In many states, the spring turkey season only lasts two or three weeks. The drastic and rapid changes that take place throughout this short timeframe amaze me.

One of the most drastic changes is the way your hunting area looks. In most locations, these changes happen quickly and are often noticeable from day-to-day. Perhaps you could see for several hundred yards on opening morning. Today, the area may be in full foliage, limiting visibility.

Another change from beginning to late season is the behavior of turkeys themselves. Toms have spent the first few days being pressured by every hunter with a turkey call within a 50-mile radius; they have also spent the last month fighting with other toms to establish dominance and determine who is going to breed hens first. To put it mildly, by the late season, toms are stressed out and often cautious of every move they make.

Late-season decoy setups are often a tense, uncertain and debated subject for turkey hunters. As mentioned earlier, by this point in the season, many gobblers have been fighting with other toms at some point. In some cases, they’ve had their butt whipped. This combined with likely encounters with hunters who tried to shoot their head off can cause mature toms to become skeptical of approaching a decoy setup. But don’t let this common, late-season fear find you leaving your decoys in the truck. With some careful thought, more strategic placement, and different calling regimens, your turkey decoys can still help you from ending the season with an unfilled tag.

Early in the season, a decoy setup is usually used to fool a gobbler into thinking he’s got a chance at breeding a hen. The typical setup often consists of a hen and either a jake or a strutting tom. When a gobbler sees this picture, he often comes in ready to fight. During the late season, however – as we’ve explained – his mood can change as quickly as the foliage.

Instead of coming in with boxing gloves on and swinging, toms can be more likely to avoid a scuffle because of fear of losing the battle. In some cases, toms will even spook from such a decoy setup and leave the area altogether.

To avoid the chance of running him off, use a low-key late-season decoy setup that is simpler, more subtle, and exhibits less dominance. Your goal is to simply to get his attention instead of bringing him in for a fight. During the late season, the only decoy I leave at the house is a full-strut gobbler. I’ll usually switch to a single hen decoy and occasionally a jake decoy to go along with her.

During the latter part of the spring, hens began to venture out in the fields or open areas by themselves, often getting up off a nest to do a little feeding or dusting. By using one lone-hen decoy, you are naturally replicating a turkey’s behavior. When a tom sees a lone hen, the curiosity builds as to whether she has been bred. Perhaps she’s looking for company.

Sometimes jakes have the same idea, so I may decide to place a jake decoy ten to 15 yards from the lone hen. On many occasions during the late season, I have had jakes respond to my calls and my lone decoy setup. The jakes show up in hopes of trying to get access to a hen who isn’t accompanied by a mature tom. When a single jake hangs around the hen decoy, it enhances the scene for any tom. Unlike a mature gobbler, a jake is an easy fight. Using the hen/jake combination makes it possible to appeal to that last bit of dominance in a mature gobbler in an unthreatening way.

The next thing to remember when using decoys in the late season is to pay particular attention to where they are placed. Ground foliage has grown up just like the leaves on the trees; your decoys must be visible. We’ve all had toms come into the field we’re hunting and seemingly pay no attention to our decoys. When this happens, don’t overthink things; it’s usually because he simply didn’t see them. When a decoy is placed out in the grass, it may look visible from your vantage point, but it may not be to a turkey. In all situations, but especially the late season when grass at other vegetation is thick, try to place your decoy on a hill or rise where it’s most visible. If necessary, use taller decoy stakes to make them visible above the grass.

Once the decoys are in place and visible from a long distance, consider your calling style. Remember that gobblers have been pressured. Just like your modified decoy setup, late-season toms often respond better to more subtle calling, so tone it down.

Resist the urge to make and gobbler calls when a tom is slow to respond. Hearing another tom close to the hen can intimidate a late-season tom. Instead, use a few soft yelps sparingly. All you want to do is let a nearby tom know there is a hen out by herself. Call softly and only periodically. This is often just enough to build his curiosity and make him want to come to investigate.

Understand that “late season” does not mean a specific date or time of year, as hunting seasons are different across the country. But all states and all turkey-hunting ranges do have one thing in common: by the time the late season arrives, turkeys have been pressured and are on high alert. So, wherever you take to the field, combine a less intimidating low-key decoy setup with a softer, more subtle calling method for increased success in your late-season hunting.

Photo by: Matt Addington

by Brett McComas

No doubt there’s a pile of jigging spoons out there…’cuz they straight-up catch fish! You’ve probably already got your faves, so did any of ’em make this list of 6 tried-and-true options that have been putting walleyes topside for years?!

I’m confident this lineup of jigging spoons could pluck walleyes through the ice on any lake, anywhere. Heeeere we go — straight off my ice rods and into this write-up — in no particular order:

1. Lindy Rattl’N Flyer Spoon

Fave size: 1/8-oz

Darts and flies outside the hole to cover a ton of real estate, yet fishes heavy enough for the feel/control you skilled spooners are lookin’ for. Super-loud brass rattles make a different kind of “ting” on its alloy innards. Tie on a “techni-glo red” in dirty water and you won’t look back:

2. VMC Tingler Spoon

Fave size: 3/16-oz

Rattle-bearing jigging spoons have taken over the tackle trays of most walleye-nuts, but don’t forget about those silent options when times get tough. It’s all about the flash and flutter, and the VMC Tingler Spoon’s got ’em going on. Works especially well in clear zeeb-infested water, during a cold-front or on heavily-pressured fish.

I’m a sucker for the bigger 3/16-oz size, but don’t be afraid to drop down to 1/8-oz when the fish are super fussy. #SilentButDeadly

3. Clam Rattlin’ Blade Spoon

Fave size: 1/4-oz

Stainless steel BBs + Pyrex-glass housing = a unique clacking sound that calls ‘em in from waaaay out. Slices through the water and has just enough flutter to seal the deal on picky-eaters:

4. VMC Tumbler Spoon

Fave size: 1/8-oz

Great 1-2 punch in a single bait: can be fished “soft” when there’s slow-moving fish on the graph…or sped up and pounded. Unique “knuckle” bend gives it that tasty tumbling action on the drop, and the small metallic attractor blade adds flash and sound. There’s a reason it’s guide Brad Hawthorne’s all-time favorite spoon….

5. Northland Buck-Shot Spoon

Fave size: 1/8-oz

Really don’t think this OG needs an introduction…it’s literally been ringing the dinner bell since before the Internet was a thing! Noisy brass rattle gift wrapped in holographic or UV finishes, can’t go wrong. There’s something special about that “purple tiger” color — flat-out catches ‘em in clear or stained water. #Dibs

6. PK Spoon

Fave size: 3/8-oz

Every walleye fishermen should own a 3/8-oz PK Spoon — especially in the “red dot glow” color — it’s that good when fished aggressively. I work it just like you would a rattlebait through the ice: Start out high (say 2-3’ off bottom) and run a series of big rips before letting it flutter back down…then rock it in place for 5-ish seconds if it takes that long to get whacked….

For you visual learners….

You don’t (always) need livebait to catch hardwater walleyes…. Ever try using “fake” minnow heads on your jigging spoons? How about adding a feathered- or glow-resin treble hook??

That and waaaay more in this video breaking down my complete jigging-spoon setup. It’s 15-min long, so here’s a “Table of Contents” lol:

0:27 – Top 6 jigging spoons to catch walleyes anywhere 5:05 – 3 🔥 alternatives to live minnow heads 9:06 – Rest of the setup (line, leader, snap, swivel, etc) 11:25 – Longer ice rods are better…. 12:18 – My absolute favorite budget-friendly ice reel 13:10 – Braid gives you better spoon control

Or can check the full vid right here:

When you realize how much $$$ you’ve spent on fishing tackle:

Maybe you know this, but –

Rem Oil’s been getting a bad rep lately.

More specifically, some people are complaining about:

• The oil being too thin
• Evaporating easily
• Not lubing properly
• Etc.

So, I decided to take a closer look.

• What is is that people are complaining about?
• And is Rem Oil really as bad as people say?

Ready? Let’s jump right in…

What is Rem Oil?

Rem Oil is a superior lubricant for firearms. You use it to lubricate your guns, as well as to protect them from corrosion.

I underlined the word lubricant because people keep comparing Rem Oil to different products:

• Hoppe’s #9 (a solvent)
• Ballistol (a CLP)
• Froglube (lubricant)
• Rmcoil (lubricant)

Rem oil is not a solvent. Rem Oil is not a CLP.

It’s a lubricant – and it works differently from CLP’s and solvents.

But most importantly…

Rem Oil Gets The Job Done

Here’s a fact:

Most gun oils work fine if you use them according to instructions. Including Rem Oil.

Every top brand will be 99% good enough for your needs. Unless you are a competition shooter, or you have unusual weather conditions.

And while Rem Oil may not be the best gun oil on the market…

It gets the job done.

Now you’re probably wondering:

If Rem Oil’s so good then why does it have such a bad reputation?

Look.

I’m certain that the people complaining about Rem Oil are simply using it wrong. There’s no other explanation.

How To Use Rem Oil

Here’s how you use Rem Oil properly:

1. Apply the oil
2. Let it sit for a bit
3. Wipe the oil off completely (Don’t leave a single drop hanging there)

You need to wipe everything off because Rem Oil is a surface treatment.

What this means, is that the only useful part of the oil is the one that sticks to the surface of your gun. Any Rem Oil NOT stuck to the surface is useless.

After proper application, the surface should appear dry. It shouldn’t have a “wax coating”. This may seem unnatural, but that’s the proper way to use this product. You’re basically seasoning the surface as you would do on an iron skillet.

By now you can probably guess that –

The problem that most people have with Rem Oil is that they put TOO MUCH OIL on their gun.

The oil that doesn’t soak in runs off the gun. That’s where the bad rep comes from – that Rem Oil is “runny”.

Rem Oil needs to soak because of how it’s made.

What’s Rem Oil Made Of: The Ingredients

Rem Oil has a mineral oil base. Same as most other gun oils.

What makes it different from some is the added Teflon. Teflon transforms into a super-thin film on your gun’s surfaces. The thin film decreases friction and acts as a barrier against corrosion.

The Teflon membrane sticks to the gun and can’t be wiped away.

It’s the protection factor of Rem Oil. You won’t see it, but it’s there after treatment.

Rem Oil Performance

The real question is:

Is Rem Oil worth the money when compared to other gun oils?

Well, let’s start with the good.

Rust Protection

One thing that Rem’s good for is Rust Protection. There was a comparison I read a few years ago.

Rem Oil received superior ratings for rust inhibition in comparison to Hoppes’s and Breakfree CLP.

Extreme Temperatures

The same test also ranked Rem Oil as #1 gun oil for extreme cold.

I’m talking about minus 20-30 degrees kind of cold. All other oils would gum up and slow the action down.

You’ll probably never shoot your gun under those conditions, but it’s still good to know.

Rem Oil Alternatives

Crosman RMCoil vs Rem Oil

From the specs alone, these two should be equally good.

Both are lubricants, and both are quite thin and runny. Rmcoil doesn’t have Teflon in its formula, so I would pick Rem Oil over it.

Couldn’t find any proper comparison video, so let me know in the comments if you have anything.

Rem Oil vs. Hoppe’s #9

You can see that Hoppe’s No. 9 performs significantly better than Rem Oil when it comes to solvent capability.

Click the play button and see the comparison for yourself.

Side note: I’ve always liked the precision tip bottle of Hoppe’s 9. It makes the oil easy to use. You don’t get that with REM oil.

Rem Oil vs. Froglube

According to the video below, Rem Oil and Froglube perform about the same.

Get whichever is cheapest.

Rem Oil vs. Ballistol

Ballistol is generally regarded as better than Rem Oil.

They’re both mineral oils. But the difference is that:

• Rem Oil doesn’t emulsify in water. It acts like a normal oil – you put it in the water and sticks to the surface.
• Ballistol emulsifies in water. It will spread out in the water, and won’t rise back out on the surface. It becomes a part of the water.

So, Ballistol has an advantage.

It remains on your gun after you clean out the water. Protecting your barrel from corrosion.

Bottom Line: Performance

Rem Oil performs best you use it to wipe down the outside surface of the gun. Even though there are better all-rounder gun oils out there, Rem Oil is one of the best for rust protection.

It’s not that good for lubing the moving parts inside the gun that get heated. For the insides of your gun, you’re better off sticking with a proper CLP (such as Ballistol) or solvent (Hoppe’s #9).

Now, the next bit might be just me, but…

As I’ve mentioned above, it’s normal for Rem Oil to ‘dry’ inside your gun.

I don’t know about you but… I want to know that there is a layer of something inside my gun when I’m shooting.

And that’s just not the case with Rem Oil.

Sorry, Rem.

In a nutshell, here’s what you’re getting with Rem Oil:

• Great friction coefficient score
• Dries on the surface (less dirt and debris on your gun)
• Corrosion protection – passes salt spray test according to Govt. requirements
• Helps remove powder carbon and fouling
• Low viscosity – soaks into small areas and metal pores
• Cheap
• Long-lasting

Frequently Asked Questions

Rem Oil On Wood

Can you use Rem Oil on wood?

No, you can’t use Rem Oil on wood. Be careful around the stock of your gun. What happens is that the oil will soak in and ruin the wood where it meets metal.

Gun oil will ruin the wood. Not at once. But over the years it will soak in and make the wood soft and punky.

It usually happens where the stock meets the receiver. First, the wood gets a dark stain, and then it starts getting soft.

You have to be really careful to keep gun oil off your stock. It’s a common recommendation to store your firearm muzzle-down for that exact reason.

It keeps the gun oil from running into the stock.

Side note: Storing your firearms muzzle-down is a precaution. If your gun oil runs at all, then you’re using too much of it.

Rem Oil Aerosol vs. Wipes vs. Liquid

You can buy Rem Oil in the form of:

• • Rem Oil Aerosol spray
  • Liquid
  • Wipes

All 3 contain the same Teflon formula. The only difference is the form.

Rem Oil Spray

Aerosol spray is the most common.

It’s also the one that I used to spray the outside of my gun.

In my opinion, the spray is the easiest to use.

Rem Oil Liquid

The liquid is the cheapest of the three. Straightforward to use – just put some drops on your gun and you’re set.

Be careful not to put too much.

Rem Oil Wipes

Rem Oil Pop Up Wipes are more convenient for field use. If you’re out hunting and need something to clean your firearms, these are great to keep in your shooting bag.

They’re easy to use – just wipe down your firearm with it. Down the barrel or on the surface – wherever it’s needed.

One pack comes with a dozen wipes or so. One wipe can clean more than one firearm. A common trick is to cut them in half to save money.

Note that the wipes are more expensive than the liquid and the spray.

Which ones should you get? It’s really a matter of preference. If you ask me, I’d say that the spray is the most versatile of the three. Can’t go wrong with the spray.

The Final Word

Rem Oil is alright. It’s not too bad, not too good either.

It gets the job done, but it’s too thin for:

• Any serious firing (say AR-15)
• Performance in hotter temperatures

Most importantly –

Rem Oil is inferior to other gun oils on the market.

So why settle for less?

I’ve used Hoppe’s #9 for years. It’s tried and proven for gun cleaning, removing powder and small amounts of copper residue.

I prefer to use Break-Free CLP for gun cleaning. It’s cheap and a large can will last you a long time.

For heavy-duty stuff, Hoppe’s #9 has never failed me.

Now…

And only after the treatment, that’s when I wipe everything down with Rem Oil.

Let me know in the comments if I missed anything, or if anything needs to be added to the article.

Sincerely Yours, Bud

Rigging dead bait to catch pike is one of the more popular methods used to catch these fish. When northern pike just won’t rise for spoons or crankbait using bait fish can be a great way to land a few fish. There are a number of different methods depending on the technique you are using from bottom fishing, float fishing, casting, trolling or even ice fishing.

Pickerel Rig

This is probably one of the best known and most commonly used dead bait rigs for pike and also walleye. Very inexpensive ( a few dollars) and hardy, you will land a number of fish with one before needing to replace it. These rigs consist of a length of monofilament a few feet long with two steel arms to hold the bait away from the mainline.

At the top is a barrel swivel with bearings to stop line twist. Below that are the two metal arms, these also incorporate red beads as a way to attract the pike’s attention. A snelled hook on a short (4 inch or so) monofilament leader is then added off these arms.

Lastly on the very bottom is a snap to add fishing sinkers. This makes it great to use in lakes or even targeting a pocket of water in faster moving rivers where pike may be hunting.

I use the pickerel rig a lot as a dead bait rig for pike both in open water and ice fishing season. I will often use two different baits on them. Something like an anchovy on one and then a green or yellow smelt on the other.

Quick Strike Rigs

The quick strike rig consists of two or three treble hooks with monofilament leader. The commercially available rigs can have a wire leader instead. In there most basic form you can just make your own with the leaders going up to a central loop. Additionally you can add red beads as an extra visual attractant. A barrel swivel at the top is also a good idea as pike love to roll after they feel a hook set.

I have used quick strike rigs for a few years now when ice fishing with tip ups and, they are absolutely deadly. My usual tactic is to use a much larger bait such as an 8 inch herring, looking to land a solid 3 foot+ northern pike.

Jackfish Rig

Jack fish rigs are quite similar to Pickerel rigs. Instead of the monofilament leaders holding the hooks in this case there is a solid steel leader. Jackfish Riggs still incorporate the red beads to help attract pike. These rigs normally have larger hooks then the pickerel rigs. Another thing I will do with a jack fish rig is swap out one of the hooks for a jig head.I find yellow or green jig heads particularly effective in this case. There is a little spring holding the hook in place on a jack fish rig that makes this modification quick and easy.

Snelled Hooks

Standard snelled hooks will work fine for applications such as float fishing. Suspending a deadbeat underneath the float is ideal for some situations such as heavily weeded areas where you don’t want to get snagged constantly. Also can be good if you know fish are holding in a certain depth. This will work with a standard bobber and with a slip bobber.

Big is ok as far as hook size is concerned. For decent-sized smelt and anchovy try a 2/0 or 3/0 size snelled hook. If the pike are only small hammer handles ( 12 or 16 inch fish) you may want to downsize a bit and go with a 1 or 1/0 size hook. Again this will depend on your bait size as you don’t want a massive hook for small shiners.

Rigging Jig Heads with a Minnow

I’ll often use just a standard jig head paired with a dead bait instead of a soft bait. This technique will work great with anchovies or colored smelt. I seem to have great success with yellows and greens. There are even jig heads with a small propeller that seems to work well if you’re moving them in the water for extra Flash.

You have to make sure to use a steel leader when using a jig head. Pike are notorious for severing through fishing line.

Tipping Spoons with a Minnow

Another great way Of using dead bait is tipping the end of your artificial lure with a small piece of bait fish. A small piece of belly meat from a bait fish added to a spoon introduces scent to an already flashy presentation.

Related Products

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use “Bait” from the Grocery Store?

The grocery store is great place to get bulk bait fish to use as pike bait. You can often get several times more smelt or anchovies for the same price as a package from your local bait shop.

Can Pike Smell?

They can indeed, pike will follow a scent trail a fair ways underwater. Their sense of smell is not as well developed as some species. For this reason its good to use high oil bait fish. I prefer anchovy for this reason. During ice fishing season I will thaw anchovy overnight in a Ziploc bag to make them extra juicy and stinky.

Pike will eat carrion naturally so smelly dead fish is their thing. If you are going for larger pike consider a much larger dead bait on a quick strike rig. Herring are a good choice for this again as they are an oiler fish.

Some people will also catch and freeze suckers for this purpose also. Suckers arnt considered game fish so you should be fine to do this in your state or province. As always its smart to consult your local fishing regulations about this.

How do you make Dead Bait Rigs for Pike?

You can easily make a quick strike rig for pike fishing with dead bait. In its simplest form all you need is a few feet of monofilament and a few treble hooks. The exact size will vary depending on the bait fish you are rigging from smelt all the way up to foot long white sucker fish.

I personally will have one side of the rig shorter than the other. This will ensure a “head down” presentation as most fish take bait fish head first. I also tend to go with smaller treble hooks for my quick strikes. Some people also add a third treble hook to the rig, if the regulations in that jurisdiction allow .

Should Dead Bait Hang Horizontally or Head Down ?

When you were rigging a dead bait for Pike with a quick strike rig you have a couple of options on how to orient the bait. A very popular way is to make sure your folks are set of equal length so the bait hangs horizontally in the water. Another popular option is with a shorter leader on the dorsal hook and a longer one on the head hook so that your bait will hang head down in the water. Many fish will take a bait head first which is why this is also advantageous.

Pike will eat carrion naturally so smelly dead fish is their thing. If you are going for larger pike consider a much larger dead bait on a quick strike rig. Herring are a good choice for this again as they are an oiler fish.

Some people will also catch and freeze suckers for this purpose also. Suckers arnt considered game fish so you should be fine to do this in your state or province. As always its smart to consult your local fishing regulations about this.” } },{ “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “How do you make Dead Bait Rigs for Pike?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “You can easily make a quick strike rig for pike fishing with dead bait. In its simplest form all you need is a few feet of monofilament and a few treble hooks. The exact size will vary depending on the bait fish you are rigging from smelt all the way up to foot long white sucker fish.

I personally will have one side of the rig shorter than the other. This will ensure a “head down” presentation as most fish take bait fish head first. I also tend to go with smaller treble hooks for my quick strikes. Some people also add a third treble hook to the rig, if the regulations in that jurisdiction allow .” } },{ “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Should Dead Bait Hang Horizontally or Head Down ?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “When you were rigging a dead bait for Pike with a quick strike rig you have a couple of options on how to orient the bait. A very popular way is to make sure your folks are set of equal length so the bait hangs horizontally in the water. Another popular option is with a shorter leader on the dorsal hook and a longer one on the head hook so that your bait will hang head down in the water. Many fish will take a bait head first which is why this is also advantageous.” } }] }

Wild turkeys are interesting creatures with unique physical characteristics like the beard and spurs. If you’ve wondered about the makeup and purpose of beards and spurs, keep reading. You’ll soon find answers.

Turkey Beards

If you’ve seen a male wild turkey, you likely noticed a shock of long, dark, fibrous bristles hanging from its breast plumage. That’s called a beard, and it’s made of modified feathers. Male turkeys, called gobblers – and some female turkeys, called hens – have beards. Only about 10 to 20 percent of hens grow beards, and it’s likely a genetic mutation, according to Sciencing.com.

Beard Function

The beard’s function is not known with certainty, but it might influence mate selection by hens. According to the National Wild Turkey Federation’s website, longer beards signify older, healthier males and thus superior mates.

Beard Length

Beards begin growing when turkeys are about 5 months old, and keep growing 4 to 5 inches annually. According to Turkey & Turkey Hunting magazine, a 2-year-old gobbler’s beard usually measures 8 to 10 inches. When it’s 3 years old, a gobbler’s beard will have grown about 14 inches. However, few toms have beards that long because bristles wear off at the tip as the beard grows.

But not all beards break or wear off. In a recent Realtree.com article by Steve Hickoff, Top 5 Longest Wild Turkey Subspecies Beards, this former NWTF staffer listed the longest beards on record for each turkey subspecies:

– Easterns: 22.5 inches, shot in Bowie, Texas.

– Osceolas: 19.125 inches, shot in Lafayette, Florida.

– Rio Grandes: 15.375 inches, shot in Beckham, Oklahoma.

– Gould’s: 14.0625 inches, shot in Canatlán Durango, Mexico.

– Merriam’s: 13.875 inches, shot in Brown, Nebraska.

On average, Eastern wild turkeys have the longest beards of all subspecies, while the Merriam’s has the shortest.

Number of Beards

Turkeys can also sport more than one beard. The NWTF’s Wild Turkey Records show Tyler Blake Mumpower shot an Eastern turkey with 13 beards in Spring 2017 in Pennsylvania; and Kooper Bays shot an Eastern turkey with 10 beards in 2015 in Missouri. It’s far more common, however, to bag birds with two or three beards.

Turkey Spurs

A spur is a long talon or claw on the back of a turkey’s leg, about 2 inches above the foot. Spurs are made of smooth, shiny keratin, and range in color from black, gray or pink. Some spurs even look pearlescent, while others are tipped with dark tones, according to Hickoff’s Realtree.com article, Turkey Spurs are Like Antlers to a Deer Hunter.

The Spur’s Function

Spurs help gobblers establish dominance, according to the NWTF’s website. Older, more dominant birds have the longest and sharpest spurs, which helps them fend off younger turkeys when vying for breeding rights.

Spur Length

Both sexes are born with small button spurs, but the spur keeps growing after birth in males. Turkeys with spurs less than a half-inch long are likely 1-year-old jakes, while turkeys with spurs measuring a half-inch to 1 inch are typically 2-year-old gobblers. Spurs on 2-year-olds tend to have blunt tips. After age 2, spurs grow slowly. Gobblers 3 or older wield sharp, curved spurs that are slightly hooked.

Although spur length and sharpness can help hunters estimate a turkey’s age, they’re not sure bets. Like beards, spurs can break or wear down. The Wild Turkey Zone website reports that Osceolas usually have the longest spurs of the five American subspecies, mostly because they generally live in swampy areas with soft dirt. In contrast, Merriam’s turkeys live in rocky, mountainous areas, so their spurs are typically shorter from continuous wear and tear on hard surfaces.

Final Thoughts

Hunters often consider turkey beards and spurs – no matter their size – as trophies, and collect them as keepsakes or display them with fan mounts. And because many states let hunters shoot bearded hens, beards and spurs often help hunters determine which turkeys are legal targets from afar.

Are you ready to start your own turkey hunting adventures? Prepare for your first turkey hunt by visiting an archery shop to pick up the necessary gear and supplies.

The real secret to catching more fish is knowledge! The more you know, the more fish you’ll catch. These Northern Pike ice fishing tips and techniques are proven winners.

Love ’em or hate ’em, if you’re ice fishing, you’re likely to run into some Northern Pike. Near the top of the food chain in nearly any lake they inhabit, these aggressive fish can be a ton of fun to catch! And, once you get past the slime and the Y-bone their good eating too.

If you want to catch more Northern Pike the two most important keys are location and presentation. You could have the most appealing bait in the world but if there aren’t any fish around it’s going to be a looong day. And, not catching a thing while everyone else around you is catching fish can be really frustrating. What you present to the fish is just as important as finding them.

The information found here is best used along with some investigative work done by you. Finding out what the Department of Natural Resources says about a lake and talking to local anglers, especially at the bait shop, can save you a ton of time finding the fish and knowing what they’re biting on.

Northern Pike have very good vision but limited night vision. Unlike most other fish species Northern Pike remain active in the winter and are primarily caught during broad daylight.

Northern Pike Ice Fishing Location

Northern Pike location is often dictated by their belly. They don’t swim in schools and can usually be found relating to the same types of lake structure as their next meal.

Structure like points, breaks, rock piles and humps are classic examples of structure that will have Northerns in close proximity.

In shallow water Northern Pike usually cruise about mid depth but as the water becomes deeper they tend to hang closer to the bottom.

During early ice Northern Pike can be found in fairly shallow water accompanied by weed edges, points and bars. Combined with inside turns or other structure is even better.

As winter progresses Northern Pike follow the food and move further out. Start by fishing outside weed edges and offshore humps and bars.

As spring nears Northern Pike begin moving shallower again into pre spawn areas. Besides shoreline points and breaks, look for them near river mouths.

Before we switch gears and talk about presentation, remember locating the fish is half the battle. Don’t just drill one hole in 10 ft of water next to a point. Instead drill several holes in varying depths and find the fish.

Using modern electronics can also help you find fish faster. Depth, fish and structure can all be seen using a flasher (Vexilar or Marcum).

Northern Pike Ice Fishing Presentation

OK, you’ve found the Northern Pike, now let’s look at some effective techniques to get them on the ice!

The most common way to ice fish for Northern Pike is by using Tip-ups. This ice fishing contraption is simple and effective.

More Northern Pike have probably been caught using a treble hook and a sucker minnow on a Tip-up then any other method.

Generally the bigger the Pike you’re after the larger the minnow you’ll want to use. I generally use a medium sucker minnow or smelt in the 6-8 inch range. Push the eye of the treble hook up through the belly of the smelt.

Most ice fishermen can attest that they’ve caught Northern Pike while jigging for other species of fish. Even the smallest lures have been known to produce Northerns, only because they’ll eat nearly anything you place in front of them.

Jigging has become a popular method for catching Northern Pike as well. Most likely this is because they’re more fun to fight using normal ice fishing equipment than with a Tip-up.

Jigging for Northern is basically raising your rod tip a foot or more, then dropping it back down to its starting position.

When choosing tackle to jig for Northern Pike you’ll use the same types of lures used for Walleye, only bigger in most cases. My favorite type is the sinking lure or spoon.

Sinking lures include the Live Target Golden Shiner Rattlebait and Dynamic Lures HD-Ice and nobody makes a better spoon than Len Thompson and their Dimpled Series spoon where added indents cause a lot more action has you move the rod tip up and down.

Sinking baits and spoons are great for more aggressive Northern Pike. Usually I put a minnow head on one of the treble hook barbs and start by fishing with one of these.

Hopefully you’ve found something new to try in these Northern Pike ice fishing tips and techniques that will help you ice more fish.

What most people consider luck is usually a combination of preparation and practice so get out there and enjoy the practice.

Looking to venture to a new species check out our 5 Tips for Catching Walleye through the Ice.

It’s important to stay warm and comfortable weather it be open water fishing or ice fishing. For that head over to our Elite Fishing Apparel section.

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Try our RLM Elite Mystery Tackle Box available now for a limited time! The perfect gift for the angler in your life

By Yamil Sued

The 10mm Auto is an undeniably powerful round, born in the mid-1980s from disappointment with the perceived inadequate performance of the 9mm. The cartridge was designed from the ground up to have immense stopping power, and it would prove itself to be a capable performer in both self-defense and hunting applications.

Testing the Perception

But how powerful is it, exactly? We all hear about how terrific the 10mm is, but what if we perform a 10mm gel test to see what kind of penetration and expansion we can expect?

I decided to do just that, taking a Springfield Armory Range Officer Elite Operator 10mm 1911 and running three different full power 10mm loads through it and into ballistic gelatin. Check out my video above to see how it all did on the range.

For this 10mm ammo comparison, I selected three loads, all with bullets weighing 200 grains. These loads covered both high-performance 10mm self defense ammo as well as basic range ammunition. I tested Federal Personal Defense HST, Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection Gold Dot Hollowpoint, and CCI Blazer FMJ range ammunition. Both of the full power personal protection loads used proven hollowpoint bullet designs while the range load used a 10mm FMJ projectile.

10mm Ballistics Performance

I set up a 32″-deep batch of ballistic gelatin and set about running all three loads through the RO Elite Operator 10mm. I was very impressed with the performance of all three loads and found that the 10mm does really push out some power.

Hollow Point vs. FMJ in Ballistics Gel

When testing 10mm penetration, both the Speer and Federal drove to roughly 18″ deep in the gelatin (within 1″ of each other), and expanded very nicely. These are both very powerful and effective rounds.

With the Blazer load, the FMJ punched clean through all 32″ of the gelatin, and impacted heavily on the safety berm behind it.

Excessive penetration is generally not preferred for defensive ammunition. While FMJ loads are great for paper targets, they simply do not expand in an attacker and will generally overpenetrate as this 10mm gel test shows.

I also chronographed all three 200-gr. loads to see how they performed. The Federal HST came in at an average of 1,130 fps, the Speer Gold Dot at 1,100 fps, and the Blazer ammo at 1,030 fps.

Conclusion

My test was intended to show 10mm ammunition performance and penetration, both full power self defense ammo and FMJ target ammunition.

I think that the results speak for themselves — the 10mm is an undeniably powerful round, and one that clearly will excel in both a hunting and self-defense role.

Editor’s Note: Please be sure to check out the new The Armory Life forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the “Go To Forum Thread” link below to jump in!

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Featured in this video

With its high degree of accuracy, robustness, and modularity, the AXSR is a rifle that any military or law enforcement sniper would trust.

Barrett 82A1 / M107A1

The Barrett 82A1 and its sibling, the M107A1, are legendary semi-automatic sniper rifles famous for their .50 BMG caliber. These American-made rifles are noted for their devastating power and impressive, effective range of about 2,000 meters. The 82A1 has accounted for some of the longest confirmed sniper shots in history – including a hit made by Sergeant Brain Kremer in 2004 during the Iraq War at a range of 2,300 meters.

After years of successful service, the M107A1 was developed based on the feedback of US service members. As a result, the M107A1 features a recoil-mitigating design and a dual-chamber muzzle brake to help manage the substantial kick. The 107A1 shares many of the 82A1’s characteristics but is built with a lighter and stronger aluminum chassis and designed for a dedicated suppressor.

In service since the 1980s, the 82A1 and M107A1 have been adopted by numerous NATO countries and continue to be a powerhouse platform for elite military units around the globe.

Barrett Mk22 MRAD:

The Barrett Mk22 Multi-Role Adaptive Design (MRAD) is in a new class of military sniper platforms. Its defining feature is adaptability, allowing for an array of configurations to suit a multitude of operational requirements. This flexibility is primarily why it was chosen as the current contract winner for the US Special Operations Command’s Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) and US Army Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR).

One of the key features of the Mk22 MRAD is its user-changeable barrel system. This allows the sniper to quickly and easily switch between calibers and barrels in the field depending on the mission’s needs, including the .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, and 7.62x51mm NATO rounds.

In terms of performance, the MRAD is known for its superb accuracy, making it a reliable choice in various combat scenarios. For example, its effective range with .338 Norma Magnum rounds is up to 1,500 meters, while with .300 Norma Magnum, it can accurately engage targets up to 1,200 meters.

In summary, the Barrett Mk22 MRAD is not just a sniper rifle; it’s a comprehensive, adaptable system that provides military snipers the flexibility to adjust to rapidly changing battlefield conditions. Its impressive accuracy, versatility, and adaptability make it one of the finest military sniper rifles in operation today.

Mcmillan TAC-50:

The McMillan Tac-50, often referred to as the “Big Mac,” is a powerhouse in the world of sniper rifles. This bolt-action rifle is designed for pin-point precision and is most famous for its record-breaking long-range shot in a combat scenario.

Chambered in the potent .50 BMG caliber, the Tac-50 is not just a sniper rifle; it’s an anti-materiel rifle capable of disabling light vehicles and equipment at long distances. This makes it a versatile tool on the battlefield, able to engage personnel and material targets.

Key elements of the Tac-50’s design encompass its match-grade 29-inch free-floating barrel and the high-quality McMillan action, both of which significantly contribute to its extraordinary accuracy. The rifle also features a recoil-absorbing fiberglass chassis, making the shooting experience more manageable despite the potent round it sends down range.

The Tac-50 has seen service with the Canadian Armed Forces, where it is known as the C15 Long Range Sniper Weapon (LRSW). In this role, it has repeatedly proven its worth, including the longest confirmed sniper kill shot in history — a remarkable 3,540 meters achieved in Iraq in 2017.

The McMillan Tac-50 represents a culmination of precision engineering and practical design. It’s a weapon that offers extreme range, devastating power, and a high degree of accuracy, standing as one of the world’s most effective long-range military sniper rifles.

M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS)

The M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS), a mainstay of the US Army, is a testament to the effectiveness of well-executed traditional design principles. Based on the Remington 700 long action, this bolt-action sniper rifle has served US military snipers for decades and continues proving its worth in various conflict zones worldwide.

Initially chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, the M24 SWS was designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. The choice of this caliber provided a good balance of power, range, and recoil management. However, many M24s have been rechambered to the more powerful .300 Winchester Magnum to increase its effective range, extending its reach beyond 1,200 meters.

While not as fancy as some of the other rifle systems discussed, the M24 is a proven platform and a formidable tool in the hands of a trained marksman. It offers a blend of accuracy, power, and reliability, making it a trusted choice for the US military, earning its place as one of the best military sniper rifles in service.

Knight’s Armament M110 SASS

The Knight’s Armament M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS) is a notable piece of military hardware that is a trusted platform with various special forces units due to its combination of accuracy, power, reliability, and rate of fire.

The M110 SASS is a semi-automatic sniper rifle that allows for a higher rate of fire and increased magazine capacity compared to traditional bolt-action systems. This feature is particularly valuable in high-intensity special forces operations where rapid engagement of multiple targets may be necessary.

Chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, the M110 SASS’s standard kit includes a Leupold 3.5x10x scope, Harris bipod, night vision optic, and dedicated suppressor.

In terms of accuracy, the M110 SASS is capable of impressive precision. With an effective range of around 800 meters, it allows special forces snipers to confidently engage targets at extended ranges.

In summary, the Knight’s Armament M110 SASS, with its semi-automatic firing mechanism, suppressor compatibility, and adaptability to various accessories, has proven to be an invaluable asset for military units. Its blend of accuracy, power, and versatility makes it a preferred choice for those who operate in the most demanding and high-stakes environments.

Final Thoughts:

Each of these sniper systems carries a unique set of capabilities tailored to specific mission requirements and environments. Whether it’s the adaptability of the Barrett Mk22 MRAD, the long-range accuracy of the McMillan Tac-50, or the rapid-fire capabilities of the M110 SASS, these rifles underscore the diverse challenges and demands of modern military operations.

Other notable mentions include:

Mcmillian TAC-300 SAKO TRG M10 Hecker & Koch M110A2 Mk 13 Mod 0/5/7 Accuracy International AS50

Ultimately, the best military sniper rifle depends on the mission, the environment, and the sniper’s skill. What’s undeniable is that these rifles, each impressive in their own right, represent the leading edge of design and performance in the realm of precision marksmanship. They serve as a testament to human ingenuity and play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of conflicts worldwide.

Many of these exceptional rifle platforms are accessible to civilians and available from companies like Hinterland Outfitters and other online dealers. Long-range shooting has become a popular sport in the outdoors industry. It tests precision, patience, and technical knowledge, offering enthusiasts a challenging yet rewarding way to hone their marksmanship skills over extended distances.

The Remington Tac-14 is a pump-action…. weapon.. that shoots 12 gauge shotgun shells. Jokes aside the Remington Tac-14 is a shorty shotgun that skirts the legal definition of a Short Barrel Shotgun and puts it right into your hands.

History of the Remington Tac-14

The Remington Tac-14 is originally released in late 2017 and while it hasn’t seen many productions in a few years, namely because of Remington’s bankruptcy and sale, it was a fan favorite upon release and continues to be in demand today.

The Remington Tac-14 really made a splash because it had all of the features of a Short Barrel Shotgun without all of the tax stamps and paperwork.

We will dive into what makes the Tac-14 legal in the next section but we hope that since Remington, now RemArms, is in new hands production of the Tac-14 and Tac-13 will soon pick back up!

Legalities of the Tac-14

So how is the Remington Tac-14 not considered a short barrel shotgun with a 14″ barrel, you ask?

Well, it’s actually pretty simple.

Since the gun was never built with a stock it is not considered a shotgun, thus it cannot be a short barrel shotgun (SBS).

Shotguns by legal definition are designed to be fired from the shoulder and without a stock, this gun cannot be fired from the shoulder and thus barrel lengths do not apply.

Since pistols don’t have a barrel length required under federal law and can not be fired from the shoulder this gun is more of a pistol than a legally defined shotgun.

However, the overall length of a shotgun needs to remain longer than 26″ overall or it would fall into the any other weapon or “AOW” category of weapons.

Like SBR’s and SBS’s, AOW’s fall into the purview of the National Firearms Act, better known as the NFA. You can read way more about the NFA, SBR’s, and tax stamps in our Ulitmate Guide to Short Barrel Rifles.

State Laws

State laws are often wildly different than Federal Law and unfortunately for people living in the Peoples’ Republic of California and New Jersey, you are often left out of the freedom fun.

While we may come back in and dive into states that can’t possess right now we just recommend checking with local authorities on the legality of owning a Remington Tac-14 in your state.

Features

Features are what makes guns what they are and the features are likely why you buy gun x over gun y so what are some of the features of the Tac-14?

Time to dive in!

Grip and Ergonomics

The grip of this gun is special for a few reasons.

It takes you back to that infamous scene in the movie Training Day where “the bitch”, which was a Mossberg 500 Crusier, was racked and used to kill poor drug dealing Roger.

But shorty shotguns are nothing new and they are incredibly useful. The grip is the bird’s head style grip. The Tac-14 comes in a few different models. Namely, there is wood furniture and synthetic furniture.

The birdhead grip really makes this gun a comfortable gun to hold in your dominant hand.

However, this isn’t a super-light gun and with all your ammo toward the front of the gun in the magazine tube, you probably won’t be holding this gun one-handed very long.

We will talk about one-handed shooting later in this review.

Pump Action

The action on the Tac-14 is one of the main functions of the gun. It’s how you load the gun with freedom seeds and the main operation of the gun.

The action is actually extremely smooth and overall it’s a positive experience.

Trigger

The trigger on the Remington Tac-14 is surprisingly good. I’ve never found shotgun triggers to be amazing but for what it is it’s great!

The trigger doesn’t function much like a double-stage trigger. You don’t have much take up at all and the trigger basically starts at the wall.

With that being said it makes for an easy break and easy shooting.

Safety

The safety sits behind the trigger at the top of the trigger well. It’s in an okay spot but honestly, it’s not great for this style of gun and how you hold it.

There is no great place for a safety on a gun this small with this type of profile so while I don’t like the placement it does work.

There’s nothing really to report back on the functionality of the safety as it’s just a Remington 870 safety. It’s stiff but does the job.

Sling/Carry

Depending on how you use this gun you may want a sling to easily carry the gun around.

The gun is extremely compact and can be difficult to carry at times. A sling can be attached to the Tac-14.

The birdshead grip has a sling attachment and you can purchase a front sling mount which I will talk more about in the accessories section.

The synthetic model would allow you to attach an MLok sling attachment to the pump-action foregrip but would not allow for the front sling attachment method because the Magpul foregrip is in the way.

Accessories for the Tac-14

The nice thing about the Tac-14 is the fact that it’s built from the Remington 870 and opens it up to a ton of accessories and custom parts.

Grips

If you aren’t a fan of the birdshead grip you’re in luck. A number of companies offer new grips for this gun.

One grip that comes to mind is the Shockwave Raptor Grip (not to be confused with the Mossberg Shockwave). These can be easily switched out on your Tac-14 and provide an entirely new ergonomic to the grip of the gun.

One way to change out your grip is to add a pistol stabilizing brace. SB Tactical makes a Tac-14 pistol stabilizing brace that adds a pistol grip as well as their iconic stabilizing braces.

You can find them at a number of retailers across the web.

Forends

The most popular part of the gun is definitely the forend. You can easily swap them out and there is a number of aftermarket options for forends.

If you get the forend with the Magpul forend, one of the most popular accessories is the strap. These are available on Amazon and are a cheap nice upgrade to the gun that allows you to secure your grip on the pump-action.

Light Mounts

With the Tac-14 being such an optimal home defense shotgun it makes sense that you would want to be able to see if something goes bump in the night.

There are a number of options for light mounts, even stream makes a forend that has a Streamlight flashlight built right in.

If you are a Surefire fan you’re in luck because they make a forend light for the Tac-14/870 as well!

Sling Attachments

For the Tac-14 you have a few options for sling attachments. You definitely need two points of contact or at least one point on the grip of the gun if you wanted to single point.

The Remington sling mount is attached to the front of the gun via the magazine tube and allows you to thread a 1-¼” sling into the gun.

Ammo Holders

The ammo holders for the Tac-14 come in two different forms.

The first and arguability most popular option is shot cards. Shot cards are typically made of nylon and elastic and hold between 2 and 5 additional shotgun shells.

Then you have plastic mounted holders as well that attach in nearly the same spot as the shot cards.

There are also aluminum shell carriers which are the highest end of the shell carriers.

Shooting the Tac-14

Shooting the Tac-14 is… an adventure to say the least. Time to just be frank.

There is almost nothing to mitigate recoil with this gun. This is straight 12 gauge recoil in full glory.

It’s a wildly fun gun to shoot but in the pistol brace configuration, I definitely don’t want to shoot it all day.

You likely won’t be shooting this gun full extended and will likely be hip firing it more than anything.

Hip firing the gun is relatively comfortable but not accurate at any kind of distance.

High brass 12 gauge buckshot definitely has more recoil than anything I shot that was low brass.

Overall, shooting it was shooting a short Remington 870. I liked it a lot but wouldn’t want to shoot it all day.

Conclusion of the Remington Tac-14 Review

The Tac-14 has its purpose there is no double about it. Is it a range toy or a workhorse?

Well, it depends.

I see the Tac-14 is a multi-purpose gun but ironically I think it’s more of a home defense or truck gun than it is a range toy.

When I first saw this gun, I loved the idea of it. I like the compactness and thought; man, that will be a fun gun to shoot on the range.

However, when I finally got my hands on it and was able to shoot it I quickly realized it wasn’t a gun I wanted to shoot all day long at the range.

But after shooting it, it dawned on me, that this is the perfect backpack/truck/home defense shotgun. It’s compact and easy to store and easy to deploy in close quarters.

If you are looking for something to put hundreds of rounds downrange this may not be your gun. But it may be, depending on how much you like recoil.

Overall, this is a solid gun. It has its place and it functions very well.

FAQ’s