Hunting dog names are perfect if you plan on taking your pup hunting with you.

But how do you know which one to pick?

Out in the fields, an owner will have to call the dog’s name many times, so it’s essential to choose wisely.

When you think of a typical hunting dog, a few adjectives come to mind: loyal, disciplined, tough, and intelligent. Excellent hunting dog names reflect these characteristics.

You can also draw inspiration from nature, the ammunition and tools you use, mythology, famous hunters, and much more.

Our list of 215+ hunting dog names will provide plenty of ideas and lead you to the perfect name for your new pup!

Classic Hunting Dog Names

When looking for the perfect dog name, it’s hard to know where to start. So to kick off our list, let’s explore some traditional hunting dog names that encompass the essence of the hunting experience.

These are tried-and-true, traditional names that signify your four-legged friend is a hunting dog. They’ve been used by thousands of hunting enthusiasts just like yourself when naming a new pup.

Look and see if any are a fit for your soon-to-be hunting buddy.

• Ace – You’ll have an ace hunting dog if you train correctly. Get a leg up by naming your dog Ace.
• Blaze – Like blaze orange! Or how fast your dog will be running after prey.
• Bud – Hunters have a special bond with their dogs in the field. You become buds with your pup!
• Buddy – A slightly longer variation of Bud.
• Boomer – If we were to get a male hunting dog, this would be our pick for the name.
• Camo – Camouflage clothing is worn during hunting.
• Chase – It goes without saying: A hunting dog does a lot of chasing.
• Dakota – This name is excellent on many levels. The plains of North and South Dakota are prime hunting spots. And it also pays tribute to the Dakota tribe.
• Decoy – Setting up a decoy is an important tactic.
• Dixie – The region of Dixie is considered the south and southeastern portion of the United States, where hunting is quite popular.
• Duke – is also powerful and an excellent choice for male hunting dog names.
• Hunter – After all, your dog is a hunter, too.
• Huntress – This is one for the female hunters.
• Liberty – There’s something about hunting that makes you feel free.
• Radar – Hopefully, your dog is like a radar when you’re hunting together and monitors everything that is going on.
• Ranger – Your dog helps you monitor the landscape and take care of business, just like a ranger.
• Scout – Your pup will help you scout the land. This name is classic and cool.
• Shadow – Your pup is like your shadow in the field.
• Trapper – The goal is to trap animals, and this is a unique, rugged name.

Hunting Dog Names Inspired by Guns and Ammunition

A critical part of the hunting experience is the guns and ammunition. In addition, they provide fun ideas for gun dogs!

Below are ideas based on commonly used brands and products. However, you might find a name that resonates with you based on your preferences.

The best part about these picks is that they’ll especially resonate with other hunters, who will immediately understand their meaning.

• Ammo – An abbreviation for ammunition and a unique name for your canine hunter.
• Beretta – This Italian firearms company makes a cool name for a female hunting dog.
• Bullet – And then out goes the bullet!
• Colt – Colt has been making firearms in the United States since 1836.
• Gauge – The gauge of a firearm is a unit of measurement used to express the barrel’s diameter. It’s also a tough, strong dog name.
• Glock – As in the Glock pistol.
• Gunner – A term for a person who operates a gun or cannon.
• Hammer – The hammer is the part of a firearm that converts stored energy to fire a projectile.
• Kimber – American small arms manufacturer.
• Magnum – As in the Magnum gun.
• Musket – Looking for a super unique name? Musket – the muzzle-loaded, smoothbore firearm fired from the shoulder – makes a cool moniker.
• Nelli – Benelli, an Italian firearm manufacturer, Benelli is best known for shotguns used by military, law enforcement, and civilians all over the world.
• Pistol – As in the short firearm.
• Powder – The powder in a gun that propels the bullet and makes a softer hunting dog name.
• Remington (Remmy) – Based in the United States, the Remington Arms Company is a leading manufacturer of firearms and ammunition.
• Ruger – The Ruger company, also based in the United States, produces high-quality firearms.
• Sauer – SIG SAUER is a German firearm company.
• Shooter – A fantastic, expert-sounding choice.
• Smith – Smith & Wesson is an American firearm and ammo manufacturer from Massachusetts.
• Sniper – A rifleman who fires from a concealed place.
• Tank – As in a tank gun.
• Trigger – When firing a shot, you first pull the trigger.
• Wesson – Smith & Wesson is an American firearm and ammo manufacturer from Massachusetts.
• Winchester – The Winchester Repeating Arms Company is a prominent American maker of repeating firearms. How regal is this name?

Bow Hunting Dog Names

Bowhunting is another form of hunting. If you’re a bowhunter, you may not be hunting with your dog, but it can be fun to name your pup after your hobby!

These names encapsulate this unique activity and draw inspiration from the tools, popular brands, famous bow hunters in pop culture, and more.

• Arrow – Some forgo guns and use arrows for hunting instead.
• Bear – Compound bow brand and father of bowhunting Fred Bear.
• Bow (Bowe) – Your primary hunting tool
• Bull (Bullseye) – A great shot
• Cam – Part of a compound bow
• Fletch – Short for fletching, the feathers or vanes of an arrow
• Hawkeye – Marvel archer
• Hoyt – Hoyt Archery brand
• Legolas – Elf with a bow from Lord of the Rings
• Link – Bow-wielding hero of Zelda video games
• Matthews – Bow brand
• Robin – Robin Hood

Animal-Inspired Hunting Dog Names

The names of animals – either hunters or commonly hunted – also make excellent hunting dog names.

Animals are an integral part of the hunting experience, so it only makes sense that they can be an inspiration for naming your dog.

Strong and distinct, these names reflect the spirit of hunting.

• Bear – Bears are often hunted and are also hunters themselves. This is quite the popular dog name and frequently makes our top 20 list.
• Buck – A buck is a male deer which are commonly hunted.
• Drake – Duck hunting is quite popular. By picking drake, the name of a male mallard, you recognize the animal without being literal.
• Fawn – Deer are a popular hunting target, and Fawn makes a perfect name for a female dog.
• Finch – This animal name is a little different. The finch isn’t hunted or a hunter, but we love this cute, lovely name for a hunting dog.
• Fox – We love this name. Foxes are quick and lively – great qualities in a hunting dog.
• Grizzly – As in a Grizzly Bear, the massive bear that hunts its prey.
• Hawk – The hawk is an agile, strong hunter.
• Lynx – The lynx, a medium-sized wild cat, is a natural hunter. Like your dog, hopefully.
• Tiger – Tiger is a brutal, strong animal.
• Wolf – A wolf is also a wild canine hunter.

Other Ideas For Hunting Dog Names

Let’s look at other names options that are tough and tenacious, just like your dog.

Here are dozens of more ideas that work perfectly for pups who love to hunt.

• Beast – Tough? Check. Fun? Check check.
• Blitz – This military term also serves as a cool hunting dog name.
• Bolt – A good hunting dog is quite speedy, which makes this a fitting name.
• Brutus – Tough and funny.
• Cabela – This retail store is a mecca for hunters.
• Dash – Hunting dogs are super fast, after all.
• Diesel – Diesel has just the right edge of toughness and rebellion.
• Gander – As in Gander Outdoors.
• General – If your dog is intelligent and commanding, this is a great name.
• Jag – This name is tough and to the point.
• Justice – Righteous and strong, justice is a great way to describe a hunting dog.
• King – This regal name is fabulous for hunting dogs.
• Legend – This name is unique, fun, and confident.
• Mack – Mack is a tenacious and tough name.
• Maverick – A maverick is someone who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates.
• Max – This name is quite a popular choice for male pups.
• Outlaw – If you want a rebellious name, Outlaw is a daring choice.
• Porter – A hip, cool hunting dog name.
• Rex – If you’re looking for a classic dog name, Rex is the way to go.
• Shiloh – This name is the quintessential classic dog name.
• Spike – Cute and tough at the same time, Spike is a lovable hunting dog name.
• Rambo – Another iconic, tough Sylvester Stallone character.
• Rebel – Great for kick-butt, daring pups.
• Rocky – As in Rocky Balboa, the tough boxer played by Sylvester Stallone. Rocky is another name on our top 20 most popular choices.
• Rogue – A rebellious, fun option for female hunting dog names.
• Ryder – A strong and stylish moniker.
• Sarge – I love this powerful, commanding name.
• Scheels – This retail chain has plenty of great gear for hunters.
• Scooter – This sounds like a hunting dog name, doesn’t it?
• Spartan – Sparta was a warrior society in ancient Greece that defeated Athens in the Peloponnesian War.
• Walker – Like Walker Texas Ranger!
• Wolverine – If you’re a sci-fi geek who also likes to hunt, Wolverine perfectly combines the two worlds.

Hunting Dog Names Based on Nature

You’ll spend a lot of time in nature if you like hunting. So why not recognize the great outdoors with these nature-inspired names?

They’re simultaneously strong and beautiful all at the same time.

Check them out and see what you think for your four-legged friend.

• Aspen – A tree native to cold regions with cool summers.
• Aurora – As in Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.
• Brook – A small stream (and a gorgeous dog name).
• Cedar – The name of a coniferous tree.
• Dawn – Hunting often starts at the crack of dawn!
• Forest – Land filled with trees and a great hunting dog name.
• Maple – After the beautiful, colorful tree.
• Meadow – Hunting usually takes place in fields and meadows. How pretty is this name?
• Prairie – An open area of grassland where hunting often takes place.
• Rain – Rain is a gorgeous all-natural name.
• River – Your hunting trip just might be near a river.
• Sunny – How cute is this dog name? It’s cheerful and bright.
• Sky – You’ll be under the beautiful sky for hours upon hours on your hunting trip!
• Stormy – Hopefully, your hunting trips are storm-free. But, we do love this strong name for hunting dogs.
• Thunder – This name is powerful and tough, perfect for a hunting dog.
• Tundra – A cold arctic region.
• Willow – Willow trees and shrubs are common in nature. This is a beautiful, natural name.

Names Inspired by Mythology

Hunting has been around since the beginning of humanity. As such, it’s no surprise that there are many hunters and warriors in ancient mythology.

These ideas make for cool and cultured dog names that reflect the centuries-old hunting tradition.

• Artemis – In Greek mythology, Artemis was the goddess of the hunt. So, how perfect is this name?
• Athena – Athena was the gal who was good at everything, including war strategy. She was known for her wisdom, strength, and athleticism.
• Apollo – The god Apollo rocked at everything, too. One of his biggest strengths was archery.
• Hercules – Half-god, half-man, Hercules is recognized for his great strength. This makes a tough, unique hunting dog name!
• Odin – Odin, the name of Thor’s father, is the leader of the Wild Hunt.
• Olympia – Around 1,000 b.c., Greeks prepared an athletic festival to honor Zeus. It took place in Olympia, and thus the Olympics were born.
• Orion – Orion was a giant huntsman whom Zeus placed among the stars as the constellation of Orion.
• Nyx – The Greek goddess of night, Nyx is a shadowy figure with greek beauty.
• Xena – As in the warrior princess.
• Zeus – Speaking of Zeus, his name makes a pretty sweet hunting dog name, too.

We’ve got plenty more mythology dog names if you like this vibe.

Famous Hunters and Shooters

Let’s take a look at real-life people known for their hunting prowess. They could make cool hunting dog names!

Fun and unique, it’s all but a guarantee you won’t find other dogs on the hunting field with one of these names.

• Aldo – Aldo Leopold was an American ecologist and environmentalist who was also a hunter.
• Annie (Oakley) – An American sharpshooter, Annie Oakley wowed exhibition crowds from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
• Davy (Crockett) – This 19th-century folk hero was the “king of the wild frontier.”
• Crockett – An alternate to above.
• Boone – Daniel Boone is another American pioneer known for his hunting skills.
• Cody – William Buffalo Bill Cody was a famous bison hunter from the wild west.
• Jesse – Jesse James was a famous outlaw who knew his way around a gun.
• Roosevelt – Theodore Roosevelt was an American President and famous hunter who protected the land.
• Saxton – Saxton Pope was a famous bowhunter who hunted grizzlies in Yellowstone.
• Winston – Winston Churchill was English Prim Minister who loved hunting.
• Wyatt – Perhaps the most famous sheriff in the old west, Wyatt Earp was the town marshal in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, who took part in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Fishing Dog Names

If you’re a fan of fishing, you may find these fishing dog names an excellent choice.

Many hunters also enjoy the sport of fishing. After all, both provide lots of time in nature and the thrill of catching an animal.

One of these fishing dog names can pay tribute to your other passion or try out a nautical dog name.

• Anchor
• Angler
• Bass
• Berkley – fishing line
• Brook – a small stream
• Captain
• Cisco – fishing brand
• Croix – pronounced Croy for St. Croix river/rods
• Finn – part of a fish
• Gill – fish openings for breathing
• Hook
• Jig
• Keeper – a good one!
• Kota – Minn Kota motors
• Lindy – tackle brand
• Lunker – huge fish
• Lure
• Marina
• Minnow
• Oakley – sunglasses brand
• Pike – species of carnivorous fish
• Ranger – popular boat
• Rigger – setting up sails/assembling tackle
• Rip – fast pull on the rod
• Sandy
• Skipper / Skip
• Spinner – fishing lure with a rotating blade
• Sunny
• Trout

Other Strong and Stoic Hunting Dog Names

• Alaska
• Alpha
• Atlas
• Arya
• Avalanche
• Bear
• Blade
• Blaze
• Blizzard
• Butch
• Calgary
• Captain
• Colt
• Crash
• Dallas
• Danger
• Digger
• Duke
• Echo
• Ember
• Falcon
• General
• Ghost
• Goliath
• Hammer
• Harley
• Harper
• Hawkeye
• Huck
• Hulk
• Indiana
• Jagger
• Jet
• Jinx
• Kane
• Major
• Montana
• Nikita
• Radar
• Raven
• Rocky
• Saber
• Sable
• Shadow
• Sheriff
• Stallone
• Stormy
• Tank
• Thor
• Trooper
• Vinnie
• Virginia

More Dog Name Ideas

If these dog names do not inspire you, try our online generator and discover more options. You can sort by your favorite styles and themes to find the perfect name for your pup.

Or check out these popular categories that are perfect for hunting dogs:

• Sports names for male dogs and female dogs

Also, you might find these articles helpful:

• Labrador dog names
• Big dog names
• Badass dog names
• Country dog names

Advice for Picking Hunting Dog Names

Although you don’t have to shy away from cutesy dog names, prepare for some teasing out in the field if you have to call a name like “Princess” for hours on end.

As a kid, we got a dog – a female chocolate Labrador Retriever – with my dad’s intent to use her for hunting. My brother and I wanted to call her Lady, but my dad quickly kiboshed that idea.

That was probably a wise idea considering his wise-cracking hunting buddies.

Here are other helpful tips when it comes to selecting a name for your dog:

• Is it easy to say? Some names are great in theory but tough to pronounce in everyday life. So before you lock in on a name, make sure it rolls off the tongue.
• Say it out loud. Can you imagine loudly calling for your dog with this name? If not, then it’s not the right name, and you should move on.
• Does it fit your dog? Check to see if the name matches your dog’s personality and appearance. This is important for both you and your pup.
• And finally, trust your gut. When you find the right name, you’ll know it!

5 Easy Steps to Teach a Dog Their Name

Once you have a name, how do you teach it to your dog? We have an awesome guide that makes it easy.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting

Having a dog is a fantastic experience, and the relationship between an owner and his dog deepens when you bond over an activity like hunting. You’re in store for happy times and many memories.

Consider these names to help you in your search and play around with our easy-to-use dog naming tool. We hope you find what you’re looking for.

Happy hunting!

View Your Saved Names

Over the past few weeks, I surveyed over 100 shooters who competed in this year’s Nightforce Extended Long Range Steel Challenge in Wyoming. I know a lot of you had questions about calibers, scopes and other gear guys were using, so I put together a survey, and the match director, Scott Satterlee, sent it to all the competitors. Over 100 shooters completed the survey, including 85% of the guys who finished in the top 25 overall. Thanks to all the guys who took the time to share.

One of the fun things about the NF ELR match is it has less established paths to success than most rifle matches. In most PRS/NRL style matches, it’s very likely the guy who wins was using a 6 Dasher (or other 6BR based case), 6mm Creedmoor, or maybe a 6×47 Lapua or 6XC, which are all very, very similar in the grand scheme of things (see the data). In many Extreme Long Range matches the winner is likely using some variety of a 375 CheyTac or 416 Barrett (see the data). This Wyoming match that Scott has designed is one of a kind, featuring features targets from 700-2100 yards in a wide range of scenarios and conditions. (Learn more about the Nightforce ELR match)

While there aren’t formal definitions that anyone agrees on, those distances are further than what most people think of as “traditional” long-range (average target distance at this year’s match was 1,180 yards), but also shorter distance than what many consider “extreme” long-range (90% of the targets at this year’s match were 1500 yards or less). Scott calls this “Extended Long Range,” which is somewhere between the two. As competitors, we’re still trying to figure out what works best, which makes cartridge and equipment choices much more interesting.

“This information will be super helpful to a lot of folks that want to get into the extended range type of engagements,” explained Scott Satterlee. “The Nightforce match is unique to our sport because we had calibers from 6mm through 416’s and everything in between.”

I agree, so let’s dive into the data!

Most Popular Caliber at the Nightforce ELR Match

Let’s start by looking at the calibers guys chose to run, and then we’ll dive into the specific cartridges they pick. While many shooters use the term caliber and cartridge interchangeably, when I say “caliber” I’m referring to the bore diameter of the barrel (e.g. 30 caliber) and when I say “cartridge” I’m referring to the specific type of case the barrel is chambered for (e.g. 300 Norma Mag, 300 PRC).

The chart below shows a breakdown of the total number of shooters who completed the survey grouped by the caliber they were using. I wanted to also provide context for where those shooters finished in the overall standings, so the colors in each bar is used to segment how high up they finished on the leader board. Black indicates those who finished in the top 10, blue indicates 11th and 25th, green indicates 26th to 50th, yellow indicates 51st to 99th, and light gray indicates 100th to 191st.

Like Scott mentioned, there were literally shooters running 6mm to 416 caliber rifles. However, you can clearly see in the chart above that the majority of shooters were running one of these calibers: 6.5mm, 7mm, or 30 caliber. In fact, those three calibers combine to represent 80% of the surveyed shooters!

You can also see above that some guys finished in the top 25 with 6mm and a 25 caliber rifles, and there was also one shooter who finished in the top 10 with a 338 caliber rifle. Having six calibers represented among the top 25 shooters just shows how many opinions there are in terms of what is optimal for these distances!

Now let’s filter down to just show what caliber guys the guys who finished in the top 50 chose to compete with this year. I know a few very well respected shooters that have competed at the highest levels that finished outside of the top 50 at this match, so its safe to say the guys who finished in the top 50 are all exceptional shooters. Let’s see what those guys chose to run:

The chart above shows that more shooters were running a 6.5mm cartridge in the top 50 than any other caliber. However, more shooters were running a 30 caliber cartridge in the top 10 and the top 25 than any other caliber. But, once again the 6.5mm, 7mm, and 30 calibers were the top picks, with those three combining to represent 81% of the surveyed shooters who finished in the top 50.

Most Popular ELR Cartridges

Now let’s look at the specific cartridges these shooters were using to engage targets from 700-2100 yards … in sustained winds up to 35 mph and wind gusts measured on-site up to 60 mph!

You can see a huge range of cartridges, including the 338 Lapua Mag, and precision cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6 Creedmoor, and 6.5×47 Lapua, and larger cartridges like a 7mm Rem Mag, 6.5-284, and even the 28 Nosler. But, 5 cartridges seemed to be most popular, with several people using each of these:

1. 6.5 PRC
2. 300 Norma Mag
3. 300 PRC
4. 7 SAUM
5. 6.5 SAUM

Those 5 cartridges represented 44% of the 100+ shooters surveyed.

6.5 PRC

The most popular choice among the 100+ shooters surveyed was the 6.5 PRC, which is a new cartridge Hornady released in 2017. The 6.5 PRC had been SAAMI approved for less than two years before this match, which is a short amount of time to already see such widespread adoption among the precision rifle community.

The 6.5 PRC is the big brother to the very popular 6.5 Creedmoor and offers up to 10% more velocity while still maintaining relatively low recoil. PRC stands for Precision Rifle Cartridge, and it was designed from the ground up with this kind of precision shooting in mind. The 6.5 PRC is a compact, magnum cartridge that can drive bullets like the 147 gr. ELD-M 200+ fps faster than the Creedmoor, which allows it to stretch well beyond 1,000 yards. Like the 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor, Hornady offers high quality, match-grade ammunition for the 6.5 PRC at affordable prices. I noticed at least a couple of shooters at this match using Hornady 6.5 PRC factory match ammo.

Among those surveyed, it seems like most shooters were using their 6.5 PRC to push 144-147 gr. bullets around 2950 to 2980 fps, which should give context for the class of ballistics the 6.5 PRC provides.

300 Norma Mag

The 300 Norma Mag has been popular at this match for the past few years. It’s worth noting that the shooters who finished in the top 4 spots overall in 2020 were all using a 300 Norma Mag. The winners of this Wyoming ELR Match in 2017 and 2018 were both using a 300 Norma Mag, too. I’ve talked about this cartridge extensively in my previous posts, so I won’t cover all that again. Note: This is different than the older 308 Norma Mag, which was designed in 1959. The 300 Norma Mag is a larger and more modern cartridge designed in 2012.

The 300 Norma Mag is a large magnum cartridge that has been adopted by USSOCOM, so it’s popularity continues to rise. With heavy-for-caliber bullets from 215 to 230 gr., it’s ballistics rival that of the 338 Lapua Mag, but with less recoil (although faster barrel wear). USSOCOM’s Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) solicitation specified the 300 Norma Mag as one of the cartridges that rifle should be chambered in, and now there are lots of rifles being chambered for that cartridge.

Another big attraction for the 300 Norma Mag is that Lapua is now selling brass for it, which means you can get the best of class brass for it if you need extreme consistency and low variation in muzzle velocity. That is an important thing in this game! (Read more on the 300 Norma Mag)

Among those surveyed, many shooters were running 215-220 gr. bullets around 2980-3000 fps, and 230 gr. bullets around 2940-2970 fps. Jorge took 1st place overall and he said using a 30-inch barrel to push Berger 220 gr. Long Range Hybrid bullet at 2980 fps – with an SD of 2 fps!

300 PRC

The 300 PRC was also very popular among this group. It was released around the same time as the 6.5 PRC, so it’s a bit surprising to see how many precision rifle competitors have adopted it – but there is a lot to like! The 300 PRC was tested and selected by the US Dept. of Defense to use in its extended long-range sniping program.

Long-range expert and former special ops sniper, Ryan Cleckner, explains, “The 300 Norma handily beats the 300 PRC on ballistic performance. This is because it can shoot the same or similar bullet faster. However, this comes at a cost. The 300 Norma requires the same XL-sized action as the 338 Lapua Mag because of its large cartridge case and it recoils more than the 300 PRC.” The XL-sized action is due to the Norma being a “fatter” cartridge, requiring a larger bolt face.

The 300 Norma Mag has slightly more case volume, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that it can provide slightly higher muzzle velocities and a small edge in ballistics. In my survey, some shooters using a 300 Norma Mag were pushing 230 gr. bullets around 2960 fps, while shooters using a 300 PRC said they were pushing 230 gr. bullets around 2860 fps. So the 300 Norma Mag can provide roughly 100 fps faster velocities than the 300 PRC, which is more but not a drastic difference.

With the overall length of 3.7 inches, the 300 PRC requires a magnum length action. You can use it with a Remington 700 Long Action, but it requires a few modifications. Some also believe the 300 PRC addresses other drawbacks of the 300 Norma Mag, but I’ll side-step that debate. After reading a ton about both and personally talking to experts closely involved with their designs, I don’t think one is inherently better than the other. Clearly, there are good shooters using each one effectively, so it likely comes down to your particular application and personal preferences.

7 SAUM

There were also several shooters using the 7mm SAUM, also known as the 7mm Remington Short Action Ultra Mag, including one in the top 10 and another in the top 25. The 7 SAUM is a short-action, magnum cartridges similar to the 7 WSM. One of the draws to the 7 SAUM is the availability of high-quality brass through companies like Norma and ADG. The 7 SAUM offers better performance than the 300 Win Mag in a package that is almost as small as the 6.5 Creedmoor. I read a great article written by nationally-ranked precision rifle competitor, Caylen Wojcik, that walks through how he landed on the 7mm SAUM cartridge for a dual-purpose rifle build to use in extended long-range competitions and long-range hunting. Caylen said he runs 180 gr. bullets around 2900 fps with his 7 SAUM. Lou Smith finished in the top 10 with a 7 SAUM in the Wyoming ELR match, and he was running Berger 184 gr. Hybrid bullets at 2930 fps from his 30-inch barrel.

Honestly, with so many guys using either a 6.5mm or a 30 caliber, it seems like the 7mm could prove to be the happy medium. I talked with Scott Satterlee about this a couple of years ago and we both believe some flavor of 7mm magnum could arguably be the ideal choice for this match. Now with the release of 7mm bullets like Hornady’s 190 gr. A-Tip, and Berger’s new 190 gr. Long Range Hybrid Target (LRHT) bullet – I would be surprised if we don’t see more 7mm magnums in the future. Cartridge choice follows bullet design, so when new bullets are released you can always expect it to disrupt cartridge popularity as new bullet designs open new opportunities.

6.5 SAUM

Finally, several shooters chose to run a 6.5 SAUM at the Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge, which is obviously very similar to the 7 SAUM, but necked down to a 6.5mm bullet. If you just look at what the shooters who finished in the top 25 were using, there were as many running a 6.5 SAUM as any other cartridge! The 6.5 SAUM and the 300 Norma both had 4 shooters represented among the top 25. The 6.5 SAUM had two shooters represented among the top 10 and two other shooters in the top 25.

The shooter highest on the leaderboard that was using a 6.5 SAUM was Carson Rutherford, who placed 5th overall. Carson said he was using Hornady 153 gr. A-Tip bullets, and was pushing those at 3,090 fps with an SD of 6 fps. The shooters surveyed that were using a 6.5 SAUM reported a variety of velocities, but many of those who finished in the top half were pushing 140-147 gr. bullets 3090 to 3115 fps.

Here is a closer look at the cartridges used by those who finished in the top 25 at the 2020 Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge:

First, it is interesting that while the 6.5 PRC was the most popular cartridge among these 100+ shooters surveyed, nobody finished in the top 25 with a 6.5 PRC. The highest finishes were 26th, 39th, and 47th, so it wasn’t far off. I can’t help but wonder if the combination of the extended target distances and the 20-35 mph winds were a little too much for that smaller magnum cartridge. Of course, “correlation does not imply causation,” meaning the fact that those shooters were using a 6.5 PRC and didn’t land in the top 25 doesn’t mean their cartridge choice caused them to finish where they did. In fact, one of the guys who finished in the top 10 was using a 6.5×47 Lapua, which has less ballistic performance than the 6.5 PRC (and is extremely impressive!), so there is probably more going on here than raw ballistic performance. Knowing the 6.5 PRC is a relatively new cartridge, another plausible theory might be that some of the guys who just got into this style of shooting had their new rifles chambered in that cartridge, and maybe that represents a large segment of those using a 6.5 PRC. Either way, it is interesting there were no 6.5 PRC’s among the top 25.

When you narrow it down to just the top 25, you can see the 300 Norma Mag moved to the top spot, with its four shooters finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th overall.

Again, the 300 PRC and 7 SAUM are still popular cartridge choices among those in the top 25. Behind those, you’ll see a mix of cartridges among this year’s top 10:

7-300 WSM

The 6th place shooter was using a 7-300 WSM, which is a 300 WSM case necked down to a 7mm bullet. You might ask, “Why didn’t they just use a 7 WSM?” Great question! In that article about the 7mm SAUM I mentioned earlier, nationally-ranked precision rifle competitor, Caylen Wojcik, said he was originally thinking he’d build a 7 WSM. Caylen explained that with a “7 WSM and a 180-grain VLD (very low drag) bullet pushed at 3,000 feet per second (fps), the numbers were convincing. When I shot a WSM, I was impressed with the mild recoil but received a rude awakening when sourcing brass. It was officially unobtanium. One would have more luck sourcing unicorn tears.” Ha! Well said, Caylen. It’s sad to see that a very capable cartridge is handicapped by poor brass selection, but that’s the case with the 7 WSM.

I know there are brass manufacturers reading this. Can you see the business opportunity here? Someone should offer some high-quality 7 WSM brass!

When faced with the 7 WSM brass issue, some guys jump to the 7 SAUM and others buy the more readily available 300 WSM brass and neck it down to 7mm – and viola, you have the 7-300 WSM. The 7-300 WSM has slightly different chamber dimensions than a 7 WSM. Robert Whitley explains, “The difference is that the 7mm/300WSM has a .038″ shorter head space and a .038″ longer neck than a factory 7mm WSM, and you need to make brass for the 7mm/300 WSM from 300 WSM or 270 WSM cases.” (Read more here)

The one shooter who said they used a 7-300 WSM reported that they were pushing Hornady 190 gr. A-Tip bullets from their 30-inch barrel at 2,905 fps with an SD of 3 fps!

6.5×47 Lapua

Okay, this one surprised me! The 6.5×47 Lapua is much smaller than anything guys were using in at least the top 15 spots, but Jason Brinkman used it to finish 8th overall. The reason that is so impressive is a bullet’s time of flight to the target would be measurably longer with the 6.5×47 than something like a 300 Norma Mag or 6.5 SAUM, which means it would be significantly more affected by the wind, giving you less room for error on your wind calls. There were a ton of targets from 1,000-1,500 yards at this match, and there were sustained winds up to 35 mph! That is definitely stretching what the 6.5×47 Lapua was designed for, which means Jason must be a heck of a shooter. Jason reported that he was pushing Berger 144 gr. Long Range Hybrid Target (LRHT) bullets at 2820 fps from his 28-inch barrel. Give that man a magnum and no telling where he would’ve finished!

Of course, I’ll also mention that sometimes a big magnum might not be as “shootable” as a mid-sized case like the 6.5×47 Lapua. So I don’t want to assume Jason didn’t pick that cartridge on purpose, because of the reduced recoil and the 6.5×47 Lapua’s legendary consistency. I’ve heard many veteran shooters claim it’s one of the easiest cartridges to load for. I asked Jason if he built a full custom rifle just for this specific match, what cartridge would he pick and he said a 6.5 PRC. So clearly he is not one of the guys who would jump up to a 300 PRC or 300 Norma Mag, even if he had one. Either way, that is immensely impressive shooting, Jason!

338 EnABELR

The last cartridge in the top 10 that we haven’t talked about is a 338 EnABLR, which Chase Stroud used to claim 9th. This is a case that was designed by the Applied Ballistics team. EnABELR stands for Engineered by Applied Ballistics for Extreme Long Range. 99% of the cartridge designs out there are based on some existing case that was necked down and some slight dimension changes. However, AB’s 338 and 375 caliber EnABELR cartridges are completely original designs with no parent case.

“There are larger cartridges that make more velocity, but they’re also higher maintenance and less predictable. The EnABELR was developed to provide practical, long term, reliable performance for ELR applications for many shots, making your brass investment take you further across more rounds. What we’ve learned competing in ELR matches in recent years is that the value in consistent and reliable performance is more important than the extra +100 fps of a higher maintenance cartridge. These lessons are incorporated in the EnABELR design.” – Applied Ballistics Team

The 338 & 375 EnABELR cartridges were also designed to feed from a magazine, which can sometimes be an issue with larger ELR cartridges like the popular 375 CheyTac. Applied Ballistics provides all kinds of components related to EnABELR cartridges including chamber reamers, brass, reloading dies, complete rifle builds, and even match-grade loaded ammo with Berger Solid Bullets. Consistent ammo is important in the ELR game, and I’d bet AB produces some high-quality ammo.

Chase Stroud used his 338 EnABLR to push Berger 300 gr. bullets near 3300 fps! Here is a pic Chase posted on Instagram a few days before the match:

I don’t even need to run the ballistics to confidently say a Berger 300 gr. bullet traveling at 3295 fps clearly has the best ballistics of any cartridge in the top 10. I compared it to my ballistics, which was a 300 Norma Mag pushing 230 gr. A-Tip’s at 2,968 fps, and Chase’s 338 EnABELR had almost 20% less wind drift at 1600 yards. That is crazy! For a sample scenario at 1600 yards my elevation adjustment was 12.2 mils, while the 338 EnABELR was just 9.6 mils! I bet the trace on that thing looked like a laser beam! My 25 mph wind drift at 1600 yards was 4.6 mils, but the EnABELR was only 3.8 mils!!! That may sound similar, but anyone who has competed in this game knows that is a massive difference. But, of course, there is no free lunch. Ballistic improvements that large always come at the cost of higher recoil and shorter barrel life, which is why we’re all still trying to figure out what the “right” balance is for these distances and scenarios.

Cartridge They’d Choose If Building A New Custom Rifle Optimized For This Match

Finally, I asked people on the survey a similar question with a twist. Here is exactly how I worded the question: “If you built a new custom rifle that was 100% optimized for this one match and cost was not a factor, what cartridge would you pick?” That question seems to cut to the heart of what each shooter feels is optimal for this match, and takes into account the experience they gained from shooting the match this year. Here are the results:

Our top 5 cartridges are still the same, although they’re shuffled in a little different order. These 5 cartridges combine to represent 63% of all those surveyed:

1. 300 Norma Mag
2. 7 SAUM
3. 6.5 PRC
4. 300 PRC
5. 6.5 SAUM

While there were just 9 shooters surveyed who used a 300 Norma Mag during this year’s match, there were almost double that number that said they’d go with a 300 Norma Mag if building a rifle optimized for this match. There were even a few other shooters who would go with wildcats of that cartridge, like the 300 Norma Mag Improved, or 7-300 Norma Mag (which is simply necked down to a 7mm bullet), or even one 7-300 Norma Mag Improved!

The 7-300 Norma Mag Improved means you are taking a big magnum, necking it down to a 7mm bullet, and then changing the angle of the shoulder to get slightly more case capacity and higher velocities. So it’s a wildcat of a wildcat! A 7-300 Norma Mag Improved could push a 190 gr. Hornady A-Tip over 3,200 fps and would provide some crazy ballistics! I ran the same scenario as I referenced for the 338 EnABELR and it was very similar, with 10.0 mils of elevation adjustment to 1600 yards and 3.9 mils of drift for a 25 mph wind. But, the bullet you’re launching is 190 gr. instead of 300 gr., so I’d bet the recoil would be significantly less. I’d bet the barrel life would still be abysmal (likely 500-1000 rounds) because that cartridge would be extremely overbore. Could it be precise and predictable? Who knows! But, I bet it’d shoot like a laser! Kind of makes me want to try one just to see. 😉

There was also a big jump up in how many said 7 SAUM, with 8 of those surveyed using it in the 2020 match, but 15 saying that is what they’d do if they built a custom rifle for this match. As I mentioned earlier, a 7mm magnum seems to be a great choice for this match. Norma and ADG offer brass for the 7 SAUM, which many consider high-quality. If Lapua started offering brass for a 7 WSM or even a larger 7mm case, I’d suspect we might even see a more pronounced move to the 7mm for the target distances in this match. I guess you could always start with a 300 Norma Mag case from Lapua, and neck it down to a 7-300 Norma Mag. Dang, it’s got me thinking about it!

There was roughly the same amount of shooters using a 6.5 PRC, 300 PRC, or 6.5 SAUM as the number that said they’d pick those if building a rifle optimized for this match.

Another interesting note here is that none of those surveyed said they used a 375 caliber this year, although I did hear a rumor that a couple of guys were using a 375 at the match. Either way, they weren’t represented in large numbers at all. However, 5 shooters said they thought a 375 caliber would be optimal if they built a rifle for this match. Three of those guys said they’d pick a 375 CheyTac, one said they’d pick a 37 XC, and one said they’d pick a 375 EnABELR. Perhaps after the 30+ mph winds this year, a few people are thinking a larger caliber might help.

Another interesting cartridge that caught my attention is the 7mm Sherman Max, which is said to be able to push Berger’s 195 gr. bullet near 3000 fps. They offer head-stamped brass for the 7 Sherman Max that is made by ADG, who uses very modern equipment and is considered by some as top-shelf brass.

Lots of interesting cartridges and wildcats in this group of wish list cartridges for this match! It’s certainly a fun list to look through.

Up Next

Next, I plan to share what optics these guys were using to reach out to 700-2100 yard targets. If you’d like to be the first to know when that next post comes out, subscribe for email notifications!

Wondering what the difference is between crossbow broadheads vs regular broadheads? Some archers find they can accurately shoot their favorite vertical bow broadheads on their crossbow. There is a fine line, but there are differences in design to account for higher bow speeds and kinetic energy.

If you are struggling to get good groupings with your normal compound bow broadheads, then it’s time to move on to a “crossbow broadhead”. Broadhead companies are coming out with more and more products designed specifically for crossbow shooters. This guide covers all the best crossbow broadheads for deer and the various factors you should consider.

Best Crossbow Broadheads Compared

*Last updated 2024-11-10 at 11:06 / Product Links & Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Crossbow Broadheads vs Regular Broadheads

Many old-school bowhunters will tell you that crossbow broadheads are nothing but a marketing ploy, that the only difference is the word “crossbow” on the packaging. At one time that may have been true, but as crossbow hunting has exploded in popularity that really isn’t exactly true anymore. If you hunt crossbows, why wouldn’t you want to shoot broadheads made for crossbows?

1. Rage Crossbow X – Best Mechanical Crossbow Broadhead

The Crossbow X is basically the same broadhead as the regular Rage 2 blade. They don’t specifically say what the difference is, but I speculate there is a small difference in the deployment mechanism to prevent the blades from expanding in flight.

The Crossbow X broadhead has all the other great design features Rage is known for. There is the Shock Collar system that keeps the rear cam deployment consistent.

The blades are a solid .035” stainless steel, and open to a massive 2” cutting diameter. If you have trouble with mechanical blades opening early, the Rage X would be a good head to try next.

2. Excalibur Boltcutter – Best Fixed Blade Crossbow Broadhead

The Boltcutter is a beefy 3 blade, 150 grain fixed blade broadhead for crossbows. Excalibur explains the choice of a 150-grain head as a way to improve the accuracy over 300 fps by increasing the front of center balance.

The entire broadhead is constructed from high strength stainless steel to withstand the high kinetic energy impact of crossbows.

The Boltcutter is a sweet balance of the strength and durability of fixed blades, with the speed and accuracy of a mechanical.

3. Muzzy Trocar Crossbow

The Trocar is a very sharp, three-cornered stainless steel tip, which is found on an instrument used in surgical procedures, and also on the tip of these broadheads. This feature is intended to increase penetration, which I suspect it does very well. Paired with a solid stainless steel ferrule, it punches through bone without deformation.

The Muzzy Trocar uses a helix design with a right-hand twist, which combined with a rather compact profile, is intended to increase stabilization while offering less resistance to the wind, resulting in consistent flight characteristics and accuracy. Muzzy designed these especially for use at higher speeds.

These broadheads are available in either 100 or 125-grain weights, with .035″-thick blades and a cutting diameter of 1-3/16″. One nice feature is that the blades are easily replaceable if they get bent or damaged just unscrew the old one and screw a new one on.

4. NAP Spitfire Crossbow

The NAP Spitfire is a 3-blade mechanical broadhead that has gained something of a reputation for reliable functioning and great performance. The blades are sharpened with NAP’s patented Diamize process and are thus razor sharp. Another patented feature is the hardened-steel Trophy Tip to maximize penetration and decrease deflection off of the bone. It also sports a micro-grooved ferrule which is intended to improve accuracy.

The Spitfire utilizes a mechanical spring clip retention system to keep the blades from deploying in flight, so there is no need to mess with O-rings, even when using high-speed bows. Users report that this patented (boy they have a lot of patents on this) retention system is very reliable, with hardly any reports of premature blade deployment. As a matter of fact, customer reviews on these broadheads are excellent, consistently citing accuracy and superior performance.

Available in both 100 and 125-grain weights, with a cutting diameter of 1-1/2″, these can be used on both carbon and aluminum bolts. An excellent choice for deer and elk as well as a turkey broadhead.

5. Grim Reaper Crossbow Broadhead

These are nearly identical to the Grim Reaper Razorcut SS broadhead for compound bows, just modified for use with crossbows that shoot up to and beyond 400 fps.

The difference isn’t clear as Grim Reaper has next to zero info on their website. Get with the program guys.

The X-Bow heads are available in 100 and 125-grain sizes, with either Razortip or Razorcut SS tips. The cutting diameter is a large 1.5”, and crossbow hunters have been happy with the size of wound channels for humane take-downs.

6. Swhacker Two-Blade Crossbow Broadhead

Swhacker has earned a name in the industry for high quality and innovative designs, and these mechanical broadheads are good a good example of both. They feature stainless steel blades, an anodized aircraft aluminum ferrule, and a high-carbon hardened steel penetration point.

According to their website, their unique design provides two different cutting edges, a primary and a secondary attack. When the primary cutting blades are retracted, two short wing blades are deployed, much smaller than the main blades. These are for the initial assault, cutting through the dirt, hair, hide, and bones and penetrating into the interior. They point out that they use much less energy to penetrate than broadheads that open upon impact, and that they take some of the load off of the ferrule.

As they penetrate, they open the primary blades inside the body cavity, leaving them with “virgin edges” when they open. It really is a clever design. These are available in 125-grain weight, blades are .032″ thick, with an open cutting diameter of 2-1/4″. A good choice in mechanical broadheads.

7. Cabela’s Lazer Strike II Crossbow

Here we have Cabela’s brand mechanical broadhead, which is actually very popular. Normally I side with the saying “you get what you pay for”, but the Lazers have the performance and track record to push away fears of the low price.

Lazer Strike II crossbow heads are built with a hardened steel trophy tip design, with replaceable .030” stainless blades. You can tell the difference between these with the regular Lazers by the gold-colored ferrule.

These use the o-ring method for blade retention, so if you hate messing with o-rings, you may want to stick with the Rage or Reapers.

8. Muzzy Trocar HBX

The Muzzy Trocar HBX is a hybrid broadhead with a rather unique design. The hybrid construction combines the advantages of both fixed blades and expandable blades. They’re equipped with a tapered steel ferrule that is the same size as the bolt, and utilizing the same three-sided stainless steel surgical Trocar tip as used in the Trocar Xbow above. The mechanical blades are retained in a closed position using a friction washer.

The broadheads in flight with the fixed blades and the rearward-deploying mechanical blades folded are only 3/4″ x 1″ in profile, which the company says gives field tip accuracy, and by most accounts this holds true. At impact, the mechanical blades expand to a 1-5/8″ cutting diameter for a large wound channel. But here’s the twist. When the expandable blades meet bone, they close up to re-open after they have passed the obstruction, letting the fixed blades do the heavy work.

These are available in both 100 and 125-grain weights. Users report excellent results with the Muzzy Trocar HBX broadheads and they’re well worth giving a try.

9. Rage Hypodermic Crossbow

For years the Rage Hypodermic mechanical broadheads have maintained high popularity among hunters, earned by their consistent reliability of function, accuracy, and game-getting results. It’s a proven design that works well.

The simplicity of their design contributed greatly to their reputation. What the company calls Ferrule Alignment Technology (FAT) ensures proper bolt-to-ferrule alignment and contributes to the sleek aerodynamics. The steel ferrule is equipped with a very pointy hybrid tip for deep penetration. The system uses a reliable high-energy shock collar for blade retention. When deployed, the .035″ stainless blades boast a huge 2” cutting diameter for an equally huge wound channel. Available in 100 or 125 grains.

It’s hard to go wrong with this time-tested beast stopper.

10. G5 Striker Crossbow

For those who prefer fixed-blade broadheads, the G5 Striker is a top contender, known for its durability, accuracy, and stopping power.

It utilizes the unique patented ANIX blade locking system, which is basically a very sharp three-sided steel tip which locks over the lower part of the blades, taking the brunt of the impact off of the three fixed blades, protecting them from damage. The blades themselves are metal injection molded for flexibility, tapered for better aerodynamics, and honed with the company’s Diamond-Cut Sharpness sharpening technology. The whole unit is solid steel and spin-tested to ± 0.002″ straightness for maximum accuracy.

Available in either 100 or 125 grains, with a cutting diameter of 1-1/8″, the G5 Striker is an attractive high-tech alternative for the modern hunter.

A Crossbow Broadhead for Any Hunter

The selection of broadheads for crossbow hunting has never been better. Whether you prefer fixed blades like the Xcalibur Boltcutter or mechanicals like the Rage Crossbow X, or if you like a heavier 150 grain or lighter 100, there is a broadhead for you. Select the right grain and cutting diameter for the type of hunting you like to do and get out there with confidence. All of these broadheads are elite choices and fully capable of taking an animal with a good shot. If you are interested in crossbow hunting for turkey, check out our turkey broadheads guide.

*Last updated 2024-11-10 at 11:06 / Product Links & Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The first shot I ever took of APEX TSS Turkey hunting ammunition put 297 pellets into a 10″ at 40 yards. Before the morning was through, I found a choke tube that would give me 378 pellets in that same circle at the same range. To put that into perspective, that is a dinner plate with almost 400 holes in it, we are talking about devastating effectiveness. Most lead turkey loads do not even have that many pellets in the shell!

The APEX TSS Turkey loads have demonstrated the best pattern efficiency of any turkey load I have ever shot as of this writing. The patterns are amazing. And as I understand it, others have gotten even tighter patterns with tighter chokes. Now there does come a point where the pattern can be too tight but more on that later.

The bottom line is this ammo is impressively effective and I could not rate it any more highly. But there is more to it than that. If you are considering this ammo or any TSS turkey shells, this review will provide you with insights and data from my firsthand first tests.

If you are looking for more info on turkey hunting shotguns, ammo, and chokes, check out these podcast episodes I have done on the subject:

1. Turkey Hunting Guns and Ammo For Beginners
2. Turkey Hunting Shotguns | Is Bigger Better?
3. Turkey Hunting Shells, Shot, & Chokes
4. Should You Hunt Turkeys With Tungsten Shot?

The Big TSS Questions.

The two most asked questions regarding turkey hunting ammo of this caliber are:

1. Is that level of performance really necessary?
2. Is this TSS Ammo worth the price?

After having done some tests with the APEX and hunting with TSS in general, those are easy questions to answer. For the first question, yes, this kind of performance is absolutely necessary IF you plan to hunt beyond 40 yards. Is it worth the price? Yes, IF you plant to hunt beyond 40 yards.

Tungsten Super Shot gives you increased range and lethality at range. That is its greatest strength. If you plan to hunt at 25-35 yards, it just is not needed. You can use much cheaper lead shot, like Winchester Long Beard XR to easily and efficiently take birds at close to mid-range. TSS shot gives you the ability to punch out further, to hunt at truly extended ranges. And if you want that flexibility, there is no substitute for the power and patterns that APEX brings to the hunt.

How Many Pellets Do You Need?

My rule of thumb that I use for all turkey hunting ammo of all sizes and densities is 100 pellets in a 10″ circle at the range you plan to shoot. At close range, almost anything will work for turkey hunting, lead target loads, steel, bismuth, anything. When you get to the 40 yard line however, your choices are very few if you want to get 100 pellets in a 10″ circle. There are a handful of lead loads that are up to the task, like the Winchester Long Beard.

If you want to hunt beyond 40 yards, lead quickly drops below the pattern density threshold. Even though the marketing sometimes quotes things like “Putting twice the pellets in a 10″ circle than comparable turkey loads out to 60 yards” you need to ask what are they really claiming? They are saying their lead turkey ammo is twice as good as others, but none of them live up to the standard of 100 pellets in a 10″ circle at 60 yards. But APEX TSS Turkey does.

Pattern & Ballistics Gel Test Results

I put APEX to the test at 40 yards and at 60 yards with the same Carlson’s 0.670 turkey choke and here is what I saw: 378 pellets of #9 shot at 40 yards with 170 pellets at 60 yards. This means that at 60 yards, the APEX is more effective than almost every lead load on the market is at 40 yards. These shells easily give you the ability to punch out to 70 yards, perhaps more if you have a tighter patterning choke than I did.

You might wonder if these tiny #9 TSS pellets still pack enough punch to get the job done. Well from my field testing, the #9 TSS has about 32% more power at 40 yards than lead #6, which gives it almost as much ballistics gel penetration as lead #4. And at 50 yards, the APEX TSS still had 3.26″ of gel penetration. Which is mind blowing. That is a lot of numbers, but what it means is that at range the TSS #9 packs similar power to the largest lead shot that is legal to use in my state.

I tested the APEX TSS Turkey in 3″ shells with 2.25 oz of #9 tungsten shot going at 1150 FPS using a Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey shotgun with a 24″ barrel topped with a Holosun 507k red dot. For even more, check out my video where I pattern tested multiple chokes with the APEX TSS Turkey ammo:



Can A Pattern Be Too Tight?

It can be easy to get the impression that a tighter pattern is always better, and with TSS you can actually get to the point where a pattern can be too tight. Of course, pattern density is relative to range, so if you go far enough even the tightest pattern becomes perfect. But at close range, a pattern can be so tight that you are able to miss a turkey.

If your pattern is softball sized at 20 yards so you can have a tight pattern at 60 yards, then it can be like trying to hunt turkeys with a slug gun or a rifle when you are only aiming for head shots.

I personally still want to have some margin of error at 20 and 30 yards so I can take birds that come in that close. So for me, the patterns I got with the Carlsons .670 turkey choke were ideal. Some people aim for even tighter patterns to be able to shoot even further, and that is cool, but I cannot see myself needing to shoot past 70 yards where I hunt. For my hunting area, a good realistic long-range shot is about 50-55 yards. I cannot see much further than that.

Here are some additional videos I’ve done on turkey hunting ammo to help you take things to the next level.

• The 4 Types Of Turkey Hunting Ammo
• 8 Turkey Hunting Ammos Put To the Test
• The Truth & Lies About Tungsten Shot
• How Much Difference Do Turkey Chokes Make

Cons & Concerns

So, it is not all rainbows and sunshine with these loads, there are a couple of cons. First, the recoil is major. For one or two shots under the adrenaline of hunting conditions, its ok. But for pattern testing at the range, the kick is brutal. I would recommend sizing down from the 2.25 oz to the 2.0 oz 12-gauge version to trim off some recoil energy.

Just shedding that 0.25 oz of shot cuts recoil from about 66 foot-pounds of recoil energy to 54 foot-pounds. That is a major help to the shoulder. A semi-auto shotgun can also help, check out this article I did on the subject: Do Semi-Auto Shotguns Have Less Recoil REALLY? All TSS that is hotly loaded will have the same concerns, thankfully APEX has enough load options that you can pick how much shot and recoil you want.

Second, the cost is high on TSS shells, coming in at nearly $13 per shell. You can save some if you step down to 2.0 oz version as well. They are about the same price as other TSS loads on the market, if not a little less expensive. They compare well, but TSS turkey ammo in general is expensive.

As I said early on, it is worth it if you are going to use it to its full potential. Most hunters shoot one or two shells a year in the field so a box of 5 shells may last you 3 years or more once you are sighted in, that is not a bad investment for the best turkey ammo on the market. But if you are going to hunt at short range with it, save the money and buy lead.

Conclusion & Recommendation

The APEX TSS Turkey loads are just devastatingly effective. So much so that a 20 gauge is probably more than enough for most hunting scenarios. There is really no need for the more heavily loaded 3.5″ 12-gauge shells either. In fact, this ammo really does make a 28-gauge shotgun viable for turkey hunting, those shells still have 477 pellets of #9 TSS in them.

In conclusion, I also really like APEX as a company. It is a veteran owned American company with a great story and high quality. These TSS turkey shells demonstrate outstanding performance at a good market price, and they are viable on their own merits. Being able to support a great company is just another big benefit in my book.

Be sure to listen to The New Hunters Guide Podcast and check us out on YouTube.

Till next time. God bless you, and go get em in the woods!

George Konetes Ph.D. – Founder and Host of the New Hunters Guide.

The New Hunters Guide is simply what George wishes he would have had when learning how to hunt; a single place to get practical hands on knowledge about different kinds of hunting, gear, strategy, and tips that can improve your comfort and fun factor in the woods.

Introduction

If you define the effective range as the distance a shooter can deliver a hit to a man-sized target, then the maximum effective range for a 9mm round fired from a handgun is about 1800 meters. If it sounds absurd, it is because the assumption is ridiculous.

However, the estimate takes into account match grade ammo when fired from a perfectly maintained weapon and by a skilled marksman in a stable shooting position. The target is motionless and at a known distance in the perfect environmental conditions.

The basic answer to this question varies based on the gun and the shooter abilities. The safe estimate for both target and combat shooting is, however, between 25 and 50 meters. And this estimate is for the average effective range for an average shooter using average equipment on an average day. Significantly less because there are just so many factors to account for.

From experience, a reasonably skilled shooter with a 9mm handgun may be able to hit a man-sized target out to a hundred yards on a practice range. Sometimes 200 yards and that is if the gods of luck smile. In the real world, in cases of life and death situations, or self-defense shootings, it is quite common for shooters to miss their targets seven out of ten times within a few yards distance.

=> Check latest 9mm ammo prices

What is a Pistol For?

To expand on this question we must understand the purpose of having a pistol and its primary use. You have to ask yourself, what is the use of a handgun? A pistol was never intended to be a battle weapon. In combat situations, it plays the role of the sword in the bygone eras and it is used as a last resort. Compared to a rifle, the handgun is a prosecuting firearm at close quarter combat.

Rarely are handguns used in hunting and the 9mm is not a hunting cartridge. But for the most part, a handgun’s primary purpose is a personal defense weapon. Personal defense does not include a range beyond 25 yards. Throughout history, most personal defense situations are between 10 yards or closer. I see a scenario where one tries to explain to a jury an assailant more than 30-40 feet away puts you at risk of causing you grievous bodily harm or death.

If it was in the defense of others, 25 yards is still far enough away, and I estimate it to be the limit of the average shooter to get a sure hit. However, the consequences of missing could still be tragic and all individual shooters with a 9mm handgun must know the effective range of the cartridge. It is also imperative that one knows their overall effective range.

What Affects the Effective Range of a 9mm Handgun

The effective range of a 9mm handgun has two interwoven components. That is the distance the cartridge can kill with a lethal hit and the likelihood of an average person making a lethal hit at a given range.

Range

If you consider the range, a 9mm has a potential killing power out to several hundred yards. As a practical matter, an average shooter can consistently make a hit within less than 30 yards. If you also use a scope with your handgun then the effective range and accuracy increase tremendously.

Barrel length

Shooting at long range is challenging as the pistol is the most difficult to master as the bullets are very slow and this makes them arc a lot at long range. But if the pistol barrel becomes longer, that distance increases. If the sight radius of a pistol is elongated, the sighting becomes easier and accuracy increases.

We need to differentiate between lethality and effectiveness. Bullets can be lethal at any distance as long as it still has its stopping power. But at very long distances, a human-size target is smaller than the front sight post, and this reduces accuracy. At this point, you will just be lobbying rounds and hoping to hit something.

For the average shooter, trying to get a hit rate at 100 meters with a handgun is world-class shooting.

Action

The effective range also depends on the gun that fires the round. A bolt action rifle does not use propelling gas to operate or reload mechanism. Both semi-auto and automatic rifles use some propellant gas to reload. The gas comes from a hole in the last piece of the barrel.

Most pistols are designed to reload immediately and if there are lots of propelling gas escaping the wrong way the shot power is compromised. Therefore, the amount of propelling gas ultimately affects the effective range of a handgun.

For example, a Glock 17 has an effective range of 25meters. The range is only for the pistol though and not the bullet. If the same bullet from a pistol is fired from a pistol caliber carbine a shooter can be very accurate at those distances and slightly higher.

Stock/Design

If you buy the .22 Long Rifle rimfire round you must have seen the warning it embodies on the box.

“Dangerous Within One Mile.”

Most handguns like the 9mm are chambered and tuned for reliability and not so much pinpoint accuracy. The sights are designed to withstand abuse and allow a shooter to have a rapid visual acquisition. It means that most pistols are for short-range use.

The delivery system is what limits the range, and for most service pistols, to hit fifty yards under street conditions is a difficult and long shot to take and make a hit.

What is the Lethal Range of a 9mm?

There is no definitive answer for this as well. But if you ask me, I will place it at 50 yards give or take. And that is a pretty lucky shot if the circumstances are favorable.

The variables include the 9mm ammo brand and power, the rifling in the barrel, the accuracy of the pistol, and its constructive impact on the bullet’s trajectory. Also, you must factor the external conditions that include density and moisture among others.

Now, a lethal range certainly means a handgun capable of inflicting deadly or serious damage to a person or animal. Also, consider that there is no limit for any safe and out of bounds area. I mean that fluke shots are still lethal although the target is far away and the shot unintended.

Other factors that make a shot lethal include, point of entry, impact angle, and area of entry. There are a whole lot of things that could make a shot lethal or not. Sometimes at close range, a bullet may pass through flesh missing vital organs and therefore inflicting only flesh wounds instead of fatality.

Therefore, despite all the arguments of the lethal range, the first rule of gun handling is to ensure that firearms are always pointed downwards. Always practice safe use to ensure your safety and the safety of others around you.

How Far Does a 9mm Bullet Travel?

There are some variables that we must consider before we give a blanket answer. First, is based on the type of 9mm round. Some ammo is loaded at a higher pressure and will leave the gun faster than others. Other bullet shapes will cause less drag than others.

Also, the type of firearm will determine the velocity of a bullet. Longer barrels allow the bullet to reach higher initial velocities than a short barrel handgun

Understanding Velocity

If you already know the velocity at which the bullet will fall, then all we need to do is calculate how fast it travels when it leaves the barrel. For example, a standard 115-grain bullet leaves the 4.5-inch barrel of a typical handgun at about 1100 feet per second.

When calculating velocity, it is essential to know that all guns fire bullets at a small upward angle. The reason is that the sights are “zeroed” at some distance. For handguns, the distance is about 25 yards

Understanding Drag

When you fire a bullet it travels through a medium. In this case it is air. The bullet slows down because of the friction caused by the medium. It is what we refer to as drag. Drag varies with the ballistic coefficient of the bullet as this is determined by the shape of the bullet. A 9mm handgun bullet, having a round, as opposed to a spire nose will not have a very good ballistic coefficient.

9mm versus .40 Smith & Wesson

There are three key things to consider when picking the best self-defense caliber.

Cost

Everywhere you go, wisdom dictates that shot placement is more important than the caliber you use to shoot. It does not mean that calibers do not have an impact on a shooter’s outcome. Small rounds may not penetrate bones or breastplate when hunting.

Caliber does matter. However, the emphasis on shot placement is to remind you that when you miss it is the same as shooting a zero caliber bullet. Therefore, shot placement is not necessarily king but rather it is the proficiency of the firearm you will use. It is why the cost of the ammo matters.

For example, if a 9mm costs about 14 cents a round. And a.40 S&W costs about 19 cents a round.

There is only a 5 cent difference. Eventually, it all adds up though. Suppose you use 1000 rounds that means you pay about $80 more for your ammunition when shooting with the .40 S&W.

Regardless of your budget, if you shoot the 9mm you will get more training for your money, and therefore become more proficient with your gun. In effect, you will have a better-shot placement.

Recoil

The .40 S&W is essentially just a short 10mm round, therefore it features a higher breach pressure than the 9mm. Because it is a heavy round, the .40 S&W has more felt recoil.

High-pressure rounds that produce a recoil impulse can be uncomfortable for some shooters and also more challenging to shoot with one hand.

If a shooter spends time and resources training to shoot with the same handgun, chambered in 9mm, in the end, they become faster and more precise. There is less recoil energy to absorb and control in a 9mm round.

Magazine Capacity

I cannot see a situation where having more rounds is not better. Take the context of self-defense, reloading can be impossible. To reduce the chances of having to reload, the magazine capacity should be high.

Provided you are comparing two guns of the same size, the 9mm will always have a higher magazine capacity than .40 S&W. Therefore, a 9mm handgun enables you to perform better than .40 S&W.

However, the .40 S&W is also a perfectly viable self-defense round. Though it takes more training, it is a darling to many shooters.

Conclusion

But, if you want to shoot a lot and also want to be a better shot for less money, you should consider using a 9mm handgun for both home and personal defense. It is a sure way to save money and time without compromising defensive performance.

Deers are scavengers and eat a variety of things. They will eat most anything from plants to carrion. Deer will eat anything from bread to apples. Deer will eat anything, so long as it is in the right spot. It would be best if you cared to keep your house and yard clear of anything enticing a deer to eat it. It would help if you keep your trash can covered or take it to the curb for pick-up.

Will Deer Eat Bread?

Deer are often seen nibbling on grass and other plants, but people sometimes wonder if deer will eat bread. The answer is yes, deer will eat bread, but it is not their preferred food source. Deer are mostly herbivores, and their diet consists mostly of plants. However, deer are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat other things if their preferred food is unavailable. Bread is not as nutritious as plants, so deer will only eat it if they are hungry enough.

Is It a Good Idea to Feed Deer Bread?

No, it is not a good idea to feed deer bread. Deer are herbivores, and their diet consists mostly of plants. They can digest plant-based material better than bread. Bread is also not a natural food for deer and can cause them to become overweight and lazy.

White Bread or Brown Bread: Which One is Better for Deer?

While white and brown pieces of bread can provide deer with a good source of nutrition, brown bread is generally considered to be better for them. This is because brown bread contains more fiber and nutrients than white bread. Additionally, brown bread is less likely to cause digestive problems in deer than white bread.

What Amount of Bread Should a Deer Eat?

Deer love bread and will eat as much as they can find. If you are feeding deer bread as a supplement to their diet, it is important not to overfeed them. A general rule of thumb is to offer 1-2 slices of bread per day per deer. If you are feeding a large group of deer, it is best to scatter the bread around so that all deer can eat.

Risks Involved In Feeding Deer Bread

While bread may not be the healthiest food for deer, it is not poisonous to them, and deer will eat bread if they are hungry enough. However, there are some risks associated with feeding deer bread. The first is that deer may become accustomed to being fed and become a nuisance. The second is that bread does not provide the deer with all the necessary nutrients and can cause health problems if fed in large quantities.

Bread is not a natural food for deer, but they will eat it if they are hungry enough. Bread is high in carbohydrates and low in nutrients, so it is not a good food for deer to eat regularly. If you see deer eating bread, it is best to give them other, more nutritious food.

Deer can technically eat moldy bread, but it’s not the best thing for them. Moldy bread can cause digestive issues for deer and is also not the most nutrient-rich food. If you’re going to feed deer bread, it’s best to give them fresh or stale bread instead of moldy bread.

Moldy bread can cause digestive issues for deer and is also not the most nutrient-rich food. If you’re going to feed deer bread, it’s best to give them fresh or stale bread instead of moldy bread.

Yes, deer can eat bread, but it is not their favorite food. Deer prefer to eat acorns, leaves, and grass. However, if no other food is available, bread can be a good option.

Conclusion:

Deers will eat bread if they are hungry enough, but it is not the healthiest food for them. Bread is not a natural part of a deer’s diet, and their stomachs can have difficulty digesting it. If you must feed deer bread, do so in moderation and supplement their diet with other healthy foods.

Deer are browsers, meaning that they primarily eat leaves, twigs, and other vegetation. In the wild, they rarely eat anything else. However, if they are desperate for food, they eat just about anything, including bread. While bread is not the healthiest food for deer, it will not kill them. If you must feed deer bread, do so in moderation and supplement their diet with other healthy foods.

WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners this week approved a host of changes that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Agricultural Deer Control Program — better known as the Red Tag Program — which helps farmers address crop-damage issues through the hunting of antlerless deer.

“The Agricultural Deer Control Program is designed to allow farmers to manage the deer populations on their property,” said Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management Director Matthew Schnupp. “The changes adopted today make it easier for landowners to enroll in the program, while making it more convenient for hunters to participate through an expanded season and increased number of tags.”

The changes, which were recommended to the Game Commission by those who use the program, will become effective in November 2022.

Changes include:

• An individual hunter no longer would be limited to obtaining one permit for a Red Tag property; they could get up to four. The higher limit is consistent with that used in the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), which also helps landowners meet deer-management goals through antlerless deer hunting. Hunters would be able to keep all deer they harvest.

• The summer period during which Red Tag hunting is closed (currently May 16 – June 30) would be expanded to April 16 – July 31. Permits would be valid from Aug. 1 through Sept. 15, then from Feb. 1 through April 15. Permits would be issued for the license year that begins July 1 and runs through June 30.

• Landowners no longer would be required to report Red Tag harvests. Instead, similar to DMAP, hunters would report for each permit regardless of harvest success.

• All licensed hunters, not just hunters who are Pennsylvania residents, would qualify for Red Tag permits.

• The red snap tags that are the namesake of the Red Tag Program, would be replaced with standard harvest tags issued through HuntFishPA.

• Landowners no longer would need to enroll in the Game Commission’s Hunter Access program before using the Red Tag program, and Red Tag properties no longer would need to be posted with signs.

Antlerless deer, elk licenses

The board voted to allocate 948,000 antlerless deer licenses statewide, which is up from the 925,000 licenses allocated for 2021-21.

Hunting licenses for 2022-23 go on sale in mid-June and become effective July 1. After hunters purchase a general hunting license, they may apply for antlerless deer licenses based on staggered timelines, which will be outlined in the 2022-23 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, to be given free to all license buyers.

The board also voted to issue 178 elk licenses (60 antlered, 118 antlerless) across three 2022-23 seasons. For the one-week general season to run Oct. 31-Nov. 5, 31 antlered and 70 antlerless tags have been allocated. In the archery season open only in select Elk Hunt Zones, to run from Sept. 10-24, 14 antlered and 15 antlerless licenses are available. And there are 15 antlered and 33 antlerless licenses available for the Dec. 31-Jan. 7 late season.

All elk licenses will be awarded by lottery, and hunters must apply separately for all seasons they wish to be eligible to hunt. Each application costs $11.97, meaning a hunter can enter all three drawings for $35.91. Individuals can be drawn for a maximum of one elk license per license year.

More turkey firearms restrictions considered

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a measure that would provide the Game Commission yet another tool to respond to below-goal turkey populations.

In years past, reducing the length of the fall turkey season was the primary method to increase turkey populations. But last year, the Game Commission eliminated the use of centerfire and rimfire rifles in fall turkey season, noting that relatively few hunters used rifles, but rifles were responsible for about one-third of the fall turkey harvest. That provides an additional means to protect turkey populations without reducing season length.

The measure the board preliminary approved would eliminate the use of other single-projectile firearms — muzzle-loading rifles and handguns, and slug guns — in the fall turkey season. It will be brought back to the July meeting for a final vote.

When eliminating the use of rifles in the fall turkey season, the Game Commission noted that relatively few fall turkey hunters used rifles. Survey data suggested only 14% of fall turkey hunters statewide primarily used rifles, but rifles were responsible for 33% of the harvest.

Eliminating the use of other single-projectile firearms in fall turkey season would seem to impact even fewer hunters. The Game Commission has observed very few fall turkey hunters afield with single-projectile muzzle-loaders or shotguns. At the same time, eliminating the use of those firearms in the fall turkey season works toward the Game Commission’s goal of finding methods other than season-length reductions to stabilize fall turkey harvest numbers.

“Season length adjustments are a part of managing wild turkey populations, and reducing season length sometimes is a necessity,” said Commissioner Scott Foradora, who represents District 3 in north-central Pennsylvania. “But through alternative methods such as restricting the firearms that can be used in the season, season length reductions might be avoided, giving all hunters the opportunity to spend more time in the woods.”

DMAP might be available on leased hunting lands

Lands where hunting rights have been leased and where a fee has been charged for hunting might soon be eligible to enroll in the Deer Management Assistance Program, commonly known as DMAP.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to a measure that would change the regulation that excludes leased hunting land from the program. The measure will be brought back to the July meeting for a final vote.

DMAP enables public and private landowners to better address their own deer-management goals for properties. Lands enrolled in DMAP are allotted a number of antlerless deer permits that can be purchased by hunters.

Landowners can make the permits available directly from license-issuing agents, or they can choose to issue coupons that then are redeemed for permits. In either case, DMAP permits cost $10.97 each. Hunters can obtain no more than four permits each for properties where coupons are issued, and no more than two permits each for other properties. Each DMAP permit can be used to hunt and harvest an antlerless deer during any established deer season.

The change preliminary approved by the board wouldn’t have major impacts on the DMAP program, but would make a significant difference for landowners who now are excluded.

The Game Commission has determined only about 5% of hunting lands are leased. On those properties, however, the only tool landowners and lessees presently have to address deer-population concerns is WMU-based antlerless licenses allocations, which might not be enough.

Applying the same rules to leased lands and private lands enrolled in DMAP makes sense because public access isn’t required to enroll in the program. Additionally, restricting DMAP to certain lands to encourage public access historically did not lead to significantly more public access or the prevention of leased lands. Leased lands still exist and are part of the Pennsylvania landscape.

Measure could allow for new road-killed deer disposal option

Permitted professionals hired by those wishing to address nuisance-wildlife problems might soon receive authority to pick up and dispose of road-killed deer.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a measure that would allow nuisance wildlife control operators, who already are regulated by the Game Commission, to offer road-killed deer pick-up from roadways and private property.

Presently, the responsibility for picking up and removing deer carcasses from roadways is split between the state Department of Transportation and the Game Commission, which sometimes hires contractors to collect and dispose of deer.

Each year, the Game Commission receives thousands of calls from the public concerning deer carcasses along roadways and on private property. The agency often will assign its wardens to collect and properly dispose of these carcasses as their schedules and work duties permit, which in some cases doesn’t meet residents’ expectations.

Nuisance wildlife control operators could provide the public an additional resource for road-killed deer removal.

The measure will be brought back to the July meeting for a final vote.

More than 1,000 acres added to game lands

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today and recently approved of acquisitions that would add more than 974 acres to state game lands. Among them are:

• A 278-acre tract in Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County. This land, which adjoins State Game Lands 91, was offered by Natural Lands for the option price of $42,000 lump sum. Natural Lands can acquire the property through partnership grants provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Open Space Institute.

• A 4.59-acre tract in Bell Township, Clearfield County. This parcel within State Game Lands 87 is being donated by Diversified Production LLC.

• A 158-acre parcel in South Londonderry and West Cornwall townships, Lebanon County, and Rapho Township, Lancaster County. This land, which adjoins State Game Lands 145, is being offered for donation by Natural Lands, which can acquire the property through partnership grants provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.

• A 54-acre tract in Miller Township, Perry County.

• Two tracts totaling 192 acres in Greene and Whiteley townships, Greene County.

• A 288-acre tract in North Bethlehem and West Bethlehem townships, Washington County.

Additionally, the Game Commission acquired one-ninth interest in the 39.76-acre Lola L. Woodring estate property adjoining State Game Lands 311 in Benezette Township, Elk County.

The Game Commission also has acquired a portfolio of oil, gas and mineral rights in Erie Crawford, Venango, Forest, Warren, McKean and Elk counties. These interests, which were donated by Payday Holdings LLC, of Frisco, Texas, are not surveyed and have not had exhaustive title searches conducted. The commissioners accepted the donation by notational vote in December 2021.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

Hunting is an exciting and rewarding activity that can bring together family and friends for a shared adventure. To make sure you have an unforgettable hunting experience, it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared. Here are five tips to help you get ready:

Get the Right Gear

Going hunting can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. To make it even more enjoyable and successful, you must be sure to have the right gear. Having the ideal equipment for your hunt is essential for increasing comfort and effectiveness in the field.

In order to get the best out of a hunting session, it’s important to make sure that you are prepared with items such as firearms, boots, clothing, scopes, and camping supplies.

If possible, upgrade your rifle by getting a rifle sling, a bipod, laser sights, a cheek riser, a suppressor, etc.

Purchasing gear appropriate for your preferred game and location would go a long way in ensuring that your hunting trip is successful and memorable.

You can also rent a campervan from Travellers Autobarn, which will give you the freedom to explore and hunt in some of the most beautiful locations across Australia.

Practice Your Skills

An unforgettable hunting experience starts with preparing your skills. Practicing your shooting, tracking, and navigation methods can help you feel confident in the field. A few key elements to practice are accuracy, strength, and speed. Being accurate with your aim allows you to rapidly fire at targets without wasting too much ammunition or being off-target. Having physical strength means that you can move quickly between environments and easily carry any sort of equipment needed for the journey.

Lastly, having a good speed in target recognition gives you the advantage of spotting what it is you’re looking for faster and making better decisions about whether or not to continue pursuing a hunt. With enough hard work and dedication added into the mix, practicing these essential skills will ensure a successful and amazing hunting experience.

Know the Rules and Regulations

As with any activity, it’s important to know the rules and regulations set forth for a hunting experience. Being aware of local laws, conservation initiatives, and any other policies will help ensure a safe, effective trip. Understanding what type of game can be hunted in an area is essential, as well as knowing size requirements, season restrictions, and even daily bag limits.

Having this knowledge before heading out can help ensure that you have the best possible hunting experience. Additionally, knowing the rules can save hunters from potentially costly legal consequences if they are improperly informed about their state’s regulations. Learning the rules is an essential part of preparing for an unforgettable hunting experience!

Research Your Location

No matter what type of hunting experience you are embarking on, research is key to a successful experience. Before you even leave home for your hunting trip, knowing the land and potential areas where the game can be found is imperative for success. Researching the location can help you understand the local climate, terrain, and any regulations or rules placements that may be different from your regular hunting spot.

With advances in technology, such as online mapping systems, geolocation devices, and weather apps, it has never been easier to be knowledgeable about your target location. Gathering this information before setting out on your hunting adventure will ensure that you come prepared with all the necessary items for an unforgettable experience!

Make Safety a Priority

Hunting is an enjoyable and unique experience, but for it to be truly memorable, safety must come first. Before heading out on the hunt, packing the right items and checking them twice is key. A hunter should have basic medical supplies such as bandages and antiseptic wipes in their day pack, as well as a signaling device like a whistle or flare in case of emergency. Being aware of one’s surroundings and engaging in dialogue with other hunters are also important safety tips.

Additionally, hunters should carry a topographical map plus a compass or GPS system so they don’t get lost, wear blaze orange so that other people can visually identify them right away, and locate hunting areas that do not allow motorized vehicles in order to avoid injury from ATV crashes, and stay calm when wildlife spooks — the wet ground may result in slipping and tripping hazards. Taking these steps will help ensure that the hunt remains safe while retaining its special charm.

Bottom Line

Hunting is an incredible experience that requires preparation and dedication. With the right essentials such as accuracy, strength, speed, knowledge of the rules and regulations, research on your target location, and a sense of safety at all times — you can have an amazing hunting experience!