What are the best 7mm PRC rifles for hunting in 2024?

Hornady introduced the much anticipated 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge to the world in late 2022 and the hunting community responded with an incredible amount of enthusiasm. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say the 7mm PRC is currently one of the hottest centerfire rifle cartridges in use today and I don’t think I can recall a new cartridge that was this popular from the very start. For that reason, numerous rifle manufacturers in the United States have started to produce a wide range of 7mm PRC rifles for hunting elk, deer, pronghorn, black bear, moose, and other big game animals.

The flat shooting and hard hitting 7 mm Precision Rifle Cartridge was a massive hit among hunters and shooters in North America who appreciated the outstanding accuracy potential and the incredible power the cartridge still packs even at extended range. It also compares favorably in performance to many other popular 7 mm cartridges, like the tried and true 7 mm Rem Mag.

To that end, all 7mm PRC rifles are built with a faster twist rate (usually 1:8″) that enables them to deliver top performance with the high BC bullets best suitable for long-range shooting. Specifically, the 7mm PRC is designed to shoot heavy-for-caliber bullets (specifically 175-grain and 180-grain lead core and 160-grain monolithic .284 caliber bullets) with great accuracy.

However, not all 7mm PRC rifles are created equal and different situations require different characteristics in a rifle.

Fortunately, there’s already a wide variety of 7mm PRC rifles well suited for most big game hunting situations. So, regardless of whether you’re planning on hunting elk in Wyoming, moose in Canada, mule deer in Colorado, whitetail out east, or some other big game hunting adventure elsewhere in the world, there is pretty much guaranteed to be something for everyone on the list below of the best 7mm PRC rifles for hunting.

In this article, I share my picks for the best 7mm PRC rifles for hunting elk, deer, pronghorn, black bears, moose, and all sorts of other big game. I’ll also go over the pros and cons of each individual rifle and help you select the right one for your specific hunting situation.

Before we get started, here’s a disclaimer: some of the links below are affiliate links. This means I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase. This commission comes at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to create free content that’s useful to hunters like yourself. Thanks for your support.

It’s also important to realize the rifle is just a single part of the equation. Even the best rifle won’t be of much use without a high quality scope and without appropriate ammunition. Plus, a rifle sling and bipod can be very useful accessories as well.

Learn more about what I consider the best scope, factory ammo, bipod, and sling options for the 7mm PRC to use on your next hunt at the links below.

Best 7mm PRC Ammo For Hunting Elk, Deer, & Other Big Game

17 Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting In 2024

Best Hunting Rifle Slings For 2024

Best Hunting Rifle Bipods For 2024

Now that we’ve got all that out of the way, let’s get started.

Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT

I’ll cut straight to the case: I think the Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT is the best 7mm PRC rifle available for all-around hunting use.

Christensen Arms expanded their Ridgeline FFT line to include the brand new 7mm PRC round in early 2024 and it features their signature stainless-steel carbon-wrapped barrel, a TriggerTech trigger, and a stock, floorplate, and bolt knob all made from their new FFT (Flash Forged Technology) carbon parts.

The end result is a rifle that’s very light. Specifically, the Ridgeline FFT comes from the factory weighting about 5.8 pounds. Mine weighs just a touch over 7 pounds with a Leupold VX-5HD scope, sling, and full magazine.

For reference, this rifle weighs less even when “fully loaded” than some of the other 7mm PRC rifles on this list do when they’re completely stripped down. A light rifle like that is really nice to have on a physically demanding hunt and the reduced effort necessary to carry it for long distances can help you hunt longer, hike farther, and still be ready to take the shot when the opportunity comes.

Plus, my Ridgeline FFT will consistently shoot quarter sized groups (or smaller) at the range all day long with Hornady Precision Hunter and Outfitter factory ammunition. My best groups with this rifle at 100 yards measured around .8″ with Hornady Precision Hunter ammunition shooting 175 gr ELD-X bullets.

I also think it looks really cool too.

The Ridgeline comes from the factory with a stainless steel radial muzzle brake. I found that brake to be quite effective at reducing recoil. However, it’s also removable and the Ridgeline has a standard 5/8 x 24 thread pattern for those who want to use a different muzzle brake or a suppressor, which is the route I went.

I took mine to South Africa in mid-2024 and it performed flawlessly on plains game. I carried that rifle for several dozen miles through the African bushveld over the course of a 9 day hunt without issues. It was an absolute dream to carry on a hunt and shot great.

Yes, that’s a left handed rifle in the photo above, which brings me to my next point: Christensen Arms is one of the very few manufacturers who produces left handed 7mm PRC rifles. I think the Ridgeline FFT is hands-down the best left-handed option in that chambering that’s currently available too.

All in all, I think the Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT is the best 7mm PRC rifle you can get right now and it delivers performance approaching what you’d get with a fully custom rifle at a much more reasonable price. It’s light enough to carry on basically any hunt without undue stress, but also isn’t so light that it’s extremely difficult to shoot accurately.

It will work great for a wide range of situations ranging from deer hunting in thick terrain to to pronghorn hunting on the open prairie, to elk or mule deer hunting in the high country. The Ridgeline FFT will also fit the bill for someone who wants a lightweight rifle for a sheep or goat hunt in extremely rough terrain.

However, the Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT Titanium is probably a better choice for someone who wants an ultra-lightweight 7mm PRC rifle. That model is basically identical to the Ridgeline FFT, but has a titanium action and is about a half pound lighter than the already feather light Ridgeline FFT.

Long story short, it’s tough to go wrong with a Christensen arms Ridgeline FFT in 7mm PRC.

• Overall Length: 42″
• Barrel Length: 22″
• Length of Pull: 13.625″
• Weight: 5lbs 13oz (Ridgeline FFT) or 5lbs 5oz (Ridgeline FFT Titanium)
• Rifling Twist Rate: 1:8″
• Threaded Barrel: Yes, Muzzle Brake included (5/8″-24 thread pattern)
• Magazine Size: 3+1
• Accuracy Guarantee: Yes (1 MOA or better)
• Left Handed Models Available: Yes
• MSRP: $2,399.99

BUY A CHRISTENSEN ARMS RIDGELINE FFT HERE

BUY A CHRISTENSEN ARMS RIDGELINE FFT TITANIUM HERE

BUY A LEFT HANDED CHRISTENSEN ARMS RIDGELINE HERE

Also Available At: Guns.com & Sportsman’s Warehouse

Mossberg Patriot Predator

Though they were originally best known for their shotguns, O.F. Mossberg and Co. has made a name for themselves in recent years for their Patriot rifles. Indeed, the Mossberg Patriot has gained a reputation as a good value hunting rifle for a variety of uses.

Well, Mossberg was one of the first companies to start producing 7mm PRC rifles when they announced the Mossberg Patriot rifle chambered in the new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge in early 2024.

Built on the tried and true Patriot chassis, the Patriot Predator sports an optics ready Picatinny Rail, an oversized bolt handle, a user-adjustable trigger (2-7 pounds), and a spiral fluted barrel. The barrel also has an 11-degree Match Crown and is also threaded to accept a suppressor or after market muzzle brake.

The base model Patriot Predator rifle in 7mm PRC has a blued barrel and a flat dark earth (FDE) colored synthetic stock. However, Mossberg also makes a Cerakote/Strata Camo version of the Patriot Predator rifle in 7mm PRC that otherwise identical, but has a cerakote finish on the barrel and a Strata Camo stock.

All in all, I’d say the Mossberg Patriot Predator is definitely in the running the best value 7mm PRC rifle available and is an excellent choice for someone who wants a quality 7mm PRC rifle without breaking the bank.

• Overall Length: 44.25″
• Barrel Length: 24″
• Length of Pull: 13.75″
• Weight: 6.5lbs
• Rifling Twist Rate: 1:8″
• Threaded Barrel: Yes
• Magazine Size: 3+1
• Accuracy Guarantee: No
• Left Handed Models Available: No
• MSRP: $536 or $636 (Cerakote/Strata Camo)

BUY A MOSSBERG PATRIOT PREDATOR HERE

Also Available At: Sportsman’s Warehouse

Savage 110 Apex Hunter XP

The 110 Apex Hunter XP by Savage Arms is another one of the most reasonably priced 7mm PRC rifles currently available on the market.

The Apex Hunter XP in 7mm PRC has a 2 round detachable box magazine, a black synthetic stock that may be adjusted for length of pull, a user adjustable AccuTrigger (approximately a 2.5 to 6 pound trigger pull), and comes from the factory with a Vortex Crossfire II scope mounted and boresighted on the included rail system.

Additionally, the 22-inch barrel is a good balance of long enough for good performance with the 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge, but not so long that the rifle is unwieldy.

Realize that you will take a small hit to your muzzle velocity by going with a 22″ instead of a 24″ barrel, but the 7mm PRC actually performs surprisingly well with a 22″ (or potentially even shorter) barrel. So, that tradeoff is worth it for many hunters.

Savage also makes an identical version of the 110 Apex Hunter XP for left handed shooters, which is another great choice for someone looking for the best left handed 7mm PRC rifle.

This is not a high end custom rifle and it lacks a lot of the bells and whistles other, more expensive rifles have. However, the Savage 110 Apex Hunter XP is a very functional rifle that will work well for someone with a smaller budget who wants a good all-around 7mm PRC hunting rifle.

• Overall Length: 43″
• Barrel Length: 22″
• Length of Pull: 12.75-13.75″
• Weight: 7lbs 13oz
• Rifling Twist Rate: 1:8″
• Threaded Barrel: No
• Magazine Size: 2+1 (detachable magazine)
• Accuracy Guarantee: No
• Left Handed Models Available: Yes
• MSRP: $709

BUY A SAVAGE APEX HUNTER HERE

BUY A LEFT HANDED SAVAGE APEX HUNTER HERE

Also Available At: Sportsman’s Warehouse

Browning X-Bolt Speed

The Browning X-Bolt Speed is another great 7mm PRC rifle for hunters, especially those wanting something that’s lighter and easier to carry that’s still capable of a high degree of accuracy and precision.

In addition to all the standard features of the X-Bolt model rifles, the X-Bolt Speed has some other nice characteristics like a cerakote finish for corrosion resistance, a composite stock with an Ovix camouflage pattern, a great recoil pad, and a free floated 24” threaded barrel with a muzzle brake.

This 7mm PRC rifle also has a sporter contour barrel that’s fluted at the end to keep weight down while still being threaded for a radial muzzle brake (included) or suppressor.

It’s not quite as light as the Ridgeline FFT, but the X-Bolt Speed is also little bit less expensive. All in all, this is another one of the best lightweight 7mm PRC rifles available.

• Overall Length: 44.75″
• Barrel Length: 24″
• Length of Pull: 13.625″
• Weight: 6lbs 5oz
• Rifling Twist Rate: 1:8″
• Threaded Barrel: Yes, Muzzle Brake included (M13x0.75 thread pattern)
• Magazine Size: 3 (detachable rotary magazine)
• Accuracy Guarantee: No
• Left Handed Models Available: No
• MSRP: $1,429.99

BUY A BROWNING X-BOLT SPEED HERE

Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range

The Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range is basically the other side of the coin from the Browning X-Bolt Speed. Just as the name states, it’s a 7mm PRC rifle optimized for target shooting or long range hunting performance.

The new 7mm PRC caliber is designed to use heavier bullets with higher ballistic coefficients and this particular rifle is a good way to pair those heavy bullets with a faster muzzle velocity and a very stable shooting platform optimized for accuracy.

To that end, this rifle has a longer 26″ stainless steel, fluted heavy sporter barrel for the long range accuracy and performance. The composite Max stock has an adjustable comb for proper eye-to-scope alignment and also comes with 1/4″ and 1/2″ length of pull spacers to help the shooter adjust the stock for proper fit.

The particular model rifle pictured above uses a black and gray textured finish composite stock, but Browning also offers an identical rifle with their Ovix camouflage pattern.

The stock also has 3 separate sling swivel studs for use with a sling and/or bipod. The barrel also has a 5/8″-24 thread pattern and comes with a very aggressive Recoil Hawg muzzle brake Browning claims can reduce recoil up to 76%. For those who don’t want to use the brake, a thread protector is included and the rifle can also be used with a suppressor, which should also result is less recoil.

This rifle weighs just over 8 pounds without a scope, so it’s not exactly lightweight, but isn’t extremely heavy either. Even so, this rifle is designed more for long-range performance than for ease of carry.

With that in mind, this rifle should be a very stable shooting platform that helps the shooter wring all the performance possible out of the flat shooting and hard hitting 7mm PRC rifle cartridge and the aerodynamic bullets it uses.

That extra weight, when combined with the recoil pad and very aggressive muzzle brake, will also really help tame recoil.

This is pretty far from a good mountain hunting rifle. However, this is definitely one of the best long range 7mm PRC rifles you can buy these days. The Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range also not so large or heavy that it’s impossible to carry either.

This is an absolutely perfect 7mm PRC hunting rifle for those hunting in more open and/or gently rolling terrain where a stable shooting platform and the best long range performance are more important than a lightweight and easy to carry rifle.

Get the Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range if you want a great rifle with a long effective range and don’t mind lugging around some extra weight. Go with something else if that’s not what you’re looking for.

• Overall Length: 46.825″
• Barrel Length: 26″
• Length of Pull: 13.75″
• Weight: 8lbs 3oz
• Rifling Twist Rate: 1:8″
• Threaded Barrel: Yes, Muzzle Brake included (5/8″-24 thread pattern)
• Magazine Size: 3 (detachable rotary magazine)
• Accuracy Guarantee: No
• Left Handed Models Available: No
• MSRP: $1,479.99

BUY A BROWNING X-BOLT MAX LONG RANGE HERE

Ruger American

Ruger’s American rifle has gained a reputation for being one of the most reasonably priced centerfire hunting rifles around today. These are great guns hunters all over the world have used the Ruger American to take almost any species of big game you can think of, to include the biggest game in North America.

Well, Ruger has fortunately added the 7mm PRC to their Ruger American lineup, which is another great value 7mm PRC hunting rifle that’s also functional and well built.

This rifle does not have a lot of bells and whistles or cool design features. However, it’s a very serviceable, practical, and reasonably priced 7mm PRC rifle for many hunters.

The Ruger American does not come with an accuracy guarantee and you likely won’t be winning any shooting competitions with it. However, every single one of these rifles I’ve used over the years has shot surprisingly well.

This particular version of the American rifle has a cerakote finish on the barrel and a synthetic stock with a “GO Wild® Camo I-M Brush” color. It also has a threaded barrel (5/8″-24) and comes with a removable muzzle brake that may be replaced with a thread protector (sold separately) or suppressor.

All things considered, the Ruger American is an outstanding 7mm PRC rifle for hunting a variety of big game, but is an especially good choice for someone who wanted to use primarily for hunting whitetail deer and feral hogs who wanted a rifle they could also use on an elk or moose hunt in the future.

• Overall Length: 44″
• Barrel Length: 24″
• Length of Pull: 13.75″
• Weight: 7.1lbs
• Rifling Twist Rate: 1:8″
• Threaded Barrel: Yes (5/8″-24 thread pattern)
• Magazine Size: 3
• Accuracy Guarantee: No
• Left Handed Models Available: No
• MSRP: $789

BUY A RUGER AMERICAN HERE

Also Available At: Cabela’s, Guns.com, and Sportsman’s Warehouse

Fierce Carbon Rouge

Fierce Firearms is a smaller and newer rifle maker based out of Redmond, Utah. Instead of focusing on budget rifles, Fierce Firearms produces a lot of higher end models that utilize carbon fiber and other modern and innovate features.

Well, Fierce immediately started producing 7 mm PRC rifles right after Hornady introduced the cartridge and the Carbon Rouge is one of their offerings in that chambering. The Carbon Rouge has a both a carbon stock and a carbon-wrapped barrel. You have the option of selecting either a 22-inch or a 24-inch barrel with the Carbon Rouge.

It also has an innovative integral bipod rail and QD flush cups.

As you can imagine, this rifle is light. This rifle also comes with an astounding .75-MOA accuracy guarantee. When combined with the overall lightweight, modern design of the Carbon Rouge, this definitely looks like a great rifle for those who want a lightweight rifle with plenty of reach.

All in all, the Fierce Carbon Rouge is an outstanding 7mm PRC hunting rifle for someone who wants high end performance without shelling out the cash necessary to purchase a completely custom rifle.

• Overall Length: 42-44″
• Barrel Length: 22″ or 24″
• Weight: 5.8lbs
• Rifling Twist Rate: 1:8″
• Threaded Barrel: Yes (5/8″-24), radial muzzle brake included
• Magazine Size: 3
• Accuracy Guarantee: Yes (.75 MOA at 100 yards)
• Left Handed Models Available: No
• MSRP: $2,199.99

BUY A FIERCE CARBON ROUGE HERE

Also Available At: Guns.com

It’s also important to realize the rifle is just a single part of the equation. Even the best rifle won’t be of much use without a high quality scope and without appropriate ammunition. Plus, a rifle sling and bipod can be very useful accessories as well.

Learn more about what I consider the best scope, factory ammo, bipod, and sling options for the 7mm PRC to use on your next hunt at the links below.

Best 7mm PRC Ammo For Hunting Elk, Deer, & Other Big Game

17 Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting In 2024

Best Hunting Rifle Slings For 2024

Best Hunting Rifle Bipods For 2024

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NEXT: HOW 11 BEST HUNTING EAR PROTECTION OPTIONS FOR HUNTERS

NEXT: 7mm REMINGTON MAGNUM VS 300 WIN MAG: WHAT YOU KNOW MAY BE WRONG

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In the early 1950s, Robert Ruark set off for British East Africa having never killed an animal with a rifle before. His safari battery—a .220 Swift, .30-06 Springfield, .375 H&H and a .470 Nitro Express—was based on the recommendations of friends; he was well advised. While the latter three rifles make up a well-rounded safari battery, it was Bob’s professional hunter—Mr. Harry Selby—who had what would become the most famous rifle of the lot. It was made by Rigby of London on a Mauser 98 action, chambered for a proprietary cartridge: the .416 Rigby.

From its release in 1911 until the beginning of WWII, there were less than two hundred .416 Rigbys made, yet it had developed a great reputation among the serious hunters in East Africa. The design of the huge case, with the 45 degree shoulder and its immense girth, points directly at cordite—the common smokeless propellant at the time of the .416’s inception. Being highly temperature sensitive, cordite would generate dangerous pressures in the tropical heat, resulting in cases being stuck in their receivers. When pursuing dangerous game this is never a good thing. So Rigby designed a very large case in order to keep those pressures down. Driving a 410-grain bullet at 2370 fps, it quickly developed a reputation for being a big-game stopper; few hunters who ever used one for any length of time ever had a complaint. While relatively rare, hunters like John ‘Pondoro’ Taylor loved it, and even W.D.M. ‘Karamoja’ Bell ordered more than one. However, at the end of WWII, Kynoch—the major British ammunition manufacturer—was in financial ruin and ammunition became increasingly rare.

The bore diameter refused to fade, with several important developments that aided its relevance. Bob Chatfield-Taylor necked down the belted .458 Winchester case to hold .416″ bullets, resulting in the .416 Taylor, and American professional hunter George Hoffman necked up the .375 H&H case to give us the .416 Hoffman. Both are sound designs, with the Taylor being housed in a .30-06-length action, and the Hoffman requiring a magnum-length action.

Fast forward to the late 1980s, and we see Remington releasing a very Hoffman-like cartridge: the .416 Remington Magnum. Loosely based on the ailing 8mm Remington Magnum (the 8mm and .416 share the 25 degree shoulder), the .416 Remington adopted the ballistic formula of the later .416 Rigby loads: a 400-grain bullet, at a muzzle velocity of 2400 fps, for 5,000 ft.-lbs. of energy. This came at a price though, in the form of higher chamber pressures. If that didn’t make the shooting world cock an eyebrow, the Model 700 rifle it was chambered in featured a push-feed design (as they all have) and a relatively small extractor. Several instances in truly hot weather—like Zambezi Valley hot—saw some broken extractors and stuck cases, resulting in a hunter holding a club instead of a rifle. I firmly believe those situations arose more from a rifle design problem than from the cartridge. I’ve used the .416 Rem. Mag.—in a controlled round feed Winchester Model 70—in temperatures approaching and exceeding 100˚F and have never had an issue.

Undoubtedly, the Rigby and Remington variants on this bore diameter are the top dogs in this fight, with the .416 Weatherby and .416 Ruger becoming more obscure each year. The .416s fill a definite gap between the very flexible .375s and the heavyweight .458s, giving a best-of-both-worlds solution to the need for a cartridge that will shoot relatively flat, yet have the horsepower to tackle huge beasts at close ranges. So, which .416 do you choose and why?

Firstly, let’s agree that both cartridges—handloading aside—have identical ballistics, pushing a 400-grain bullet at 2400 fps, so velocity is off the menu. Secondly—without steering this into another campfire argument—I believe that a bolt-action rifle for dangerous game should be in the controlled round feed configuration, with a beefy extractor. Too many times I have been in a place where you absolutely depend on a rifle of this caliber, and a broken extractor would be a terrible thing. Both cartridges require positive extraction, each and every time, and I’ll reiterate: the .416 Remington has posed no issue, irrespective of temperature, in a CRF rifle.

So, with the ballistics being equal and the pressure differences posing no problem, who has the advantage? This is one of the rare instances where you’ll see me give the nod to a new design over the old, especially among the African cartridges; I do, in fact, prefer the .416 Rem. Mag. over the .416 Rigby, and I’ll cite the reasons why.

Magazine capacity is my first reason. The Rigby case measures 0.5949″ at its widest, while the Remington (and all the H&H family) measures .0.532″ at the belt; that difference allows for greater magazine capacity for the slimmer cartridge. When it comes to dangerous game, more is better.

Length is also an issue. The Rigby cartridge requires a longer (read heavier) action than the Remington does, which adds weight and expense. There are fewer of these actions made, and therefore they are less-readily available. The .416 Remington rifles can be made more affordably. Thirdly, there is the cost of ammunition. Rigby ammunition is expensive, roughly 30 percent more than .416 Remington ammo. When you take into consideration the cost of a dangerous game safari, it’s a minimal investment, but the Remington represents a better value for identical ballistics.

I’ve also found the recoil of the Rigby cartridge to exceed that of the Remington cartridge. I can and do handle both, but there is a noticeable difference, more than likely caused by the larger powder charge in the bigger Rigby case required to attain the velocity.

If you prefer the Rigby based on cool-factor alone, I totally get it. It deserves the respect it gets; it’s been with us for over a century, and it immediately conjures images of the classic safari era. But looking at it from a practical point of view, I give the edge to the .416 Remington; I’ve shot mine for years, and wouldn’t hesitate to take it anywhere in the world with me.

Looking for previous installments of our “Head to Head” series? Click here.

The very mention of mule deer conjures up wild, western and romantic images of hunting some of the most untamed and unforgiving terrain this country has to offer. The hallowed grounds of Utah’s Henry Mountains, Colorado’s Gunnison Basin, Wyoming’s Grey and Salt River drainages, Idaho’s Bennett Hills, New Mexico’s Rio Chama, and of course, Arizona’s Kaibab Plateau and Strip regions have all produced some of the biggest bucks to ever walk the earth.

A wild and free atmosphere entails all; the summer months of a mule deer aren’t simply spent gorging on waist-tall grass in a high-mountain basin. Nor do the fall months find bucks rutting does in an endless sea of sage, cedars and bitterbrush. No, in this world of total freedom comes total responsibility; and as old as the sands of time, mule deer have always had to live with the fact that they are a species of prey. While there are many predators working against mule deer, their age-old enemies of the coyote, bobcat, mountain lion and wolf have mule deer on guard from the moment they’re born.

A Little History

In today’s age, one might think we have a handle on the predator-prey relationship of the mule deer and their many enemies. But nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, after decades of biological studies across the West, the steps taken in predator management, quite frankly, have done anything but accelerate.

In the 70s and 80s, government trappers and wildlife biologists took their jobs very seriously. That is not to say today’s trappers and biologists don’t take their jobs with the same attitude…but the amount of red tape wasn’t as thick then, and it’s safe to say, the amount of common sense was more prevalent.

One of the Arizona Strip’s most famous government trappers was a man by the name of Edwin Ted Riggs. Ted first went to work as a government trapper in 1945 where he held a career for almost 32 years. Ted reports when he first began trapping northern Arizona, the predators were so bad it took him 5 years before he ever saw a deer. Ted took his job with the utmost of pride and seriousness and was, without question, an expert in predator control. To Ted, it wasn’t rocket science in what needed to be done to help the mule deer populations grow. Whenever we would slack off in controlling coyotes and lions, deer would get down to nothing, he said. But as soon as control was started, we would have large numbers within 5 years.

Fortunately, he worked in a time where 1080 poison was legal and it was used as needed. This allowed Ted to be extremely effective in his predator management of northern Arizona’s most notorious big buck country. Although 1080 was at his disposal, Ted never put poison out in the same areas every year. In fact, he only used it when the coyotes got ahead of his trapping efforts.

In a documented statement Ted made in 1993, he said: Since the government began to discourage trapping and began systematically cutting back on predator control, we have lost nearly all of our deer, and we’re losing our mountain sheep too. Up here [Virgin Mountains] where I used to see 12 or 14 sheep in a bunch, now you can hardly find a track. The last year I trapped, (the winter of 1988 and 89), the lions were so thick and so hungry they were eating nearly everything I caught. They even ate two of their own kind right out of my traps.

Arizona isn’t the only state to prove once predator control is put into place, mule deer rebound. From 2004 to 2012, Nevada recently conducted a study proving the same. In 2004, the Nevada Department Of Wildlife (NDOW), with the approval from the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners, initiated Project 18 as part of NDOW’s Predation Management Plan. The goal of the project was simple, keep more deer on the mountain and increase hunting opportunities for Nevada sportsmen. Since NDOW does not do predator control, the USDA’s Wildlife Services Program in Nevada was asked to implement the project. One full-time wildlife specialist was hired to remove all coyotes and all mountain lions deemed a threat to mule deer within hunt unit 014 of Nevada. The results were astonishing.

Since the start of this management plan in 2004, an overwhelming 46 mountain lions and 1,158 coyotes have been removed from this one, extremely small hunting area. No western state has ever embarked on a mule deer protection project where one hunt unit was selected to remove all mountain lions and all coyotes over an 8-year period resulting in a 65 percent increase in mule deer and a 289 percent increase in hunters’ tags. Predator management works.

Time After Time

For decades, studies have been done all across the West and even into Canada to understand and scientifically prove that mule deer are the staple diet to many large predators. While coyotes are definitely one of mule deer’s major concerns, the mountain lion is, without question, a mule deer’s worse nightmare. But how much do muleys contribute to lion diets? The answer to that is geography. In 2010, a study was conducted in Southwestern Alberta, Canada to determine what the area’s lions were eating. Over the course of a winter, seven lions were darted, fixed with a GPS radio-collars, and set back into the wild. Throughout the summer and fall months of 2010, and on into September of 2011, a team of biologists faithfully, professionally, and accurately tracked the GPS clusters that were left by the lions involved in the study. What they came up with was hard evidence that the area’s mountain lions were indeed more focused on deer than any other prey species available to them. During this study, 159 kills were located. Of those, 72 percent were deer, 9 percent were moose, 4 percent were beaver, and 3 percent were elk. The remaining 12 percent was a mixture of bighorn sheep (2 percent), mountain goat (3 percent), porcupine (3 percent), geese (2 percent), and foxes and coyotes (2 percent).

Furthermore, the break-down for the deer kills was comprised of the following: 50 percent were adults, 19 percent were yearlings, and 31 percent were young-of-the-year. Broken down by sex, 52 percent were bucks and 48 percent were does. While this study does not single out mountain lions for the annual death toll on mule deer, it does shed light to the fact that deer are a staple diet for mountain lions.

Rest assured, Canada is not the only place on earth where mountain lions take their toll on mule deer. In a twist of unbelievable fate, in my own backyard of southern Utah, a mountain lion killed not one absolutely giant buck, but two. All within two years and within spitting distance of each other. The area where this occurred is a desolate stretch of country that very few visit on an annual basis. To make matters worse, this country rarely sees snow, making it very difficult to hunt the lions that call the place home. In addition, there is no leg-hold trapping allowed which all cumulates into a recipe for a predator-rich environment.

Contrary to popular belief, lions and coyotes do not single out the young, sick, or afflicted. Truthfully, they instead prey on older age-class, solitary bucks. The unfortunate truth is that it’s easier to sneak up on one set of eyes and ears than a whole herd. This results in the trophy bucks being more on the radar than anything else.

Not a Spectator’s Sport

Aerial gunning, trapping, and hunting are all tactics implemented toward predator control in the West. However, studies are proving that sometimes enough, just isn’t enough. For someone who spends nearly 200 days a year in the field, I can tell you that in my travels, there are excessive predator numbers in nearly all the places I visit. Anti-hunters are constantly pushing our legislators and county officials to lift predator management policies. The state of California is a perfect example. Did you know it’s illegal to even have a mounted lion (taxidermy) in your possession in California? And forget about hunting them. It’s no wonder California’s big game numbers are plummeting and their trophy hunting is nearly non-existent anymore.

Personally, I have long been a fan of predator hunting. There’s nothing as fun during the winter months than to go out and call in coyotes and bobcats. And while this can be effective and alleviate some pressure on wintering deer, this is not the only time of the year when we should be out putting the hurt on predators. In fact, the late spring and early summer months are more crucial to give the newborn fawns a fighting chance at life.

Thankfully, there are a few conservation organizations out here in the West that have predator management high on the radar. Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and a variety of trapping organizations, all support the act of predator management. In fact, some hold annual predator contest encouraging others to get out there and do their part. These contests can be a lot of fun and definitely help in smashing some predators annually. It’s these organizations and these events that need our support. After all, the legacy dies with the last generation that gets involved.

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Cones, which are used in many places in home decor and various ornamental materials, are collected from pine trees. Research on pine cones proves that the cone is very beneficial for health. In order to get the best of the minerals and vitamins in the structure of the cone, many people have been talking about pinecone syrup lately.

Although the benefits of pine cone syrup were not directly explained by Saraçoğlu, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Saraçoğlu explains the healing effects of the pine tree and frequently talks about the benefits of the leaves of the tree for asthma and its positive effects on respiratory health.

So, what is pine cone syrup? Now, let’s examine the curious things about pine cone syrup.

What is Cone Syrup?

• Cone syrup is a useful beverage obtained by boiling pine cones and obtaining the consistency of syrup.
• Cone syrup, which is beneficial for human health, is very popular among herbal treatment methods.
• In some regions, cone syrup is also called cone jam. To distinguish the fine line between syrup and jam, you can adjust the amount of liquid to your taste while the cones are boiling.
• Cone syrup is a more liquid food. Jam is somewhat thick.

Benefits of Cone Syrup – See What It’s Good For!

1) Relieves Respiratory Tract

• If you are wondering what pine cone syrup is good for, we can say that this useful syrup relieves your breath.
• Infections and various diseases in the respiratory tract can be cured thanks to pine cone syrup.
• If you have frequent coughing problems and have shortness of breath while talking, you can consume natural pine cone syrup as soon as possible.

2) Strengthens the Immune System

• One of the best answers to the question of what pine cone syrup is for is that it increases the body’s resistance.
• The beneficial minerals in the structure of the pine cone give effective results in strengthening the immune system.
• Cone syrup is a herbal supplement that protects and strengthens the immune system.
• If you consume pine cone syrup regularly, you will protect your body against seasonal changes. Thus, you can lead a disease-free life.

3) Good for Stress

• Studies have shown that people who drink pine cone syrup relax and calm down.
• Cone syrup, which has a relaxing feature, destroys stress and stress-related diseases.
• After tense days, you can consume pine cone syrup when you have sleep problems.
• The first sign of the body that is free from stress is a shiny skin, so pine cone syrup also has an effect that benefits the skin and refreshes the appearance.

4) Cleanses Germs

• Among the benefits of cone syrup, it also has a preventive effect against diseases.
• Bacteria and viruses that try to harm the body are cleaned with the help of pine cone syrup.
• You can consume pine cone syrup to eliminate conditions such as infection and inflammation with a herbal supplement.
• In order to have a purified body and to have healthier body functions, you should meet with pine cone syrup.

5) Nourishes Hair

• Among the benefits of pine cone syrup, there is also the task of nourishing the hair.
• If you have dry and damaged hair, you can add vitality and vitamins to your hair thanks to pine cone syrup.
• If you wish, you can get the benefits by adding some hair mask to your hair mask or consuming the cone syrup regularly.

6) Protects Oral and Dental Health

• Among the benefits of pine cone syrup is that it is good for oral health.
• Cone syrup is recommended for those who are sensitive about oral and dental health. Cone syrup, which has a unique flavor, prevents bacterial growth in the mouth.
• Cone syrup, which prevents tooth decay, helps teeth look healthier.
• It is recommended to consume pine cone syrup for the healing of wounds in the mouth.

7) Revitalizes the Body

• Due to its many benefits, the fact that the pine cone syrup you consume is an extra bonus is that it increases energy among its effects!
• Cone syrup provides the energy needed by the body.
• If you want to be more active and energetic during the day, you can consume pine cone syrup in moderation.
• When you want to feel more dynamic and prepare for an active day, you can benefit from pine cone syrup.

How Is Cone Syrup Made?

You can easily prepare pine cone syrup at home. For this, you must first review the material list.

Materials:

• 1.5 liters of water
• 25 green cones
• 4 cups sugar
• Lemon juice

Preparation of:

• Wash the green cones prepared for cone syrup thoroughly and leave them in a pot filled with water for 1 night.
• Refresh the water of the cones that have been waiting overnight and bring them to boil.
• Change the water of the cones that have been boiling for a while and let them boil for a few more hours.
• Pour the sugar over the cones that have been boiling for about 3 hours.
• Cook over low heat, stirring from time to time.
• When the sugar starts to boil, foam may form on the cones. You can get these foams with a spoon.
• Cover the bottom of the cone syrup, which has a consistency, and let it rest for the temperature to pass.
• Then transfer the water into the jars or bottles where you will store the cone syrup.
• You can keep the cone syrup in a cool place.

What Does Cone Syrup Do, How Is It Used?

• It is recommended to consume 1 teaspoon of cone syrup during the day.
• If you have a chronic disease and regular medications, you should consult your doctor before consuming pinecone syrup.
• You should be careful about how to consume pine cone syrup because you should consume it regularly and in a moderate amount to see its benefits.
• If you exceed the daily consumption amount, you may experience stomach problems.

Cone Syrup Harms and Side Effects

• If you want to prepare pine cone syrup yourself at home, you should use green cones.
• Preferred cones should be well cleaned. Syrup made from cones with dust and soil on it can damage your kidneys.
• When the benefits and harms of pine cone syrup are compared, of course, the benefits outweigh, but it can also create negative effects in some bodies.
• Consumption of more than 1 teaspoon of pine cone syrup a day can also cause various diseases. Therefore, you must be moderate.

In searching for life elsewhere in the universe, the primary criterion scientists use to identify candidate planets is the existence of water. Mammals generally are composed of 70-75 percent water, and all known plants and animals contain some amount of it. In fact, most species must ingest free water every day. White-tailed deer are no exception. But if you were to ask a group of hunters or landowners to name the most important factors in deer herd health, water probably wouldn’t end up in the top three.

In eastern North America, water seldom is considered to be limiting, as there usually appear to be creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes within easy reach. Yet it has been our experience that every deer-management program should consider water availability in terms of both timing and location. Here at the Institute for Whitetailed Deer Management & Research in East Texas, over the past 30 years we’ve studied all aspects of water needs for whitetails, particularly the when, where and how of supplying it.

THE NEED FOR WATER

A whitetail needs from one-half to one gallon of water per day throughout the year. This is principally to support rumen activity, body temperature regulation and electrolyte balance.

There’s long been a misconception that the greatest water requirement occurs during the hotter months. You might be surprised to learn there’s an equal — and in some cases greater — water demand during winter. The increased metabolism required to maintain body temperature places a huge demand on internal water resources. Having often hunted the far North Woods in subzero temperatures, I can attest to my own need for additional water under such conditions. When all surface water is frozen, deer stay hydrated through water content in browse.

The bottom line is that any sound management program should include a significant effort to ensure deer have water readily available every day of the year. The primary questions, then, focus on how and where to provide that water.

While bucks are well known to be quite vagrant during the rut, whitetails have relatively small home ranges during most of the year. In many cases, the majority of their year is spent inside a square mile. Going even farther, the actual area a whitetail would “prefer” to roam is only about 100 acres during much of the year. We learned this during our early radio-telemetry studies here in East Texas, in which we monitored what happened to average home range size as we gradually improved habitat to the perfect distribution of key elements.

Unfortunately, much whitetail range falls far short of this potential. In developing management plans for landowners, the first thing we do is overlay a 100-acre grid on a property map (even if it’s smaller than 100 acres), then determine what key habitat elements are present or absent in each grid. For smaller properties, we examine what the neighboring lands within the 100-acre grid provide. One of those key elements is year-round water sources.

However, water sources often can’t be counted on throughout the entire year. Even perennial streams dry up during times of drought. That is when supplemental water can be critical. Ponds and lakes often freeze over during much of the winter, effectively creating a “desert” environment for your deer. So, being able to anticipate when and where water will be lacking is a very important part of management.

We often search historical climatic records to get a better idea of the reliability of water sources in a specific area. Local residents and resource management professionals also can be good sources of information in making such assessments. In general, however, we always add in a worst-case scenario to every management plan, just to be safe. Remember, while whitetails don’t want to migrate during hard times, they can and will do so if things turn bad enough. Adding a reliable water source, even when it appears there’s no need for one, is a wise management strategy.

Whitetails can be very “picky” about the water they drink, but not necessarily in the way you’d think. They tend to avoid running water, presumably due to the noise flowing water makes. Also, the places from which deer prefer to drink often contain water you wouldn’t even consider drinking! Mud puddles filled with green algae scum often are highly preferred by deer.

Our research has shown deer tend to use other criteria for choosing watering locations. In 2011, we conducted a study near Alice, Texas, to determine which factors influenced the choice of watering areas by whitetails. We took measurements of the physical characteristics, water quality, surrounding vegetation and proximity to human activity (roads, hunting blinds and residences) for each of 27 artificial watering stations on an 810-acre ranch.

Most of the watering stations were constructed by excavating depressions and supplying each with a “dripping” faucet connected to a network of PVC pipes from a well. We used infrared trail cameras to monitor each location’s use by deer and other wildlife. Then we compared use to a host of variables, looking to determine which had the greatest impact. Fourteen habitat variables, 28 water quality variables, five water characteristic variables, and seven spatial variables (distances to roads, habitations, feeders, hunting blinds and other water sources) were measured for each location.

During this year-long study, we recorded an impressive array of animals using our watering sites. Among them were whitetails, turkeys, bobcats, coyotes, small mammals, birds and reptiles. It was obvious that supplying supplemental water benefitted far more than deer. In late spring, we recorded 671 visits to water stations by 177 bucks and 494 does. In late summer, we recorded an additional 353 buck, 734 doe and 143 fawn visitations. The most important variable influencing deer visits was the distance to the nearest high-use road. This accounted for an estimated 62.9 percent of variation, with water stations nearest to the main ranch road receiving the lower number of visits. Not surprisingly, water stations near human activity were used less than those left undisturbed.

Water stations near hunting blinds also received less use, even outside of the hunting season. Stations surrounded by a diversity of screening vegetation with a large amount of bare shoreline were preferred. Our study also showed preference for water near food sources. Meanwhile, water quality appeared to have little impact on use. If you want to develop some artificial watering stations, we suggest you consider places that are away from roads and human habitations, are near food sources and have adequate screening cover to provide security to your deer. The next question is, what’s the best way to supply water to deer?

Water can be supplied in many ways, including ponds, lakes, water troughs and dugouts with a water supply. We’ve experimented enough to see that each has its positives and negatives. In the case of ponds and lakes, there’s the obvious negative of cost. Here in East Texas the cost of constructing a half-acre pond is about $5,000, including layout, excavation and dirt work. The cost of a true lake can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The benefit of a pond or lake is that it can provide other recreational benefits, forest protection and potential income. A pond with a surface acre of water should be valued at $30,000 in added benefits, particularly from fisheries. Yet not every parcel of land has potential sites for impoundments. And even when there are suitable sites, soils might be limiting (low water-holding capacity). Another negative to consider is such deer diseases as epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bluetongue. In times of low rainfall, the water level drops significantly, exposing muddy shoreline. These viral diseases are vectored by biting midges (gnats), whose maggots live and mature in rich organic mud. The midges emerge as adults in the late evening, when deer come to water. They have a blood meal by biting the exposed stomach skin of a deer, infecting it with the virus in the process. Sick deer also tend to come to the water to cool off from high fever; setting up a perfect storm for spreading diseases.

For many years, Dr. Kroll managed the Four Canyon Ranch near Camp Wood, Texas. This scenic area lying on the southwestern edge of the Edwards Plateau is comprised of rough limestone outcrops and canyons. In spite of its scenic grandeur, the ranch is conspicuously lacking in surface water. Wells are expensive to drill and often fail to produce, making supplying water to deer an expensive proposition. Over dinner, owner Ken Bailey and Dr. Kroll hatched a scheme to economically supply water evenly over the ranch. Instead of drilling wells, why not place water tanks connected to water troughs in strategic locations?

Of course, there had to be a water supply. The answer to that question came in the form of a surplus water truck costing $2,000. It was easily filled from a nearby river, with water then being carried to the tanks. This began over 25 years ago, and as far as we know, that truck is still in service. Since that time, we’ve had phenomenal success deploying water stations — each composed of a tank, water line, shallow trough and float valve — across North America.

In Texas, it was this system that saved many deer herds during the so-called “millennial” drought of 2011, even as other landowners lost large numbers of deer. Subsequent research revealed a surprising added benefit. You might think that deer use the artificial sites only when water is limiting; however, we discovered they continue to use them even when water is plentiful. We recently discovered the reason for this. Deer, especially does, tend to avoid social conflicts between rival “clans.” Well-spaced water and food sources tend to reduce these conflicts, which have the added benefit of increased fawn survival and antler quality.

Lastly, artificial water sources can actually reduce disease in the deer herd. Many professional biologists say we should avoid anything that attracts deer to a specific site, because bunching theoretically could spread certain diseases. However, our research has shown that providing artificial water is biologically sound.

For starters, supplemental water sources can help to spread deer out over the landscape. Also, easy access to water reduces stress. And perhaps most importantly, such water sources reduce production of disease-transmitting organisms, such as the midges that cause the spread of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in deer. There’s little or no mud around artificial troughs, eliminating habitat for disease vectors such as gnats and flies.

Today, we install artificial watering stations at the rate of one per 100 acres anywhere there’s no reliable natural water source. The cost of each unit is under $600. That’s less than you’ll spend on food plots, feed and attractants in the average hunting season. Average water consumption per deer is about one half-gallon per day over the year. We install a 300- or 400-gallon tank at each site, so one filling will supply approximately 600-800 deer-days of use. The average number of deer using a watering station has been no more than 12. At that rate, each station needs refilling about every six weeks.

We suggest you either acquire a black storage tank or paint yours dark green to prevent algae growth. Also, locate the tank in a shady area to avoid overheating the stored water. Although a tank must be accessible to the vehicle used to deliver the water, we try to locate watering stations away from areas of frequent human disturbance. We also like to put them adjacent to food sources such as food plots, feeders and natural food locations (browse and mast). We don’t hunt these areas, as we want to provide safe havens for doe clans and buck groups.

As we’ve yet to discover a negative in providing artificial water, we decided it was time to convey this information to the public. This might all seem like a great deal of trouble, but managing whitetails has become a sport in and of itself. The whitetail lifestyle now is a 365-day affair, and it brings far more joy than just killing a buck.

Perhaps no one has been a more respected ambassador for hunting and fishing than Ernest Hemingway. Readers who may never hold a rod or rifle are transported to the African plains or the Gulf Stream waters whenever they read Hemingway’s lyrical stories, and though they may not respect what he is promoting, they can’t help but be enthralled by the tales woven by one of the world’s greatest writers. Here are 11 Ernest Hemingway quotes that prove that claim.

1. “You did not kill the fish only to keep alive and to sell for food, he thought. You killed for pride and because you are a fisherman. You loved him when he was alive and you loved him after. If you love him, it is not a sin to kill him. Or is it more?”

— The Old Man and the Sea

2. “I did not mind killing anything, any animal, if I killed it cleanly, they all had to die and my interference with the nightly and the seasonal killing that went on all the time was very minute and I had no guilty feeling at all. We ate the meat and kept the hides and horns.”

— Green Hills of Africa

3. “Best of all he loved the fall. The leaves yellow on the cottonwoods floating on the trout streams and above the hills. The high blue windless sky…Now he will be part of them forever.”

— Memorial for a friend killed in a hunting accident

4. “Now it is pleasant to hunt something that you want very much over a long period of time, being outwitted, out-maneuvered and failing at the end of each day, but having the hunt and knowing every time you are out that, sooner or later, your luck will change and that you will get the chance that you are seeking. But it is not pleasant to have a time limit by which you must get your kudu or perhaps never get it, nor even see one. It is not the way hunting should be.”

— Green Hills of Africa

5. “When you have shot one bird flying you have shot all birds flying. They are all different and they fly in different ways but the sensation is the same and the last one is as good as the first.”

— Winner Take Nothing

6. “Perhaps I should not have been a fisherman, he thought. But that was the thing that I was born for.”

— The Old Man and the Sea

7. “Somebody just back of you while you are fishing is as bad as someone looking over your shoulder while you write a letter to your girl.”

8. “I came by there five years ago and where I shot that pheasant there was a hotdog place and filling station and the north prairie, where we hunted snipe in the spring and skated on the sloughs when they froze in the winter, was all a subdivision of mean houses, and in the town, the house where I was born was gone and they had cut down the oak trees and built an apartment house close out against the street. So I was glad I went away from there as soon as I did. Because when you like to shoot and fish you have to move often and always farther out and it doesn’t make any difference what they do when you are gone.”

— “Remembering Shooting-Flying”

9. “The way to hunt is for as long as you live against, as long as there is such and such an animal; just as the way to paint is as long as there is you and colors and canvas, and to write as long as you can live and there is pencil and paper or ink or any machine to do it with, or anything you care to write about, and you feel a fool, and you are a fool, to do it any other way.”

— Green Hills of Africa

10. “Then he began to pity the great fish that he had hooked. He is wonderful and strange and who knows how old he is, he thought. Never have I had such a strong fish nor one who acted so strangely. Perhaps he is too wise to jump. He could ruin me by jumping or by a wild rush. But perhaps he has been hooked many times before and he knows that this is how he should make his fight. He cannot know it is only one man against him, nor that it is an old man. But what a great fish he is and what will he bring in the market if the flesh is good. He took the bait like a male and he pulls like a male and his fight has no panic in it. I wonder if he has plans or if he is just as desperate as I am?”

— The Old Man and the Sea

11. “You are killing me, fish, the old man thought. But you have a right to. Never have I seen a greater, or more beautiful, or a calmer or more noble thing than you, brother.”

— The Old Man and the Sea

Note: Have other Ernest Hemingway quotes about hunting or fishing? Share them in the comments!

Updated: 9.21.23: Added Tyrant Designs and HIVIZ to list.

The Glock 19 is one of the most popular concealed carry weapons for a reason. It’s affordable, comfortable to lug around, and it packs a powerful 15+1 capacity punch.

But when you’re trusting your life with a handgun, you don’t want it to simply be close to perfection – you want it to be flawless. For a number of Glock 19 owners, this flawless design was interrupted by Glock’s OEM sights.

It’s not that the factory sights were inherently bad…they just didn’t go above and beyond to improve accuracy, precision, and target acquisition.

The good news about owning a Glock 19 (or any Glock, really) is that you’ve got unlimited access to aftermarket parts that can improve your performance. And if you’re going suppressed, you’ll want some suppressor-height sights.

And for a gun like the G19, which was designed for concealed carry, you want sights that do a better job of attracting your attention than the OEM sights.

Today, we’re looking at some sights that will turn your compact pistol into a concealed carry masterpiece.

THE QUICK LIST

Why You Should Trust Us

We here at Pew Pew Tactical believe in bringing you the best information based on testing we’ve done. Every model we recommend is based on hours of research, range testing, and concealed carry with the sights equipped on our various Glocks.

We spend hands-on time with every model to make sure that it can withstand the rigors of range days, home defense, and concealed carry.

Best Glock 19 Sights

1. Trijicon HD XR Night Sight Set

Trijicon’s HD XR Night Sight set aims to maximize durability and target acquisition through its illuminated design, which is set up to immediately draw your eye to the front post.

Unlike some of the other night-sight sets out there, the HD XR is heavy-duty and able to withstand repetitive drawing without wearing down. Also, sturdy aluminum cylinders built into the sight help protect the tritium-phosphor lamps from any damage that could happen while operating your gun.

Another great feature about the HD XR, which sets it apart from some of Trijicon’s other iron sights, is the narrow front post, which is .022 inches thinner than other sights. While this doesn’t seem like a major change, it does help with making target acquisition faster by improving the shooter’s field of view.

In terms of functionality, the HD XR does everything that iron sights are supposed to do and then some.

Zeroing in on your target is as simple as lighting up the front dot between the two rear dots, which is made easier thanks to the brightly colored lamps built into the sight.

This attention-grabbing design makes it less likely for you to overlook the sights in a high-stress situation where your adrenaline’s pumping and you don’t have time to think before you react.

What do you think of the Trijicon? Rate them below!

2. DXT2 Big Dot

If you want to break away from the standard 3-dot sight picture, the DXT2 Big Dot is a great option.

As the name makes it sound — you use a big dot and set it on top of a vertical line, basically aiming using a lowercase “i.”

For some, this can be much faster and more intuitive than trying to align 3-dots and check for spacing on either side.

Combined with the fact that these are Tritium night sights and are always visible, the DXT2 has some major pluses going for it.

And you get to pick from Orange or Yellow!

3. TRUGLO Tritium Sights

One of the most cost-effective options is the TRUGLO Tritium Sights.

Simple and to the point with inner tritium and nice visible white outlines.

If you’re looking for a no-muss, no-fuss wallet-friendly option, this is what you want.

4. XS RAM Night Sight

Big, Tritium Night Sights, 3-dot system — the XS RAM Night Sights are simple but very effective. There isn’t much to say about these since they are fairly straightforward, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t awesome.

These are some of our favorites.

One of the best-hidden features is what they call their Ember Glow Dot Technology. This is a cool set of words to mean that the front sight glows brighter than the rear.

A brighter front sight really helps draw your eye to it and keeps you focused on where you should be, and assists in accurate, fast shots while in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.

Add in a 10-year warranty and rock-solid construction, and the XS RAM speaks for itself.

5. Night Fision

Got a suppressor, RMR, or want a super easy-to-see orange front sight? Check out the to the Night Fision.

They claim to have the brightest tritium available and have been making compasses for the military for years using the same material.

I got my hands on one in suppressor height that is super easy to acquire in the daytime and lights up bright in the dark.

Also co-witnesses with my Trijicon RMR, so I’m a happy camper.

6. Tyrant Designs Glock Compatible Sights

While not tritium-based, these 7075 Aluminum are tough and offer high contrast for sight acquisition.

You’ll notice the serrations and matte finish are intentional, designed to eliminate glare.

The angles have been laid out in a manner intended to draw the eye forward.

Overall, these work as intended and also offer a nice little aesthetic touch.

Honorable Mentions

• AmeriGlo Fiber Optic Sight: The most cost-efficient way to venture into fiber optics…note only the front is fiber optic but still great on a budget.

• TruGlo TFX: Tritium AND fiber optic for the best of both worlds.

• HIVIZ Litewave H3: This one uses a combo of Tritium and the company’s “Litepipe technology” for bright, illuminated sights.

Does Color Really Matter?

Bright, illuminated sights are better than your standard iron sights for the following reasons:

• They do a better job of attracting your eyes to the front sight, which is easy for the untrained shooter to forget to do in a high-adrenaline situation.
• These make it easier to see the target in a low-light setting.
• Colors help prevent your sights from becoming hardily visible in low light.

But does it matter which color you choose?

Some people claim that bright green is proven to attract your eye quicker than any other color.

But in my experience, it’s the brightness that draws my eye to the front sight – not the color. For me, it doesn’t matter what color my sights are as long as they’re bright enough to capture my attention when I’m aiming.

With that said, some people who use Trijicon sights like to have contrasting colors for their rear and front sights. Their rear sights might illuminate orange, whereas their front sight has a bright green dot.

The idea behind this is that the contrasting colors make it more likely for the shooter to focus on the front dot in the middle since it’s a different color than the rest. Whether that works or not depends on the person.

Installation

Glock sights come on and off pretty easily…check out How to Install Glock Sights Without a Sight Tool.

But for those that still want a tool (if you have other handguns besides Glock), take a look at our round-up of the Best Sight Pusher Tools.

Final Thoughts

Night sights can make a world of difference for Glock users who want to ditch OEM sights for something better.

Whether you want sights to see over your suppressor or just want to add some color to make aiming easier, these recommendations will help you get on target.

What night sights do you run? Let us know in the comments below! Need more parts for your Glock? Check out the Best Glock Upgrades for more inspiration.

World’s Largest Yellowfin Tuna John Petruescu’s 445-pound giant well eclipses previous mark

SAN DIEGO, CA – EXCEL Captain/Co-owner, Justin Fleck (Pelagic Pro Team) backed his 124’ long range vessel into its slip at Fisherman’s Landing at 4:00am, Sunday, December 9th, 2012. On board, the crew prepared to unload an incredible catch of big Yellowfin Tuna taken at Hurricane Bank, Mexico. The trip’s twenty-two anglers gathered their gear and belongings and began sorting their fish. Amongst the catch was what many anticipated to be the largest Yellowfin Tuna ever caught (to date).

Below: Angler John Petruescu stands alone with the giant, and now holds the record of largest Yellowfin Tuna ever caught.

At the landing, located in San Diego Harbor, a large group of news reporters, film crews, photographers, and excited on-lookers anxiously awaited first glimpse of the historic fish. Anticipation mounted as 7:00am approached – the advertised time at which the behemoth was to be weighed.

At proper light the signal was given, and a rented skyhook fired up to hoist the giant to get an official weight. The large crowd fell silent as they pressed in to view the certified scale. As the digits settled, the crowd erupted in hoots and hollering as the scale rested at a staggering 445.0-pounds.

Angler John Petruescu – a rookie long-ranger – now holds the honor of landing the largest Yellowfin Tuna ever caught.

Below: Proof in numbers – the landing’s certified scale rested at 445.0-pounds // Star of the show – John Petruescu had many-a-picture to take for the media on hand.

John used a 5-pound skipjack tuna as bait to fool the beast. His rig – a 12/0 Mustad 7691 hook, 130-pound Momoi monofilament, and 130-pound Line One spectra backing, on a Shimano Tiagra LRS 50W reel and a Seeker Black Steel 6460XH rod.

Said John when asked about the fight, “He almost spooled me three times and I had to increase or decrease the (reel’s) drag often.”

John continued, “As the fight got close to its end, all I could see was the fish’ head, so I just kept reeling. Capt. Justin said, ‘OK John, you can free spool now, we got him.’ It took four gaffs to bring it in through the gate.”

Below: John and his brother, David (left), were both on the same trip together // _EXCEL _Captain, Justin Fleck (right), and John Petruescu are all smiles after official weigh-in of the biggest yellowfin tuna ever landed.

John’s fish has also eclipsed the recent 427.5-pound Yellowfin, caught by Guy Yocom off Cabo San Lucas (pending IGFA world-record), and the current all-tackle record of 405.2-pounds caught by Mike Livingston aboard Vagabond in 2010.

“I couldn’t even watch the scales,” said an elated Justin Fleck, master of EXCEL . “In my head I knew it was big, but I still couldn’t look.”

Below: The Crew of EXCEL _took a minute to pose with the incredible catch, Pelagic banner in tote. Pelagic is proud to be the Official Apparel Provider of _EXCEL . Photo courtesy of Jason Fleck, Head Chef, _EXCEL _Sportfishing.

Although John’s fish won’t qualify as a new world-record (a crewmember had to briefly grab the rod to help John get the fish around the anchor line), this catch will certainly go down on record as the world’s biggest Yellowfin Tuna caught to date – 445-pounds.

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Photos and story by Colin Sarfeh, PelagicGear.com

Video footage from the official weigh-in of John Petruescu’s 445-pound Yellowfin Tuna at Fisherman’s Landing, December 9th, 2012.

If you want to catch a giant, book a trip with _EXCEL _by visiting www.ExcelSportfishing.com

Bald eagles are incredibly strong birds and highly-skilled flyers. They are often reported as picking up cats and dogs before swooping off with them, but is it true?

An eagle would struggle to pick up and fly away with a cat, but they may attack small cats and kittens.

Eagles primarily feed on fish, and experts estimate that they can carry fish weighing approximately 4-5 pounds. An average domesticated cat weighs between 8 and 10 pounds, which puts it way beyond the carrying capacity of an eagle. In fact, by the time a kitten reaches approximately 4 months old, it will weigh about 4 or 5 pounds, so by the time your kitten leaves the house, it is likely to be too big for an eagle to carry off.

If you are concerned, you can keep your cat indoors, where it is safe from any natural predator, and you can take steps to try and scare away eagles and other birds of prey.

About the Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is a formidable bird. An adult has a wing of approximately 7 feet and one can weigh up to 14 pounds. The bird can fly at speeds of nearly 100 mph when diving, and its size and its white head and tail mean that it is difficult to miss when one of these birds swoops.

You are most likely to see a bald eagle swoop around water because its preferred food is fish. They also eat geese, gulls, and other smaller birds. Very rarely, they will dine on rabbits and small mammals, and more rarely, if at all, they may pick up and fly away with a kitten.

Because of the weight of an adult cat, an eagle will not be able to pick up an adult cat and fly away with it. Most experts agree that the maximum amount of weight that even the strongest bald eagle could lift would be 4 to 5 pounds, and an average adult cat weighs twice this, while some giant breeds can weigh three times as much.

How to Protect Your Cat From Eagles

There are some anecdotal reports of eagles attempting to attack small cats. If you are concerned about this happening, there are some ways that you can help protect your cat.

The simplest method is to keep your cat indoors. Eagles are diurnal, which means that they hunt during the day, so keeping your cat in at night will not keep them free from this winged threat.

Consider installing a pen or exercise run. These prevent your cat from getting out and predators from getting in, while still offering your cat some outdoor space. They can be built onto the back of your property and connected to your home using a standard cat door so that your feline can get in and out whenever they want.

Other Pets at Risk

Rabbits can be at risk of eagle attacks. Wild rabbits are considered tricky prey for an eagle, but they do occasionally get taken. So, if you do have domestic rabbits, ensure that they are kept in a hutch or cage at night, to prevent them from being picked up and carried away.

Summary

The bald eagle is a formidable bird that is capable of flying at great speeds. It has excellent eyesight and is strong. However, the bird usually eats fish and will very rarely eat anything larger than a rodent or very occasionally a small rabbit. Cats, especially adult cats, are considered too large to be under threat from eagles, except in very rare circumstances.

Related Reads:

• Do Bears Attack and Eat Cats?
• Do Snakes Attack and Eat Cats?
• How To Protect Your Cat from Coyotes

Featured Image Credit: MICHOFF from Pixabay