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.

I wanted to put together a total list of fish species I’ve caught, just to try and keep a running tab. Hopefully it will continue to grow as I fish more new waters. I think I get just as excited catching new species as I do catching truly big fish. I’m not on any kind of mission to catch a certain number of species, I just think it will be interesting to maintain and revisit the list from time to time. It should also help to serve as a place to ID a fish that you’ve caught, but have no idea what it is. Of course, I’m not a biologist, so take what I post with a grain of salt, most of my knowledge comes from experience, and the internet. In time I will add other freshwater fish from different families, then move on to saltwater, but for now here are the sunfishes.

Warning to some though, things are about to get nerdy. I’ll separate each species according to it’s taxonomy. Today I’ll start in freshwater with the sunfishes, family Centrarchidae, which has 8 genera, and 34 species native to North America. So far I’ve caught 21 of them. It helps to live in the Southeastern U.S. if you want to catch a variety of sunfish.

Where possible I’ll put up a picture and a distribution map of those that I’ve caught. Click the map for more information about that particular species. The distribution maps come from the original NatureServe Explorer or the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species site. Both are pretty good resources for finding information on specific plants and animals. I did not produce these distribution maps so I can’t confirm their complete accuracy, but I do trust they are mostly accurate.

Update, June 2018: Both of Lance Coley’s articles on black bass species have gone the way of the do-do. Tim Bonvechio and Patrick Cooney have a pretty good article on black bass up on The Fisheries Blog highlighting the 9 species that the scientific community are in agreement on. Work is being done to add more and those are mentioned in the article as well, so be sure to check it out.

Update, April and August 2021: I added a few new-to-me species this year and updated range maps for species that didn’t have one or where the range map info was old and outdated

Ambloplites – Rock Bass

Ambloplites ariommus – Shadow bass

Ambloplites rupestris – Rock bass

Centrarchus – Flier

Centrarchus macropterus – Flier

Lepomis – Sunfish

Lepomis auritus – Redbreast sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus – Green sunfish

Lepomis humilis – Orangespotted Sunfish

Lepomis gulosis – Warmouth

Lepomis macrochirus – Bluegill

Lepomis marginatus – Dollar sunfish

Lepomis megalotis – Longear sunfish

Lepomis microlophus – Redear sunfish

Lepomis miniatus – Redspotted sunfish

Lepomis punctatus – Spotted sunfish

Micropterus – Black Bass

Redeye Bass

Micropterus cahabae – Cahaba bass (formerly Redeye bass, from the Cahaba River drainage)

Micropterus chattahoochee – Chattahoochee bass (formerly Redeye bass, from the Chattahoochee River drainage)

Micropterus coosae – Redeye(Coosa) bass (Redeye bass from the Coosa River drainage)

Micropterus sp. cf. M. coosae – Bartram’s bass (formerly Redeye bass, from the Savannah River drainage)

Micropterus sp. cf. M. coosae – Altamaha bass (formerly Redeye bass, from the Altamaha River drainage)

Micropterus tallapoosae – Tallapoosa bass (formerly Redeye bass, from the Tallapoosa River drainage)

Micropterus warriorensis – Warrior bass (formerly Redeye bass, from the Black Warrior River drainage)

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu dolomieu – (Northern) Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu velox – Neosho Smallmouth bass

Micropterus sp. cf. dolomieu velox – Ouachita Smallmouth bass

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides – (Northern) Largemouth bass

The Other Black Basses

Micropterus cataractae – Shoal bass

Micropterus treculii – Guadalupe bass

Micropterus hensalli – Alabama bass (formerly Spotted bass, of the Mobile River drainage)

Micropterus punctulatus – Spotted bass (Kentucky)

Micropterus haiaka – Choctaw bass

The newest member of the black bass family as discovered by biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Their range falls in between the Alabama bass and the Shoal bass in Gulf draining streams on the Florida panhandle and in Alabama.

Pomoxis – Crappie

Pomoxis annularis – White crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus – Black crappie

Xin cung cấp nội dung bài viết mà bạn muốn tôi viết lại và chèn các shortcode.

In recreational angling, the largemouth bass is king. No other species has an international following as massive and as dedicated as that of the largemouth bass.

Their global distribution, accessibility to anglers of all socio-economic levels, and renowned game fish characteristics have morphed the largemouth bass from simply a fish to a globally recognized icon of recreational angling.

Due to the historic and widespread popularity of the species, it should come as no surprise that obtaining a world record largemouth bass is nearly impossible. Nearly.

The following catches represent the biggest, most impressive and envied world records ever granted for largemouth bass.

George Perry | Montgomery Lake, GA

The All-Tackle record for largemouth bass is the most sought after game fish record in the world. It is the “holy grail” of fishing records. George Perry has held this prestigious title for nearly 83 years, since he pulled his massive 22-pound, 4-ounce fish from Montgomery Lake, Georgia on June 2, 1932.

Perry, a 20-year-old farmer at the time, decided to go fishing with longtime friend Jack Page. The two were taking turns with a single rod and reel, casting a Creek Chub Fintail Shiner from the wooden Jon boat Perry had built.

An interview from 1973 recorded Perry saying, “I thought I had hooked a log, but then the log started moving.”

After skillfully playing the fish out of a half-submerged treetop, Perry finally boated the fish which was bigger than anything he or Page had ever seen.

The two immediately beached the boat and headed for town. Later that day, the fish officially weighed in at 22 pounds, 4 ounces and soon after became the new benchmark for record chasing anglers around the world.

Seventy-seven years would pass before a fish comparable to Perry’s monster would be caught, but it has still yet to be surpassed.

Manabu Kurita | Lake Biwa, Japan

However, Perry’s sole ownership of this most prestigious record came to an end on July 2, 2009 when Japanese angler Manabu Kurita pulled his own 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth from Lake Biwa in central Japan, after it ate a live bluegill that he had on for bait.

Although it occurred halfway around the world from where Perry’s fish was landed, news of the historic catch spread like wildfire through the angling world. And as word spread, so did the doubts.

After all, landing a fish that millions of anglers had pursued for nearly a century is not something to be taken lightly. As such, every detail of the catch and its submission was done under a microscope.

The IGFA and Japanese Game Fishing Association (JGFA) even went as far as to administer a polygraph test on Kurita to ensure the catch and submission was done by IGFA rules.

After months of rigorously reviewing the application, the IGFA granted Manabu Kurita his share of the “holy grail” a tie for the coveted All-Tackle largemouth bass world record with George Perry.

Raymond Easley | Lake Casitas, CA

When Raymond Easley caught his historic 21-pound, 3-ounce largemouth on March 4 1980, it was the largest bass anyone had recorded since George Perry’s All-Tackle monster in 1932.

On that morning, Easley was fishing Lake Casitas, California with a few buddies who were inexperienced anglers. While demonstrating how to properly fish a live crawfish in the relatively deep water, Easley’s bait got crushed and he came tight on the fish of a lifetime.

After a quick fight, Easley had the fish weighed in on a certified scale not far from the lake. Shortly after, the catch became the men’s 8-pound line class world record a record that still stands today.

At the time of the catch, Easley’s fish was the second heaviest largemouth ever recorded, trailing only Perry’s All-Tackle record.

The catch sent shockwaves through the angling community and renewed the hopes of anglers everywhere about having a chance at catching the next world record largemouth, especially anglers in southern California.

Robert Crupi | Castaic Lake, CA

While George Perry’s name is revered and envied among bass anglers, and rightfully so, there is one angler whose name deserves equal respect and recognition Robert Crupi

Most bass anglers dream of a chance at catching just one world record in their lifetime, Crupi has four to his name. Not to mention that three of those records were caught in just a year’s time! Not a bad year at all.

Crupi’s first world record largemouth would be the fish of a lifetime for any other angler a 21-pound lunker that he pulled from the renowned Castaic Lake in Southern California on March 9, 1990.

Crupi, now a retired LA policeman, has been a regular on Lake Castaic since 1977.

In fact, Crupi fished the same spot in the lake for five days prior to landing this fish, which he coerced with a live crawdad he was fishing in 36- to 40-feet of water.

Although he had caught several large fish in his life, Crupi had never seen one this big. The fish was successfully landed, weighed-in, and shortly after became the men’s 12-pound line class record.

At the time, this was the third heaviest largemouth ever recorded by the IGFA. And Crupi was just getting started.

Christmas came three days late for Robert Crupi in 1990. On the morning of December 28, 1990, Crupi was fishing his usual spots on Castaic Lake, working a crippled herring jig in about 40 feet of water after marking some fish on his electric paper graph (an old school sounder).

After catching several crappie and smallmouth bass, Crupi dropped the jig down again, but this time he hooked something big. The fish effortlessly stripped the 4-pound monofilament off his reel, and stayed deep for approximately 15 minutes.

Finally, the fish surfaced about 50 yards from the boat and Crupi realized what he had been fighting. Fishing alone, Crupi managed to net and land the fish by himself, which became his second world record, this time in the men’s 4-pound line class category.

A couple months later and almost exactly a year after landing his first world record largemouth Crupi was back on Castaic Lake the morning of March 12, 1991.

This time he pulled an incredible 22-pound lunker from the lake using a live crawdad and utilizing the same technique he had employed for the record fish he caught the year before.

Crupi only needed three minutes to land the fish, which he netted himself as he was again fishing alone. Immediately knowing he had something special, Crupi put the fish in his livewell and raced back to the docks, later to be weighed in at a nearby deli & liquor store on a certified scale.

Noticing that the fish was a spawning female and full of eggs, Crupi returned the fish to the livewell after it was officially weighed in, and eventually released the fish at the same spot he pulled it from the water earlier that morning.

This catch earned Crupi the men’s 16-pound line class record, and once again, the third heaviest bass ever recorded by the IGFA to this day.

Dan Kadota | Castaic Lake, CA

Robert Crupi isn’t the only angler that has capitalized on the incredible largemouth fishery of California’s famed Castaic Lake.

In fact, Dan Kadota pulled his 19-pound monster from Castaic a year before Crupi began his stretch of incredible record catches. On the chilly morning of January 8, 1989, Kadota struck out early with hopes of catching big largemouth. And he was not disappointed.

While fishing a live crawfish along the bottom, Kadota hooked into his record catch, which he netted and boated approximately five minutes later.

The fish eventually became the men’s 20-pound line class record, where it still remains today.

Larry Kuroaski | Castaic Lagoon, CA

Angler Larry Kurosaki caught a 16-pound, 12-ounce lunker while fishing Castaic Lagoon on the morning of February 26, 2009.

While a largemouth of this size is certainly noteworthy, the impressive fact about Kurosaki’s record is that it was caught on fly tackle.

In fact, Kurosaki’s 16-pound, 12-ounce fish is the largest fly caught largemouth ever recorded by the IGFA. Kurosaki coerced the fish to bite a custom tied minnow fly, and skillfully played the fish for five minutes before he landed what would become the men’s 8-pound tippet class record.

Kurosaki was prepared with a portable certified scale, and quickly weighed and documented the fish on shore, before he released it alive.

Mackenzie Hickox | Daytona Beach, FL

Although the majority of the current world record largemouth bass have come from southern California, Florida is still one of the best places in the US to target trophy largemouth bass.

Places like Lake Okeechobee and Lake Toho are known by bass anglers everywhere, but the largemouth potential in Florida is not limited to these famous haunts.

Any freshwater body of water in Florida has the potential of producing quality bass, due to the climate and the strain of largemouth found in the state.

In fact, Mackenzie Hickox caught her 15-pound, 12-ounce female Junior angler record from the shoreline of a man-made pond, not far from her house in Daytona Beach. Hickox, just 11-years-old at the time, was fishing a Strobe Spinner on May 8, 2006 with her parents, sister and a friend when she hooked into the massive bass.

Once landed, the fish was measured and weighed on a portable scale, which read an incredible 16 pounds. The fish was then released alive to grow even bigger.

Cody Pierce | Lake Murray, CA

Fourteen-year-old Cody Pierce’s Junior Angler world record largemouth, a 17-pound trophy, is a perfect example of the importance of the “last cast”.

On the morning of March 22, 2000, Cody skate-boarded down to the nearby Murray Reservoir outside of San Diego, to sneak in some fishing before heading off to school.

After catching several smaller bass and about to call it a day, Cody made his “last cast” from the shore line and immediately got a bite, but couldn’t stay connected. Realizing that his rubber worm had been cut in half, he quickly put a fresh lure on and re-cast to the same location.

This time, Cody hooked up and stayed connected to his 17-pound fish which he weighed in at the nearby ranger station, with the help of some older anglers fishing nearby.

Even more impressive is that Cody made the decision to release the fish alive so it could make even more bass for people to catch in the future.

Never give up!

All of these catches, but especially the last two, are exactly why bass fishing is so popular. These young anglers were fishing from shore, close to their homes, with tackle that probably cost no more than $20. The largemouth bass is the “people’s” fish. Sure there are those anglers that spend way too much money on boats that go way too fast, and gear that is way too expensive. But that is not required.

You don’t need big boats to travel hundreds of miles. You don’t need expensive tackle and elaborate rigs.

All you need is a rod and reel, and you too could find your name listed alongside Perry, Crupi, Kurita, and the other anglers lucky enough to catch a world record largemouth bass.

By Chris Madson

It was a hurricane. A hurricane 900 miles from the nearest ocean, on the ragged edge of winter with the thermometer hovering just above zero. The day the storm hit, and the night that followed, Dale Engler of Alma, Wisconsin, was out on Crooked Slough, a backwater on the Mississippi River about 50 miles southeast of Saint Paul, Minnesota. The memory still haunted him decades later. “I am very thankful that all I got out of that ordeal was frost-bitten feet and hands, frozen ears,” he wrote in 1963. “I’m not counting all the nightmares I had the first few years after that day. In every single one, I’m still in that icy water, getting weaker and weaker, swimming toward a dark, snow-covered shore that is never there.”

The storm was born in the gray expanse of the north Pacific, a low-pressure system that raised gale warnings along the West Coast during the night of November 6, 1940, and into the next morning. It roared up the Columbia River to buffet the Tacoma Narrows suspension bridge. The bridge’s central span began to sway, and the wind accentuated the motion, like a kid pumping a playground swing. Just after 11 o’clock in the morning on November 7, the supporting cables gave way, and the wreckage of the bridge fell into the water 190 feet below.

The next afternoon, the system collided with the western edge of a mass of arctic air sagging down from Canada over the central plains. It was the first cold of the approaching winter. The storm skirted the edge of the front, drifting southeast into Colorado, strengthening slightly, and then swinging north along the eastern edge of the cold air. By then, a wall of frigid air stretched from Wichita, Kansas, to northern Iowa, and ahead of the cold front, a mass of warm air from the Gulf of Mexico surged up the Mississippi River Valley. Around seven o’clock on the morning of November 11, Armistice Day, as it was known at the time, the storm passed from Iowa into southern Minnesota.

It was the first cold front of the season after a long Indian summer, and it sparked interest among the area’s duck hunters, especially those who were off from work or school because of the holiday. Frank Heidelbauer was a teenager living near Fort Dodge, Iowa. He would later become one of the nation’s premier makers of custom duck and goose calls, but on that morning he was just another young waterfowl hunter looking for birds along Lizard Creek west of town.

“It was foggy with a light drizzle, and warm,” he remembered 40 years later. “I had hunted about three miles of this stretch when a large flock of mallards hooked in out of the murk and landed almost in front of meI took about two steps and they were back in the air and I folded one for each of my three shots. It was while I was picking up these ducks that the wind suddenly thundered down on me out of the northwest.

“In all my days I can’t recall such a rapid change in weather. With the wind came an almost unbelievable drop in temperature, and the drizzle changed to heavy wet snow. Where there were no ducks before, the creek was now full of them, and they were obviously worn out.”

That’s how it was along the prairie creeks in central Iowa. But as the storm continued north it became much more dangerous.

The center of low pressure passed almost 200 miles west of Chicago, but the Windy City and Lake Michigan were not spared. The wind mounted steadily from sunrise through the rest of the day, pummeling the area with gusts over 60 miles an hour for much of the afternoon. Barometric pressure dropped to 28.23 inches—equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane. The temperature at noon was a balmy 63 degrees. By six o’clock that evening, it had dropped to 26. The gale pushed the water of Lake Michigan to the northeast, causing a drop of 4.8 feet along the lakefront. The Milwaukee airport reported a wind gust of 80 miles per hour. In Minneapolis, the wind rose, and then it started to snow, the first flakes of what would be an accumulation of 16.2 inches in a 24-hour span.

As the storm spun toward the upper Mississippi, scores of duck hunters along the river laid plans to take advantage of the cold front. The weather forecast in the Minneapolis Star Journal on November 10 was terse but promising for a waterfowler: “Snow and Colder Today and Monday.”

At 10 o’clock on the morning of November 11, the thermometer in Winona, Minnesota, stood at 50 degrees. A local weather observer recorded a shift in the wind and watched the temperature drop eight degrees in 15 minutes. Around noon, Engler rowed his skiff across the backwaters to an island along the river channel. Like most of the young men along the river at that time, he knew small boats and hunting on the river. It had been raining lightly, so he was wearing a canvas hunting jacket, hip boots over canvas pants, and a wool shirt.

“At 2 o’clock the rain turned into wind-driven sleet and snow and within the next 2 hours I saw more waterfowl than I’ve seen in my life,” he remembered. “About that time some hunters started to go ashore but I thought it was just an early snowstorm and paid no attention, besides, I was having the time of my life.

“Redheads and mallards by the thousands were flying over and on both sides of me. By this time those ducks coming down the river had gusts of a 60 mph tail wind behind them. Hundreds of ducks came past me within 15 feet, probably going around 80 miles an hour. At 3:45 I had 5 mallards and 2 canvasbacks, big plump northern ducks. Now [it was time] to get home and thaw out. Two hunters had been shooting off the south end of the same island I was on. I decided to walk down there and see if they had a big boat. Maybe I could bum a ride across Crooked Slough. Snow was falling so heavily by now that visibility was around 40 feet and it was getting dark. I got to the south area just in time to help both hunters out of the water. Their boat had broached and swamped . . . I saw I didn’t have a chance with my skiff.”

The three men tried to start a fire without success, and Engler decided he would attempt to swim across the backwater and get help. He stashed his shotgun, hip boots, and jacket under his overturned skiff and walked down to the water’s edge.

“I couldn’t see over 30 feet from me as I stepped into the raging water,” he recalled. “The waves were about 3 feet high. Almost every wave was going over my head. I don’t know how long I had been swimming when I bumped into a stump and found I could touch bottom.”

On shore, Engler came across two hunters who had started a large fire. After he had warmed up, he made his way back to his car and drove home, where he called the authorities and reported the position of the two men on the island. “It was the most miserable day I’ve ever lived through,” he wrote, “and I have lived through a few other not-too-comfortable days while serving 38 months in the Pacific with the Navy during World War II. I’ve never been so miserably cold nor felt so close to death as I did in that freezing nightmare.”

Three other young Winona men found themselves in similar circumstances nearby. Ray Sherin, only 14 years old, had gone out to the river around noon with his 20-year-old cousin, Bob Stephan, and 19-year-old Cal Wieczorek. They killed four ducks almost as soon as they hunkered down in the willows, but it quickly became evident that this was no ordinary cold front. Visibility dropped to 30 yards and the temperature was in free fall. They made a run for safety, but with no landmarks visible, they ran aground four times. Then the outboard died. The two older hunters dragged the boat off the mud bar and paddled in the general direction of shore.

The waves drove them onto a low islet. The two men jumped out, but before Sherin could move, a wave broke over the stern and soaked him to the skin. It was clear that they weren’t going to find their way out of the bottoms until the storm abated. Stephan and Wieczorek dragged the boat up out of reach of the waves, turned it over for shelter, and made a bed for the teen, whose clothes were already freezing solid. With no way to build a fire, the three huddled under the boat and waited for morning.

“The thing I remember best was the unending scream of the wind,” Sherin later said of the experience. “The sound of distant gunshots reached us several times. Far-off yells for help.”

At dawn they launched the boat over the 50-foot shelf of ice that had formed during the night. Heading downwind toward Wisconsin, they ran aground on an ice shelf 100 yards from shore. A skiff from the Corps of Engineers’ launch Chippewa picked them up.

Stephan was hospitalized for a week with frozen hands. Sherin, in far worse shape, spent six weeks in the hospital, fighting the lingering effects of hypothermia and extensive frostbite. He lost 58 pounds and part of one foot before he was released, just in time for Christmas.

Two other teenage boys, Dick Bice and La Vern Rieber, paddled out to a collection of low islands and took cover, waiting for a flight. It wasn’t long in coming. As the first bunch of mallards passed, Rieber killed a drake. He paddled out to retrieve the bird and, when he found that he couldn’t get back to his friend, took shelter on another island. The boys could find no fuel for fires on their separate retreats, and precious little shelter.

When Bice’s father, Ray, came home that evening and heard that his son hadn’t returned, he loaded his 16-foot boat and motor, recruited some help, and hurried out to find the boys. The men tried to launch the boat, but the massive breakers swamped it every time they tried. They finally settled down to wait for a break in the wind.

The next morning, another river man managed to slide a boat over the ice to Rieber’s island just as Ray Bice and his party arrived on the scene. The anxious dad slid his skiff over to his son’s island, where Dick had trampled a ring in the snow as he ran in circles to keep warm. He was plenty cold but unharmed.

Others weren’t so lucky.

Responding to news of the impending cold front, Carl Tarras of Winona gathered up his two sons, 17-year-old Gerald and 16-year-old Ray, along with a friend, Bill Wernecke, for a day of waterfowling on the river. When the wind shifted and intensified, they were cut off from dry land and took what shelter they could find in a stand of cattails. Gerald watched the other members of the party die from hypothermia—Wernecke first, then Ray. Carl held on until moments before rescuers arrived the next morning. Gerald had dug part-way into a muskrat house, the rescuers reported, a last-ditch effort that may well have saved his life.

Many details from other stories are lost forever. On the Wednesday after the storm, the bodies of Saint Paul hunters Roy Johnson and Thomas Cigler were discovered, partly covered with snow, on the shore of the mainland. Their johnboat had apparently been swamped by the waves. They made it to dry land but, soaked to the skin and with the wind-driven snow obliterating any landmarks, they had not found warmth and shelter in time. That same day, a Coast Guard searcher came across the body of Red Wing, Minnesota, resident Joseph Elk on an island in the river. On Thursday, the body of another missing man, Bror Kronberg of Saint Paul, was discovered. Kronberg had managed to get his boat to shore in the teeth of the storm, but searchers found his body under the lee of a haystack nearby, where he’d managed to burrow into the hay before he succumbed to the deepening cold.

Estimates of the total number of deaths vary. The National Weather Service reported that 154 lives were lost. Among those, 69 were crew members on ships and fishing boats lost on Lake Michigan. A headline in the Winona Daily News on the Thursday after the storm read “Death Toll of Hunters to Reach 20.” On Wednesday evening, the LaCrosse Tribune’s headline claimed, “27 Midwest Hunters Dead.” With the news of the desperate conflict in Europe clamoring for attention, a close count of the number of hunters who were actually lost during the storm was never made, but it’s likely that, of the 85 people not drowned in Lake Michigan, more than half were waterfowlers on the upper Mississippi.

Seventy years after the great storm, the children and grandchildren and great grandchildren of people who witnessed it still speak of it in hushed tones. It’s as if they miss something that has largely disappeared from the heartland. The corn country of the upper Midwest has been domesticated. Cut over, fenced, furrowed, converted from prairie and forest to one of the world’s great food factories, it has lost much of its essential nature. But the great weather events remainthe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, and blizzards that lie in wait just over the horizon, reminders that some things are still beyond our control.

It takes no great leap of imagination for a modern waterfowler to understand why hunters went out on the big water that day. They were an adventurous lot, that bunch. Like us, they whined about the bluebird days most of their neighbors welcomed, praying instead for a stiff north wind, a threatening sky, and a thermometer in free fall. While the rest of the town retreated to the fireside and drew the curtains tight, they went out to meet the storm and the waterfowl that rode it.

They witnessed a day when the business of men, and even the carnage of war, was overshadowed by the raw power of land and sky. It overcame some of them. For many more, it became the memory of a lifetime. All the wildfowl of a continent seemed to gather on a single arctic gale, the roar of the wind and the rush of wings an anthem to all that was—and still is—wild and free.

Continue Reading

The most advanced sniper rifles in the world are always been a great addition to any special operations forces team. They also have been my weapon of choice. In modern warfare, they are unavoidable subject in every infantry or special operations forces mission. Usually, snipers are our eyes and our advantage at the moment when the battle begins. From short-range to long-range sniper rifles, the outcome is the same.

In the world of firearms, these sniper rifles mean something and they are considered as the top sniper rifles in the world at this moment.

M110 SASS

The M110 SASS (Semi-Automatic Sniper System) is an American semi-automatic sniper rifle/designated marksman rifle. The sniper rifle is developed by Knight’s Armament Company in a 7.62x51mm NATO round.

It has been introduced to the U.S. SOF community in April 2008, when U.S. Army soldiers from Task Force Fury in Afghanistan used them in a combat zone. The troops rated the weapon very highly, noting the quality of the weapon and its semi-automatic capabilities compared to the bolt-action M24. It is considered as one of the most advanced sniper rifles in the world.

Designed: 2007 Cartridge: 7.62×51mm NATO Action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt Rate of fire: Semi-automatic Muzzle velocity: 783 m/s (2,570 ft/s) with 175 gr. M118LR Effective firing range: 800 meters (875 yds) Feed system: 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine

M40

The M40 rifle is a standard-issue sniper rifle in the USMC (United States Marine Corps). It is a bolt-action sniper rifle introduced into service in 1966. So far, it has had four variants—the M40, M40A1, M40A3, and M40A5. The changeover to the A1 model was completed in the 1970s, the A3 in the 2000s, and the A5 in 2009.

Each M40 is built from a Remington 700 bolt-action rifle and is modified by USMC armorers at Marine Corps Base Quantico, using components from a number of suppliers. New M40A5s are being built, and A1s are upgraded to A3s and A5s as they rotate into the armory for service and repair.

Designed: 1966 Cartridge: 7.62×51mm NATO Action: Bolt action Rate of fire: 6 RPM Muzzle velocity: 777 m/s (2,550 ft/s) (w/175 gr. M118LR) Effective firing range: 800 meters Feed system: 5-round integral box magazine (M40, M40A1, M40A3) 10-round removable box magazine (M40A5) Sights: Scout Sniper Day Scope (SSDS)—Schmidt and Bender PM II 3-12×50

AS50

The AS50 sniper rifle was primarily designed for the British Armed Forces and the United States Navy SEALs. It was employed due to its high rate of fire (five rounds in 1.6 seconds).

The AS50 was manufactured by British firearms producer Accuracy International and chambered in a .50 BMG caliber.This sniper rifle enables operators to engage targets at very long range with high accuracy using explosive or incendiary ammunition. The AS50 employs a gas-operated semi-automatic action and muzzle brake, allowing for lower recoil than the AW50 bolt-action rifle and faster target acquisition.

Designed: 2007 Cartridge: .50 BMG Action: The gas operation, direct impingement Rate of fire: semi-automatic, estimated at 5 rounds/1.6 seconds Effective firing range: 1,800 m Feed system: 5 or 10-round detachable box magazine

McMillan Tac-50

The McMillan Tac-50 sniper rifle was produced as a military and law enforcement weapon, which, designated as the C15. The rifle is also a standard Long Range Sniper Weapon (LRSW) of the Canadian Forces since 2000. Rifles of the Tac-50 family are capable of outstanding accuracy and guaranteed to provide 0.5 MOA groups with match grade ammunition.

The Tac-50 sniper rifle is produced in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States by McMillan Firearms Manufacturing. This long-range anti-material/anti-personnel weapon is based on previous designs from the same company, which first appeared during the late 1980s. McMillan makes several versions of .50 caliber rifles, based on the same proprietary action, for the military, law enforcement, and civilian use.

Designed: 1980s Cartridge: .50 BMG (12.7 x 99 mm) Action: manually operated rotary bolt action Muzzle velocity: 805 m/s (2,641 ft/s) Effective firing range: 1,800 m (1,970 yd) Feed system: 5 round detachable box magazine Sights: Customizable; 5-25x telescopic sight standard in Canadian Forces

Accuracy International AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum)

The Accuracy International AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum) is one of the most recognized sniper rifles among the special forces community. The rifle is a bolt-action styled manufactured by Accuracy International and designed for magnum rifle cartridge chamberings. The Accuracy International AWM is also unofficially known as the AWSM (Arctic Warfare Super Magnum), which typically denotes AWM rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum.

On 25 September 2012 Accuracy International announced on their company website that the AWM .338 Lapua Magnum rifle is being phased out and replaced by the Accuracy International AX338 rifle.

Designed: 1996 Cartridge: .300 Winchester Magnum .338 Lapua Magnum Action: Bolt-action Effective firing range: 1,100 m (1,203 yd) (.300 Winchester Magnum) 1,500 m (1,640 yd) (.338 Lapua Magnum) Feed system: 5-round detachable box magazine Sights: detachable aperture type iron sights day or night optics

CheyTac Intervention

The CheyTac Intervention is considered as a star among sniper rifles. An American-made bolt-action sniper rifle manufactured by CheyTac LLC is one of the most favorited on the market. It is fed by a 7-round detachable single-stack magazine. It is chambered for .408 Chey Tac or .375 Chey Tac ammunition. The manufacturer states that the system is capable of delivering sub-MOA accuracy at ranges of up to 2,500 yards (2,300 m), one of the longest ranges of all modern-day sniper rifles.

It is based on the EDM Arms Windrunner and it can be found in various variants: M-200, M-200 Carbine, M-200 CIV (Civilian), M-200 RK, M-310 SS (Single Shot), and M-310 R (Repeater).

Designed: 2001 Cartridge: .408 Chey Tac or .375 Chey Tac Action: Bolt action Effective firing range: 2000+ m – M-200 2000+ m – M-200 Carbine 1500+ m – M-200 CIV (Civilian) 1800+ m – M-310 SS (Single Shot) 1800+ m – M-310 R (Repeater) Feed system: 7-round detachable box magazine Sights: Day or night optics

Barrett M107

The Barrett M107 is a .50 caliber, shoulder-fired, semi-automatic sniper rifle. Like its predecessors (Barrett M82), the rifle is said to have manageable recoil for a weapon of its size owing to the barrel assembly that itself absorbs a force, moving inward toward the receiver against large springs with every shot.

Various changes were made to the original M82A1 to create the M107, with new features such as a lengthened accessory rail, rear grip, and monopod socket.

The Barrett M107, like previous members of the M82 line, is also referred to as the Barrett “Light Fifty”. The designation has in many instances supplanted earlier ones, with the M107 being voted one of 2005’s top 10 military inventions by the U.S. Army and it is one of the most advanced sniper rifles today.

Designed: 1980 Cartridge: .50 BMG (12.7×99mm) Action: Bolt action Effective firing range: 1,829 m (6,001 ft) Feed system: 11-round detachable box magazine Sights: Day or night optics

If you’re looking for an adventure and a chance to hunt one of the largest land mammals in North America, then bison hunting in the United States is for you! In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about hunting these impressive creatures, including where to go and what you need to bring. We’ll also provide some tips on how to bag your bison buck. So if you’re ready for an unforgettable hunting experience, keep reading!

The American Bison, also called the buffalo, is one of the few legendary animals the great plains of North America. For a select few hunters, tagging one of these animals is a dream, and one of the ultimate tests of your hunting sportsmanship skills.

Once you’ve set your sights on adding one of these majestic creatures to your trophy collection, the question becomes where and how you’ll hunt it. We’ve scoured the country for the best ranches to give you the best experience, both hunting and relaxing.

Bison Hunting For Beginners

Most hunters are familiar with the basics of deer hunting before they even touch the trigger for the first time. Bison hunting though is a bit more exotic and so I want to start off with some quick bison hunting tips for beginners.

What To Expect On Your First Bison Hunt

Hunting American bison, also known as buffalo, is a significant undertaking that requires careful preparation and respect for the animal and its natural habitat itself. Here are some things a person should know before they begin:

1. Understand the Regulations: Hunting bison is regulated by state and federal laws. You should check with local wildlife agencies or hunting guides to understand the specific regulations in your area. This may include obtaining a hunting license and a specific bison tag.
2. Physical Fitness: Bison hunting can be physically demanding. Bison are large animals that often live in rugged terrain, so hunters should be in good physical condition.
3. Equipment: You will need a high-powered rifle, as bison are large and tough animals. A .30-06 caliber rifle or larger is often recommended. You’ll also need appropriate clothing for the weather and terrain, as well as camping gear if you plan to hunt for several days.
4. Hunting Skills: Bison are large, but they can be elusive. Understanding their behavior, knowing how to track them, and being patient are all important skills. Hiring a guide can be very helpful if you’re new to bison hunting.
5. Field Dressing and Transport: Bison are massive animals, often weighing over 1,000 pounds. You’ll need to know how to field dress the bison to preserve the meat, and have a plan for transporting it. This often involves having a vehicle capable of carrying the animal, or packing out the meat in multiple trips.
6. Respect for the Animal and Environment: Bison are a symbol of the American West and hold significant cultural value for many Native American tribes. It’s important to approach the hunt with respect for the animal and its environment.
7. Safety: Bison are large, powerful animals and can be dangerous if provoked or cornered. Always maintain a safe distance and never attempt to approach a bison too closely.

Remember, hunting should be done responsibly and ethically, with a focus on our conservation efforts and respect for wildlife.

How Much Does A Bison Weight?

The average bison bull will weigh between 1000-2000 pounds, with cows (females) and big bulls on the lower end of that spectrum and big bulls often weighing well over 2,500 pounds. A full-grown bull can stand up to six feet tall at the shoulder and twelve feet long from nose to tail. Their massive heads can account for one-third of their body weight.

What States Have The Best Bison Hunting?

There are several states with large bison populations and great hunting opportunities. These include Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas. Each state has different rules and regulations regarding bison hunting, so be sure to do your research before planning your trip and pick a professional bison hunting outfitter who can make sure everything goes smoothly.

Is A Buffalo The Same As An American Bison?

Most Americans use the term “buffalo” and “bison” interchangeably and this is a misnomer that historians believe began when the first European settlers began exploring the American west and thought these huge animals were the same as “Old World” buffalo herds such as Cape Buffalo and Water Buffalo that are native to Africa and Asia. American Bison however are not closely related.

Regardless though, in the context of big game hunting – buffalo and bison hunting methods are pretty much the same here in the United States. Though there are actually places where you can hunt Asian Water Buffalo in Florida though.

Are Bison Endangered?

The American bison was once on the brink of extinction, but thanks to conservation efforts, their populations have rebounded in recent years. There are now more than 450,000 bison in North America, with the majority of them (~400,000 bison) living on private ranches and farms for hunting and harvesting as livestock. The rest of the wild bison live in national parks and other protected areas such as zoos, wilderness preserves, and state or regional parks.

What Does Bison Meat Taste Like?

Bison tastes similar to beef, but their meat is leaner and has a slightly sweeter flavor. Like beef though, it depends highly on the type of food that the animal eats and you’ll notice regional variations, as well as large differences between farm-raised bison, fed a diet of hay and native grasses followed by grains to turn the natural yellow fat color into a milky white. In fact, wild buffalo meat is also a great source of essential fatty acids due to the natural grasses consumed.

Bison steaks are best when cooked medium-rare to rare, and the buffalo meat can be used in any recipe that calls for beef.

Best Time For Buffalo Hunting

The best time for hunting trophy bulls is between September and February. Winter hunts are the best time of year if you are looking for full robes. However, for those doing meat hunts, summer is a better choice since the weather can often be better and the meat bulls have been feasting so the meat will be a bit fattier and more flavorful. Ultimately it depends on what you want out of your own trophy bulls and buffalo hunts as to what time of year is best.

Best Weapon And Ammo For Buffalo Hunts

The best weapon for bison hunting is a rifle that can handle large and heavy bullets. A good choice would be a .300 Winchester Magnum or larger. As for ammunition, you’ll want to use bullets that are designed to penetrate deeply, such as the Nosler Partition or the Barnes TSX.

However, many people enjoy hunting buffalo with bow and arrow, while others like to add an additional level of challenge by hunting with muskets and historic weapons in the style of early pioneers.

Do I Need An Outfitter or Guide To Hunt Bison?

While you don’t technically need an outfitter or hunting guides to go bison hunting, it is highly recommended, especially if you’re a beginner. A good outfitter will not only help you with the logistics of your bison hunt, but they will also ensure that you are following all the rules and regulations.

Additionally, most outfitters and ranches offer hunting on their own private property. This means there is less risk of encountering other hunters as well. However, several states do offer public-land bison hunting opportunities. These include: Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. As with other large game, these tags are limited and awarded by lottery, often with preference to state residents.

Our Picks For The Best Bison Hunting Outfitters

Hunting the legendary American bison is an experience that is as achievable as it is exotic. While acquiring one of those public-land bison hunting tags is quite literally like winning the lottery, there are numerous options for those aspiring buffalo hunters who are looking to work with a bison hunting outfitter.

Having an expert hunting guide and a trained, experienced, and knowledgeable outfitter will make the difference between a mediocre hunting trip and a bucket-list-worthy adventure that you will remember for the rest of your life.

This list is not ranked. While there are certainly great buffalo hunting outfitters and some that fall short, we find that it is just as important to find a bison hunting outfitter that matches an individual’s personality and style. As such, we’ve chosen to organize our list of buffalo hunting ranches and lodges by state and encourage you to find one that matches your hunting style best.

Bison Hunting In Colorado

Colorado is one of the best places for bison hunting. With its diverse landscape of great plains and large herds of bison, Colorado is a mecca for hunters looking to add this impressive creature to their trophy deer collection.

Some of the best places to hunt bison in Colorado are on private ranches. These ranches offer experienced guides, comfortable lodges, many hunting grounds and access to some of the largest herds of bison in the state.

Prairie Ridge Buffalo Ranch

This working buffalo ranch offers a variety of activities orbiting around their private herd of bison roaming the Colorado prairie. From tours designed for families, cookouts, and of course buffalo hunts, Prarie Ridge Buffalo Ranch has something for everyone.

Cassidy Outfitters

Offering a wide variety of big game hunting options on this private ranch, this is almost like a free-range bison hunting experience since the fences are low and the bison are roaming free across thousands of acres of canyons packed with pinyon, rocks, and cedars as well as the flat grasslands of this private ranch.

Bison Hunting in North Dakota

Outside of Yellowstone National Park, one of the best places to see wild bison is at Teddy Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota. While that park is an amazing destination to hunt bison and explore for those packing a camera instead of hunting gear, the state is also home to private herds and some fantastic bison hunting outfitters as well.

The Bison Ranch Lodge & Outfitters

Get out of the south, and take your next bison hunt to the northern plains of North Dakota, where bison used to roam freely. Here you’ll find The Bison Ranch, about 2.5 hours west of Fargo, ND. The ranch has operated continuously since the 1920s, and has over 30 years of experience in the bison industry.

The hunt is unlike any other experience you’ll have anywhere else. The expert guides are dedicated to helping you harvest an incredible animal to fill your freezer, not to mention take a trophy. The focus is on hunting methods helping you take the best shot to humanely harvest your trophy, and preserve the most usable meat.

They even have a full state-approved butchering facility to prepare your harvest for an additional fee. Your lodge has a fully equipped kitchen so that you can prepare meals of your choosing.

Bison Hunting In Montana

Montana is one of the top states in the country when it comes to trophy bison hunts and exotic landscapes ranging from the Rocky Mountains to the wide-open prairie.

The state is home to several large bison herds, making it a great destination for hunters looking to add this impressive creature to their trophy collection.

Montana also offers some of the best opportunities for free-range bison hunting in the country. These hunts take place on public lands and require more planning and preparation than hunts on private ranches.

Bison Hunting In Tennessee

Tennessee might be one of the most surprising places to include on this list but don’t worry, you can go buffalo hunting here at one of the top exotic hunting lodges east of the Mississippi.

Caryonah Hunting Lodge

Forget having to head out west to get an opportunity to have a quality buffalo hunt. Caryonah Hunting Lodge is located about 75 miles west of Knoxville, TN. You’ll have the choice between the luxury cabin for groups of up to 22 people, or one of the 10 rooms in the hunting lodge. In either setting, your stay is comfortable, with high-speed Internet access, flat-screen TV with cable, comfy leather furniture, and Italian-tiles showers. You’ll also have an all-you-can-eat breakfast and lunch provided throughout your stay.

Most hunts at Caryonah are in close range due to thick brush and heavy cover. You’ll likely have your opportunity in under 100 yards, many within about 50 yards, making this one of the most exhilarating hunts you’ll experience. Your guide will even haul your harvest into the ranch’s walk-in cooler.

Bison Hunting In Texas

The folks in Texas will hunt pretty much anything and so it’s no surprise that the Lone Star State is also one of the top places for bison hunting too.

Texas is home to several large bison herds, making it a great destination for hunters looking to add this impressive creature to their trophy collection.

Bison hunting in Texas offers some of the best opportunities for free-range bison hunting in the country. These bison hunts take place on public lands and require more planning and preparation than bison hunts done on private ranches.

Ox Ranch

Ox Ranch is a step above the common hunting ranch for those who want more than simply a place to hunt bison. The accommodations are top-notch, with luxurious leather furniture and incredibly comfortable beds. You’ll also have some of the best food you’ve experienced while staying here, and have an assortment of other activities when you’re not hunting your bison, including night vision hog hunting.

The ranch boasts 18,000 acres, and has about 20 head of bison on the ranch’s property, including the more rare white buffalo. Your hunting package is all-inclusive, so you don’t have to worry about lodging, meals, or finding an experienced hunting guide. You can even use one of the ranch’s rifles if you prefer not to bring one of your own if you prefer.

Champion Ranch

Champion Ranch brings an entire resort experience to your buffalo hunt. You’ll certainly enjoy your hunting experience with one of the Ranch’s professional guides, who are themselves lifelong hunters. You’ll aim to tag a trophy between 800-2,000 lbs, with an animal up to 25 years old.

While at the ranch, you’ll enjoy 5-star accommodations no matter what lodging option you choose. You’ll find ample opportunity to relax with the cigar lounge, one of the three unique bars, live music, and so much more. You’ll satisfy your craving for spectacular food with the game dishes prepared by Executive Chef Aaron Chavez.

Montgomery Properties Ranch

The Montgomery family has over 6 generations’ experience in ranching, including both habitat and wildlife management. The success of this program has resulted in the success our hunters have enjoyed during their trips.

Your bison hunting package is all-inclusive, providing your lodging, chef-prepared hunting trip favorites, a guide for your hunt, and a stocked bar for afterward. You’ll also have access to the on-site rifle and archery range and trophy bass fishing. You’ll wonder why you waited to visit Montgomery Properties Ranch.

Bison Hunting In Utah

Utah is one of the top states in the country when it comes to big game hunting and offers a wide variety of landscapes, from the Rocky Mountains to the sagebrush-covered desert.

The state is home to several large bison herds, making it a great destination for hunters looking to add this impressive creature to their trophy collection.

West Canyon Ranch

For a more mountainous experience, head over to the West Canyon Ranch, tucked away in the northern Wasatch Mountains in Utah. There are two cabins housing guests, both of which offer you the comfort you’re longing for while experiencing a hunt. The packages include lodging, meals, beverages, airport transportation and field care. You’ll even enjoy the signature 50oz tomahawk steak on your last night at the ranch.

Your trophy hunt will give you the opportunity to take a 6-10 year old bull. This will not only give you an incredible trophy of your choice, but will fill your freezer with some incredible meat. On West Canyon Ranch, you’re free to use your weapon of choice, including rifle, muzzle-loader, bow and arrow, or crossbow.

Bison Hunting In Wyoming

When it comes to Americans and their first experience seeing wild bison, Wyoming probably comes to mind first. While there is a huge herd of more than 4,600 bison that call Yellowstone National Park home – there are also plenty of bison outfitters here that are ready to guide you on an epic buffalo hunting experience.

Rockin’ 7 Ranch

Moving a little further west, you’ll find Rockin’ 7 Ranch about two hours north of Cheyenne, WY. Your stay at Rockin’ 7 is where rustic meets comfort, bringing the best of the old-fashioned wood lodge to the modern hunting experience.

For this hunt, you’ll have the pick of the herd, with about 140 total heads to choose from, both cow and bull. You pick the one you want, and your guide helps you stalk close enough to get a clean shot, usually within about 100 yards. Your package includes both lodging, all meals, and your guide fees. There are no hidden trophy fees while hunting on Rockin’ 7 Ranch. Meat processing and taxidermy are not included in these packages.

Bison hunting is a popular pastime in the United States, and for good reason – these massive creatures are impressive to see in the wild. If you’re interested in embarking on your own buffalo hunt, there are plenty of great destinations to choose from. Just remember to be smart, be safe, and enjoy the experience!

Superstitions (noun):: A belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation – Merriam Webster

I just returned home from a fishing trip and heard about the banana superstition for the first time. Apparently bringing a banana along is bad luck and some captains won’t even allow you on their boat if they are aware of you possessing the fruit. This was interesting to me and got me thinking about other fishing superstitions.

Here are 10 common fishing superstitions or “old wives’ tales:”

No bananas on the boat.

They bring bad luck, but pineapples bring you good luck. This is one of the most common and oldest superstitions in the sailing and fishing world. This tale is believed to have derived from sailors who experienced diseased pests from rotten fruits – particularly bananas. Another belief is that banana peeling acts as a natural fish repellent. Whatever the case may be, most captains are serious about not allowing bananas on their boats.

Bribing the water.

Fishermen throw quarters of half dollars over their shoulders to “buy up” some wind when crews are overworked. It is also believed that tossing a coin into the water will bring good luck and bountiful fishing. While I do not personally recommend anyone throwing anything into our waters – it is said bribing the ocean with a coin will bring good luck and a safe return home.

Cows laying down.

This fishing superstition means the fishing will be difficult but if they are standing, prepare for a good day of fishing. Many believe that cattle react to barometric pressure changes the same way that fish do.

The first cast omen.

If you catch a fish on the first cast, you will jinx yourself for the rest of the day. Some professional fishermen will purposely cast off to the side of their boat where they do not believe fish are in hopes of not catching a fish on the first cast.

Never tell an angler “good luck” before they head out.

This fishing superstition will bring them bad luck. “Tight lines” is a safer way to wish the angler well.

Never whistle while on a boat.

Whistling was believed to challenge the wind bringing in a storm therefore, whistling is frowned upon during fishing.

Avoid saying “rabbit.”

If you must talk about these cute floppy-eared animals, superstitious anglers refer to them as “the name of the beast” or “the animal with big ears.” A rabbit’s foot is considered lucky on land but not so much while on the water.

Don’t step over rods or bring them into the house before going fishing.

This is said to bring a bad day of fishing. A common belief is that either of these things will ruin a fisherman’s day.

Kissing the fish will bring you luck.

Some say this started as a sign of respect for the fish. Some say the fish will share and attract others. Whatever the reason, kissing fish especially the first catch is still done by many anglers.

My personal favorite…women onboard will bring bad luck.

Sailors believed that women onboard would anger the sea causing rough and stormy conditions. Coincidentally, a naked woman or one exposing bare chest would bring good luck which is why you may have observed the figure of a woman on the bow of ships. Sounds like a man made this one up. Kidding, kind of… 😊

Commonly Asked Questions About Fishing Superstitions:

What is the superstition about fish?

The superstition about fish revolves around the belief that speaking the word “fish” while on a fishing trip will jinx the chance of catching any. Anglers avoid mentioning the word to avoid bad luck.

What are good luck rituals for fishing?

Anglers have various good luck rituals, like spitting on the bait, wearing lucky fishing hats, or performing a “first catch” ritual. These practices are believed to bring luck and abundance.

Why is a pineapple good luck on a boat?

A pineapple is considered good luck on a boat because of its historical association with hospitality and prosperity. Carrying a pineapple on board is thought to attract good vibes and successful fishing trips.

What brings good luck on a boat?

Various items are believed to bring good luck on a boat, such as horseshoes, acorns, or certain coins. Additionally, the presence of dolphins or albatrosses is seen as auspicious signs for fishermen.

While these fishing superstitions may sound silly, I was amazed at how widely known these are and how so many still believe and practice these tales. I have to say, on this ladies’ fishing trip, we did adhere to each of these rules except for the women on the boat (obviously) and we had two days of very successful bass fishing on the well-known Guntersville Lake in Alabama.

This event organized by Wildlife Women who are some of the coolest and most encouraging outdoor women.

*If looking for a fishing guide on Lake Guntersville, I highly recommend Captain John Maner.