with friends and fellow supporters of the “Great Outdoors”. All the while, you will be raising vital funds for wild turkey conservation and important programs that introduce the outdoors to men, women, children and the disabled. Remember, “Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt”. Here is a list of banquets for the NWTF Chapters in Idaho: February 1, 2014 • South Hills Strutters Banquet 360 Main Event Center • Twin Falls • Jeff McMurdie • 208-731-6393 March 15, 2014 ~ Southeast Idaho Chapter Banquet Red Lion Inn ~ Pocatello ~ Joe Foster ~ 208-339-0948

April 5, 2014 • Camas Prairie Turkey Trackers Banquet Green Creek Hall • Green Creek • Kathy Warford • 208-983-1832 April 5, 2014 • Gem State Chapter Banquet The Riverside Hotel • Boise • Tom Eubanks • 208-658-1217 April 19, 2014 • Clearwater Gobblers Banquet BestWestern Lodge River›s Edge • Orofino • Emma Kestner • 208-476-7370 August 22, 2014 • Upper Snake River Valley Chapter Banquet Veteran’s Memorial Building • Rexburg • Craig Carter • 208-351-4696 TBA • Eagle Limbhangers Upland Bird Banquet The Club at Spur Wing • Meridian • Bob Hensel • 208-941-3770 TBA • Brundage Longbeards Banquet McCall Golf Course • McCall • Sandy Ryska • 208-630-4190 TBA • Hell’s Canyon Chapter Banquet TBA • Barnabas Koka • 208-469-0001

February 2014 SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

February 2014

Gear Up for Gobblers Gobbler or Hen?

How to set up a shotgun and tailor a load for a big spring turkey

By Gary Lewis

M

In the spring season, only the males (called toms or gobblers) may be taken.

First time turkey hunters may wonder if they could tell a male from a female.

There are definite differences.

The crown of a gobbler’s head is white, while its face is mainly blue and red. Male turkeys have a prominent snood, the mostly useless appendage that grows above the beak. A gobbler’s noggin is completely bald while a female will have small feathers on her neck and head.

On the gobbler’s breast there is a beard, a series of coarse hair-like fibers.

On a jake (immature gobbler) it may be only three inches long. A mature male will have a beard approaching eight inches in length and longer. This is not a feature totally exclusive to gobblers though, as some females may sport a beard.

Another feature that sets toms apart is their spurs. Spurs are found on a gobbler’s lower legs and will average between one half inch to an inch and a half long.

Maybe the best way to differentiate between the sexes is by looking at the coloration of the body. The tips of a hen’s breast feathers are buff, giving females a brownish look while a tom’s breast feathers are tipped with black, giving him an iridescent, polished sheen.

-Gary Lewis

gobbler strolled into range, I centered the bead on him and squeezed the trigger.

I had patterned the gun the day before with Federal Premium Mag-Shok, but that bird walked right back out of range.

Yes, I missed, but there must have been a turkey-head-shaped hole in the pattern at 20 yards.

That’s the target - that bobbing, weaving red, white and blue noggin with a beak, snood and wattles.

As I fondled that new matte-finished auto-loader with its synthetic stock, I pictured my perfect, dedicated turkey gun.

Like a compound bow, a turkey gun can be set up as simply or as complex as the hunter ’s taste; it becomes a highly personalized tool.

Turkey guns, like turkey hunters, come in all Gary Lewis with a turkey taken in Central Oregon. shapes and sizes. y taste in shotguns runs to wood and blued steel. I like two barrels, one on top of the other or side by side, but last year I picked up a Weatherby SA-08 semiautomatic which I figured could see duty between late season goose hunts, 3-gun competitions and turkey seasons.

I didn’t need another shotgun I told myself, but then I reflected on a day in a turkey blind a few years ago. We had set up in what I guessed was the birds’ daily travel route. When the first big

Get it

PB

For some years, the ultimate turkey guns were long-barreled, with tight chokes, matte finishes, synthetic stocks and fiber optic sights. 12 gauge is the standard, but some hunters opt for 10 gauge to get a few more feet of effective range. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Before I set out to accessorize the new shotgun, I decided to get a little help from my friends. I interviewed outdoor writer M.D. Johnson about his turkey gun. M.D. is taller than most, but he carries a youth model Remington 870 20-gauge pump that he has modified to fit his frame and deliver a load out to 40 yards and beyond.

TV host and outdoor writer Scott Haugen, who makes his home east of Eugene, Oregon, prefers a pistolgripped, camouflaged Mossberg Turkey Thug pump-action 12-gauge. In his new book, Western Turkey Hunting (2013, Haugen Enterprises), Haugen recommends a barrel length of 20 to 24 inches and an overall weight of 6.5 to 8 pounds.

He suggests an aftermarket turkey choke and either a fiber-optic sight or a red dot reflex like the Trijicon RMR. As important as the sight and the choke, the choice of ammunition is critical. Most turkey hunters opt for No. 4

February 2014

to No. 6 shot. Pattern it before the hunt.

A two-ounce load of No. 6 lead carries about 450 pellets, but at 30 or 40 yards, the pattern might be so dispersed that it might completely miss a turkey’s head.

When sighting-in, look for the load that puts at least 10 pellets in a turkey headsized target at 35, 40 or 45 yards.

Last year, I hunted with Troy Rodakowski, a writer from Junction City, Or-

A decoy, placed close to the blind, can entice a wary turkey into range.

egon. He carried a 12-gauge Remington 870 SPS topped with a TruGlo sight and a specialized turkey choke, stoked with 3-1/2-inch loads of No. 4 shot.

When we heard the first gobbles of the morning, we located three different toms, all on the move, headed down a series of ridges toward the creek bottom. After an hour of cat-and-mouse, Troy dropped down behind a log and I tucked in against a tree and pulled up my facemask.

In my hand was the Weatherby, modified with a TruGlo Bone Collector choke tube and fiber-optic front and rear sights.

The front sight found the bird at 23 yards and he went down hard. The Central Oregon gobbler sported a broomed-off 7-1/2-inch beard and one-inch worndown spurs.

My Weatherby looks like a different gun, dependent on the season. To bring it back from its last trip to the 3-gun range, I replaced the magazine plug, installed a Quake sling, screwed the choke back in and wrapped the fore-end and the stock with Camo Form fabric to break up the shape of the gun. Next time I go to the range, I’m going to try out some new turkey loads.

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

25

On a hunt in Eastern Oregon, Troy Rodakowski works a box call with his back to a pine tree.

For a chance to win prizes and to sign up for a free subscription to Gary Lewis’ On the Trail newsletter, visit www.

GaryLewisOutdoors.com.

today at

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26

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

February 2014

Getting Started with Long Range Shooting

By Shane Adair

T

he holidays are over. It's time we all get back to work 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 discussing rifles that you can 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 deliver.

These will set you back between $1,800 and $4,000 and are worth it, but most factory rifle manufactures are producing some extremely accurate rifles out of the box. It makes it hard to choose with so many choices.

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 that 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 70s 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 upgrade and don’t have as many upgrade options. This isn’t a problem if the rifle already fits you well. Howa rifles shoot really well. Savage has done a great job with very accurate rifles. Weatherbys shoot great but are a little bit heavy and long in the stock for some hunters. This doesn't mean 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 transfers 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 less than a 2-inch group at 200 yards. One hundred 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 further.

Put the lead sled away, put the front of the rifle on a bi-pod 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 have your optic. Optics need 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 higher. It must have an adjustable turret for elevation or elevation bars in the scope.

The holdover 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 fit the needs and budgets of the shooter we make this a very simple process for you. Ship the rifle out, UPS, FedEx or US Postal Service 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

PB

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

February 2014

DoubleTap Ammunition

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

N

othing affects consistency as much as the quality of the ammunition you shoot out of your gun. With ammunition demand so high, many major manufacturers have cranked up production to the point that quality can begin to suffer. For this reason, the Sportsman’s News team rely on DoubleTap Ammunition for their hunts.

Utilizing semi-custom loading, hand inspection, quality components, reliable materials and proven techniques, DoubleTap Ammunition provides the highest quality controls all along the production process, to insure consistent reliability from start to finish.

Each round of DoubleTap Ammunition is hand inspected by a human being before it leaves the factory so that you can know it will be within the precise specifications required for consistent shooting.

Using top quality components is

another way that DoubleTap Ammunition ensures ultimate performance out of every round. Custom made brass; proven primers; high end commercial powders; painstakingly engineered ballistic recipes and high-end bullets from top-end manufacturers such as Barnes, Nosler, Lapua, Woodleigh and Sierra all combine to make some of the best cartridges on the market.

In addition to high-end bullets from top of the line manufacturers, DoubleTap Ammunition makes their own hardcast bullets from their own recipe of lead and alloys to achieve an exacting 21 Brinell hardness for excellent penetration as well as consistent terminal ballistics. Their bullets maintain their shape without fragmenting so they deliver

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maximum impact on target and straightline penetration.

In 2012, DoubleTap expanded their manufacturing facility in Cedar City, UT to more than double their capacity. In 2014 they will begin manufacturing their own brass to achieve even higher quality and better uniformity, as well as control all aspects of their production.

Not only does DoubleTap Ammunition lead the way in quality, but also they are an industry leader in innovating new designs. Their Equalizer round combines two projectiles into a single case, a functional hollowpoint followed by a hardcast wadcutter, to deliver maximum stopping power with each and every shot. Combine this innovative design with highly tested ballistic recipes and you get unrivaled innovation.

Another area of expansion for DoubleTap is dividing their ammunition into six distinctive categories; Long Range, Safari, Hunting, Tactical, Defense and their newest category, Target. These categories are the same great quality ammo you have come to expect from DoubleTap Ammunition, but easier to determine the appropriate application.

Some of the offerings in each category are brand new, offering match grade FMJ ammo more appropriate for general shooting than for hunting or personal defense.

In addition to their semi-custom loads,

DoubleTap also offers custom loads, matching load and bullet combinations for those who don’t have the time, skill or inclination to custom load their own ammo. These custom loads are available with only a five-box minimum. Once the custom order has been created, DoubleTap keeps the load on file so additional orders can be quickly turned around.

DoubleTap is the 7th largest ammunition manufacturer in the US, but still operates like a custom loading shop, running the majority of their loads on Dillon progressive presses operated by hand. They do have automated ammo loaders, but each is exactingly monitored to ensure consistency within a tenth of a grain of powder weight. All of this translates into improved accuracy on target. In fact, this ammunition is more consistent than most shooters, so if you are looking to blame your misses on something, you will have to rule out your ammo. That is the reason DoubleTap Ammunition is the official ammo of Sportsman’s News. When we have to make the shot, in order to bring you great articles and television shows, we can’t afford to trust anything less than the best for our hunts.

Check out DoubleTap Ammunition at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse store or order your custom loads at www.doubletapammo.net. You can also call them at (866) 35710MM. DoubleTap Ammunition; consistent, reliable, quality ammunition made in America. It really doesn’t get any better than that.

PB

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

February 2014

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

IT’S OUT THERE. GO GET IT. The perfect shot does exist. There’s no way of knowing when it will appear. But when it does, be sure you’re ready. Success out there begins right now. Federal Premium® Ultra-Shok™ loads are for serious waterfowlers. Our steel loads are fast and stout. And High Density® offerings boast dense shot that puts more energy on target. Both options mean more birds. With Ultra-Shok, your hits in the air will bring ducks and geese down quickly and cleanly.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

February 2014

Digital Edition Only Special Content

C

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

hili, everybody likes a good bowl of chili.

There are so many ways to make chili. With beans, without beans, different meats, obscure chili powders, etc. Chili has got to be one of the most versatile main dishes on the planet. This is a simple tasty one that Mike Deming usually brings to hunt camp every year. Frozen in a block, it doubles as ice for the cooler and then onto the camp stove for a quick supper. There is nothing like coming back to camp after a long day of brush beating and warming up to a bowl of hot chili.

Disclaimer (Eating this chili for several days will have its consequences.)

Venison Chili

Ingredients • • • • • • • • • •

2 lbs ground venison 1 lb of venison cut into ½ inch cubes 2 large sweet onions chopped 2 15 oz cans Kidney beans with juice 1 large 46 ounce can V-8 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon of cumin 1 lb block Velveeta cheese cut into 1 inch cubes Kosher salt / pepper

Preparation Method

In a large heavy pot over medium-high heat brown the ground venison. Remove to a plate and brown the venison cubes. You can use any type of game meat for this recipe. I use a combination of ground and cubed meat to create a nice texture, but you can use all ground or all cubed meat, your preference. Remove the rest of the venison to the plate. Sauté the onions in the pot over medium heat until tender. Now add the meat back and stir. The kidney beans with all the juices are added next along with the V-8 juice. Add the basic spice mix of chili, garlic, and cumin. You can get quite creative at this point and add a variety of different chili powders or fresh peppers. I like to kick it up a bit and usually go overboard for most tastes, but I really love the heat.

Reduce the heat and simmer covered for 2-3 hours stirring (and tasting) frequently. When done simmering add the Velveeta cheese and stir in well until it has melted and added a nice “queso” touch. Salt and Pepper to taste and add some additional chili powder if needed.

Stir this baby well and serve with some with some corn bread or a French baguette. It goes perfectly with a bold red wine available at w w w. w i l d g a m e w i n e . com. This is great chili and a godsend in hunt camp. Make it ahead of time and freeze it. You h a v e t o l o v e a g re a t camp chili. Thanks for the memories Mike!

PB

February 2014

W Kia Soul A

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Digital Edition Only Special Content

heels

field

King of the Boxy crossover utility vehicles

By Andy Lightbody

W

hile the Kia Soul only has roots going back to 2010, the funky, boxy crossover-utilityvehicle (CUV) has grown to be a top seller and favorite here in the U.S. The reasons? It’s relatively inexpensive by comparison to competitors, it’s easy on fuel economy and it not only is a headturner in terms of unique styling, but it’s been fun to drive.

And, just when you thought it had reached a pinnacle in terms of what a boxy CUV could be, Kia has done a major reengineering feat for 2014. It still kind of looks like the Soul we have come to admire and chuckle about, and yet in so many ways, it’s close to being a completely redesigned happy hamster!

Kia Motors, which is South Korea’s second largest vehicle maker loosely, translates to “rising out of Asia.” With manufacturing/assembly facilities in Georgia, Kia Motors America has the capacity to produce upwards of 300,000 vehicles annually. The Soul however, is not one that is currently being produced here in the U.S. Having recently tested the 2013 Soul Exclaim and coming away with lots of good thoughts and engineering likes, I was hesitant to embrace the 2014 version when a friend called me, said he

purchased one and added…”I just had to have it!” So while I’ve yet to have the opportunity to do a comprehensive evaluation on the new Soul, I can tell you that all my initial input is that Kia has made some substantial tech improvements.

To begin with, it still looks like a Soul, but is somehow different. Kia has retained the styling of the vehicle, but totally revamped the sheet metal all over. While still sporting the “box look,” this front-wheel drive CUV looks slicker and more stylish all around.

And while looks are important, it’s what is under the paint job that Kia has engineered with a modified chassis and suspension system that is greatly improved in terms of more passenger room (5 adults) and cargo capacities; improved handling; quieter interior with less road noise; and a new dash/ gauge configuration.

The new Soul has a slightly longer wheelbase at 101.2 inches (up about ¾ inch) and an increased width to 70.9 inches. Its overall height has been cut back about a ½ inch to 63 inches. Last year, the Soul with the large 18-inch wheels had a ground clearance of 6.5 inches, which was pretty good for getting off the paved road and heading into the backcountry on graveled/dirt Forest Service/BLM roads to some of our more favorite fishing, camping and shooting areas. The new Soul, with the reduced height unfortunately now comes in at 5.9 inches of road clearance, and while 6/10ths of an inch may not seem like much, it’s a guarantee that there are going to be a few rocks and ruts that are going to require a little more finessing and negotiating at slower speeds.

With the vehicle’s all-new chassis, the suspension system has also been reworked and redesigned with nearly a 30% increase in stiffer front and rear engineering that now includes four bushings to reduce ride harshness.

Other changes include reconfiguration of the shocks on the rear torsion bar, and moving

of the steering box forward for better balance.

While the ride is firmer than last year’s model, it’s not overbearing and the overall ride and handling is precise thanks in part to the electronic stability and traction control system. In running on dirt and gravel, the new suspension package is a marked improvement.

In the drive train/powerplant department, the Soul carries over a choice of either a six-speed manual, or the sixspeed automatic with overdrive. The transmission is coupled to “carry over” engine choices of either a four-cylinder 1.6 liter or a slightly larger 2.0 liter offering. The small engine puts out a paltry 130 horsepower, while the larger powerplant gives you 164 horsepower.

Both engines, regardless of transmission selection are within a mile or two per gallon in the fuel economy department and rate around 24 mpg city and 31 mpg on the highway.

The larger 2.0 liter four-banger has always been fairly responsive in our previous tests, but certainly not an engine ready for the racetrack. Rumor has it that Kia is looking at adding a larger horsepower package for 2015 and may even bring on an All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) version by 2016. For sportsmen who like to head-forthe-hills, an AWD feature would make the Soul a real contender in terms of size, versatility and packaging.

Wi t h t h e improved suspension

and handling characteristics, the Soul is ready for a bigger heart!

The Soul’s interior has also been revamped and has a more mature feel to it for 2014. Three versions are offered and are called the Base model, the Plus model and the Exclaim model. Sound system options are carried over, but many of the options are new this year with the Plus and Exclaim models that include heated/ cooled front leather seats, headed steering wheel, a new Android-based navigation system with an 8-inch touch screen and a panoramic sunroof that makes you feel like you are riding in an open convertible, but without the wind and noise.

Front seats are elevated to a height in the vehicle where driver and front passenger are sitting high with great over-the-hood and surrounding area visibility.

Changes and features for 2014 have elevated the Kia Soul into a more topof-the-line feeling small CUV than ever before. Luckily, goofy dancing rodents are not included in any of the vehicle options!

34

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS February 2014

Digital Edition Only Special Content

Father And Son Yukon Adventure

By Tom Freestone

Y

ou can only imagine my surprise when I opened a card from my son Tommy on Christmas 2012.

It said “You are going on a moose hunt with Jim Shockey’s Rogue River Outfitters in Sept. 2013.” I read it over and over until reality set in and tears filled my eyes. I was finally, at age 72, going to realize my lifelong dream of a hunt for the giant Alaska/Yukon moose.

The next several months seemed to drag by ever so slowly but then the day of departure finally arrived. We left our respective homes for the airport in Tucson, AZ with firearms and gear in tow. We arrived in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory that night and spent a pleasant evening with other hunters who were going to various camps for grizzly, moose and sheep.

The next morning we were picked up and driven to the little town of Mayo for one more night’s layover. After a pretty much sleepless night, because of all the moose parading in and out of my mind, we loaded into the float plane for the final leg of our trip. When we landed on the lake where our hunting camp was located it was like arriving in paradise.

What a difference from the arid southwestern deserts to the northern Yukon Mountains and valleys with all their lakes and streams.

My son and I were to be the only hunters in this remote camp, and the two guides were there waiting when the plane taxied up to the dock. After unloading our gear and settling into the rustic, but very comfortable, log

cabins we were at the shooting bench to make certain our rifles had survived the trip. Both were right on and ready to go. Because of Canadian law requiring several hours wait after flying we were unable to hunt that day. We did, however, go for our first Argo ride to see some of the scenery in the area, The next morning came after yet another sleepless night, but now our adventure was going to kick into high gear. Tommy and his guide Scott, and I with my guide Randy, loaded into the Argos and promptly drove off into the lake. I thought, “Oh my God, we’re going to the bottom” but they travelled on the water as well as they did on land.

Notice I didn’t say dry land. We didn’t see that until we got back to Arizona.

We went through bogs, streams, and willows higher than we were, stopping frequently on high spots to call and glass. After a few hours of travel on an old trail Tommy and Scott suddenly stopped and bailed out of their Argo.

We were in the rear wondering what was going on. Tommy was scrambling for his rifle and after unsheathing it and inserting a round he quickly fired a shot at something we could not see. We heard him whoop in triumph and soon realized he had just managed to take a beautiful, all black, male wolf. What a beginning to the adventure. After taking photos, skinning and high fives we were on our way again. We made several more calling stands with no results and returned to camp for supper.

Morning came soon enough and we were off for moose. After several stands for calling and glassing, with no results,

we stopped for lunch. Scott set up his tripod and spotting scope and soon found a nice bull along a small stream in the valley ahead. After drawing straws, Tommy got the long straw and the stalk began. I took about an hour and a half to get into range with the video cameras and wait for an opportunity to shoot. Thankfully the long wait allowed time for everyone to settle their nerves, focus the cameras, set up the shooting sticks and Tommy to squeeze off a 280 yard shot. The moose took a few steps and fell over. No follow up shot was needed and Tommy was now two for two.

After skinning, quartering and placing all edible meat in bags, we loaded them plus the cape and antlers in the two Argos and began the long journey back to camp.

We arrived well after dark, tired and hungry but jubilant. We had a late excellent supper and a couple celebratory cocktails. The only downside to the day was that Randy had previously suffered a herniated disc and the rough riding in the Argo had taken its toll. He was barely able to stand by the time the evening was over.

Morning number three found Randy unable to move and I thought my hunt would be over until he got better, so even though I sympathized with his plight I was feeling pretty bummed

as well.

Tommy still had a grizzly tag to fill but he graciously offered to stay in camp with Randy and had Scott take me out for moose. A few hours later Scott and I were back in the general area where Tommy had taken his moose the day before. We were resting and glassing when Scott spotted a flash of antlers high on a mountain side. After studying them for a while, he determined that this was a really good moose. He asked if I thought I could make it up there and I said “let’s go.” We backtracked in order to get across the valley to the bottom of the mountain in the Argos and then began the climb. He took off like an Olympian and I struggled to keep up. Even though I am 72, I am fortunate to enjoy good health and I’ve managed to stay in pretty decent shape. Scott was really anxious to get within range before the moose fed away or went after a cow and I was slowing him down but we finally got to a place that overlooked where he had last seen the moose.

Nothing. We were both feeling pretty low but sat and picked the brush apart with our binoculars before moving on or giving up. All of a sudden Scott got excited because he was sure he had seen an antler tip moving in the thick willows. We glassed the spot until our eyes were sore and finally it moved again.

The moose had bedded down and was

just occasionally moving his head. We carefully stood up and set up the shooting sticks. Scott said he couldn’t call and run my video camera at the same time so we decided to turn the camera on and set it on the ground, I would be ready with my rifle on the sticks, and he would call and then pick up the camera. This seemed like a good plan.

He called and the moose took a while to get up. When Scott bent down to pick up the camera the moose moved and I couldn’t tell which way he was facing through the willows. Scott couldn’t use his binoculars because he now had the camera in his hands. Down went the camera, up came the binoculars and he determined the bulls position from his viewpoint. Down went the binoculars, up came the camera and I took the shot.

Nothing. The bull didn’t even flinch as

February 2014 SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Digital Edition Only Special Content

far as we could tell. “Shoot again” he said. Second shot. Again nothing. No sign of a hit. We are now beginning to panic. The bull finally took a step as if to take off. Scott hands me his rifle and I quickly shoot again. This time the bull goes down.

We wait for a few moments and Scott says “we have to get down there”. We leave everything where we are but the rifles and down we go. It doesn’t take Scott long to get quite a ways in the lead as once again I struggle to keep up. I soon hear his whoop of joy and I know it is good news. When I caught up I couldn’t believe my eyes. The bull was huge. Although he was just a little over 55” wide his antlers were massive from top to bottom with 17 points on one side and 20 on the other. What they lacked in width they more than made

up for in height. Scott is professional moose guide and has guided many successful hunts but he was really excited about this. He was pounding me on the back and asking, “Do you know what you’ve just done? This is a “Hog”.

It turned out all the shots were good.

The bull took the first two shots from the .300 Remington Ultra Mag, right in the kill zone, with no visible reaction.

As realization sets in, the tears from last Christmas came back and I thanked God and my son, and Scott, for giving me this opportunity.

The rain then began to pour down on us as we began the arduous task of skinning and quartering, stripping all meat from the carcass, and taking the cape and antlers.

The sun would occasionally peek through the clouds and rain and light up the beauty of God’s creation all around us while we worked. Life is good and my hunting dream has come true.

We went back down the mountain to the Argo and then drove it up to where

35

we could load the moose and gear. The ride up and down the mountain in the Argo, through and over the willows and brush was more terrifying than any theme park roller coaster. Scott is one hell of a guide but he is also a mad man.

At least it seemed so until we were back in the valley and on our way to camp.

My son was as elated as I was when we got back to camp. What a celebration we had that night.

We fished for graying for the next couple days as we waited for another guide to fly in and replace the still ailing Randy.

The plane arrived to pick up Randy and the meat and capes from the wolf and moose.

Good things come to good people and my son connected the following day on a beautiful silver-tipped boar grizzly. What a terrific ending to a truly outstanding adventure.

Thanks to Scott Mahon, Randy Kuntz, Ken Pamplin, and Jim Shockey’s Rogue River Outfitters for making this old man feel young again.

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SPORTSMAN’S NEWS February 2014

Online at: www.SportsmansWarehouse.com