Bowtech Archery and Mathews Archery are two of the top competitors in the bow market. They are both known for their presence in the field of bow technology innovation and for developing some of the best bows out there.

Since both of these brands are on the high-end scale, you will definitely find the quality and the performance you’re looking for. There are many archers all over who are dedicated consumers to both these brands, and both brands have a reputation for having high-value products.

If you’ve heard about these two companies from your friends, teachers, etc., and you’re wanting to get a bow from one of these companies, it may be difficult understanding the differences between these two brands.

So I put a list together of 11 Pros and Cons to Help You Decide if you want to purchase a Bowtech or a Mathews bow. We’ll discuss a certain category of a factor that is important to consider before making your purchase, and talk about which brand is the winner of the category.

This will be kind of like a Battle of the Bands, but this time a Battle of the Bows: featuring Bowtech Archery and Mathews Archery.

Let the games begin!

Origins of Bowtech

So before things start to get bloody, let’s talk a little bit about each of our opponents for this competition.

Our first opponent, Bowtech, was established in 1999 by Kevin Strother and John Strasheim, and their first bow model was released in 2000, which was received with increased orders and archers who were hungry for more.

“Refuse to Follow,”

– The Bowtech company motto

Headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, since their first bow model release, Bowtech has grown to be one of the top bow manufacturers in the world, with 300 workers at their main facility and is the parent company to several other smaller bow manufacturers, like Diamond Archery, Stryker Crossbows, Excalibur Crossbows, etc.

Bowtech prides themselves on making all of their products right here in America, and supporting American industry as well as maintaining world-class design in their bows.

Origins of Mathews

The second competitor in the Battle of the Bows, Mathews Archery, was created in 1992 by Matt McPherson in Austin, Minnesota. McPherson grew up as a kid loving archery, and often because he was too poor to buy one for himself, he created bows that he could shoot when he was in ten years old!

When Mathews Archery was established in 1992, no one could’ve imagined that this small business would become one of the world’s best bow manufacturers, and a leader in bow technology as well.

Now located in Sparta, Wisconsin, Mathews Archery strives to keep themselves always improving and bettering their company and their products for their customers.

Quick Comparison Between Bowtech and Mathews

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1. Innovation

Bowtech Bows

Bowtech is known for being one of the best when it comes to creating new bow technology. Bowtech has over 20 different patents for different technologies, including one of their most famous technologies, the Binary Cam system.

The Binary Cam System was patented in 2007 by the company’s research and development director, Craig Yehle. The Binary Cam System is related to the pulley system in the compound bow, and the Binary Cam System features two cams at the top of the pulley system that are stuck together.

This revolutionary Binary Cam System changed the way that dual cam systems were seen, as it eliminated almost all the disadvantages that a dual cam system had because of the desynchronization of the two cams, while still preserving the speed and quality that the cams provide to your shot.

In fact, this innovation was so revolutionary that it was added to the list of the most important evolutions in bow technology history.

Because of the vast amount of technologies that Bowtech has brought to the archery manufacturing world, it has created a name and a reputation for itself by being one of the most influential and one of the best.

Mathews Bows

While not as many as Bowtech, but tying closely around 18 different patents, Mathews Archery has also brought a number of new bow technologies to the archery manufacturing table. The most famous of all of these is the Solocam.

The Solocam, if you can guess, is the complete opposite of a dual cam system and the Binary Cam System developed by Bowtech. The Solocam is a single cam system for compound bows, and it provides a more accurate shot while having a lighter bow and making the shot significantly quieter.

While the Solocam system is not as fast as the Binary Cam System is, the Binary Cam is also louder and heavier than the Solocam system.

Mathews continues to produce new technologies that make their bows better and better.

Winner: Bowtech

While the companies created around the same number of patents, Bowtech has more of a reputation and more impact on the archery world because of their technologies, like the Binary Cam System.

Although this one was a close one, and it can be difficult to say which company has better technology, it can also depend on what you’re looking for for a bow. You may prefer a quieter bow rather than a fast bow, but that’s up to your own personal opinion.

2. Accuracy

Bowtech Bows

Bowtech prides itself on being on “an entire company obsessed with accuracy,” so you would imagine that the accuracy of their products is something that they take into careful consideration.

Bowtech tests every bow before they sell it at retail stores or ship it to their consumers. They also specialize in their bows having dual cam systems and being some of the best with the patented Binary Cam System.

Because the majority of Bowtech’s bows are dual cams with the Binary Cam System installed, they add extra weight to the bow and therefore add more power and speed into the shot.

In addition to the weighted dual cams, in the case of the new Realm SR6 and Realm SS, a front-heavy draw cycle is also included, which makes the bow have even more power, and thus increased accuracy.

Most archers know that heavier bows make for fewer mistakes and better accuracy, as the heaviness of the bow automatically corrects little miscalculations and therefore increases the likelihood for a well-aimed hit.

With the emphasis on accuracy and power, in their bows, Bowtech really does a great job assuring their customers of a bow that guaranteed not to disappoint.

Mathews Bows

Mathews Archery generally specializes in single cam bows, with their specially created and patented Solocam technology. With the release of the recent Vertix, the new Engage grip was developed to increase comfort and to reduce the risk of bow torque.

Mathews also hand-tests each of their bows countless times before they are released to the public and sent to their consumers. So you can rest assured that your purchase will result in satisfaction.

The technology unique to the Mathews company is the Solocam technology, which makes a bow more light, compact, and accurate despite its weight.

Many archers still love and cherish their Mathews bows, as they know that the bow will bring them the results that they desire.

Winner: Bowtech

Since one of Bowtech’s priorities is to provide their consumers with a bow that has pinpoint accuracy, you can see that they follow through with their promises. The unique Binary Cam System technology makes the likelihood of an accurate shot even higher with it’s added weight.

When the newly released Realm SR6 and the Realm SS were tested by Outdoor Life, the Realm SR6 was rated as “excellent”, while the Mathews Vertix was rated only as “very good”.

While Mathews bows are still great and accurate enough for most, some people still struggle with the single cam system and making their shots accurate with the usage of it.

Since Bowtech is a “company obsessed with accuracy,” it’s no surprise that their bows are some of the most accurate out there.

3. Speediest Bow

Bowtech Bows

This year Bowtech came out with the Realm SR6 and the Realm SS. The Realm SR6 is this year’s newest speed bow and is nothing to sneeze at. The advertised IBO speed for this bow was 352 feet per second, making it a very impressive bow.

Although the Realm SS was technically created for a really smooth and silky draw, however, it’s still incredibly fast, with a speed of 336 feet per second.

The famous Binary Cam system makes the bows have a much faster shot as well, as it produces more power, so bows that employ this technology are likely to be the most speedy.

Mathews Bows

Mathews new bow that has everyone buzzing this year is the Vertix. Last year Mathews released the Triax, which also had the archery community abuzz with its state-of-the-art technology and speed.

However, the Vertix is the new and improved version of the Triax, and it has an impressive IBO speed of 343 fps. The Vertix is also supposed to have a really smooth and comfortable draw while still preserving the speed of the bow.

Winner: Bowtech

If you consider the official speeds of the two newest bows from Mathews and Bowtech, then you’ll notice that even though it’s a close call, that the Bowtech’s newest Realm SR6 comes out on top. Both companies have great bows for speed, but my call for this round is Bowtech.

4. Costs

Bowtech Bows

While the Realm SS and the Realm SR6 are priced at around $1,099 each, these two bows are not the most expensive out of all of the Bowtech bows. Since the company is a world-class bow manufacturer and producer, they often have an expensive price tag attached to their products.

For example, the Bowtech Reckoning Compound Bow, which has come out this year as well, features the Deadlock technology but ranges in price from $1,399-$1,499. Many of their finest bows are in the $1,000 range, although they also offer cheaper options from them as well as their other companies.

However, Bowtech is a parent company for Diamond Archery, which is a much cheaper option for bows and other equipment, which can vary from the $200-400 range to the $500-700 range.

The company offers fine products, and that often includes with it a higher price that comes with the quality.

Mathews Bows

As for the Mathews Vertix, having been newly released this year, the price of the bow is retailed for and advertised for $999. The Vertix is actually priced on the higher side of Mathews products!

Generally, you can find a decent bow from Mathews starting from the $200-400 range to the $700-900 range. Although still technically considered a high-end bow, the bows that Mathews Archery offers normally don’t go higher than $1000 a piece.

Winner: Mathews

I’m sure that there are some people out there who are willing to spend thousands of dollars on their equipment, but I think that for most people, spending over $1,000 on a bow going to hurt in the wallet.

So for us normal people who are trying to manage a budget, the bows offered at Mathews Archery are a more economical option.

5. Comfort

Bowtech Bows

Bowtech newest and most impressive bows released this year have undoubtedly been the Realm SR6 and the Realm SS. With thousands of raving reviews, the Realm SR6 and the Realm SS have been the results of many efforts to make the best bow that Bowtech could make.

But as for comfort, the Realm SS is really the fruits of Bowtech’s efforts. With the Realm SR6 as the speed bow counterpart, the Realm SS is supposed to be the bow with the most comfort and ease. The SS in the bow’s name even means “super smooth.”

The most noticeable feature of the Realm SS that makes it so special is the draw curve of the bow’s draw cycle. Often when you are drawing a speed-bow, there is a hump or a hill that you have to go over in the draw cycle, where you have to exert a little more force to be able to get the bow at full draw.

However, with the Realm SS, the draw curve is super smooth, as the name says, and has virtually no hump whatsoever. This makes the shooting experience much more enjoyable and easier for the shooter.

Although let’s not ignore the Realm SR6. It still has a very comfortable draw cycle and easy draw curve, but the Realm SS is what really takes the cake.

Mathews Bows

At Mathews Archery, the company has a philosophy of out-doing itself every time it releases a new product. In the promotion video for this year’s new Vertix, you hear an explanation from Matt McPherson, CEO of the company, talking about the vibration of the bow.

He says that every year they started with a certain amount of vibration in their bows, and referred it to being like a whole piece of a paper. Each year, the company strives to halve the vibration, just like tearing the paper in half. Eventually, the vibration that they have left ends up being tiny!

So you can figure with that sort of imagery that the company has really strived to make their bows the most comfortable ones out there. And the Vertix is a product of that dedication to have the most comfortable bow.

With 20% less vibration than that of the popular Triax released last year, bowhunters and archers everywhere that the Vertix has the best amount of vibration since the Triax.

Outdoor Life says that the Vertix “was completely dead in the hand when shooting,” and that the new Engage grip “provide(s) a more comfortable feel,” to the bow.

Winner: Mathews

With the release of the new Vertix this year, Mathews has really upped their game when it comes to making their products more and more comfortable for their consumers and making their experience more enjoyable.

While Bowtech has also improved their game when it comes to comfort with the improvement of their draw cycles, Mathews has really outdone themselves this time.

6. Ability to Fix

Bowtech Bows

Bowtech bows are known as some of the best quality bows on the current market. They have a lifetime warranty on all of their products, and that includes the free fixing of their products if there are any issues due to workmanship or materials.

If you register your bow with the company, as long as the bow was not sold over the Internet, then you automatically qualify for a lifetime warranty on your bow.

If you ever experience any problems with your bow, again, due to the workmanship or materials of the bow, you can contact your local dealer, who will examine your bow and determine if your bow needs to be sent back to the company, or if it can be fixed by parts sent to the dealer.

If there are indeed problems that require the bow being sent back, the company will fix it for free. All information should be available through the Diamond or Bowtech dealer.

Mathews Bows

As for Mathews Archery, if you register your bow online or through your retailer within the first year of purchase, you are also qualified for a limited lifetime warranty on your bow.

If you have any problems with your bow, then you can contact the nearest retailer and work with them to fix your bow. The company will provide parts and/or instructions in order to fix any problems you need, although independent retailers might be subject to charge you for their services.

This does not include any damage that comes from the bow being used or mishandled, and only includes certain portions of the bow, hence which is why the lifetime warranty is limited.

Winner: Both!

Both Mathews and Bowtech have very similar processes when it comes to fixing problems with your bow. If the bow is damaged due to the building process or the materials the company used, then the company can help you with the process of getting your bow fixed.

7. Versatility

Bowtech Bows

Bowtech specializes mainly in compound bows, and also owns another company called Stryker Archery and Excalibur Crossbows which, like their names, are crossbow-producing companies.

If you are looking for a recurve bow it’s best to stop right here, because Bowtech doesn’t make them.

Their website displays their main products, bows and accessories, but it fails to guide the complete beginner to what bow they will want and need for their specific purposes.

So while they do offer a variety of different products to choose from, and own a couple of compound bow companies, it’s hard to say that the company offers a versatile, as well as easy to understand guide for their consumers looking to make a purchase.

Mathews Bows

Sorry recurve archers, Mathews also only sells compound bows and owns a company that sells crossbows. But Mathews does a really good job organizing their bows and providing versatility in their products, which makes purchases and options for purchases easier for customers to identify.

If you access their website, when you click on the bows section, sections for hunters and competitive archers will pop up. You can go from there based on your primary reasons for purchasing a bow, and it will display options that are recommended for you.

In addition to that, there is also a bow builder that enables you to customize and create a custom-made bow, just for you! This can make a bow that has more meaning and is adapted to your tastes!

Not to mention, their new Vertix includes a new Switchweight technology, which basically means that you can switch your draw weight on the bow with the simple twist of a few screws and adjusting the weights on the bows themselves to address a wide range of archers.

Winner: Mathews

Bowtech has a lot of products to choose from, but Mathews nails it when it comes to providing options and customizations for your bow. They are the winners when it comes to providing versatile products for their consumers.

8. Altogether Quality

Bowtech Bows

While Bowtech is one of the top brands in the market, in recent years there has been a multitude of limb failure complaints by various consumers.

Most of these complaints have been about limbs breaking or coming to them in really poor form, or shattering through a couple of shots.

Although it seems like there are fewer complaints by consumers as of late, so it may be possible that Bowtech has fixed whatever the problem with the limbs was, but there still is that history of limb failure within the company’s products.

Bowtech still offers some of the best, most high-quality products, and many archers are very happy with them.

Mathews Bows

Mathews Archery has preserved a good reputation of high-quality products through their career. Like most bow manufacturing companies, Mathews Archery has had its share of limb failure complaints.

However, they are far and few in between, as Mathews strives to make their products the most reliable and of the highest quality.

Winner: Mathews

Both of these companies work their best to make sure that their products are of the highest quality and reliability, however, perhaps because of the more wide-spread accessibility, Bowtech has had more complaints of technical difficulties with their bows.

Mathews reputation, as well as their priority on quality products, has really been something that makes them stand out in the market, as well as prove that price doesn’t always mean the best quality.

9. Weight of Bows

Bowtech Bows

Bowtech is known for their Binary Cam System, which unifies the synchronization of dual cam systems and adds more weight to their bows so as to add more power.

So you would think that their bows are heavier than most, right?

Actually, the Realm SR6 and the Realm SS are only 4.3 lbs.

Surprising right? I thought so too.

Mathews Bows

Mathews Archery is known for their unique Solocam technology, which makes it so the cams on their compound bows are singular, and thus is supposed to provide a lighter, more comfortable experience for the archer.

However, if we’re comparing the Realm SR6 and the Realm SS, then we find that the newly released Vertix is actually heavier. It’s not by much, but the Vertix is actually 4.67 lbs.

Winner: Bowtech

Although a little unexpected, for the purposes of this article, the winner of lighter weight bows is Bowtech. Now, this might not be the case for all of the Bowtech bows and all of the Mathews bows, but if we compare the current best two bows that the companies have to offer, Bowtech wins.

And this could be a good thing or a bad thing based on how you look at it. Some archers might want a heavier bow, and some might want a lighter bow. You decide.

10. Great Customer Service

Bowtech Bows

Bowtech is known to have an excellent customer service group, that cares about their customers and is very helpful to those who are seeking it. They provide a website with FAQ and information for any problems you might be experiencing.

There are very few complaints about their customer service and they will take care of any problems you might be experiencing.

Mathews Bows

Mathews Archery, however, has a core value of putting people first before anything. They focus on making sure that they take care of their employees in their company. They dedicate themselves to creating a happy customer base by creating the best products in the market.

Mathews puts a lot of effort in making sure that when they are developing a product, they think about the people and the customers they’re making it for.

Winner: Mathews

With a company like Mathews dedicated to valuing the people in their lives more than anything, you know that Mathews will for sure take care of you as their valued customer.

11. Design

Bowtech Bows

This year’s new release of the Realm SR6 and the SS were both beautiful models. The models were both super sleek and come in a variety of different colors to choose from. The models also come with two different settings to choose from, Performance or Comfort.

The grip is minimalist and low profile, and also comes in a variety of colors to choose from. The overall design is simple and elegant, with customizable features as well.

Mathews Bows

The newest Vertix has more of a boxy body and is a lot sturdier than the Realm SR6 and the Realm SS are. Some people don’t like the boxy limbs and build of the Vertix, but it’s up to your own preferences.

The Engage grip is also a little bulky, and stands out a little more, but is incredibly comfortable. The design of the Switchweight technology makes it simpler to change your draw weight on your bow.

Winner: Bowtech

This is more of a matter of personal preference than anything, but I thought that the Realm SR6 and the Realm SS was a more attractive model than the Vertix. I like the minimalist look, and I like how you can choose different settings based on your personal feelings.

And our final score is: 5 to 5!

Since there was technically a tie in the Ability to Fix category, Mathews Archery and Bowtech tie in my book!

So while there are so many things that differentiate the two companies, both Mathews and Bowtech are individually great companies. And a lot of this is based upon personal opinion and preference, so you decide!

If you are considering a Bowtech bow, you might want to check out our other comparison posts:

• Bowtech vs PSE Bows
• BowTech vs. Diamond Bows
• Bowtech vs. Hoyt Bows
• Bowtech vs Bear Bows

Best Mathews Bows

I wish I could tell you which Mathews bow is best, but the answer is going to change depending on who you ask and what they are using it for. It’s very subjective. Even so, their top selling bows are as follows…

• Mathews VXR Series: This series is renowned for their speed and accuracy and are best sellers to hunters, as well as target shooters.
• Mathews Traverse: The Traverse has outstanding performance, and is very similar to the Halon 7.
• Mathews Triax: The Triax is known for its compact design and quietness, which makes it a favorite among hunters who need a maneuverable and stealthy bow.
• Mathews Vertix: Offering a combination of speed, accuracy, and forgiveness, the Vertix is another popular choice for both hunting and target shooting.
• Mathews Halon X: The Halon X series is known for its speed and power, making it a great choice for those who value arrow velocity.

Best Bowtech Bows

The Carbon One is Bowtech’s first flagship carbon bow. It boasts Bowtech’s renowned DeadLock Cam System, which simplifies cam adjustments for precision tuning.

Another innovative feature of the Carbon One incorporates Flip Disc Technology to effectively grant you the versatility of two distinct bows in one. You have the choice between Performance and Comfort settings on the mods, enabling a customized draw experience.

Bowtech’s primary goal was to engineer the smoothest draw with minimal vibration in a carbon bow. Achieving this, the cleverly designed riser, complemented by Orbit Dampeners and Dual Lock Pockets, effectively nullifies any vibrations during the shot, enhancing the overall shooting experience.

Two other popular Bowtech bows are the following…

• Bowtech Revolt: Known for its smooth draw cycle and accuracy, the Bowtech Revolt was a favorite among both hunters and target shooters.
• Bowtech Realm X: This model was appreciated for its versatility, with a good balance of speed and shootability, making it suitable for various archery disciplines.

Optimal Draw Length For Your Mathews or Bowtech Bow

There’s a general guideline for determining suitable draw lengths based on your height.

It’s important to note that these guidelines are approximate, as not all individuals of the same height will have identical wingspans. However, if you’re looking for a starting point, the following table provides a helpful reference for the range you should consider:

• Height: 4’8″ – 5’0″ -> Approximate Draw Length: 23″ – 24″
• Height: 5’0″ – 5’4″ -> Approximate Draw Length: 24″ – 25.6″
• Height: 5’4″ – 5’8″ -> Approximate Draw Length: 25.6″ – 27.6″
• Height: 5’8″ – 6’0″ -> Approximate Draw Length: 27.6″ – 28.6″
• Height: 6’0″ – 6’4″ -> Approximate Draw Length: 28.6″ – 30.6″
• Height: 6’4″ – 6’8″ -> Approximate Draw Length: 30.6″ – 32″

It’s essential to remember that if your personal measurements don’t align precisely with this chart, it doesn’t mean you’re in the wrong. It’s wise to recheck all your measurements and, ideally, try out various draw lengths to determine the one that feels most comfortable and effective for you, rather than relying solely on what you’ve been advised.

With the correct draw length, you’ll be well on your way to enhancing your archery experience.”

Today I’m going to show you the best .300 AAC Blackout Rifle.

In fact:

I’ve hand-tested over 20 guns alone for this review.

The best part?

I’ve sorted each rifle by use. So whether you’re on a budget or need the best 300 Blackout rifle, you’ll find it here.

Let’s dive in!

The 4 Best .300 AAC Blackout Rifle

If you’re pressed on time, here’s a quick list of the best 300 blackout rifles:

1. Springfield Armory Saint: Best Overall .300 AAC Blackout
2. IWI Tavor X95: Best for CQB
3. Wilson Combat AR-15 Ranger: Best .300 Blackout Rifle for Hunting
4. Daniel Defense DDM4 V7P 300 Blackout: Best for Home Defense

1. Springfield Armory Saint: Best Overall .300 AAC Blackout

For AR lovers, the introduction of the AR-15 pistol brought a euphoric excitement on par with winning your first superbowl. Not that I’ve ever won a superbowl.

But I HAVE mistakenly shouted, “I’m going to Disney World!” after pulling my first shiny AR pistol out of the box.

So, does the Springfield Armory Saint .300 AAC Blackout induce such thrilling feelings? Let’s check out if this pistol is a total whiff or a game-winning touchdown…

Accuracy

At the 50-yard line, the Saint was putting up impressive groupings of less than half an inch.

The 1:7” twisted barrel didn’t seem at all phased by repetitive shooting, so the heat didn’t warp the metal and throw off my accuracy one bit.

For the close-range shooter, this 300 blackout pistol is fast and sharp as a tack. Exactly what you need for home defense.

Take it out another 50 yards, and it was still giving me groups around 2 inches, which is what I expected from an AR pistol.

After polling prospective shooters, SA decided to forego built in sights, but the top rail is plenty big for your favorite red dot.

(I’ll cover essential optics and accessories in a bit).

Reliability

Made with aircraft-grade anodized aluminum, the receiver extension and upper assembly are built to last.

Pair that with the indestructible steel barrel and bolt coated in a Melonite finish, and you’ve got one sturdy .300 AAC blackout pistol.

Once I got my ammo figured out, I put hundreds of 300 Blackout rounds through this Saint with no problems. It WAS finicky with some subsonic cartridges that caused a few frustrating misfeeds.

After I put on my suppressor, though, it was back to smooth sailing.

The Accu-Tite Tension System on the lower receivers made movement negligible.

Meaning less friction, more usable years on the weapon. Also, the stock was well-built and comfortable.

All in all, for a close-range home defense weapon, you want it to be reliable and durable.

The SA Saint certainly did the job in these categories.

Handling

One of my favorite ergonomic features of this pistol was the well-textured grip.

The Saint is fitted with a Bravo Company Mod 3 grip that has built-in storage that’s perfect for the adjustment hex or a small bottle of oil.

Even though the barrel didn’t seem affected by the heat of excessive shooting, holding this 300 blackout pistol after many rounds did have me wanting a glove.

The M-LOK handguard and Carbine “H” Heavy Tungsten buffer were well-placed and made the Saint fun and comfortable to shoot.

Trigger

I was impressed with the SA Proprietary trigger that comes standard on a Saint.

No take-up and a crisp break.

The nickel boron coated GI style was usable at about 6 and a quarter pounds of pull and had a nice Bravo Company trigger guard.

The reset had a distinctive “click” that some might find obnoxious, but I thought it added a level of ease to firing that made it that much simpler to reflex fire without too much thought.

Magazine/Reload

The SA Saint Blackout pistol comes with a sleek 30-round Gen M3 PMAG that is the top choice for many AR marksmen.

I found that the PMAG dropped easily from the well and the release was very convenient to access with my firing hand.

Length/Weight

One of the most compact options out there, the Saint has an overall length of 27.25 inches while still sporting a 9-inch barrel.

It’s about mid-range in weight for an AR pistol, coming in at about 5 and a half pounds. Even fully loaded, I found that it was an easily manageable 7 pounds.

Recoil

The excellent SB Tactical SBX-K brace makes for amazing recoil control in this 300 blackout. I hardly noticed any kick and saw virtually no muzzle rise.

If you’re looking for a soft-shooter (a rare find among .300 Blackout weapons), then the Saint is one of the best out there.

Ammo and Accessory Recommendations

My best groups came when using Remington UMC .300 AAC Blackout 120 OTFB and Hornady 300 Blackout 125 HP for higher velocities.

BUT these 300 blackout rounds didn’t seem like they were going to work WITHOUT A SUPPRESSOR.

That said, you’ll want to fit your Saint with something like the GemTech HVT-QD Tactical 300 BLK suppressor. Once I fitted this GemTech to my 300 AAC pistol, it shot beautifully without any issues.

Also mentioned above, the Saint doesn’t come standard with a sighting system.

So, to put up your best shots, I’d recommend attaching an Aimpoint Pro which makes target acquisition a breeze.

Price and Special Features

One of the best things about the Saint is the excellent price.

It retails for around $989.

Featuring the Direct Impingement Pistol-Length Gas Port with an adjustable gas block, the Saint can be tuned without altering the buffer, spring, or barrel.

A nice feature that most AR pistols don’t have.

Another unique feature is that beautiful brace we talked about before.

The SB Tactical qualifies this slick-shooter as a pistol, making it legal in places that otherwise would be hitting you with a fat $200 tax.

Is the Springfield Armory Saint Worth It?

If you’re looking for a compact, reliable, soft-shooting AR-15 pistol, then look no further than the Springfield Armory Saint .300 AAC Blackout.

Let’s look at a replay of the MVP features:

• Durable
• Light recoil
• Great for home defense
• Close-range groups under a half inch
• Excellent brace

So, if you want to get in the AR pistol game for a great price and put mega accuracy, reliability, and size points on the board, then suit up with the SA Saint .300 Blackout… TOUCHDOWN!

2. IWI Tavor X95: Best for CQB

Picture this:

You’re a tactical specialist storming an enemy bunker in the sweltering Middle Eastern heat. Suddenly, a bogie pops around the corner armed to the teeth. Do you panic?

Of course not. You’ve got the most reliable, best close-quarter rifle this side of the continent. You quickly take aim, get off a few smooth rounds, target down. Now repeat indefinitely. No misfires, no thought.

Now, how would you like to hold a weapon like that in your hands? Good news: You can!

Let’s take a look at the powerhouse bullpup, IWI Tavor X95…

Accuracy

This pup is a beast at close range.

While bullpups aren’t traditionally known for their long-range accuracy, the X95 was putting out sub-2-inch groupings at 100 yards. Get even closer (25-50 yards) and I was getting five-round groupings of less than an inch.

The 1:7-inch twisted barrel with 6 grooves gave me a nice, tight shot.

What’s more? It comes fitted with built-in tritium front and iron back sights that conveniently fold right into the upper assembly.

You can’t get a better close-range 300 blackout bullpup than the X95.

Reliability

This weapon will stand the test of time.

Why? It’s got a long-stroke gas piston system that makes it ultra-durable, a high strength polymer stock, and a cold hammer-forged barrel.

After 500 rounds, the X95 showed no signs of wear and had no issues of any kind.

Handling

Balance is where this 300 blackout semi-auto really shines.

The balance point and charging handle are closer to your body and made it comfortable to shoot repetitively.

It was very easy to transition between targets, field strip, and perform all necessary shooting functions with my support hand. This weapon was perfect for close-quarter shooting.

My only encountered awkwardness was with the placement of the pistol grip that caused finger slippage behind the trigger.

Trigger

The X95 did have a heavier trigger pull weight around 7 and a half pounds.

Like most bullpups, the pull felt long, but the reset was more crisp than many pups I’ve fired.

Not the best trigger you’ll pull, but certainly not the worst!

Magazine/Reload

This Tavor model comes with a 30-round, 3rd Generation MagPul PMAG.

It took some practice to get the reload down (standard for a shooter who’s used to AR-15’s), but once I did, the placement of the well and ambi button made for flawless reloading.

If you have a go-to magazine for your AR’s other than a MagPul, the X95 does take any STANAG magazine.

Length/Weight

One of the best things about this 300 AAC blackout was the compact size.

It’s got a barrel length of 16.5 inches and an overall length just over 26 inches. It was a bit heavier than your typical AR, weighing in at 7.8 pounds.

For the shooter who’s looking to fire in tight spaces (like home defense), the compact feel of the X95 was preferable to a standard AR.

Recoil Management

Talk about smooth shooting…

The X95 had virtually zero felt recoil.

It’s not a heavy caliber weapon to begin with, but throw in the long-stroke piston system and thick rubber buttpad and you’ve got great recoil management with minimal muzzle rise.

I could definitely tell this 300 blackout gun was made for the combat-ready soldier who doesn’t have time to mess with a choppy rifle.

Ammo and Accessory Recommendations

While the X95 I shot was chambered in 300 Blackout, you can also get it in 5.56 NATO (try HPR 60 grain V-Max) and in 9mm.

I found the heavier the round, the more accurate shots, so I’d stick with higher grain 300 ammo.

As far as accessories, if the built-in sights aren’t your style, check out the Aimpoint Micro T-2 red dot. It was easy to attach to the picatinny rail and upped my accuracy significantly.

I’d also recommend a trigger upgrade if you can hack it. I like the Super Sabra pack made by Geissele as it has a smoother and lighter pull.

Price and Special Features

You can pick up the X95 for a retail price of around $1,999 at most gun shops.

The compact size and long-stroke piston gas block system are the standout features of the X95.

It’s also unique in that it is significantly shorter than an AR, but the full-length barrel makes it non-NFA. What does that mean for you?

No annoying $200 tax!

Is the IWI Tavor X95 Worth It?

So, with the higher price tag, is the X95 worth the investment?

After shooting this compact 300 blackout powerhouse, I can confidently say…

“Absolutely!”

It’s one of the best choices for combat shooting as well as close-quarters home defense. Here’s why:

• Reliable
• Compact
• Well-balanced
• No extra taxes
• High polymer stock

Overall, this Israeli-made AAC blackout bullpup is a durable, well-balanced soft-shooter.

If you’re looking to take out short and mid-range targets with a high-quality 300 blackout rifle that’ll feel like it’s made just for you, then don’t miss your shot at the IWI Tavor X95.

3. Wilson Combat AR-15 Ranger: Best .300 Blackout Rifle for Hunting

Wilson Combat makes some of the most innovative, reliable, and deadly specialty weapons in the market.

But their AR-15 Ranger series may exceed even a die-hard Wilson fan’s expectations with its lightweight build and razor-sharp precision.

Let’s check out how this incredibly accurate, compact power-house will make you one of the deadliest predators in the field…

Accuracy

The Ranger is a precision paradigm.

Wilson boasts that this rifle has the lightest match-grade barrel on the market, making for extremely fast transitions between targets.

And I’d have to agree.

In speed drills, I was clocking my fastest times with my smallest groups ever in part because the taper of the aluminum barrel is incredibly light and maneuverable.

But chances are for hunting, you’ll need more accuracy within the 100 yard mark and less speed. So, I walked out to 100 yards and was pleasantly surprised at my 1.3-inch 5-shot groups.

I’d feel more than confident taking the Ranger out for whitetail, bear, and hogs.

Reliability

Nearly every component of the Ranger is mil-spec and MP inspected.

Not to mention the corrosion-resistant NP3 coating on the bolt and hard-anodized receivers coated in a super sturdy Armor-Tuff finish that make this rifle weather and wear-proof.

I pulled my Ranger straight from the box and put about 500 rounds through without incident.

Then, without lubricating a thing, I put through 500 more.

I’m not sure how long I could’ve sat there plinking, but after 1000 rounds the smooth action and sturdy hardware felt like they’d barely taken a hit.

This rifle will last as long as you need and is reliable enough for any length of hunting excursion.

Handling

With a midsize Wilson SLR click-adjustable gas block, the Ranger can be fine tuned to work best with whatever ammo you’re shooting.

This adjustment capability added an extra push to the already-comfortable rifle.

One thing I did find strange about the Ranger was the stock. It has such exceptional receivers, bolts, and hardware, that I didn’t expect to pick it up and feel cheap plastic.

That may have just been a first impression, though, because even later that day I couldn’t even notice the tacky-feeling stock.

Trigger

Here’s where I was sold on the Ranger.

The single-stage Tactical Trigger Unit had virtually zero take-up, no slack, and a distinct reset.

What’s more?

This trigger pulled crisp and clean right at a light 4 pounds.

Magazine/Reload

The Ranger ships with one standard 30-round magazine that clips into the well like just about every other AR.

Reloads were fast and easy, though I did scare away a few squirrels close by with the audible “click” as I snapped in the mag.

Since most AR-users want more than 30 rounds to work with, I’d recommend grabbing a few extra mags to keep in your bag.

Length/Weight

Virtually every metal component of the Ranger is made from lightweight billet aluminum, making it a reasonable 8 pounds.

With a barrel length of 16 inches and overall extended length of 36.5 inches, this rifle is easy to maneuver in thick brush as well as ground blinds.

Recoil Management

There wasn’t much kick to this rifle.

The Rogers Super-Stock buttstock absorbs a lot of the recoil and also features a unique locking mechanism to reduce movement.

Price and Ammo Recommendations

The Wilson Combat Ranger retails for $2300.

But, you get every ounce of what you pay for in a lightweight, accurate, and reliable precision machine.

The Ranger has a few caliber options, but my favorite is the .300 Blackout for its power and economy.

Here are my favorite rounds for the Ranger:

• Hornady 110 gr GMX Full Boar: Designed for deeper penetration and higher weight retention, I love this round for quick, clean kills.
• Winchester Deer Season XP 150 gr: Some of my best groups were with this Winchester round that was specially made to take down deer. This round fed smoothly and maintained a ton of power downrange.

Accessory Recommendations

The Ranger comes with a 10-inch MLOK rail and covers so that you can attach your favorite optics, lights, or accessories.

It also comes with a threaded muzzle fitted with an awesome Q-Comp muzzle brake.

Here are some of my favorite other add-ons for the Ranger:

• EOTech EXPS3-0 Red Dot (Night Vision Compatible): I love this red dot for its large FOV that allows me to shoot with both eyes open. Plus, it’s night-vision compatible and has a quick-detach lever.
• Wilson V3 Ultralight AR Scope Mount: To keep your rifle as light as possible, I’d go with this durable, lightweight mount that securely attaches your optic.
• Viking Tactics Wide Quick Adjust Sling: This heavy-duty sling will stand up to just about any weather conditions and makes carrying my Ranger silent and comfortable.

Is the Wilson Combat Ranger Worth It?

The Wilson Combat Ranger is my favorite .300 Blackout AR-15 to take out mid to large size game.

Here’s why. It’s:

• Lightweight
• Compact
• Accurate
• Reliable

For the best groups, highest durability, and happiest shoulder in the field, I trust no other AR-15’s apart from the Wilson Combat Ranger.

4. Daniel Defense DDM4 V7P 300 Blackout: Best for Home Defense

Daniel’s Defense, headquartered in Black Creek, Georgia, has rapidly become a top of the line weapons manufacturer.

Producing the famed DDM4V7 rifle, Daniel’s Defense has now produced an AR pistol variant – the DDM4 300 Blackout Pistol.

Let’s break it down the specifics.

Accuracy

The DDM4V7 is a highly accurate blackout rifle designed to be used for competition shooting.

(Speaking of competition shooting, if you’re into long-range shooting, check out this guide on the best .338 lapua rifles).

The barrel is an in-house fabricated, cold hammer-forged 5.56 barrel with 1:7 twist, manufactured from 4150 CV ordnance steel.

While certainly a shorter range weapon than its rifle predecessors, the .300 Blackout is most certainly a highly accurate weapon.

In fact, I’ve shot over 100 rounds while maintaining 2” (or less) groupings. Seriously. The accuracy is spot on.

Reliability

The DDM4 300 is INSANELY reliable.

In fact:

I’ve yet to experience any malfunctions or jams – despite shooting over 200 rounds through a variety of handloaded ammo.

How is it that reliable?

For starters, the lower and upper receiver are forged out of 7075 T6 aluminum. The spring and bolt are both manufactured to MILSPEC standards. And the bolt itself is high quality 158 Carpenter steel.

In other words:

The Daniel Defense DDM4 is built to last.

Handling

The DDM4 is lightweight and pleasant to handle, without the sharp projections that sometimes come with other AR platform models.

Weighing in at a 5.44 pounds and measuring at 28.5 inches, the DDM4 can be moved with ease, making it a great option for sport shooting, target shooting, and self defense.

The grip, hand guards, and enlarged trigger guard is easy and comfortable to handle.

The collapsible butt stock is backed by a rubber inlay where it meets the cheek, gripping well and preventing sliding during firing.

My one complaint with the butt stock is that the rubber can sometimes grab beard hair. However, this is a minor inconvenience at most.

Trigger

The trigger is very light.

It’s a straight bow Geissele Automatics Super Dynamic system that allows an easy pull, minimizing the chances of yanking the gun to the side while shooting.

Magazine & Reloading

The DDM4 300 ships with a standard 30 + 1 round magazine.

The gun itself works with all standard STANAG 4179 compliant magazines. Which means you’ll almost certainly be able to use your other AR-15 magazines with the DDM4.

As said before, the DDM4 comes with the proprietary flared magazine well, making reloading quick and easy.

This is a blackout rifle that will not be difficult to reload in a high pressure situation — including self-defense or competition.

Length & Weight

The 300 Blackout is 28.5 inches long and only 5.44 lbs.

Part of what makes this weapon special is that it is considered a pistol.

In other words, it does not require ATF approval or a tax stamp to get your hands on it.

The LAW Tactical folding stock adapter means that the weapon’s length can be reduced even further, making this a prime weapon for close quarters encounters.

(A plus if you’re in law enforcement).

Recoil Management

The DDM4v7 does an excellent job of making recoil almost non-existent.

The pistol-length gas system paired with the length of the weapon means that the barrel won’t be climbing as you shoot.

Furthermore, the rifle comes equipped standard with Daniel Defense’s own “Muzzle Climb Mitigator,” a legal flash-hider.

Shooting this weapon is not like firing off an old 30-06 hunting rifle where your bruised shoulder will remind you that you’ve been shooting.

The recoil is pretty much zero.

Price

I’m going to admit:

The DDM4V7 .300 Blackout is an expensive weapon, costing between $1,729 to $2,016.

With many decent AR-15 variants being priced around $800, the price tag may come as somewhat of a shock.

In fact:

You certainly can get an AR-15 or AR pistol that works well for a cheaper price. However, you might encounter some reliability or accuracy issues.

That’s not the case with the DDM4V7. It’s highly accurate and reliable, and the price reflects that.

Recommended Accessories

The DDM4V7 .300 Blackout AR pistol comes with a full length MFR 9.0 rail that runs the full length of the gun.

Which means, you can upgrade this bad puppy with sick accessories. I’d recommend attaching a Nightforce NXS 2.5-0X42. Or an EOTech sight.

Is the Daniel Defense DDM4V7 Worth It?

If you’re looking for one of the best 300 AAC blackout, then the Daniel Defense DDM4 is for you.

It has great accuracy, fantastic handling, and fault-free function. In addition, its low weight and short profile makes it ideal for close quarters engagements.

In short: the DDM4 is a high quality 300 blackout rifle with high quality parts.

Now It’s Your Turn

I hope you enjoyed my best .300 AAC Blackout Rifle guide.

So as a recap:

What is the best 300 Blackout pistol? I highly recommend the Springfield Armory Saint.

What about CQB? Then opt-in for the IWI Tavor X95.

Looking for a .300 hunting rifle? Get the Wilson Combat AR-15 Ranger.

Lastly, if you’re looking for the best home defense 300 blackout rifle, then the Daniel Defense DDM4 V7P is what you’re looking for.

All of the 300 blackout rifles above are tried and tested. I’ve fired hundreds of rounds through them and have experienced no problems whatsoever.

Now I want to turn it over to you:

Which 300 AAC blackout rifle will you pick?

Let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.

Lake Trout Ice Fishing Tips and Tricks January 11, 2022 — Comments from resorts, outfitters and guests.

I used to fish for Lake Trout a lot more than I do these days. Not that I didn’t love it, I did, but since I became addicted to ice fishing for panfish, Laker’s sort of wound up on the back burner for me.

Lately though, not only readers, but some family members too, have been asking questions about how to get set up for ice fishing Lake Trout. Since it’s been a while for me, I decided that the best way to handle the questions by getting some tips from my friends who fish for Lake Trout a lot more than me. This way, I can do justice to their questions while I also use the project as a refresher course to help fill in gaps in my own knowledge.

I started by calling my friend Andy Arola (photo left), he’d just returned home from a successful ice fishing trip for Lakers. As it happens, he and his crew were fishing on Clearwater West, a lake that I’ve fished in the past too, it gave us some familiar experiences to compare.

Before we get into the “how-tos” of catching them, let me interject this; the obvious best way to catch Lake Trout is to select a lake that has a lot of them. However, traveling to the best of the best Lake Trout Lakes takes commitment. So, if you’re planning on dabbling, learning the ropes so-to-speak, it might be a good idea to check out some of the lakes in your own back yard first.

No matter where you live in the Midwest, you can find them close to home. Obviously, some lakes are better than others, it pays to do your research ahead of time and pick the one that you believe offers a reasonable opportunity for you and your circumstances.

Once you arrive at the lake, Arola offers this advice; “My best overall depth range averages about 35 to 45 feet deep, especially during morning and evening. Sometimes, during midday, I’ll move out deeper, but I rarely fish water depths over 70 feet deep.”

Structure is important but differs from the type of spots that walleye anglers might choose to fish. Mid-lake structures, bars and humps for example get little attention from Arola. Shoreline related rock points or sandy shoals get the most attention. Early and late in the day, stick tight to the structures closest to shore. During mid-day, loosen up the perimeter and experiment in deeper water.

Judging how long to fish in a spot is subjective, the rule of thumb is to make short moves first but expand the search area when necessary. Arola; “If I’m seeing lots of baitfish on the screen and there is an occasional Lake Trout sighted, I’ll stick close to the area. When I do move, it will be typically short distances, 100 to 200 yards. But if the screen is blank and there are no signs of bait or predators on the locator, we will make both longer and more frequent moves, sometimes a couple of miles between stops. When you land on the right area, you will see fish roaming in and out of range.”

The gear he uses daily is somewhat lighter than you might expect. A 34 inch, medium to medium-heavy action rod paired with 15-pound test braid is standard. A 6 foot long, 8-pound test fluorocarbon leader is used to help give his lures the most natural appearance. Arola; “I’m a big believer in using reels with smooth and reliable drags, they protect the lighter line from breaking when a larger or stronger fish makes an unexpected run.”

Arola does have one heavier action rod rigged up and uses it when larger fish are observed. The heavy artillery is a 36-inch, heavy action rod with 30-pound test braid and an 8 foot long, heavier fluorocarbon leader.

Arola’s views about fishing gear echoes the advice I got from Grant Prokop, 1000 Lakes Sports, earlier this winter when I was shopping for Christmas gifts. Prokop: “Getting set up with heavier rods and line is great for when you’re hooking up with big enough fish. But most of the time, anglers encounter fish that average smaller, 3 to 7 pounds or thereabouts. Stiff rods don’t offer enough give and take to prevent giving the fish slack line. A lighter action rod stays loaded up much better and makes losing those average size fish a lot less likely.”

Personally, I’ve never had an ice rod which was devoted to lake trout fishing. A medium-heavy action Ugly Stick, 30 inches long I think and rigged with 10 pound test has served as my pike-walleye-trout combo rod. Admittedly, if I ever hooked a really big lake trout, I’d probably lose it. But so far, I have never hooked one big enough to give me that problem.

Arola’s array of trout fishing lures is fairly simple. “My #1 favorite lake trout lure is a ½ ounce white bucktail jig, white, it has to be white!” Arola says. “Some of my friends like using the white tubes with a 3/8 or ½ ounce tube head stuffed inside them, but I like the action of the bucktails better.”

Arola suggests that we should also have one rod rigged up with a jigging spoon too. It should be flashy, but not too heavy. I asked if something like a ¼ ounce Quiver Spoon would be a good choice. “Yes, you want it to flutter down slower and give off lots of flash, that allows fish more time to find and strike it.” Arola added.

Finally, I asked for an opinion about the weather and which, if any weather patterns were more favorable than others for finding trout in an active mood. Truthfully, I was hoping that he’d validate my observation that showed a preference for cold, clear weather patterns. But Arola didn’t go that far, he said, “I don’t really think that matters, the weather pattern might influence where or how we fish, but we catch fish when it’s cloudy just as often as we do when it’s clear. I think we may fish shallower on a cloudy day or deeper when it’s clear, but that’s about the only real difference.”

If you never tried it, you should, it is a hoot. For me, catching them is fun, and I like to eat them too. But the real thrill is getting the strike, one second nothing is happening and the next, there’s somebody shouting fish on!

So, with the lake trout season upon us, getting rigged and ready doesn’t sound that complicated, does it? Maybe this is your year to give a try.

Non-game animals include (but are not limited to) the following: armadillos, bobcats coyotes, flying squirrels, frogs, ground squirrels, mountain lions, porcupines, prairie dogs, rabbits, and turtles. There is no closed season on these animals and a valid hunting license is required. They may be hunted at any time by any lawful means on private property. Public hunting lands may have restrictions. The take of any nongame species for commercial purposes (sale, offer for sale, barter, or exchange) from public lands or waters is unlawful. Note: Take precautions when handling Armadillos, as they could possibly be carrying leprosy.

Bobcat

The Bobcat, Lynx rufus, is a medium-sized, reddish brown or grayish cat. Its ears usually have small tufts at the tips, and its fur is longer on the sides of its head than on the rest of its body, forming a ruff. They have a short tail, long legs, and large feet.

Bobcat pelts sold, purchased, traded, transported or shipped out of state must have a pelt tag (CITES) attached. A pelt tag must be attached prior to being transported or shipped out of this state. Pelt tags may be obtained from any permitted bobcat pelt dealer, or TPWD Regional & Field Law Enforcement Offices. For additional information contact TPWD (800) 792-1112, menu 7, option 9 or (512) 389-4481.

Coyote

Coyotes,Canis latrans Say, are slender, dog-like carnivores, common throughout Texas. They have adapted easily to the expansion of human communities into their habitat and can occasionally be found in urban and suburban neighborhoods. Coyotes may live alone or in small “packs” of up to 6 individuals. Coyotes are well known for their calls. They howl (a high quavering cry) and emit a series of short, high-pitched yips. Howls are used to keep in touch with other coyotes in the area.

Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything, alive or dead, garbage, meat, fish, vegetables, berries or whatever they can find easily. Their natural diet consists mostly of rabbits, rodents and carrion. Coyotes are very wary of humans, however they can become accustomed to humans especially if they are fed. Since any wild animal that has no fear of humans can become dangerous, it is important to not feed them at all. Don’t leave pet food out over night, secure lids to garbage cans and keep small pets inside unless supervised. They do not normally pose a threat to livestock, however hungry coyotes may occasionally take small domestic animals or poultry.

Live coyotes are currently under a statewide rabies quarantine that prohibits them from being transported or sold in Texas (see exceptions). For information on the rabies quarantine, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Infectious Disease Control Unit Web site.

Mountain Lion

The mountain lion, Puma concolor, also known as cougar, puma and panther, has been an integral part of the Texas fauna for thousands of years, The Mountain Lion has the widest distribution of any wild cat, from Canada to South America. Formerly distributed throughout North America, the Mountain Lion is now found mostly in the remote areas of the western U.S., as well as western Canada and much of Mexico. A small population still exists in southern Florida, where the species is considered endangered. In Texas, the Mountain Lion is found throughout the Trans-Pecos, as well as the brush lands of south Texas and portions of the Hill Country. Sighting and kill reports indicate that Mountain Lions now occur in more counties than they did 10 years ago and appear to be expanding their range into central Texas.

Retiring and shy by nature, and largely nocturnal by habit, the mountain lion is seldom seen in its native haunts. The diet of the mountain lion consists almost entirely of animal matter; but, like the domestic cat, it occasionally eats grasses and other vegetable matter. Deer and javelina are major food items; however, lions have been known to take elk and bighorn sheep as well as a variety of smaller animals. Contrary to popular opinion, mountain lions rarely use caves as dens, preferring cliff crevices, overhanging ledges or enlarged badger burrows instead. If you are in an area where lions are known to be present, hunt with others, not alone.

Turtles

Turtle, tortoise or terrapin? Many people get confused by these terms, often using them interchangeably. Texas has a single species of tortoise, the Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlanderi) and a single species of terrapin, the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). All of the remaining 28 species of the order Testudines found in Texas are called “turtles.”

Take or possession of any species of turtle for commercial activity is unlawful.

No person may possess a diamondback terrapin at any time.

Frogs

There are 42 species of frogs and toads in Texas (4 species are threatened and 1 species is endangered).

Bullfrogs are the largest frog in North America and the frog used by most for food. They are frequently found along the water’s edge and are most active at night. They are hunted usually with a gig, prized for their meaty legs.

March is here, and some turkey seasons have already opened. With that, it is time to look into the best states for hunting turkeys this season. Though recent years have seen a decline in overall turkey populations across the U.S., states are adjusting their regulations to help level these fluctuating numbers to ensure that the wild turkey—and these hunting opportunities—will be around for generations to come.

If your home state made the list, then you’re in luck, grab a tag and get in the field. If you are living in a state where turkey hunting isn’t very accessible, maybe it’s time to fill up the gas tank and hit the road. These states made the list after considering current populations estimates, season length, bag limits and opportunity for the traveling hunter. Here are the seven best states to hunt turkeys this spring.

California

Coming in at number one is California. Though it might be known as one of the most extreme states for attacking our hunting heritage, California can be a great state to chase turkeys. The population there is a true conservation success story. Just ten years ago the population was down around 250,000. But now, with an estimated population nearing 400,000 birds, California is a gold mine. Season runs from March 25th until the end of April and each hunter is allotted a bag limit of three gobblers per season. With three of the four subspecies needed to complete the Grand Slam and decent public-land access, the Golden State could easily be considered the top sleeper state for turkeys.

Season Dates: General Season – Mar 25 – Apr 30; Archery Only – May 1 – 14

Tag Cost: $75.60/resident; $210.34/non-resident

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Mississippi

If you don’t want to head all the way to the West Coast, try the great state of Mississippi. This allows you to kick off your season down South with the earliest opener of the year on this list. With a turkey population of just over a quarter million birds, the ‘Sip season starts on March 15th and runs through the beginning of May. With ample amounts of public land throughout the entire state, there’s no shortage of hunting opportunity. Although, the Mississippi Delta is a region worth homing in on when planning your trip. Mississippi has a generous bag limit of three gobblers with beards six inches or longer and hunters took more than 22,000 birds last season. It’s easy to see why Mississippi ranks so high and it’s a great option to chase a swamp bird this spring.

Season Dates: Mar 15 – May 1

Tag Cost: $27.29/resident; $212.50/ 7-day non-resident

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks

Alabama

Alabama is one of the states that has seen a slight decline in overall turkey numbers in recent years, but still boasts a population of 365,000 birds. With the highest bag limit of any state on this list, you can take one gobbler per day, not to exceed four total for the spring and fall seasons. Zone 1 opens on March 25th but doesn’t allow decoy use until April 4th; Zone 2 opens April 1st with decoys legal to use on April 11th. Alabama has an abundance of public land for hunters to try their luck on, but just as with most southern states, hunting pressure could be high. But it’d be hard pressed to not have Bama in the top three.

Season Dates: Zone 1 & 3: Mar 25 – May 8; Zone 2: Apr 1 – May 8

Tag Cost: $30.25/resident; $216.20/ 10-day non-resident

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Tennessee

Coming in at the fourth spot is Tennessee. With a liberal bag limit and lengthy season, I’d definitely volunteer to go there this season. Tennessee has a healthy population of more than 250,000 birds, a good amount of public land from the hills to the hollers and a season spanning six weeks. If you haven’t stood on a ridge in the dawning of a new day and heard the echoes of gobbles ringing out in multiple directions, you’re flat missing out. Make sure to put Tennessee on your list and try your wits against one of these eastern toms.

Season Dates: Apr 15 – May 28

Tag Cost: $66/resident; $214/ 7-day non-resident

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Texas

The old adage of everything is bigger in Texas rings true in regard to turkey hunting this state. With the largest population in the U.S.— over half a million birds—there’s no doubt Texas could be the best place to take a true Rio Grande. Though there are limited public-land opportunities, Texas has numerous management areas that allow access for hunters. This state has multiple season dates to consider depending on where you’ll be hunting as well as varying bag limits, so be sure to read the regulations thoroughly before planning your trip. But with the incredible population and low pressure, it’s easy to see why this state ranks number five as a turkey hunter’s paradise.

Season Dates: Eastern: Apr. 22 – May 14; Rio Grande North Zone: Apr. 1 – May 14; Rio Grande South Zone: Mar. 18 – Apr. 30

Tag Cost: $25/resident; $133/non-resident

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Maine

Maine might surprise you as the number six spot on our list due to its small size, but it has a relatively high number of turkeys. This little state in the northeastern part of our country can offer great turkey hunting. It’s also one of the only states that gives you the opportunity to hunt birds all the way into June. There is plenty of publicly accessible land, and it’s one of those states where a door knock, and a handshake, might just get you access to prime ground. With a bag limit of two bearded birds per season, and season dates that allow you to stretch every second out of spring, Maine must be on your list. Don’t overlook the northeast corner of the U.S. for turkey opportunities.

Season Dates: May 1 – June 3

Tag Cost: $46/resident; $115/non-resident

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

South Dakota

One of the most coveted birds of the Grand Slam is the Merriam’s, and so many turkey hunters dream of notching a tag on one of these birds. That’s why South Dakota must be on this list. With over 2.3 million acres of public land and three quarters of that located around the Black Hills region, those of you looking to fill a tag on a Merriam’s just might be in luck. Though overall numbers have seen a slight downward trend, there is still a dense population along river corridors and a well-established population covering most of this state. Add in a season that runs almost two months, buckle up because it can get a bit western chasing these overly vocal birds.

Season Dates: Single-season Prairie units – Apr 8 – May 31; Black Hills – Apr 22 – May 31

Tag Cost: $25/resident; $100/non-resident

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

Maybe you’re like me and love traveling to different states to test your skills against different birds, or maybe you’re chasing that elusive U.S. Super Slam of a bird in each of the 49 states that have an established season. Regardless of your motivation, these seven states are the best places to spend your time chasing gobbles this year. Get out there and enjoy it this spring, we only get so many.

When it comes to picking the best boat accessories of any year, the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) is the place to be, where many brands launch their latest gadgets and tech due to hit the market. Every year the Yachting World team attends this event to get the inside line on the newest gadgets coming to the boating world.

METS is also the location of the illustrious DAME awards with one overall winner, five category winners and lots of special mentions, all of which form a good list of the best boat accessories and tech for 2024.

We’ve picked out our favourite award winners and looked at some of the other eye-catching innovations to bring you our list of the best boating kit for 2024.

Ocean Signal rescueMe PLB3

What is it? The first compact MOB beacon to combine AIS and satellite technology Who’s it for? Each and every person who puts to sea, particularly leisure sailors

This new personal beacon arguably presents the best possible chance for a MOB casualty to be rescued, even if they are incapacitated.

Ocean Signal has specialised in making compact antennae and personal beacons over the last decade. And, while you’ll have to forgive the barrage of acronyms, this rescueME PLB3 is very much the product many of us have been waiting for since personal MOB AIS beacons first started coming on the market.

By integrating Cospas Sarsat beacon technology, as used by global rescue services, with AIS, it has created the most powerful means of alerting others to a MOB or distress situation.

For those in VHF proximity to other vessels, the AIS MOB signal offers the most likely chance of a quick rescue. If this signal is not received by a vessel within range, then the 406MHz global satellite system will trigger a response suitable for the location.

The PLB3 combines GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning, 406MHz and 121.5MHz signals, plus the new Galileo Return Link Service (RLS) technology, which alerts users that their signal has been received, all within a unit the size of a conventional hand flare.

It also manages to include Near Field Communications (NFC), a clever and current method for users to monitor their beacon’s performance and maintenance requirements. This technology can help show a live digital record of the beacon by simply placing your phone within its range. An important benefit of this is knowing how much battery life is left – this PLB has a five year battery life but the battery is not rechargeable.

It features manual or auto activation and each PLB3 is registered, so if accidentally activated its owner will receive a phone call. But there is also an ‘off’ button, and you can check on the mobile app the amount of time it was activated for.

So why has this not been done before? Ocean Signal explained that until now there have been separate AIS and PLB standards, but that its engineering expert Simon Nolan sat on a committee to rewrite the regulations and help push through what is equivalent to a new EPIRB standard. The challenge was combining technologies at such a compact physical size while providing the battery power necessary to run the alarm for the required 24 hours.

“We could probably have got this one out earlier but to physically shrink battery size it needed a lot of work on it,” Nolan told us.

The DAME jury, a panel of experts looking at design and innovation at the METS, is chaired by designer Andre Hoek and includes former YW editor Elaine Bunting. The jury said: ‘in a rescue situation speed is always of the essence and this unit provides the very best chance for survival through this combination of long- and short-range detection.’ The waterproof rescueME PLB3 weighs 190g, measures 200x36x30mm and is now approved for sale in the UK and Europe.

See more at Ocean Signal

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Integrel Next Generation

What is it? A very high output alternator that can replace traditional generators, plus hybrid propulsion options Who’s it for? Cruising yachts with power generation requirements above 5kW per day

Four years ago Integrel launched an intelligent system allied to an extra large 9kW belt-driven alternator that makes use of the spare capacity that’s intrinsic in marine diesel engine installations. It was overall winner of the 2018 DAME awards and is now fitted as standard on an increasing number of new yachts, including all Balance Catamarans, which no longer have an optional diesel generator. It also features on the options list for many yards. High-profile clients include Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu of YouTube channel Sailing La Vagabond.

During the Covid lockdowns, when the company’s engineers were unable to travel internationally to complete or advise on installations, Integrel invested heavily in product development, massively accelerating the launch of new equipment, resulting in three new Next Generation products that won this year’s DAME awards Machinery, Propulsion, Mechanical and Electrical category.

The Integrel Inline performs exactly the same task as the original big alternator. However, instead of being a belt-driven device, it has a thin 10kW, 48V ‘pancake’ alternator that slots between the engine and gearbox. This lengthens the drivetrain by only 20cm, and dispenses with the belt drive to significantly reduce routine maintenance. It’s suitable for engines from around 30hp-200hp. The Integrel Plus is a powerful hybrid propulsion and charging solution, with an electric motor rated at 30kW continuous and 50kW peak output at the back of the diesel engine. This serves two functions – it can be used for propulsion over shorter distances and at lower speeds, such as when entering or leaving port. Alternatively it can be used as a massive alternator/generator to charge a 40kW battery bank when the diesel motor is running.

The final new item, the Integrel Ultra, has a Torque Boost function, for planing motoryachts that need a big burst of power for a few seconds to get on the plane, before throttling back to a comfortable cruising speed. Incorporating an electric motor with 100kW continuous (150kW peak) rating into the drivetrain allows that short-term boost power to come from batteries, rather than internal combustion engines. The engines can therefore be up to 40% smaller, reducing weight and significantly improving efficiency at cruising speeds. At displacement speeds the electric motor can be used as a very high-output alternator to recharge the battery bank, thereby rendering a separate generator unnecessary.

See more at Integrel Solutions

Simarine Nereide 3

This digital switching brand is increasingly popular on new yachts and its third generation product received a DAME nomination. New features include 80% lower power consumption, a bigger LCD screen, and soft labels for each of the 18 hard-wired tactile aluminium switches on the boat’s main panel.

This allows boatbuilders and owners to quickly and easily change the function of any switch to best suit the equipment fitted to an individual boat, or to neatly incorporate extra kit added after the boat leaves the factory. Button labels can be either static, or dynamic, with the latter combining multiple functions on a single button. For instance, you could have a single button for refrigeration that brings up a further menu with a switch for each individual fridge and freezer unit on board.

The system can therefore be used to control a huge number of devices, with a minimum of complexity for the end user. There are also separate modules for bilge pumps and for the main power switches. At the same time, it also includes back up manual switches and fuses, while Simarine’s excellent Pico battery and tank level monitoring display is built into the main Nereide 3 display. It’s also designed for plug-and-play compatibility with Sentinel Marine’s BM-50 Remote Management System.

See more at Simarine

Aqua superPower

As electric propulsion becomes more and more widely adopted, the need for fast electric charging escalates. Aqua superPower is rolling out the world’s first dedicated global marine fast charging network across Europe and the US. Its knowledge and experience stems from the automotive world (it built up the UK network for automotive fast chargers). Aqua offers the backend part, the safe chargers for docks and marinas, using IP-65-rated waterproof hardware.

Typical shorepower connections are designed for slow overnight charging, whereas superPower uses ultrafast 25kW-150kW DC charging. This gives the potential to recharge battery power on both leisure and commercial boats to over 60% in just 40 minutes. Considering the mix of high voltage with the marine environment, a key component is Aqua’s use of CCS Type 2 standard connectors, which the company says are completely safe, even if dropped in the water.

Its business model is aimed at encouraging marinas to install them on a long lease.

With the demand for higher and higher charges comes the need for faster chargers. “Our network is designed to create a seamless user experience that is accessible to boat users via the Aqua app or RFID card, enabling users to view a map showing charger locations, offering navigational aids, and managing charging sessions,” says CEO Alex Bamberg.”

See more at Aqua superPower

Cyclops Marine Wireless Load Pin

Over the past 15 years load sensing has changed from a technology in its infancy even on the latest IMOCA 60s to widespread use in fleets such as J/70s and two-handed racing in small offshore yachts. Part of this is down to companies such as Cyclops Marine producing streamlined systems that are simple to swap for the original components, thus making retrofitting very easy.

Yet the results can be dramatic. Kate Cope, organiser of the UK double-handed offshore series told us that when she fitted one to her Sun Fast 3200R2 it showed she was 400kg short of forestay tension when sailing upwind in strong breezes. Cranking on more backstay boosted boat speed by 5-8% by preventing the boat being overpowered, thereby reducing heel and rudder drag.

The Cyclops Marine Wireless Load Pin was DAME nominated as its a straightforward drop-in replacement for a standard rigging pin and is the first load pin that doesn’t need to be wired in. The 27.5mm size entered in the DAME awards is suitable for the cap shrouds of 55ft cruising catamarans (which allows an alarm to be set to warn of the boat becoming close to being overpowered) or the forestay of a similar sized racing monohull.

See more at Cyclops Marine

ePropulsion I-20 electric inboard

ePropulsion’s I range of electric inboard motors for shaft drive boats is intended to be easy to fit on existing engine beds. This makes retrofitting easy and allows boatbuilders to offer both diesel and electric propulsion for the same model.

Initially the range consists of three models, at 10, 20 and 40kW, equivalent to 30, 55 and 75hp diesel inboards respectively. The smaller unit is air-cooled, while water cooling is recommended for the larger two. All have integrated battery management systems to simplify installation and save space. At the same time the company launched a complementary 96V 10kW G-series lithium-ion phosphate battery.

As with all other ePropulsion units, regeneration is included at standard. Real-world testing has yet to take place, but for the I-20 unit calculations show 250W at 5 knots of boat speed, 500W at 6 knots of speed and 1,300W at 8 knots.

See more at ePropulsion

Karver KJSK

This French company won a special mention for its Karver Jammer Staysail Kit (KJSK), an easy set-up for rigging an inner forestay for a heavy weather or storm jib.

It’s designed for use with furling sails that incorporate their own textile forestay and Karver recommends a halyard lock to eliminate movement and wear over the sheave.

Tensioning is via a 3:1 tackle that can be taken directly aft to a winch, using a snatchblock if necessary to create a fair lead. Once taught, the built-in cleat allows this line to be taken off the winch and coiled up out of the way. Attachment to the deck is via either metallic fastenings or high-tech lashing.

See more at Karver

Mantus dinghy navlight

This looks like a handy tricolour light for use on a dinghy which could also double as an emergency navigation light. The light has US Coast Guard approval for two miles. It has five modes including tricolour and bicolour and it’s possible to select between the three colours – for use as only a stern light for example. The Mantus light is waterproof to IPX8 and has fittings to allow it to clamp onto a rail, or attach to an engine cowling using a 3M pad. Where the base is permanent the body can quickly disconnect which makes it useful for USB charging. A full three hour charge gives the light approximately eight hours use – which should prove plenty for dinghy use.

See more at Mantus Marine

Secumar Furio

Watersports enthusiasts typically rely only on buoyancy aids, rather than full lifejackets that will support a casualty’s head above the water if they become unconscious. However, that’s far from an ideal situation, especially for those who are becoming older, or are practising watersports in an area without immediate safety cover.

The Furio is a solution – it’s a conventional buoyancy aid with 50N of flotation, plus features a PLB pouch, back protection and integrated provision for a harness hook. However, it also has a 110N inflatable bladder that transforms it into a full manually activated 160N lifejacket.

See more at Secumar

Regatta Safelock

A shocking statistic from the RNLI’s free lifejacket inspections a few years ago was that the inflation cylinders of roughly one third of those checked were not fully screwed home and therefore at risk of not inflating properly. Regatta and Aalesund Protective Wear have solved the problem with this neat friction device that physically prevents the cylinder rotating after installation.

The two models offered enable retrofitting to the almost ubiquitous UML MK5 and Pro Sensor Elite lifejacket trigger mechanisms. DAME judges praised the Safelock, saying it was: ‘An excellent example of how clever design thinking can resolve long-standing problems.’

See more at Regatta

Rooster Aquafleece Robe

Changing robes may have become the ubiquitous watersports fashion statement, but at least they have a practical element. This is a versatile offering from Rooster as it has a removable, washable fleece lining.

Founder Steve Cockerill explained to us that his company wanted to offer a changing robe, but “we wanted to do something different, make it unique.” It uses Rooster’s proven durable Aquafleece material as the outer layer, which is a fully waterproof PU coated fleece, permeable but not enough to call breathable. Inside is a teddy fleece liner made from recycled polyester, which can be removed to be washed and so kept fresh.

See more at Rooster Sailing

Boatasy Ropecleaner

From the makers of Ghook comes another ‘simple works best’ product for cleaning the typically muddy and barnacle encrusted stern docking lines found in many marinas, particularly in the Med. During its studies Boatasy found that giving a rectangular shape to the spiral metal works best on dock lines and its tool makes it quick and easy to attach onto lines up to 32mm diameter. The sharp inside edges of the stainless steel cut away algae, dirt and shells, says sales manager Gregor Jeretič. He estimates that just 10 minutes of using this to clean the lines three times a year is all that would be needed to keep them fouling free and without needing to hire a diver or using chemicals.

See more at Boatasy

Roll-up emergency VHF antenna

Historically, emergency VHF antennas had a short and stubby antenna, which can limit range. Shakespeare improved on this a couple of years ago with the inflatable Galaxy INFL8-5 VHF antenna, which incorporates a full-length aerial.

Revolve, a spin-off of a firm producing roll-up antennae using carbon fibre for military and search and rescue use, is now employing the same technology to produce a 2.5m high antenna with a 3/4 wave dipole antenna embedded within the laminate. It takes only seconds to unroll and includes a strobe light at the top. It won a DAME special mention.

The company also produces a roll-up boat hook with accessories including soft and hard bristle deck brush heads.

See more at Revolvetec

Foam anchor

Deck and sunlounging cushions, together with saloon seat backs are big business today. But they need to stay in place – how many broken buttons or Velcro fastenings have you seen? Here is a simple but practical solution which uses powerful magnets embedded in the foam of cushions, rather than trying to connect fabric to fabric.

The New Zealand company claims they will last forever and will not rust as they use aircraft grade epoxy coated magnets and marine grade stainless steel fixings. Depending on the application, either strips or single points can be used and after installation they are invisible. Magnets can even be glued behind surfaces so they’re not visible. They can be retrofitted into any furniture and all cover materials.

See more at Foam-Anchor

If you enjoyed this….

Hornady recently announced the newest cartridge in its Precision Rifle Cartridge series of long-range shooting superstars — the 7mm PRC. Directly on the heels of Hornady’s announcement, Savage Arms revealed its own plans to expand several of its most popular rifle models to include hunt-ready options chambered in Hornady’s newest long-action cartridge.

“We’re thrilled to get these 7mm PRC additions into the hands of Savage fans and shooters everywhere,” said Beth Shimanski, director of marketing at Savage Arms, in a release. “With Savage’s heritage for proven accuracy, these rifles are designed for top performance and match grade accuracy, putting challenging shots and the biggest game in your reach.”

Savage will have several of its factory hunting rifles chambered in 7mm PRC available by the end of the year, including the bolt-action 110 Ultralite, 110 High Country, and 110 Apex Hunter XP, as well as the straight-pull Impulse Big Game and Impulse Mountain Hunter rifles.

Savage’s 7mm PRC rifles all feature barrels with a 1:8” twist rate, ideal for stabilizing long, heavy-for-caliber, high BC bullets. Savage claims their models can pitch 180-grain bullets from a 24-inch barrel at a pretty impressive 3,000 fps.

Shooters can also do a barrel swap on any existing long-action rifle with a .540-inch bolt face, like the 7mm Rem Mag or .300 Win Mag, to accommodate the new cartridge.

Why Make the Switch?

Shooting long, high BC .284 caliber projectiles, the cutting-edge 7mm PRC slides perfectly into the gap between 6mm PRC and .300 PRC.

With a slightly shorter case length but the same overall length as the 7mm Rem Mag, the PRC has plenty of headroom for taller, sleeker, more aerodynamic bullets. The design makes the cartridge compatible with the absolute best-performing long-range bullets in production without having to modify your magazine.

The 7mm PRC performs best out of fast-twisting barrels. One turn every eight inches stabilizes the longer, heavier bullets to cut through practically any atmospheric condition. With just over 17 inches of drop at 400 yards, these cartridges leave plenty of wiggle room when shooting unknown distances. Plus, the 7mm bullets will still be packing plenty of power for dropping muleys, elk, sheep, and moose well beyond that range.

Yes, this is a magnum cartridge. However, as far as magnums go, the recoil on this one is surprisingly manageable. It is relatively comparable to the 7mm Rem Mag and definitely milder than the .300 Win Mag.

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What Hornady Has to Offer

Hornady is currently offering the 7mm PRC in three different factory loads.

Target shooters will appreciate Hornady’s Match load, featuring 180-grain ELD-M bullets with a freakishly high BC of .796 (G1). The ELD-M projectile is currently one of the flattest-shooting bullets on the face of the planet.

Hornady also offers its Outfitter line with 160-grain CX expanding copper-alloy bullets for big-game hunters and their Precision Hunter loads. Topped with 175-grain ELD-X, Precision Hunter features a heat shield tip that resists the high temperature generated by the cartridge’s blistering speeds.

Hornady also loads its 7mm PRC cartridges with temperature-stable, magnum-speed propellants for consistent velocity and longer barrel life.

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7mm PRC Specs

Bullet Diameter: 7mm (.284 inches)Parent Case: .300 PRCCase Length: 2.280 inchesCase Head: 0.532 inchesShoulder Angle: 30 degreesMuzzle Velocity: 2,900 to 3,000 fpsSAAMI Max Pressure: 65,000 psi

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Savage Rifles Available in 7mm PRC:

• 110 Ultralite: $1,649
• 110 Ultralite HD: $1,649
• 110 Ultralite Camo: $1,699
• 110 High Country: $1,239
• 110 Timberline LH: $1,239
• Impulse Big Game: $1,449
• Impulse Mountain Hunter: $2,437
• 110 Apex Hunter XP: $736
• 110 Apex Storm XP: $819
• 110 Apex Hunter XP LH: $709

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Splitting wood is a common task for homeowners who use wood for heat or various outdoor projects. Having the right tools for the job is essential, and one of the most critical tools is a splitting axe. A maul or splitting axe is ideal for larger logs and hardwoods, while a splitting maul is better for knotty or thick wood. A traditional axe offers versatility and precision for smaller logs or softer wood, and a double-bit axe is less commonly used for wood splitting. In this blog, we will explore the different types of axes available for splitting wood and help you determine which is best suited for your needs.

Splitting Axe

A splitting axe is a heavy, wedge-shaped axe for splitting wood. It typically has a long handle, usually between 28-36 inches, and a heavy head, weighing up to 10 pounds. The head is often wider and flatter than a traditional axe, with a blunt, rounded edge designed to deliver maximum force and easily split wood. The long handle provides leverage, allowing you to generate more power with each swing and split wood more efficiently.

A maul, or splitting axe, is ideal for splitting larger, hardwood logs that are difficult to handle with a regular axe. The weight and wedge-shaped head make it effective for splitting wood along the grain, allowing you to separate logs into smaller pieces with minimal effort. Due to its weight and size, it may not be suitable for smaller logs or tasks that require more precision.

Splitting Maul

A splitting maul is another type of axe for splitting wood. It looks similar to a splitting axe, with a heavy head and a long handle, but it typically has a more pronounced wedge shape with a sharper edge. The sharp edge allows the splitting maul to penetrate the wood more easily, making it suitable for splitting logs with knots or thicker boards.

A splitting maul is ideal for splitting large logs or logs with knots that may be challenging to cut with a regular axe. The sharp edge helps create a clean split, and the head provides the necessary force to split the wood effectively. Like the maul or splitting axe, a splitting maul may not be as suitable for smaller logs or tasks.

Traditional Axe

A traditional axe, also known as a felling axe or a chopping axe, is a versatile tool that can be used for several tasks, including splitting wood. It typically has a shorter handle, usually 24-28 inches, and a narrower, sharper head than a maul or splitting axe. The head is designed for cutting across the grain rather than splitting along the grain.

A traditional axe can split smaller logs or softer wood with more precision than a maul or splitting axe. Due to its smaller size and narrower head, it may require more effort and multiple swings to split larger logs or hardwoods.

Double-bit Axe

A double-bit axe has two cutting edges on the same head, with a blade on each side of the axe. This axe is less commonly used for splitting wood and is typically used in forestry or logging applications. The double-bit design allows for versatility in cutting from both sides, but it may not be as efficient or suitable for splitting wood as other types of axes.

Safety Considerations

Remember to prioritize safety when using an axe for wood splitting. Wear appropriate protective gear such as gloves, safety goggles, and sturdy footwear. Properly maintain your axe by keeping it sharp and in good condition. Always use proper technique and caution when swinging the axe to avoid injury.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best type of axe for splitting wood will depend on your specific needs, the wood you are working with, and your personal preference. Consider the size and type of logs you will be splitting, as well as your physical ability and comfort level with different types of axes. With the right axe and proper technique, you can make wood splitting a breeze and enjoy the benefits of a well-stocked woodpile for your heating or outdoor projects.

I recently completed a project that I began last Fall.

On nature walks in the park in the Fall, I am frequently asked about the hickory nuts we find: “Are they edible”? The short answer is yes. The question, however, deserves a fuller response.

To say that something is “edible” is, in a sense, simply to say that it is safe to eat; it is not poisonous and will not make the eater sick. Hickory nuts are definitely edible in this sense. This is only the first consideration, though, for someone who is actually considering eating something found in its natural state. Not everything edible is something that one wants to consume. Are the hickory nuts of Eliza Howell Park ones that we are likely to find pleasant to eat?

To the best of my knowledge, there are three species of hickory nut trees in Eliza Howell: Bitternut Hickory, Shagbark Hickory, Pignut Hickory. The trees are not numerous, but in some years all three produce bumper crops and the nuts are easy to find on the ground. Bitternut appears to be the most common of the hickories in the park.

This picture depicts each Eliza Howell hickory species in the progression from green nut to ripening nut to the nut after the outer hull is removed.

The first clue to tastiness might be what our ancestors thought when the species got their common names. “Bitter” clearly suggests unpleasant. And identifying something as “pig feed” is not normally a recommendation for human consumption. In the past, Pignut Hickory nuts were commonly part of the annual diet of hogs.

The other species, on the other hand, was identified by its bark: the trunk has large strips of peeling bark. Calling attention to the bark helps to provide identification if one wants to locate a tree for purposes of collecting nuts. Shagbark is a hickory that nearly everyone agrees is tasty as well as edible.

I have eaten Shagbark Hickory nuts many times. We collected them every Fall for Winter eating when I was young. Having no memory of ever eating Bitternut or Pignut, I browsed the reports and descriptions of others. There appears to be general agreement that Bitternut nuts are not tasty, but there is less agreement on Pignut. Most, but not all, describe it as unpleasant to eat.

I decided to do a taste test. I harvested a few nuts of each species in the Fall and this February I ate some of each.

The Shagbark was enjoyable, as remembered.

I found little difference between Bitternut and Pignut. My assessment of these two: On the one hand, if I were hungry, they would serve as an acceptable source of nutrition; on the other hand, I do not intend to bring them home to eat. I am perfectly pleased to let wildlife have them (and I do see from the evidence in the snow that squirrels have, in fact, been using them for Winter food this year).

There is an old Roman (Latin) saying: “De gustibus non est disputandum.” We should not dispute matters of taste. What one person likes another might not – and that does not make either wrong. My opinion on the taste of the different hickory nuts found in Eliza Howell Park is just one person’s opinion. But this coming Fall, when asked if the hickory nuts we step on are edible, I can at least speak as one who has tasted them.

Bird hunting and dog training are full of terminology and words that new hunters need to learn.

To walk the walk, bird hunters need to first learn to talk the talk. Deciphering the various terminology of the pointing dog world can be confusing. Dog training verbiage is not universal. It can vary regionally, and the dogs you are running or the program you are following may have their own verbiage, too.

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When I picked up my first Deutsch Kurzhaar (DK) pup, I was greeted with a long list of required breed tests. I found myself swimming in alphabet soup in short order. I remember being told I had to run my DK in a young dog test called the Derby. When I asked how the testing system worked, the answer was a series of acronyms that ended up sounding like the teacher in Peanuts: “Wha, wha, whawa, wha.” With an overwhelming blank stare and a grin, I knew I had work to do.

Similar to learning a foreign language, there is a lot to learn when it comes to the linguistics behind training hunting dogs. Like the English language, there are many variations of saying the same thing. In this article, I will help provide you with some understanding of some of the more universally accepted terminologies we use in the field.

Bird Dog Field Terminology

Here is a glossary of terms often referred to during a hunt in the field.

• Back Casting – Backcasting is when a dog hunts behind the handler. Dogs are primarily expected to remain in front of its handler.
• Backing – Backing is when another dog stops and visually points to another dog’s point without the aid of scent. The backing dog should stop at first sight and remain in place through the steadiness process.
• Biddability – A biddable dog is ready for learning with a balanced temperament and can learn very quickly.
• Blind Retrieve – A blind retrieve is a retrieve made without the dog visually seeing the game or bumper.
• Blinking – Blinking is when a dog overtly refuses to complete a task. Though most commonly associated with blinking birds, dogs can also blink for other tasks such as retrieving or backing another dog.
• Brace – A brace is hunting multiple dogs together in the field at once.
• Breaking – The act of breaking means coming off or leaving, such as breaking point to locate or capture game. As well as breaking from the blind meaning leaving the blind prior to being sent for the retrieve.
• Breaking Cover – The dog’s willingness to leave easy terrain to search heavier thickets or brambles to locate game.
• Bumper / Dummy – A bumper or retrieving dummies are types of retriever training equipment used to teach retrieving. A bumper comes is many shapes, sizes, weights, and colors. They can be thrown from a string or shot from a launcher. They can mimic the shape and size of real game such as the Dokken retriever training equipment.
• Cooperation – Cooperation is the dogs want to comply and work as a team player with its handler.
• Covert/Cover – It’s the likely areas where game can be found.
• Creeping – Creeping also known as cat walking is the act of slowly walking into birds before or after establishing a point. Dogs that creep often do so to get deeper into the scent cone potentially flushing a wary bird.
• Crittering – Crittering is sometimes used to describe a dog that is hunting “off target” game species such as deer, song birds, skunks, or porcupine.
• Delayed Chase – Delayed chase is when a dog is told to leave a bird and move up ahead though instead, the dog chooses to re-engage the chase.
• Desire – A dog with great desire has the passion and drive to get away from its handler to locate game. It’s the internal drive or fire that fuels all aspects of the hunt from the want to point, search, or desire to retrieve.
• False Pointing / Unproductive Pointing – A false point or unproductive point is when a dog points old scent and doesn’t realize the bird is no longer there.
• Flushing Dog – A flushing dog is characterized by hunting within gun range at all times and will put the bird in the air for close shooting opportunities. It can hunt both on land and in the water.

• Give/Drop/Release – These are commands telling a dog to relinquish the item it’s retrieving item into the hand of its handler.
• Gun shy – A gun-shy dog is so fearful of the sound of a gunshot that it paralyzes them in fear and can no longer be hunted at that time, or ever again depending on the severity.
• Gun-sensitive – A gun-sensitive dog can recover from its fear of the shot and continues to hunt.
• Hacking – Hacking is when a handler over-commands their dog to maintain control
• Honoring – Honoring is the act of showing interest yet not interfering with another dog’s work be it pointing or retrieving.
• Hold – Hold is a command telling a dog not to drop game or retrieving dummy/bumper.
• Long Nose – Describes a dog’s ability to scent birds at a great distance.
• Making Game – Making game describes when a dog is working scent to locate a bird.
• Marker Words – Words used to identify good and bad behaviors. Yes is a word commonly used to identify behavior we want to see more of and Bad or negative tone or noise to mark behaviors we want to see less of. The word No is commonly used however it’s not a good marker word as it sounds too much like whoa.
• Mouthing Birds – The unsavory act of playing with, breaking bones, and putting holes in the meat potentially making game unfit for the table.
• Marking -To mark is when the dog makes a visual connection to a bird or bumper that is in the air as well as on land or in the water.
• Nose Work – Describes a dog’s ability to use scent to locate game.
• Obedience – Obedience is the dog’s ability to quickly follow commands without hesitation.
• Passive Disobedient – A passive disobedient dog uses submissive acts such as cowering and rolling over as a way to avoid training pressure.
• Parading – Parading refers to the selfish act of swinging out and/or past the handler before returning to its handler for the finished retrieve.
• Pointing – Pointing is defined as an intense, convincing, unmistakable, and in the end productive stationary positioning of a dog in the presence of game.
• Poison Bird – A retrieving exercise where a handler asks a dog to ignore a marked “poison” bird, then requires the dog to follow a separate set of retrieving tasks.
• Popping – When asked to search or retrieve and the dog hesitates to require additional commands to comply often associated with trust issues. Often seen at the release for a retrieve and just before the finish of a retrieve.
• Productive – Describes a dog that finds many birds in its search.
• Purpose – The desirable trait of showing a purpose to find game in the dog’s search. Alternatively, a dog lacking in purpose runs the field as if being taken on its daily walk.
• Pushing out / Nosing out the bird – The act of using its nose to push up the bird into flight. Often seen in the early steadiness work of developmental dogs or dogs that know they are not allowed to catch the bird.
• Quartering – Quartering is a windshield wiper-type pattern out in front of a dog’s handler maximizing the potential of finding game by leaving little area untouched by the dog.
• Recall – Recall is the trained finished position of a dog that is asked to come to you. It can be in your general vicinity, at the immediate front, or directly to the handler’s side. Preferably, the dog would be at the non-gun side so as to not be under the gun.
• Regrip – The act of putting the bird down (without the mouth leaving the bird) so that the dog can more easily return the bird to its handler. It’s generally accepted that a dog can put down a bird to get a better grip as long as it’s not playing with the bird.
• Relocate – The act of a dog’s ability to relocate running birds or short-flighted birds to a re-establishing point, providing another opportunity to kill the bird.
• Roading or Riding In On Birds – When a dog locates the scent of a bird and encroaches upon it in an attempt to get as close as possible.
• Self-Hunting – Dogs that are self-hunters will be selfish in their hunting style. This includes trying to catch birds on their own, refusing to listen to commands, and running for the hills. These types of dogs are of little use for the on-foot hunter.
• Self Release – The dog releases from its position prior to being commanded to do so.
• Soft – Soft is a description given to a dog that struggles to handle light training pressures and becomes fearful and submissive.
• Started Dog – A developmental dog that has begun its steadiness process and has an obedience foundation under it.
• Staunching Up Your Dog – Staunching up your dog is the act of supporting a pointing dog by stroking its tail, back, and shoulders to send a message of encouragement and teamwork between the dog and its handler.
• Steady – A dog can be steady, staunch, or broke, meaning it will remain frozen in place until commanded to move. No matter the number of shots that go off, or the direction the bird flies, the dog’s feet remain planted on the ground.
• Stealing A Point – Stealing a point is when a dog points ahead of another dog already established on point to compete for the bird.
• Stop to Flush – When a dog stops when a target game bird flies.
• Taking A Line – Taking a line is asking the dog to run a straight line towards an undisclosed objective until commanded to stop or until reaching its retrieving objective.
• Takeout – A dog that chooses to attempt to capture the game on its own is ripping birds, pushing them out, nosing them up, self-released, or taking the bird out.
• Trash Breaking – Originating from training your dog to leave trash alone in your home, trash breaking describes the training involved to keep a dog from chasing off game species such as deer, porcupine, skunks, or snakes.
• Underfoot / Boot Licking – Underfoot or bootlicking is the act of hunting so tight to the handler that it is of little to use as a productive hunting companion.
• Upland Hunting – Upland hunting is an American term describing the hunting of various game birds such as grouse, quail, woodcock, and pheasants.
• Versatile Hunting Dog – A versatile hunting dog is a dog that can hunt many game species both on land and in water.
• Wild Flush – A wild flush is when a bird takes flight when a dog approaches the bird without an opportunity to acknowledge the scent of the bird.
• Zones of Fire – Zones of fire are used when multiple hunters gather around a pointing dog. Each gunner restricts their shooting to their zone of fire for safety reasons.

Bird Dog Field Commands

Each handler will need their own set of field commands. They are highly customizable and can be individually specific to each handler. Commands need to be easily understood by the dog; they’re usually either one or two words. It’s important to only use commands when needed and keep the list to only essential commands.

READ: How to Correctly Command Your Dog

Here are some commonly used field commands:

• Back – The command back means to turn and take a straight line 180 degrees away from you.
• Come/Here – This is the recall command from a stationary handler asking a dog to come to you and to finish at a specific place usually to your front or side. The come or here whistle command is traditionally two quick and short blasts or multiple short blasts in succession from a pea-less end of a two tone whistle. However, many prefer a single tone whistles for all commands.
• Come Around – Come around is a command given to a dog as you are moving. It commands the dog to check back or check in with its handler with the requirement to finish.
• Down – Down is a command to lay down and not to move. It has many hunting and home-living applications.
• Fetch – Fetch is the release command given to go and retrieve a marked retrieve of a bumper or game.
• Heel – The heel command tells the dog to come with you at your side. The dog’s front feet align with yours and remain close to your side, no further than a body width from you. The dog should also not touch your leg.
• Kennel / Crate – The command given for the dog to go into its crate. No matter if it’s in your truck, backyard, or a kennel in your home, a dog should easily go to its crate on command.
• Leave It – Leave it is another command with many applications. Leave the skunk, porcupine, grass, or feces alone, and don’t go back.
• Mark – The mark command tells a dog to look ahead for a visual cue to assist in its retrieve.
• Over – Over is a retrieving command asking a dog to take a 90-degree line right or left and remain on that line until the retrieving item is either found or another command is given.
• Place – Place is a command telling the dog to go sit or stand at a location commonly identified by a blind mat or place board.
• Turn Commands – Some handlers like to use a turn command in the field to control their dog’s search pattern. This can be one quick blast with a change of direction from the handler or a hand signal pointing in the direction for the dog to follow.
• Up Front – Commands the dog to move ahead of you in its search.
• Release Commands – A release command tells a dog that its work is done and it is free to make its own choices. Ideally, it’s a command not commonly used in normal conversation. Free, break, or release are common examples of a release command. However, using the word “okay” as a release command is a mistake many new handlers make as it’s often used in conversation, resulting in the inadvertent release of the dog.
• Sit – The sit command asks a dog to plant its hind end on the ground.
• Stay – The stay command lets the dog know you will be moving away from it and it must remain in place.
• Whoa – Whoa is the command to stop or sit and not to move. Commonly, it’s one long blast of the pea side of a two-tone whistle. That being said, handlers successfully use all kinds of whistles.

It’s important to follow a consistent set of commands from early on in your dog’s development. Oftentimes, handlers will attempt to have more of a dialogue in the field which tends to confuse the dog. Your dog studies you incredibly hard each and every day to become masterful at following your commands. We can encourage clarity by doing our part in keeping to the script. In doing so, you will find a far more responsive dog who accurately follows each and every command.

Training and Troubleshooting the Recall Command with Dogs

The Importance of Training Steadiness in Bird Dogs

How to Correctly Command Your Dog

Thinking About Dog Commands to Avoid Confusion in Training