Morel Festivals of Midwest

It’s soon to be spring in the Midwest and with spring comes urgent need to get to the woods and beat out the crowds for the coveted morel mushroom. With hundreds of thousands of morel enthusiasts competing for diminishing hunting grounds and urgently checking morel maps and forums to see if morels are fruiting locally, communities with prime hunting grounds are planning entertaining and educational festivals. Most festivals are replete with carnivals, parades, grand forays with prizes for the largest haul, and morel auctions there’s fun for the entire family.

Simply put, Morels have an incredible, meaty flavor and are the most sought after mushroom in the US. Many folks begin hunting morels and then move on to other mushrooms, but most continue to only hunt this special fungi. If you’ve never hunted them, this is your opportunity to get out there and learn, while meeting professional foragers and learning from some of the best.

Some festivals, Like Illinois’s Midwest Morel Festival in Ottawa, Illinois concentrate on mushroom picking education through their Morel University classes, others like Wisconsin’s Musconda Morel Festival offer free rides back to your hotel for those that over indulge. All festivals stress the educational and recreational experience that a good day in the woods brings.

Each festival is put together by dedicated folks who enjoy the outdoors and are committed to others having good experiences. Whether you’re a beginning morel hunter or a seasoned pro, there’s always something to learn and great folks to meet at these fantastic events.

There have been countless books written on Morel Hunting, and I’m sure you’ll be able to find a few at each festival, but the real deep seated knowledge comes from doing and learning from some of the best is not only possible, but highly achievable by attending one of these fests.

Please click the title of each festival to go directly to that festivals website.

Mansfield Village Mushroom Festival – April 29th – 30th, 2017

Where: Mansfield Village – Parke County, Indiana

When I was a young lad my mother’s first brand new car was a 1967 VW Transport. My earliest memory is traveling with my parents and seven kids and two dogs to go to family reunions in Crawford County, Indiana. My older sisters would lead the singing, “We’re going, we’re going, we’re going to Marengo, Indiana, We’re going, we’re going we’re going to Marengo, Indiana!” was the constant refrain.

Always from Chicago we’d hit 65 to Indy and then 37 south and turn left toward English, Indiana, the county seat. Each summer we’d take a few extra hours, often to my fathers chagrin, to travel Parke County and hit the many covered bridges on the way back after a long weekend of too much food and too much play down on the farm.

This festival pairs the best family entertainment, a judged car show, and mushroom hunting. There’s nothing better for a spring weekend than to roll into town and put up for a decent show of oldies music, good beer, and decent food, all while checking out the best in central Indiana’s antique cars. One thing you won’t find here is a guided hunt. There’ll be people to tell you where to go (whether you believe them or not is up to you) but there are prizes for every category.

Don’t miss the daylong Morel Auction on the steps of the Red Barn beginning promptly at 10:00 am on Main Street. Yeah, seriously, the Old Red Barn in Downtown is a feature and important part of this community. Hit it up, hang out and let this mushroom fest connect with you and your family.

And of course I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend that you and yours would travel the county and see each of the 31 different covered bridges.

Irvine, Kentucky – April 29th – 30th – Mountain Mushroom Festival

Nestled on a peninsula of land surrounded by the Natural Bridge Resort State Park, Irvine is about 30 miles South/Southwest of Lexington, Kentucky. The Mountain Mushroom Festival features about 100 booths of arts and crafts and vendors. A parade, and carnival will also be ongoing, a 5k fun run, mushroom auction, tractor show, antique car show and cake decoration demonstration and contest are in the works.

Setting itself apart from other festivals an agate and mineral hunt is scheduled for the Mountain Mushroom Festival has, a canoe and kayak 6 mile run and a mushroom photography show. Daniel Spicer won last years men’s 5k race, Ashley Hood-Morley snagged the women’s best time fir the Fungus 5k footrace.

The Mountain Morel Festival is the only known to have a beauty and talent pageant, from 6 months to 21 years, boys and girls.

Ottawa, Illinois – May 6th – Midwest Morel Fest

On the banks of the Illinois River about an hour and a half from Chicago and about a fifteen minute drive from Starved Rock State Park and it’s famous lodge, the Midwest Morel Fest will be a large draw, featuring a “Learn to Hunt” Guided Foray by Morel University, and the Championship Foray on Saturday. The Fest also features a morel museum, a home made craft fair and tours of the local and beautiful Reddick Mansion.

The Ottawa, Illinois Midwest Morel Fest has been the place to be since 1996, and Ottawa is it’s third home, originally begun in Magnolia, Illinois for ten years it had a great run. The Henry, Illinois Chamber of Commerce organized it for several years until the economic downturn, and now the fine folks in Ottawa do the hard work of organizing it.

Sure to delight will be the home brew beer tasting and home brew seminar during their Morel Mash Up a silent auction and of course, the Morel Auction.

This years festival is a one day spectacular beginning at 7:30 am for registration, 8:30 Morel University “How to hunt Morels” class. Guided hunts and the Championship Hunt beginning at 9:00 am, prizes awarded at 2:00. Beer tasting begins at 12:30, the annual Morel Auction kicks off at 1:00pm

Tom Nauman, the fests founder tells me, “Last year was a fantastic success, morels started a couple weeks early and stuck around a couple weeks after the fest, 2016 was such a huge success. With the warm winter it seems we’ve got the perfect weekend picked and we’re anticipating a lot of repeat attendees so sign up early!”

The 2016 Illinois State Morel Mushroom Hunting Championship awards were presented to: Largest Morel went to Randy Dedecker (length plus girth at 12.5 inches) and the Grand Champion with the most found was Randy Dedecker, again, as usual. Lisa Walner, the woman’s champion snagged 17 morels.

Wyoming, Illinois – May 6th – Stark County Morel Fest

This one day Morel Festival is actually set for the first Saturday in May every year, by county decree. This festival is is halfway between Moline and Davenport, Illinois and features a morel auction and the usual round up of excellent middle American festival fare such as pork chops and sausage sandwiches as well as a round up of kids activities like ring toss and hay rides.

The new home for the fest is Catalpa Grove, five miles due west of Wyoming on route 17. The Rock Island Trail abuts the Catalpa Grove, and the and the Spoon River flows through the grounds, but don’t tell anyone, this might just be the best kept secret for small mouth bass fishing, according to the locals.

Duke Frisby, the Stark County Morel Fest founder is a stalwart in the Morel Mushroom hunting community in Central Illinois – The history of how this festival got started is really the method to get things done anywhere – whether it be a small community or large. – during a meeting with county officials regarding putting in new canoe ramps to further recreation and tourism the county decided to send it to die in the Road Department. During the same meeting and without skipping a beat Duke decided to punt and get some yardage for his community, he suggested that the county host a Morel Mushroom Festival to bring in tourists, and spur the local economy. They bit the bait and it’s been nine years of very successful Stark County Morel Festivals.

Duke Frisby told me via secured communications that a group of rabble rousers from Missouri way are going to hit the low Montana plains and score a several hundred pounds of morels between them, at least 100 pounds of which are coming back to the auction and a morel fry up at the Festival.

The Catalpa Grove Inn will be the Morel Auction Headquarters beginning at 2:00 pm, with space for overflow bidders sheltered outside it should be a full house. Rumor is that there will be a poker run that culminates at the Inn if the weather is right, so bid early and bid often! In previous years the Lions Club hosted a Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast, as of press time we were unable to find confirmation on the biscuits.

Richmond, Missouri – May 4th – 6th – “The Mushroom Capital of the World” Morel Festival

“The Mushroom Capital of the World” Morel Festival kicks off May 4th through the 6th. Attracting upwards of 5,000 people it features a kids hay ride, grand parade, carnival and a 5k run, the festival is in it’s 24th year. Organizer Natalie Lamar, a fourth generation morel hunter says, “The morel season kicks off next week, I find it a little odd that there have been morels found to the north, usually they’re fruiting here first, but with a few cool nights and warms days we’ll see a fantastic crop.”

In its 37th year the festival that began as a sidewalk sale in 1980, promises to add more food vendors to feed the over 5,000 expected attendees. Apparently the Society for Creative Anachronism also attends this festival.

Mesick, Michigan – May 12th – 14th – Mesick Annual Mushroom Festival

The Mesick Morel Festival lies just outside the Manistee National Forest and Mesick is located about 15 miles south of Traverse City, Michigan . The Fest features a flea market, an antique car show and three days of carnivals – moms ride free with kids on Mother’s Day. This fest also features a magic show, beer tent and horse pull. Sponsored by the local Lions Club the Mesick Fest also features a Softball Tournament, a 5k run, Grand Parade and a carnival. After Saturday’s Parade there will be a “Mud Bog Competition” in which 4 WD racers will compete in a mud track race.

The Mesick Chamber of Commerce concludes that Mesick is the Mushroom Capital of the Midwest, as well as being a small town with a big heart. I do know that they run a heck of a parade!

This Festival has too many activities to list, the days are packed whether you want to spend time on rides and games with the kids or want to sneak away into the woods, it’s got something for everyone.

Lewiston, Michigan – May 13th – Lewiston Morel Mushroom Festival

The Lewiston Morel Mushroom Festival is a one day event with morning guided forays, mushrooms tastings, an arts and craft show as well as an outdoor equipment show featuring archery, hunting and equipment. Lewiston is in Eastern Michigan in the Center of Grayling State Forest, about 30 miles north of Huron National Forest. The Grayling State Forest is home to some of the largest morels found.

Boyne City, Michigan – May 17th – 21st – “National Morel Mushroom Festival“

Up the glove in Michigan, spot on Lake Charlevoix the Boyne City Morel Fest is in the heart of Michigan’s Morel Country. A Carnival Midway is set up for the fest, with Music Friday and Saturday Night. The Grand Championship Foray is on Saturday, on private grounds, with participants bused over to the undisclosed location.

“I’ve been going since I was a youngster,” says Ashleigh Harris of Michigan Mushroom Marketplace, “And this is the seventh year as the sole mushroom vendor. This fest has not only cooking demonstrations but a tasting and cooking competition,” says Harris.

Ashleigh and Ken Harris, her co-owner of MMM, lost their retail shop in 2016 due to an electrical fire and have since focused on wholesale to restaurants across Michigan of both foraged and cultivated mushroom and wild foods. They’ll be opening their retail shop in 2017 and again feature prepared foods, pizzas and ready to go soups and compound butters. The entire mushroom community is anxiously awaiting their new store, myself especially because she owes me a pound of compound butter.

Muscoda, Wisconsin – May 20th – 21st – Morel Mushroom Festival

The Musconda, Wisconsin morel festival, in it’s 34th year, the festival is sponsored by the local American Legion. The Town of Musconda is nestled in state forests on the Wisconsin river halfway between Madison and Prairie du Chien, and attracts folks as far away as Chicago and the Quad Cities attracting about 3,000 people. The prime morel spots west of Lake Michigan happen to be right around Musconda.

Cinda Johnson is one of the folks that help organize the fest, Cinda says shes been coming to the festival for over 20 years, “I love being outdoors in the woods, I love the possibility of finding that honey spot.” As usual she says, “the mainstage music will be at the firehouse, but this year they’re having a DJ at Mushroom Head Quarters.”

The festival funds the local American Legion Hall’s activities, including local little league teams.

Minnesota! Black Morel Hootenanny – May 19th – May 21st Superior National Forest

This is a semi-private event, ticketed event – part camping trip, part music and food festival, part certification course. Located north of Duluth, Minnesota this trip is sponsored by Gentleman Forager, a company that specializes in full day and weekend forays throughout Minnesota.

The chefs the Gentleman Forager wholesale to come out and lead cooking demonstrations and cook most the meals. Local musicians set up and put on professional shows. The location is the real star though, and if you’ve ever wanted to see “God’s Country,” look no further.

This is certainly an a-typical morel mushroom event, camping, guided mushroom foraging, chef driven meals, certifications, and a slight edge of roughing it, this may not be for everyone, but if you’ve got the steel, then you should check it out.

Sometimes there are lesser events that don’t really include a festival. If you’re in the area, they’re really worth checking out, though may not be a family destination. These I list below.

St. Louis area – Pere Marquette Morel Festival – April 23

Pere Marquette Morel Festival is at one of Illinois most beautiful State Parks, with a lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s in the Arts and Crafts style. Arts and craft vendors will be selling attractive handmade merchandise, and I predict there will be plenty of “backroom” morel sales in the parking lot.

This will be a great day for people from Saint Louis to Peoria. If the season is early it’ll blow away other festivals with large blondes, if it’s late then your practically guaranteed to go home with the great black morels that blanket the area!

Come for the festival, and stay in the lodge! You can rent a cabin, stay in the “Modern Wing” (circa 1988) or the Historic Wing which has the best views. With phenomenal fried chicken dinners the lodge’s restaurant is a mandatory stop after a day of morel hunting. Stop by the lodge’s winery (yes, the State Park Lodge has its own winery!) for a tasting and bring a few bottles home. You can rent a boat, a bicycle or even a horse!

This festival includes prizes for the smallest, largest and most gathered during the great hunt that kicks off at 1:00 pm. Don’t blink because you might miss this one, it starts at 11:00 and and ends at 3:00 pm. Prizes include a nights stay in the lodge!

Brown County, Indiana – May 3 – Nashville, Indiana

On Saturday, May 3rd, 2014, Brown County State Park will celebrate the 8th Annual Morel Mushroom Sale & Festival! Cooking demonstrations, kid’s coloring tents, and prizes for the largest morel.

There will be a noon cooking demonstration, morel sale at 1:00 pm, as well as local musical acts. 3:30 pm is the largest, smallest and most prize awards.

Brown County, Indiana – On Hiatus – “Simply Music, Simply Morel Fest”

Unfortunately, as of this writing, the “Simply Music, Simply Morels Festival” is not being organized for 2017. We’ll update you as soon as new information is known.

Beautiful Brown County is about an hour from Indianapolis and about four and a half hours from Chicago. Rolling hills and beautiful scenery of this driftless region, along with the abundance of recreational forest land make this a truly special part of the Midwest. The people in Brown County will welcome you and make you feel like you belong. Brown County is home to Brown County State Park, Yellow Wood State Forest as well as parts of the Hoosier National Forest.

With the emphasis on education the fest has in the past booked great mushroom hunters to lead forays, Folks like Leon Shernoff of Mushroom, the Journal, Eric Osborne of Magnificent Mushrooms, Andy Methven co-author of 100 Cool Mushrooms and UI Mycologist, and Thomas “The Mushroom King” Weipert from Lewiston, Montana comingto to lead forays, cooking demonstrations and giving lectures on tree identification. Rob Poe (me) spoke in 2015, with Dave Gold of Odd Produce in Chicago about how to make a living foraging ethically full time.

Now with almost every weekend over the next month and a half booked, all I can say is, have fun! And save some for me!

Feel free to contact me to add your festival to the list

All morel hunters should take a look at the Morel Fact or Fiction Game!

Be prepared when you enter the turkey woods this spring with this year’s must-have gear.

Mossberg International SA-28 Tactical Turkey ShotgunNow that modern loads can turn sub-gauge shotguns into true turkey killers, it’s time to get a modern sub-gauge shotgun. The International SA-28 Tactical Turkey is a small-framed semi-auto gas gun with a 2¾-inch chamber designed specifically with that in mind. At only 39 inches long, this 6-pound featherweight sports a straight stock and a contoured pistol grip, providing a short but maneuverable 12.75-inch LOP. Highly visible fiber-optic ghost-ring sights come standard on the 22-inch, vent-rib barrel, as does the top-mounted Picatinny rail should you choose to add an optic. Decked out in Mossy Oak Greenleaf camo, this bad boy ships ready-to-hunt with an extended turkey choke. Also available in 20-gauge. MSRP: $902; mossberg.com.

Primos Turkey CallsWhen turkey season comes calling, Primos has what you need to call back with confidence. Three new calls for spring include The Owl Call, The Crow Call and a new aluminum Rare Breed pot call. The Owl and Crow locator calls are both made of hardwood and are designed with built-in back pressure to allow for a wide range of sounds sure to elicit a gobble from any toms in earshot. The Rare Breed pot call is now available with a water-resistant, no-conditioning-required aluminum striking surface that’ll produce wind-cutting high-pitch notes right out of the box, ringin’ the ears of lonely toms near and far. MSRP: $54.99 Owl, $45.99 Crow, $49.99 Rare Breed; primos.com.

Hevi-Shot Turkey LoadsHevi-Shot has jumped on the proverbial TSS bandwagon this year with something a bit different in its new Hevi-18 TSS Turkey shells. Not only have they loaded premium 18 g/cc density No. 7 and No. 9 TSS into their 3½- and 3-inch 12-, 20-, .410 and 28-gauge loads, but they’ve also launched a reduced-recoil 2¾-inch load of Hevi-18 for your 12- and 20-gauge guns. Now available in a 3-inch 28-gauge load, Hevi-Shot’s Magnum Blend is a bit more economical but just as deadly with a blend of 12 g/cc density No. 5, No. 6 and No. 7 tungsten shot packed into each hull. MSRP: $45.99-$103.99 Hevi-18, $38.99-$60.99 Magnum Blend; hevishot.com.

Mojo Scoot-N-Shoot Max Turkey DecoyIf you were a fan of the original Mojo Shoot-N-Scoot “reaping” decoy, then the upgraded Shoot-N-Scoot Max should tickle your tail feathers. Built to take advantage of the aggressive nature of breeding gobblers, sometimes resulting in charging birds at uncomfortably close ranges, the new Max version sports the ability to attach either the included artificial wings and tail fan to get a turkey’s attention, or the real thing. Fan includes a mesh viewing window and wings sport orange for safety. Check local laws surrounding turkey “reaping” before you hit the field. MSRP: $79.99; mojooutdoors.com.

Iver Johnson Pump Turkey ShotgunLooking for a solid turkey gun that’ll tackle turkeys nationwide but won’t put you in the hole? This 12-gauge pump gun from Iver Johnson is all that and more. While the PAS12MO could use a better name, it sports a Mossy Oak Obsession camo finish, twin action bars for dependable cycling, a 3-inch chamber, a Pic rail for mounting optics and, perhaps best of all, the push-button ability to remove the buttstock and convert to a pistol-grip shotgun with a 24-inch barrel. How cool is that? MSRP: $386; iverjohnsonarms.com.

Nomad Bull Lounger Turkey VestBe you a run-and-gun gobble chaser or a sit-and-wait ambush hunter, the Bull Lounger adapts to your style of hunting. A lightweight, adjustable and removable aluminum frame provides a solid back rest just about anywhere a turkey may demand you set up, and the thick foam seat means you’ll be able to sit comfortably to wait him out. Pockets galore adorn this pack, 23 in total, starting with a huge game pouch at the rear, water bottle pockets, a Thermacell pocket and various call pockets and zippered compartments out front for your shells, gloves, cellphone, sandwich and everything else you can possibly think of. Available in Mossy Oak Bottomland and Shadow Leaf. MSRP: $250; nomadoutdoor.com.

APEX Mossy Oak Greenleaf Turkey TSS BlendApex Ammunition has partnered with Mossy Oak to release a special offering to turkey hunters this year: a duplex load consisting of No. 9 and No. 10 TSS pellets. Engineered for massive payloads and tight patterns, the Mossy Oak Greenleaf Turkey TSS Blend is available in 3-inch 12-gauge 2¼-ounce loads and 3-inch 20-gauge 1⅝-ounce loads throwing an incredible 1,096 and 774 ultra-dense 18 g/cc density TSS pellets. Shells are handloaded to tight tolerances and use a super-tough, tungsten-grade wad to deliver tight patterns and protect your barrel. MSRP: $49.99-$62.99; apexammunition.com.

ALPS OutdoorZ High Ridge Chair and Dash Panel BlindIf you’re going to be sittin’ for a spell waiting on a strutter, you might as well do it in a chair designed for the task. The low-profile High Ridge Chair from ALPS unfolds into a comfy low-lounger with a call table attached conveniently to the side. Built-in pockets keep calls organized and within easy reach, and a dedicated pocket holds your Thermacell in the perfect spot. Used with or without a chair, the Dash Panel Blind is a lightweight and quick-deploying ground blind for hiding up to two hunters. Three-sided design provides more than full-frontal concealment and sports mesh viewing windows on the side panels and a large adjustable Silent-Trac shooting window out front. Includes ground stakes and a carry bag. MSRP: $79.99 chair; $139.99 blind; alpsoutdoorz.com.

Knock ‘Em Dead — TenPoint Flatline 460

A compact crossbow that’s built to unleash bolts at blistering speeds, TenPoint Crossbow Technologies’ Flatline 460 combines maneuverability, accuracy and hard-hitting impact into one dynamic package. Thanks to its reverse-draw assembly, RX8-Cam system and 14-inch power stroke, this crossbow has a tight profile — only 26.5 inches long and 7.5 inches wide when cocked — yet it’s capable of launching the included EVO-X CenterPunch 16-inch, 400-grain carbon bolts at an impressive 460 fps. The crossbow’s Vector-Quad Cable technology uses four cables instead of two to help eliminate cam lean and produce straight nock travel, while the 16-inch MICRO-TRAC barrel reportedly reduces string contact by 50 percent, furthering string life and boosting downrange accuracy.

The Flatline 460, which weighs 7.5 pounds without accessories, is topped by TenPoint’s EVO-X Marksman Elite 2-8X variable-speed scope that promises precision accuracy out to 100 yards. TenPoint also has teamed with Burris Optics for the Flatline 460 Oracle X, essentially the same crossbow model but topped with Burris’ Oracle X laser-rangefinding scope that produces dead-on aimpoints with the simple push of a button. Other Flatline 460 highlights include the S1 two-stage, zero-creep trigger offering a consistent, crisp 3.5-pound pull and the TEC-TACTICAL stock with adjustable butt plate. The bow, which is available in Veil Alpine Camo, also comes with an integrated string stop system, six bolts, 6-bolt Tech Quiver, Sentry Bowhanger to hang your bow in the stand and a bubble level to prevent canting. TenPoint’s ACUslide cocking and de-cocking system is also included in the package. $2,599.99 (Marksman Elite), $3,299.99 (Oracle X) | tenpointcrossbows.com

Deadly Big-Game Killer — Excalibur Assassin Extreme

The latest addition to Excalibur’s Assassin crossbow line, the Assassin Extreme is more maneuverable than previous models thanks to its reduced weight, yet it still delivers hard-hitting impact and superb accuracy to take down a variety of game. The Micro High-Output Express Limbs and 15-inch power stroke combine to propel bolts up to 400 fps, while the included Charger EXT cranking system reduces cocking effort to 22 pounds. The bow, which weighs 6.9 pounds without accessories and 9.6 pounds fully loaded, is available in Flat Dark Earth finish and comes with a Tact-100 scope, four Quill 16.5-inch bolts, four 100-grain fieldpoints, 4-bolt quiver, R.E.D.S. Suppressors, CeaseFire de-cocking aid and more. A second model, available only at dealers, comes in Flat Dark Earth or Realtree Excape (pictured), with an Overwatch Scope, four ProFlight 16.5-inch bolts, four 100-grain fieldpoints, 4-bolt quiver, R.E.D.S. Suppressors and CeaseFire de-cocking aid. $1,399.99 | excaliburcrossbow.com

New Looks And Feature — Ravin XK7 Series

Ravin Crossbows continues to expand its innovative options for crossbow hunters in 2024 by adding the new XK7 Series, featuring the King’s Camo XK7 pattern and a new Speed Lock feature on the company’s illuminated crossbow scope. An orange ring on the scope that secures the speed dial after the bow is sighted in and calibrated, the Speed Lock is designed to ensure you remain on-target by preventing the scope from moving or accidentally getting bumped out of position during transit. The XK7 pattern and Speed Lock will be available on Ravin’s signature R500 series crossbows, as well as the R10, R10X, R5X, R26X, R29X and R29X Sniper. Price Varies by Model | ravincrossbows.com

Lighter, Faster Constrictor — Bear X Constrictor Pro

The Constrictor Pro from Bear X is lighter, faster and more compact than previous Constrictor models. Only 10 inches wide when cocked (12 inches at rest), this 32-inch-long crossbow boasts a narrow profile yet is capable of achieving blistering bolt speeds of up to 420 fps. The 4-bolt, top-mounting quiver sits on a 360-degree pivot, allowing it to be mounted on the left- or right-hand side of the bow and providing convenient, easy access whether you’re a righty or southpaw. Finish options include Stone/Veil Whitetail and Stone/TrueTimber Strata. The Constrictor Pro weighs 9 pounds with accessories, and it comes with three Bear X TrueX Max bolts, quiver, illuminated reticle/speed-adjustable scope, sling, arrow lube and string wax. $699.99 | beararchery.com

Sneaky Assassin — TenPoint Stealth 450

Billed as TenPoint’s fastest forward-draw crossbow ever, the Stealth 450 sends bolts downrange at up to 450 fps when using the 400-grain bolts that come with the bow. The crossbow checks in at only 6.5 inches wide when cocked, with a length of 33 inches and a weight of 7.5 pounds without accessories. Helping the Stealth 450 achieve its exceptional downrange accuracy are the EVO-X Marksman Elite 2-8X scope and new scope struts that reportedly increase rigidity and strength by 80 percent. The scope struts, along with the longer scope-mounting dovetail, provide exceptional stability for a range of scopes including heavier laser-rangefinding and thermal scopes. The Stealth 450, like all TenPoint models, comes as a fully-assembled, ready-to-shoot package with three Pro Elite 400 Carbon Crossbow bolts, integrated string stop system, 6-bolt Tech Quiver, Sentry Bowhanger, bubble level and more. It also features the ACUslide system for easy cocking of the bow — reducing the draw weight to 5 pounds — and for safe de-cocking. Bowhunters looking for the ultimate in accuracy will appreciate that this crossbow is also available with the Oracle X laser-rangefinding scope from Burris. $2,099.99 (Marksman Elite), $2,799.99 (Oracle X) | tenpointcrossbows.com

Retro Look, Modern Performance — Excalibur Wolverine

Excalibur Crossbow is celebrating 40 years of crossbow excellence this year, and to honor its rich history, the company is paying tribute to its first-ever crossbow with the new Wolverine. This lightweight, dependable bow checks in at just 8 pounds with accessories (6.4 pounds without accessories), measures 31.5 inches long and sends bolts downrange at up to 360 fps. It comes with an Overwatch Scope, R.E.D.S. Suppressors, Rebolt Quiver, four ProFlight 16.5-inch bolts, four 100-grain fieldpoints, a rope cocking and de-cocking aid. Leading the safety features is Excalibur’s CeaseFire technology that ensures the bow can’t be fired unless a bolt is loaded, the safety is off and the trigger is pulled. In keeping with the retro theme, the Wolverine comes in Mossy Oak Bottomland, the pattern that started Mossy Oak more than 35 years ago. $1,099.99 | excaliburcrossbow.com

Lightweight Big-Game Slayer — Wicked Ridge Rampage XS

Wicked Ridge’s lightest crossbow ever, the Rampage XS combines performance, dependability and affordability, making it an excellent choice for new archery hunters and veteran bowhunters alike. Molded from glass-filled polypropylene, the Rampage XS stock features strategic cutouts to reduce bow weight and improve balance. The bow, which is 4 inches shorter than the previous Rampage, marries a 175-pound draw with 11-inch WRX laminated limbs and heavy-duty 5S cams to launch bolts up to 390 fps. Safety features include TenPoint’s Dry-Fire Inhibitor that prevents the string from accidentally firing if a bolt isn’t loaded as well as large safety wings above the foregrip to prevent fingers from accidentally sliding into the flight deck. The crossbow, which is 31.5 inches long and 15 inches wide when cocked, comes in Peak XT Camo. It’s available with either the XS Stock with a built-in ACUdraw cocking device or a tactical stock with an AR-style, adjustable butt stock (2.5 inches of adjustability) and rope sled. The tactical stock setup weighs only 5.8 pounds, while the XS Stock with the ACUdraw checks in at 6.5 pounds. Three bolts and TenPoint’s ProView Scope are also included with the package. $649.99 with ACUdraw; $549.99 with rope sled | wickedridgecrossbows.com

An Invaluable Value — Bear X Domain 410

If you’re on the hunt for a crossbow that’s not only accurate and dependable but also won’t break the bank, the Domain 410 is an excellent option. This new-for-2024 horizontal bow is only 12 inches wide cocked (14 inches at rest) yet features a 185-pound draw weight, helping to send bolts on their way at 410 fps. The bow, which is 35 inches long and weighs 9 pounds with all the accessories, comes as a ready-to-shoot package, complete with three Bear X TrueX Max bolts, illuminated reticle/speed-adjustable scope, manual cocking aid, sling, arrow lube, string wax and more. It’s available in a Stone/Mossy Oak Country DNA finish. $549.99 | beararchery.com

Made For Tight Confines — Exclaibur Micro Extreme

Bowhunters who find themselves in tight spaces such as a ground blind or foliage-rimmed treestand will appreciate the versatility, maneuverability and lightweight design of the Micro Extreme. Designed to propel bolts up to 360 fps, this crossbow measures 31.5 inches long and weighs only 8 pounds fully loaded (6.4 pounds without accessories). CeaseFire technology ensures you can’t accidentally fire the bow without a bolt in place and the safety off, while the heavy duty design means the Micro Extreme is built to last. A Dead Zone scope, R.E.D.S. Suppressors, four Quill 16.5-inch bolts, a 4-bolt quiver, four 100-grain fieldpoints, rope cocker and a CeaseFire de-cocking aid complete the setup. $949.99 | excaliburcrossbow.com

Sleek And Powerful — TenPoint Viper 430

The next step in the evolution of TenPoint’s popular Viper S400, the Viper 430 is 30 fps faster than the original Viper and features a narrower frame (6.5 inches wide when cocked), a big plus when hunting tight areas. TenPoint is able to achieve better velocity and enhanced accuracy with this model via new scope struts that improve stability, RX6-Cams that rotate 340 degrees and an increased power stroke of 13 inches, resulting in bolts flying 430 fps when shooting the 400-grain Pro Elite 400 carbon bolts that come with the package.

As with the majority of newer TenPoint models, the Viper 430 comes equipped with the ACUslide Cocking and De-cocking System, which includes an auto-brake gear system that locks the handle in place if you let go or your hand accidentally slips off while cocking or de-cocking the bow. The crossbow also features the new RangeMaster 100, a 2-7X variable-speed scope that features higher quality glass for better clarity and brightness and aim points out to 100 yards. The Viper 430 comes fully assembled and ready to hit the range, with three bolts, a 3-bolt quiver, Sentry Bowhanger and much more. $1,699.99 (Moss Green), $1,799.99 (Vektra Camo) | tenpointcrossbows.com

Perfect For Any Hunter — Bear X Trance 410

Designed to hit game hard without doing the same to your wallet, the Bear X Trance 410 is accurate, reliable and fast, yet checks in at less than $500. The Trance 410 boasts a narrow profile — only 12 inches wide when cocked (14 inches wide uncocked) — and fires bolts 410 fps thanks to its 185-pound draw weight and 14.5-inch power stroke. The bow sports a black finish and comes with a manual cocking sled. Three Bear X TrueX Max bolts, 4×32 illuminated reticle scope, 4-bolt quiver and sling are all included. $499.99 | beararchery.com

Top-Notch Starter Package — Wicked Ridge Blackhawk XT

A solid option for someone just starting out in crossbow hunting, the Blackhawk XT is not only fast, accurate and affordable, it’s also available with the ACUdraw integrated cocking device that reduces the 175-draw weight to a mere 5 pounds of force, making cocking the bow super easy. Capable of launching bolts up to 380 fps, this horizontal bow measures 35 inches long, 15 inches wide when cocked and weighs 6 pounds without the scope and accessories. It comes with a TenPoint Multi-Line Scope, three Match 400 Carbon Alpha-Nock bolts, 3-bolt quiver and more. In addition to the ACUDraw, the Blackhawk XT is also available with the ACUdraw 50, an integrated rope-cocking device that features self-retracting cords/hooks that magnetically store in the butt stock when not in use. If you want to introduce a youth or new hunter to archery hunting, this entry level model is packed with positives! $549.99 (with ACUdraw), $449.99 (with ACUdraw 50) | wickedridgecrossbows.com

Learning how to skin a raccoon is not a difficult task.

With a few simple tools and a little patience anyone can learn how to skin, flesh, stretch and dry a raccoon pelt.

One of the biggest mistakes made during the fur harvesting process occurs during the skinning or fleshing of the furbearer.

Why is this stage so important?

Improperly skinning the animal can decrease its value or even worse, make it worth nothing at all.

Proper fur handling is an important step that everyone should understand.

Not only will you feel a sense of pride or satisfaction from a job well done, you’ll also get a better price from the fur buyer for all your hard work.

There are two basic ways to skin a furbearer……open and cased.

“Open” describes a method used to skin beaver or badger where a cut is made down the belly and the pelt is tacked out flat.

“Cased” is the most common method of skinning a furbearer.

Muskrats, mink, coyotes, fox, raccoons and many other animals are skinned this way.

Cased furs are processed by cutting a slit in the animals hide from one hind foot pad to the other.

A small slit is made in the tail and the tailbone is removed leaving the tail fur attached to the pelt.

Then, the pelt is removed from the animal in a process that’s similar to taking off your shirt or socks.

Once the hide is removed it’s then fleshed, stretched and allowed to dry.

How To Skin A Raccoon

Although it’s pretty easy to remove the skin from a raccoon, they contain a lot of fat which sometimes makes the fleshing process a little time consuming and messy.

Before you begin, I recommend wearing a pair of latex surgical gloves during the entire process.

The rubber or latex gloves not only keep your hands clean, but they also protect you from various diseases that raccoons have been known to carry.

I’ve also found using a thin bladed skinning knife or pocket knife, like a Buck or Old Timer knife, with a sharp blade works the best.

How To Skin A Raccoon Step-By-Step Process

To begin cut around the front and rear ankles where the fur meets the top of the foot.

Next, starting at the hind foot pad, on the inside of the foot just above the heal, cut straight across the body just above the vent or anus.

Cut all the way across in a straight line to the opposite foot pad.

In a “V” shape cut around the vent on both sides and then cut about a 3-4 inch slit along the underside of the tail.

Using your knife and hand pressure, remove the skin from around the legs far enough so you can attach a skinning gambrel or other similar device around its rear legs so the raccoon can be hung upside down.

Using your knife to remove any connective tissue, work the hide off the legs, around the cuts near the vent and around the cut on the tailbone.

Expose a couple inches of the tailbone and remove the tailbone using a tail stripper.

For best results use a push/pull motion with your hands and the tail stripper.

At this point you can pretty much grab the hide and pull it down like a sock, using your knife to cut away any connective tissue that gets in the way.

When you reach the front arms, work the hide around the elbow and stick your fingers between elbow/armpit area until you can pull the hide down off the front wrists.

Do this on both front legs.

While pulling down on the fur, remove the fur from around the head until you reach the ears.

Cut off the ears leaving them attached to your “cased” skin.

Using the ear holes for leverage, continue to pull the pelt down and cut around the eyes, lips and finally cut the pelt off at the nose.

That’s it!

The skinning process is now done and you’re ready to flesh.

How To Skin A Raccoon – Flesh Removal

Place the cased raccoon skin over your fleshing beam, flesh side out.

Using a small clamp to clamp the nose area will keep the pelt from slipping over the end of the fleshing beam.

Position the pelt evenly on the beam and begin to slowly remove the flesh and fat with the sharp part of your fleshing knife.

Start at the base of the ears and slowly work your way down the pelt using a slight slicing motion with your knife.

Necker Fleshing Knife

Once the fat starts coming off you can turn your knife over to the dull edge and push away from your body, removing the fat from the hide.

Flesh about half way down the pelt and then rotate the pelt on the fleshing beam.

Continue fleshing the pelt until all flesh and muscle has been removed.

Once the hide has been fleshed the final step is to stretch and dry the fur over either a board or wire stretcher.

Overall – How To Skin A Raccoon

Learning how to skin a raccoon the proper way will ensure the you get the maximum amount of money when you take your furs to a buyer.

Take your time, do a good clean job, and your hard work will be rewarded.

This article is one of many from our Aoudad Prep Series

Can you eat Aoudad?

You’re damn right you can. Is it the easiest game meat to prepare? No. However, it really isn’t that much different than other “tough” species like Mountain Goat or Ibex. The name of the game is to fight the texture via slow cooking, cutting thin pieces of meat and/or grinding the meat.

I personally believe the bias against eating big Aoudad rams is more cultural than anything else. Folks say “they smell like hell” or “my dog won’t even eat that rank meat”. Yes, a big ram does stink but so does a slammer big horn sheep or a bull elk who has spent the past two weeks of the rut pissing all over his belly and front legs. Be careful how you take care of the animal in the field, and aoudad meat smells just like other game meats. When I have prepared it, most folks describe the taste as mild, almost lean beef-like.

Cliff and Amy’s Aoudad Tacos Recipe

This recipe throws in the three important components to any Mountain Goat, Ibex or Aoudad preparation: 1) Physical Texture – We slice the meat thin. 2) Lean – We add a little pork fat for taste and extra fat. 3) Cooking Texture – We slow cook the meat for about 1 hr. This taco recipe is basic and doesn’t include any specific amounts or exact cooking times. Make it to your taste.

Ingredients

• Purple Onion
• Cornstarch
• Limes
• Fresh Garlic
• Corn Tortillas
• Red Chili – I use Blue Ribbon Medium Hot
• Fatty Pork Cut – I use shoulder roast
• Aoudad Back Strap
• Butter
• Salt and Pepper

You will need a deep stock pot and a large skillet.

Step 1 – Prepare the Meat

One of the most important components of preparing game meat is to remove all the silver skin, hair, dirt, etc… A lot of this can be done in the field, but tidy it all up before cooking.

Separate the muscle groups on the backstrap and slice into 6-12″ pieces so you can better remove everything except the red meat.

Next, cut thin slices across the grain of the backstrap. Shooting for slices 1/4″ thick is a good target.

Once you have all the slices done, push them together in batches and cut across the meat. The result is best described as “diced”.

When I add any domestic meat/fat to wild game meat, I try to use as little as possible so I retain most the healthy aspects of the game meat. For this preparation, using a well trimmed yet fatty pork shoulder, I used roughly 1/6th the amount of the shoulder relative to aoudad meat. Unlike the aoudad, I cut the pork shoulder into larger chunks around 1×1 inch squares. Mix the pork with the aoudad and season with salt and pepper.

Step 2 – Brown the Meat

Start off by cutting some fresh garlic and adding it to a hot pan with an ample amount of butter. Don’t skimp on that butter! Next, slowly add the meat. As the meat cooks on high heat, periodically stir. You want the meat to brown with a golden color before turning the heat off. The meat should be completely cooked on the outside, but retain it’s “juicyness”.

Step 3 – Slow Cook in Chili

This is where it starts to get fun. First, move the browned meat into a deep stock pot. Next, add the Blue Ribbon red chili with a cup of water. As we slowly cook the meat in the chili over low heat, we will get a reduction in the chili. The water mitigates some of the natural thickening and keeps all the meat covered while cooking with the chili. Stir occasionally and cook on low heat for 1-1.5 hrs.

As you get close to being done cooking the meat, use small amounts of cornstarch and water to thicken/thin the chili sauce to the consistency you prefer. For making tacos, you need the sauce to be close to syrup thickness. When using cornstarch, never quit stirring or it will ball-up into little gross dumplings.

Step 4 – Serve

This is all up to personal preference. We chop up some fresh onion and lettuce, warm up corn tortillas, cut limes, and serve with cilantro. Enjoy!

Today I’m going to show you the best 22LR scope for target shooting.

In fact:

I’ve hand-tested 18 scopes alone for this review.

The best part?

I’ve sorted the scopes by use. So whether you’re on a budget or need the best 22LR optic, you’ll find it here.

Let’s dive in!

The 4 Best 22LR Scope for Target Shooting

If you’re pressed on time, here’s a quick list of the best 22LR scopes:

1. Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire: Best Overall 22LR Scope
2. Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire: Best Close-to-Medium Range Scope
3. Bushnell Drop Zone-22 2-7×32: Best Short-range Varmint Hunting
4. Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50: Best Short-to-Long Range 22LR Scope

1. Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire: Best Overall 22LR Scope

The Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire is the best overall 22LR scope.

I’ve used it for hunting, target shooting, night time hunting and more.

What makes it so versatile?

Keep reading and I’ll show you…

Glass Clarity & Reticle

Here’s the thing:

When a scope is positioned at a low price point like the Leupold Freedom Rimfire, it usually equates to reduced quality.

But that’s wasn’t the case here.

In fact, the glass on this scope is just as crisp and clear as the glass used on more expensive Leupold sights.

It’s also great in low light conditions, making the visibility problems I usually face with early morning shooting nonexistent.

But what about the reticle?

It’s a standard duplex reticle set in the second focal plane.

This allows you to have a strong and easy to see reticle at all magnifications.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

It has a whopping 4.1” of eye relief!

That’s more than any other scope on this list.

The best part?

You can shoot with both eyes open, and accurately hit your target without worrying about getting a black eye 🙂

Durability & Weight

The VX-Freedom Rimfire is well built.

It’s crafted with lightweight aluminum that is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged.

In other words:

It’s completely shockproof, waterproof and fogproof.

In the dead of winter, with snow actively falling, I didn’t have a single temperature or fog related problem.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The dials worked correctly, and are set at ¼ MOA with audible clicks to ensure precision.

However, the knobs feel cheap. The plastic used on the knobs is soft and feels like something you find in a dollar store.

Don’t get me wrong:

The knobs work fine and do exactly what they are supposed to do. I just wish Leupold used a higher quality plastic or even aluminum for the knob.

That being said, they are accurate, easy to use and track true. It’s also easy to zero, and holds zero even with strong recoil or accidental drops.

Magnification & Parallax

The 1.5-4x magnification is perfect for hunting and target shooting.

In fact, I’ve used it up to 200 yards without a problem. Further than that would require more magnification. I’d recommend checking out myVortex Viper HST 4-16×44 Review.

Although parallax is fixed, I experienced no blurriness or fuzziness when shooting within 100 yards.

Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire Review: Is It Worth It?

If you’re looking for the best overall 22 LR scope that will work in almost any situation, then the Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire is for you.

Here’s why. It’s:

• Affordable
• Clear glass
• Lightweight
• Works well in low light
• Short-to-medium range magnification

In short:

The Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire Riflescope is budget friendly and easy to use scope. Plus, it’s backed by Leupold’s lifetime guarantee.

You break it, they’ll fix it…free of charge.

2. Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire: Best Close-to-Medium Range Scope

Looking for the best close-to-medium range scope for target shooting? Then get a Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32.

Not only is it affordable, but the scope’s features is built with quality.

Like what?

Keep reading to find out…

Glass Clarity & Reticle

Glass clarity is always one of the defining features on a Vortex optic and the Crossfire II 2-7x is no exception.

This scope has a fully multi-coated lens that provides a stunningly bright and clear view of your target.

The lens also has an anti-reflective coating. This reduces light absorption to minimize any glare that could appear in your sight,

What’s better is the V-plex reticle.

It’s a popular hunting reticle that can be used for about any hunting applications. That’s why I recommended it in my 4 best scopes for Ruger 10/22 guide.

However, it’s wire constructed. Although it’s not bad, it can break and occasionally lose their position.

This reticle is a second focal plane (SFP) which lets you increase or decrease magnification without changing the size of the reticle.

So the reticle gets to do its job without obstructing your view of the target.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

One sure sign of a quality optic is the eye relief.

A good scope should allow you to have a comfortable distance between your eye and the eyepiece while still being able to clearly see the full field of view.

The Crossfire II really delivers in this area. It offers a very forgiving 3.9 inches of eye relief at the lowest magnification and 4.7 inches at the highest magnification.

The eye box (range of positioning behind the eyepiece) is also really generous. This allows for faster target acquisition and is a big reason why this optic can be recommended for both tactical use as well as for hunting.

Durability & Weight

The Vortex reputation is built on the company’s resolve to make a product that endures.

Crossfire II displays all the signs of the vortex standards

Like other Vortex products, the Crossfire II has been designed to surpass the standards of similarly-priced riflescopes.

The hard-anodized tube is made from aircraft-grade aluminum which protects it against scratches and dings.

The design is also shockproof, ensuring that the components aren’t easily jumbled by the movement of your gun. Not to mention movements that come with normal use, such as, having it packed up with the rest of your gear in the back of your truck, or even accidentally knocking it over or dropping it.

The scope is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, making it both waterproof and fog proof.

If for some reason any of these features fail or your scope is damaged in any way, Vortex covers it with its VIP lifetime warranty.

The company will either repair or replace your Crossfire II, no matter what the problem is or how long you’ve had it.

To top it all off, this heavy-duty scope weighs just 14.3oz. — a comfortable addition to most rifles.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The turrets on the Crossfire II are medium height and finger adjustable.

The knobs have a sturdy feel to them and can be easily manipulated, even with a gloved hand. Both turrets are capped to protect your settings and can be reset back to zero after sighting in.

Windage and elevation can both be adjusted to 60 MOA with each click measuring ¼ MOA.

Magnification & Parallax

With a magnification of 2-7x, this is a scope meant for close to medium-range shooting.

The parallax adjustment is fixed up to 100yds which is a good fit for this level of magnification.

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Review: Is It Worth It?

With a price tag of only $129, you are getting a great scope with quality features that many people pay twice as much for.

Not only that, but when you take into account the lifetime warranty, it’s almost a no brainer.

In short:

If you’re looking for a solid tactical scope that excels in hunting, then I’d recommend the Crossfire II.

3. Bushnell Drop Zone-22 2-7×32: Best Short-range Varmint Hunting

Want to do short-range varmint hunting?

Or rimfire tactical matches?

Then take a look at the Bushnell Drop Zone-22 2-7×32. It’s literally designed for the .22 LR round.

The best part?

It’s super affordable. Let’s take a closer look…

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The glass is surprisingly good.

In fact, I didn’t notice any tunnel vision from the bezel like I do with other similarly-priced optics.

But what’s even better is the Drop Zone-22 BDC reticle.

It’s specifically engineered for 38-40 grain, .22 LR high-velocity loads, with a 50-yard zero.

What that means is it specifically measures the .22 LR’s trajectory, giving you completely accurate bullet drop estimates.

This is perfect if you do short-range varmint hunting or rimfire tactical matches.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

The 3.6” of eye relief is very forgiving — even at full magnification.

Also, the eye box is generous. I didn’t experience any eye fatigue.

Durability & Weight

The Drop Zone-22 is built like a tank.

It’s O-ring sealed, argon purged and crafted from durable aluminum. Which means, the scope is waterproof, fogproof and shockproof.

However, it comes at a hefty cost:

Heavy weight.

At about 19.5 ounces in weight, the Drop-Zone 22 is one of the heaviest scope in its class.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The exposed target turrets are reliable.

They produce positive, crisp clicks. No tools are required. And the ¼ MOA is very precise.

However, the dials are a bit stiff to turn…at first. With usage, it’ll loosen up.

Moving on, zeroing was easy. After 7 rounds, I was zeroed in. It also held zero like a champ. 82 rounds and a few hikes later, I still haven’t lost zero.

Magnification & Parallax

Just like the turrets, the power ring is also rather stiff.

The solution?

Use a throw-over lever. This makes turning the knob a breeze.

No products found.

The scope is also equipped with an adjustable side parallax knob. This is gold…considering the price of the optic.

It can adjust as low as 10 yards to infinity. A plus if you’re plinking, engaging close targets or rimfire shooting.

In short:

The 2-7x magnification and parallax adjustment is clean and precise.

Bushnell Optics Drop Zone-22 Review: Is It Worth It?

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly 22LR scope, then get a Bushnell Drop Zone-22.

Here’s why. It’s got:

• Durable
• Clear glass
• Long eye relief
• 22LR BDC reticle
• Side parallax adjustment

It’s literally designed for small game hunting, plinking and rimfire shooting.

The best part?

It’s backed by Bushnell’s lifetime warranty. So if ANYTHING happens to the scope, they’ll fix er’ up for free.

4. Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50: Best Short-to-Long Range 22LR Scope

The Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 is the best short-to-long range scope for your 22lr rifle.

In fact:

The Argos BTR packs in many of the features of top-dollar scopes, but for a fraction of the cost. Like what? Keep reading to find out…

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The glass on the Argos BTR is very high quality, which means the image you see through your scope is clear and crisp. In fact, the Argos BTR excels in low-light conditions.

I’ve found that it’s the perfect scope for dusk and dawn hunts. This is because the BTR is made with a fully multi-coated lens which provides fantastic light transmission.

I’ve noticed that when I zoom in to 18-24x, I get a little bit of blurriness. That said, for under $400, you really can’t beat the image clarity of the BTR.

Now let’s take a look at the reticle.

I was expecting a pretty basic reticle from this scope, especially considering the price. However, the BTR uses an illuminated, etched APMR MIL reticle. It’s anything but basic!

Here’s a look at the APMR MIL reticle:

I really like the illuminated reticle, especially when I’m shooting in low-light conditions. There are 11 brightness settings which means that I can find the perfect illumination level every time.

I do wish that the BTR had an auto-shutoff feature to help save on battery life, but I tend to keep an extra Lithium battery in my bag just in case.

Also, since the reticle is etched into the glass, you don’t need to turn on the illumination at all if you don’t want to. The etched reticle is also much more durable than a wired crosshair, so you don’t have to worry about your wires getting knocked off center.

One of the best things about the Argos BTR is that it is a first focal plane riflescope, which means that the reticle grows as you zoom in on your target. No more calculations for holdover or windage when you change your magnification.

I love that the MIL reticle works at all ranges, and this feature usually only comes in scopes that cost over $1000.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

The eye relief on the BTR is a nice, comfy 3.3 inches. This is perfect for low-to-zero recoil calibers like 22lr.

The eye box is also nice and generous, although I’ve noticed it does shrink a little as you zoom in to max.

Durability

The Argos BTR is incredibly durable. The tube is made from heat-treated, aircraft grade aluminum and is sealed with O-rings.

As if that’s not enough, the whole tube is made from a single piece of metal, which makes it stronger and more waterproof than multi-piece scope tubes. The BTR is also argon-purged and uses an etched reticle.

All of these features mean that the scope is able to handle any kind of conditions and take any kind of punishment that I might throw at it.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

Here’s the scope’s biggest con…

The turrets move very easily, with almost no resistance…which can lead to over adjusting.

However, I spent about ten minutes re-greasing the turret caps. When I was done, the turrets felt much less mushy and the clicks were a lot louder.

If you’ve never regreased turrets before, here’s a quick video showing you how to do it:

Zeroing was a very easy process. I was able to zero the scope in less than ten rounds once I was hitting paper.

And I’ve put hundreds of rounds through my 22lr since, and the zero has held true.

In my experience, these turrets have proved to be very reliable.

Parallax & Magnification

The parallax adjustment knob works very well. It’s easy to turn and accurate. This makes for easy adjustments in the field.

The 6-24x magnification is probably my favorite thing about this scope. Whether I want to shoot something ten yards out or plink a target at 1000 yards, the BTR is my go-to.

The scope image is very clear up until about 20x. After that it gets a little bit blurry, so you may want to invest in a higher-end scope if you want to do a lot of extreme distance shooting.

That said, I’ve found that the Argos BTR still functions well at 1000 yards, especially when you consider the price.

Mounting & Rings

The Argos BTR doesn’t come with any rings or a mount, so I’d suggest getting a set of High Scope Rings that fit your 22lr.

The scope does come with a set of lens covers, which is nice. It also includes a battery for the illuminated reticle.

I went ahead and bought a 50mm Athlon Sunshade to use for my daytime shooting.

It helps a lot with glare and reflections.

Is the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 Worth It?

If you need an all-range scope for your 22lr, you can’t go wrong with the Argos BTR.

Here’s why. It has:

• First focal plane
• 6-24x magnification
• Excellent in low-light
• Reliable, hand-adjustable turrets
• Illuminated, etched BTR MIL reticle
• Fully multi-coated glass for clear, crisp image

And all of this comes in a package that costs a fraction of what other competing scopes cost.

If all of that wasn’t enough, the BTR comes with Athlon’s Gold Medal lifetime warranty, so you know you’re covered if anything happens to your riflescope.

If you want all these features in a low-cost riflescope, then the Argos BTR 6-24×50 is for you.

Looking for a riflescope for your AR? Here’s our list of the 7 Best AR-15 Scopes and Optics.

Now It’s Your Turn

I hope you enjoyed my best 22LR scope for target shooting guide.

So as a recap:

If you’re looking for the best overall .22LR target shooting scope, then get the Leupold VX-Freedom Rimfire.

What about the best close-to-medium range optic? The Crossfire II 2-7×32 is for you.

If you’re into short-range varmint hunting, then opt-in for the Bushnell Drop Zone-22.

Or if you’re looking for the best short-to-long range scope, then get the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50.

Whichever .22LR scope you choose, you’re bound to hit a reliable, yet effective optic. I’ve spent hundreds of rounds through each one with no failure.

Now I want to turn it over to you:

Which rifle scope will you pick for your .22LR?

Let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.

While the MeatEater crew may not publish directly a list of their specific equipment, with a little patience and some research we have identified some of the rifles that Steve Rinella does in fact shoot. These rifles are all similar but each are unique. Each of them is a high quality option, and represents a variety of budgets.

Steven Rinella shoots a variety of rifle models but always chooses left-hand actions and currently prefers the Weatherby Mark V Meateater Edition Rifle that he helped design. He has also been seen using a Savage Arms 110 rifle, a Custom Carolina Rifle, a custom built Weaver Rifle, and a CZ Model 452 for small game.

A similarity between all these rifles is all are left handed actions. Below we will talk about each one of these rifles. Keep reading to find out more about these rifles.

Weatherby Mark V Meateater Edition

If you were to find Steve Rinella out hunting today, there is a good chance Steve would have his custom Weatherby Mark V MeatEater edition rifle in tow. This rifle was designed by Steve and is exclusively available in a left handed action. The rifle has the legendary Mark V action, which is one of the strongest bolt actions in the world thanks to its 9 locking lugs.

It also boasts an amazing 54 degree bolt lift, providing plenty of room for the largest optics. Like all Mark V rifles, the MeatEater edition has a SUB-MOA accuracy guarantee, a custom Trigger Tech Trigger and threaded barrel. The rifle comes with the with Weatherby’s Accubrake ST installed on the threaded barrel to reduce felt recoil.

The custom features of this edition include a unique #2 contour barrel with spiral fluting. The fluting allows the use of a heavier barrel contour, which helps with accuracy, but keeps the rifle weight down for those long spot and stalk hunts Steve is known for. The fluting also helps keep the barrel cooler between shots, another great way to increase the shot to shot accuracy of the rifle. All the metal of the rifle is coated with Cerakote to withstand any weather. The color scheme was pick by Steve, and is a combination of tungsten and black.

This custom rifle is paired with a hand laid, fiberglass stock. The stock is black with custom brown and gray accents. The stock is a Monte Carlo style for a solid cheek weld, and classic look. Currently this edition is only available in three calibers: .257 Weatherby Magnum, .300 Weatherby Mangrum, and 6.5-300 Weatherby magnum. I wasn’t able to determine in my research which of these calibers Steve has personally selected, but if I had to take a guess I would put my money on the .300 Weatherby magnum, with the 6.5-300 Weatherby magnum as a second choice.

Currently the rifle is listed with an MSRP of $2099.00 dollars on the Weatherby website. While the cost of this rifle is high, a full custom rifle easily exceeds this price. Should you wish to have something similar without the high cost, consider the MeatEater Edition Weatherby Vanguard, a full featured rifle for less than half the cost of the Mark V.

Savage Arms Rifle

Prior to his partnership with Weatherby, Steve was partnered with Savage Arms. This partnership comes as no surprise, Savage makes fine hunting rifles and Savage has a long history of providing left handed rifles, something Steve prefers as a left handed shooter. While my research didn’t turn up a lot of specifics regarding the specific rifle Steve was using from Savage, a few educated guess can help us have an idea of what he was using.

Steve said of his savage rifle, in a video on rifle fit, that he liked his Savage rifle because for an off the shelf rifle it fit him great. Paired with Talley scope mounts and a Vortex Razor scope Steve felt like he never had trouble finding his target even when shooting from very unconventional positions.

After watching some video and looking at photos of Steve using his Savage rifle I determined a few details. The rifle was most likely from the Savage 110 family of rifles. Steve’s specific rifle appeared to have stainless steel barrel with a very heavy contour. The stock appeared to be the classic Savage Accustock. Steve did confirm in a video that he uses Talley scope mounts.

If I were to venture a guess on his specific caliber for this rifle, I would lean towards 7mm Remington magnum or .300 Winchester magnum, as Steve has made mention on the MeatEater blog about preferring cartridges that are capable for taking cleanly all the north American game animals and those two calibers are mention specifically as good choices. Prices on the Savage 110 varies from low cost to high-end, allowing a wide variety of budgets the ability to have a quality hunting rifle.

Custom Carolina Rifle

Prior to his partnership with Savage Arms, Steve could often be seen hunting with his Custom Carolina Rifle (CCR for short) in the field. This rifle made by Carolina Custom Rifles was, and likely still is, one of Steve’s favorite rifles. His chambering of choice for this rifle was the 7mm Remington Magnum.

Custom Carolina Rifles builds solid, accurate, high end rifles. When you choose to hunt with a Custom Carolina Rifle, this company will become your partner, including you in all the decision making to make sure your rifle is exactly what you need it to be. While I wasn’t able to track down the exact specs of Steve’s CCR rifle, I can tell you that CCR uses only the best actions, barrels and stocks. Some of the parts are from Lilja, or Hart custom barrels. Actions from Stiller Predator are blueprinted and paired with stock options from companies like H-S Precision, McMillan, or Manners. Buyers can expect triggers by Timney or Jewell triggers, according to the CCR rifles website.

A quick look into the MeatEater social media posts and photos and you can tell that his CCR has a custom fluted barrel, paired with a solid and great looking camouflaged stock. One of the points that Steve makes about his experience with CCR rifles is that they not only built the rifle based on the demands of his hunting schedule, but CCR service also includes pairing the rifle with the perfect Vortex optic and provided assistance establishing a great custom hand load for supreme accuracy.

Rifles from CCR begin at $4795.00, no small sum of money, however this expense provides not only an amazing rifle guaranteed to shoot 1/2 MOA or less, but includes amazing customer service and additional resources and help beyond just the rifle.

Weaver Custom Rifle

A deep dive into Steve’s twitter revealed another great custom built rifle from Weaver Custom Rifle based out of Peyton, CO. Chambered in .270 WSM this rifle was described as a lightweight mountain rifle. Using a left handed Winchester model 70 action, Steve paired it with a 4-16 x 50mm Vortex optic. The stock is a Synthetic HT stock, color is tan with black webbing. Weaver Rifles included a custom floor plate engraved with the MeatEater Logo.

Should one wish to build a Weaver custom rifle, you can expect to spend $3000.00 dollars or more. They have tons of pictures of the rifles they have built available to view on their website. I recommend checking them out if you are in the market for a custom rifle.

One of the most unique parts of this rifle is the caliber selected. .270 WSM is a great flat shooting cartridge with a short action, perfect for a lightweight mountain rifle that doesn’t have punishing recoil. Finding the ammunition on the shelf might be trickier that other calibers, but this is great choice for big horn sheep and mountain goat hunting.

CZ 452

If you spend a little time looking through Steve Rinella’s social media, you might find a picture of him hunting squirrels. His pictures often show him shooting at his quarry from a variety of unconventional positions, but if your looking at what rifle he is shooting, high chance it is his left handed CZ 452. I couldn’t determine for sure the caliber for Steve’s rifle, but if I were to guess I would bet it is a .22 LR.

The CZ model 452 is a classic bolt action rimfire rifle. Available in all the classic rimfire cartridges, what likely made it the choice of Steve Rinella was that it was available with a left handed action. Should you wish to obtain one of these high quality rifles, you’ll either need to find the model 452 second hand or move to the updated model 457. MSRP on the 457 is around $475.00 or more depending on configuration.