Wondering what to do with venison fat? Here’s a fun project you can make that will yield an all-purpose cooking fat.

There’s a huge misconception about venison/deer fat and it’s use in cooking. Basically, people think it tastes like chapstick, it’s gamey and horrible, too rich, or some other common unfortunate misunderstanding.

If you’re here, you’re probably bambi fat-curious, so know this: deer fat is good tasting, good for you, and yes, you can absolutely render it for cooking.

Can you cook with venison fat? Is it even good?

Ok, I should rephrase that a tiny bit. Venison fat can be very good, just like bear fat can be very good. I’m not a venison specialist, but I am a bit of a specialist on lamb and goat, and they’re very similar. Basically, the fat of animals will all taste a little different, but the biggest thing I that find that gives a strong flavor to fat, especially in wild animals like deer and bears, is their diet.

If bears are eating fish, I’d assume their fat (and the meat) would be very strong tasting, the same could be said from the meat of a racoon if it’s been living off crayfish compared to chickens.

My grandmother still recounts how awful the white tail deer in Montana my Grandpa would shoot were, because of how it smelled—like wild sage. Venison eating aromatic herbs, and shrubby, tough aromatic plants will naturally have a strong flavor.

Over here in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where most of the deer get a bit of corn in their diet, the deer will taste very mild. For contrast too, I once ordered farmed venison obviously fed a bland corn diet (at a price of 50$/lb) and had to quickly send it back to the supplier since it didn’t even taste like, well, anything, and the meat was bland and pale.

I’ve had the same thing happen with bison. As far as flavor’s concerned, just because it’s a “wild animal” or was once wild, doesn’t necessarily matter as much as the management practices do.

The high melting point

Flavor aside, probably what most people don’t care for with venison fat is that is has a high melting point, which is a nice way of saying rendered venison fat/tallow will be rock solid cold, and will firm up on a plate and in your mouth if your dish cools off. Some people liken it to chapstick.

All of this is true, but, it’s also true with lamb, goat, beef, and buffalo. All of these ruminants have fat with a similar melting point, and all of them can be good in the right place. Remember, McDonalds French fries were cooked solely in beef fat for many years, for a reason: it tastes great.

Blend fats to get the texture you want

Here’s the secret. Just because deer, beef, and lamb fat is rock hard and pasty doesn’t mean that it has to be, per se. There’s ways around it, and I like to cheat a bit. Basically, I modify fats depending on the texture I want. For example, one year for a special dinner I wanted to make deviled eggs inspired by some I had at Dominique Crenn’s Bar Crenn that were flavored with crab.

Crab oil is really easy to make, but if I mix some into deviled egg filling, it’s going to get too loose. So, I cooked crab shells in half butter and half oil, then pureed the hybrid fat into the deviled egg mix and, voila, after it chilled, I had custardy, stiff, crab-flavored deviled eggs. I do the same thing here with the deer fat.

Venison Fat “Shmaltz”

I call this venison or deer fat shmaltz because shmaltz is kind of what it is. Depending on who you ask, shmaltz will typically be used to refer to poultry fat, typically in Jewish cuisine, although it’s been adopted into the modern culinary lexicon a bit.

Some versions of shmaltz incorporate flavorings like onions, garlic and herbs into the rendering process, and that’s exactly what I do here with the venison, which helps give it some deep, rounded flavor.

The other secret is cutting the venison fat with cooking oil—whatever kind you have that isn’t cold pressed, avocado oil, grapeseed, and other oils will be fine, just don’t use extra virgin.

The finished rendered venison fat-hybrid is still going to get firm when it’s cold, but you wont have to chip it like a block of stone, and, what’s even better is that it tastes great, and you can use it for everything from sautéing vegetables to some of the most crispity, crunchity roasted potatoes you’ll eat. Try it next time you have some deer fat and don’t feel like using it to polish your boots.

I’m gonna be honest, I never put too much thought into arrows when I first started bowhunting. I just snagged up what the pro shop recommended and called it good.

The more time I spent behind the bow, though, the more I realized how important hunting arrow selection was. It’s another rabbit hole and a quite daunting one at that. That can make picking the right arrow for you not so straightforward. And the right arrow plays a huge part in bowhunting.

In light of that, we’ve put together our take on what arrows need to be on your radar for the upcoming 2024 fall hunting season.

Below is a list of my favorite arrows for a range of applications and budgets. This selection is evolving so be sure to check for updates, as new arrows will be added as they’re tested. At the end of our list, be sure to check out the comparison chart and buyer’s guide.

The Best Hunting Arrows of 2024

• Best Overall Hunting Arrow: VAP TKO
• Best Budget Hunting Arrow: Gold Tip Hunter
• Best Arrow for Deer Hunting: Easton Long Range
• Best Arrow for Elk Hunting: Day Six
• Best Traditional Arrow: Black Eagle

Hunting Arrow Comparison Chart

Why You Should Trust Us

Bowhunting often reminds us that good gear is extremely important. Quality arrows can be the difference between success and an unfilled tag. We’ve used dozens of different arrows, and only the best earn our full trust.

Whether we’re hiking above treeline looking for mule deer, slinking down into the bottom of a canyon to call for black bears, or just simply spending time behind the bow at the range — arrows matter. Our lead tester Josh Kirchner has been bowhunting for ten years. Needless to say, he’s spent an incalculable amount of time fiddling with arrows to find out what works and what doesn’t.

When coming up with this list, Kirchner considered his own experience and that of those around him. He also examined market demand at a variety of price points.

At the end of the day, as bowhunters, we need ultimate confidence in our arrows. This list will cater to a wide range of hunters and cover every situation in the mountains, prairies, and hardwoods.

Buying Guide: How to Choose a Hunting Arrow

The hunting arrows listed above are wide in variety. There’s a little something for everyone. One of the major differences between some of these arrows is the arrow weight. Arrow shafts are measured in GPI (grains per inch). And some arrows have a higher GPI than others. This leads me to one of the most highly debated topics in bowhunting.

Should you use a heavy arrow or a light arrow?

We’re gonna suss that out to provide the tools you need for picking the right arrow weight for you and your hunting style.

Heavy Hunting Arrows Equal Momentum

In recent years, there’s a push for using heavier arrows for hunting. When I say heavy, I’m referring to arrows that weigh in around 500+ grains. There is a great argument for using a heavier arrow.

Weight equals more momentum, which is basically the force an arrow will retain going through an animal. More momentum means more pass-throughs and fewer chances of arrow flight being altered too much from ribs etc. This is not to be confused with kinetic energy, which is the amount of energy an arrow has on impact.

Heavier arrows are also more wind-resistant than lighter arrows. And along with that, they absorb more energy on the shot, which translates into a quieter system.

The Downside of Heavy Arrows

While there are no doubt benefits to using a heavier arrow, there are also some drawbacks. The first is that heavier arrows are just slower. This gives arrow flight a much steeper trajectory. So, there is much less room for error when it comes to judging yardage.

This could spell trouble when that elk is a few yards farther than what you thought. For the multi-pin sight users, that also means larger gaps between pins, which makes pin gapping (aiming between pins for odd yardages) much more finicky. The result is less precision accuracy when pin gapping.

Light Hunting Arrows Equal Speed

On the flip side of things, slimming down arrow weight is becoming shinier by the day. Less arrow weight means more arrow speed, which translates into a flatter trajectory. So, it isn’t as critical to be pinpoint accurate with yardage estimates.

In hunting situations, this can be the difference between notching a tag and following a fruitless blood trail. Along with that, you’ll also be able to stretch the tape on your sight much farther. Even if one doesn’t plan on shooting an animal at a great distance, practicing far shots hones shooting skills and makes shorter shots seem even shorter.

And when those shots land at odd yardages, therein lies another benefit, particularly for multi-pin sight users. Your pin gapping will be much tighter in the sight housing, which means precision will increase when doing something like aiming between the 30 and 40 pins for a 35-yard shot.

Cons of Lightweight Hunting Arrows

Less arrow weight does come at a cost, though. The first is giving up that momentum that we talked about. Lighter arrows don’t retain as much energy through an animal as heavier ones do. This could result in fewer pass-through shots and a higher likelihood that an arrow is thrown off course by, say a bone.

And on that note, a lighter arrow also doesn’t buck the wind as well. This is a potentially problematic situation in windy hunting conditions.

Then there is the shot. The moment of truth. When that arrow releases, it won’t nearly be as quiet as a heavier setup.

Lastly, durability seems to drop off the lighter an arrow is. So, if you miss or hit a bone, the chances of your arrow still being intact is slim.

Middle of the Road: A Hunting Arrow That’s Just Right

While you hold the wheel in terms of what arrow weight you’ll end up shooting, our opinion is this. Shoot a quality midweight type of arrow in relation to your setup overall.

I say this because a heavy/light arrow for one person might be a real heavy/light arrow for another based on their draw weight, draw length, etc.

By doing so, you’ll avoid many of the cons that come from the extremes on each end. It’s a best-of-all-worlds solution. There is one more thing, though, that is the most important to keep in mind.

Arrow Flight Is Everything

To cut to the chase, good arrow flight is way more critical than trying to shoot a heavy arrow or a light arrow.

There’s nothing wrong with having somewhat of a goal arrow weight in mind, but in the end, you need to shoot the arrow that is flying the best out of your setup. If your goal is 500 grains, but a 450-grain arrow is shooting lights out for you, it’d probably be wise to eat the 50 grains and go for accuracy and consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

It might be known as the Sunflower State, but Kansas also grows monster bucks by the bushel. More than 50,000 archers hunted deer there in 2014, harvesting nearly 27,000 whitetails. Of these, roughly 15,000 were bucks.

Archery season begins in mid-September and runs through December, providing plenty of time for hunters to identify and pattern deer carrying trophy antlers.

When most hunters think of Kansas, they picture unending flatlands. But the state actually has a surprisingly diverse topography, ranging from the Great Plains in the West to the Smoky Hills in the center, to the Flint Hills and Arkansas River Lowlands in the southern and eastern reaches.

“There are fertile soils and a good mix of natural vegetation and croplands that provide deer with ample nutrition,” explains Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism deer biologist Lloyd Fox. “The state also has many acres of tall grass and CRP fields [Conservation Reserve Program] that provide perfect fawning areas.”

Kansas has long had a reputation for growing monster bucks – and for good reason. The No. 6 and No. 8 non-typicals in Pope & Young both came from here.

At 264 1/8 inches, Dale Larson’s non-typical has occupied the top of the Kansas records since 1998. Dale arrowed the buck during the rut in Pottawatomie County, one of the top counties for big deer. This giant, widely known as “Dagger,” has 31 points, an impressive 24 2/8-inch inside spread, and a long, spiraling drop tine.

Three years after that buck fell, Brad Henry of Topeka bagged a typical state record scoring 193 7/8 inches. Brad was hunting in Wabaunsee County when the largest deer he’d ever laid eyes on walking within bow range. The buck is currently No. 13 in P&Y.

Just about every county in the state has produced at least one P&Y buck. Many have produced dozens. The counties with the most all-time entries include Butler (129), Barber (107), Comanche (87), Greenwood (74) and Sumner (73).

But what’s happened recently? Entries made from 2010 until now reveal bowhunters in the eastern and south-central parts of Kansas are taking the most P&Ys.

In that time span, Bourbon and Marshall counties have produced the most (17 each), with Kingman (16), Comanche and Pottawatomie (14 each), Barber (13), Butler and Coffey (12 each) not far behind. In all of these counties, adequate escape cover, ample nutrition and low hunter densities combine to provide ideal behemoth buck prospects.

“Anywhere in the eastern third of the state has potential for producing a buck that breaks the (state) record,” says Marvin Whitehead, president of the Kansas Bowhunters Association. “I green score for a lot of guys who have no intention of entering their buck into the record books, so there are a lot more trophies taken than hunters realize.”

Despite the fact more than 95 percent of the state is privately owned, there are some good options for public bowhunting. In northeastern Kansas, Tuttle Creek’s 12,000 acres of walk-in hunting provide plenty of room to find mature whitetails. This area is prone to flooding in the fall, creating temporary islands where big bucks like to hide out.

Also, the 7,684-acre Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to the southeast is a public-land whitetail haven. Thick wetlands and oak and hickory stands give deer there cover and food.

With some areas having experienced herd decline as a result of drought and/or epizootic hemorrhagic disease several years ago, it shouldn’t have much overall effect on 2015 prospects, according to Lloyd Fox. But there figures to be some tweaking.

“We will make some minor adjustments in shortening or eliminating antlerless-only seasons in some units, and reduce the number of antlerless permits in other units,” he notes.

Kenny Fowler Buck

Taken in south-central Kansas, Kenny Fowler’s 23-point monster buck is a spectacular whitetail that demonstrates the state’s trophy potential. Check out this Big Buck Profile segment from NAW TV:

For updated deer-hunting rules and regulations, including information on seasons, bag limits and quotas, visit the KDWP website. For more information on P&Y bucks taken in Kansas and the rest of North America, check out pope-young.org.

Excerpts from the Old Man & the Boy

Robert Ruark’s The Old Man & the Boy is perhaps the all time classic hunting book ever written. The book tells the story of a grandfather and a grandson’s adventures in the outdoors. The grandfather instills the finest of ethics in the youngster at every opportunity. Though the book was written over 50 years ago, the Old Man’s wisdom will never grow old. Here’s a few quotes of the Old Man. If you haven’t read this book you are cheating yourself for not doing so.

The Old Man knows pretty near close to everything, and mostly he ain’t painful with it. What I mean is he went to Africa once when he was a kid, and he shot a tiger or two out in India, or so he says, and he was in a whole lot of wars here and yonder. But he can still tell you why the quail sleep at night in a tight circle or why the turkeys always fly uphill.

The Old Man ain’t much to look at on the hoof. He’s got big ears that flap out and a scubby mustache with light yellow tobacco stains on it. He smokes a crook stem pipe and he shoots an old pump gun that looks about as battered as he does. The thing I like most about the Old Man is he is willing to talk about what he knows, and he never talks down to a kid.

…”Hunting,” the Old Man said, “is the noblest sport yet devised by the hand of man. There were mighty hunters in the Bible, and all the caves where the cave men lived are full of carvings of assorted game the head of the house drug home. If you hunt to eat, or hunt for sport for something fine, something that will make you proud, and make you remember every single detail of the day you found him and shot him, that is good too. But if there’s one thing I despise is a killer, some blood crazed idiot that just goes around bam-bamming at everything he sees. A man that takes pleasure in death just for death’s sake is rotten somewhere inside, an you’ll find him doing things later on in life that’ll prove it.”

…”A gentleman starts down at his boots and works up to his hat. A gentleman is, first of all, polite. A gentleman never talks down to nobody, or even to anybody that says ‘anybody’ instead of ‘nobody.’ A gentleman ain’t greedy. A gentleman don’t holler at anybody else’s dogs. A gentleman pays his score as he goes. He don’t take what he can’t put back, and if he borrows, he borrows from banks. He never troubles his friends with his troubles.”

…”A sportsman, is a gentleman first. But a sportsman, basically, is a man who kills what he needs, whether it’s fish or bird or animal, or what he wants for a special reason, but he never kills anything just to kill it. And he tries to preserve the very same thing that he kills a little of from time to time. The books call this conservation. It’s the same reason why we don’t shoot that tame covey of quail down to less’n ten birds.”

…This little bobwhite, the Old Man told me, was a gentleman, and you had to approach him as gentleman to gentleman. You had to cherish him and look after him and make him very important in his own right, because there weren’t many of him around and he was worthy of respectful shooting. The way you handled quail sort of kicked back on you. …The little fellow doesn’t weigh but about six ounces but every ounce of him is pure class. He’s smart as a whip, and every time you go up against him you’re proving something about yourself.

…The quail is a member of the family, the Old Man said again. He expects to get fed, like any other member of the family. So you plant him some field peas or some lespedeza or something, and you have to leave it there for him to eat. You plant it close to a place where he can fly in. A bobwhite is pretty well set in his habits. He will walk off from where he roosted, but he likes to fly home. It is a damned shame, the Old Man said, that the human race wouldn’t take a tip from this.

“…any time a boy is ready to learn about guns is the time he’s ready, no matter how young he is, and you can’t start too young to be careful. What you got in your hands is a dangerous weapon. It can kill you, or kill me, or kill a dog. You always got to remember that when a gun is loaded it makes a potential killer out of the man that’s handling it. Don’t you ever forget it!”

…”The older you get, the carefuller you’ll be. When you’re as old as I am, you’ll be so scared of a firearm that every young man you know will call you a damned old maid. But damned old maids don’t shoot the heads off their friends in duck blinds or fire blind into a bush where a deer walked in and then go pick up their best buddy with a hole in his chest.”

…”I ain’t got to tell you that I am going to die”, the Old Man said. “You would know it. You’ve had the best of me, and you’re on your own from now on. You’ll go to college next year, and you’ll be a man, with all a man’s problems, and there won’t be no old man around to steer you. I raised you as best I could an now you’re the old man, because I’m tired and I think I’ll leave.” My eyes blurted to tears, and I said all the things young people say in the presence of death. “Leave it. Leave it,” the Old Man said. “Like I always told you, if there was a way to beat it, I would have heard about it. It’ll even happen to you, unlikely as it seems.” “But how, when, why?” I said, for lack of anything better. “I promise you,” he said, “on my word of honor, I won’t die on the opening day of bird season.” He kept his promise.

Excerpts from Robert Ruark’s classic, The Old Man and the Boy

Back to the Home Page The person who does not read good books has no advantage over the person who can’t read good books. – Will Rogers

Waterfowl hunting is tough on gear! The conditions for an amazing day at the marsh, on the lake, in flooded timber, or on the river are the same conditions that will put your gear to the test. Cold fronts, snow cover, and winter storms drive the waterfowl migration south and you can bet you don’t want to miss those new birds arriving to your honey hole. Hunters spend countless hours sorting through decoys, blinds, waders, and calls getting ready for the hunt, but don’t forget to pay special attention to the gun you are taking into the field, and how you expect it to perform. Specifically, make sure you are using the right choke for your waterfowl hunts this season.

Shotgun choke selection is a key decision on any waterfowl hunt. Knowing how your shotgun will perform at various ranges with a selected choke is paramount to successfully bagging more birds. Screw in chokes give hunters the flexibility and confidence to adjust to the hunting situation by having multiple choke choices available. By catering your shotgun choke tube to the hunting situation at hand, you can put more pellets on target when those ducks and geese come cruising in. One key component when it comes to selecting the right choke for the hunt is knowing how your shotgun will perform with each choke tube and shotshell in your bag at various ranges.

Choke tube patterning is an important step to quickly discern how your gun will perform with various shotgun choke tubes at varying distances. A little trigger time at the range will provide incredibly valuable information when it comes time to hunt. Different hunting styles and situations call for changing up your choke tube to be most effective. By patterning your shotgun with choke tubes designed for close, medium, and long ranges, with the ammunition you plan to hunt with, you will have the confidence to get on target. Waterfowl hunting requires non-toxic shot, and many hunters choose steel shot. As a general rule, you should move up one choke size from lead to steel when selecting a choke for your waterfowl hunts. If you would use a full choke with lead shot, move to a modified when shooting steel; from modified with lead to improved with steel, etc. Many manufacturers offer a three pack choke tube package, putting together the appropriate chokes for close range, medium range, and long range situations in one convenient pack; making it easy to use the right tool for the job. Having a three pack variety of choke tubes in your blind bag is one fantastic way to ensure you are ready for whatever the hunting situation calls for.

Close Range Choke Tube

Close Range Hunts

Hunting waterfowl in at close range can produce heart pounding action that is tough to beat. Mallards cupped up and dropping into a small riffle on a frozen river, Canadian geese cruising in fully committed, and ducks dropping into flooded timber are all exhilarating hunts at close range. Targets on close range hunts are generally presented 30 yards and closer, sometimes much closer. It’s critical to select a close range choke for these in your face hunts to be most effective.

Patterning Close Range

To learn how your shotgun patterns a choke and load, take a shot at a paper target with a 15” circular bullseye on a 30” piece of cardboard or paper stock. From a steady rest with a close range, or cylinder (.000 constriction) choke in the shotgun, count the hits on target to determine the effectiveness of the choke tube and shotshell combo. Tweaking variables like shot size and shotshell brand can have an affect on the results. Now that you know what to expect when you’re on target at close range with the appropriate choke, it’s time to try mid range.

Mid Range Choke Tube

Mid Range Hunts

For most of waterfowl hunting, targets are engaged at mid range. Mallards trying to land just outside the decoys, a group of geese making several low passes, or teal fanning up 35 yards from the blind are all real hunting scenarios. Making the most of your shotgun pattern at mid range is critical to the hunt and your success. By taking the time to pattern your shotgun with the ammo you plan to hunt with paired with a mid range choke tube, you will know exactly how your shotgun will perform on target.

Patterning Mid Range

For waterfowl hunters, an improved cylinder (.010) is ideal for mid range targets.

Patterning an improved cylinder choke is the same process as patterning a close range choke tube, but with a new choke. Position a clean target at 35 yards to simulate hunting at mid range and take a shot from a steady rest. Count the number of pellets on target to determine the choke and load effectiveness. It will be easy to see the pattern has tightened up from the shotgun in the improved cylinder tube, this tightening puts more pellets on target at a longer range.

Long Range Choke Tube

Long Range Hunts

Some days the birds just won’t work like you want them to. The fact is, hunting waterfowl can be tough, and you have to take the shots that are available. Whether you find yourself having to take passing shots at birds coming off a lake, or the birds just won’t commit to your decoys; sometimes you have to take those longer shots. Having the right choke in your shotgun for those long shot hunts is more critical than ever, and patterning your shotgun to understand your effective range will give you the confidence to call the shot.

Long Range Patterning

A long range choke constricts the shot pattern to an even higher degree than close or mid range chokes. Modified (.020) chokes work well for long range shots at waterfowl. The process for patterning a long range choke is the same as a close or mid range choke, but at a further distance. Practice shooting your desired hunting load at 40 yards and beyond to see how your pattern holds together, and to realize your effective range.

Duck and goose hunting is a ton of fun, and a fantastic way to enjoy the late season outdoors. Waterfowling offers amazing opportunities for fellowship with friends, and is an ideal way to introduce young people to the outdoors and the hunting way of life. When you head out to the duck blind, goose pit, or marsh this season; make sure all your gear is in order, and that you’ve got the right choke for the job screwed into your shotgun. Selecting the right choke tube will help you put more shots on target, and bring home more limits.

By Paul Carlson

I’m probably not telling you anything that you don’t already know, but shooting handguns is fun. Do you want to take that fun to the next level? Then shooting them with slide-mounted red dot optics is the answer, and the reason is simple — it’s easier to get hits.

Today, I’m reviewing the new HEX Dragonfly optic that can make shooting easier than using traditional “notch and post” sighting systems. Regardless of your stance on the red dot vs. iron sights argument, we know that getting hits is the key to really enjoying a shooting session.

The popularity of slide-mounted red dots isn’t just some random phenomenon. Instead, it has been based on a consistent improvement in technology and innovation over the years, as well as an understanding of the shooting issues people may face. As a result, it seems that dots are everywhere these days, and there are some very good reasons why. In this article, we are going to be looking at the Dragonfly. But first, let’s consider why you might need a red dot optic.

The Why

Regardless of the sight radius of your gun, using a red dot on your pistol can help you shoot with more precision and accuracy, especially at distance. A moderately sized dot, say around 3.5 MOA, allows you to refine your aiming point and repeatedly put rounds on a small area of the target. At the same time, you are provided with feedback on the movement of your gun by the dot on the optic’s window before you even press the trigger. That feedback generates a faster learning curve when it comes to getting hits at distance.

And when it comes to getting hits, being able to use a refined aiming point is always an advantage. But, depending on lighting conditions, sometimes it can be hard to pick up your iron sights. That’s not the case with an electronic red dot optic. Red dots, especially either with manual brightness settings for fine-tuning or auto-adjusting ones that react to ambient light on their own, make it easier to aim regardless of the lighting conditions.

Another major advantage of a red dot is the ability to “target focus,” which allows you to focus on your target rather than your sights. The principle is simple enough. The sight’s emitter projects a dot onto a glass lens that’s right on top of your handgun slide. Despite the fact that the projected dot is just a couple of feet away from your eyes, your brain imagines that the dot is at the same distance as your target.

With a red dot, you never have to shift your focus from the sight to the target, or conversely from the target to the sight. Just look at your target, and the dot will be superimposed right where you need it. This applies to the red dot both on a pistol as noted, or also on a long gun.

All the Buzz?

So, let’s get back to that HEX optic I mentioned. The red dot is the HEX Dragonfly, and it’s a standard-sized red dot electronic optic designed with full-sized handguns as well as long guns in mind. Featuring the “Springfield Standard” footprint shared with the Vortex Venom and Burris FastFire, the Dragonfly is designed with durability and ease of use in mind.

Frankly, when I think of what’s important for an optic, reliability is at the top of the list. Life and death situations require solutions that are dependable, and the Dragonfly is designed with dependability in mind. The Dragonfly features a beefy housing that is machined from 6061 T6 aluminum, and it is thick. Topped off with Hardcoat anodizing, this optic is built to withstand the abuse of recoil and a whole host of hardships. And within this rugged housing is a scratch-resistant, anti-glare-coated glass lens for the 3.5 MOA red dot. Springfield’s choice of durable materials and coatings set the stage for the duty-ready nature of the Dragonfly.

Simple Choices

When it comes to ease of use, the Dragonfly has everything you need. The red dot ships with a Picatinny mount for attaching the optic to a long gun, and as mentioned uses the Springfield Standard footprint for mounting to handgun slides. To mount onto a pistol like the XD-M Elite, you simply mount a Springfield #1 plate to the pistol along with the included sealing plate and then mount the optic. Easy. Oh, and matching up with the optic’s durability is an IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning the optic can be submerged in water up to one meter for 30 minutes.

When it comes to using up the Dragonfly, it’s an easy process as well. The Dragonfly depends on a single button to control the emitter. One press turns the dot on to the lowest brightness setting. Each push cycles the dot’s brightness up through the eight different settings, and one more push turns the optic off.

All the functions are on a single button. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

The Dragonfly runs off of a single, bottom-loading CR2032 button battery that is included with the red dot. It’s a common cell, easy to find at your local store, and it lasts. The single battery will run for more than 100,000 hours (or three years according to the HEX website). To improve power consumption, the optic cycles off after 16 hours. When you turn your optic on, you select the brightness level. The Dragonfly remains at the brightness you chose until you change it or the optic turns off.

The Dragonfly’s housing features a hood that extends out in front of the glass lens. This serves as a shield to protect the glass from impacts and adds further protection for the lens if the optic’s face were to come into contact with anything. Finally, the rear of the housing is serrated to help reduce the glare, which helps the shooter focus on the dot.

Clearly, the HEX Dragonfly has an impressive feature set, especially when you consider that its MSRP is just $249.

HEX Dragonfly Specifications

Range Time

I had a chance to get some range time with the Dragonfly mounted on top of a Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Tactical OSP 4.5” 9mm as well as an XD-M Elite 3.8” Compact OSP 9mm, and it shot great on both. The Dragonfly was easy to track. On presentation, all it took was some intentional pressure from my pinkies, and the dot dropped into the window right where I wanted it. With each trigger press, the 3.5 MOA dot would lift and then drop right back to the point of aim.

Regarding adjustments, that single button is really the way to go when it comes to setting the brightness. No complicated button press combinations to remember to lock the brightness in. Simply set it and forget it.

Also, the Dragonfly has plenty of adjustments when it comes to windage and elevation. The sight features 160 MOA windage and elevation adjustments. I especially like that the clicks are audible and tactile, and they can be easily made with a 9mm case. I had the Dragonfly zeroed in no time, and it has remained zeroed since. Check out Gunspot’s article on how to sight in a red dot for a quick way to sight in your optic.

Conclusion

While there are plenty of red dot sights out there from which to choose, Springfield Armory’s HEX stands out. The Dragonfly is a very reasonably priced optic, but with premium build quality and features. I have no doubt that the Dragonfly will serve you well, whether you are mounting it on a handgun or a long gun. It can handle all the hard knocks you can throw at it on the range, at the match or in the field. If you have been wondering if a red dot belongs on your gun, the HEX Dragonfly certainly deserves a look.

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Have you been dreaming of a Canada Moose hunting adventure? We offer some incredible Moose hunts in Alberta.

Why should I book a Moose hunting trip with you? We hunt in west-central Alberta where the farmland meets vast tracts of undeveloped Crown Land. This area has prime moose habitat and is home to an incredible Canada Moose population and has some excellent Moose hunting opportunities that few other places in North America can rival.

Since we only book a limited number of big game hunters each year, we’re able to keep the hunting pressure on the Moose very low. Combine those factors with the outstanding Moose habitat, and it’s easy to see why we offer some of the best Moose hunting in North America.

We hunt in an area with very good road access, so we can take hunters of varying physical fitness on this hunt. Typically, we use trucks and ATVs to cover a lot of ground and glass willow flats and cut blocks in the morning and evening. There are also numerous good vantage points for us to glass the willow groves in river bottoms where moose like to hang out.

All of our moose hunts take place about 3 hours from Edmonton in Alberta. Your guide will pick you up at the airport in Edmonton on the first day of the hunt and drive you up to camp.

We have have a lifetime success rate of over 90% on our archery and rifle Moose hunts. Our hunters typically take bulls in the 35-55″ range. Every single one of our hunters has gotten a shot at a mature bull moose over the past three years.

Finally, we also have guaranteed moose tags. So, there is no need to enter in a limited entry draw to go Moose hunting with us.

Due to all of these factors, we offer an outstanding Moose hunting experience that is truly in a league of its own. Are you looking looking for a great chance at taking a really nice Canada moose? Then book one of our incredible Moose hunting packages.

What is the cost of a Moose hunting trip in Canada with you? The prices for our 2024 and 2024 Alberta Moose hunts are listed below. Contact us for specific dates available in 2024 and 2024.

All prices are in US dollars. Our Canada Moose hunting packages include all food, lodging, transportation within the hunting area, field preparation of trophies, non-resident hunting licenses, tags, and taxes. The packages do not include tips, commercial air fare, taxidermy, meat processing, and shipment of trophies home.

Alberta Rifle Moose/Deer Combo$11,380We’re fully booked for 2024 & 2025

This is a rifle moose hunt that takes place during the late season and includes the opportunity to hunt whitetail deer at no extra charge. These late season hunts are a very underrated opportunity to hunt both moose and deer.

These hunts take place about 3 hours north of Edmonton. Hunting pressure is very low in that area and the moose habitat is outstanding. As a result, that area has high moose densities and offers a good opportunity at a 35-55″ bull.

The deer habitat is also outstanding and that part of Alberta is known for excellent whitetail deer hunting. Most of the bucks taken on these hunts score 140-150″, but hunters do occasionally take bucks in the 160-175″ range. The dates for this hunt also overlap with the whitetail rut.

Additionally, that area has very good road access, so we can take hunters of varying physical fitness on this hunt. Typically, we use trucks and ATVs to cover a lot of ground and glass willow flats and cut blocks in the morning and evening. There are also numerous good vantage points for us to glass the willow groves in river bottoms where moose like to hang out.

We only take a maximum of 2 hunters at a time and guide each hunter 1×1, so are high quality moose hunts. You’ll stay in a comfortable bunk house with electricity and hot water showers. Camp also has good cell phone service.

BOOK THIS HUNT!

Alberta Archery Moose$11,200We’re fully booked for 2024 & 2025

This is an archery moose hunt that takes place during the peak of the moose rut. This is an excellent time to hunt as the bulls are extremely vocal and respond very well to calls. If you’re looking for an exciting moose hunt where you get in close to a monster bull for a shot, then this is the hunt for you!

BOOK THIS HUNT!

What other animals may be combined with a Moose hunt? You can hunt wolf and coyotes after you get your moose at no extra charge. Depending on availability, our rifle Moose hunts in November can sometimes be combined with Whitetail Deer as well for an additional $1,750 (no extra charge for the moose/whitetail combo hunt). Our rifle moose hunts overlap with the whitetail rut in this area.

WHY SHOULD I BOOK A CANADA MOOSE HUNT WITH YOU?

• We have hunting rights in a part of Alberta that contains some of the best Moose habitat in the country. This area is home to an incredible population of Canada Moose and has some excellent hunting opportunities that few other hunting outfitters in Russia or North America (to include Siberia, Alaska, Ontario, and the Yukon) can rival.
• We book a limited number of hunts each year, abide by strict quotas, and carefully manage our hunting areas. This ensures that our hunters have high success rates and consistently harvest mature bull Moose on fair chase hunts.
• These hunts take place in an area with good road access, so unlike a moose hunt in British Columbia or Alaska, there’s no need for a float plane charter or long boat ride on a hunt with us.
• Since we have guaranteed Moose tags, there’s no need to spend years accumulating bonus points or deciphering a complicated lottery system in states like Colorado, Idaho, or Utah.
• We can accommodate rifle Moose hunters on spot and stalk hunts.
• Our Hunting Guides are friendly, knowledgeable, and have many years worth of experience guiding trophy Moose hunts.
• There are limited numbers of wolves in the area and we can also take you on a coyote or wolf hunt for free if you have time remaining in your hunt after your harvest your moose.
• We take pride in providing hunts with outstanding personal service before, during, and after your hunt. You will not have problems getting in touch us when and we’ll be available to you through the entire process to provide assistance with anything you need related to the hunt.

What is the average shot distance when Moose hunting in Canada? Since they are often encountered in thick cover, shots taken when Moose hunting are usually at short to moderate range: 50-250 yards. However, they are sometimes encountered in situations requiring longer range shots, so hunters should be prepared to take shots out to 300 yards on a rifle Moose hunting trip with us.

What are the accommodations like on your Moose hunting trips? You’ll stay in a comfortable bunk house with electricity, hot water showers, and an outdoor bar/cookhouse. Camp also has good cell phone service.

Breakfast is normally eaten in camp and typically consists of oatmeal, bacon, pancakes. Hunters usually take a sack lunch of sandwiches and a few snacks into the field and return to camp for a hearty and tasty dinner in the evening.

When do you do your Moose hunting? The rifle moose hunting season takes place during the month of November and this is when we outfit our fully guided moose hunts.

Contact us for more information or to book your Moose hunting trip.

What is the best rifle caliber for Moose hunting? Since they are so large (they’re the largest members of the deer family), Moose must be hunted with an cartridge of appropriate power. With this in mind, we do not recommend using anything less than the .30-06 Springfield, using 180gr controlled expansion bullets, for Canadian Moose hunting. The .300 and .338 Winchester Magnum are also good choices. Some hunters successfully hunt Moose with even larger cartridges, such as the .375 H&H and .416 Remington, though neither is really necessary.

That being said, we would rather you bring a smaller cartridge that you are familiar with and can shoot accurately rather one that you are afraid of. As always, accuracy and good shot placement are the two most important things when hunting Moose.

What is the best recommended Moose shot placement? Though Moose are very large, they will not travel very far if hit properly by a powerful enough bullet. When the animal is standing broadside, simply aim at the center of the shoulder, approximately one third of the way up the body.

Remember to adjust your aiming point accordingly if the Moose is quartering towards or away from you (aim slightly forward if it is quartering towards you and slightly to the rear if it is quartering away). Prior to taking any shot, ensure that the animal is stationary and is not standing in water. Recovering a dead Moose from a body of cold water is doable, but is an experience best avoided if at all possible.

Western Canada Moose Scientific Name: Alces alces andersoni

How do you distinguish males from females when Moose hunting? Male (bulls) and female (cows) Moose are very easy to tell apart when Moose hunting. Only bulls (top) have antlers.If you’re interested in going Moose hunting in Canada, please contact us for more information. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.

Hunting dogs have been bred and trained for centuries to assist humans in their hunting pursuits. They are strong, agile, and intelligent, making them ideal companions for hunting trips. Naming your hunting dog is an important part of the bonding process between you and your furry friend. A great name not only reflects your dog’s personality and characteristics but also adds to their hunting persona.

In this blog post, we will share with you the best hunting dog names from various sources that will suit any breed and help you find the perfect name for your four-legged companion.

• Ace – A short and snappy name for a dog who is always on top of their game and excels in the field.
• Arrow – A strong and swift name for a hunting dog who can navigate through the woods like a pro.
• Aspen – Named after the popular ski resort town, this name is perfect for a dog that loves to hunt in the mountains or is from Colorado.
• Blaze – A fiery name for a dog who has an intense passion for the hunt and can track down prey with ease.
• Boone – Named after Daniel Boone, a famous frontiersman and hunter.
• Brook – Inspired by brook trout, this name is fitting for a waterfowl retriever or a dog that loves to swim.
• Browning – Named after the Browning Arms Company
• Buck – This classic hunting dog name is inspired by the iconic game animal and is fitting for a dog that is quick, nimble, and agile.
• Cabela – Named after Cabela’s, a hunting and fishing retail store.
• Canyon – Named after the many canyons and gorges found in hunting areas.
• Cascade – Inspired by the Cascade mountain range, this name is great for a dog that loves to hunt in the mountains or is from the Pacific Northwest.
• Cheyenne – Named after the capital city of Wyoming, this name is great for a dog that loves to hunt in the western United States or is from the region.
• Chief – A powerful and commanding name for a dog who takes charge and leads the way on the hunt.
• Colt – A name for a young hunting dog who is full of energy and eager to learn.
• Dash – A name for a dog who is quick and agile on their feet, making them a valuable asset on the hunt.
• Duke – A name for a regal and noble hunting dog who exudes strength and loyalty.
• Flint – Named after Flintlock, a type of gun used for hunting.
• Gage – Named after a shotgun gauge, which measures the diameter of the gun barrel.
• Glacier – Named after the Glacier National Park, a popular outdoors spot in Montana.
• Grizzly – Inspired by the large and powerful bear, this name is fitting for a hunting dog that is big, strong, and fearless.
• Grouse – Named after the popular game bird, this name is perfect for a hunting dog that excels in upland bird hunting.
• Gunner – A name for a dog who is skilled in shooting game birds and can retrieve them with ease.
• Hank – A name for a dog who is a loyal and reliable companion on the hunt, always by their owner’s side.
• Huckleberry – Named after the wild berries often found on hunting trips.
• Hunter – A straightforward and fitting name for a dog who was born to hunt.
• Kodiak – Inspired by the large bear species, this name is fitting for a hunting dog that is big, strong, and always on the hunt
• Marlin – Named after the popular pelagic fish, this name is great for a dog that loves to spend time on the water.
• Maverick – A name for a daring and adventurous dog who loves to explore new terrain on the hunt.
• Mossy – This name is inspired by the popular camouflage brand and is perfect for a dog that loves to hunt in the woods and blend in with the surroundings.
• Nellie – Named after Nellie Creek, a popular hunting spot in Montana.
• Oakley – A name for a hunting dog who is strong, sturdy, and can withstand any challenge that comes their way.
• Orvis – Named after Orvis, a famous hunting and fishing supply company.
• Ozark – Named after the Ozark Mountains, a popular hunting destination in Arkansas and Missouri.
• Pheasant – A cute and quirky name for a dog that helps hunt pheasants.
• Quill – Named after a feather quill, which hunters may use to memorialize their hunts.
• Red – This name is inspired by the color of many game animals and is fitting for a hunting dog that is fast, fierce, and always on the hunt.
• Redwood – Named after the Redwood National and State Parks, which offer hunting opportunities.
• Remi – Named after Remington
• Remington – A name for a dog who is a skilled gun dog, known for their excellent retrieval abilities.
• Ridge – A name for a dog who can navigate through rough and rocky terrain with ease.
• Rio – Named after the Rio Grande, a river that flows through many popular hunting destinations.
• Rocky – Named after the iconic mountain range, this name is great for a dog that is tough, rugged, and always up for a challenge.
• Ruger – This name pays homage to the firearms company and is great for a dog that is tough, reliable, and always gets the job done.
• Sage – Named after the sagebrush found in many hunting locations.
• Scout – A name for a dog who is always on the lookout for game and can spot prey from a distance.
• Shooter – A name for a dog who is a sharpshooter and can hit their target with precision.
• Sierra – Named after the Sierra Nevada mountain range, this name is perfect for a hunting dog that is tough, rugged, and loves to explore the great outdoors.
• Steele – A strong and durable name for a hunting dog who can withstand harsh weather conditions.
• Stone – Named after the rocky terrain often found in hunting areas.
• Tahoe – Named after Lake Tahoe, a popular destination for hunting and fishing.
• Talon – A fitting name for a hunting dog with sharp claws.
• Timber – Named after the wooded areas where hunting often takes place.
• Tracker – A fitting name for a dog that helps track down game.
• Trigger – A name for a dog who is quick to act and can respond to commands in a split second.
• Turbo – A name for a dog who has boundless energy and can keep up with their owner on a long hunt.
• Whiskey – A name for a dog who is spirited and lively, bringing excitement to every hunting trip.
• Winchester – Named after the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, which produces hunting firearms.
• Wyatt – A name for a dog who is a fearless and determined hunter, always up for a challenge.
• Yukon – Named after the Yukon River and the Yukon Territory, known for their abundant wildlife.
• Zephyr – A name for a dog who is fast and agile, like a gentle breeze that blows through the woods.
• Zeus – A name for a dog who is powerful and commanding, like the king of the gods.
• Zion – Named after the popular national park, this name is perfect for a hunting dog that loves to explore the wilderness and climb mountains.