The easy over-the-counter (OTC) elk hunt is over, and pretending otherwise is costing hunters tags. Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming keep trimming OTC elk tags year after year while hunting pressure continues to increase. Draw odds for units that historically produce punched tags keep dropping, and the leftover units get more crowded.
But OTC elk hunting…
The bull elk screamed in the Colorado morning air and the hair on the back of my neck snapped to attention as my breath caught in the back of my throat and adrenaline pounded in my ears. The bull’s harem of cows was crossing right in front of me and soon he would be following…
A few years ago I got invited on my first elk hunt. I flew to Denver by way of Columbia, South Carolina, then rented a car and drove south to Raton in northern New Mexico. I knew the success rate on the ranch was pretty high because they only hosted about five hunters a year.…
Coyotes are sly and sneaky from birth, making them tough creatures to hunt. A hunter’s success hinges on an eternal awareness of the wind direction, attention to camo pattern in relation to the landscape, and the tools employed. Of course, patience helps too. Then, when all of those things fall into place, and a coyote…
There’s hardly a tool in the hunting game more important than great clothing. Not the best bow nor the sharpest broadheads mean much if you don’t have a really good layering system that is warm, breathable, sweat wicking, and has the ability to dry quickly. That’s what makes up the best layering system for hunting.…
The post-rut season is the doldrums for many deer hunters. The bachelor groups of bucks from the early season have disbanded and the excitement of the rut is over. That doesn't mean it's time to put up your boots and start watching football. The post-rut is a chance to dial in on target bucks and…
I have a stack of old Field & Stream magazines on a bookshelf. It’s heartening to flip through the articles. In between the ads touting today’s latest products meant to deter scent is the same content that’s filled the editorial pages for countless falls. For example, in bold lettering on the November 1972 issue you’ll see, “How…
Venison backstrap fajitas are a quick, easy and delicious south-of-the-border recipe.
1 lb. venison backstrap, sliced into ½-inch steaks
1 yellow onion
1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
2 jalapenos
1 Mexican beer
Salt, pepper, chili powder, cayenne pepper
Olive oil
Vegetable oil
Corn tortillas (flour tortillas are just fine too)
Rub the…
People who love to hunt come from all walks of life. This list includes the thoughts of those people – from well-known authors to country music stars and former presidents. We’ve even included some politicians and lawyers to show we’re not totally intolerant.
Because these hunting enthusiasts are from such a wide range of backgrounds,…
Harvesting delicious summer fruits and vegetables shouldn’t come with a constant fear of deer, rabbits, birds, and more getting the first taste. No one trying to enjoy a relaxing day of golf wants to worry about dodging goose droppings everywhere they step. Neither do the friends you invited to the lake for a day spent…

