Big Game

hunting on public land isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a grind. Regardless of the weapon you choose to tote, you can expect pressure from other hunters, daunting terrain and days where the lenses of your binos detect no hide. In short, elk hunting public dirt can suck.

Two caribou tags, three guys, and two days to do it in. No pressure.

Exactly what you need for a western spot and stalk mule deer.

There is nothing quite like the sound of an aggressive bull bugling while hunting during the peak of the rut. And hunting public land elk will certainly keep us all humble in our pursuit. If this is your first-year elk hunting, welcome to the frenzy. If this is your 60th year and everything in between, [...]

I was recently on a public land antelope hunt in Colorado. Like most Colorado tags, I had waited several years to draw this tag; five to be exact. I was very excited and enthusiastic about getting out and chasing around some speed goats.

The does turned and resumed their march in our direction. The buck stopped broadside at 223 yards and the rifle thundered. The wallop of the bullet exploding the heart was clear, and after taking a few steps the giant tumbled to the ground.

Whether it is wild dogs, coyotes, mountain lions, bears or even a viscous domestic dog, get some training in stopping animal attacks and stay aware in order to stay alive.

I felt sore and disappointed and all kinds of things. I worked with hounds and horses, the same way humans have always done. It all leads up to the two-tenths of a second it takes a bullet to fly straight into my next meal.

I froze in place and looked right at the fiercest predator in North America and I was sure he was looking straight at me. His yellow eyes were wide and sharp and his ears were forward. I didn’t breathe.