By Adam Parr

For the past few years, I’ve struggled to find elk antlers in the mountains of Colorado and quickly became frustrated with the lack of my success. One consistency I’ve come to realize over the past two seasons is that elk shed hunting is simply a different ball game. Comparatively to both whitetails and mule deer, elk antlers always seemed to elude me while deer antlers were relatively easy to find.

The entire purpose of my blog is to document my findings as I embrace a new lifestyle in a much more extreme terrain and environment. With that being said, I believe any midwestern whitetail hunter can have success in their first season shed hunting for mule deer because a lot of the same principles apply. Mule deer are found at lower elevations during the winter months, making them easier to pattern and are easily accessible. They seem to hold more of a consistent pattern for longer periods of time, while an elk herd has a much larger range and can be found in a completely different area from one day to the next.

Below are a few tips to help shorten your elk shed hunting learning curve and to get you on the fast track to finding brown gold!

Get Higher

No, I’m not making a 420 reference here; I’m talking elevation. As a general rule of thumb, the majority of mature bulls are going to be found at higher elevations than the smaller bulls and cows. Although mule deer and elk wintering areas will have some cross-over, most of the lower elevation elk sign will be cows and young bulls.

In areas of extreme snowfall and harsh winter conditions, even the herd bulls will get pushed down to lower elevations out of necessity to survive. The key thing to remember is that elk typically shed their antlers much later in the Spring than deer, so it is important to pay attention to snow accumulation. This past Winter, snowfall was heavy in December, January, and February but March and April were mild with very little accumulation. A mild Spring caused the elk to move back up to higher areas of the mountains during the time that the majority of shedding occurs.

Locate Secluded Basins

The key word here is seclusion. Bigger bulls and elk in general, prefer seclusion and will not tolerate human interaction, which is why you also find them at higher elevations. A great way to locate these areas is through the use of Google Earth, which shows the terrain features from a birds-eye view before ever stepping foot on the ground. Looking at maps prior to entering an area lets you visualize the terrain without wasting time and energy scouring areas that are unproductive.

Mule deer and cow elk will be found closer to roads and human traffic, but don’t be fooled by these visuals. Bull elk are seeking solidarity out of eyesight over the next mountain top.

Go Where The Grass Is

Much like livestock and cattle, elk require an average of 20 pounds of grass and browse vegetation to sustain themselves through a harsh Winter so it’s imperative to locate food. These large grassy meadows, which are predominately found on South facing slopes can be easily identified, once again from Google Earth. By keeping this information in mind, it will help you locate potential feeding areas that elk will utilize on a regular basis.

No matter how good a secluded basin looks at a high elevation, if it doesn’t have a plentiful amount of food, the elk will be nowhere in sight. This seems like common sense to many people but this is something I struggled with early on and I wasted a lot of hours searching areas that did not hold bulls or any elk, for that matter.

The Trifecta

If you want to start having serious success with elk sheds, locate the ultimate elk wintering area; A secluded basin, with an abundance of food at high-elevation. Once you find an area like this, the probability of it being a great spot year after year will be high. For some added advice, be sure to check out this quick video from Mark Kayser, Tips For Finding Elk Shed Antlers.

It is also important to be in very good physical shape if you want to attempt getting into secluded areas of elk country. The terrain is tough, the air is thin and the distance is far, but If you are willing to put in the work, shed antler success will follow.

For additional shed hunting tips and helpful information, be sure to check out 4 New School Tips For The Beginner Colorado Shed Hunter. Happy shed hunting!

Tired of leaky waders? In this guide, I’ll show you how to repair breathable waders, so you can get back on the water in no time.

After a heavy 2021 of fly fishing, my Simms waders developed a leak in the neoprene bootie. It is one of those miserable feelings standing in the water and feeling the cold water creep in.

The good news was that I had wool socks so it wasn’t too cold but my whole right leg was soaked.

Many people would send them back to the manufacturer but I had heard stories about how long Simms was taking to repair waders. People were telling me that they were going to have to wait months before Simms would repair their waders.

I had repaired a pair of GoreTex Simm’s waders before that I cut open on a rock so I knew how to fix the legs, but I didn’t really know how to fix the bootie-or if that was even possible.

As it turns out, Simms does not recommend repairing the booties at the seam. So, if you have a leak in the seam, you are better off sending it for them to put on new booties.

My hole appeared to be in the big toe area and nowhere near the seam, so I gave it a try. Low and behold, it worked perfectly.

A fishing friend of mine is sitting on several pairs of leaking waders because he won’t try to fix them himself. Well, to be honest, he tried once, and it didn’t turn out well for him or the waders. I think he’s waiting on me to offer to do it for him.

So, if you find yourself in the same situation, here are the steps I took:

Identify The Leak

There are a few ways to identify leaks. One way is to turn your waders inside out. Put rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle and spray the legs of the waders, seat area, and chest. Basically, any place you want to check for leaks.

Holes show up as a little black dot.

Circle those dots with a magic marker.

Another way is to fill the waders with water. However, Simms cautions that you should not fill the entire wader all the way to the top but only as high as the knee area. Anything more and you risk damaging your waders because of the weight of the water can rip seams. In my case, I could see that the neoprene was worn right near my big toe.

In my research, I discovered that the big toe was one area that was frequently damaged by rubbing or large toenails.

Rips and tears are pretty obvious. In my case, I could easily see through my waders to know I had worn away the neoprene in the bootie.

Get Yourself Some Aquaseal And Patches

Aquaseal will be your friend.

This rubber cement-type product is highly recommended by wader companies for repairs. It is durable and flexible and works on waders, neoprene wetsuits, and dry bags for repairs that last.

Simms and Aquaseal offer wader repair kits that include Tenacious Tape patches to make the repairs more precise and permanent. I highly suggest getting these kits because everything you need is right in the kit.

Be Patient And Build Layers.

The key to using Aquaseal is to make sure you don’t glob it on all at one time, but you put build it up in layers. I just used a little bit at first over the worn area. I went a little larger than the worn area and let it dry overnight.

Let the area cure.

The next day, I put a little more on and let that dry. I did this for about 3 days straight.

By the end, the Aquaseal glue had dried nicely, and I tested the bootie again by filling it up with water and it held.

Don’t Do It All At One Time

My friend who is waiting for me to do his wader repairs can be impatient at times.

So, he put Aquaseal on all the black dots that he saw, turned the waders over and somehow the legs got stuck together. I recommend that you do one leg at a time, or the front or the back at a time, let it dry and switch.

Don’t let the legs touch while the glue is still wet, or you will be like my friend and have a pair of Simms G4’s where the legs are glued to each other.

Test Your Repair

There is nothing worse than having ice-cold water steep into your waders on a cold winter day on the river. So, test your repair.

If you can fill your waders with water because your repair is below the knee, test them by filling them up to the knee. That’s how I tested my booties.

If they are above the knee, then spray the alcohol again on your waders and look for the black dots.

The good news was that using the technique above, I now have a dry pair of waders and it only took a few days to repair. If you have the time, most wader companies will offer to do repairs. You will have to be patient. Or you can give it a try and do it yourself.

One pro tip that I read says to store your Aquaseal in the freezer.

When you want to use it, put it in warm water to heat up. I can’t tell you if this works or not because I just put it in a Ziploc bag and put it in the freezer. I haven’t needed to use it since my initial repair.

Good luck and hope to see you on the river!

Dove hunting in Texas is a cherished tradition among hunters, offering exciting opportunities to test your skills and enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors. With its diverse landscapes and abundant dove populations, Texas is a premier destination for this thrilling sport. In this guide, brought to you by Find A Hunt, we will explore the best practices and top locations for dove hunting in the Lone Star State.

I. Understanding Dove Hunting Regulations:

Before embarking on your dove hunting adventure, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the regulations set forth by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). These regulations include hunting seasons, bag limits, legal shooting hours, and licensing requirements. It is the responsibility of every hunter to comply with these regulations to ensure the sustainability of dove populations and the preservation of the sport.

II. Best Practices for Dove Hunting:

Scout Your Hunting Area: Doves are highly mobile birds that move in response to food availability and environmental conditions. To increase your chances of a successful hunt, scout potential hunting locations prior to your trip. Look for areas with ample food sources, such as grain fields, sunflower fields, or water sources, as these are attractive to doves.

Concealment and Decoys: Setting up proper concealment is crucial for dove hunting. Doves have sharp eyesight and can detect movement easily. Use natural cover like trees, bushes, or blinds to blend into the environment. Additionally, utilizing dove decoys can attract passing doves, increasing your chances of a successful hunt.

Safety First: Safety should always be the top priority when hunting. Always be aware of your surroundings and never shoot at low-flying birds or in the direction of other hunters. It is also essential to wear appropriate protective gear, including eye and ear protection.

Effective Shot Placement: Doves are small and agile birds, so shot placement is vital. Aim for the head and neck region, as it offers the highest chances of a clean kill. Practice your shooting skills regularly to improve accuracy and ensure humane harvests.

III. Top Dove Hunting Locations in Texas:

South Texas: Renowned for its vast agricultural lands and warm climate, South Texas attracts large populations of mourning and white-winged doves. The cities of Uvalde, Carrizo Springs, and Dilley offer excellent dove hunting opportunities.

Central Texas: The expansive agricultural fields and river bottoms of Central Texas provide prime dove hunting grounds. Areas around San Antonio, Austin, and Fredericksburg are popular among hunters.

West Texas: The arid landscapes of West Texas are home to significant numbers of doves. Cities like Abilene, San Angelo, and Lubbock offer diverse hunting opportunities, with sunflower and wheat fields serving as key attractants.

North Texas: The rolling prairies and croplands of North Texas provide excellent dove hunting experiences. Regions around Wichita Falls, Graham, and Decatur are frequented by both mourning and white-winged doves.

Conclusion:

Dove hunting in Texas is an exhilarating experience that combines the thrill of the hunt with the beauty of the state’s diverse landscapes. By adhering to regulations, implementing best practices, and exploring the top hunting locations mentioned in this guide, you can maximize your chances of a successful and memorable dove hunting trip. Remember to always prioritize safety and respect for the environment as you participate in this time-honored tradition. Happy hunting!

Most hunters know how to remove choice cuts like the backstraps and tenderloins from deer. Fewer are as familiar with the legs, particularly the hindquarters.

This is a shame, as the rear legs offer fantastic cuts fit for various cooking styles. They’re also not as difficult to break down as many perceive.

First, if possible, hang the deer at least a day or two in cool temperatures to allow rigor mortis to subside. Also consider dry-aging before butchering. Done correctly in safe temperatures (33 to 40 degrees), it yields more tender and flavorful meat.

When it’s time to start cutting, use an area that provides ample space for the hindquarter and your tools. Consider a curved, semi-stiff boning knife and a straight, more flexible fillet knife for separating connective tissue and trimming. You also want a large cutting board, gloves, paper towels, a meat-storage container and plastic sheeting to cover the work surface and make cleanup easier.

There are two main ways to butcher a hindquarter: by removing the leg bone before separating the cuts or by taking individual cuts directly off the bone. Both are correct and often involve simply separating muscles along natural seams of connective tissue. I do better when removing the bone first, so I’ll focus on that method.

THE PROCESS

Step 1

Remove any hair, dirt, blood-shot and excess fat on the skinned hindquarter. All can contaminate meat and negatively affect flavor. Removing fat also helps reveal lines of connective tissue you’ll use to separate muscle groups.

Step 2

Remove the shank by slicing along the sinew lines between it and the round. Do this on both sides of the hindquarter with the tip of a boning knife. Cut the ligament opposite the shank. Then work the knife tip gently around the joint at the knee (not sawing at the bone) while using your offhand to move and apply pressure to the joint. Slowly, you’ll separate the shank from the round without needing a saw. If intended for grinding or stews, remove the shank meat from the bone.

Step 3

Set the round down with the inside facing up. The femur’s ball should be visible. Starting here, make a straight, shallow cut along the nearby seam down to the kneecap. You should feel the femur running beneath the tip of your knife.

Step 4

Cut on both sides of the kneecap and pull the meat back with your free hand. Continue cutting to expose the length of the femur. Work the blade tight around the bone’s contours, alternating cuts along both sides. Keep the blade flat against the curve of the bone, and don’t cut into the meat below. While holding the kneecap up with your offhand, cut below it and along the femur toward the ball until the entire bone is clear and comes free.

• READ MORE: 4 Steps to Field-Dress a Deer

Step 5

Pull the round apart with your hands. The still-connected individual cuts should lay flat on the cutting board in front of you. You’ll see a mass of connective tissue with a particularly thick concentration near the center of the round. Inside is a gland, which you should carefully remove by trimming the surrounding connective tissue. Left in place, it can taint the meat.

Step 6

Separate the cuts along connective tissue lines with your hands and knife tip. Seams are evident, so let nature be your guide. You should never have to cut into muscle. Trim excess fat and sinew, but leave the silverskin that surrounds muscles to protect meat during freezing. Leave cuts large to avoid exposing more meat to air.

THE CUTS

Larger cuts include the top and bottom rounds, eye of round and sirloin tip. You also have the sirloin butt (rump), tri-tip and shank. All are great in their own ways.

Top and Bottom Rounds

Pulled from the deer’s hamstring area, these cuts are quite versatile. They’re tender enough for cutting into steaks and hardy enough for making roasts or enduring low-and-slow cooking methods, like smoking or braising. Cube them into kabobs or slice thin for jerky or stir-fry. Or butterfly and pound them out for chicken-fried steak or jagerschnitzel.

• LEARN MORE: 15 of the Best Venison Sausage Recipes

Eye of Round

Called the hidden tenderloin because of its appearance, many cook them similarly. Pan-sear or grill whole, or as medallions. It’s also good as jerky or fajita meat, or it can be cured.

Sirloin Tip

Also called the sirloin, football or knuckle, the sirloin tip is tougher than the rounds but still makes great steaks, especially on young or aged deer. It’s perfect for a roast. Or it can be smoked, braised, ground up or turned into jerky.

Tri-Tip

A well-known beef cut, the tri-tip is mostly overlooked on venison hindquarters because of its small size and how it blends in with the sirloin tip. It’s great for flash-searing. Like tenderloins, lean toward rare and medium rare.

Sirloin Butt (Rump)

This cut’s size depends on how well you removed the hindquarter. It’s often small and used for pot roast, stew or grinding meat.

• MORE RECIPES: 10 Most Popular Venison Dishes

Shanks

Shanks get a bad rap. They’re tough, sinewy muscles that deer use often. Cooked improperly, they’re almost inedible. Cooked right—low and slow in liquid—they’re delicious. Shanks are perfect for osso bucco, braising on the bone or simmering in a broth to produce succulent stew meat.

SEAL THE DEAL

Should you use an external or a chamber vacuum sealer for meat storage?

The most common vacuum-sealing device is the external vacuum sealer. Place the open end of a sealer bag into a tray, clamp the lid down and suck air out of the bag. The other option is a chamber vacuum sealer. The entire bag goes inside the machine, and the sealer removes all air within the chamber—inside and outside the bag.

External vacuum sealers are inexpensive, and their design permits sealing larger cuts of meats. Chamber vacs excel at sealing liquids and other moist items. They’re great for marinating meats or for sous vide applications. They require more money upfront and are less portable.

With adjustable seal time and vacuum settings, and an integrated bag roll holder and cutter, the MEAT! Pro External Vacuum Sealer ($179.99; meatyourmaker.com) ups any hunter’s meat-preservation game. It’s also equipped with a removable drip tray for easy cleanup. For the hunter who freezes lots of meat or seals liquids often, there’s the MEAT! Chamber Vacuum Sealer ($799.99). This one also has adjustable seal time and vacuum settings, as well as a manual seal time mode. If you want professional-quality sealing, this is the ticket.

Whether you are a hunter or just curious about what animal is in the woods near you, being able to identify them by their eyeshine is a pretty cool skill to have. I did a lot of research but had trouble finding a good resource. So, I decided to compile everything I learned and share it here with you. This is what I found out.

In identifying animal eyes at night, you should consider four primary factors – the color, the shape of the eyes, pupil slit orientation, and eyelid shape. Predatory animals have glowing eyes with vertically elongated pupils, while harmless animals have horizontally elongated pupils.

In total, there are five primary eye shine colors that are visible in animals: blue, green, white, yellow, and red.

Here is an eye shine chart of 38 animals:

By the way, this fascinating book on Amazon covers how animal eye color affects behavior.

This article will examine why some animals have eyes that glow in the dark and how this feature helps them survive. We’ll also share a helpful eyeshine chart that you can use to identify animal eyes in the dead of night.

Why Do Animal Eyes Shine at Night?

Before we look at what colors go with actual animals, let’s talk a bit about the science.

Many animals have a thin reflective membrane at the back of their eyes, known as tapetum lucidum. This reflective membrane layer lies behind the iris and acts as a retroreflector, which means it reflects light back at the source – in this case, back at your flashlight.

It reflects visible light passing through the retina back to increase the amount of light on the photoreceptors. The presence of a tapetum lucidum gives nocturnal carnivores superb night vision.

Animals reflect the light directly toward the light source to give the retina a succinct image to analyze. Cats have incredible night vision because the reflective effects boost their night vision.

By matching the original and reflected light, the reflective layer maintains the image’s contrast and sharpness. The reflective layer uses constructive interference to increase the amount of light passing through the animal’s retina.

This phenomenon is also known as eyeshine because the glowing eyes are simply reflections of the light source trained at the animal. Shining light directly on the face of an animal with a tapetum lucidum causes the eyes to glow.

Eyeshine comes in various colors, including white, yellow, red, blue, pink, or green. Since the reflective layer is iridescent, the pupils’ color is affected by the angle of vision, eye color, and the mineral makeup of the tapetum lucidum.

Related Which Animals’ Eyes Reflect at Night? | A Biological Insight.

Night Vision and Eyeshine

A tapetum lucidum improves an animal’s ability to see in the dark and low-light conditions. The reflective eye membrane is typical in mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, and amphibians.

The eyeshine color depends on the animal and can be red, orange, yellow, pink, blue, or green. The sheen depends on eye color, the shape of the eyes, and the light’s angle shining on the animal.

The intensity of the eye glow varies between species, with some animals glowing brighter than the rest. The animals with the brightest eyeshine have excellent night vision because their eyes have fewer cones. Unfortunately, perfect night vision comes with limited color vision or complete color blindness.

Eyeshine in Predators

Most of the nocturnal predators have a tapetum lucidum to help them see in the dark. Dogs, house cats, big cats, alligators, and ferrets are some of the predators with eyes that reflect in the darkness.

Improved night vision is essential to these predators because it allows them to track prey in pitch darkness.

Cool Fact: Some predatory fish, like walleye, need excellent night vision to hunt in the dark, deep waters. As a result, they have reflective eyes.

Interestingly, while owls have eyes that glow in the dark, they lack a tapetum lucidum in their eyes.

Glowing Eyes in Predators

Unsurprisingly, some of the prey targeted by the predators with improved night vision developed a tapetum lucidum layer. The layer evolved as a defense mechanism to help these herbivores detect predators in low-light conditions.

Some non-predators with excellent night vision include cattle, deer, pigs, camels, kangaroos, and horses.

Identifying Animals by Eye Glow at Night

While it’s possible to identify some animals by their eyeshine, the eye glow color is more of a guideline than accurate science.

Several factors influence the color of an animal’s eyeshine, including:

• The color of the light source – flashlight, camera, LED, or moonlight
• The color of the animal’s eyes
• The size of the animal’s retina
• The distance between you and the animal
• Your position and light source angle

Here are charts grouping animals by their eyeshine color:

Eyeshine Charts

It’s important to note that accurately identifying an animal at night might require more information than just its eye color. If you can, try to use the animal’s general size, behavior when looking at you, habitat, eye size, and more.

Related What Does Moon Overhead and Underfoot Mean?

Animals With Red Glowing Eyes at Night

Some animals with characteristic red eyes at night include:

• Alligators and crocodiles- The large eyeballs of alligators and crocodiles glow fiery red in the dark, making them easy to identify. If you’re near a river, lake, or swamp in an area that these creatures live in, take extra caution if you see red eyes in the dark.
• Owls- Owls are nocturnal birds with big eyes that glow red or orange after dark.
• Red fox- Foxes have red glowing eyes with perpendicular pupils.
• Rabbits- A rabbit’s eyes will exhibit a light red tone when you shine a light on them.

Animals With Yellow Eye Glow at Night

Some animals have glowing yellow eyes at night, including:

• Bears- A bear has dark brown eyes that take on a bright yellowish glow when you shine a light on them in the dark.
• Cats- Some cats have eyes that give off a yellow glow in the dark, but this can vary depending on the cat in question.
• Deer- A deer’s eyes glow yellow in the dark. As deer often live in the same habitats as bears, you should also look at the height and size of the eyes to determine which animal you’re looking at.
• Raccoons- Raccoons have big eyes that glow bright yellow in the dark.
• Chinchilla- Commonly kept as exotic pets, chinchillas also have big eyes that glow yellow in the dark.
• Panthers- This big cat has smallish eyes that glow yellow in the dark. You might not see the yellow glow if you shine the light directly on their face.

Animals With Glowing Green Eyes at Night

Some animals with eyes that glow green in the dark include:

• Dogs- Some dogs can have an eerie green nighttime glow that can be unsettling in the dark. A dog’s eyeshine can take on different colors, including blue, orange, green, and red.
• Foxes- Some foxes have an intense green glow in their eyes as they forage for food after dark, though a few types of foxes have white or yellow eyes instead.
• Opossum- Opossums have big eyes that light up green in the dark. You’re likely to find them perched up high on a tree at night.

Animals With White Eye Glow at Night

Some of the animals with eyes that glow white in the dark include:

• Coyotes- Coyotes have big eyes that glow bright white in the dark. While they’re predators that typically hunt in packs, you don’t need to panic if you see a pack of white eyes staring at you, as coyote attacks on humans are extremely rare.
• Deer- A deer’s eyes will reflect the white light of a camera equipped with a flash to assume a bright white glow in the dark.
• Tigers- Tigers would be difficult to spot in the dark were it not for their large eyes that glow white in the dark.

Why Human Eyes Don’t Shine

Human eyes do not have a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum. In fact, all haplorhine primates are diurnal and do not have the tapetum lucidum.

To read more about this topic, go here.

Conclusion

Shining a flashlight into the darkness only to see a pair of glowing eyes staring back at you can be a bit frightening. And unless you know whether those eyes belong to a dangerous predator or a harmless herbivore, you won’t know whether to ignore them or be on your guard. Fortunately, you can identify an animal by its eyes at night if you have the correct information.

Some animals have eyes that glow in the dark because they have a special reflective membrane behind their retinas. The membrane is a unique adaptation to help their ability to see at night.

Most common eyeshine colors include white, green, red, yellow, and orange. The eye glow color depends on the specific animal, eye color, and light source, among other factors.

You’d need more information about an animal in addition to its eyeshine, such as habitat, size, behavior, eye size, and more, to identify it accurately.

Still, the included eyeshine chart should help. And don’t forget to check out this book on Amazon, it’s extremely helpful.

I hope this article has provided the info you needed. Thanks for reading!

For more, check out What Can Deer Smell? (How To Avoid Detection).

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

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

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

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

I agree, so let’s dive into the data!

Most Popular Caliber at the Nightforce ELR Match

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

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

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

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

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

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

Most Popular ELR Cartridges

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

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

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

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

6.5 PRC

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

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

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

300 Norma Mag

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

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

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

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

300 PRC

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

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

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

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

7 SAUM

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

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

6.5 SAUM

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

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

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

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

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

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

7-300 WSM

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

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

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

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

6.5×47 Lapua

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

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

338 EnABELR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Up Next

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

When it comes to hunting, a .22 caliber rifle is definitely a must-own gun. I myself bought a .22 caliber rifle after my friend taught me how to shoot on his. This gun truly is perfect for beginners who want to learn how to shoot a rifle, and for hunting newbies.

But what can you hunt with a .22 caliber rifle? You’d be surprised as to what this gun is capable of. It can let you take down several targets, and help you become a well-experience marksman in no time.

What Can You Hunt With A .22 Caliber Rifle: All You Need To Know

Why A .22 Caliber Rifle Is Perfect For Hunting

A .22 Caliber rifle is definitely the go-to gun for anyone who is new to hunting. If you have no experience whatsoever when it comes to shooting a rifle, then this one should have the first trigger you should pull.

But what exactly makes the .22 caliber rifle the best gun for hunting newbies? Here are a couple of reasons why the .22 caliber rifle has earned its spot as the go-to gun for hunting.

Weight

A simple .22 caliber rifle is very easy to handle because of its light weight. This means that beginners who don’t know how to aim yet will not suffer from restless arms that most hunters feel when carrying a heavy gun while following their target.

Recoil

You know what I hate about guns? A strong recoil that honestly hurts the shoulders. With a .22 caliber rifle, you wouldn’t have to feel nervous before pulling the trigger because there’s no painful recoil to anticipate. A .22 caliber rifle practically has no recoil, making it easy for you to aim and shoot.

Ammo

What’s great about .22 caliber rounds is that they’re very light and really affordable. With a .22 caliber rifle, you would be able to go hunting carrying thousands of rounds with ease.

What’s more is that .22 caliber rounds don’t require much energy to be shot. This means that your gun can take a shot that’s not as loud as other guns.

Shooting Distance

With the right accessories, and with enough experience, you can effectively shoot a target at distances that can reach up to 440 yards.

However, shooting a large animal at such a great distance may not be effective enough to get you the kill, but it will surely injure the animal bad enough to slow It down.

What Animals Can You Hunt With A .22 Caliber Rifle

Sine the .22 caliber rifle isn’t as powerful as larger hunting rifles, it can only be used for hunting game animals. You can easily take down winged game animals such as small birds like quails, larger birds including pheasant, partridge, grouse, woodcock, duck, and goose.

The .22 caliber is also great for hunting small ground game animals such as rabbit, hare, and squirrel. And with enough skills when it comes to aiming, you can easily take down larger ground game animals as well including wild boar, deer, venison, and roebuck.

The Best .22 Caliber Rifle For Beginners

If you want to purchase a .22 caliber rifle for hunting, I recommend going with the 10/22 Ruger. This .22 caliber rifle is fairly simple and easy to use because of its light body that can provide you with a short learning curve.

The 10/22 Ruger is also very affordable, making it a great first gun. And like I have mentioned before, a gun like this has very affordable ammo. This means that you can buy plenty of ammo for target practice.

What’s more is that this gun can be equipped with coffin and drum magazines capable of accommodating 25 to 110 rounds of ammo.

However, if you’re a beginner, I suggest you get yourself a nice 25 round magazine so you wouldn’t have to carry much weight.

Another great thing about the 10/22 Ruger is that you can easily tweak this machine with a set of simple tools. You can easily add accessories and replace its parts all on your own.

There’s also a plethora of aftermarket accessories and parts for the ruger 10/22 including various barrel lengths and styles. This means that you can easily customize this gun to fit your preference.

A Quick Recap

A .22 caliber rifle is a great gun for you if you are new to hunting. It is very light, simple to use, has affordable and lightweight rounds, can easily be put together and taken apart, and can shoot a variety of game animals even at long distances.

Needless to say, with enough practice, you can easily become a great marksman by starting out with a fine .22 caliber rifle.

Thanks to our original guest poster for this article!

Bald eagles are apex predators in North America and have been known to attack and eat small animals, including cats. While eagles typically go after prey that is sick or wounded, they have been known to attack healthy animals if they are hungry enough. If you have a cat that spends time outdoors, it is important to be aware of the risk of an eagle attack. There are steps you can take to protect your cat, including keeping it indoors or supervising it when it is outside.

Because the Bald Eagle has powerful hooked beaks and large claws, cats can be killed by one of its large claws or beaks. In general, bald eagles will not target cats. When the bird catches fish out of the water with its talons, it will use its prey to pull it from the water. Despite their lack of aggression, bald eagles are not considered dangerous to humans. Preyers can kill bald eagles, but they are more likely to kill their eaglets or eggs. Bald eagles have been killed when they perch on power lines in the past. Although the Bald Eagle is not endangered, it is protected by a variety of federal laws and regulations.

Bald eagles were granted protection by the Continental Congress in 1777. If old forests where Bald eagles can often live are removed, they will most likely no longer be able to find a home and will die. It is illegal under the 1972 amendment to the United States Constitution to kill a Bald Eagle. It is possible to be fined $5,000 or imprisoned for up to one year for the same offense. If you are caught twice, you will face a $10,000 fine and two years in prison.

How Heavy Of An Animal Can A Bald Eagle Pick Up?

What are the Heaviest Eagle Hunting Calls? A bald eagle can travel up to 7 pounds if it is in good health. Even with larger eagles, they can only carry 12 to 13 pounds at a time, making them nearly impossible for larger eagles to lift.

How much weight can an adult bald eagle carry? A bald eagle carries a large stick, as seen by photographer Alex Lamine on November 4th, 2015 at Berry College. Mr. North dropped an unknown object of unknown weight from the ground on November 6, 2019, despite the fact that it appeared to be more than he could lift from the ground. As the air pressure rises and the wind picks up, the ability to take off and stay airborne increases, all of which affects the ability to fly and then stay airborne at the same time. The FAA points out that center of gravity deviations of less than three inches can have a significant impact on handling characteristics of fully loaded aircraft. A few of Neil Rettig’s observations from filming bald eagles along the Mississippi river were shared. According to Jim, eagles can lift even more in high winds.

Bald eagles are commonly thought to weigh less than 50-60% of their body weight. A bald eagle should have a body weight of 10%. If the incentives and flying conditions were optimal, the aircraft may have a greater capacity. With a weight of 108%, eagles can carry or glide. Among birds with males, the American kestrel has 145%, the Pallas’ Fish Eagle has 160%, and the tiny Calliope Hummingbird has 116%. DM2 took the fight to the Berry College girl after Mr. North and the Berry College male both failed. After he dropped the stick, it was much easier for him to lift from the ground. DM2 appeared to glide down rather than lift up, carrying him right into the nest, and his giant stick appeared to carry him all the way.

The worst nightmare for birds is when they come into contact with dogs. According to the National Wildlife Federation, eagles are not afraid to lift a dog up to 15 pounds, and they frequently do so. They are known for their incredible hunting ability, which is attributed to their strength and agility. Hawks, including eagles, eat dogs the most. The dogs, as small and weak as they are, are easy prey for predators. Birds of prey have become more common in urban and suburban areas, posing a threat to humans and their pets. They are magnificent birds capable of catching a lot of food, and they are powerful and powerful birds. The eagle is a predator, capable of catching and carrying small animals in addition to catching and carrying small prey. Make sure your dog is kept indoors and kept in close observation if you are concerned that he or she will be snatched by an eagle.

What Bird Can Pick Up A Cat?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the size and strength of the bird in question. Generally speaking, however, most birds would not be able to pick up a cat due to the size difference between the two animals. There have been isolated incidents of birds carrying off small kittens or cats, but this is rare and would likely require an exceptionally large and strong bird.

When a cat is looking for something, it is referred to as an opportunistic hunter. Birds, mice, rats, and other small vertebrates will all be consumed by these creatures. It is critical that a cat bite into an animal’s neck as soon as possible in order to kill it. The bite will break the spine, crush the trachea, or sever the carotid artery, all while snapping your neck. The cat will begin its hunt by stalking its prey. It will keep an eye on the bird while lowering itself to the ground. The cat usually advances quickly on the bird. When the cat reaches its range, it will leap at the bird, aiming its palm at it as it pounces.

Large owls are thought to have carried away cats in the past. Because cats and owls are nocturnal creatures, they are more active at night. Although it is extremely unlikely and very rare, large owl species are said to have carried away cats. It is common for owls and cats to spend the majority of their time in the dark at night. In general, owls are the primary prey for small dogs and cats under the age of 20 pounds. Despite the anecdotal evidence, it is not something that should be taken lightly, despite the fact that this is a highly unlikely occurrence. The owl and cat should not be treated lightly and should not be overlooked as predators capable of causing significant harm.

Cats Are Safe From Being Picked Up By Hawks, Bald Eagles, And Ravens

Cats cannot be picked up by a raven, hawk, or bald eagle because they are too small. In general, crows can catch and pick up a small cat, but this is unlikely because after catching the cat, the crow can move on to another prey.

Do Bald Eagles Attack Pets?

Small dogs and puppies, particularly toy or miniature breeds, are especially vulnerable to being attacked by birds of prey, according to The Spruce Pets. Large raptors are known to prey on animals weighing up to 20 pounds as part of a hunt.

Experts tell me that an eagle almost never attacks your dog. Bald eagles can carry up to three pounds in weight, with one to two pounds per animal. Eagle attacks on dogs weighing less than three pounds are not as common as they are on cats. Goldfinches, tree sparrows, and snow buntings are the most common birds to be seen on the roadside. Birds are typically in a body temperature range of 105 degrees F to 105 degrees F, and the more fluff they generate, the more air they expel. Are freeze-dried mealworms of the same type as live mealworms? In the winter months, there are fewer migrating birds and a few remaining in Duluth.

Birds consume fat on a daily basis in the winter to help protect themselves from cold weather. Because raw suet is available during the winter months, the plant is similar to what Mother Nature provides for mammals. You can also make homemade fatty treats and suet cakes, both of which are excellent.

What are some things that eat the bald eagle? Bald eagles, which are carnivorous animals, are not preyed upon in the wild. bobcats, wolverines, black bears, foxes, raccoons, and large birds are all common prey species for these young. Farmers, hunters, and ranchers have all tried various methods of removing these predators, but they remain a problem. Scarecrows are said to deter eagles from using an area for a short period of time, typically three weeks. If dogs are aggressive toward predators, they may repel eagles. Hazing with aircraft has a limited economic value and must be approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Despite its status as the national bird of the United States, the bald eagle is vulnerable. We must all work together as a nation to make certain that these birds are protected, which is why the US Fish and Wildlife Service is working to protect them.

Bald Eagles: Don’t Let Your Pets Become A Meal

Birds, according to Gail Buhl, education manager at the Raptor Center, are typically fed fish or other birds, but puppies and kittens can also be fed to eagles. Despite the fact that bald eagles can pick up small puppies, they are not capable of carrying them very far and may sustain injuries if they fall. It is unacceptable to leave your pets outside without your supervision.

Do Eagles Attack Pets

Do eagles attack pets? It is possible for an eagle to attack a pet if the animal is small enough and the eagle is feeling particularly threatened or hungry. However, attacks on pets are not common and typically only occur if the eagle is unable to find other food sources.

Birds, unlike venomous reptiles and spiders, can be just as dangerous for small pets. A razor-sharp eagle‘s nacelle is capable of impaleing prey at a rate of 400 pounds per square inch. When diving, a bald eagle can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. An eagle can attack a dog weighing less than ten pounds at the most dangerous time. If an eagle attack is severe enough, the treatment and prognosis will be determined. In most cases, the dog will not survive unless it has only suffered minor puncture wounds. If your dog is struck by an eagle, there is a chance he will be injured, most likely by breaking bones, concussions, or organ damage.

Cover your dog’s outdoor enclosure if it is located near an eagle or other predatory bird. Small dogs may benefit from wearing protective gear like the puncture-resistant Raptor Shield in order to avoid being attacked by eagles. A short, non-retractable leash is best for playing outside and potty breaks.

The Beagle, on the other hand, may act on its own in response to perceived threats to its safety or to the Beagles’ perceptions of cats as prey. Even if the Beagles are unfamiliar with cats, they may still attack if they are cornered or threatened. Beagles have been accused of attacking cats out of instinct, despite the fact that they have never met cats before. As a result, both the cat and the Beagle may be harmed or even killed. It is critical to remember that even if your Beagle is friendly with cats, it will occasionally attack if threatened or cornered. If you are concerned about your cat’s safety, it is best to keep them separate from the Beagles.

Eagle Attacks: How To Keep Your Pets Safe

As a result, if eagles are in the area, keep your cat indoors during times when it is safe to do so. If you see an eagle in the area, keep your dog on a leash and keep your children away from it.

Do Bald Eagles Eat Rabbits

Some Bald Eagles eat primarily fish; others consume other birds such as gulls and geese, depending on their environment. Some mammals, like rabbits, lambs, and, yes, even adorable kittens, are more common than others on the menu.

Small animals and birds, such as rabbits, hares, grouses, and ptarmigans, are frequently eaten by eagles. A bald eagle can eat both fish and birds, such as ducks, geese, and puffins. Birds such as Golden eagles are common preyers of ducks, but adult owls are rarely targeted in hunting. Birds such as hawks, eagles, and other owls have been observed preying on owls. Birds are naturally enemies of one another, as is the case with eagles and hawks. Birds, like owls, will hunt hawks in order to find nesting sites, and eagles will hunt hawks as well. Bald eagles are capable of preying on cats, whereas most bald eagles are carnivores who primarily consume fish.

Young foxes, as well as full-grown foxes, are also preyed upon by eagles. It is a carnivore that eats rodents, other birds, and snakes. Bald eagles can weigh up to 7 or 8 pounds when they are at their best. Even the world’s largest eagles cannot carry more than 10 or 12 pounds at a time, but a small eagle can carry more than that.

Bald eagles are preyed upon by anglers, and they can be found in high numbers when there are a lot of fish. In addition to seabirds and ducks, small mammals like rabbits, squirrels, prairie dogs, and muskrats can be found on grasslands and marshes. Even though Tuesday’s feline feast may have been shocking or disturbing to some viewers, there are many good reasons to keep your cats indoors, such as “they might get slaughtered and eaten by eagles.”

Do Eagles Eat Rabbits?

Can eagles eat carrot? They consume rabbits. Adult rabbits, even those with small screech owls, can quickly be overwhelmed by the large barn owls, barred owls, hawk owls, or great horned owls that live nearby, even if they are not hunting. What types of rabbits do eagles eat? Cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.; hereafter, cottontails) are among the most commonly identified prey items in the diets of golden eagle breeding in the western United States (U.S.). What does a hawk eat besides spiders? Other birds are primarily eaten by Cooper’s Hawks, but if prey appears, they will consume squirrels, rabbits, and rodents. A Cooper’s hawk, unlike other raptors, kills by repeatedly squeezing its prey with its powerful talons, unlike other raptors that kill by grabbing their prey and biting the heads off.

Do Bald Eagles Eat Chickens

When the eagle is gliding down, it unfurls its hand-like claws, scoops up a chicken, and then circles up a branch to eat, with the larger bird laying the smaller bird on the branch for easy eating. The eagle’s beak is quite effective at removing the meat of other birds, but it is unknown when the chicken dies.

Bald eagles are on the loose at White Oak Farm in rural Georgia every winter. With little time and resources, the farmers are racing to adapt. One of the largest pasture flocks can be found here in White Oak. Approximately 60,000 birds wander the land on a regular basis, as long as the land is pasture-raised. Gary Harris sought assistance from the National Audubon Society in dealing with the birds. White Oak Pastures, a 2,500-acre farm in Georgia, raises pigs, chickens, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and many other animals. Because the animals move across the land and their droppings help fertilize it, this arrangement benefits both birds and ruminants.

The chickens also consume bugs found in cow dung, reducing the number of pests that can affect the cattle. We sell our products in Whole Foods in major cities throughout the southeastern United States, including Miami, Florida, and Princeton, New Jersey. It also owns an organic produce farm, small eggs, honey, and pet treats. Harris opened two abattoirs in 2007 and 2011 for a total cost of $7.5 million. However, Harris claims that the eagles are good for business, despite their irrationality. Visitors to the farm’s cabins were drawn in by a Facebook photo of the birds. A Bald Eagle can land in the middle of dozens of chickens and continue to pecking as if nothing had happened.

Daniel Coady claims that the chicken mortality rate at the farm is excessive. When chicks are scared, they flock into a corner of their house, all of which are huddled together in a panic. A $5,000 investment has been made by the farm to purchase noisemakers that must be manually set off between dawn and dusk. The eagles, on the other hand, may provide some financial relief as a result of their financial strain. In Bluffton, Georgia, White Oak Farms is one of the country’s largest privately owned poultry operations. According to Harris, if everyone farmed his land in the same manner that he does, eagles would likely go extinct and be replaced by more healthy populations. Nature’s rejection of monocultures explains why Harris transformed White Oak, according to his account.

How To Protect Your Chickens From Raptors

Birds are more likely to survive if they are kept in a wooded area with hawks and eagles hunting nearby. Using a mesh or solid roof to cover your run will also help keep the birds safe. If you have chickens that are free range, keep them in a secure location when needed.

Do Golden Eagles Eat Cats

Birds frequently eat cats, but rarely. Despite the fact that eagles are meat eaters, they also consume carrion. Fish is the most popular dish, followed by other birds and wildfowl.

Cats are occasionally eaten by eagles, though this is usually by females. Their preferred cuisine is fish, in addition to other birds and wild fowl. Flying an eagle can take it to heights of up to 15,000 feet. It takes about 35-40 miles per hour to cruise. Birds are aerial pirates in the wild, forcing other prey birds to give up their prey. Their greatest threat is man, and eagles nest and hunt far from human habitation. Except for some vultures, the size of an eagle is significantly greater than that of any other raptor.

A bird that swoops and carries its prey is the most common method of bird watching. The only hope for survival for an eagle after it has its talons drawn into its prey is to fall to the ground. An eagle can lift and fly away with an average weight of 4 pounds. The eagles have been observed preying on cats in the past, but this behavior is uncommon among this type of raptor. Birds are not a threat to cats living in urban or suburban areas.

Small dogs, particularly Chihuahuas and Toy Poodles, are prone to being killed by predatory birds. The majority of predatory birds seek out wild mammals for food, but small dogs may also be targeted. Despite the fact that a golden eagle can kill a man, it has never preyed on an adult human. Small dogs, particularly those that are small, such as Chihuahuas and Toy Poodles, are particularly vulnerable to predators. Adult humans are the only ones who have ever been preyed upon by golden eagles, despite their lethal strength.

In this article, we will take a look at the 22 largest hunting companies in the US. You can skip this part and go to 5 Largest Hunting Companies in the US.

The hunting industry in the US remains an attractive niche market for investors. The market has several segments which are expected to grow in the months and years to come. According to a report by Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, hunter spending in the US generates about $185 million per day for the economy. The report said that despite an increasing urbanization, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of Americans who indulge in hunting sports for recreation. The report said that about 11.5 million people took part in hunting activities in 2016, and a whopping 7.6 million of them were deer hunters.

According to a report by Research and Markets, the global fishing, hunting and trapping market value stood at about $936.4 billion in 2021. This value was expected to cross $1,031.78 billion in 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%. By 2026, the same market, according to the report, is estimated to touch $1,507.13 billion in 2026.

Our Methodology

For this article we scoured the hunting industry and its related segments to pick the top 22 players that are directly or indirectly involved in selling hunting related equipment, hunting firearms, apparel and accessories. Some of these companies are public, while others are private but with sizable impact and revenue in the industry. For public companies we have mentioned their market caps, while latest available annual revenue is mentioned for private companies. The list is ranked in ascending order of market cap. For private companies, we used annual revenue for ranking.

Photo by Molnár Bálint on Unsplash

Largest Hunting Companies in the US

22. Browning Arms Company

Annual Revenue: $100M

Number of Hedge fund holders: N/A

Browning Arms Company is a Utah-based hunting firearms and outdoor gear company. Browning Arms Company was founded in Utah in 1878. It is one of the oldest hunting companies in America.

21. American Outdoor Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:AOUT)

Market Cap: $144M

Number of Hedge fund holders: 8

American Outdoor Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:AOUT) owns several brands that are involved in hunting and related equipment. American Outdoor Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:AOUT)’s hunting-related brands include Grilla Grills (sells grills), Bog Hunt (sells hunting equipment), Lockdown (firearms), Caldwell Shooting and more.

20. O.F. Mossberg & Sons

Annual Revenue: $160M

Number of Hedge fund holders: N/A

O.F. Mossberg & Sons is one of the largest hunting firearm companies in the US. O.F. Mossberg & Sons has a special section on big game and field hunting firearms on its website. O.F. Mossberg & Sons has another subsidiary, Maverick Arms, that sells hunting and security firearms, barrels, choke tubes, and conversions. O.F. Mossberg & Sons ranks 20th in our list of the biggest hunting companies in the US.

19. Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ:BGFV)

Annual Revenue: $261.45M

Number of Hedge fund holders: 10

California-based Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ:BGFV) sells hunting rifles and accessories, among other sporting goods. In November, Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ:BGFV) posted Q3 GAAP EPS of $0.29. Revenue in the quarter fell 9.7% to total $261.45 million, beating estimates by $3.05 million. Adjusted EBITDA in the period was $13.0 million, compared to$37.3 million posted in the same period last year. For the fourth quarter of 2022, Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ:BGFV) said that it expects same store sales to decrease in the high single-digit to low double-digit range compared to the fiscal 2021 fourth quarter,

18. Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ:CLAR)

Market Cap: $352.96M

Number of Hedge fund holders: 20

Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ:CLAR) sells outdoor equipment. Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ:CLAR) is added in our list of the largest hunting companies in the US because some of its brands are directly involved in hunting-related products. For example, it owns Sierra Bullets, which makes bullets used in hunting, target shooting and for defense purposes. Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ:CLAR) is also behind Barnes Bullets, which is a key player in the bullet industry.

17. Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPWH)

Market Cap: $380M

Number of Hedge fund holders: 22

Utah-based Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPWH) is a Utah-based company that sells guns and hunting-related equipment. Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPWH) operates across 30 states in the US.

16. Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:SWBI)

Market Cap: $470M

Number of Hedge fund holders: 12

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:SWBI) is a Massachusetts-based firearm company that makes several pistols and firearms for recreation and hunting. In December, Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:SWBI) fell after the company posted a 48% drop in its sales. Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:SWBI) said that the demand for its products was down when compared to last year amid rising inflation, among other factors. Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:SWBI)’s gross margin in the period also fell to 32.4% of sales vs. 44.3% a year ago. However, Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:SWBI)’s management said that it expects to remain “highly profitable” despite the challenges.

15. Remington Outdoor Company (Owned by Cerberus Capital Management)

Annual Revenue (2021): $700M

Number of Hedge fund holders: N/A

Remington Outdoor Company was one of the biggest firearm companies in the US. It announced bankruptcy back in 2018 but later made a comeback. Remington Outdoor Company had to file bankruptcy again in 2020. Remington Outdoor Company is now owned by Cerberus Capital Management. Remington Outdoor Company still sells hunting equipment, hunting rifles and related accessories on its website.

14. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR)

Market Cap: $975M

Number of Hedge fund holders: 11

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR) is one of the notable publicly-traded firearm manufacturers in the US. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR) lists several rifles and firearms on its website especially designed for different kinds of hunting expeditions. In December, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR) soared after the company surprised investors with a $5.00 per share special dividend. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR) said that it was giving dividend because of its strong operational and financial performance, including consistently positive cash flow and a current cash balance of $220 million. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR) has returned about $590 million in cash to shareholders through its quarterly dividend and share buybacks.

13. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW)

Market Cap: $1.07B

Number of Hedge fund holders: 18

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW) is a Michigan-based company that specializes in footwear. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW) has a complete section for hunting boots. It sells waterproof boots designed for difficult terrains and hunting environments. Earlier this month, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW) gained after the company posted positive outlook for 2024 at the ICR conference. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW)’s management has revealed plans to cut down its inventories and increase profits moving forward.

12. Patagonia

Annual Revenue: $1.5B

Number of Hedge fund holders: N/A

California-based Patagonia is one of the biggest hunting apparel companies in the US. Patagonia products are highly famous among hunters in the US. Patagonia has operations in over 10 countries and manufacturing facilities spread across the globe.

11. Compass Diversified (NYSE:CODI)

Market Cap: $1.52B

Number of Hedge fund holders: 7

Compass Diversified (NYSE:CODI) is a major holding company that owns several brands. Some of Compass Diversified (NYSE:CODI)’s brands are related to hunting. Last year, Compass Diversified (NYSE:CODI) completed its buyout of PrimaLoft, Inc., which makes high-performance material solutions, specializing in insulations and fabrics. Compass Diversified (NYSE:CODI)’s products are used in hunting, for military purposes and in other outdoor activities. In 2018, Compass Diversified (NYSE:CODI) also bought Ravin Crossbows for $94 million.

10. Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE:VSTO)

Market Cap: $1.55B

Number of Hedge fund holders: 22

Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE:VSTO) is behind several major hunting-related brands, including Bushnell, Black Hawk, Remington, among others. Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE:VSTO) acquired some parts of the gunmaker Remington Outdoor Co Inc’s ammunition and accessories businesses for about $81 million. In November, Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE:VSTO) stock fell after the company cut its full-year estimates. Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE:VSTO) said that it is operating in a challenging environment. It now expects full-year revenue to come in between $3.05 billion to $3.15 billion, down from a prior outlook of $3.20 billion to $3.325 billion.

9. Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CWH)

Market Cap: $2.15B

Number of Hedge fund holders: 22

Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CWH) is an Illinois-based company that sells recreational vehicles. But being an outdoor company, Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CWH) also sells hunting equipment, fishing gear and related products. Some of the notable hunting items Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CWH) sells on its platform outdoor generators, tents, outdoor vaults, grills and fishing rods.

8. Cabela’s (Parent Co: Bass Pro Shops, Great Outdoors Group, LLC.)

Annual Revenue: $3.6B

Number of Hedge fund holders: N/A

Cabela’s is an American retailer that specializes in products related to hunting, fishing, camping and hiking. Cabela’s sells hunting apparel, accessories, trail cameras, decoys, hunting watches and much more. Cabela’s parent organizations are Bass Pro Shops, Great Outdoors Group, LLC.

7. YETI Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:YETI)

Market Cap: $3.88B

Number of Hedge fund holders: 23

Texas-based YETI Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:YETI) ranks 7th in our list of the largest hunting companies in the US. YETI Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:YETI) makes outdoor products such as water coolers, ice chests, thermoses and related accessories. YETI Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:YETI) also sells big game hunting and water fowl hunting gear on its website.

In November, investment firm Canaccord Genuity started covering Yeti Holdings (NYSE:YETI) with a Buy rating. The firm thinks the brand has a “staying power”.

6. Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM)

Market Cap: $5.78B

Number of Hedge fund holders: 20

With a market cap of $5.7 billion, Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM) is one of the biggest outdoor companies in the US. Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM) also makes caps, puffer jackets, trousers, hoodies and related equipment for hunting. In October, Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.30/share, inline with the previous dividend. The forward dividend yield at the time came in at 1.63%.

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Disclosure: None. 22 Largest Hunting Companies in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.