Thermal scopes are perfect for low-light shooting, giving any hunter an advantage in the field.

An excellent thermal sight will let you see targets not possible with your bare eyes.

What to Look for In a Thermal Scope

There are a few things to consider when buying a thermal scope to ensure you get the best one for you.

Resolution

Much like your flat-screen television, thermal scopes have a resolution, which significantly affects image quality.

Thermal scopes have two resolutions to consider: the display resolution and the sensor resolution.

To put it simply, a sensor resolution is a resolution you will get while using thermal imaging, and the display resolution will be your standard view.

So, if you have a 160 x 120 pixel sensor and a 1280 x 720 display, your targets will only come in 160 x 120 while using thermal.

Battery Life

Some scopes are energy hogs and will drain your battery quickly.

However, several models on this list will last over 10 hours of continuous use between charges.

Features

Many features come with thermal scopes, including smart features, various magnifications, video recording, and range finding.

Make sure you pick the features that are important to you.

Below are the 12 best thermal scopes on the market.

#1. ATN ThOR LT 3-6x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope

• Magnification: 3x – 6x
• Sensor Resolution: 160 x 120 Pixels
• Battery Life: 10+ Hours
• Waterproof: Weather Resistant
• Magnification Type: Variable

The ATN ThOR LT 3-6x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope is a variable 3x – 6x magnified thermal scope perfect for nighttime hunting.

It has a 30mm tube and a 50mm for excellent visibility.

With the latest thermal technology, it has a display resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels with a 160 x 120 pixels sensor resolution.

They made it to withstand the elements with a weather-resistant IP rating and a lightweight, durable aluminum body.

You can use it for 10+ continuous hours, and it comes with White Hot and Black Hot Color modes.

Other features include multiple reticle patterns, a 3D accelerometer, and a one-shot zero.

If you are looking for a solid thermal scope with excellent battery life, the ATN ThOR LT 3-6x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope is perfect for crossbows, rifles, and other weapon systems.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

#2. Pulsar Core RXQ30V 1.6-6.4x22mm Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope

• Magnification: 6x, 2x – 4x Digital Zoom
• Sensor Resolution: 384 x 288 pixels
• Battery Life: 4 Hours
• Waterproof: Yes
• Magnification Type: Variable

Pulsar’s Core RXQ30V 1.6-6.4x22mm Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope is an excellent thermal option for close-range hunts.

It has a 22mm objective lens, a 640 x 480 pixel display, a 384 x 288 thermal sensor with 985 yards of detection, and a 50Hz refresh rate for excellent visibility.

The Pulsar RXQ30V comes with a green sapphire display mode, white-hot mode, and black hot mode.

The scope can easily attach to the most popular models of rifles and crossbows with a Weaver/Picatinny mount.

They constructed the scope out of heavy-duty glass-nylon composite and can be operated in extreme temperatures (-13 degrees to 122 degrees Fahrenheit).

It comes with 2x CR123A batteries, and a single charge can last up to 4 hours.

The Pulsar Core RXQ30V 1.6-6.4x22mm Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope is an excellent addition to any weapon.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

#3. Burris BTS 50 3.3-13.2x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope

• Magnification: 3x – 13.2x
• Sensor Resolution: 400×300 Pixels
• Battery Life: 5 Hours
• Waterproof: Not Specified
• Magnification Type: Variable

The Burris BTS 50 3.3-13.2x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope has unique features that set it apart from its competition.

It has a high-resolution 400 x 300 pixel screen with several customization options to match your tastes.

The scope provides seven different color palettes and ten reticle options to form the best combination for you.

An excellent feature is the heat tracking utility where it will highlight the area with the most heat for faster target acquisition.

The battery can last up to 5 hours of continuous use, and the scope comes with multiple thermal options.

It also includes integrated stadiametric rangefinding for accurate shooting at unknown distances.

If you are looking for a thermal scope with plenty of viewing options and a high-resolution screen, the Burris BTS 50 3.3-13.2x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope may be right for you.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

#4. Accufire Technology Incendis Clip-On 1 – 4x 30mm Thermal Imaging Rifle Scopes

• Magnification: 1x – 4x
• Sensor Resolution: 384 x 288 Pixels
• Battery Life: 4 Hours
• Waterproof: Not Specified
• Magnification Type: Variable

The Accufire Technology Incendis Clip-On 1 – 4x 30mm Thermal Imaging Rifle Scopes has a super intuitive double reticle and can be used as a standalone scope, standalone monocular, or an attachment for your favorite optic.

It has four heat displays to choose from: White-Hot, Black-Hot, Red Accent, and Green-Hot.

It has a variable magnification of up to 4x and has a display resolution of 1024 × 768 pixels, a core resolution of 384 x 288 pixels, and a 60Hz refresh rate for a sharp image.

The Incendis can operate in harsh environments with an operating temperature range of -22 degrees to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you want to upgrade your current scopes capabilities, the Accufire Technology Incendis Clip-On 1 – 4x 30mm Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope is perfect for you.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

#5. Pulsar Thermion XM50 5.5-22x42mm Thermal Rifle Scope

• Magnification: 5x – 22x
• Sensor Resolution: 320 x 240 Pixels
• Battery Life: 5+ Hours
• Waterproof: Yes
• Magnification Type: Variable

The Pulsar Thermion XM50 5.5-22x42mm Thermal Rifle Scope is a second focal plane variable scope with a 5.5x to 22x magnification.

The XM50 has some impressive features that make it one of the best thermal scopes on the list, but it is expensive.

You will clearly see your target in any lighting conditions with a maximum heat range of 2,500 yards.

It has an impressive 1024 x 768 pixel display resolution and a 340 x 240 sensor resolution.

One of the remarkable features of this scope is the built-in recording with recoil activation.

You can capture or live-stream your most intense hunts in 1024 x 768 resolution.

Another pleasant feature is that you can store up to five different rifle profiles into the scope for easy swapping between your weapon sets.

With an integrated rangefinder, you will have pinpoint shooting at any distance.

It also has a lifetime warranty.

The Pulsar Thermion XM50 5.5-22x42mm Thermal Rifle Scope is an excellent buy if you have the money.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

#6. ATN ThOR LT 4-8x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope

• Magnification: 4x – 8x
• Sensor Resolution: 160 x 120 Pixels
• Battery Life: 10 Hours
• Waterproof: Weather Resistant
• Magnification Type: Variable

The ATN ThOR LT 4-8x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope has a 160 x 120 sensor resolution, a 1280 x 720 pixel display, and a 60 Hz refresh rate.

You will be able to clearly see your target with up to 8x magnification.

It has an impressive battery life with up to 10 hours of continual on a single charge to last you your entire hunt.

They had this thermal scope with a hardened aluminum body resistant to the harshest weather.

Other features include multiple reticle patterns, a white-hot mode, a black-hot mode, and a 3D accelerometer.

If you are looking for a balance between value and features, the ATN ThOR LT 4-8x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope will not let you down.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

#7. Sig Sauer ECHO3 1-6x23mm Thermal Reflex Sight

• Magnification: 1x – 6x
• Sensor Resolution: 320 x 240 Pixels
• Battery Life: 6 Hours
• Waterproof: Yes
• Magnification Type: Variable

The Sig Sauer ECHO3 1-6x23mm Thermal Reflex Sight is an excellent thermal sight for predators and hog hunters.

It has a high-resolution sensor core with 320 x 240 pixel resolution and a 30 Hz refresh rate.

You can connect it to any BDX smart device via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to capture images or recordings of your hunt.

The recorder is recoil activated, and the display has eleven color pallets and several brightness levels.

It also has a MOTAC (Motion Activated Display), which activates on motion to save battery life, but the sight can last over six hours of heavy use on a single charge.

If you want a reflex sight style thermal scope perfect for hog hunting, buy the Sig Sauer ECHO3 1-6x23mm Thermal Reflex Sight today.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

#8. ATN OPMOD Exclusive ThOR LT 4-8x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope

• Magnification: 4x – 8x
• Sensor Resolution: 160 x 120 Pixels
• Battery Life: 10 Hours
• Waterproof: Weather Resistant
• Magnification Type: Variable

The ATN OPMOD Exclusive ThOR LT 4-8x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope is like the standard version, but with an exclusive Optics Planet modification.

It has a variable 4x to 8x magnification with a 160 x 120 pixel resolution.

It also has a battery that will last up to ten hours.

The modified version has a custom hog hunting reticle, and a quick detach mount, which is exclusive to this version.

If you liked the original, but want a custom reticle designed for hog hunting, the OPMOD Exclusive is an excellent choice for you.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

#9. AGM Global Vision Rattler TS25-384 1.5x25mm Compact Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope

• Magnification: 5x, 8x Digital Zoom
• Sensor Resolution: 384 x 288 Pixels
• Battery Life: 5 Hours
• Waterproof: Yes
• Magnification Type: Fixed

The AGM Global Vision Rattler TS25-384 1.5x25mm Compact Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope is a compact thermal scope perfect for medium-range hunts.

The sensor core resolution is 384 x 288 pixels and a 1024 x 768 OLED display with a 50 Hz refresh rate, making it easy to see in any weather, including fog, rain, or smoke.

They made it to withstand harsh weather with an IP67 water resistance level and an operating temperature of -4 degrees to 131 degrees Fahrenheit.

It has a 4.5-hour battery life, but you could extend it via a USB 5V power bank.

An excellent feature is that you can easily stream or record your hunts via Wi-Fi.

It also includes a limited three-year warranty.

The AGM Global Vision Rattler TS25-384 1.5x25mm Compact Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope is perfect for anyone who wants a durable thermal scope that can record video at a medium range.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

#10. Pulsar Trail 2 LRF XP50 Thermal Rifle Scope

• Magnification: 2x – 16x
• Sensor Resolution: 640 x 480 Pixels
• Battery Life: 8 Hours
• Waterproof: Yes
• Magnification Type: Variable

Pulsar’s Trail 2 LRF XP50 Thermal Rifle Scope has the highest sensor resolution on the list with an impressive 640 x 480 pixel resolution for excellent image quality.

It also has a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution display with several modes, reticle options, and illumination color options.

They built this scope to last with a lightweight glass-nylon composite housing and an IPX-7 waterproof rating.

With a built-in rangefinder with a maximum range of 1,100 yards, you will get accurate shots at any distance.

It has a 16 Gb internal storage to record your hunts and comes with built-in Wi-Fi to access your app to record or stream your hunt.

The Pulsar Trail 2 LRF XP50 Thermal Rifle Scope is the best thermal scope on this list, but it is also the most expensive.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

#11. ATN ThOR 4 1.25-5x19mm Thermal Smart HD Rifle Scope

• Magnification: 25x – 5x
• Sensor Resolution: 384 x 288 Pixels
• Battery Life: 18 Hours
• Waterproof: Weather Resistant
• Magnification Type: Variable

The ATN ThOR 4 1.25-5x19mm Thermal Smart HD Rifle Scope has smart features that the other ATM ThORs lack.

It includes smart features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, iOS/Android apps, recoil activated recording, and a MicroSD card slot for recording.

Other features include a built-in rangefinder, 3D GS7 Gyroscope, 3D Accelerometer, 3D Magnetometer, and an E-Compass.

With a massive 18-hour battery life, you can hunt all day without needing to worry about your battery life.

It also includes a three-year limited warranty.

If you want a solid thermal scope with smart features, the ATN ThOR 4 1.25-5x19mm Thermal Smart HD Rifle Scope is an excellent choice.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

#12. ATN ThOR LT 320 3-6x30mm Thermal Rifle Scope

• Magnification: 3x – 6x
• Sensor Resolution: 320 x 240 Pixels
• Battery Life: 10+ Hours
• Waterproof: Weather Resistant
• Magnification Type: Variable

The ATN ThOR LT 320 3-6x30mm Thermal Rifle Scope has an internal rechargeable battery that lasts up to 10+ hours on a single charge, saving you money on batteries.

They made it to last in any environment with a weather-resistant design and an aluminum body.

It has a 3x to 6x variable magnification with a display resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels and a sensor resolution of 320 x 240 pixels at 60 Hz.

It has a simple design, making thermal imaging easy to use for fast target acquisition.

If you are looking for a rechargeable thermal scope, the ATN ThOR LT 320 3-6x30mm Thermal Rifle Scope is an excellent choice.

It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com

References / Resources

How To Choose A Thermal Rifle Scope

Night Vision vs. Thermal Scopes

How To Sight In A Thermal Scope

See Also

Best Spotting Scopes For Hunting & Target Shooting

Best Air Rifle & Pistol Scopes

Best Laser Sights For Pistols

Best Night Vision Goggles & Binoculars

Best Rangefinders For Hunting & Golf

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally vetted. Learn more.

Foraging for food in the backcountry is a great way to enjoy a tasty treat on the trail. But, foraging for the wrong berries, scrubs, and leaves could result in an upset stomach, or something much worse.

That’s because not all the tasty-looking plants you see on the trail are okay to eat. Some are highly toxic and are best avoided. The key is knowing how to tell the toxic plants that look like food apart from those that are okay to eat.

If you’ve ever wondered how to identify toxic plants, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll introduce you to 30 types of plants that look like food that you ought to avoid on your travels. That way you can avoid this list of poisonous herbs and berries and stick to eating only edible plants as you hike.

Caution! Foraging Safety

30 Toxic Plants That Look Like Food: What You Need To Know

1. Death Camas

If a name like “death camas” doesn’t tell you to stay clear of this plant, nothing will. All jokes aside, however, death camas (Zigadenus venenosus) is one of the most toxic plants in North America.

Death camas is found throughout the western and midwestern United States and it looks like a tall, grass-like plant. Below the ground, it has a sizable bulb that makes it look dangerously similar to plants like onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and scallions.

The problem is that, unlike these plants, death camas is not edible. It can cause muscle weakness, vomiting, tremors, convulsions, and, as its name suggests, death. Thankfully, poisoning among humans isn’t very common, but death camas is known to cause problems for livestock, especially sheep.

Either way, death camas is one toxic plant that you should avoid at all costs.

2. Jerusalem Cherry

Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) is a nightshade that’s traditionally used as an ornamental plant for Christmas. However, while it makes for a pretty decoration, the fruits and seeds of the Jerusalem cherry are highly toxic.

In fact, the poisonous fruit of the Jerusalem cherry contains solanocapsine. Unless eaten in very large quantities, solanocapsine usually isn’t deadly to humans, but it can cause gastrointestinal problems and severe vomiting. It’s also possible that these berries are poisonous to cats, but more research is needed to confirm that.

The problem is that the fruit of the Jerusalem cherry is a small, reddish-orange cherry tomato-looking fruit. This can make it difficult to identify, particularly because there are so many varieties of this plant. Therefore, it’s generally best to avoid plants that look like cherry tomatoes while foraging in the wild.

3. Doll’s Eyes

If there’s one plant that you need to avoid at all costs, it’s this one: doll’s eyes (Actaea pachypoda). A member of the buttercup family, doll’s eyes look like innocuous white flowers before they become raisin-sized white berries with a distinctive black spot.

These berries can be found throughout the deciduous woodlands of eastern North America, and they are highly toxic. The plant contains an as-of-yet unidentified toxin that affects the cardiac system. This toxin is found throughout the plant, including in the roots and berries. When ingested, this toxin effectively “sedates” the heart and can lead to immediate cardiac arrest.

Thankfully, you need to eat a fairly large amount of these berries for this to happen, which isn’t likely because the berries are so bitter. But, the doll’s eyes are best to avoid on the trail.

4. Hemlock

5. Rosary Pea

6. Giant Hogweed

7. Death Cap

8. Angel’s Trumpets

9. Tutsan

Traditionally used to ward off evil spirits, the tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum) is a perennial shrub that’s native to Eurasia. It was traditionally used as a medicinal plant for things like antidepressants.

However, despite its historic medicinal use, the entire tutsan plant, including its berries, which look similar to blueberries in some situations, are toxic. That’s because they contain hypericin, which is a commonly found compound in species of the St. John’s Wort genus (Hypericum).

It’s unclear precisely what it is about hypericin that’s toxic, but it’s believed that this compound can lead to cell death. Nevertheless, consuming tutsan berries can lead to nausea and diarrhea, so it’s perhaps not the best option for your trail snack.

10. Canada Moonseed

Canada moonseed (Menispermum canadense), or simply common moonseed, is a highly toxic plant that’s found throughout eastern North America. It is a relatively small flowering plant that forms in thickets with thick green leaves and small bunches of blueberries.

Although it might look like any other berry-bearing plant, the Canada moonseed is exceptionally toxic. It contains a plant metabolite called dauricine, which is found throughout the plant’s berries, roots, leaves, and flowers. Dauricine causes cardiac issues that can lead to cardiac arrest and death. Needless to say, don’t eat the Canada moonseed.

Interestingly enough, however, this highly toxic compound is being studied for use as a cancer treatment because there’s some hope that it can suppress the growth of cancer cells. One 2019 study found that it was fairly successful at suppressing pancreatic cancer growth in mice. Even still, don’t eat Canada moonseed.

11. Buckeye

12. Wisteria

13. False Morels

14. Wolfsbane

15. Horse Nettle

Despite its name, horse nettle (Solanum carolinense) is not actually a nettle, but rather it is a type of nightshade.

Horse nettle is a type of herbaceous plant that grows large leaves and has white and yellow star-shaped flowers. It is most commonly found in temperate North America, but you can also find it in areas of Europe, Australia, and temperate Asia.

Also called devil’s tomato, the horse nettle is well-known for bearing a highly toxic tomato-like fruit. This poisonous fruit contains solanine, which is a type of alkaloid that can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, and even respiratory arrest. When eaten in large quantities, horse nettle can even cause death.

Since the fruit of the horse nettle does look a lot like a cherry tomato, it’s important to be careful when picking tomato-like fruits in the wild. Keep in mind that the horse nettle has a thorny stem, which is one way that you can tell the two apart. However, caution is still necessary whenever picking tomato-like fruits on the trail.

16. Castor

Castor (Ricinus communis) is a type of flowering plant that’s arguably best known for the castor bean, which is technically a seed. The castor bean is used to create castor oil, which is used for manufacturing dozens of products, from paints to perfumes.

This plant is traditionally found throughout the Mediterranean Basin, the Indian subcontinent, and eastern Africa, though it’s now spread throughout the tropics and subtropics.

Although castor bean oil is a very popular manufacturing product and even though the castor bean looks like it might be edible, it’s actually highly toxic. This is because raw castor beans have a high level of ricin, which is a type of poison that prevents cells from making proteins.

Thankfully, castor bean poisoning isn’t that common, but it is possible, particularly if you eat a large number of castor beans. It’s estimated that a healthy adult would need to eat approximately 4 to 8 castor beans in order to get seriously ill.

But since the ricin in castor beans could kill you, it’s probably best to avoid eating castor beans, regardless of the quantity you consume.

17. American Bittersweet

American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) is a fairly common type of twining vine that is found climbing its way up trees, fences, trellises, and other structures throughout deciduous ecosystems in North America.

It has small oval-shaped leaves and small flowers that form in clusters. Eventually, these flowers give way to small orange or red-colored fruits.

However, the American bittersweet has a bit of a controversial history of toxicity. While some sources maintain that the American bittersweet is not toxic to humans, it’s been suggested that the plant’s fruit was used by a number of Indigenous communities to induce vomiting.

Either way, we do know that American bittersweet is highly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. So, if you’re adventuring with your pet or pack stock in tow, be mindful of these potentially dangerous fruits on the trail.

18. Daffodil

Daffodils are a common sight around manicured gardens and in the wilderness during the spring months. However, they are not a good trail snack because they are highly toxic.

All daffodil varieties contain a chemical called lycorine, which is present throughout the plant’s flower, stem, and bulb. In fact, the bulb of the daffodil has the highest concentration of lycorine, which is known to cause nausea, abdominal pain, and even liver damage.

Since daffodils are so distinctive when in bloom, it’s unlikely that someone would mistake them for a different kind of edible flower. The problem with daffodils arises before they bloom. Because daffodil bulbs can look like wild onions, some people have mistaken them for onions, which is problematic.

Thankfully, there is a way to tell daffodil bulbs and onions apart. First and foremost, daffodil bulbs don’t smell like onions. But, even in the absence of this olfactory clue, daffodil bulbs also don’t tear into layers like onions do. So, proper identification is key when searching for wild onions.

19. Deadly Nightshade

20. Yew

21. Pokeberries

22. Virginia Creeper

Sometimes called the five-leaved ivy, the Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a type of decorative ivy that’s originally from the eastern and central parts of North America. Although it can sometimes be confused with poison ivy, Virginia creeper has clusters of five leaves—not three.

While Virginia creeper might not cause the same kinds of rashes as poison ivy (more on that in a bit), it’s not exactly a harmless plant.

In fact, the Virginia creeper has berries that look a lot like purple grapes but that contain oxalic acid. This can cause joint pain, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, and other similar symptoms when consumed.

23. Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster refers to a large genus of flowering plants that are technically part of the rose family. These plants were traditionally found throughout the temperate regions of Europe, Africa, and Asia, though you can now find them in North America.

Almost all cotoneaster plants feature berries and leaves that contain cyanogenic glycosides. Even though cotoneaster plants generally have low levels of these compounds, consuming too many berries can lead to kidney, liver, or heart failure. This is particularly true among young children.

Additionally, cotoneaster berries are believed to be toxic to dogs. Although a dog that eats these berries will usually only experience mild digestive problems, eating large quantities of berries could lead to severe health issues among canines.

24. Bitter Almonds

25. Mistletoe

A mainstay of Christmas and yuletide celebrations around the world, the mistletoe is a type of hemiparasitic plant that originated in Europe but has since been introduced to North America. But while the mistletoe is quite festive, it’s not a great snack to eat with your eggnog.

There are a number of active substances in mistletoe, including tyramine and phoratoxin, which can cause vomiting, nausea, and cardiac arrest.

But there are actually 1,500 different mistletoe species, each of which has varying levels of these toxins. This makes identifying particularly poisonous mistletoe plants very difficult.

In fact, it’s believed that American mistletoes are less toxic than their European counterparts. But with all those potentially nasty side effects to worry about, it’s probably better not to taste the mistletoe at your next holiday gathering.

26. Poison Ivy

27. Manchineel Tree

28. Holly

Holly is another Christmas symbol that’s known for being a festive addition to any wintery gathering. Like mistletoe, however, holly is also highly toxic, so it’s best as a decoration, rather than as a holiday snack.

While holly is a beautiful decorative plant, the berries of the holly plant genus Ilex (there are about 480 species in the genus) are all toxic. They contain a number of different compounds, including theobromine, rutin, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid.

For the most part, ingesting holly berries leads to diarrhea and vomiting, though they can also lead to intestinal problems. Eating even a few holly berries can lead to health problems in children. Thankfully, the prickly leaves of the holly plant usually dissuade kids from eating these berries, but it’s important to keep in mind while hiking or enjoying a yuletide celebration.

29. Elderberry

Although elderberry is a delicacy and one of the most commonly used medicinal plants on the planet, it’s technically toxic. Yep, that’s right. When eaten raw, elderberry’s bark, leaves, and berries can cause health problems.

That’s because elderberries naturally contain lectins, which are a type of protein that can cause stomach issues. Additionally, elderberries contain cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning, just like in bitter almonds.

The good news is that cooked elderberries don’t contain these compounds, so it’s generally not a problem to eat the berries with proper preparation. Either way, the bark, branches, and leaves of elderberries don’t lose their toxic compounds when cooked, so hikers should avoid eating these during their travels.

30. Wild Cherry

Last but not least on our list, we have the wild cherry (Prunus serotina). Also called black cherry, the wild cherry tree is a deciduous tree that’s found throughout the Americas.

While it shares part of its name with the tasty cherry that many of us enjoy, the wild cherry’s leaves are highly toxic. The wild cherry tree leaf contains hydrocyanic acid and cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when ingested. This can be fatal if eaten in large quantities.

Fatalities associated with wild cherry in humans aren’t very common. However, livestock and pets are common victims of the wild cherry due to the fact that they sometimes eat the tree’s poisonous leaves. Therefore, hikers should keep a close eye on their pets while venturing down the trail.

How to Identify Common Poisonous Berries (North America Edition)

What to Do If You Eat a Toxic Plant

Hopefully, your astute plant ID skills and cautious approach to foraging have prevented you from accidentally eating a toxic plant that looks like food. In the unfortunate instance that you do eat something that’s not edible, it’s important that you quickly get to medical care.

Should you come into contact with a poisonous plant while hiking, do the following:

1. Stay Calm – It might sound cliché, but no one has ever achieved anything from panicking in an emergency.
2. Take Photos – If you can, take photos of what you ate. Doing so may help with plant identification by poison control or the hospital. Do not bring the berries, fungi, or plants with you to the hospital. Bringing these substances to the hospital can be dangerous for you and medical providers.
3. Get To Medical Care – Even if the amount of toxic berries that you ate is relatively small, your best bet is to get to medical care as soon as possible. Everyone reacts differently to different substances, so you want to be around medical professionals if you were to have an adverse reaction to a toxic plant. The faster you can get to medical care, the better, but don’t over-exert yourself or get lost in the process.
4. Provide Supportive Care – Should you be tasked with caring for someone in the backcountry that is having an adverse reaction to toxic berries or plants, you may need to provide supportive care to that person. Doing so is only appropriate for people with prior medical or wilderness medicine training. Supportive care in these wilderness situations usually means conducting a complete patient assessment and coordinating an evacuation.

The best

Hey there my fellow fishing enthusiasts and welcome to my post discussing an important question when it comes to fishing… can you eat Walleye? Now, the short answer is absolutely, if fact, it is one of the most popular and sought after fresh water species to consume…

So let’s check out the ins and outs of eating Walleye below…

So, before we start, let’s just quickly recap what we are talking about here. Walleye are a freshwater gamefish native to the United States and Canada. Also known as also called the yellow pike or yellow pickerel, they live predominately at the bottom of lakes and rivers and are known as one of the most prized freshwater table fish you can catch.

Walleye have a long, thin body that is primarily gold and olive in color with a white belly. They posses two dorsal fins on the top of their bodies with a large mouth and sharp teeth. Their name comes from their eyes which are cloudy-looking which is caused by a reflective layer of pigment.

They generally live for around 15 – 20 years depending on their habitat and can reach sizes of up to 80 cm (31 in) in length.

Note: Due to their popularity as a sport fish and for consumption, many States and jurisdictions have seasonal restrictions or slot limits in place. To avoid fines, always check local regulations before hitting the water.

In short, absolutely they are. In fact they are one of the most popular and sought after freshwater table fish in the U.S. Their flesh is clean, sweet and extremely versatile. However, as with most freshwater species (such as Largemouth Bass etc.), the following should be considered:

• They will take on the flavour of their surroundings – so avoid eating if they are caught in murky, stagnant or dirty water.
• The older varieties tend to taste a lot stronger or ‘fishier’ so if you are planning to keep one for dinner, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the biggest one you catch.
• Larger varieties are also more susceptible to worms, parasites and increased absorbsion of waterway contaminants.

In most cases, as long as the water is clean and you are within your slot limit, then you are generally good to go.

As with most white meated fish, Walleye do not need to be bled upon capture however if you plan to consume it, then it is always a good idea to place them on ice as soon as possible after it is landed. Many use an ice slurry in a cooler which is generally a ratio of 2 parts ice to 1 part water for this purpose.

Due to their eating habits, freshwater fish must be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed prior to consumption. From here, preparation will be determined by how you plan to eat it. If they are to be eaten whole then you will need to clean and scale them beforehand. If you plan to pan fry, then you can either scale and fillet or fillet and skin. Keep the meat refrigerated or on ice at all times before and after preparation.

Can you freeze uncooked fillets?

Yes – Raw Walleye fillets can be frozen for 6 – 12 months. It must at the very least be gutted and cleaned and placed in an airtight bag (ziplock bags are good here – try to remove as much air as possible) prior to being placed in the freezer. They will last longer (up to the full 12 months) if vacuum sealed instead.

Can they be eaten raw?

Technically yes, if it is caught in clean water and prepared with the utmost care until eaten then it can be ok – although the taste does not match that of saltwater species such as Tuna, Salmon and Kingfish. The issue here however is that freshwater fish tends to contain more bacteria and parasites which are killed off by cooking.

To be honest, if sashimi is your meal of choice then I would look for a species such as Striped Bass or those listed above and leave the freshwater catches for the frypan.

At the end of the day, due to its white flesh and versatility, Walleye can be prepared in the same manner as most other fresh or saltwater species in that they can be:

Grilled

Walleye fillets can be cooked over charcoal or gas grills with any and all spices and seasonings as you see fit. Below is a common recipe:

1. Heat a grill hot but not smoking.
2. Pat fillets dry then spread butter or oil over the non-skinned side (or both if fillet is skinned) along with salt and pepper.
3. Grill fillets until just cooked (fillets start to flake) – Do not overcook as the meat will go dry.
4. Consume with salad or grilled vegetables.

You can of course use any other herbs or spices on the flesh to taste.

Pan Fried

As above, but in a pan – I like to add garlic to the butter when I pan fry white fish fillets with the salt and pepper as well. I have seen many Walleye recipes with Asian spices or Italian herbs used too so that is also worth a try. Of course, they can also be crumbed as well which entails:

1. Gather three bowls and in the first, place some flour, eggs (beaten) in the second and breadcrumbs in the third.
2. Pat dry each fillet (skin on or off to preference) and then cover in flour.
3. Sink the flour covered fillets into the egg mixture and then cover in breadcrumbs
4. Shallow fry in the oil of your choice in a pan large enough to hold the full size of the fillet.
5. Spritz with lemon juice and consume with fries (chips), salad or whatever else takes your fancy.

Note: For extra flavour, add salt and pepper to the flour or even some grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs. I have even seen some good recipes using BBQ rubs on the fillets as well.

Baked

For this last option, the fish is cooked whole in the oven. A cooking example is as below:

1. Make sure the fish is cleaned and scaled.
2. Score the skin with a sharp knife (This will stop it shrinking too much from the heat).
3. Cover the outside with a lubricant such as butter or oil.
4. Fill the cavity with whatever takes your fancy (common options are garlic, herbs, spices, lemon, tomatoes or mustard).
5. Bake in the oven until just cooked – again, it will dry out if left too long.

Note: Based on my research over a number of recipes, a 1.5lb Walleye will take around 15 – 30 minutes in a 375F oven.

And there you go – my response to the question of whether you can eat Walleye. I hope it has been helpful and as usual, please let me know of your experiences – or recipes – would love to see your recipes below too.

Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections, or would like me to check anything else out for you.

Until next time

Have fun

Paul

Among bass anglers, there’s a major misconception about fishing frog patterns. Many anglers believe that there must be frogs living in the reservoir, natural lake or pond for a frog-style bait to be effective. Others think you need to have mats, weeds or moss to fish a frog.

None of those are true.

“When you put a frog on the mat, bass don’t know if it’s a mouse, a baitfish flipping around or a black bird. A lot of times, the frog imitates a number of things, not just a frog,” says professional bass angler Gary Dobyns, the all-time leading money winner in the West. “I’ve seen water snakes eaten when they are on top of a mat. Bass are ferocious predators. They just eat whatever moves on top of that mat and figure out what it is later. Half the time they don’t know what it is. Twice, I’ve seen bass try to eat full-grown coots. They didn’t get them, but they sure tried.”

Depending on weather and water temperature, frogs can be effective all year. May, however, is the traditional start of the frog season. Frogs can be effective from May through the fall in most waters in the western United States. Regardless of the water’s structure, most lakes, reservoirs, ponds, sloughs, backwaters, natural lakes and rivers in the West harbor a place for frog fishing. In fact, there isn’t a place in the West where a properly fished frog bait won’t catch bass.

“You can throw frogs on any lake, period, and they’ll catch fish,” says Dobyns. “I’ve caught my frog fish in Lake Mead, Lake Powell, Lake Oroville and in the Columbia River – places where you don’t have grass. You can catch frog fish anywhere.”

POLLEN LINESEvery serious bass angler knows that frogs can be effective anywhere grass is found. But Dobyns’ biggest secret is fishing frogs in areas devoid of greenery. For example, while few anglers fish pollen slicks with frogs, Dobyns wins tournaments by targeting them.

Floating pollen is common in most Western waters. Dobyns looks for areas where a breeze pushes pollen into a pocket or along the shoreline.

“Fishing frogs on a pollen line is my best-kept secret,” he said, fully knowing his words would soon be printed. “If you fish a frog on top of the pollen scum line, you can catch a boatload of bass. The bass hardly ever see frogs, so they are easy to fool. They’re sitting right underneath the scum line of pollen. It’s like a mat. They get right underneath it. There’s shade and no light penetration, so you always have bass there.”

And because no one else knows those fish are there, Dobyns is busy catching fish other anglers simply overlook. “It’s a secret. No one does it.”

Many bass pros seek out specific water to throw frogs, but Dobyns is a little more flexible. He commonly casts frogs into open water where most folks wouldn’t think of fishing them. “You can throw a frog in some places that you can’t throw anything else. A frog won’t snag, so you can throw it anywhere,” says Dobyns, who tosses frogs on 65-pound Power Pro. “Braided line is very important. You don’t want any stretch. With braid, you get good, solid hookups. You want to be able to power the fish out of the mat.”

GRASSLESS FISHING

Mats aren’t the only place where frogs are effective. Anglers can find success pitching frogs into debris pockets of wood, grass, pollen slicks, tules and any heavy-matted vegetation. On the contrary, many pros have made a living pitching frogs in open water.

“I like throwing them to the bank,” says Art Berry, former Bassmaster champion. “You need to be able to cast the frog to where the water meets the bank. The key is getting the frog as shallow as possible. Everybody knows that frogs live close to the shore. The bass pin them against the bank. You want to throw to the bank, whether there are trees, grass, moss or overhanging branches on the bank.”

The point is that you don’t have to find grass to enjoy success.

“Most of the frog-fish I catch are not caught underneath the mat. They’re caught around brush, trees and in open water around grass,” Berry said. “They’ll probably eat the frog in the spot where you didn’t think you would ever get bit.”

On the other hand, time of day can affect results. Weather can also be a determining factor in frog-fishing success. Many anglers see catch rates increase toward midday and late afternoon. This is because typically, the water is warmer during this time and bass are in covered areas. Dobyns finds the best action with frogs occurs on hot, clear, calm days.

“I think the hot is a given. It makes the fish get in the shade, which most of the time is going to be underneath the mats. Clear is because it will put them in specific spots. If it’s an overcast day they don’t need the cover, but if it’s bright and sunny they need to hunt any cover they can over the top of their heads,” added Dobyns. “Calm – well, I’ve always believed that topwater baits drive fish crazy in calm water. I like fishing frogs in calm water. I’ll throw them in wind, but ask what my perfect situation is, and it’s flat.”

HOW TO FISH A FROG

Knowing how to fish a frog is a science, not something that comes overnight. As with all techniques, the more you employ it, the more confidence you’ll have when fishing it.

“People wonder why a bass short-strikes a frog. It’s because often the angler isn’t fishing it right or the frog isn’t swimming right,” Berry added. “You need to get the frog to be able to walk. Most guys don’t know how to walk a frog and they don’t have the right gear when they fish them.”

By “gear,” Berry means line, rod and reel.

“You don’t want to go have an out-of-the-package frog tied on mono line,” he said.

However, you do want to learn how to train a frog to glide flawlessly through the water. Simply skirting a frog along the surface will generate strikes, but if you make sure the frog swims to its potential, you’ll increase strikes. Berry points his rod tip down, rather than up, and employs short strokes, perhaps four to five inches.

“I just imagine that there’s a needle on the end of my rod and there’s a balloon. I don’t want to pop the balloon. When I move the tip of the rod, I do so just enough to touch the balloon, but not pop it. It’s just like if you were working a Zara Spook,” he explained. “You don’t want to pull and pull the frog through the water because it won’t

swim right. You want the frog to stay in one spot as long as you can. You have to make the frog walk on slack line.”

Easier said than done! But with practice, the technique can be perfected. By not pulling the frog, you’re allowing it to remain in the strike zone for longer periods of time, thus giving bass more time to grab it.

BIG BASS, LITTLE BASS

Many anglers perceive frogs as big-fish baits. However, they’re often surprised when barely legal bass grab half-ounce frogs, proving that bass of all ages and sizes are keen on eating frogs.

“I’ve caught non-keepers that eat frogs, but usually you catch at least keepers,” Dobyns said, pointing out that Kent Brown once caught a five-fish limit of 5-pound bass on frogs while fishing the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta.

On the contrary, a frog can be one of the most effective big-fish baits. “I think a frog is by far the best big-fish bait that’s ever been made, other than fishing a swimbait,” Dobyns said. “You’ll catch way more fish on frogs than swimbaits. I’ve won more money on a frog than any other bait.”

Choosing a frog can be a chore. Aisles at sporting good stores and tackle shops offer dozens of brands of frogs. Nevertheless, many that appeal to the eye aren’t effective in the water. Some anglers say that it’s a personal preference as to which frog they fish with. Others pay attention to the chemistry and construction of the frog.

SELECTING FROG BAITS

“It boils down to your personal favorite with some frogs. The thing that I want a frog to do is, I want a frog to be able to walk,” Dobyns said. “I want to be able to work my rod tip and get the frog to walk side to side, like you would a Zara Spook. I want to be able to work it across the mat, and when I hit open water, I want to be able to walk it to another mat. Many times I fish frogs in open water. I think I probably catch 75 percent of my frog-fish in open water.”

Nearly every major bass tackle manufacturer designs frogs. Some are more effective than others, however.

“What do I think the best frog on the market is? I think the best is Dean Rojas’ Spro frog. What makes this frog the best is, it’s very easy to walk. And the hook position on the bait enables you to catch almost 100 percent of the fish that strike,” says Dobyns, who casts frogs with a Powell 735C Frog Rod and a Daiwa TDA high-speed reel. “With some of the frogs out there, you may only catch 20 percent of the fish that bite because the hook is too far down on the body. This is because they just have a poor design. But with the Spro frog, the hook is in the perfect position and it’s 100 percent weedless.”

Having the frog glide fluently in the water is vital, but there are other factors to consider, too. Frogs come in several sizes, ranging from a quarter-ounce to nearly an ounce.

“I throw one size and that’s it,” says Dobyns, who throws only half-ounce frogs. “I think it’s a perfect size. It’s not too big to catch smaller fish, but big enough to catch big fish.”

SPLITTING HAIRS

Berry takes frog fishing to another level, though, and goes so far as to actually count the strands of rubber used to create each leg. He believes that there are very few quality frogs on the market. “The biggest thing for someone new to frog fishing is that they need to know that most frogs you buy at the store aren’t worth a damn,” Berry said. “There are no good out-of-the-package frogs, no frog that you can buy that will work great out of the package.”

Berry says frogs come standard with 20 strands of rubber in each leg. But for an imitation frog to swim properly, he says it can only have 10 to 12 strands of rubber on each side. “What I do is cut the strands off the frog so there are only 10 to 12. You want to cut the legs up near the base. You want to leave just a hair, maybe a quarter-inch before they go to the base of the frog,” he says.

ADD SOME COLOR

Berry isn’t done yet. Next, he takes a hand file and files the round weight in the rear of the frog, saying it’s imperative to file it completely flat.

“You can’t use a power tool to file it down because the lead gets too hot and you melt the plastic on the frog, which can cause the weight to fall out. You want to make sure the weight is flat so it’s paper-thin,” he added.

Berry then moves to step three, which consists of taking two Sharpie pens and drawing roughly 20 to 25 small dots on the bellies and the sides of the frog. Berry recommends laying it down on cardboard and putting its legs together. Then he adds a varied pattern of colored dots every quarter-inch, using combinations of white, black, green and yellow.

“When you use a Sharpie pen on the frog, the frog will look really pretty right off the bat. But the ink bleeds into the rubber after a couple of days, and the tiny dots become bigger and bigger,” Berry said. “That’s OK, this is what you want it to do. The key is coloring the rubber itself. Any frogs you see in water will have lots of dots on their bellies.”

LET’S GET REAL

Berry also colors the weight black and the eyelid (where your line ties to) black as well.

“It can only be black. You want your line to be black because black doesn’t show up as good in the water and it doesn’t come off your line. If you use a frog that has a shiny eyelid and a fish sees that, they aren’t going to eat it. Come on! They know that’s not a real frog,” added Berry.

“There are key things that a lot of people miss out on. Most of the frogs that are on the shelves don’t look real and by doing these little things, you can make your frog look real and ensure that it’ll swim like a frog.”

Berry credits Andre Moore, owner of Reaction Innovations, for most of his frog-fishing secrets.

“I feel like my frog will out-fish any frog on the market because of these adjustments,” Berry said. “A lot of people get mad at me because I give all my secrets away, but this is something that anyone can do. I’m into promoting the sport of bass fishing, and if people follow these simple things we’ve discussed, they’ll catch more fish. It’s taken my whole life to learn this. An average guy can go into the tackle store and do this. You can make the frog look real.”

What seems odd though, is that if this method works so well, why hasn’t a company made a frog that has all these qualities? “Because I haven’t told anybody yet,” Berry said. “There are a few people that do this already, but most guys don’t know about this.”

They do now!

Dobyns and Berry use Power Pro braided line religiously. They both go as far as saying that if you aren’t using 65-pound braided line, you shouldn’t fish frog baits at all. Neither uses monofilament line when fishing frogs. “There’s no stretch and the abrasion resistance is incredible. The key thing is the distance you can cast with a frog on braid. You can catch it a country mile,” Berry sai

d.

This past spring, we used the Wall Tent Shop’s 12’x14’ Wilderness Tent on a turkey hunt. When I hear the word “tent”, my mind naturally thinks lightweight, small dwelling that provides the minimum shelter essential for survival. A wall tent is a completely different story. It is literally a portable cabin. My family, friends, and I were impressed with how easy it was to set up and the ridiculous amount of room for living, sleeping, and storage. It was easily heated with a simple propane burner.

We also set it up for a spring bear hunt. We got smashed by unforeseen snow and spent an entire day riding out the storm. It was fantastic. We had no cell service. No internet. No agenda. I stoked the fire, slept, and stared at the stove for hours. We were warm and dry and comfortable. It was amazing how great it felt to unplug and disengage for the day.

The tent is currently set up in the backyard as a semi-permanent “yard cabin” where my boys can hang out and sleep out whenever they want. It also comes in handy when they have friends come over and want to add a little adventure into the mix.

This fall, we’ll be taking it to elk camp. I have an elk spot that I can barely drive to. Getting a camper back there is impossible. This year, instead of getting up extra early and riding the ruts to the trailhead, we’ll take The Wilderness Wall Tent. That means less wear and tear on the Silverado and easier access to the comforts of camp.

First Impressions

You can’t help but notice the Wall Tent Shop’s emphasis on quality and durability. They have extensively thought through their product. Every option is built for a specific reason. All their wall tents are built with “Army Duck-Double Fill Canvas”. I’m a simple man. All I really care about is strength, durability, and high-quality performance. But if you want the canvas details, here’s a link.

The upper corners of the walls and the roof ridge line (high-wear areas) are reinforced with an extra layer of canvas. This increases the overall life of the tent and protects the ridge from holes and tears especially when using a lodgepole frame.

Some wall tents use grommets for tying guy wires, but a grommet cuts the canvas fibers creating potential weak points. Instead, the Wall Tent Shop sews webbing into the canvas with an attached D-ring as shown below.

Wall Tent Stoves

We’ve used propane burners in the past and they worked great. I have a double burner ready for this fall but for extended camp trips and colder weather, I want a wood stove. The Wall Tent Shop sells a variety of wood stoves available here. Their flat cooking tops would be a game changer. I’m a little jealous. Since my daughter can weld and my dad had a 35 gallon barrel, we decided to build our own. It was cheap and easy to build and it works. If you’re handy or on a budget, give it a try. I found the kit and all the necessary materials at our local hardware store.

Included Features

In addition to what has already been mentioned, each Wilderness Tent has a storm flap on the front and back of the main entrance protecting the YKK zippers from snow, ice, sand, etc. The flap has YKK buckles on both sides which gives you the ability to securely close the front door if the zipper were to become damaged or frozen.

A vinyl sod cloth is attached to the bottom of the walls. The sod cloth tucks inside the tent and creates both an air seal and a moisture barrier. This discourages the canvas walls from wicking ground moisture, and greatly increases the heating efficiency of a stove. You’ll burn less wood.

The stove jack comes standard. A canvas flap covers the chimney hole and can be held shut with Velcro or tied open. The stove jack includes a cut pattern to accommodate larger stove pipe sizes.

Wilderness Tents also come with the option of either a back window or a back door.

Additional Features (Take a Deep breath)

The extras are overwhelming and seemingly limitless. I get lost in the options. You can add doors and windows. You can have a kitchen cupboard, bow rack, gun rack, coat rack, fire mat, aluminum shelves, and a floor. Even add a porch for extra storage or outdoor cooking. They sell “T-angles” for adding a middle leg to the center of the tent if you’re expecting heavy snow loads … and the endless list goes on and on.

Each user will need to think through what options fit his individual needs. There are, however, two options that are essential in my opinion.

You Must Have A Rain Fly

Canvas tents are heavy. Once rain-soaked, they’re nearly impossible to load by yourself. Sewing the extra canvas to reinforce the ridges results in tiny pinholes that could leak. The tarp also helps keep the tent clean from pitch/sap, bird crap, pollen, and whatever else might fall from the sky. Thinking about the sticky-resin-buds that fall from cottonwood trees gives me nightmares. A spark hole in your tarp can easily be taped but a burn hole in the canvas would have to be sewn. In the long run, the UV light from the sun is your worst enemy. Just buy the rain fly!

Screens

If you think that you might use your wall tent in the summer or early fall, then you’ll need airflow and bug protection. My tent has screen windows on three sides. The windows are 30” x 30” with zippers on the sides and Velcro along the top. The screen door is full-sized. D-rings in the corners secure the screen door out of the way when not in use. Airflow without mosquitos is a big deal.

Final Thoughts

There is a nostalgia that comes from hunting out of a wall tent and I like that feeling. It reminds me of my childhood. It reminds me of my roots and I remember where I came from. Those memories help me focus on the things that matter the most. Unfortunatley, memories don’t punch tags and fill freezers. The Wall Tent Shop reminded me that I can bring camper-level-comfort into the back country. The ability to get warm, dry off and rest in comfort makes the hunting trips last longer and sometimes a few more days is all it takes. If that peaks your interest, then I’d encourage you to look into a wall tent.

There are a lot of tips and tricks that come from experience. Too many to include in a review. Join me and others on the Rokslide forum and let’s discuss what we’ve learned. I’ll share more photos after the elk season. Hopefully, we’ll have an elk head leaning against the wall!

Comment on this review or ask Howard questions here.

Also check out Jared’s review.

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.

__

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

Types of Winter Hats and Beanies.

In the past, hats were one of the most used garments for both men and women. Little by little this fashion was left in the past but today it returns with more strength than ever.

One of the benefits of caps, hats or bennies is that if you wear them during the warm season they protect your face from the sun’s rays and in cold weather, it keeps you warm. Anyway, a bennie can be a great ally, not only to protect you from the weather but it is an accessory that will give glamour and sophistication to your outfits.

The term beanie comes from colloquial word “bean” to refer to the head. At first, the beanies were carried mostly by workers with a front visor to avoid hair on the face and the sun to dazzle them. In the middle of the 20th century, beanies began to be carried by everyone all around the world.

Beanies are accessories that have recently become very fashionable especially for the cold season, but can also be used at any time of the year, there are different styles, colors, patterns, textures available on the market.

Let us find out some of the different types of hats/caps available in today’s fashion:

Toque Vs. Beanie.

Last update on 2024-11-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Definition:

Especially in Canada, Toque is the common name for a knitted winter hat. In the USA and most other parts of the world, it is simply called Beanie. It is a type of hat with no any brim. It comes with varying shapes. But mostly you can find it in the woolen fabric. And usually, it is topped by a pom-pom on it or with tassel.

Similarity – Toque Vs. Beanie:

Toque and Beanie both can be fitted closely with head and it is generally knitted with wool. Both are fashionable. Especially those of animal figures or festive reasons find an original hat according to your style online.

Differences – Toque Vs. Beanie:

Toque can usually be worn in the winter season to prevent from cold wind while on other hand Beanie is so versatile that can be worn anytime. You can wear it in winter while doing sports or simply as an accessory to walk around the city or the countryside.

There are different designed unique Toques are available. It is ideal for those who like to have fun and original style. Different unique colored or simple white and black cap can be combined with any type of clothing in winter. Toque or Beanie, both are modern and cool on a daily basis.

Watch Cap Vs. Beanie.

Last update on 2024-11-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Definition:

The watch cap is a close-fitting knitted cap. It is typically worn by the US Navy members in cold season. This type of cap is ideal for insulating against dropping temperatures, snow, and drizzle. The coverage and the size are easy can be adjusted by cuffing the cap as your desired and style. Usually, it comes with a simple design and keeps your head warm and dry.

Similarity – Watch Cap Vs. Beanie:

Watch Cap and the beanie cap both are presented as the rolled-up companion. And both can be worn in winter months.

Differences – Watch Cap Vs. Beanie:

Watch cap usually comes straight on the back while Beanie comes with a dropped shape on the back and a modern oversize look. Beanie is more suitable with both a daily outfit and a western outfit, the beanie is ideal for any time and place.

Beanies are the first choice of many for any occasion. There are many occasions in which to wear beanies. During outdoor activities, beanies offer optimal protection against the cold. They can also be used during party nights and especially in the so-called Bad Hair Days, those days when it is impossible to set the hairstyle.

Beanies are much appreciated, especially in hipster fashion and are part of the look. And of course, some time ago the beanies were also discovered by musical stars that combine their beanies during the day today.

Skull Cap Vs. Beanie.

Last update on 2024-11-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Definition:

Skullcap comes with tight fitting and crocheted woven or made from knitted material typically brimless. They are classic and simple and it lasts forever.

Similarity – Skull Cap Vs. Beanie:

Skull Cap and Beanies both can be worn by any age young and old. You can find both these types of caps in many leading brands like Nike, Adidas or PUMA. Both are the perfect companions for the sport. In both types, you will get different models for day and night parties. They are also very popular among rappers.

Differences – Skull Cap Vs. Beanie:

You can find skull caps which can be worn usually one side, while on other hand beanies you can find with a reversible model which can be rotated to take them in two colors.

Beanies are complements for any demographic group. The beanies for men are mostly hats fitted to the head. For women, there are also the so-called oversize beanies that are capped with a normal cut in the sector of the forehead and lengthen backward with a fall larger than normal.

Really the beanies are rather colorful and unisex and are rarely selected for a specific sex. For women tend to be beanies adorned with hearts and bows or in pink or garish colors, however, these are an exception.

Knitted Cap Vs. Beanie.

Last update on 2024-11-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Definition:

A knitted cap is usually made with wool. It is designed to offer warmth in cold weather. It has typically simple and tapering constructions though there are many different variants are available in the market.

Similarity – Knitted Cap Vs. Beanie:

Knitted Caps and Beanies always give you the opportunity to fight the cold and the wind. You can combine them with a sweater of neutral or dark colors. It is also useful to use hats with denim shirts and even for halftime with trousers or clothes that will make you gain elegance.

Both are an excellent winter garment! Both types of caps will delight your wardrobe. No matter, whether you are in good for casual looks, subtle and simple, or to enhance your winter clothes, both will always look nice on you.

Differences – Knitted Cap Vs. Beanie:

Knitted caps are usually available with real fur on it. They are made with the best quality materials. They do not fade, they do not shrink and their cleaning does not represent any problem. While on other hand, beanies come plain and it can be shrunk after a certain period of time.

Beanies come with a whole range of textures, colors, and fabrics as you have never imagined, all this and much more! You can be with contemporary or classic styles using western style raincoats and as accessories, fine leather gloves that will make you look distinguished and you will be overwhelming wherever you go.

With beanies, Toque’s, Watch Caps, Skull Caps, And Knitted Caps, you can make a very basic and still impressive style with any suits like skinny cotton pants, jeans, hoodies or a knit sweater, the most important thing is that your heat capacity is not lost! These impressive caps are ideal with booties, jackets, jackets or even jackets.

Caps can be one of the favorite aggregates for any season. So choose wisely, Check out our categories for women, for men and for children.

Join this glamorous trend with us! Resign to be cold, because now with the beanies you’ll be fashionable!

Differences between Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass

Can you tell the difference between a striped bass and a hybrid striped bass?

What is a Hybrid?

Hybrid striped bass (also known as a wiper or whiterock bass) is a hatchery-created hybrid between the pure striped bass and the white bass. As seen in the image below, hybrid can be distinguished from pure striper by the broken horizontal stripes going down the side of the body. Pure striped bass have solid lines from head to tail fin.

In addition to the differences in stripe patterns, hybrid striped bass also tend to have a deeper body (from dorsal fin to ventral fin; back to belly). Pure striped bass are more slender and skinnier.

Size-wise, hybrid striped bass are fast-growing but typically max out in length midway between its parents; a 10- or 12-pounder is considered a great catch!

Hybrid striped bass are known for aggressive feeding habits which makes them highly sought-after by anglers. Often schooling by the thousands, these stocked fish surface feed on local baitfish found in Wallenpaupack such as alewife. Often called “breaking”, this surface feeding makes the fish visible and easy to catch on a wide array of lures and baits. Popular lures include casting spoons, buck-tail jigs, soft-body plastic fish replicas, and inline spinners.

Pure Striped Bass

The striped bass has a slimmer profile, more streamlined than a striped bass hybrid, until it reaches a weight of five to 10 pounds, when its body becomes heavy-looking. The sides are silvery to pale silvery-green, shading to white on the belly. There are seven or eight distinct (unbroken) dark stripes that run laterally on the side of the body. Young striped bass do not have dark lateral stripes, but instead have dusky bars.

Pure striped bass catches in the 15- to 20-pound range are not uncommon in Pennsylvania. In fact, the Pennsylvania state records both for marine and landlocked striped bass are over 50 pounds!

Even landlocked striped bass instinctively migrate upstream in the spring to spawn, traveling into the mouths of large freshwater rivers. Water temperature signals spawning time, with some spawning occurring at 55 degrees, but most at 60 to 67 degrees.

In lakes, pure striped bass move according to temperature and dissolved oxygen in the lake favoring cooler arms within the body of water during the hot summer. Striped bass feed on just about anything alive that is available. Young striped bass eat microcrustaceans, or zooplankton, and midge larvae. As they grow, their diet changes to other fish. As adults, striped bass live in roving schools, feeding mostly at night.

So, What’s in Lake Wallenpaupack?

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks pure and hybrid striped bass and has been since 2000. On record, they’ve stocked over 46 million pure striped bass fingerlings and fry and over 226,000 hybrid fingerling (source).

Stocked fingerlings typically reach legal length (20”) by the end of their fourth growing season!

2015 Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Biologist Report of Lake Wallenpaupack

Examples from Local Anglers

Pure Striped BassHybrid Striped Bass Mike SwingleMike Swingle Jeff AntellJeff Antell John Cook Joe Kreylin Will Hazimof Kevin Carr Greg Edwards

“Backyard Air Rifle Shooting: Know the Rules and Regulations. Discover whether shooting an air rifle in your backyard is legal and safe. Get essential guidelines to ensure responsible and enjoyable shooting experiences within the comfort of your own property.”

can i shoot air rifle in my backyard?

Air rifles are a popular choice for recreational shooting and target practice. However, whether or not you can shoot an air rifle in your backyard depends on various factors such as your location, local laws, and safety considerations. Before engaging in any shooting activities in your backyard, it is crucial to research and understand the regulations specific to your area.

In many residential areas, shooting an air rifle in your backyard may be prohibited due to safety concerns. Backyards are typically confined spaces with close proximity to neighboring properties, which can pose risks if projectiles travel beyond the intended target. It is essential to ensure that you have a safe and suitable backstop or bullet trap to prevent any stray pellets from causing harm.

Additionally, familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations regarding firearms and shooting activities. Some areas may have restrictions on discharging any type of weapon within city limits or within a certain distance from dwellings. It is always advisable to contact your local law enforcement agency or relevant authorities to obtain accurate information about the legality of shooting an air rifle in your specific location.

In conclusion, shooting an air rifle in your backyard is subject to local laws and regulations. It is important to check with your local authorities to ensure compliance with any restrictions or permissions required. Safety precautions should always be taken, such as using a suitable backdrop and ensuring that the area is clear of people or pets.