As the mountains thaw and green up, bears emerge from hibernation and resume their quest for a full belly. Entire autumn hunting seasons can pass without a single bear sighting, but spring bears are usually more visible and easier to locate. With a few simple guidelines and some effort this spring, you will see bears and maybe even secure some delicious wild game meat.
Read MoreMany factors that make or break an elk hunt are out of your control: the wind swirls and sends your scent right into the nose of an incoming bull or another hunter pushes the herd out of the drainage. However, you can control your physical fitness. We interviewed elk hunting and calling legend Corey Jacobsen and garnered these tips to maximize your performance in the mountains.
Read MorePan frying is a technique that's rarely talked about in modern day cookery. These days we have air fryers and electric table top fryers that can appear to simplify the cooking process. And while simple can sometimes be better, it doesn't always offer you the best in terms of versatility, flavor and longevity.
Read MoreWhen it comes to preparing your own backcountry safety kit the biggest factor I feel is important is really evaluating every piece of gear you are carrying. Do you have the knowledge on how to properly use the item? Should you spend time learning with it before the season? A little effort can take a basic kit and turn it into something that can ultimately save your life.
Read MoreThis will be one of the hardest hunts out there to stay motivated. Some days, you might find ten bulls and other times you may not see an elk in ten days. Keeping your head in the game can be very difficult. A good hunting partner is invaluable for these types of hunts, but even small creature comforts can really help. Pack foods you like, take warm clothes and build fires during the slow times of the day. I've recently begun investing more of my time in photography and have found this as a fun way to take a 20 minute break from staring at the world at 10X.
Read MoreAcross the West, elk reside in a diverse set of habitat types and bedding grounds in each habitat vary significantly; therefore, it is my opinion that this can be the most difficult point on the triangle to identify. In fact, you may have to go back to your map and use the data you have collected for a little assistance. When you checked your water source(s), you should have identified at least one well-used trail and established which direction elk travel as they come to or leave water sources.
Read MoreA well-established wallow in that home zone can be a great place to set up and kill a bull that you have scouted during the early season. Even after the rut has kicked in and bulls are attending cows, they will continue to wallow; however, by that point, it could be many miles from where they spent the summer.
Read MoreThis article was to serve merely as a template to base your own kill kit off of. The items I carry have been refined and refined over the years and I feel like I have a setup that meets my needs perfectly. The kit is nothing special other than a bag that houses everything you need once a tag has been punched. Be creative, but smart, in your approach to building your system and decide what items need to be upgraded, cut or added.
Read MoreLayering systems might differ slightly from climate to climate, but the foundation remains. Nowadays, having a layering system is an absolute must for me and, truth be told, I won't do it any other way. Since I have changed my ways, I have never been more comfortable out in the field. Because of that, I find myself spending way more time in the field—no matter the conditions. This transfers into more animals spotted, which inevitably leads to more opportunities to fill that tag.
Read MoreField judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an exact science. Hunters looking to break into the B&C minimums or hunters looking to figure out the difference from a 370” bull from a 390” bull all need to dissect a bulls rack long before they decided to pull the trigger. The following methods I have used for a long time when picking apart a bulls rack.
Read MoreIf you're an avid hunter or simply a food enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of Hank Shaw. He’s a James Beard Award-winning chef and author of five cookbooks, including his latest, Hook, Line, and Supper. In his newest course for OutdoorClass, Venison 101, Hank takes you through all things venison, from the moment the animal is downed all the way to the dinner table.
Read MoreOne piece of gear that I have used over the years has been a lightweight tarp and, once again, this past fall, that item was particularly useful. Whether I needed shelter from the rain, wind, sun or a place to debone an elk quarter — or even to catch and collect water — a tarp is a key piece of my gear.
Read MoreSetting up trail cameras sounds simple enough right? Until you’re flipping through your pictures and you can’t tell the difference between a doe or a 170-inch buck because the heads are out of frame. Anybody that has set up trail cameras can probably think of these exact instances where you’re walking back to your truck cursing at every rock and stick that gets in your way because you had trail camera malfunctions.
Read MoreAfter getting smashed in the jugular with the hunting bug, I soon realized how important owning a good backpack was. The first animal I had to pack out by myself was a mountain lion. I ended up dragging this lion for about three miles and from that point forward, I vowed to get a backpack that could do the work for me and haul out my loads.
Read More