If there’s one animal that truly captures the essence of Africa, it is the lion. Lions are one of Africa’s most iconic animals. Admired throughout history, these large cats serve as a symbol of bravery and strength.

Lions have powerful bodies. They are the second largest cat species, after tigers.

In addition to their large size and sheer strength, the lion population is also renowned for its impressive eyesight. This is an advantage for their predominantly nocturnal hunting.

There are several reasons for the lion’s excellent vision. Below are ten interesting facts about lion eyes – one of their greatest hunting tools.

Lion Eyes Close Up: 10 Roarsome Facts

Much like crocodile eyes, a lion’s eyes serve as an exceptional piece of equipment.

A lion’s eyes help them hunt, especially at night.

Let’s take a deeper look into the eye of the lion.

1. Inside a lion’s eyes

Lions have significantly more rod cells than cone cells in the retina of their eyes, especially when compared to humans. Lions have around 25 rods to each cone, while humans have about 4 rods to each cone.

The rods aid the reflection of more light into the eye, while cones are for color vision. This is what contributes most to the lion’s impressive nocturnal vision. These large cats can see 6 to 8 times better than humans in low light conditions.

Regarding cones, there are three types – namely blue, yellow, and red. Lions, like all cats, only possess the cones for short waved light (blue), and medium waved light (yellow). They cannot distinguish red colors.

2. Lions’ eyes shine

If you’ve gone game viewing at night, you may have noticed some glowing eyes looking back at you.

Lions, like most nocturnal animals, have something inside their eye known as tapetum lucidum. This is a reflective layer of cells behind the retina which acts as a mirror.

The rod and cone cells absorb light entering the eye. The tapetum lucidum reflects the light which passes through the retina and photoreceptor cells.

This gives the lion’s brain two chances to absorb the light waves and refine the image. This significantly improves the animal’s night vision.

3. Outside a lion’s eye

The outside characteristics of a lion’s face play a significant role in its incredible night vision.

The white stripe under its eyes helps reflect faint light into the eyes, making it easier to see under low light conditions.

It also helps in mottled lighting, common in dense, bushy areas.

This unique feature is a good indication that lions are nocturnal.

If you look at a cheetah, you will notice they have black tear-like markings. This reduces glare, which is ideal as these quick, spotted cats tend to hunt during daylight.

4. Lions have a second eyelid

Lions have a second eyelid known as a nictitating membrane. This serves as an extra layer of protection for the cornea.

It also moistens the eye while maintaining vision.

The nictitating membrane acts as a windshield wiper, removing dust and anything else blown into the lion’s eye.

5. Lions have round pupils

Most felines have vertical slits instead of round pupils. This is to maximize the capacity of recognizing the depth of a field.

Smaller cats need to crouch to get close to their prey before pouncing. Vertical slits are important as they help these cats measure shorter distances precisely.

Larger felines, like lions and tigers, have round pupils.

As they have longer legs, their eyes are at a greater distance above the ground. They are also a lot more powerful and can jump much further.

Lions do not need to get too close to their prey before pouncing and do not require a vertical pupil.

The round pupils possessed by larger felines are also known to allow more light to filter into the eye, giving them better night vision.

6. What color are lions’ eyes?

Lions’ eye colors are typically brown or amber. Even white lions, whose fur lacks the typical lion’s pigment, have a pale amber eye color (NB: some white lions have blue eyes).

As previously discussed, the anatomical structure of a lion’s eye is responsible for the eye shine we often see when game viewing at night.

The typical color of this eye shine is a red or gold hue. This can vary depending on the angle at which one views the lion.

7. Baby lion eyes

Baby lions, referred to as “cubs,” are born blind. They do not begin to open their eyes for the first 3 to 4 days after being born. Even after opening their eyes, they cannot see very well and need extra care from their mums.

Their eyes start out blue-grey and begin turning brown or amber around the 2- to 3-month mark.

8. Lion eyes and hunting

Given their impressive night vision capabilities, lions generally hunt at night. By using their vision, lions hone in on their target, coordinating their attack based on where they see their prey moving.

In a hunt and evasion scenario, sight is the most crucial factor. Lions’ prey also possess strong senses such as sight and smell, which helps them escape.

Dodging obstacles and handbrake-turning past members of a lion pride makes certain prey tougher to catch.

The key to a lion’s hunting success lies in having the conditions skewed in their favor. This is most commonly at night, long after the sun has set, and when everything has become completely dark.

Lions also hunt well during storms as the noise and wind make it harder for their prey to hear or see them.

9. The full moon can hinder a lion’s vision

As examined earlier, the darker it is, the better it is for lions. A full moon makes it easier for prey to detect and escape predators.

During a full moon, lions will often put off hunting while the moon is at its peak. They will much rather wait until the moon begins to dip over the horizon or until clouds have covered it.

10. Lion eyes positioning

Unlike much of their prey, lions have binocular vision. This suggests that their eyes point forward, allowing them to judge depth more effectively. While this is a great advantage, their eyes cannot move from side to side very quickly.

Lions have to move their entire heads from side to side to see in different directions. On the other hand, their prey has eyes on the sides of their head.

This provides their prey with a wider range of vision. It also hinders their ability to resolve single objects after dark.

For this reason, when night starts closing in, these animals move out into open clearings for increased visibility and room to move if need be.

More Incredible Lion Facts

In addition to their unique eyes, lions have many other characteristics and traits that are sure to impress you.

Below are a few mind-blowing facts about one of Africa’s largest cats.

Lions can get their water from plants

Lions are highly adaptable and can survive in very dry areas. In places like the Kalahari desert, they get most of their water from their prey and plants such as the tsamma melon.

Lions are big eaters

These large felines can consume up to 40 kg of meat in one meal, which is generally a quarter of their body weight.

To assist them in scraping flesh off the bones of their prey, they have tongues with sharp, pointed rasps, papillae.

Here is more information on what lions eat.

Lions roar together

Unlike other cat species, lions roar together, often to mark their territory.

A calling typically goes on for about 40 seconds.

The entire pride joins in, including the younger cubs with their tiny mews.

Lions are quick and powerful

These large cats can run short distances at 80 km/h and leap as far as 11 meters.

This, coupled with their impressive vision, makes them one of the top predators of Africa.

Lions love sleep

Lions enjoy lazing around. These big cats spend 16 – 20 hours sleeping each day. They have few sweat glands and conserve their energy during the day.

They are much more active at night when it’s cooler. This is also when they hunt.

For more on these magnificent animals, check out these 10 interesting facts about lions.

What Are Your Thoughts on the Lion Eye?

Lion eyes are an incredible tool and are largely why lions have a relatively good hunting success rate. In sheer darkness, where most of us would find ourselves lost without being able to see a thing, lions move with ease.

While their eyes are highly functional, they are also beautiful with their brown-amber color.

For your next game ride, consider heading out after sunset. It is then when these large cats are most active.

It is also when you will notice their shining eyes.

Just hope that they aren’t angry lion eyes.

If you wish to see these large cats up close, be sure to check out these amazing African safari deals.

So you’re going on a safari to see the open plains and incredible wildlife of Africa? One of the most important details to check, before booking your trip, is what types of African safari vehicles, overlanding trucks, and other forms of transportation are used.

The range of safari vehicles is enormous. From walking safaris with enclosed transfer vehicles to pop-top 4X4 safari vehicles, and from 4-seater to 44-seater overland trucks. You can go bare-bones or air-conditioned high-luxury, local dugout mokoro, horseback, or air safaris for a bird’s eye view. The important thing is to choose the type of African safari vehicle or overlanding truck, and other means of exploring (or combination) that suits you, for the ultimate African safari experience.

We’ll start with the biggest African safari vehicles and end with the ‘on foot’ transportation mode.

Safari Vehicles, Overland Trucks & Ways to Explore Africa – Quick Links

1. Overlanding Vehicles (Overland Trucks)
2. Minibus or Microbus Safari Vehicles
3. Land Rover & Cruiser Safari Vehicles
4. Open Game Viewing Safari Vehicles
5. Flying African Safaris
6. Hot Air Balloon Trips
7. Shark Cage Diving Boats
8. Rubber Ducks
9. Dhow Sailing Boats
10. Game Viewing Boat Cruises
11. Mokoro Dug-out Canoes
12. Kayak & Canoe Safaris
13. Horseback & Camel Safaris
14. Walking Safaris (on foot & by vehicle)

1. Africa Overlanding Vehicles (Overland Trucks)

Africa Overland Truck

These expedition trucks are specially built to deal with the rough roads of Africa, where potholes, deep ruts, and river crossings are pretty ‘every day.’ They are normally used for longer and larger (12 to 44 people) overland Africa tours, so need to be able to carry a fair amount of equipment while still offering the budget traveler a relatively comfortable trip and good views of the passing scenery and wildlife.

African tour operators choose the best overland truck for each trip, according to the area being visited and the anticipated terrain that will be covered.

Overland Vehicle Seating Arrangements

Overland trucks may differ in their seating formation and size. Some have all forward-facing seats, while others may have some backward- or side-facing seats. The seats are generally raised, allowing for good views over the African landscapes, especially in grassy areas, where you want to be able to spot animals in the grass. Ask your tour operator about seating formation and how many are seated in a row – some overland trucks seat up to three per row, which makes seeing out a bit more difficult if you’re in the middle – before booking your overland tour.

Luxury Overland Truck

Windows, Pop-up Roofs, and Taking Photos on Overland Trucks

The overland trucks generally have large windows, some which open vertically, others horizontally – allowing for good views. Many of them also have a pop-up roof. This allows you to stand up and get 360-degree views and photos.

Luggage Space on Overlanding Trucks

All overland trucks are equipped with storage space (some lockable) for luggage and equipment – some under the seating section, others at the back of the truck, and some with a detachable trailer. Obviously, space is at a premium, so be sure to pack only the absolute essentials. Also, when packing, use soft luggage rather than hard (e.g. samsonite), as it is much easier to fit into lockers and overhead compartments.

Most overland trucks have a safe onboard for the storage of valuables.

Mobile Kitchen & Diner

Many meals while on safari are prepared and eaten out in the bush, far from civilization. The overland trucks are fully equipped for this. Most safari trucks have a ‘kitchen’ section (often fold-out, beneath the seating area) with a stove and hand dish-washing area. They also have a fridge/freezer/cooler boxes to keep supplies and drinks fresh in the African heat. Africa Overland Tours are thirsty work!

Safety First on Safari!

Safety is non-negotiable. Check with your tour operator that there is a fully-stocked First Aid kit onboard, safety belts on all seats, and some means of communication (radio, etc.), in case of emergencies while on safari. All legitimate tour operators have their client’s safety first in mind and ensure that their overland trucks are kept in a good condition and are reliable for long trips – larger fuel and water tanks, spare tires, knowledgeable and well-trained drivers, etc.

Overland Truck Gadgets

Modern Overlanding trucks come fully equipped with the modern gadgets that we’ve all got used to. With iPod/MP3 points, you can listen to your own soundtrack as you watch the African landscape slide by. They also have onboard charging facilities so ensure that your camera remains fully charged and you don’t lose that once-in-a-lifetime shot of a lion hunting his prey!

Luxury safari truck for small group overland tours

Some smaller tours use smaller overland trucks – seven to nine-seaters – which provide window seats only, so nobody has to be in a middle seat.

Luxury Overlanding Trucks

These are state-of-the-art 4×4 overland vehicles used on small-group overland tours. A custom-built luxury overland truck comfortably accommodates up to 12 guests. They are specially designed to provide extra space and amenities. This is the overland vehicle of choice for a more luxurious Overlanding Africa experience with all the adventure in added style and comfort.

Features include an onboard toilet and a water filtration system for purified drinking water on the road. The luxury overland trucks have reclining leather seats that rotate 180 degrees and lock into your preferred position (for example, window or front-facing).

Luxury Safari Truck for Overlanding Africa

Each seat has overhead air-conditioning vents that can be independently operated for individual control of airflow and temperature. Every seat also features a USB port panel for charging your electronic devices and there is a reading light above each seat. Each seat has a safety deposit unit with individual key code access, for storing your passports, phones, and smaller valuables.

Recommended Africa Overland Tours

• 20-Day East African Overland Tour – South or 20-Day Cape Town to Victoria Falls Overland Tour – Camping Safari

• Best of Namibia Safari Adventure – Overland Camping Tour

• Small Group Tours in Luxury Overland Trucks: South Africa Safari Adventure, Delta & Chobe Safari Adventure & Explore Namibia Safari Adventure

• More Overland Africa Tours

2. Minibus or Microbus Safari Vehicles

For smaller safari groups and shorter tours that don’t go through hugely rugged areas, adapted microbuses (or minibusses) are used. As safari vehicles, Toyota Quantums and Mercedes Sprinters are most commonly used. The optimal number in most of these safari vehicles is six to ten people, forward-facing.

Sprinter Safari Minibus

When booking a safari, find out from the tour operator which safari vehicle is used, and how many window seats there are, to ensure that everybody gets a window seat and has a good view of the spectacular scenery and amazing animals of Africa.

These safari microbuses are specially adapted for safari travel and are generally equipped with GPS tracking, sliding windows, cooler boxes, fire extinguishers, and First Aid kits. They generally have a softer suspension than other safari vehicles, giving a slightly more comfortable trip. Many of them – especially on Kenya Safaris – also feature pop-up tops, allowing travelers to stand and view/photograph the countryside and animals from the minibus.

Some minibusses are fitted with air-conditioning. This is a welcome relief from the sweltering African heat but may detract from the whole experience of Africa, as the windows will be closed, blocking out the sounds of the bush.

Recommended small group trips using minibus safari vehicles

• 5 Days Budget Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Camping Safari

• South Africa’s Garden Route Adventure Tour

3. Land Cruising Safari Vehicles

Pop-top 4×4 safari vehicle by William Warby

Land Cruisers and Land Rovers are used on many safari tours. They range from ‘bare-bones’ models i.e. no added ‘mod-cons’, to highly specialized vehicles that may include air-conditioning, MP3 players, and slightly tinted windows for protection from the sun. Some of the newer safari vehicle models also have pop-up roofs, for added viewing potential, especially in Tanzania.

Safari Vehicle Seating Arrangements

These safari vehicles, in general, can carry four to six (extended version) passengers, all forward-facing. Check the seating configuration with your tour operator before booking. While extended safari vehicles can carry more people, they tend to be slightly more difficult to handle on the road. Most of the Land Cruisers are 4X4s, allowing travel over the rough terrain that Africa is known for… Have a look at images of the road into the Ngorongoro Crater if you want an idea!

While self-hire safari vehicle options are available, tour operators all have experienced drivers who, more often than not have extensive knowledge not only of handling the rough terrain but of the areas through which we travel.

Safety First on Safaris!

Most Land Cruisers are equipped with all possible safety features – fire extinguishers, First Aid kits, seat belts and many have airbags. They have specially designed fuel tanks to allow the economical use of diesel during long journeys and snorkels for travel through rivers.

Luggage Space & How to Pack (light)

In general, luggage is taken either in a trailer or packed on the roof, to keep the safari vehicle as uncluttered as possible inside, for your comfort. Remember to pack lightly!

Recommended 4×4 Trips in Land Cruiser Safari Vehicles

• Tanzania Lodge Safari to Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire

• Masai Mara, Samburu, Nakuru 4×4 Kenya Lodge Safari

• 4×4 Ethiopia Tour – Danakil Depression & Awash National Park

4. Open Game-Viewing Safari Vehicles

Open African safari vehicle on game drive

Within many of the game parks, smaller, open-sided, or completely open safari vehicles are used for game drives. While these are not suitable for long distances – wind, dust, sun, and Africa’s elements can be harsh! – they are great for game drives as they allow you to get up close and personal with the sights, sounds, and smells of the African bush.

These safari vehicles are most often adapted Land Cruisers which seat between six and nine passengers. Some are designed with tiered seating so that nobody’s view is blocked by the person in front of them’s head!

Open African safari vehicle

Protection from The Elements

Due to their being open to the elements, it is vital to protect yourself against the African sun. Hats, scarves, and windbreakers are all excellent shields from fiery hot UV rays. Many of these open safari vehicles do have canvas/plastic canopies that can be closed if the weather becomes uncooperative. Thunderstorms in Africa can be wild, and come on within minutes!

Safari Drivers & Trackers

Most often when going on game drives, there will be a driver and a tracker (often sits on the front of the car, allowing him to track spoor and dung.) The trackers are highly experienced, and allow one to see the best Africa has to offer in wildlife.

Recommended trips with open game-viewing

• Chobe, Moremi & Delta Botswana Camping Safari

• 6-Day Kruger Park & Private Game Reserves Safari (Lodge)

5. Bird’s-Eye View Flying Safaris

Plane view of the Okavango Delta by Justin Hall

‘Air safaris’ are offered at various places in Africa, like Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta. A flight over the delta in a small plane gives you an idea of the vastness of the area. A helicopter flight over Victoria Falls will make you feel like an eagle soaring above this spectacular area!

Helicopters on Safari

The ‘vehicles’ used differ from operator to operator. The helicopters used at Victoria Falls are generally 4- or 6-seaters and many have bubble windows, allowing for good viewing. Do remember that, in the 6-seater, you may land up in the middle seat, making seeing out slightly more difficult.

Light Planes on Safari

In the Okavango Delta, many of the lodges are only reachable by air, especially during the wet season. Many small plane charters are available both as a means to get to the lodges and for a birds-eye view of the delta and spectacular photographic opportunities – a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Small plane flights on safari

Recommended safaris with flying components

• Victoria Falls Budget Tour Package (Zimbabwe)

• Okavango Delta & Chobe Accommodated Safari (North)

6. Hot Air Balloon Rides

Hot air ballooning over Serengeti Park by Wajahat Mahmood

What could be better than watching the sun rise over the Serengeti while floating gently above its vast plains in a hot air balloon? Nothing, really. Hot air balloon rides are offered at various places in Africa (like Masai Mara and Serengeti) and provide an incredible, thrilling, bird’s-eye view of the vastness of Africa, dotted with wildlife.

Recommended trips with balloon safaris

• 4-Day Masai Mara Luxury Camping Safari – optional hot-air balloon trip over Masai Mara, Kenya

• 12-Day Kenya & Tanzania Budget Lodge Safari – optional hot-air balloon trip over Serengeti, Tanzania

7. Boat to the Great White Sharks

Shark diving safari by Kim Nowacki

The boat used for our Great White Shark Cage Diving trips in South Africa is a custom-built catamaran. Combining comfort, stability, speed, and safety, this boat ensures not only a good trip for you but also promises minimal interference in the shark’s natural habitat.

The custom-built shark cage diving boat is typically a 46-foot (14m) long catamaran with a spacious upper deck for surface views of the sharks and other marine animals and platforms for the bait and decoy handlers to ensure the best possible shark viewing. It is a lightweight aluminum vessel powered by four big four-stroke 300-hp outboard engines and is equipped with the most advanced electronic navigation equipment.

Great white shark cage diving boat

Staying dry and comfortable

Featuring a spacious indoor cabin, as well as separate wet and dry outdoor decks, the design ensures that when you’re wet, you’re wet, but once you’re out and want to be dry and comfortable, you can be. The boat usually features a central dining area, storage facilities for personal items, and both male and female toilets.

Gadgets

Electronically, the boat is fully equipped with a tracking device, radios, GPS, radar and navigation equipment, depth finder and echo sounder, and even a 12V charging facility for cameras, cell phones, and laptops.

Safety – yours and the shark’s

Safety is of utmost importance and there are life vests for all passengers, fire extinguishers, a life raft, and capsize bottles on the boat. In case of medical emergencies, there are two onboard First Aid kits, oxygen cylinders, and fluid replacement.

Not only is your safety cared for, but that of the sharks too. The cage has no sharp points or edges that could hurt the animals. The cage itself is specially constructed of reinforced steel and can take five people comfortably. It is lowered and winched back up using a winch from a sturdy gantry. Oxygen is supplied from the boat to divers via a ‘hookah’ system with hoses running into the cage.

This, too, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There’s not much more exhilarating than coming face-to-face with a Great White in its own habitat!

Recommended shark diving tours

• 2-Day Great White Shark Dive Package

• Great White Shark Cage Diving Day Tour

8. Rubber-Ducking the Gorges

Rafting the Zambezi on safari by Martijn Munneke

Jinja, in Uganda – where the longest river in Africa, The Nile, begins at its source, Lake Victoria – is one of the top whitewater rafting destinations in the world. Add in Victoria Falls, the Fish River Canyon, and the Orange (Gariep) River, where various boat options are offered, from boogie-boarding the rapids through canoeing to rubber ducking both flat water and white water, and it’s an adrenaline junkie’s dream. Your trip choice depends completely on your adrenaline requirements/limits!

Whichever you choose, be sure to check that the tour operator follows all safety regulations, ensuring that you have a safe, enjoyable trip through the gorge. Life jackets and helmets are non-negotiable, these waters can get wild, and a knowledgeable, trained guide will ensure you get the most out of your trip.

Recommended trips with rubber ducking

• Victoria Falls Adventure Tour Package (Zambia)

• Masai Mara & Gorilla Trekking Overland Tour or Uganda Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour

9. East African Dhows (sailing boats)

East African Dhow sailing boat by Cesar Gonzalez Palomo

There is nothing quite so beautiful as seeing a traditional dhow gliding through the warm, azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Originally used for trading, these long, narrow boats with triangular sails, expertly sailed by locals, are used along the east coast of Africa.

So whether you’re heading off to the Bazaruto Archipelago or exploring the coastline of Zanzibar, do yourself a favor and catch a ride on one of these graceful sailing vessels.

Recommended trips with dhow safaris

• 22-Day Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique & Kruger Safari

• 5-Day Zanzibar Holiday Package – Adventure Tour

10. Game Viewing Boat Cruises

One of the best ways to watch wildlife and birds on safari in Africa is without a doubt by boat. It’s hard to compete with a laid-back sunset cruise. Exceptional wildlife and bird sightings along the rivers and estuaries in top game reserves of Africa. Stunning scenery. Chilled sundowners and snacks or dinner onboard. Easy-paced, yet exciting and novel.

The boats used on boat cruises vary but they are typically open-sided motorboats. The larger boats offer standing and sitting room and are sometimes double-deckers.

Chobe boat cruise in Botswana

Chobe National Park in Botswana is one of the best places for boat-based game viewing in Africa. Another favorite spot for scenic boat cruises is the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls. There are plenty of other great destinations for game-viewing boat cruises, from Uganda to South Africa.

Recommended Safaris with Game-Viewing Boat Cruises

• Botswana: 5-Day Chobe & Okavango Delta Lodge Tour or Botswana Exclusive Camping Safari to Chobe & Okavango – include Chobe River boat cruises (as with most Chobe Safaris)
• Uganda: Gorilla Trekking & Queen Elizabeth Park Safari – includes boat cruises on Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth Park) & in Murchison Falls National Park

11. Winding Through the Waterways in Mekoro

Mokoro in Okavango Delta, Botswana

If your safari includes a trip into the Okavango Delta, you will more-than-likely experience the gentle pleasure of a trip in a mokoro canoe. Check with your tour operator that this is included as part of the package, or offered as an optional activity. You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to get up close and personal with the prolific birds and wildlife – including elephants, hippos, and crocs – of the Okavango Delta.

Mokoro History

These traditional dug-out canoes are made of wood and guided by a ‘poler’, who stands at the helm. While originally made from indigenous trees, such as the Kingella or ‘Sausage Tree’, they are increasingly made of fiberglass these days. While not as ‘authentic’, this is preserving the indigenous trees of the area and provides just-as-good a means of transport through the spectacular waterways of the delta.

Experienced polers

Many people are afraid of hippos overturning a mokoro. While this is not an impossibility – this is Africa, after all, and you’re in their habitat – the polers are experienced in the area and are very aware that hippos are territorial creatures. They are sure to avoid dangerous situations.

A trip on a mokoro allows you to get as close to the sights and sounds of Africa as is physically possible. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Recommended safaris with Mokoro canoe trips

• Botswana Parks & Okavango Delta Budget Lodge Safari

• Budget Delta Mokoro Trail & Savuti Safari

12. Kayak & Canoe Safaris

If you’re a kayaking or canoeing enthusiast this is the ultimate game-viewing safari vehicle for you. Watch the wilderness glide by as you paddle quietly along the rivers and waterways of Africa. A canoeing or kayaking safari gives you more independence than a mokoro trip where a guide poles you along.

The canoes and kayaks used on safaris vary widely, ranging from inflatable canoes to rugged old-school kayaks.

Zambezi canoeing in Zambia

Some canoe safaris offer game viewing opportunities along the riverbanks and even in the waters whilst most are more about taking in the wild scenery and spotting birds.

Recommended safaris with canoe or kayak trips

• 16-Day Zambia & Malawi Small Group Safari or 4-Day Victoria Falls Tour in Zambia – include Zambezi River Canoe Trips

• 4-Day South Africa Garden Route Tour – includes Canoeing in Wilderness National Park

• 15-Day Zambia & Malawi Small Group Budget Safari – includes kayaking on Lake Malawi

13. Explore the African Bush on Horseback or Camelback

An incredible way to experience the bush up close! Horseback safaris are allowed in certain game reserves so if you want to experience the bush on horseback you’ll need to pick your destinations accordingly. Two of the most popular African safari destinations that offer horseback safaris are Victoria Falls (Zambia or Zimbabwe) and Big 5 game reserves near Cape Town in South Africa.

Horseback safaris Cape Town

For a whole new experience, you can explore Africa by camel. An entirely unique and exotic mode of transport indeed. Camelback safaris are far rarer than horseback safaris. You can only embark on a camelback adventure in a few places, including parts of East Africa.

Recommended trips with optional horseback safaris & camelback safaris

• Experience Southern Africa Exclusive Budget Safari & Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari (Lodge Tour) – optional horseback safaris at Victoria Falls

• 3 Day Big 5 Cape Town Safari & 2 Day Big 5 Cape Town Safari – optional horseback safaris at Aquila Game Reserve

• Lake Turkana & Northern Kenya Camping Safari – includes an overnight camelback safari in Tuum (Samburu District of Kenya)

14. Walking Safaris in Africa

Walking safaris in Africa

This is (obviously) only an option once you are in the game reserve. Depending on the safety i.e. the presence of dangerous predators, many game reserves offer guided walking tours. This is the ideal way to get a true, African, wildlife experience. By walking through the bush all your senses experience Africa – sight, smell, sounds, touch – unadulterated by the sound of motors and really off the beaten track.

Guides and trackers

Most reserves have highly experienced guides who are a fountain of knowledge regarding the fauna and flora of the area and are excellent trackers. This allows you to not only experience the bush but also learn all sorts of fascinating facts while seeing the birds, insects, and animals that call Africa ‘home.’

Walking safari guide in Kenya

If you have the opportunity, do not miss out on a walking safari. You can’t get closer to nature than this.

Recommended walking safari trips

• 4-Day Kruger Park Walking Safari or 5-Day Kruger Safari – Hiking Tour

• South Africa Walking Safari to Kruger & Zululand

• 7-Day South Luangwa Tented Camps Walking Safari

Talk to an Africa travel expert to find the ideal types of safari vehicles and other transport modes for your trip to Africa.

African safari vehicle in Kruger

[Updated in 2022: originally posted in 2014]

There’s a reason why many hunters cite spring turkey hunting as their favorite pursuit of all. It’s because one encounter with a raucous, king-of-the-woods gobbler as it’s coming into your calls will make your knees knock and your heart lurch.

But turkeys have eyesight sharp as cut glass and are more wary than whitetails, so stalking one is difficult to impossible. Indeed, to have success this spring, you’ve got to know how to call one in. While master turkey callers spend a lifetime perfecting the craft and have dozens of various calling skills available in their repertoire, here are a few basic calls with which all turkey hunters should begin.

Calling turkeys consists of two main elements: Knowing how to make a specific call, and then knowing when to make it. For now, let’s focus on three basic calls, each of which is demonstrated in the video embedded above.

Locator CallsLocator calls aren’t calls that mimic turkeys; rather they are imitative sounds of other animals that challenge a gobbler’s dominance and spur them into gobbling—such as owls, crows, woodpeckers, hawks and others. When an owl hoots at dawn, for example, an old boss gobbler can’t stand it, so he’ll often gobble back at the owl to let him know who’s boss. (Or at least this is what we think is going on in a turkey’s brain.) This stimulus/response mechanism in springtime gobblers is nearly automatic, meaning that no matter how many times an owl hoots (or a crow crows, or a woodpecker cries) the gobbler nearly always answers back. And when he answers, he gives away his position so an astute hunter can move in on him and formulate a plan of attack.

So, all turkey hunters should know how to make an owl call. I can make the sound by blowing air through my hands or just with my voice, but I prefer a store-bought owl call because I can use it while wearing gloves-and it’s much louder than my voice alone. I like the Big Hooter Owl Call made by Hunter’s Specialties/HS Strut, because it’s loud and easy to blow. (HS also makes an instructional DVD on turkey calling, and I highly recommend it).

The Call: Owl HootUsing a tremendous amount of air pressure by filling up your lungs, blow into the call with short, powerful bursts of air. After you purchase a call, click here to learn how owl calls sound, or better yet, spend time in the woods at dawn and dusk, and listen to the call of a barred owl. Then try to mimic the owl’s nine-syllable call that sounds like “Who-cooks—for-you; Who-cooks—for—you-all?

When to CallGobblers respond best to owl calls in the morning just before dawn, while they’re still roosted in trees. So if you’re not sure if a gobbler is nearby, sneak to the edge of the woods or other vantage and rip off a loud hoot. If there’s a gobbler within a couple hundred yards, he should answer. If he does, make note of exactly where the sound came from; you have just located a gobbler! If one doesn’t gobble, move a couple hundred yards to another location and try it again. You can use an owl hooter—often with success—anytime of the day to locate gobblers. So keep it handy and use it often.

Hen CallsFemale adult turkeys, or hens, make many types of calls including clucks, purrs, putts, cutts and others. But the staple call they use to attract a potential mate is called the yelp.

The Call: YelpA yelp is a series of short, high-pitched sounds that a hen uses to call to its clutch, other hens and to gobblers in an effort to find a mate. The sound can be made with a box call, a slate call, a mouth call (also called a diaphragm call) and others. But for beginners, I recommend the slate call (also called a pot call), like this one made by Zink Calls. Less expensive slate calls are readily available from Primos, Hunters Specialties, Knight & Hale and other callmakers.

The call consists of about 9 to 12 two-note yelps that, when made in a rhythmic series, sound somewhat like “yyyyeeee-elp, yyyeeee-eelp, yyeeee-eelp, yeeeelp, yeeeelp, yeelp, yelp, yelp, yelp, yelp.” Start by placing pressure on the striker upon an edge of the slate call, then drawing the stiker swiftly about an inch to the middle, then making a circle with the striker so the sound can be quickly and rhythmically repeated.

Because it’s virtually impossible to teach a new caller how to make sounds via written words, again, it’s best to watch one of the many online instructional videos on call makers’ websites or on YouTubeto actually hear the tone and cadence of a yelp. Or, you can sit in the woods and listen to actual hens and try to mimic them. However, the cadence and knowing when to call is more important than the exact tone, because all hens sound a little different; some are raspy and may have a shorter series of yelps while others are more high pitched.

When to YelpIn the springtime woods when the sun is up and birds have flown to the ground from their roosts, there is really no bad time to yelp. A yelp tells other turkeys, “hey, I’m over here”; and/or “why don’t you guys come over here?” It also says to a prospective gobbler, “Hey big boy, you sound cute. Are you looking for a date? Come on over here.”

So, a yelp can be used to entice a gobbler to gobble. Then, when a gobbler responds, a series of yelps is best used to attract the gobbler within shotgun range.

If a gobbler begins coming to you after you yelp, you should use the yelp call sparingly. Afterall, if a gobbler is coming to you, he’s doing what you want him to; calling more might make him change what he’s doing. Again, yelp sparingly, because sometimes an old gobbler can be attracted to a hen that plays a little hard to get.

Remember, if you’re calling to a gobbler and it chooses to be silent as it comes in, you may not know it’s coming. But rest-assured it is looking for the maker of the calls (you!), so it’s critical that you remain as still as possible. One movement—even a slight move of the head or a hand that swats a mosquito—will likely cause the gobbler to flee. And for this reason, when using a pot call, it’s best to keep the movement of your hand as it moves the striker concealed behind your knees or other objects such as foliage.

The Call: CluckWhen hens aren’t alone, lost or asking their family or a gobbler to “come over here,” they constantly make little clucks and purring sounds as they feed and when they’re content. If you’ve ever heard a flock of chickens feeding in a barnyard, you’ll notice that all of them make many clucks, purrs and putt sounds most all of the time. So do turkeys. Clucks convey to other turkeys that “all is good,” and “this grub is good, sister. All is well.”

While clucks sound subtle to us, gobblers hear them well and make them comfortable. If a gobbler thinks hens are around, it would sound weird to him—even alarming—if no natural clucks are coming from the hens. So hunters should learn a basic cluck that can be used to calm and attract gobblers.

To make a cluck, simply place pressure on the striker toward the middle of the pot call, then draw it firmly and swiftly about a half inch across the slate so it makes a very soft sounding “cluck” noise. Again, the best way to learn the cluck is to listen to audio of a cluck. A cluck is not so much to call in another bird, but rather a noise made by a turkey out of contentment, almost as a cat purrs. But because turkeys are gregarious animals, other turkeys can hear that content and be attracted to it. So you should know it.

When to CluckAnytime you’re set up in the woods and ready to see or hear a turkey is a good time to cluck. Mainly, however, clucks should be used randomly between series of yelps to let nearby turkeys know the following: 1. A hen or a group of hens are nearby; 2. They’re very comfortable, relaxed and probably feeding; and 3. they can come on over if they want.

Often some simple clucking—rather than loud raucous yelping—can soothe shy gobblers and convince them to come in even if perhaps they don’t feel like actually breeding at the moment. Unlike yelping, it’s difficult to cluck too much, provided you keep your clucking very soft and subtle.

Like any instrument that produces sound, turkey calling requires practice to make the sounds perfectly, every time, and while your adrenaline surges. Then you should know when to use them, and when to use restraint not to overcall. With time and experience, you can become a master that few gobblers can resist. But expect to send a few running the opposite direction in the process.

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Offering some of the best fishing in New York for bass, muskellunge, walleye and several other species, the St. Lawrence River provides world-class angling on a grand scale. Few places in the Empire State have such a broad array of fishing options.

The river originates at the eastern end of Lake Ontario and drains the entire Great Lakes system into the Atlantic Ocean. Much of the river also forms the border between the United States and Canada.

The initial stretch of the river from Cape Vincent to around Morristown—about 60 miles, though measurements vary—is referred to as the Thousand Islands region. It is here that anglers will find much of the best fishing in the St. Lawrence River.

The Thousand Islands (a.k.a. 1000 Islands) region actually includes over 1,500 islands, ranging in size from a few square feet to several square miles.

A vast complex of rocky shoals, deep ledges and weedy embayments, the Thousand Islands supply virtually endless fishing opportunities.

Smallmouth Bass

The bass fishing in the St. Lawrence River is nothing short of spectacular, with smallmouth bass dominating most anglers’ catches.

Smallmouths ranging up to 4 pounds are abundant, and a 5-pounder barely raises an eyebrow.

The river is a frequent setting for bass tournaments, and it almost always takes a five-fish limit weighing over 20 pounds to win here. The St. Lawrence ranked number one on Bassmaster’s annual list of America’s best bass lakes in 2022.

Smallmouth bass abound on the river’s many rocky ledges and shoals. The St. Lawrence offers an endless supply of precisely the type of rocky structure that smallmouths love.

A good depth map is a very useful tool for identifying likely spots in this vast region, but you don’t usually have to go far to find great smallmouth habitat. Spring and fall are the best seasons to catch them in relatively shallow water.

Fishing in bays and around the rocky island shorelines is productive in May and June. In accordance with New York’s bass season, the fishing is catch-and-release-only until the third Saturday in June, by which time bass will be in post-spawn mode.

Summer bass fishing can be extraordinary, but be prepared to fish a little deeper than you’re accustomed to.

Ever since invasive zebra mussels arrived in the early ’90s, the water has become much clearer, and smallmouths are commonly found over 25 feet deep.

At times, they may be as deep as 50 feet, but they’re also known to feed in shallower spots or even suspend over deeper areas early in the morning and on overcast days. On days with a stiff breeze, bass will likely follow it toward windward shorelines.

River currents also drive bass movements and behavior. Although the current may seem imperceptible in many areas, bass still position themselves below current breaks, including islands and rock piles.

Jigs and finesse soft plastics on drop-shot rigs are the baits of choice for fishing deep structure.

A 5″ wacky worm is a great option for shallower areas, with darker, natural colors faring best.

The introduction of round gobies in the last 20 years has been a major change. Bass have increased in size, and studies suggest that gobies now make up 80% of smallmouths’ diet.

Any bait that resembles a goby is a good bet, with dark-colored tube jigs continuing to excel.

Largemouth Bass

With such an excellent smallmouth fishery at their fingertips, it’s unsurprising that many anglers overlook largemouth bass in the St. Lawrence River. But largemouths are also abundant, even if their populations are more localized.

Largemouths thrive in weedy shallows, bays and backwater areas all along the river. Bays like Goose Bay and Chippewa Bay are among the best spots, along with Lake of the Isles, a not-quite-closed-off embayment on Wellesley Island.

There can be great sight-fishing for bedding largemouths in early June—again, it’s catch and release only until the third Saturday. Largemouths continue to bite throughout the summer months, generally in shallower water than smallmouths.

Mouths of bays and channels between islands are good areas to find summer largemouths. Some of the best spots are where rocky structure and weed beds meet.

A very common feature throughout the Thousand Islands is rocky shorelines that drop off toward a weed bed at a depth of 6 to 10 feet. The margin between the rocky drop-off and the weed edge is a prime spot to find largemouths, especially first thing in the morning.

Casting around docks and boathouses is also productive in areas where the shoreline is more developed.

Wacky worms and soft plastic jerkbaits are great largemouth lures, along with spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

Walleye

Walleye in the St. Lawrence River are both large and abundant. The population is maintained through natural reproduction as well as generous stocking by the DEC, which has given walleye fishing a significant boost in the last 20 years or so.

The walleye season in New York begins the first Saturday in May and runs until March 15 the following year. The current state record, weighing 18 pounds 2 ounces, was caught on the St. Lawrence River on opening day of walleye season in 2018.

Various parts of the river offer different walleye fishing opportunities in different seasons. A few hardy anglers do very well fishing rocky shoals during the final, chilly weeks of walleye season in early March.

But the season opener in May is the date that most walleye fanatics look forward to.

By this time, walleye have usually finished spawning, and some of the best spots are mouths of rivers that empty into the St. Lawrence, including the Oswegatchie and Grass rivers.

The best walleye fishing in spring is generally in the section of the St. Lawrence downriver from the region considered to be the Thousand Islands. The Ogdensburg area and below the Moses-Saunders Power Dam in Massena are prime spots in May and June.

Jigging and dragging crawler harness spinner rigs are good tactics in spring, and depths around 20 to 25 feet are often productive. Walleye may be even shallower at night, and some of the best fishing takes place after dark.

Springtime anglers catch a lot of healthy, eating-size walleye in the 18- to 24-inch range, along with the occasional trophy (as the opening-day state record catch will attest to). But the summer months produce some of the biggest walleye of the year.

By summer, the bite shifts up into the Thousand Islands, though the areas below the dams farther downriver can still be productive.

Trolling deep shoals, island points and drop-offs in the Thousand Islands produces some of the biggest walleye from late summer into fall.

This is a great time to catch big ‘eyes, but the action can be slow. Depths in the 30- to 40-foot range are often best.

The Carleton Island area, not far from the mouth of the river in Cape Vincent, is a prime spot.

Try black-colored jigs or live minnows.

Muskellunge

The St. Lawrence River has a longstanding reputation as one of the best places to fish for muskellunge in the world. New York’s state record muskie, a 67-inch fish weighing 69 pounds, 15 ounces, was caught here in 1957.

Along with Lake Erie and the Niagara River, the St. Lawrence remains one of New York’s best places to catch a coveted muskellunge over 50 pounds. That being said, there’s reason to be extremely cautious about the future of the St. Lawrence River muskie fishery.

Muskellunge numbers have dropped precipitously since around 2005, with blame usually directed at round gobies.

These invaders eat muskellunge eggs and can potentially spread a deadly virus. A prominent muskellunge fish kill in 2022 was especially worrying.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Anglers still catch muskies in the river and have an honest shot at a trophy. Going out with a guide is highly recommended for anyone unfamiliar with the river.

Muskellunge are widespread throughout the Thousand Islands region, and many are also caught farther downriver to the Ogdensburg area and beyond. Trolling is the best way to cover water and maximize potential strikes.

Edges of shoals are the top areas to troll for muskies, with August and September being peak months. Anglers also land some big ones later in the fall as these big predators feed heavily in anticipation of winter.

Ledges and drop-offs provide muskies with easy access to both deep and shallow water, allowing them to follow schools of baitfish in either direction. Depths between 20 and 40 feet are ideal.

Plugs and cranks like Radtke Pike Minnows, Cisco Kids, Jakes and Depth Raiders are favored by many, with 10″ models being standard. Oversized spinners like Mepps Muskie Killers are also excellent options.

Check out all of the best muskellunge fishing lakes and rivers in New York.

Northern Pike

Northern pike are exceptionally common in the St. Lawrence River. Although musky anglers sometimes view them as a nuisance, plenty of folks go out of their way to target pike. And with good reason.

Known for their fierce battles and line-slicing teeth, northern pike are capable of topping 25 pounds. Fish measuring 30 to 36 inches are common in the St. Lawrence.

Pike season opens in May, and the first month is the best time of year to find them in shallow water.

Having just spawned in April, pike will still be in weedy bays all along the river. Button Bay and Chippewa Bay are a couple of the best-known spots, but there are many, many others.

Large pike gradually transition to deeper haunts by summer, particularly favoring weed lines, shoals and points. However, anglers will still catch many at larger bays’ deep mouths, while smaller pike mostly populate the shallows..

The best pike lures for the St. Lawrence River are those that produce some metallic flash, including spinners and spoons. Gold-colored Doctor Spoons are a local favorite, along with Mepps #5 Aglia Bucktails.

Yellow perch are a major forage species for pike, and spoons with some yellow on them tend to draw a lot of strikes.

Spinner crawler rigs, more commonly used for walleye, also catch a lot of pike. Most anglers bait the rigs with either a live nightcrawler or minnow.

Ice fishing for pike is also very popular. Baiting tip-ups with live minnows around submerged islands and weed beds in the river’s bays is the perfect approach in January and February.

Eel Bay and Lake of the Isles on Wellesley Island, the bays around the village of Alexandria Bay, Goose Bay and Chippewa Bay are all excellent ice fishing areas for pike. Wheathouse Bay, a bit farther downriver near Ogdensburg, is also excellent.

Find more northern pike fishing hot spots in New York.

Other Game Fish

The St. Lawrence offers outstanding fishing for many additional species, including some that aren’t traditionally considered to be game fish.

For example, bullhead catfish invade shallow bays in extraordinary numbers every spring, and freshwater drum weighing over 10 pounds are common.

Bluegill and sunfish abound in shallow weed beds as well.

Long story short, don’t forget about these other fish species that also provide excellent fishing in the Thousand Islands.

Here are a few of those additional species we’d like to spotlight:

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch are some of the most abundant fish in the St. Lawrence River, inhabiting reefs and weed beds in prolific numbers. The ice fishing season is an especially popular time to fish for them.

As soon as safe ice forms on bays, anglers start catching great numbers of perch using jigging spoons, grub-tipped teardrop jigs and Jigging Raps.

Big “jack” perch in the 10- to 13-inch range are not hard to come by, though you may have to catch 100 dinks for every 10 jumbos.

Another great time to fish for perch is during the weeks immediately after ice-out, usually from late March to early April. Perch spawn this time of year in protected shallows, and anglers catch a bunch using live minnows.

Emerald shiners are the ideal bait if you can get your hands on some, but fathead minnows will also do the trick, along with bits of nightcrawler and small jigs.

Perch will be found in the backs of practically every bay and protected harbor areas and marinas.

Lots of quality perch will continue to be caught from docks and shorelines in Cape Vincent, Clayton, Alexandria Bay and Ogdensburg from late spring into summer. However, the best fishing for larger perch shifts to shoals on the main river in somewhat deeper water.

Crappie

Bays and backwaters along the St. Lawrence River offer excellent fishing for black crappies.

Even though fun to catch and delicious to eat, anglers often overlook this species to target other fish that are easier to find and catch reliably.

Crappies are notorious for vanishing like ghosts after the spring spawn.

Ice anglers catch their fair share of crappies in the Thousand Islands, with Lake of the Isles arguably the region’s premier crappie haunt. Goose Bay and other bays also have ample crappie populations.

Spring crappie fishing starts to pick up in April after the ice has receded from the bays and the shallowest backwaters begin to warm up. A good string of warm days can bring crappies flocking to the warmest available water.

Lots of scrappy 9- to 12-inch crappies are caught throughout the spawn, which is usually wrapping up by late May. After that, schools of crappies are nomadic and hard to pin down.

There can still be a good bite on summer evenings, as crappies emerge from weed beds just as the sun goes down.

Boat docks and marina areas can also continue to produce in summer, with crappies often seeking shade under structures that reach into deep water.

Common Carp

The St. Lawrence River has been called America’s carp capital, and few places in the country offer more or bigger carp. Anglers commonly catch carp weighing 20 pounds here, and 40-pound fish are available.

Carp are amazing fighters, and battling a carp that big is something you won’t soon forget.

Methods used to catch them vary widely. The presentation is often as simple as a few kernels of sweet corn threaded onto a hook and fished on the bottom. But serious carp anglers often go to greater lengths to target big carp.

Specialized European-style carp fishing gear and techniques have started catching on in the region, including 12-foot carp rods.

Boilies—hard-boiled baits made using grains and a variety of scents and flavors—are the top carp baits for serious anglers.

The months of June, July and August are the peak of the carp fishing season.

These fish inhabit areas throughout the river and are easily targeted from shore.

Planning Your Trip

The Thousand Islands region has been a major tourism hub in New York going back to the 19th century, and a wide range of amenities are available.

More than a dozen state parks line the shoreline of the river, and several towns offer shopping, dining and lodging.

Alexandria Bay, roughly in the center of the Thousand Islands, is widely considered to be the gateway to the region. Cape Vincent is another major hub at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River as it drains Lake Ontario.

Farther downriver, small cities and towns like Ogdensburg and Waddington also provide access. The river gets quite busy with anglers, campers and recreational boat traffic in summer, but the region’s vast size generally allows elbow room for all.

Getting to the Thousand Islands

The Thousand Islands region is easily accessible from most directions.

Interstate 81 takes drivers on a straight course from Syracuse to Alexandria Bay in about 90 minutes. State Routes 12, 12E and 37 run alongside the river, connecting many towns along its shoreline.

Bank & Boat Access

Anglers have countless options for enjoying the St. Lawrence River.

In addition to the 14 state parks along the river, there are 12 state and municipal public boat launch sites, to say nothing of dozens of privately owned marinas and campgrounds.

Some of the best public access sites, starting at the mouth of the river at Lake Ontario’s eastern end, are located in the following communities:

Cape Vincent

Located at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, the town of Cape Vincent offers excellent bank fishing and free public boat launch facilities at East End Park, which is also a popular scuba diving site.

Burnham Point State Park offers additional fishing, boating and camping opportunities nearby. This park is the closest access to the excellent fishing areas around Carleton Island.

Clayton

Cedar Point State Park includes a fishing pier, campground and boat launch facilities just west of Clayton. The Clayton Municipal Docks has an additional public launch site and 200-foot floating dock complex.

Alexandria Bay

Alexandria Bay, often referred to as Alex Bay, offers the widest range of access options on the American side of the river.

Bank and boat access is available at the Village Docks and Scenic View Park.

Several excellent state parks are just a few minutes away, including Keewaydin State Park and Kring Point State Park, The latter sits on a peninsula between the main river and Goose Bay. Both offer camping, boat launch facilities, docking and bank fishing.

Another great option is Wellesley Island State Park, just across the Thousand Island Bridge from the mainland. The largest camping complex in the region, this park offers boat launch facilities and excellent fishing access on both the river and Lake of the Isles.

Chippewa Bay

Overlooking the bay of the same name, the hamlet of Chippewa Bay provides a free public boat launch at the end of Denner Road, next to the Chippewa Bay General Store. Cedar Island State Park, accessible only from the water, is a short boat ride away.

Morristown

In addition to a public boat ramp and bank fishing access at Bayside Park, Morristown is a short drive from Jacques Cartier State Park. The latter offers excellent launch and docking facilities, as well as bank fishing, campgrounds, and a swimming beach.

Ogdensburg

The city of Ogdensburg, located at the mouth of the Oswegatchie River, offers ample public river frontage for bank fishing at Morrisette Park and public boat ramps at the neighboring Patterson Street Boat Launch. Additional bank access is available on the Oswegatchie River.

Waddington

The town of Waddington has several excellent options for bank fishing, including ample open shoreline near Waddington Beach. Additional bank fishing and a public boat launch are available at Whittaker Park.

Massena

Several public parks in Massena offer fishing and boating access. The town operates the Fish Massena website, providing a handy guide to getting on the water.

Nearby Robert Moses State Park also offers camping, fishing access and boating facilities. The park is located on Barnhart Island, the northernmost point in New York State, and is accessible by car across Barnhart Island Bridge.

Know Before You Go

The Canadian border bisects the St. Lawrence River, and officials on both sides take the boundary seriously. A Province of Ontario fishing license is required to fish on the Canadian side.

Bull sharks and crocodiles are enigmatic oceanic creatures. Let us together draw a comparative analysis on them.

Both bull sharks and crocodiles are powerful predators with excellent combat skills. While sharks keep biting their prey till it is mutilated and dead, crocodiles hang on to their flesh and remove it from their bodies before feeding on it. In addition, crocodiles live on both land and water, whereas sharks can survive only in water.

Today, we will together look at some of the most common questions people ask about the differences between bull sharks and crocodiles.

Image Credits: “Hartley’s Creek Crocodile farm” by Sue Waters is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.

Image Credits: “オオメジロザメ Bull shark” by ume-y is marked with CC BY 2.0.

Do bull sharks attack crocodiles?

Bull sharks and crocodiles are hostile animals, without a doubt. Let us explore whether bull sharks attack crocodiles.

Bull sharks do not attack crocodiles, but the opposite is entirely possible. There have been several recorded instances over the years of crocodiles biting and eating bull sharks, along with other shark species such as lemon sharks. In fact, saltwater crocodiles are notorious for attacking and eating bull sharks.

Crocodiles are aggressive animals known for their ferocity. Therefore, they often prey on bull sharks and other shark species in addition to fishes and other marine animals.

Is a shark stronger than a crocodile?

Sharks are powerful animals with tremendous strength. But are sharks stronger than crocodiles? Let us find out.

Sharks are not stronger than crocodiles, with the exception of the great white sharks. Bull sharks are often attacked by crocodiles, and so are lemon sharks and tiger sharks. Great white sharks are powerful enough to engage in combat with crocodiles, and they are also fast swimmers, which gives them an added advantage.

Crocodiles are massive animals that kill marine creatures quite indiscriminately. From sharks to fishes and seagulls, crocodiles attack one and all because of their tremendous strength.

Saltwater crocodile vs bull shark

Image Credits: “Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)” by berniedup is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.

Image credits: “オオメジロザメ Bull shark” by ume-y is marked with CC BY 2.0.

Saltwater crocodiles and bull sharks are two distinct species. Let us draw a comparative analysis on them.

Saltwater crocodiles are humongous animals who eat indiscriminately, whereas bull sharks adhere to a very specific diet comprising fishes and smaller sharks. Saltwater crocodiles are powerful and can easily munch through a bull shark. In fact, bull sharks prefer occupying freshwaters and do not thrive in saltwater regions. Therefore, attacking them becomes easier.

Saltwater crocodiles have a tremendous advantage over bull sharks and can easily overpower them. In fact, there have been several recorded instances of bull sharks being eaten by saltwater crocodiles.

Bull sharks vs saltwater crocodile bite

Image Credits: “Crocodiles Mouth-01&” by Sheba Also 18 Million Views is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.

Both bull sharks and crocodiles have a strong bite that can injure possible victims. Let us learn which of the two has a stronger bite.

Saltwater crocodiles are fantastic biters and have the most powerful bite among all crocodile species, whereas bull sharks have the best bite among the shark species. Although both bull sharks and crocodiles are excellent biters, saltwater crocodiles have a biting force of 3,700 pounds per square inch to bite through hard and soft-shelled prey.

That being said, bull sharks are strong biters, too but lack the force that characterizes crocodiles.

Bull shark vs crocodile appearance

Bull sharks and crocodiles have very distinct appearances, and even a layman can tell them apart. Let us learn more in this regard.

Bull sharks are essentially shark species that are cartilaginous and live in water at all times, whereas crocodiles belong to the family of reptiles and live on land too. Besides, bull sharks grow up to 11-20 feet, whereas most crocodiles attain a similar height and grow anywhere between 10 to 20 feet.

We must mention here that grown up bull sharks weigh slightly more than crocodiles. On average, most bull sharks will weigh 1,000 to 2,400 lbs, whereas crocodiles can weigh 2,000 pounds at maximum.

Bull sharks vs crocodiles teeth

One major point of dissimilarity between bull sharks and crocodiles is their teeth structure. Allow us to tell you more in this regard.

Bull sharks have around 50 odd teeth in the front row itself, and overall, they have 300 teeth on average, whereas crocodiles have around 66 conical-shaped teeth. As some of you might already know, sharks lose and regrow their teeth several times during their lifetime. Even crocodiles shed their old teeth but not as frequently as sharks.

Needless to say, both bull sharks and crocodiles need a strong set of teeth to survive in the ocean and hunt for potential prey.

Bull sharks vs crocodiles lifespan

Bull sharks and crocodiles also vary in terms of their lifespan. Allow us to tell you more on this topic.

On average, saltwater crocodiles can live up to 70 years, whereas bull sharks can live up to 12-16 years. Most crocodile species live merely up to 30-40 years, with the Nile crocodile clocking in a lifespan of 50-60 years. In captivity, bull sharks have been known to live up to 30 years. Most sharks have a similar lifespan of 20 to 30 years.

Bull sharks vs crocodiles movement

Image Credits: “Bull Shark” by Relativiox is marked with CC BY 2.0.

A common question asked about bull sharks and crocodiles is how they vary in terms of speed. Let us learn more in this regard.

Most sharks can swim faster than crocodiles, especially the great white sharks. On average, bull sharks can swim at the rate of 35 mph, whereas crocodiles can swim only up to 15mph when in water and around 22mph when they are on land. Since sharks swim faster in water, they might sometimes escape attacks from crocodiles.

Conclusion

Bull sharks and crocodiles are two of the most fierce, dangerous aquatic species. They have a powerful jaw and can easily bite into and tear apart their prey. In terms of senses, sharks see better when they are in water and can also smell blood. Crocodiles, on the other hand, have better defenses since they can move on both land and water and have really tough skin, which makes recoveries from injuries quicker.

Are you looking for a night vision scope that you can only use at night? Do you need a night vision scope that will convert the rifle scope that you use in the day to still be useful at night? Then you have to think about the money that you are willing to spend on your night vision weapon sights. 

Picking the Right Night Vision Equipment for Your Air Rifle

If you want to buy a night vision scope, you have to decide if you would like it to fit directly into your rifle. Some night vision scopes would need to be raised so that you can get enough clearance to get a multi-shot.

There are different night vision scopes that you can find in the market and it can get confusing and overwhelming in the beginning. You can check reviews to find the night vision scope that will give you the best value for your money. It does not follow that just because one scope is more expensive than another scope, it is already better. You can also ask other enthusiasts for their recommendations.

Let us say that you would rather get a night vision scope that will serve as an add-on to your rifle. You can check how well the products do when you consider these factors:

• Battery Life – The longer the battery life, the better.
• Detection Range – You would like your scope to help you detect movement even from a distance. The better the detection range, the more that you can effectively use your air rifle.

There are some night vision kits that you can purchase online. You can also choose to buy from actual stores. You can ask the staff some questions about the kits that you want to buy. You can also look for one that can offer better eye relief. Remember that the more comfortable it is to use your night vision scope, the better.

How to Choose the Right Night Vision Equipment for Airsoft?

Playing airsoft is a hobby that a lot of people enjoy. If you have not tried it yet, it is about time that you consider it. You can play it with people you know. You can also join groups and make new friends. One important requirement when you play airsoft is to have the best equipment. 

Is it Worth it to Purchase Night Vision Equipment?

Not everyone enjoys playing airsoft at night. If you have been playing for a long time, you should try it out. You are going to have an entirely different experience that you will still enjoy. Some even enjoy it even more than playing during the day.

Just imagine if you would get to feel like a hero while on the battlefield. You can thank your skills, your knowledge, and your equipment for all the things that you would be able to do. The enemies from the other team will be hard to see at night. The challenge can make you more passionate about playing.

Some Night Vision Devices to Consider Getting

You are familiar with the term “night vision devices” but you do not know what you need to get to play airsoft properly. Some of the items that you can get are the following:

• Monoculars – This can be attached to the weapon that you are using. You can also use it on its own.
• Binoculars – This can provide you with a better viewing angle. This is ideal if you want to improve your line of vision. Just imagine how useful this would be when the enemies are trying to hide in the dark.
• Goggles – You are going to need safety equipment when playing airsoft. Using your usual goggles might not work when you are trying to play at night. Night vision goggles will keep your vision clear at night.

You might think that using night vision devices to protect your eyes is meaningless. Remember this: your eyes are sensitive, if you get hit, you may lose your sight. It is better to look through goggles that can make your view slightly distorted than not having eyes to see at all.

Some Features to Consider

Different night vision devices will have features that can be helpful for you and the game that you want to play.

• Improved Range – The better your range, the more that you will be able to spot enemies even when the field where you are playing at is huge.
• Improved Illumination – You just need a small amount of light to see your enemies. It will also help you become more oriented with your surroundings in the darkness.
• Top-Down Ventilation System – This is a feature that you can find in most modern night vision devices. This will prevent the goggles and the other devices from fogging up while you are using them.

Remember that the range of the night vision equipment will not only depend on the item itself. In the dark, it can be tricky when the terrain is higher than usual. Other light sources may also distort the range of your enemies. 

Conclusion

Let us say that you have already chosen the right night vision devices. Make sure that you will use it accordingly. You should also remember to protect yourself at all times while you are playing airsoft. Things are going to be more exciting at night. Have fun with the right night vision devices.

It’s officially the spring season! With beautiful weather outside people are trying to find different ways to get in some fresh air and exercise. Hiking is perfect for those who want to soak in the sun and get their bodies moving!

But heading out in the woods with the wrong hiking clothes can ruin your fun! Everyone knows you need a good hiking boot or hiking shoe, good socks, and a comfortable pack, but what about your shirt? The best hiking shirts are the ones that minimize friction, don’t restrict your movement, and feel great on your skin. It’s important to choose hiking clothes carefully because there are so many choices available on the outdoor apparel market. The key features to look for in hiking shirts are moisture management, odor control, and temperature regulation. All of these features can be paired with the best material, and you will be all set to start your hiking expedition!

So what is the best material for hiking shirts? Keep reading to discover the best material, top picks of the year, and a buyer’s guide before making your purchase!

Materials on the Market

When you walk into any outdoor clothing store, you will find a plethora of selections for hiking shirts, and it can get confusing! What is the best material, and how can you tell? Let’s break down each popular material for you:

Cotton material:

This fabric is simply not suited for hiking. A cotton shirt can stop your sweat from escaping in warm weather. If it gets wet, it will continue to stay wet for a very long time, causing discomfort while you are on the move. Although it may seem like a good idea to grab your go-to cotton t-shirt to hike in, it’s best to avoid that option if possible.

Pros:– When hiking in a desert, the wet fabric can give cool relief

Cons:– Prevents sweat from escaping- Not efficient at wicking and drying- Will make you feel clammy and sticky- Will lock in odor- Does not dry easily- Can cause chafing

Synthetic material:

Polyester and synthetic fabrics are popular choices for hikers. They are usually relatively affordable and the most common material you will find at outdoor clothing stores. Synthetic material is known for its moisture-combatting qualities, so if your shirt gets wet, it will dry quickly! The only problem with synthetic material is that if your shirt catches body odor, chances are it’s going to continue to stink until you throw it in the wash.Pros:– Affordable and popular- Great at wicking moisture- Does not hold water- Blocks UV raysCons:– Catches bad odors quickly- Does not provide warmth when wet- Production of synthetic fabrics has a negative ecological impact

Blend-material:

A hiking shirt with a blend material means a mix of nylon and spandex. These blend materials in a hiking shirt are usually more flexible than polyester and cotton and use thin, flexible, and soft material. If what you’re searching for is something that is fitted and will move with your body while hiking, a shirt that has a higher blend is what you need! The only downfall of blend materials is that it doesn’t have strong odor control and carries any bad odor until you wash it.Pros:– Flexible and moves with the body- Usually comes fitted- Does not absorb water/sweatCons:– Not breathable material- Usually does not have odor control

Merino Wool material:

This hiking shirt material is the clear winner when you consider all of the choices. Merino wool material is known for its highly breathable qualities and keeping moisture from locking in. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and usually elastic. This fabric has natural antimicrobial traits that will help prevent odors from accumulating. The main concern for most about merino wool is the fact that it’s the most expensive. If you’re seriously considering hiking regularly, merino wool hiking shirts will most definitely be a great investment for you.Pros:– Very breathable- Naturally antimicrobial- Moisture-wicking- Odour control- Temperature control- Provides warmth when wet- UV Protection

Cons:– Expensive- Takes a long time to try- Controversy over how wool is obtained

Top Picks

We’ve scoured the web to find the top hiking shirt picks of 2021. It will include two of each of the materials (except cotton) stated above.

Best Synthetic

1. Columbia Zero Rules Tee

Fabric: PolyesterAntimicrobial: YesUPF Rating: 30This short-sleeve hiking shirt has a classic fit and comfortable stretch. It has built-in blue rings that react with perspiration to lower the fabric temperature. Along with the cooling technology, it has sun protection. Available in multiple colors.

2. Arc’Teryx Men’s Motus

Fabric: PolyesterAntimicrobial: YesThis crew base-layer hiking shirt is a comfortable garment designed for high performance. Although on the pricier end of the spectrum, it is comfortable on the skin, quick to wick away moisture, and adds warmth to your body. It’s popular and usually sold out, but if that’s the case, you can check out other hiking shirts under this brand – all excellent selections.

Best Blend

1. ExOfficio Bugs Away Breez’r

Fabric: NylonAntimicrobial: NoUPF Rating: 30Additional: Insect shield technologyThis hiking shirt is a long-sleeve button front. It has built-in Insect Shield technology and flow-thru ventilation, which will keep you cool and prevent odor! Since it does guarantee to repel bugs, it does run on the pricier side. Available in a few different colors.

2. Columbia Silver Ridge

Fabric: NylonMicrobial: YesUPF Rating: 40This long-sleeve, button-front hiking shirt is great at moisture-wicking and rapidly evaporating any perspiration. With the button up, it has convenient venting and has an antimicrobial treatment to prevent bacteria growth – all for a relatively affordable price. You can check out their Silver Ridge collection for shirts for men and women, with varying designs!

Best Merino Wool

1. Icebreaker Merino Oasis Crewe

Fabric: Merino WoolMicrobial: YesUPF Rating:This long-sleeve crew hiking shirt uses 100% merino wool which is very breathable and good for all climates. It’s a base layer by design but can also be worn alone in hot weather. Available in a few different models, colors, and styles.

2. Smartwool Merino 150

Fabric: 87% Merino Wool, 13% NylonAntimicrobial: YesUPF Rating: 20This short-sleeve hiking shirt is a mix of merino wool and nylon, built for longevity and comfort. It uses a flatlock seam on the shoulder area and sides, which prevents any chafing from backpack straps. The merino wool naturally wicks away moisture and prevents odor and bacteria growth. Available in multiple colors and designs.

Difference Between a Hiking Shirt and a Regular T-Shirt

So what is the big deal? Is there a difference between hiking shirts and regular shirts?

Yes, there is a big difference.Hiking shirts have multiple technological features that are simply not present in regular t-shirts. The most effective hiking shirts usually use fabrics like merino wool or polyester because of their moisture-wicking and quick-drying tendencies. Regular t-shirts simply don’t offer this kind of technology to account for a comfortable hiking trip.If you’re going to opt for a regular cotton t-shirt the next time you go hiking, don’t expect the same comfort and performance as a hiking shirt. It simply does not compare!

#1 Design Feature to Look For

There are a few design features on shirts that make for the best hiking experience. But the most sought-after design that will increase the comfort and fit on your body is a flatlock seam.

These seams are made by putting two pieces of fabric beside each other and sewing the raw edges directly together. Flatlock seams are discreet and help prevent unnecessary chafing. Without these seams, hiking shirts would be too bulky and uncomfortable to wear for long periods.

Flatlock seams also help reduce the rubbing of backpack straps on shoulders. This feature allows for an overall great fit and flexibility, allowing you to have more pleasurable hiking adventures!

Buyer’s Guide

Before making your hiking shirt purchase, there are a few more things to consider. On top of selecting the right material for your hiking needs, other features will help you narrow down the perfect pick!

So what are some things to consider before buying a new hiking shirt?

1. Shirt Style

There are three common hiking shirt styles. It’s important to consider which one of the three will suit your hiking needs. There are short-sleeves, long-sleeves, and button-shirts.Short sleeve hiking shirts are a great choice for warm-hot temperatures and can even be used as a base layer for extra warmth under other pieces of clothing, meaning you can wear them both in summer and winter during your hiking expeditions.

A long-sleeve hiking shirt is a good choice to protect your arms from the sun during summertime hiking, keep you warm during winter hiking or protect your arms when trekking through bushes. The sleeves will give you extra warmth, and if it ever gets too hot, you can always roll them up!Button shirts are popular and the most flexible. It’s a good pick for temperature control and sun protection. When it gets too hot, it’s easy to unbutton the front of your shirt to cool your body down. The collar of a button-shirt can also serve as an added sun protectant when you pull your collar up over your neck.Opt for the type of shirt that will benefit your hiking demands. Since there are so many on the market, it all boils down to personal preference.

2. Sun Protection

Since hiking involves exposure to the sun, it’s important to consider your hiking shirt’s level of protection against UV rays. If you know you’re going to be under the sun, go for a shirt that is UPF 30 or higher. The higher the UPF, the better protection against UV radiation. If a hiking shirt has a UPF rating of less than 15, it is not providing any protection.Polyester and synthetic materials usually block UV rays. Pay close attention to their UPF rating before you make your selection. But merino wool naturally protects against the sun, again, making it worth what you pay!Although merino wool is the best material for hiking shirts, if sun protection is important to you, choose a shirt that’s rated higher than UPF 30!

3. Comfort

Being comfortable while on the move is so important. When considering which hiking shirt to buy, make sure you feel comfortable because you will be wearing it for a long time, sometimes under extreme weather.

A merino wool shirt is the best choice because it is lightweight and elastic. It will feel flexible on your body and easy to move. These shirts tend to be more fitted. Fitted styles move with you, while looser shirts give you more airflow. So choose a style that you feel the most comfortable in. One tip – try on the shirt first… if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t buy it!

The comfort of your shirt while piling on layers or even a backpack is almost important to consider. It’s typically agreed that some nylon blend materials feel uncomfortable on the skin when it brushes with a backpack, so think about that as well if you’re planning to carry a bag on your shoulders.

4. Wicking Properties

Wicking is a material’s ability to control the humidity level. A good hiking shirt will wick away moisture from your body and helps with evaporating any water or perspiration, an important factor to consider when purchasing a new hiking shirt.While polyester and nylon materials are good at moisture wicking, it’s agreed that merino wool is one of the best with wicking properties. It does a good job at transporting sweat and moisture away from your body as vapor.

5. Antimicrobial Properties

When hiking for longer periods, wearing a shirt that has antimicrobial properties is vital. It helps keep your body and shirt smelling fresh and helps prolong the life of the material. Effective antimicrobial fabric will fight off microorganisms and bacteria while promoting moisture movement, giving you an overall pleasurable experience hiking.

Some synthetic material shirts use anti-odor technology, so if that is important to keep that in mind when picking your shirt. The best material in terms of antimicrobial agents is, you guessed it, merino wool! Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial and will naturally fight off bacteria, keeping you and your shirt smelling clean for longer.

6. Odor Resistant

First-time hikers may not think of this particular feature until it’s too late. Cheap hiking shirts don’t have any anti-odor technology which aims to evaporate sweat and odor instantly. Purchasing a shirt that is not odor-resistant will result in an uncomfortable hiking experience.

So try to pay attention to all the features listed when you’re making your purchase. Any anti-odor technology will benefit your entire experience – especially if hiking in hot climates!

7. Durability

The durability of a hiking shirt means the ability to withstand any wear, pressure, or damage. Choosing a hiking shirt with excellent moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties will help keep the longevity of it.Read up on how to wash and dry the shirt before making the purchase. The durability of a piece of garment lies in how you care for it after each use.

As you can tell, there are quite a few things to consider before buying a hiking shirt. Most tend to buy the most affordable or popular option without giving features a second thought. The features mentioned in this buyer’s guide may or may not be important to you. But what is important is narrowing down on the features that matter, thus helping you choose the best hiking shirt for you!

Final Verdict

Hiking shirts are usually lightweight so that they can be used as a base layer in cold climates and alone in warm climates. Having a shirt with a thin build ensures airflow through the fabric and prevents too much perspiration.

When you are looking for a good hiking shirt, you ideally want it to meet all the criteria stated above in the buyer’s guide. The best hiking shirt material should be able to check all of them off. The reality is that you’re going to have to compromise on one or more if you’re trying to prioritize one property over others.

The best material that certainly meets most of the important properties is Merino Wool. The only real downfall of merino wool is that it’s quite expensive. It would be an investment, seeing as it will last a long time and has so much more pros than any of the other material available on the market.Choosing the best hiking shirt for you, whether you’re going on a short hike or a long expedition, will keep you feeling comfortable and energetic. Wearing a shirt that doesn’t get wet easily, blocks odor, keeps you warm, has good ventilation, and is comfortable on the skin will ensure happy hiking adventures! So choose wisely and enjoy!

Have you tried any of the materials stated in this article? Which material would you want to buy next?

Available Montana Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunts – Search HF Aventures

When it comes to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunting, Montana should be on everyone’s radar. To many, drawing a Missouri Breaks sheep tag in units 482, 622, or 680 is at the very top of their hunting bucket list. Last year, 5,300 non-resident sheep applicants applied for a ram tag in one of the three famed units of the Missouri Breaks. Only four of them were successful in drawing a tag. Unit 482 is still going to give you your best chance at a 180″+ ram. Half of the rams harvested here in 2022 are estimated to have broken that mark, followed by 25% in 680 and 10% in 622.

Go on More Hunts with Better Information, Join Huntin’ Fool Today!

Unfortunately, the bighorn sheep hunts in the Breaks are not quite what they were four or five years ago. Some of the better genetics, especially for mass, are starting to be shot out. The drought over the past three years and the apocalyptic grasshopper hatch that came with it have severely reduced the amount of quality feed these rams need to thrive. These conditions have also contributed to lower lamb production, forcing FWP to reduce the number of ewe tags available in each of the Breaks units. Additionally, ram tags were cut in unit 482 from 20 to 15 in 2022, limiting non-residents to only one permit on this hunt. It’s not all doom and gloom in the Breaks, however, as precipitation levels are off to a great start in 2024. There were also at least one or two mid to upper 80s rams that are known to have made it through the season in each of the three units. The Breaks units are still going to give a hunter the best shot at a 190″ ram, hunters will just need to be good at judging and passing up rams if their goal is taking home a book ram.

Those hoping for better odds of hitting on a Montana bighorn sheep tag will need to consider looking past the Breaks units and instead focus on other second tier units that are available for non-residents. Excluding the unlimited hunts last year, 2,035 non-residents applied for ram tags in units other than the Breaks and four were successful in drawing their tag. For 2024, hunts in units 100, 102, 250, 380, and 423 will each be available for non-residents. On each of these hunts, beginning in early November, most of the rams will come down from their summer range in search of ewes. As the rut takes place, these sheep will stay in highly visible areas and offer a hunter a physically easier lower elevation hunt. The exception to this is in unit 423. The area where most of the sheep stage for the rut can’t be accessed by road. It’s also worth noting that less than 20 total sheep permits are being proposed in region one in 2024. This would mean that only one non-resident permit will be available between units 100 and 102, and when one non-resident is drawn for either unit, the non-resident draw will be shut down in the other.

Montana is the only state that offers over-the-counter bighorn sheep tags. This year, hunters can choose from five units – 300, 303, 500, 501, and 502. The tags must be purchased or applied for by May 1st. The odds of harvesting a ram are typically around 2%, but every year, some lucky hunters take rams home. Last year, eight hunters harvested rams in the unlimited areas. See the “Unlimited Bighorn Sheep” section for more information on all of the units and hunts.

For 2024, Montana has once again shuffled the units that non-residents are able to apply for, so be sure to look over our bighorn sheep table as we have included all non-resident sheep hunts available this fall. If you are a Montana resident and you would like to talk about the other units available to you, give us a call. Despite the long draw odds, anyone who wants a chance to hunt giant rams someday has to be applying in Montana!

Our Memberships Include The Most Accurate Draw Odds Available, Join Now!

Self Guided DIY Montana Bighorn Sheep Hunts

Over the last 20+ years, we’ve collected hunting research and data, so join Huntin’ Fool today and access the best research tools for hunting bighorn sheep in Montana, including 3D Maps, Draw Odds, Consultations, and much more. Go on more hunts with better information!

Private Land, Semi-Guided, and Guided Bighorn Sheep Hunts

Search our database for Montana Bighorn Sheep opportunities.

Application Deadline

The Montana Bighorn Sheep application deadline is May 1, 2024.

Our magazine, which is available in print and online, has everything in one location – application info, draw details and odds, fees, hunter requirements, point structure, age restrictions, youth information, weapon restrictions, other tag opportunities, hunt planning, and much more. If you would like access to all of our research join today!

Consult with Hunters Who Have Hunted in Your Unit, Join Now!

2024 MONTANA NON-RESIDENT FEES Up-Front Fees Base Hunting License $15 Conservation License $10 Bonus Points (optional/per species) $20 Sheep, Moose, Goat, and Bison Application Fee $50 Post Draw License Fees (if successful) Bighorn Sheep Permit $1,250 Bow and Arrow License (required for all archery hunts) $10 *Fees do not include the additional 2.5% convenience fee.

MT Bighorn Hunting Articles from Huntin’ Fool Magazine

• Not Your Typical Sheep Hunt by Pete Soverel
• The Pinnacle by Jana Waller

When I was in my early 20s, I used to hang a couple dozen tree stands every summer. The work was tedious, hot and extremely time consuming. And I always felt like I was acting like an outfitter for myself and members of my hunting family at home. Sometimes these stands wouldn’t even get used in the fall, and I’d have to burn more time and energy pulling an unused stand in the winter. The entire process just seemed extremely inefficient. Now that I’m in my early 40s, I have even less time and energy than I did back then, and I desperately try not to waste either.

Now my family and I hunt much more mobile and hang 75 percent of our stands in real time.

Occasionally, I grow tired of passively sitting in a tree waiting for a big buck to come by for the ambush. Also, some conditions are just plain poor for a tree stand location, and the advantage of sitting aloft is lacking. In recent years, I’ve grown fond of switching up hunting techniques and giving the bucks in my area a different look. When I get to hankering for some action, grow bored with tree stand sitting or just need to do some in season speed scouting, my go-to method for chasing deer is old school still hunting.

Defining The Practice

I will preface the remainder of this piece with a statement of pure truth: I am by no means a master still hunter. I live on the prairie in southeastern Illinois, far removed from the big timber and rugged country where the method is used much more frequently. In my hunting youth, I read T. S. Van Dyke’s book from 1883, The Still Hunter. His tales and illustrations of sneaking up on whitetails on foot seemed like pure fiction to me. Around the same time, I read several books authored by Larry Benoit and his sons. They told spinning tales of tracking down monster Adirondack bucks on foot for miles, in the snow no less, before closing in on the animal for a kill shot with a rifle.

After digesting a pile of literature on the subject, I made up my mind. I was going to learn how to still hunt.

I’ve always thought the term still hunting was a bit of a misnomer, because you’re on foot and you’re moving very slowly. Still hunting is the simplest form of active pursuit there is, a process by which one literally creeps through a whitetail’s habitat on foot as slowly and methodically as possible. The goal is quite simple: use all your senses to see, hear and sometimes even smell the whitetail before they return the favor. But that’s only the first part of the still hunting equation, for the hard part is pulling off the shot at eye level. For my tastes, still hunting lends itself to be a fantastic method for the deer hunter with a firearm tag in his or her pocket. But, given the proper conditions, an archer can also use the still hunt. Let’s study these elements in detail.

The Proper Conditions

In order to up your odds of still hunting success, you need to have the proper conditions. In my opinion, a calm, sunny and dry day is just terrible for the task.

I want damp conditions to allow for quiet footfall in the timber on a calm day. Also, dry leaf litter under foot is less apt to spook game if the wind is up and covering your sound signature. Noise mitigation is paramount to the still hunter.

On sunny days, keeping the sun at your back and slowly working through the shadows is a fine way to get the drop on bedded deer. But cloudy days seem to make for better overall visibility. Keep in mind that shadows can help hide the human form, but they can also hide the whitetail just as easily.

Rain and snow can make for some excellent conditions to still hunt. However, if the ground is too wet and muddy, it can throw off your balance and make for a noisy boot slurping through the muck.

Falling snow is my absolute favorite helper. While I’m wearing some white snow camo and easing through whitetail habitat on foot, the fresh powder helps dampen one’s noise signature and ups the odds of catching a big buck on his feet.

The terrain and undergrowth also need to be considered before attempting a still hunt. Too many snags make for difficulty in slow navigation where minimal movement is desired. Terrain that is pancake flat sounds advantageous, but it is not, nor is extremely sharp terrain. Flat ground gives game the advantage of seeing you way before you see them, and aggressive contours take your mind off the task of spotting game, and you become consumed with not slipping and falling. Gentle rolling timber or hill country is a still hunter’s best ally. Terrain should be diverse enough to allow for camouflaging hunter movement, but not so sharp it is extremely hard to traverse.

A word needs to be mentioned about the condition of the still hunter themself. Being in sound physical condition with a strong core, legs and feet is a good idea. If I still hunt for a few days straight, my hips and calves get tired and sore, and I am less balanced on the trail of game. Physical form aside, by far the most important condition of any still hunter is a soundness of his or her mind. On a still hunt, you must try and remain focused and adaptable. If your mind is on work, bills, your phone or other distractions beyond the woods, you will fail in this endeavor.

When I begin a still hunt, I try to mentally check out of day-to-day life and check into the metaphysical “force” of the hunt. I try to be hyperaware of the task at hand. If I can control my mind, I can control my pace. And if I control my breathing, I control my mind. Speedy travel and a racing mind are poison to the still hunter looking to bag a buck on foot. The mental aspect of still hunting cannot be overstated. If you have a slow foot and a calm mind, you can shoot any deer in North America on a still hunt given the proper conditions.

Still Hunting Gear

A minimalist approach to still hunting is usually a good idea when choosing essential gear. I prefer to still hunt with a short-barrel firearm with a 2-7X scope, or open sights, and a quality sling. A short barrel seems to balance in both hands well, and it wields nicely while sneaking through the timber. The scope is almost exclusively on 2X, and I find it much easier to zoom up in power to spot a deer at ground level than it is to have an encounter and need to quickly zoom down in a hurry up close.

Still hunting with archery gear is challenging, but it can be done. I use a short axle-to-axle Mathews with their quick detach quiver. Personally, I hate carrying a bow during a still hunt. And mine resides on my back attached to a backpack with a device called a Bow Spider. This allows me to quickly deploy it when action calls for it, but it also allows for more balanced and streamlined travel.

As far as other essentials, I like to still hunt with a Guide Series chest harness from Vortex. It houses a pair of their 8×42 binoculars, a range finder, a wind checker and my knife and tags. This leaves no gear in my pants to snag on brush and makes it easy to get to.

For camouflage, I prefer neutral tones of tan, brown, gray or olive green, opposed to commercially available patterns meant for tree stand hunts.

In the footwear department, I despise rubber knee-high boots for still hunting. They are helpful in the mud, but I like a nimble, lace-up boot like a Danner Pronghorn. If conditions call for ultimate silence, sometimes I go barefoot or with a thick wool sock. Then I’ll attach my boots to the back of my binocular chest rig with rubber coated wire gear ties. This fall, I plan on adding a pair of Silent Pursuit brand moccasins to the list. Ultimately, still hunting gear needs to be simple, functional, easy to access and silent.

Still Hunting Techniques

Still hunting your way to a big buck may sound simple, but it is quite challenging. Once you’ve got the proper conditions and gear, it’s time to start slipping through whitetail habitat. Whenever possible, the approach should begin with the wind in your face and the sun at your back or off to one shoulder. I tend to break up my approach in 10- or 20-yard increments, and I slowly creep forward step by step to the next landmark to stop beside. But these are not ordinary walking steps. I like to “fox walk” with a stride about half as long as a normal walking stride. The “fox walk” is a three-cadence stride, where you raise your knee high above the underbrush to step forward, then gently place the ball of the foot to the ground, and finally roll your foot to place it flat. Repeat the process with short strides from your trailing leg and feel the ground below your feet for obstacles as you go.

The process is slow and tedious, and it takes a lot of focus and balance. However, with enough practice, you can effectively sneak through the timber.

Spotting bedded whitetails can be immensely tough, and the reason for the snail’s pace is to take the time to visualize everything. Looking for an antler tine in the brush or the flicker of a white tail can be a giveaway for a bedded buck’s location. You must be as thorough as possible, scanning the terrain and habitat for sign of prey. Use the terrain to your advantage and slowly peek over the next ridge or down into the next bottom.

If you can get it, snow helps the still hunter tremendously. It more easily allows you to cut a big set of buck tracks and stalk their maker, creating a very intense hunting experience. Sometimes, I’ll stop and rest a spell in some natural cover and take a mental break. I’ve found this helps restore my vigilance when I continue. For added versatility, I’ve taken to still hunting with a stand on my back during the rut in somewhat of a hybrid combination.

Though I never climb very high on these hunts, one climbing stick or a couple screw-in steps can get me six to eight feet high up in natural cover very quickly. This method is a ton of fun when big bucks are chasing does all over, and I like to chase them too!

My Successes and Failures

Before everyone reading this figures me as some authority on still hunting whitetails, I assure you I’m not. Though I know how to do it, I fail more than I succeed. No doubt, when practicing this ancient method, I spook deer way more often than I kill. But like most things in whitetail hunting, it is the few and far between successes that make up for the struggle.

During muzzleloader season in 2013, I watched a big buck and a few does feed in a morning snowstorm. Then they headed into a small patch of cover to bed for the day. Around noon, I put some snow camo on and still hunted their way. Not an hour into the hunt, I peeked over a ridge to find the group bedded in a bottom out of the wind. I rested my smoke pole on a small tree and killed the buck when he stood from his bed.

In 2016, I still hunted my way through the timber on a sunny day during the rut, and I found an old target buck tending to a doe in a brush pile. He finally gave me a shot, but my arrow missed high. During the following year’s gun season, I took off on foot for that same buck in a drizzling rain. By luck, I found him in the back of a cattle pasture, down in a valley out of the weather and made my play. He spotted me in my final approach and sprang from the cover, giving me a short window to make a shot. And I dropped him before he fled. I knew the buck to be old, but to my surprise, using tooth cementum analysis, he was aged at 9 1/2 years old!

If I never live to shoot another trophy buck on a still hunt again, tagging an ancient whitetail with the most primitive of hunting methods is a feat I assume I will never top! Hopefully, you can apply this tactic with success, too.