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First Deer of the Year

First Deer of the Year

On August 11 a friend of mine from back East texted me and I responded that I was deer hunting. “Boddington,” he came back, “it’s August…around here we call that poaching!” On the surface, it seems crazy. Here on the Central Coast, August temperatures soar above 100 degrees and wildfires are headline news. Even so, it’s deer season! The “coast zone” rifle deer season opens the second Saturday in August. This year opening day was the 11th; it could open as early as August 8…but never later than the 14th. This is the earliest rifle deer season in the Lower 48!

The Most Versatile Gun in the World

The Most Versatile Gun in the World

But, why I really love shotguns is because they are so versatile. Seriously, if you can find me any other gun that you can shoot a quail with at 15 yards and also shoot a whitetail with at 150, I will be very impressed. Not to mention all the different gauges, styles and brands.

Slings, Packs, and Scabbards - Using the Right System to Get Your Hunting Rifle from Point A to Point B

Slings, Packs, and Scabbards – Using the Right System to Get Your Hunting Rifle from Point A to Point B

There are only so many ways to get your favorite deer slayer from Point A to Point B and hunters should decide what the goal is before they pick a method. Is it a short jaunt in the dark to a treestand? A hurried march after work into camp? A slow, methodical still- hunt to a rendezvous with a hunting partner? 

Alaskan Bear Rifles

Alaskan Bear Rifles

I love to look at Professional Hunter’s firearms; they show the rigors of day-to-day hunting life and are often beat nearly to death. While we all have our safe queens, I appreciate those beat up, well-hunted guns that invariably have a story to tell, be it that one shot that even surprised the owner, of those hair-raising tales of dangerous game at close quarters.

Terminating Whistle Pigs: Clay's Choice for Guns & Gear

Terminating Whistle Pigs: Clay’s Choice for Guns & Gear

I have had some people ask me about my preferred setup for terminating whistle pigs, so today I am going to discuss just that.

Burris Oracle Bow Sight Provides Exact Point of Aim, Ranges to 500 Yards

Burris Oracle Bow Sight Provides Exact Point of Aim, Ranges to 500 Yards

Burris recently announced their brand-new Oracle rangefinding bow sight, a one-of-a-kind device that provides both the exact distance to the target and exact point of aim. We got our sweaty little fingers on it at this year’s NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, and it looks like it could be a game-changer.

Nikon’s New LaserForce Range-Finding Binocular: Quality rangefinding Binos for under $1,000

Nikon’s New LaserForce Range-Finding Binocular: Quality rangefinding Binos for under $1,000

I still remember the moment. A package arrived at my remote home amidst the rough, high-elevation mule deer and elk habitat of my youth, dropped casually on the porch by the United Parcel Service driver. We lifted it, my brother and I, to a place of honor on the kitchen table, and carefully removed the contents from the packaging. Dashing to the back porch we pointed the new marvel at a distant hillside and exclaimed with glee at the result. It was the first laser rangefinder we owned, and it changed our hunting and shooting lives.

Best Turkey Hunting Gear of 2018

Best Turkey Hunting Gear of 2018

Turkey hunting gear can make or break a hunt. With gobblers having some of the best vision in the animal kingdom, and ears that can pick up details that humans can’t fathom, it’s imperative that hunters have the right equipment to get the job done.

Here is some of my favorite gear for 2018, which helped me harvest five turkeys just last season.

Best Entry-Level Rangefinder: Vortex Impact 850 — Full Review

Best Entry-Level Rangefinder: Vortex Impact 850 — Full Review

As Vortex’s entry level rangefinder, the Impact 850 outperforms its price point. As someone who does a variety of hunting, I look for diversity in my gear. I want equipment that’s going to function whether it’s spring or fall, archery season or gun season, and good conditions or poor. When it comes to a rangefinder, I’ll be looking for optics that can function for bowhunting deer, shotgun hunting turkey, and rifle hunting elk.

Legendary Sure Shot Game Calls Continues to Innovate: New One2 — SHOT Show 2018

Legendary Sure Shot Game Calls Continues to Innovate: New One2 — SHOT Show 2018

Sure Shot uses a different style of architecture in how a call is built, going back to the companies first patent, for a double reed call held together by rivets. Starting in 1959, they won pretty much every calling contest in the world for a decade straight. Since that first duck call, they have expanded into many styles of predator calls, and continue to be used by hunters around the world today.