With 2 million acres, Mississippi deer hunters keep scoring big. Here are details on the WMAs most likely to produce.

All deer hunters have a lot in common, including the consistent desire to harvest a nice buck for bragging rights with friends and a wall display at home or at the office.

When it comes to deer hunting on public lands like state wildlife management areas, however, on the surface it might seem like achieving such goals is pretty unrealistic. Yet, hunters across the state prove that statement wrong every eer season in Mississippi on WMAs.

The 2013-14 Mississippi Outdoor Digest from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks lists 53 wildlife management areas in the MDWFP system. Some are state owned, others are federally owned, such as U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands, under the management of the MDWFP through memorandums of understanding.

Situated around the state and requiring only a $15 annual WMA permit for non-exempt sportsmen, there is reasonable access to any resident.

The WMAs range in size from the tiny 891-acre Trim Cane WMA near Starkville to the overwhelming 58,480-acre Sunflower WMA just east of Rolling Fork.

In between are WMAs of all sizes, and several offer plenty of acreage. There are 13 other WMAs in the state with over 20,000 acres and eight more over 10,000 acres. Consult the MDWFP website at mdwfp.com and click under Deer Program and a second click on Wildlife Management Areas at the bottom of the deer page for complete information on WMAs, including a statewide map and a lot of helpful information on draw hunts (see feature on draw hunts by David Hawkins in this edition of Mississippi Sportsman).

The bottom line is that there are more than enough quality open public land options in this state to satisfy any deer hunter, providing a tremendously valuable resource.

Deer hunting habitats vary widely across these lands as does the topography and terrain. Literally there is something here for every deer hunter.

Also don’t forget the many thousands of other acres open to the public for hunting as well on property identified as National Wildlife Refuges, and lands controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers situated around the several water resource reservoirs dotted around the state, as well as 10,000 acres of state land around Barnett Reservoir near Jackson.

All total, there’s nearly two million acres of public hunting lands in the Magnolia State.

Targeting a Big Buck WMA

Unless you just happen to personally know or have experienced deer hunting on a particular WMA how do you choose one for hunting bucks? As you can read further in the associated sidebar to this feature, there is a wealth of information about all state WMAs in the annual Deer Program Report.

Paramount in the listing of harvest data and other information on all WMAs are the numbers for bucks taken on each individual property.

Is this a guarantee that you will take a trophy buck on that WMA? Hardly, so let’s get real. The laws of averages improve in the deer hunter’s favor when they select a site to hunt that has a proven record for yielding decent numbers of bucks. The odds for taking exceptional bucks go up when you compare the average antlers of bucks taken at the different WMAs.

By hunting these top buck harvest WMAs you elevate your chances, all else being equal.

Fortunately, we have already condensed the available data from the most currently available Deer Program Report. We have selected for further detailing the top five WMAs for buck hunting based on the total buck harvests from those lands. It’s a darn good place to start.

Top Five Buck WMAs

1. Bienville WMA. This 26,136-acre area is located north of Morton in Bienville National Forest.

Its last reported buck harvest was 119, the largest yield since the 2007 season. Habitat conditions have been improving due to increased area management work. The average inside spread on 3½-year-old bucks was 13.4 inches with average main beams of 16.4 inches.

Mean conception dates for Bienville WMA are from Dec. 21 to Jan. 24. Watch the weather and monitor the rut activity to hunt the peak rut. Man-day use on this WMA was 3169 days. Twelve deer were taken for each man-day.

2. Sunflower WMA. The largest WMA in the state at 58,480 acres, it is near Rolling Fork. The buck harvest was 116. Average inside spreads were 14.4 inches with main beams of 17.4 inches for 3½-year-old bucks. The most bucks taken on Sunflower were aged at 3.5 years.

Sunflower is a wetlands area as well and is often considered an excellent area for waterfowl hunting. During duck season, deer hunters should expect to see and hear the duck hunters. This apparently has little to no impact on the deer hunting on this WMA. Man-day use was 7761 days, which could have been a lot of duck hunting as well as deer hunting.

3. Leaf River WMA. At nearly 40,000 acres, this WMA is big, too. It lies in Perry County within the Desoto National Forest. The buck harvest was 115 which was well over the 42 bucks taken back in the 2007-08 season. The 3 ½-year-old bucks averaged main beams of 14.7 inches.

Eighty-seven percent of the bucks taken met the antler criteria; youth hunters under age 16 could take any antlered buck. Leaf River’s habitat can be thick and tough to get through in areas. Its timberland is mostly pines with hardwood bottoms. The man-days use here was 7,552 total days, and the harvest rate was one buck per 363 acres.

4. Mahannah WMA. Located off Highway 61 north of Vicksburg, Mahannah’s acreage runs 12,675. The land is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but managed by the MDWFP. Deer hunting is by draw permit only, but it is worth the risk and wait. Usually there is a January archery hunt open to the public.

Buck harvest was 86 with a man-day use of 2,487 days. Average inside spreads went 14.8 inches with 18.1 inches average main beams on 3½-year-old bucks, making it very desirable to hunters.

“We put in for Mahannah deer permits every year; sometimes we get them, sometimes not, but it is a great place to hunt,” say brothers Jay and Ben Harper of Vicksburg.

The conception dates on Mahannah ran from Dec. 8 to Jan. 7. Buck harvest rates are up since the 2007-08 season, but man-day use is up, too. The main reason for this seems to be the ever increasing reputation for big bucks. Several have been taken on Mahannah over the past few years.

5. Copiah and Sandy Creek WMAs. These two WMAs tied for the same buck yields at 82 apiece. This is significant given the two areas are nowhere near each other — Copiah is located just south of Jackson and west of Hazlehurst, while Sandy Creek is in Adams County in the Homochitto National Forest.

Copiah’s land mass is 6,583 acres, with gently rolling wheat grass hills, scattered pines and hardwood stands in the bottoms. To look at it you would think it was perfect quail habitat.

By contrast Sandy Creek is 16,407 acres of tall pines and equally tall ridges with fast falling slopes into thick bottoms.

Man-day use on these areas were similar — 4,007 on Copiah and 4,050 on Sandy Creek. Copiah like Mahannah is slowly gaining a history of producing some very nice bucks.

Sandy Creek should show more use given its hunter base includes a lot of Louisiana deer hunters. Know that going in.

Acres per buck on Copiah as 80, but on Sandy Creek it was 200. Copiah is a good WMA to put a doe in the freezer as well.

Are there other WMAs worthy of a dedicated buck hunt? You bet.

As you further study the detailed area information from the Deer Program Report on the top five areas listed above, also be sure to check out Upper Sardis, Tallahala, Marion County, Chickasaw, Caney Creek, and O’Keefe WMAs. Of course, any of the 53 state WMAs could yield a record book buck any day. It is just a matter of pinpointing the right one to be hunting at on the right day.

Imagine for a second you’re a big bass, just hanging out on a deep water weed line. You’re not particularly hungry, as you’ve got an ample baitfish supply and fed well earlier in the morning. All of a sudden, something peaks your interest – it’s a large gizzard shad (or a big bait) swimming by, seemingly injured.

Do you strike it? Or do you let it swim by?

On one hand, you’re not particularly hungry, so you would be fine letting it swim. However, you didn’t get to be a big bass by passing up easy meals – and at 7 or 8 inches, a gizzard shad will provide enough energy to really last…

Although a bit satirical, situations like these are every day occurrences for bass. Unlike us, they don’t have a supermarket available to them 24/7/365. If they want to eat, they’ve got to do it themselves.

For that reason, bass (and most wild creatures) are extremely opportunistic when feeding, and will seldom turn down a big, energy packed meal if it’s right in their face. This is the reason why big baits are becoming increasingly popular – even in parts of the country not known for giant bass.

If you replaced the big gizzard shad in the above story with a small baitfish, would it have changed the reaction?

Probably so, as the caloric reward for the meal wouldn’t necessarily be enough to justify the chase – particularly since the bass wasn’t actively feeding.

The theory behind big bait fishing is that in order to catch big bass – you need to show big bass something that interests them enough to strike, regardless of whether they’re actively feeding or not.

Despite its popularity, “big bait” angling doesn’t come with a user’s guide, and the tools and techniques can be downright confusing to the novice angler.

For that reason, we’ve put together the following guide to four common “big baits” – and how to rig and throw them.

1. Big Bait Swimbaits

The original “big bait” – swimbaits have become such a diverse category that it’s hard to lump them all into one. However, in this context we’re talking about larger, paddle-tail baits (hard or soft) that are designed to imitate a large gizzard shad, stocker trout, or hitch. Popular brands include Huddleston Deluxe, Triton Mike’s Bull Shad, the Spro BBZ series, or the – Optimum/Osprey series of line-though and top hook swimbaits – in large 6-10 inch sizes.

Gear up:

The ideal swimbait rod will be long (at least 7 foot 4 inches), heavy duty, and have a sensitive tip. For 6-7 inch baits that weigh between 1 and 2 ounces, you can probably get away with repurposing a flipping stick, but for the heavier stuff – up to 5 ounces, you’ll need a custom purpose stick. Most die-hards rely on something in the 7 foot 6 inch or 8 foot range, with an extra heavy power and a long enough handle to get good leverage while working the bait. For reels, use a low-gear ratio (5.4:1) high capacity reel spooled with either 50-60 pound braid (for braid lovers) or 20-30 pound monofilament or fluorocarbon. Some swimbait anglers swear by braid for its lack of stretch, and other think it costs them fish by ripping too big of holes in bass mouths – so experiment and choose what you prefer.

How to use:

Swimbaits are designed to do just that, “swim” so they are best utilized in places where bass would encounter large prey fish in a natural setting. Structures like deep weed lines, points, humps, and ledges are all ideal. Concentrate on learning how to keep you r chosen bait at specific depths, and try to visualize where on the structure your bait is during the entire retrieve.

2. Big Bait Glide Baits

A relatively new category, glide baits are large, hard plastic jointed swimbaits designed to “glide” from side to side on a steady retrieve – and they’re the hottest thing since sliced bread across much of the country. Top choices include the River2Sea S-Waver, the Deps Slide Swimmer, and the ABT Lures Suicide Glide.

Gear up:

Glide baits work a pretty wide path, and for that reason most anglers use some type of monofilament, copolymer, or fluorocarbon, rather than braid. For 5-6 inch baits, opt for 17-20 pound line, and for larger baits, don’t be afraid to go up to 30. For reels and rods, the same type of rods that work well for swimbaits work well for glide baits – just make sure to match the rod to the weight of the lure.

How to use:

To get a big bait glide bait to work, all you need to do is steadily retrieve it, and it will automatically do its thing. Once you’ve caught a few fish, though, the opportunities are endless. Experienced glide baiters will routinely work in pauses, twitches, pops, and jerks to make the action more enticing. Glide baits excel in pressured situations, in clear water, and any time the bass are feeding up. Something about their erratic “glide” just draws strikes when nothing else will – including other big baits. Gliders are quickly becoming legendary in their reputation for strike drawing, even from smaller bass – so don’t be afraid to throw one under just about any circumstances possible.

3. Big Bait Spoons

We’ve come a long way from the days of the old Johnson Silver Minnow… Giant spoons have become standard equipment for most anglers in the Tennessee River ledge fishing community, and they’ve already been responsible for a number of top tournament finishes in the highest levels of the sport. The Nichols “Ben Parker” magnum spoon was the original – but there are now several companies making spoons up to 9 inches and a full 3 ounces. They work by simulating a large gizzard shad in its final death throes – and can often trigger a reaction strike that fires up a massive offshore school of bass.

Gear up:

Big bait spoons should be fished on stout tackle, with heavy action swimbait rods getting the call from most anglers. Reels should be super-high speed, to catch up with fish that bite on slack line, and line choices are most commonly 20-30 pound mono or fluorocarbon.

How to use:

To catch bass on a big spoon, it’s all about the fall. Make a long cast, and free spool the reel so it falls vertically to the bottom on or past the structure you want to fish. Once it hits bottom, engage the reel and “rip” your rod tip to 12 o’clock, then allow the bait to fall on slack line while following it down with your rod tip. Most bites occur on the fall, so watch your line for tics, and set the hook hard. Repeat the “hops” all the way back to the boat.

4. Big Bait Bucktails

Another “big bait” invention of the ledge fisherman is the bucktail jig – a repurposing of a saltwater and striped bass bait, just recently applied to bass fishing. The bucktail jig is just that – a one or more ounce lead head jig with a long, 6-8 inch piece of bucktail or feathers tied to it, creating the profile of a large shad or baitfish.

Gear up:

Because they’re so streamlined, you can work a bucktail jig like the Wahoo Super Striper on lighter equipment than many of the other “big baits” on this list. Repurpose a flipping stick, or pick up any other long rod that’s heavy enough to handle a 1 or 1 ½ ounce lure. Reels should be super high speed (to deal with fish running towards the boat), and spooled with heavy (17-20) pound fluorocarbon or copolymer.

How to use:

Fish a bucktail jig just like you would a flutter spoon – by stroking it hard off the bottom, and letting it fall back on semi-slack line. You really can’t work it wrong though, as there are times when offshore bass will eat them when just wound steadily back to the boat.

Sharks have a fearsome reputation as deadly predators but attacks on humans are rare. Sharks don’t actively seek out humans as prey and prefer to hunt fish or seals.

This doesn’t mean they pose no risk and danger can arise, especially during the summer months, when more people swim in the sea. For this reason, a handful of attacks and fatalities occur every year. Attacks are usually a case of mistaken identity, as sharks may bite a human believing them to be their usual prey. Many sharks let go once they realize their mistake, but their very sharp teeth can cause life-threatening injuries.

In 2022, there have been 51 shark attacks in the U.S., mostly in Florida. Only one, in Hawaii, was fatal.

The International Shark Attack File, run by the Florida Museum—which records shark attacks worldwide—is still analyzing this year’s data.

Gavin Naylor, Program Director at the Florida Program for Shark Research, who works on the file, told Newsweek: “There have actually been a handful fatalities [worldwide] this last year. The challenge is to determine whether or not they were ‘provoked’ or ‘unprovoked.’ We are still researching these cases. In general the numbers are slightly lower this year but not significantly so.”

One fatal attack

The U.S. saw one fatal shark attack in 2022, in Hawaii.

A woman from Washington State had been snorkeling off the coast of Hawaii near Keawakapu Point on December 8 when she disappeared without a trace. She had been with her husband at the time, who was also snorkeling nearby.

Several days passed with the woman’s whereabouts remaining a mystery, before officials confirmed that she had been attacked and killed by a shark.

Several eyewitness accounts confirmed the cause of death.

One witness told Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources that he had spotted the couple snorkeling as the shark approached. He said he began yelling at them both to get out of the water.

The witness then said he saw a shark feeding on something “in the middle of the red cloud in the water.” The woman disappeared, but the eyewitness continued yelling at the man to get out of the water.

The woman’s husband also said he had seen a shark about 50 yards offshore. After the woman went missing, he continued to search for her. The shark then began to circle the man, but eventually left the area. The husband had noticed it had blood around its gills.

The shark’s exact species was not confirmed but some believed it to have been a tiger shark. The tiger shark is one of the “Big Three” shark species responsible for most shark attacks on humans, along with the bull shark and the great white.

The U.S. is usually the country with the highest number of reported shark attacks per year, the International Shark Attack File said.

There have been a few more shark attacks in 2022 compared with the previous year when the International Shark Attack File recorded 47 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks.

In 2021, there were 42 percent more shark attacks than in 2020 but this was largely explained by fewer people being in the water during the coronavirus pandemic.

Of all states, Florida is usually the one with the highest number of attacks. This trend has been consistent for decades and the state has consistently topped shark bite charts. In 2021, Florida’s 28 shark attacks represented 60 percent of the U.S. total.

Shark bites in 2022

While there has only been one U.S. fatality this year, it has not been the only attack to occur.

A 17-year-old high school cheerleader, Addison Bethea, had her leg amputated after being attacked by a shark in Florida.

Bethea had been in the waters off Keaton Beach on June 30 when she was attacked by a shark thought to be 9 foot long.

The shark did not let go of her leg until Bethea’s brother dragged her out of the water away from its grip. The teen survived the attack but lost a leg.

In November, a California woman was bitten and shaken by a shark. Lyn Jutronich had been swimming off Del Mar Beach in San Diego on November 4 when she felt the shark slam between her legs.

As the shark clamped down on her right leg, it shook the limb once “like a dog” before letting her go.

Once an avid swimmer, Jutronich said she was not sure she would ever go into the sea again following the incident.

A spate of shark attacks also took place in New York state from June 30 to July 20. There were as many as six shark bites during this time, across beaches in the same vicinity. Before this, the Shark Attack File had only recorded 12 unprovoked bites in New York before 2022.

Do you have an animal or nature story to share with Newsweek? Do you have a question about sharks? Let us know via [email protected].

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There are many better and easier options for starting a fire than a fire piston, but what’s the fun in that? Sure, matches and lighters are easy to use- but they can’t create a spark out of thin air. Fire pistons are a marvel, and that explains why you’re just as likely to see them in science class as in a survival kit. They work by rapidly compressing air, similar to diesel engine compression. There aren’t a huge number of fire pistons to pick from, but that doesn’t mean they are all made equally.

This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best fire pistons, compared them, and now the results are in: the overall best, a beginner option, and an upgrade option. If you need a compression fire starter, one of our picks will bring the heat.

Contents (Jump to a Section)

This fire piston is one of the larger ones we tried and that gave it a leg up. Besides the ergonomic hickory handle, this piston was the easiest to use by far because it had high compression volume paired with precise machine quality.

Needing less lubricant and providing consistent embers makes this one rise above the other pistons when comparing them for survival scenarios.

Here is what you get with the hickory-handled piston:

• Aluminum chamber and piston, hickory housing
• Includes char cloth, spare o-rings
• 4.5″ L x 0.875″ D
• 2 ounces

It’s a reliable, effective, and easy-to-use fire starter so it’s easy to see why this Hickory Fire Piston is the best.

This mid-sized pocket piston comes at a rock-bottom price. It’ll get the job done and comes with everything and the kitchen sink put together as a ‘fire piston kit’.

Don’t worry about stocking up on Vaseline, char cloth, and other tinder because this kit comes with plenty. This makes it ideal for stashing in kits or as a gift for that survivalist (or physicist) friend of yours.

Here is how the SXTL measures up:

• Aluminum chamber, copper piston
• Includes instructions, char cloth, jute fiber, lubricant, paracord, spare o-rings, and storage tin
• 3.8″ L x 0.55″ D
• 2 ounces

If you are looking for an inexpensive but complete option, the SXTL Fire Piston is what you need to try a new fire-starting method.

Wilderness Solutions is one of the few brands making a wide selection of fire pistons. Being the smallest survival-oriented option, the TERA-Light stood out and ended up proving its worth.

Here are the full specs:

• Aluminum chamber and piston
• Includes instructions, char cloth, jute fiber, spare o-ring
• 3.4″ L x 0.75″ D
• 2 ounces
• Lifetime warranty

If you are looking for a compact and quality solution, grab a TERA-Light Pocket Fire Piston.

Everything We Recommend

The Pistons We Compared

Our research narrowed the field down to several brands and types of pistons that we compared: Wilderness Solutions, SXTL, Coherny, American Heritage, Ti Survival, and more.

You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.

We considered almost every fire piston we could get our hands on. They used a wide range of materials and come in several sizes. We did reduce our comparisons down to pocket pistons although larger pistons can have more reliable ignitions due to larger compressions chambers.

There is one smaller model masquerading as many brands (presumably due to dropshipping), but it is easily recognizable with two o-rings on the end of the small compression cylinder. It did not perform well in our tests.

We’re always looking for new and better solutions, so if you have a fire piston that you swear by, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested equipment annually so we can try to get it in the next roundup round and see if it will beat out our top picks.

What to Look For

The best fire pistons have a few features to look for:

1. Value
2. Precision Quality
3. Compression Volume
4. Size & Weight
5. Durability

When you get the right blend of these, you can find a piston that will consistently compress to generate plenty of heat. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the fire pistons that truly set themselves apart.

Value: Cost vs. Benefit

The amount of money you spend on something like a fire piston shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. Fire pistons are not cheap as far as fire starters go, where you can get matches, lighters, ferro rods, and more for cheaper.

You never want to spend too much money on one thing when it comes to survival gear. It’s better to diversify your equipment and budget to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.

Precision Quality

Friction during the compression of a fire cylinder fights against you making an ember. But, you need friction to keep a good seal as the chamber is compressed to compress the air inside of it instead of allowing it to escape.

Many of the brands we tested address this with multiple o-rings (instead of one) and plenty of lubricant (petroleum jelly).

We found that when the compression cylinder and piston are machined precisely to be closer fits, you need less o-rings and lubricant to be effective. Larger fire pistons worked better as well, presumably because we were compressing more air.

Compression Volume

This size of the compression chamber can be measured approximately by the piston rod. When it is machined precisely for a good fit, it fits very close to snug and seals well with the help of a single o-ring.

When you compare piston rod sizes between different fire pistons, you can see approximately how much air is being rapidly compressed. Since you are using the same motion to compress these, more air compression equals a larger energy transfer into heat.

Size & Weight

While larger pistons can get hotter, you don’t necessarily need that if you are lighting char cloth and other easily ignitable tinder. Size can be a hindrance if you plan on keeping it in your pocket or in a kit.

Most of the pistons we compared weigh just a few ounces so this isn’t an issue for our suggestions, but it could be if you insist on carrying a diesel cylinder around with you.

Durability

The durability of the fire pistons mostly came down to their consumable parts: the o-rings. When you get a pocket piston, you aren’t getting medical or industrial grade o-rings so we did find them dry rotting and degrading over time, friction, and ignitions. A few of the options we suggest provide spares, acknowledging that the o-rings are a consumable part.

Lubricants were also needed- damage to the pistons and chambers can happen. We had some marring on our brass piston after many uses. The material type contributes, as we compared fire pistons with chambers and pistons using everything from brass to titanium.

How to Use a Fire Piston

Fire pistons are easy to use, but do require some prep work and maintenance.

• First, you’ll need to pull the piston out of the compression chamber. Inspect the o-ring to make sure it is intact.
• Lubricate the o-ring area with petroleum jelly if needed but keep the jelly away from the tip.
• Next, carefully add some tinder to create an ember inside the tip of the piston. It should stick out slightly. Char cloth works exceptionally well, and you only need to tear off the size of a fingernail and wad it up.
• With the tinder in position, insert the tip of the piston into the chamber just past the o-ring.
• Next, holding the handle of the piston, rapidly press the piston into the chamber (you can slam it against something hard like a tree, but don’t break it!)
• Carefully remove the chamber from the piston, being sure not to drop the ember from the tip of the piston rod. Blow on the ember lightly to make sure it ignites fully. Transfer the ember to a bird’s nest to start a fire.

John does a great job of explaining compression pistons and specifically walks through our top pick:

Who Needs a Fire Piston?

Fire pistons are a niche fire starter, similar to a magnifying glass. For survival, we regularly rely on lighters, matches, and ferro rods. But just like magnifying glasses- that doesn’t make learning new fire skills useless.

Fire pistons can be considered for these kits:

• Bug Out Bag (BOB)
• INCH Bag

Besides using them for survival, compression pocket pistons are useful in demonstrating and teaching physics.

Sources and References

All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best fire piston are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:

Fox, R. (1969). The Fire Piston and Its Origins in Europe. Technology and Culture. Volume 10. Issue 3. Pages 355-370. (Source)

Güémez, J., et al. (2007). Physics of the fire piston and the fog bottle. European Journal of Physics. Volume 28. Issue 6. Page 1199. (Source)

Denker, J. (2010). Fire Pistons. The Physics Teacher. Volume 48. Issue 3. Page 207. (Source)

The Final Word

Fire pistons are clever little tools that accomplish what seems impossible- using air compression to generate enough heat to create an ember. While they aren’t the most practical fire starter, they are certainly worth learning and having as a backup.

Here are a few other guides and reviews our subscribers have found helpful:

• The Best Ferro Rod for Survival Fire Starting
• Best Survival Tinder for Fire Starting
• Bug Out Bag (BOB) Guide, Gear List, and Checklist

We presented quite a lot of information, but as always: if you have any questions let us know and we would be happy to help. Our research and testing found the Hickory Fire Piston to be the best option given its value, precision quality, compression volume, size/weight, and durability.

Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.

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In this Leupold VX 3 HD review, we are going to dive into the details of this 4.5-14×40 Leupold VX 3 HD rifle scope. Leupold’s new scope that is just a step below their extremely popular VX 5 HD, is a bit more affordable, but still big on performance. Featuring Leupold’s HD glass and a wide range of magnification offerings, the Leupold VX 3 HD rifle scope is the perfect scope for the hunter who doesn’t need ultra long range capabilities, but wants a scope that will perform well on a hunt.

Love optics? We certainly do here at Backwoods Pursuit, so make sure to check out our other optics reviews, as well as our massive 19 Spotting Scope Review where we lined up 19 of the best spotting scopes on the market and tested them side by side!

Looking for a binoculars? Check out ourMASSIVE 26 BINOCULAR REVIEW where we put 26 of the best binoculars side by side!

In this Leupold VX 3 HD review we are going to look at how this rifle scope stacks up as a hunting scope. It’s not a long range optic, so if that is what you are looking for, there are better options. However, if you are looking for a great rifle scope that has the ability to take longer shots, the 14x magnification with the CDS-ZL locking turret can reach out there as far as most of us are comfortable shooting at game. The CDS stands for “Custom Dial System” and the ZL means “Zero Lock”, which we’ll go over below.

The Testing: Leupold VX 3 HD Review

In preparation for the hunting season, many trips to the range were made to get this scope dialed in and to practice plenty to make sure both it, and myself were ready when the time came to make the shot.

What’s In the Box: Leupold VX 3 HD Review

The Leupold VX 3 HD rifle scope comes with all the tools needed to set your zero stop. You also get an integrated throw lever that is very user friendly and not overly large or bulky like some. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a Leupold Sun Shade, the Leupold Flip Back Lens Cover Kit, or the handy Leupold Neoprene Scope Cover.

All of the Leupold accessories are top notch and extremely well-built. They are, however, on the expensive side and if you pick them all up, it adds up quick. This is was bit of a disappointment as the only accessory that comes with the scope is the rubber lens cover, but if you like having a sun shade, flip up caps, or neoprene cover, you’ll have to drop an additional few hundred bucks to get the whole setup.

Leupold VX 3 HD Specs

The Leupold VX 3HD rifle scope is a fantastic rifle scope that’s purposefully built for the hunter who needs a solid, super lightweight scope that also gives you enough magnification to reach out a little ways if needed. It features some pretty impressive specs:

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Eye Relief: Leupold VX 3 HD Review

The Leupold VX 3 HD 4.5-14×40 gives you a nice 3.6-4.4 inches of eye relief, keeping your face plenty far away from the scope to avoid getting a nice half moon decoration on the top of your nose/eye. I found that, consistent with the specs, you do lose a little eye relief moving to the top end of the zoom range, but the 3.6 inches of eye relief when at 14x is more than enough.

I tested the Leupold VX 3 HD along side others like the Bushnell Forge 4.5-27×50 as well as the Athlon Cronus 4.5-29×50, the Tract Toric UHD 4-20×50, the Sig Tango4 6-24×50 and the Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24×50 rifle scopes, and the Leupold VX 3 HD hung in there, even among some of those more expensive ones. Now obviously this VX 3 HD is a very different scope than most of the ones just mentioned given its design, size and purpose, but it still impressed when compared to the others.

Turrets & Side Focus: Leupold VX 3 HD Review

Between field testing and range time testing for this Leupold VX 3 HD review, I found the turrets to be perfect for the hunter who wants to keep things simple, but also wants to be able to dial in for the occasional longer range shot when needed and have the ability to set the side parallax with the side focus knob. The elevation turret locks nicely in place and only moves using a spring loaded push button when it’s time to dial it in. The side focus knob works very well and is nice and smooth without too much resistance, however, I do wish it had some yardage reference points.

The turrets are crisp and give you nice audible clicks so there’s no mistaking how many MOAs you have moved it. You get only one rotation out of the dial, but that gives you 15 MOAs, and for most of us, that’s more than enough. 15 MOAs still gets you a long ways out there with most modern hunting rifles.

The windage turret on the Leupold VX 3 HD is capped, but if you remove the cap, you have a nice, easily adjustable knob in the event you want to calibrate for wind. Of course, if you remove the cap and make your adjustment manually you’d need a few extra seconds for that. If you select the Windplex reticle like we tested here, you can make your windage adjustments using the reticle if needed.

The Leupold VX 3 HD gives you an easy to read side parallax adjustment that moves freely enough to not be overly difficult to adjust, but not too freely to accidentally move on you. Side parallax is usually a feature reserved for your long range scopes, but it’s great that Leupuold made this VX 3 HD model with it, given that you have up to 15 MOAs of adjustment with the CDS-ZL dial when you want to make a longer shot. Having that side parallax adjustment makes a big difference once you start stretching the range out.

The Leupold VX 3 HD gives you an amazing 75 minutes of windage and 75 minutes of elevation adjustment. Impressive that you get that much adjustment in this scope!

Zero Lock & CDS-ZL Dial: Leupold VX 3 HD Review

The Leupold VX 3 HD rifle scope gives you a unique Zero Stop feature that locks into place with a spring loaded button. To move the turret from “zero,” you simply push the button and dial to whatever MOA you need. To bring it back to zero, turn the knob and the button will pop back into its locking position when you reach zero. Pretty slick setup that is pretty fool proof and easy to use. While it’s possible to accidentally push the button and move the turret from zero, it’s very unlikely. Make sure to double check your zero before your shot, though, as that’s always a good idea.

To set your zero on the Leupold VX 3 HD, you’ll need to remove the cap via the small allen screws. Once the cap is removed, you have access to zero your rifle at whatever distance you like, then reinstall the cap and you are set. Make sure to bring the tool to pull the turret cap off with you to the range when zeroing your rifle or you may not be able to make the needed adjustment.

Image quality: Leupold VX 3 HD Review

A good Leupold VX 3 HD review wouldn’t be complete without testing the optical performance throughout the zoom range of the scope. While testing, I found that the Leupold VX 3 HD provides outstanding optical performance, particularly for a rifle scope in its price range. One of the things that really stood out is the impressive field of view and substantial eye relief you get. There is almost no “dreaded donut,” or black ring around the image like so many scopes have. With the Leupold VX 3 HD, you don’t feel like you are looking through a tunnel at all, which is a welcomed feature for such a small and lightweight scope.

Optically, you get a brilliant image that will not disappoint. It’s not quite as top notch as the VX5 HD or VX6 HD as you would expect, but still extremely good. As with most scopes, you do lose a little image clarity at the top end of the zoom range, but not much. The image you get at 14x is still sharp and clear, particularly if you take the time to use the side focus/parallax adjustment and make sure your eyepiece is focused properly.

4.5-14x40mm Magnification & Functionality

With the Leupold VX 3 HD rifle scope you get a perfect zoom range of 4.5x up to 14x, which is really all that’s neccesary for most practical hunting situations. Again, if you are into long range shooting, there are better scopes out there than the VX3 HD to fit that need, but for a hunting scope, this thing is ideal.

The zoom mechanism is super smooth and you get a throw lever included which is really convenient. The throw lever is nice and compact as well, unlike most other throw levers on the market that are much more bulky. The amount of resistance on the zoom mechanism is just about perfect for a hunting scope, but I did find that I preferred leaving the throw lever on there rather than removing it.

The loss in eye relief is noticeable as you move to the 14x magnification and requires you to “suck in” to the scope a bit, but you still have plenty of eye relief when at max zoom.

2nd Focal Plane & Subtensions

The Leupold VX 3 HD is a second focal plane scope. Now, backing up a bit, a second focal plane scope is one where the reticle size remains the same throughout the zoom range (unlike a first focal plane scope which gets larger as you zoom the scope in). The challenge with a second focal plane scope like the Leupold VX3 HD can be that your subtensions change depending on the magnification you are using. As with most scopes, the hash marks noted above are set for when you are at max zoom -14x in this case. This design makes sense in that, if you are holding for wind, you are likely to be at max zoom anyway.

As you can see above, the subtensions are nicely set with windage hash marks to help you hold for wind if you choose to do so. Even the width of the reticle can be used as a reference point, which can be very useful if you don’t have time to dial in the distance. There are no elevation subtensions, however, so you’ll want to utilize the CDS-ZL dial for elevation adjustments if you are wanting to stretch out the distance.

How The Leupold VX3 HD Ranked

Leupold VX 3 HD Review: Conclusion

After taking the Leupold VX 3 HD rifle scope through the paces, I came away really liking this rifle scope. It’s an ideal setup for a hunting scope, particularly if you are someone who likes to play a little bit at longer ranges, and/or at least want the ability to do so and dial in your reticle for those longer shots.

The WindPlex reticle is very functional, but it’s certainly not for everyone either. Some will love it and others might prefer a standard duplex. Personally, I didn’t find the WindPlex reticle too busy or distracting at all. Some of your long range scope reticles can get very busy, and it can simply be too much for a hunting scope. You get a TON of bang for your buck with this scope in image quality, build quality, fantastic zero stop, and great eye relief.

One downside, as mentioned above, is how expensive the accessories are for this scope and that most of the time, you have to buy them separately which is a bummer. If you are someone who likes to have a sun shade, caps and/or a neoprene cover, you’ll have to drop some additional cash to add those pieces to your scope.

At the end of the day, though, you’d be hard pressed to find a better rifle scope around the $750 price point than the Leupold VX 3 HD. It gives you fantastic optical performance with everything you need as a hunter and nothing that you don’t. This lightweight rifle scope features a solid locking zero stop design, non-bulky turrets, a CDS-ZL elevation turret that is compatible with a customizable turret from Leupold, and even a side focus knob. It hits all the marks for a great hunting scope!

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You’ll get an argument from duck hunters everywhere, but when you start talking about the best duck calls, you’ll have to understand that we all have our favorite. The game calls we use for the realistic sounds of waterfowl are arguably the most critical call in the hunting game.

From single reed to double reed and even triple reed duck calls, duck callers can get a little overwhelmed by all the possibilities of different calls. From the high-ball and chuckle to the peeps and whistles of smaller puddle ducks, every call is unique in its ability to fool and even calm wary waterfowl. It’s all about getting them to believe that our spread isn’t the only thing giving them a good reason to land.

There are different reasons to choose between wood, acrylic, and even plastic calls. There are plenty of good reasons to choose or not to select other calls with multiple reeds.

Whether you’re hunting timber or big open water, you may want to be heard loud and clear or give off the swamp’s softer, more melodic tones. Do you want a raspy sound or a clean and clear one?

Whether you want to make a quack, a feed call, or a hail call, you’re not going to do it with your lips. You had better have something readymade on your lanyard. Even better, it should have the versatility to make a wide range of sounds for when it is right to fool some waterfowl.

Buck Gardner Double Nasty Wood Duck Call

Buck Gardner Double Nasty Wood Duck Call – Amazon, $29.99

The Buck Gardner Double Nasty series offers several choices, from the mallard hen to the hen wood duck. Yes, it’s a significant attractor of the venerable woodie. But this call is also a good confidence call for warier ducks who’ve seen and heard it all before. Buck Gardner makes it from durable polycarbonate, which is quite common.

2. Rich-n-Tone RNT Macrohen Double Reed

Rich-n-Tone RNT Macrohen Double Reed – Field Supply, $109.99

The RNT Macrohen is a double reed call that’s acrylic and rocks the high-end sounds needed for reaching those sky-high, determined-to-go-somewhere-else birds. At $119.99, it may not be for everyone’s taste, but that didn’t stop you from buying that much in new duck gear a year ago.

3. Faulk’s Professional Duck Call

Faulk’s Professional Duck Call – Amazon, $29.56

Walnut is the wood of choice for Faulk’s with this tasty-sounding call referred to as the Professional. Wood calls are superior at withstanding subzero temperatures that can freeze up poly calls. Since there’s nothing better than shooting mallards with a bit of snow on their backs, the smooth-sounding tones are what you need for a limit of ducks.

4. Haydel’s Double Reed Mallard

Haydel’s Double Reed Mallard – Amazon, $20.98

The old-school XL from Haydel’s Game Calls was the first duck call that I ever bought. Trying to entice mallards off Lake Ontario in January is hard enough. Still, with a steady northwest wind in your face, you need a call that gets the word out. I always loved its raspy high-ball and the see-through shell. Calling ducks became more manageable once I saw how anyone could apply a tool like this.

5. Duck Commander 6-in-1 Whistle

Duck Commander 6-in-1 Whistle – Amazon, $10.19

On Amazon Prime, this call is a steal. Tweets for pintail and widgeon aside, the simple “dweek” that makes drake mallards stop in their tracks is one of the best confidence calls in duck hunting. This call is great to hand over to the youngster in your life and be patient while they do laps around the house making their favorite call sounds.

6. Duck Commander Triple Threat

Duck Commander Triple Threat – Amazon, $31.56

Arguably the best all-around call out there, the Triple Threat has everything that you want in a call: it’s affordable, easy to learn on, and tough as nails. Veterans and beginners alike will take to this call with pleasure. Don’t let its nondescript look fool you; the best duck calls make duck calling easy, and the Robertsons make one of the best.

There are excellent and outstanding calls from Iowa to Arkansas, where they shoot steel shots at waterfowl. Call makers everywhere would like to think theirs is better than the rest, but you should decide for yourself what a high-quality duck call is.

Looking for a little more? Follow my webpage, or on Facebook and Twitter.

This article was originally published on September 18, 2021.

READ MORE: WHAT SHOTGUN LOAD SHOULD YOU USE FOR EACH HUNT?

If you’re looking for a live bait that will attract fish, mealworms are a great option. These small worms are high in protein and fat, making them irresistible to many fish species. In addition, they’re easy to find and relatively inexpensive. Here’s everything you need to know about using mealworms for fishing.

Benefits of Using Mealworms as Bait

There are several benefits to using mealworms as bait. First, they’re a natural food source for many fish species. This means that fish are more likely to bite on a mealworm than something they don’t typically eat.

Second, mealworms are high in nutrition, making them an ideal food source for fish, as it gives them the energy they need to grow and thrive.

Third, mealworms are relatively easy to find and purchase. You can find them at most bait shops or online. They’re also relatively inexpensive, making them a great option for budget-minded anglers.

How to Use Mealworms as Bait

Using mealworms is simple – thread them onto your hook and cast your line into the water. The mealworms will wiggle and squirm, attracting fish to your line. In addition, their soft bodies make them easy for fish to eat. The size of the hook depends on the size of the fish you are hoping to catch.

Ways to use mealworms for fishing also depend on the fish you’re targeting. For example, if you’re fishing for trout, you can thread the mealworm onto a hook and cast your line into a pool or stream.

The movement of the mealworm will attract the trout, and when they bite, you can reel them in. If you’re fishing for catfish, you can drop a handful of mealworms into the water and wait for the catfish to bite.

What Type of Fish Can You Catch with Mealworms as a Bait? Mealworms are effective for many different fish species, including trout, bass, panfish, and catfish. When fishing for trout, try using a small mealworm. For bass, use a larger worm. And for catfish, use a handful of worms.

How to Buy Mealworms

You can find mealworms at most bait shops or online. If you’re buying them online, make sure to purchase them from a reputable source. Look for a supplier that offers guaranteed live delivery and ships their worms in a breathable container. Also, be sure to choose the correct size worm for the fish you’re hoping to catch.

How to Keep the Mealworms Fresh for Fishing

Mealworms are live bait, so it’s essential to keep them alive and fresh. The best way to do this is to purchase a breathable container, such as a mesh bag, and store them in a cool, dark place. Change the bedding regularly and mist the worms with water to keep them hydrated. You can also purchase a live bait aerator to keep the mealworms alive and fresh for longer periods.

Buy Mealworms for Fishing from Sunshine State Worms

If you’re looking for high-quality mealworms as bait for fishing, look no further than Sunshine State Worms. We offer live delivery and guaranteed live arrival on all our worms.

We also ship our worms in a breathable container to ensure they arrive alive and fresh. Plus, we have a wide variety of sizes to choose from, so you can find the perfect worm for your fishing needs. Visit our website today to learn more and place your order.

Optics are a critical part of using any firearm. This tool impacts the way you see and will change how you fire. Two popular optics include the Holosun 507k and the EPS Carry. In this article, we’ll discuss each product to determine which is right for you.

Specifications

To determine which optic is the best choice, we will need to examine the specifications of each optic. Many details go into each product, from the reticle to the dimension of each product. Everything matters when considering the best choice.

We will go over the following:

• Footprints
• Reticle
• Battery
• Shake Awake Technology
• Housing
• Brightness Level
• Dimensions
• Pricing

Each makes a difference when comparing two optics.

Let’s dive deeper into each of the specifications. The more you know about the products, the easier it will be to choose the right one for your needs. First, we’ll talk about the footprints of each.

Footprints

The Holosun 507K and the EPS have the same footprint. The EPS has the same footprint as every optics device in the K series.

Thanks to this similarity, there is no difference between the mounting standard and the bottom surface of the red dot sight on either product.

Next, let’s talk about the reticle.

Reticle

Each product has options for multiple reticle systems. You can go with a 2 MOA dot or a 6 MOA option.

With the multi-reticle system, there is a standard 2 MOA dot and a 32 MOA ring, 2 MOA dot only, and 32 MOA ring in that order. If you pick the MRS selection, you also get Solar FailSafe. This addition allows constant charging with a quality solar-powered system.

Again, there is no winner in this category. Both products have multiple options to serve you well on the move. You may pick the reticle system that best suits your needs.

The battery is where the first differences emerge. Let’s discuss this source of power next.

Battery

The EPS Carry comes with a CR1620 battery. This device has 12,000 hours of life on circle plus dot, or 50,000 hours if you use the dot-only on setting 6. It will last even longer with a solar charging ability.

On the other hand, the Holosun 507K runs on a CR1632 battery. This option allows up to 50,000 hours of battery life on setting 6.

The CR1632 will last longer and provide more use than a CR1620 battery. The Holosun 507K is the winner in this category.

All Holosun devices come equipped with shake awake technology. Let’s talk about what this addition is next.

Shake Awake Technology

Shake Awake technology is an addition to Holosun’s optics that turns off the LED in the system when there is no motion detected. It’s designed to save energy and help the optic last for as long as possible.

Users may customize the amount of time it takes for the LED system to turn off in their settings. It’s also possible to turn off Shake Awake entirely, keeping all control to yourself.

The 507K and EPS Carry tie in this category. They both have the quality Shake Awake system.

Every optic comes in a shell to keep it safe. Let’s examine the housing for each product next.

Housing

The EPS Carry has a housing made of aircraft grade 7075 T6 aluminum. This product is one of the highest-strength aluminum alloys on the market, composed of zinc and copper as alloying ingredients. The housing is durable and meant to withstand significant damage.

The Holosun 507K has the same material protecting it from the outside world. You will receive the same benefits from this housing as you will with the other. However, it isn’t aircraft grade so it might not be as strong as the EPS Carry.

The winner in this category is the EPS Carry. Its aircraft-grade housing will help it last longer than the competing Holosun 507K.

Next, let’s consider the brightness level of the product. The better the illumination in a system, the easier it will be to see what you are aiming at in the dark and light.

Brightness Level

Both products have excellent brightness level features. Both choices have 12 levels of brightness options, eight for the daytime and four that are night vision compatible. They offer extensive visibility during every light shift while you are out.

There is no winner in this category, as both products have the same brightness level offerings. You’ll have plenty of visibility no matter which of the two you select.

We have two more categories to cover before landing on a winner. Next, let’s talk about the dimensions of each product.

Dimensions

The EPS Carry measures 1.62 x 1.19 x 0.95 inches. It weighs one ounce, and the window size measures .58 x .77 inches.

The Holosun 507K measures 1.6 x .98 x .95 inches. It weighs one ounce and has a window size of .58 x .77 inches.

These products are very similar in their dimensions, off by a fraction of an inch in the cases where there is a difference. We would say the EPS Carry is the winner, as it offers a slightly larger viewing window and device for the user.

Next, let’s talk about perhaps the most vital component – price.

Pricing

The Holosun 507K costs $320, while the EPS Carry costs $400. If you want a lower-priced EPS, nix the Carry for the EPS at $330.

When considering money, the Holosun 507K is the more economical option. It costs $80 less than the competing EPS Carry.

We’ve gone over the details of the Holosun 507K and the EPS Carry. Which one emerges as the best optics option for your firearm needs?

Conclusion

Although there are many similarities between these products, the winner is the Holosun 507K. It has a better battery life and doesn’t cost as much as the competing EPS Carry.

No matter which Holosun product you use, you are sure to have a quality experience. Each product comes equipped with items like the Shake Awake features and excellent optics, allowing for the best possible experience every time.

Two of the most common calibers on the market are the 5.56 rifle caliber cartridge and the 9mm pistol caliber cartridge. They’ve both been around for decades – the 9mm has been around for more than a century – and they’ve both cemented their place in the firearms world.

The popularity of these two calibers is driven by their diversity. They are used successfully in a wide variety of the same situations and settings despite being radically different in every way.

Let’s take a look at how 5.56 and 9mm stack up against one another while recognizing that it is indeed an apples to oranges comparison in many instances.

Specs of 5.56 & 9mm

The 5.56 cartridge and the 9mm cartridge are visual and technical polar opposites. The overall lengths between the two – both the bullets and the cartridges – are completely different. The weight of the bullets for each cartridge is also significantly different. Material makeup, however, is where their paths cross.

Here’s how the 5.56 and 9mm compare and contrast with one another in a series of crucial aspects.

Weight

Bullets in 9mm cartridges weigh more than bullets in 5.56 cartridges. The two most popular bullet weights for 9mm are 115 grains and 124 grains. For the 5.56, the two most popular bullet weights are 55 grains and 62 grains.

This means that the heavier 9mm bullets will leave the barrel with more energy than a 5.56 bullet, but the lighter 5.56 bullets will leave the barrel with more speed.

Materials

There’s a finite number of materials to use in the creation of cartridges, and so there’s a fair amount of overlap between the two calibers. Both can be made with steel or brass cartridge cases and both can be outfitted with bullets made from a variety of steel, copper, and lead alloys to fit certain purposes.

Length

The biggest visual difference between 5.56 and 9mm cartridges is their overall length. Since the 5.56 is designed for a rifle action and the 9mm is designed for a pistol action, they are vastly different in terms of size.

The average length of a 9mm cartridge is 1.16″ overall while the average length of a 5.56 cartridge is 2.26″ overall.

Noise Differences Between 9mm & 5.56

The 5.56 rifle cartridge is inherently more powerful than the 9mm pistol cartridge, so you might expect the 5.56 to be a lot louder than the 9mm, but that’s not the case. They’re actually pretty close to one another.

The 9mm cartridge averages about 166 decibels while the 5.56 cartridge averages about 169 decibels. Either way, that’s still very loud and well above the threshold of 140 decibels for hearing damage.

Both calibers benefit greatly from the use of a suppressor, and the sound levels can be brought down to a hearing-safe level when used in conjunction with the right load of ammo.

Ammunition for 9mm & 5.56

Because of the popularity of both 9mm and 5.56 calibers, there are a plethora of ammunition choices for each on the market. Do your own research based on the specific firearm and specific purpose before deciding on which kind of ammunition will work best for your application.

Subsonic ammo is available for both calibers, which eliminates the typical crack of a gunshot as it breaks the sound barrier. If you’re using subsonic ammo with a suppressor, you’ll definitely be bringing the decibel levels down to a hearing-safe level.

Just be aware that subsonic ammo operates differently in semi-automatic weapons, which depend on the gases to cycle the action of the gun. Make sure to test out your combinations before trusting your life to them.

Effectiveness of the Weapons

Weapons chambered in 5.56 or 9mm are incredibly effective. There’s a reason that the 9mm cartridge has been adopted the world over for police and military purposes when pistol-caliber weapons are applicable. In that same vein, the 5.56 cartridge is also popular all around the world where rifle-caliber weapons are applicable.

The simple fact of the matter is that these two calibers would not have survived and thrived for this long if they were not effective in their given weapons systems.

Accuracy

Both 9mm and 5.56 cartridges are very accurate. In the hands of a competent shooter who knows what they are doing, there’s no reason to expect anything other than accurate shots from a firearm chambered for 9mm or 5.56 ammo.

Uses for 9mm & 5.56

As you might have guessed, the popularity of the 9mm and 5.56 cartridges is due in no small part to the wide variety of uses to which they are suited. They often overlap one another for a variety of reasons and purposes and are used by countless individuals in similar situations who have determined for themselves that these calibers are the best choice for the given job.

Home Defense

A handgun or pistol caliber carbine chambered in 9mm is the gun-caliber combo of choice for countless people. A 9mm handgun can sit on the nightstand and be grabbed in a flash. Or, a 9mm pistol-caliber carbine can be retrieved quickly and provide the benefit of a longer barrel and accuracy with the same cartridge.

Similarly, AR-style pistols in 5.56 are common selections for plenty of people when it comes to home defense. You can have the power of the 5.56 in a smaller package that is more easily maneuvered through a home than would be possible with a 16″ carbine or even a 20″ rifle.

Hunting

Both calibers are very popular for hunting. Of course, it is key to know the specific type of ammo you will be using and how it performs when paired with the firearm of your choice. For example, you wouldn’t hunt squirrels with a 20″ rifle chambered in 5.56 and you wouldn’t hunt buffalo with a 4″ pistol chambered in 9mm.

As long as you make the proper pairing for the game you’re hunting, then there’s no reason not to use 9mm or 5.56 cartridges in those situations.

Marksmanship/Sport

Without a doubt, one of the most popular uses for 5.56 and 9mm cartridges is in the marksmanship and sports competition settings. There’s no shortage of training and competition opportunities for firearms in both calibers. In fact, there are some sports, such as 3-Gun, where you’ll use a handgun chambered in 9mm and a long gun chambered in 5.56 for different stages of the same match.

The Final Verdict: 5.56 vs 9mm

As we mentioned at the beginning, comparing 5.56 to 9mm is a sort of apples to oranges situation. Of course, there’s a great deal of overlap between the two, but the ultimate decision of which one to choose is up to you.

Regardless of which one you choose (or hey, choose both – this is America!), there’s no denying that the best way to step it up a notch is by shooting 9mm or 5.56 with a suppressor.

At Silencer Central, we have no shortage of great suppressor options for 9mm and 5.56 and we can make sure you’ve got the right one for your specific needs. Give us a call and we can talk you through your options and get you started on the path to suppressor ownership. We make the process as easy as it can be, letting you do the entire thing from the comfort of your own home.

From the initial paperwork to the final delivery to your door, we will handle it all for you. Get started today and enjoy the benefits of shooting 5.56 and 9mm suppressed!

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Want to know the easiest way to catch a big freshwater fish? Put a worm on a hook, attach a few weights, and then bomb that sucker out into the fishiest looking spot you can find. Then, all you need to do is get comfortable and wait.

Fishing With Live Worms: High Passion, Low Production

In the video above, I take my cousin fishing, and go over 3 of the most straightforward ways you can fish a worm on the bottom. What this video lacks in production quality, it makes up for it with it’s honesty and entry level approach.

So, the next time you’re thinking about wacky rigging a Senko in that same old bass pond for the millionth time – instead, find a shady spot, grab a pack of worms, and do some bottom fishing!

Been In The Game For Years Making Worm Rigs

Since I was a kid, I’ve been fishing this way with my dad and brothers along the banks of rivers and ponds surrounding our house. Over the years, interests have changed, skills developed and now I spend more time flipping jigs, burning crankbaits, or looking for that surface strike from a hungry bass choking topwater frogs deep in the summer weeds.As much as I love all of those things, and boy, do I love them dearly, there is something that always draws me back to what I call ”bottom fishing with crawlers”

For me, this technique is not only nostalgic, it’s an easy way to relax on a lazy afternoon while proving to be an extremely effective way to catch big fish. This is especially true for new anglers or people in areas with a lack of species diversity, fishing opportunities, or places generally considered to be ”good fishing”.

Live Worm Fishing: Minimal Assembly Required

Worms, hooks, and weights. Together, they create the simplest rig in freshwater fishing.

Assuming you have a fishing rod and reel spooled up and ready to go (if not, click here), all you’ll need is hooks, weights, and worms to put together these three simple rigs that will catch you a boatload of fish.

Get a sturdy ”Y” shaped stick or a store-bought rod holder strong enough that it can be jammed in the ground and hold up your rod while you sit and wait for a bite.

Keeping the line between your rod and bait taught helps increase your ability to detect bites, and in return, catch more fish.

Live Worm Bottom Fishing Checklist:

1. Fishing Rod + Reel
2. Line
3. Weights
4. Hooks
5. Worms
6. Chair
7. Net
8. Shade
9. Patience!

Nightcrawler Fishing Pro Tips:

• Ask for a paper bag when buying worms and keep them in the shade. A brown bag keeps your worms cool throughout the day and prevents them from drying out.
• Add a clip-on fishing bell to the tip of your rod to help alert you of any bites when bottom fishing
• Keep a taut line on your bottom rod. This will help you detect bites much easier
• Loosen your drag or secure your rod safely when bottom fishing. This will help prevent your rod from getting pulled in the water by a big fish (it’s happened to me twice)