Sometimes nostalgia corrupts your remembrances. Things I enjoyed in my youth are fondly remembered, but I no longer have to deal with them.

My new six-speed automatic Jeep is so much more reliable and easier to drive than my Dad’s old Jeep panel truck, but I fondly remember the old jeep.

I grew up with double-barrel and pump-action shotguns. While they were useful and still are, the Panzer Arms BP-12 Bullpup is something from a different century.

Standout Features

This shotgun is a self-loader with a five-round detachable box magazine. I have several shotguns that do not even accept a light or optics mount of any type.

The BP-12 has several inches of real estate for mounting lights or optics. The bullpup configuration was first used in rifles and only much later has it become popular in shotguns.

The design places the receiver behind the shooter’s face and the firing grip forward. This allows for a relatively long barrel in a short package.

The BP-12 doesn’t point like a standard shotgun, as the balance of the piece is very different than a standard-design shotgun. The shotgun’s natural point is quite different than a bullpup.

The bullpup must be handled like a rifle and driven toward the target like a rifle and aimed with more care than the usual shotgun.

While modern and effective, a bullpup must be learned and handled decisively to be effective.

Panzer Arms BP-12 Specifications:

Action: Self-Loading Chamber: 12-Gauge, Three-Inch Overall Length: 30.7 Inches Capacity: 5+1 (10rd Magazines Available) Weight Unloaded: 7.8 lbs Weight Loaded: 8.6 lbs Barrel Length: 20 Inches Finish: Blued

How It Shoots

When you are firing the shotgun, your cheek is closer to the receiver than with most shotguns. Muzzle signature is more evident.

The Panzer Arms BP-12 shotgun isn’t difficult to use well, but these differences simply must be understood. The person who learns to use the shotgun well will find it a very effective firearm.

Those who do not care to practice and learn should choose a simpler firearm. The primary difference between this shotgun and others is that the firing grip is far ahead of the action.

The trigger bar goes through some tangents and this means the trigger will never be as nice as a standard-design shotgun, but then a crisp trigger is part of very few shotgun designs.

Learning to use the bolt release and magazine release isn’t difficult. Simply put aside time for dry-fire practice.

A few words on the shotgun’s quality of manufacture: the fit, finish and machining impress. The hardware fits well and the finish is always even.

The shotgun is delivered with AR-15 type sights, two magazines that hold five 12-gauge shells, and a cheek riser to allow the use of optical sights.

If you are using iron sights, then remove the cheek riser. There are two adjustment rings supplied with the shotgun that must be fitted after partial disassembly in order to change between standard and high-velocity loads.

The cocking handle may be reversed to allow racking from either side. Most right-handed shooters will have the cocking handle on the left side of the receiver.

The bolt handle allows plenty of leverage, racking the bolt isn’t difficult at all.

Other Performance Notes

Simply load the magazine with shells, slipping the shells under the feel lips and pressing them straight to the rear. I always tap magazines on a boot heel or hard surface to seat the shells.

This ensures feed reliability. Then, angle the magazines in the magazine well and be certain it is properly seated. Rack bolt to load the first shell and you are good to go for firing.

The safety lever is easy enough to manipulate. When firing the shotgun, it seems recoil is easier to manage than with a standard-configuration shotgun.

Fire, get the sights back on target and hit the target again. The large peep sights make for excellent high probability. The shotgun was fired with a variety of loads.

Some did not function properly. Panzer Arms states that a break-in period of up to 100 full-power shells may be needed. This seems reasonable.

Other tightly-fitted firearms require a modest break-in. Some full-power shells did not function properly, with the occasional short cycle, while some types came out of the box running.

Fiocchi full-power Aero slugs functioned and so did Remington full-power buckshot. Reduced-recoil loads will not function, at least with the full-power ring installed and during the initial break-in period.

Incidentally, during the test, I dropped a fully-loaded all-steel magazine on the concrete walk of the firing range. The magazine was scuffed of course, but not dented and it never failed to feed properly.

After the initial test, I would load full-power Remington Power Piston loads and rest easy. The shotgun is supplied with three choke tubes for open, modified and full choke use.

I like this option in a combat shotgun. I like to have a shotgun that delivers a solid hit with the buckshot load to at least 20 yards. These choke tubes are Mobil types and are nice to have.

Conclusion: Panzer Arms BP-12

I like the Panzer Arms shotgun. It is well-made and should prove to be a formidable defender for the home or ranch.

What do you think of the Panzer Arms BP-12? Do you like bullpup shotguns? Let us know in the comments below!

(Like this shotgun? You might also like the Kel-Tec KSG Pump-Action Shotgun. Read our range report on the firearm here.)

Murky population and hunting status often leads sportsmen and women to ask the question, “Can you hunt bison in America?”

Hunting bison in America may seem like an improbable endeavor. Overhunting and flat-out annihilation nearly wiped out the bison of North America in the late 19th Century.

Through conservation efforts and reintroductions, the abysmal number of wild bison left in 1900 (300 animals according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) was boosted to about 360,000 bison by the beginning of the 21st Century.

Over 140 years later, the vast bison herds of the Great Plains are gone. Their former range has been sliced and diced by a million housing developments, strip malls, farms, and cattle ranches, bisected by countless fences and highways.

However, the current bison population, brought back from near extinction, is a true North American conservation success story.

As such, you may be wondering if you can still hunt this North American icon. The answer is yes, absolutely you can. And you don’t have to settle for just hunting domesticated herds on private ranches either.

While you can no longer hunt bison in America the way it was once done, six states do allow special-permit public-land hunts for American bison.

Where You Can Hunt Bison in America

Alaska

The Plains bison were introduced to Alaska in 1928. Starting with 23 animals, the non-native population has grown to 900 free-range bison that roam the state. According to Alaska Fish and Game, hunting opportunities have been available since the 1950s and these days it’s an extremely popular hunt. For example, in Delta Junction, 100 permits are available for a draw of about 15,000 hunters.

Wood bison are native to Alaska and were re-introduced in 2015 after being extirpated in the 1800s. Hunting opportunities are expected to be available for this subspecies once the population has a harvestable surplus.

Arizona

Bison hunts take place in just two areas of the entire state; Raymond Wildlife Area and House Rock Wildlife Area. Plains Bison are native to Arizona and were reintroduced in 1906, in large part because of former bison hunter and rancher Charles Jones.

Charles “Buffalo” Jones ran 87 American bison nearly 200 miles from Utah to Kaibab Plateau, which President Theodore Roosevelt had set aside for protection. Jones caught most of these wild bison as calves in the 1880s from the last remaining wild bison herds in Texas and New Mexico. He then sold his remaining bison to the state of Arizona in 1927. Bison hunting came into play in Arizona in 1972.

Montana

Buffalo hunting returned to Montana in the mid-1980s. Due to criticisms of hunt methods, including game wardens assisting hunters with locating bison, buffalo hunts were banned in 1991 and then reopened once again in 2005. Now, officials are banned from contacting hunters when bison stray from the safety of Yellowstone National Park. Other new regulations include requiring hunters to attend classes on bison hunting.

Montana Fish and Wildlife data show that in 2015, there were 10,424 applicants for an available 72 either-sex permits. It could take a while to draw for this big game hunt.

South Dakota

Bison hunting in South Dakota is restricted to Custer State Park. Much like Arizona, these bison are the descendants of American bison calves that were rescued in 1881 and sold to a cattle rancher in 1899. That cattle rancher, Scotty Phillips, took over the herd and grew it to a head of a thousand. These bison were used to restock the population at Custer State Park, as well as other herds in the U.S.

Two short hunts (non-trophy and trophy) are available at Custer State Park. These hunts focus on bison that are 10 years old or older and serve as a management tool. The park provides a guide and hunters can only hunt three consecutive days at a time.

Wyoming

Wyoming brought back hunts for bison, or American buffalo, during the winter of 1988. According to Wyoming Game and Fish Department, bison hunts are allowed in “areas of Bridger-Teton National Forest, the National Elk Refuge, small parcels of state-owned land, and potentially some private lands with landowner permission.”

In order to hunt the National Elk Refuge, there is a separate application process for hunters that successfully draw a bison license.

Utah

In 1941, Dr. William Goetzman introduced 18 plains bison in southeastern Utah. Working with the Utah Divison of Wildlife Resources, U.S. Division of Grazing, and local stockmen to transplant American bison from Yellowstone National Park, the numbers soon increased.

Bison then began populating the Henry Mountains. Incredibly, the Henry Mountain herd is one of two that can claim genetic purity (not containing domestic cattle DNA) and being disease-free.

Not only that, but the herd is one of six free-ranging herds on public land in the United States.

Utah offers once-in-a-lifetime hunts for American bison in the Henry’s, as well as the ultra-coveted Bookcliffs. For a lucky permit winner, either one of these rugged and beautiful locations is an incredible hunt. There are opportunities for bison hunts on Antelope Island as well.

How to Hunt Bison in America

There are many states such as Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas, and New Mexico where you can book bison hunts on private ranches. Steve Rinella of MeatEater notes the apparent “lack of challenge” in these hunts, but that it “might certainly give a hunter an idea of what it was like when our ancestors tangled with these massive beasts.”

Many of these ranches and outfitters offer a 100% guarantee of success.

If you want to ratchet up the difficulty, apply to one of the states mentioned previously for their public land, fair chase American bison hunts. It may take you years to draw, and there is also the reality that you may never draw for these competitive tags.

Spot and stalk is the usual hunting method, and most weapon choices are allowed including archery, rifle, and muzzleloader. Some areas like Custer State Park in South Dakota only allow rifle hunting on bison hunts and specify legal calibers.

A Nod to Early Conservationists

We can be thankful for early conservationists that took the form of ranchers, hunters, wildlife professionals, and presidents. Their individual actions to preserve North American bison, was the impetus that brought American bison numbers back from near extinction.

Without the foresight of people like Theodore Roosevelt, James “Scotty” Phillip, Walking Coyote, Dr. William Goetzman, Charles “Buffalo” Jones, and others we wouldn’t have bison or the bison hunting opportunities we now have.

NEXT: 4 STATES YOU’D BE SURPRISED HAVE GOOD DEER HUNTING

We’re approaching Halloween, which means spooky season is amongst us. There are so many memories and traditions that flood our minds when it comes to things that embody the holiday spirit. Scary stories, horror movies, dressing up, and trick or treating. My personal favorite, and I bet that it’s the same for most people, is being told scary stories. There’s an adrenaline rush and entertainment value when it comes to a safe scare. Not matter the subject matter within the story, or how scary it gets, it’s only for amusement, it’s not true, and it’s not like it can happen or that it did happen. Or did it?

Supposedly, there are urban legends, myths, scary stories, whatever you want to call them, that are out there in the world that just so happen to be true. There are those that have witnessed it personally. There have been stories about Yosemite and Bass Lake that have shaken up the community. Creepy sightings and strange phenomena that were told then and are still being told now. Whether you want to believe them…I leave it up to the reader.

Get your popcorn ready, have a flash light nearby, be sure to not have any nightmares because here are the top 5 urban legends, myths, scary stories of Yosemite & Bass Lake according to The Pines Resort, Bass Lake.

1. THE EVIL SPIRIT OF YOSEMITE

With all that land and space that occupies Yosemite National Park, it has to be a cesspool of legends, strange occurrences, and unfortunate deaths. Waterfalls all over Yosemite have claimed the lives of hikers over the years but one definitely stands out. Miwok Indians believed that an evil spirit named Po-ho-no would lure hikers near the edge of cliffs before pushing them to their deaths. The fallen hikers themselves are thought to haunt the area.

The legend says that two indigenous women were picking berries at the top of Bridal Veil Fall when a mist appeared. When one of the women moved too close to it. Suddenly the wind shrieked and threw her down into the rocky, churning waters. The chief blamed the Po-ho-no, and he forbid his people from wandering anywhere near the water. The way in which its claimed victims has been by appearing as hypnotic rainbows in the mist to lure people.

2. THE NIGHTCRAWLERS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY

Now this one is chilling to the core and very unsettling. This is probably the most famous case of paranormal activity in the Central Valley. It has of course existed in Native American legend, but these creatures, or whatever they are, have made their presence known in recent memory. What they are is tough to explain. How they’re described or seen is two tall walking pair of legs, looking they’re covered in white cloth with just a head mounted on it. No arms or torso, just a head on a pair of legs. What?

The people of the area and those around the world that have seen them call them the Nightcrawlers. They’re eerily similar to a Native American totem. When the Ahwahneechees were questioned, they reported that the “Nightcrawlers” are a peaceful race of beings that came from another planet to rebuild the union between man and nature. That’s just one interpretation.

They were sightings of them back in the 1990s but they gained in notoriety in the millennium.

Back in the 2000s, a grainy CCTV camera captured one striding across a man’s front yard in Fresno. A Fresno man named Jose was woken up by his barking dogs one morning, and he caught a glimpse of a Nightcrawler walking through his camera system.

Years later in 2011, they appeared again and caught on camera in Yosemite National Park.

Watch the footage below and come up with your own conclusion. The content on the footage maybe disturbing to some viewers.

In the years since the figure was first captured, the Fresno Nightcrawler has risen to fame on the internet, with the story even being covered by the History Channel, experts on the Sci-Fi Channel’s Fact or Faked, and recently featured on an episode of “Paranormal Caught on Camera” on the Travel Channel. Again, there is no logical explanation as to what these things are. Debate rages on what they could be, but they’re nothing of this world, that for sure.

3. THE GHOST OF GROUSE LAKE

History itself is pretty much an inventory of ghosts. And no place has a history quite like Yosemite. There’s a famous ghost that is said to lurk in Grouse Lake. It was first officially reported in 1857 by Galen Clark, who was to later become Yosemite’s very first park ranger in 1867. He had a strange experience when he was out on a hike to the small alpine lake, and claimed that as he walked along its shores that he had heard a chilling, unearthly wail seeming to come from the water itself. He proclaimed that it sounded like “a puppy when lost.”

He would later ask some Native Americans of the area what kind of animal it was that he had heard or if they had a dog that could have made the noise. They revealed that it was no animal or dog. Instead, it was the spirit of a tribal boy who had tragically drowned there years ago and who did not take kindly to visitors. It was even claimed that he would attack anyone who set foot in the water. So, if any of you are around the area, maybe it’s best that you don’t get too close to the water. Don’t what to be a casualty or have you become a story for not so good reasons.

4. THE WATTS VALLEY WOLF APE

There’s been stories of a strange creature roaming the foothills of Fresno County.

The features are described as having long grey mangy hair and the face of an ape or baboon and both human like hands and feet. It seems to have a sickly quality, where it’s coughing and foaming at the mouth. It is referred to as the Devil Ape or Devil Fang, but it’s become known as the Watts Valley Wolf Ape because of it being spotted around the Watts Valley Cemetery.

There have been plenty of accounts of this particular creature, that the first Native Americans that came over the Bearing Straight where they lived amongst this man animal and that there’s drawings of strange creatures that traveled with the indigenous folk. One of the most well-known encounters with this beast so happens to involve the legendary photographer Ansel Adams. Famous for taking photographs of Yosemite, and exposing the allure of the national park to the world, he made frequent visits to that area all the time. On one occasion, he was taking pictures in Yosemite one day when a pack of Wolf Apes came upon him while he was in his tent and he had to stay there for his own safety. Thankfully, nothing happened to him.

Another crazy incident took place where the Wolf Ape went into a single room school house one day and terrorized the students and teacher. The children piled up their desks together in desperation and climbed up to the safety of the rafters while the teacher luckily managed to lock himself into a closet. The creature broke through their desks to get at their lunches and after it got stuffed it went away. There had apparently been no sight of one for a while, but around the mid 1990’s a Wolf Ape was seen at no other than Bass Lake, where it was caught drinking water from the small lake. At the time people mistook it for a hairy man who happened to walk on all fours. But that wasn’t obviously the case. Let’s just hope that it isn’t seen again.

5. A BIGFOOT SIGHTING IN YOSEMITE

The legend of Bigfoot is so common that he’s been seen across the world over. Everybody knows what this creature is. He’s been depicted in movies, tv shows, documentaries, books, the list goes on. A lot of occurrences with this strange being has been similar, only seen in glimpses, at a distance, the sight of a very tall creature in height, covered head to toe in fur, a man monster or man ape, with a blood curdling scream, but right when you see it he disappears in a blink of an eye.

Most stories told about the sighting of this walking behemoth really hasn’t been pleasant. One story stands out with a California Conservation Corps worker that was camping in the Tuolumne meadows of Yosemite one night when he heard heavy footsteps heading straight for his tent. He went out to investigate and was confronted with what he could only describe as the furry Goliath.

He responded with a scream, so did the creature and then retreated. This is probably an encounter you don’t ever want to experience.

There’s been countless tales of supernatural occurrences and unforgettable accidents and demises. Some that seem ordinary or out of the ordinary. There’s so many to choose from that you can’t go wrong with any of them. Whatever kind of story you want to find, one that is too mature, macabre, scary, truthful, and embellished, you’ll be able to find it. No matter what story

you’re looking for, they are all good enough to keep you awake at night. And that is what’s so great about Halloween.

My flashlight lit up the narrow trail I hacked days earlier down to a wetland edge. The whitetails I targeted followed it with the regularity of New York City subway commuters. I stopped just short of the main trail and yanked a bottle of estrus-based doe urine from my pocket. With its misting nozzle I aimed for some nose-level vegetation on both sides of the trail and hazed the area lightly with scent.

As I climbed into my treestand in the predawn, I felt good that any buck passing would pause for a second, giving me precious seconds to draw and settle my Mathews bow for a successful hunt.

Some of you, firearm or archery hunters, probably question my decision to use scents. I know a handful of outfitters who flatly decline to allow the use of scent around their stands for fear of spooking deer. I don’t blame them. Cheap scents, poorly-executed deployment or lackadaisical scent control on your behalf all could lead to a whitetail spooking or worse, associating the smell with a trap.

One outfitter even told me of a hunter using a whole bottle to soak up a half dozen or more scent wicks that he hung like Christmas ornaments around his stand. He found them the next time he put a different hunter in that stand. It might have worked, but likely would raise white tails in alarm rather than stirring curiosity.

The use of deer scents can be a boon to your hunt, but only if you use them right.

PREPARE

To ensure you can get your scent positioned appropriately in shooting lanes, you need a plan. Begin by clearing paths to and from shooting lanes that you can use, thus avoiding direct travel on deer travel routes. Despite your best efforts to be scent free with clothes laundering, rubber boot usage and spraying down with scent-eliminating products, you still likely leave a bit of you on every branch you brush by. Your boots may even be spreading a bit of you on the ground.

How do I know? Coyotes give me the best gauge of my scent-elimination success. Whenever a coyote slips through the brush and crosses one of my access routes, I watch them for a reaction. Most of the time they hit a wall and slink out like a scolded dog, or worse yet, turn and flee. I rate a coyote’s sniffer one notch above a deer, but a buck could react the same way if you’re careless.

By avoiding the main trails and pruning access routes to shooting lanes from your stand, you avoid leaving any scent where you hope to shoot a deer. Clear and trim vegetation so you can move back and forth to your shooting lane without anything touching your clothes. Only your boots should hit the ground and those should be scent free as well. And as noted earlier, you simply use a mist or spray dispenser to lay a fog of spray where you hope to stop a buck for the shot.

You never have to step into a shooting lane and you can glass for spot-on accuracy. I follow this routine when hunting with my bow, even when I’m carrying my muzzleloader into dense cover.

This corridor-clearing chore should be done in the preseason, and at the same time you may want to create a mock scrape  for the perfect shot placement. Your goal is to create a primary scrape, one that gets attention, so scrape out plenty of dirt area. Deer love to scrape in areas with little vegetation, so make it easy on them and clear a wide area to reveal black earth. You can even mix in some deer urine for deep-earth penetration.

And to continue interest in the scrape, use a dripper to disperse scent. Models that heat up and open during the day to release scent, then shut down at night when it’s cool, fake the impression of daytime deer visits. If your trickery works, bucks will take over the scrape and eventually you won’t need to add any scent at all. Deer will provide their own scent distraction while you focus on shooting from a nearby hide.

PURCHASE

Picking out a deer scent from dozens of choices is about as confusing as trying to purchase the right perfume for the leading lady in your life. Do your research. You want to purchase high-quality, fresh scent, not leftovers from last year as they could break down and spook deer.

Some manufacturers claim their urine is from a single doe or buck. Others mix and match while some even have concocted synthetic versions. If your budget allows, go with those that fill bottles from a single deer, but truth be known, most of my experience with scents is with bottles filled in community whitetail restrooms.

As long as the urine smells fresh and doesn’t have an ammonia tinge to it you should be OK. As you shop look for bottles that dispense with a misting nozzle to deposit a diversion in shooting lanes. If you’re re-filling mock scrape dispensers no mister is needed. Keep any purchase cool and out of direct sunlight.

As for what scent to use, I’ve never really seen a huge difference. Straight buck or doe urine can sidetrack a buck, or doe during any season. I’ve used estrus-based scents from September through December with similar, curious results. If you believe an estrus scent could spook a buck in the early season, save it for the rut.

My entire theory on scents is to use them as a minor distraction to pause a buck where I want him to stop. After more than 30 years of hunting whitetails from Canada to Texas and points East and West, I’ve only had a handful of experiences where whitetails actually followed a drag or picked up a scent wafting on a breeze. Most stumbled upon it right where I placed it and paused out of curiosity. If it was the right buck it was the end of the story.

PLACEMENT

Despite nearly 30 years of having most bucks ignore my wafting wicks and drags, I still go through the drag-rag motion from time to time. Nevertheless, my true passion and success is with the simple placement of scent via a spritz or freshening of a mock scrape. When a buck is distracted with one of these scent traps, it’s less likely to see me drawing my bow or raising my rifle.

During the hunt, I prefer to stay away from shooting lanes. As described earlier, I try to stand a few feet away from a shooting zone and mist scent into the area. Lean out to where you want a buck to pause at your ambush site and apply the aroma of whitetail with a spray.

Sounds easy, but you need to place it correctly. Whether you spray or use a wick my experience has been it needs to be a nose level. I’ve sprayed and dribbled scent on trails only to have deer disregard it and walk over it like trash on a city boulevard. Wicks and spray dispensed at deer-nose level receive attention. It’s the sector they’re surveying as they travel, and that’s even more important during the rut as bucks pick up the pace — even trotting between ridges. They’re not as perceptive as you’ve read when on the hunt for a hot doe.

If you do need to freshen a scrape or refill a dispenser during the hunt, wear scent-free footwear. Splashing in mud or water on the way to your stand can help in adding natural cover scent to the tread. Also don latex gloves as you handle dispensers to avoid leaving any traces of you at the scrape. If a buck reaches up to rub its preorbital gland and suddenly smells the McMuffin you had an hour earlier it could lead to a string-jumping ending.

An hour after sunrise, a brawny whitetail buck I knew from trail cameras circled the wetland before me. I had a hunch his circle would end right under my stand and a few minutes later the scattering of does signaled his approach. Like a scripted movie he came down the trail and paused to investigate the scent I had sprayed two hours prior. Totally immersed in the olfactory delight, I was able to draw my Mathews and send an arrow off for an ending to my season that had the smell of success.

Discover the intricacies of sharptail grouse habitat, effective hunting techniques, and optimizing dog performance for a successful hunt.

Sharp-tailed grouse, often known as sharpies, sharptails, or sharp-tails, are iconic birds of North America’s prairie landscape. Their spring mating ritual takes place on breeding sites called leks. At these sites, sharpies put on an amazing display of calling and dancing called booming. Those same general areas are where broods are raised, and early fall activities occur.

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Their survival requires large tracts of unfragmented, treeless landscapes. This is a trait carried into modern times; these birds evolved in what once was millions of acres of ideal grassland habitat that existed before European settlement. Hunting sharp-tails can take hunters to some of the most beautiful landscapes on the continent. Here is a guide to help you get started on a new adventure.

Where to Find Sharp-tailed Grouse

Sharpies dot the prairie landscapes across several north-central and western states, Alaska, and many Canadian territories. Western Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana harbor the highest populations in the lower 48 states. Smaller, localized, but huntable populations can be found in a few other states, including Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho.

Vast treeless grassland landscapes provide these amazing birds with ideal nesting and brood rearing habitat. Native grasses provide the perfect substrate for building a nest bowl. The native forbs (broadleaf weeds) attract insects that are necessary for chick growth. Those same insects are also a preferred food for adult birds well into the fall until freezing temperatures arrive. There are a few states listed above where sharp-tails reside in a different type of habitat called barrens. This is a grassland-centered cover type mixed with scattered brush or small trees. Although open grasslands are the breeding grounds for these prairie grouse, there are plenty of opportunities to hunt them in cropland as well. More to come on hunting strategies later.

Seasons and Bag Limits for Sharp-tailed Grouse

Season timing and bag limits are important considerations when planning a sharp-tail hunting adventure. Many states have seasons that open in early September. Early season outings can provide bird contacts with smaller family groups and uneducated birds, resulting in a wonderful opportunity for quality hunting dog work. On the flip side, these early outings often have excessively warm temperatures, making a full-day hunt unlikely. Most sharptail seasons extend well into the winter. Late-season hunters often make contact with larger groups of birds. These large groups have a lot of watchful eyes in the flock, making getting within gun range much more difficult.

Bag limits and possession limits can’t be overlooked. A bag limit represents the number of birds a hunter can harvest during a single day. Bag limits vary across states, but most are between two to four birds. Most hunters know the bag limit where they are hunting, but the possession limit is also important to know. The possession limit is the maximum number of birds you can have from all the days you have hunted, including the current day of your hunt. Most states have a possession limit that is three or four times the daily bag limit. During a long trip or a successful hunt, reaching the state’s possession limit is possible. If this happens, you have a couple of options. You can eat some birds to reduce the number of birds in your possession or donate some birds to another person. Most states require the hunter’s name, license number, date, species, and number of birds being donated.

Keeping birds labeled and identifiable during the remainder of the hunt is something else to consider. Most states require keeping at least one wing attached to the dressed bird so wildlife officers can properly identify the bird species. Additionally, bags of birds should always include the hunter’s name, license number, and harvest date. Keep the birds bagged separately for all the hunters in the party so officers know how many birds each hunter has toward their possession limit.

Some states have various units with different seasons, bag limits, and possession limits. Regardless of your destination, it is important to always check the specific regulations, as seasons and limits can change annually.

Shotguns, Chokes, and Shot Size Selection Recommendations for Sharp-tailed Grouse Hunting

Twenty- and twelve-gauge shotguns are by far the most preferred tool when traveling to sharp-tail habitat. However, a proficient shooter can find success even with a 28-gauge. Sharp-tail hunts can result in 10+ miles of boot leather on the ground in a single day. Whatever firearm you prefer, carrying something on the lighter side, preferably less than seven pounds, can make those long days more tolerable.

As previously mentioned, early season outings often yield juvenile or unpressured birds, resulting in closer shots. Due to this, improved cylinder or modified shotgun chokes are an ideal choice. Any quality pheasant load will suffice, with preferred shot sizes of 4, 5, or 6s. I tend to select 6s for sharptails because they are not a tough bird to bring down, and #6 shot has a higher pellet count than 4s or 5s. As the season progresses, birds become more wary and form larger groups, making them more likely to flush at longer ranges. Using a modified or even a full choke isn’t out of the question during the late season.

Sharptail Grouse Hunting Strategies

Although most states have one continuous sharptail season, it starts early enough in the fall that the birds often behave completely differently in the early season versus the late season. Likewise, they will also shift their preferred habitat location as the season progresses, depending on available food resources and weather conditions.

In the early season, birds are typically still in smaller family groups. They tend to stay near areas where they were raised, which means out in the grasslands. In early fall, sharpies eat insects, particularly grasshoppers, various berries, and green vegetation. Insects and grasshoppers utilize forbs, so finding areas with a diverse array of plants usually harbors the most sharp-tail food and, thus, the most birds.

Vegetation height is also critical to finding birds. Sharp-tails, like other prairie grouse, want to see danger approaching. They prefer vegetation 12-18 inches tall. This provides enough height to conceal them if an aerial predator flies over but is short enough to see long distances. When hunting vast expanses of rolling hills, ridge tops tend to have shorter vegetation, so focus efforts along the tops and sides of ridges.

Additionally, the landscapes these birds utilize are often comprised of low-quality, sandy soil. This soil type lends itself to centuries of wind erosion, which has resulted in bowls and blowouts on some of the side hills. These blowouts usually have a high diversity of forbs and occasional brush pockets. This makes the ideal location for birds to loaf and feed. When hunting ridges, try to avoid silhouetting yourself. Walk just off one side of the ridge and wrap the tops of hills to approach blowouts in a stealthy fashion.

Tall, dense vegetation often found in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields is typically not the ticket, especially during the early season. Unless you’re hunting the more sparse stands in Montana or CRP fields planted with smooth brome, which are often found in portions of the Dakotas, you probably won’t find birds there. Likewise, cattail sloughs and other dense pheasant habitat is not worth hunting. However, the shin-high grasslands become unusable for sharp-tails after the snow flies. They are forced to transition into CRP fields and other similar cover types, so late-season birds will often be found in these taller, denser habitats.

When cropland is near grasslands, birds often shift from their breeding and brooding habitat and move into the crop fields, even during the early season. Birds can be found along the edges but will even occupy the interior of a crop field, especially in unharvested fields. Sunflower fields are highly attractive as they usually have a robust population of grasshoppers and sunflower seeds, providing excellent food options. Corn fields will also hold their fair share of sharpies throughout the season.

Getting within gun range of birds hanging out in the center of crop fields is nearly impossible. However, hunting the margins of those fields can produce some shot opportunities. The edges frequently have grass or weeds that will serve as loafing cover between feeding sessions. Check the waterways or sloughs that meander through crop fields, too. I stand behind my previous statement about not hunting cattail sloughs during the early season, but the edges of those sloughs, if they cut through a crop field, are a different story. There is always a transition zone between the cattails and crops with diverse vegetation. This is where the birds will be found. Waterways that have the proper vegetation height can also provide an ideal opportunity. If birds utilize the interior of crop fields, they typically roost in some type of herbaceous vegetation nearby. If the roost location can be identified, there is an opportunity to walk up some birds at first light before they head out to the crop field for the day.

Although treeless grasslands are the iconic image of sharp-tail habitat most hunters envision, they will sometimes occupy fields dominated by herbaceous vegetation bisected with young conifer tree rows or shrub rows. They will utilize the woody cover as overhead protection from aerial predators, often loafing all afternoon in these locations. Thickets of snowberry, whether part of a planted shrub row or naturally occurring within a grassland, should never be overlooked. These areas are a favorite midday loafing spot. Sharpies will also use rows of conifers during snow events. I have experienced some stellar hunts in these types of locations in North Dakota. Birds tend to hold tighter when hunkered down in woody cover, allowing solid points and close flushes.

Dogs, Sharp-tailed Grouse Behavior, and the Flush

As with any upland bird hunting, keeping the dogs working into the wind, or, at a minimum, a crosswind, is ideal. Both flushers and pointing dogs can effectively corral these skittish prairie birds. Young birds or the occasional single will sometimes allow a pointing dog to pin them down within a few feet. However, sharpies usually will not hold for a dog that crowds too tight. High-headed points are ideal, signifying birds are well out front, sometimes over 30 yards away. These types of points can also indicate the presence of a larger group of birds putting off a wide scent cone.

The wind speed can play a critical role in bird behavior. During windy conditions, sharp-tails lose the ability to hear approaching danger, so they become more wary. Long flushes are the norm. These windy days are the ideal situation to wrap around the peak of a hill and catch birds on the lee side, loafing in a blowout. Wind also reduces a hunter’s ability to hear birds flush, so it’s important to constantly scan left and right as you stroll through the grasslands.

I have always considered a sharptail flush to be quite unique. They seem to leap into flight silently. But, once they are in flight, a very distinct “giggle” can be heard. Another common characteristic is that sharpies are “popcorn” flushers. If some birds start flushing out of gun range, hustling toward the flush site will often result in a shot opportunity of a late flusher or two.

Sharp-tails offer hunters the opportunity to explore some of the most desolate, wide-open spaces in the uplands. Long seasons give hunters the option to hunt smaller family groups during the early season or chase large flocks during the winter. If you have never pursued these regal birds, do some research and plan a trip this season. You won’t regret your time in sharp-tail country.

Love Letter to North Dakota – A Hungarian Partridge and Sharp-tailed Grouse Story

Choosing Shot Size and Chokes for Sharp-tailed Grouse Hunting

Modernizing Sharp-Tailed Grouse Lek Survey Methods

Finding Sharptails with Changing Conditions

Of all the species out there, the Pacific halibut is the largest halibut of them all.

Catching one of these big fish is something that many anglers hope to do and some have actually managed to catch some truly giant halibut over the years.

In this article, we look into the story behind the current IGFA world record halibut as well as some other monster halibut that feature in the record books too.

Largest Halibut Ever Caught: 459lb Record Fish

• Angler: Jack Tragis
• Date: 1996
• Size: 459lb
• Location: Dutch Harbor, Alaska

The largest halibut ever caught on record is a Pacific halibut caught by Jack Tragis off Dutch Harbor, Alaska, in June 1996. The fish weighed in at a staggering 459 pounds, making it the IGFA all-tackle world record holder for this species.

The fish fought Jack for two hours before he was able to bring the giant fish aboard the small boat he and his friends had been using for the day on June 11.

At the time of his record-breaking catch, Jack was using a Shakespeare Sturdy Stick rod, a Penn Senator 4/0 reel, Aimer line, and a Big ugly jig.

Before landing the world record halibut, Jack and his fishing buddies had already landed several halibut (although these were much smaller) and were getting ready to head back to shore after spending the day fishing in waters that were around 200 feet deep. It was on his last cast of the day that Jack successfully caught his 459-pound record-breaker.

It took Jack two hours of fighting before the fish was able to be bought on board the small boat he and his friends had been using for the day. This big halibut was over eight feet long and five feet wide.

Jack’s catch didn’t just set a new record, it actually beat the former record by almost 20 pounds. Prior to Jack landing his giant pacific halibut, the biggest ever caught was a 440-pound fish that had been caught back in 1978.

This is one world record that will likely take a long time for anyone to even get close to, let alone try to break.

See also: Alaska fishing licenses: How much do they cost and how and where to buy?

Atlantic Halibut All Tackle Record

On the 28th of July 2004, angler Thomas Nielsen set a new world record for Atlantic halibut when he landed a big halibut that weighed in at an impressive 418 pounds 13 ounces. Thomas caught his record-breaking fish while bait fishing in Vannaya Troms, Norway. He was using a Shimano rod, a Shimano reel, and a Dyneema line baited with cole fish.

It took more than an hour of fighting for Thomas to successfully land the fish but once he did, he was able to submit all the details needed to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) who ultimately confirmed his catch as being the new record for the largest Atlantic halibut ever caught.

California Halibut All Tackle Record

Angler Francisco J. Rivera was fishing in Santa Rosa Island, California, USA on the 1st of July 2011 when he landed his 67-pound 5-ounce California halibut that set the new record for the largest fish of this species ever caught.

He was using a Calstar rod, a Penn reel, and an Ande line.

In addition to his fishing gear, Francisco was bottom fishing using live squid as bait.

See also: California fishing license info: Costs, Where to buy and Different Types

About The Key Halibut Species

Distribution

Pacific halibut can be found on the continental shelf of the northern Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea.

Atlantic halibut can be found in Northerly places from Canada all the way to Iceland. If you are looking for Atlantic halibut in the US, then they are most common in the Gulf of Maine.

California halibut are most commonly found south of San Francisco.

Size Range

Pacific halibut males are usually smaller than the females of the species. Although not all will grow to extremely large sizes, this species is sometimes referred to as a barn door fish as some can grow up to around 500 pounds in weight and more than eight feet in length.

Atlantic halibut have a pretty slow growth rate so their true size is not always commonly seen. Although usually under eight feet in length, it is thought that these fish could grow up to 15 feet.

California halibut can live for up to 30 years and can grow up to around five feet in length and up to 72 pounds in weight.

Favored Fishing Techniques

One key thing to remember when fishing for halibut is to be patient and wait for a bit of time after any halibut strikes your line. Ideally, you might want to let the fish eat your bait before setting your hook.

A circle hook tends to work well for halibut fishing so these can be a useful addition to your fishing gear.

Another thing to keep in mind is that big bait can lead to some big halibut being caught.

Eating Qualities

Halibut contains nutrients that are very good for your heart. These include nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, niacin, selenium and magnesium.

In regards to taste, halibut has a mild and sweet taste and has very lean, white flesh.

Halibut is considered a high-quality food source and makes for a great addition to your diet.

Not sure what pellets for hunting to get?

Look no further.

I’ve exhaustively tested all the best 177 pellets for hunting on the market. In fact, I tested everything, including: accuracy, reliability, speed and so much more.

By the end of this guide, you’ll find the perfect pellets.

Are you ready?

The 4 Best 177 Pellets For Hunting

If you’re pressed on time, here’s a quick list of the best 177 pellets for hunting:

1. Crosman DS177 Destroyer: Best Overall 177 Pellets
2. H&N Terminator Hollow Points: Most Accurate 177 Pellets
3. Crosman Premier Super Points: Best for the Budget
4. GAMO Red Fire: Best for Hunting Rabbits

1. Crosman DS177 Destroyer: Best Overall 177 Pellets

With many options and styles of pellets on the market to choose from, I can easily say that the Crosman DS177 Destroyer pellets are the best on the market today.

A weekend of testing these pellets was a fun project.

You won’t believe some of the results that I had with an air rifle pellet.

So great. So surprising!

Accuracy

The accuracy of Crosman’s dish pellet was spot-on.

Most of the use that I get from my break barrel air rifle is with small game and pest removal.

Testing for that scenario was a hodge-podge course of 15-35+ yards of paper targets, water bottles, and jugs, as well as the trusty ole soda cans.

Man, I set up a treasure-trove of targets to shoot at all over the dang place for this. I was on target for all of them the entire time.

The dish style pointed-pellet/hollow-point combo was true in its travel without fail.

It was great.

Reliability

The reliability of the Destroyers was pretty remarkable given the circumstances.

With all of those tempting targets dangling from trees and sitting atop every flat surface within 40 yards, there was A LOT of shooting done on day one.

Like a kid in a candy store, I was reloading over and over for hours. I went through almost two tins of pellets in one weekend.

Yes. That’s almost 500 pellets all by my lonesome.

There were less than a handful that I would call total duds. That’s crazy good for such an affordable little pellet.

Aside from the ridiculously difficult to open tins, my indulgently excessive shooting was almost entirely smooth and failure-free.

Just goes to show, the best tools for the job don’t always have to cost an arm and a leg.

Pretty sweet when that’s the case, right?

Effective

The impeccable 7.4-grain lead Destroyer .177 pellets are tailor-made for effective performance.

This hunting pellet is designed for complete expansion and energy transfer. Not just impact triggered expansion….impact followed by expansion.

On the paper targets fixed to my trees, the expansion after impact was easy to see.

With some digging in the tree bark, I uncovered pellets that were penetrating several inches with the full bloom of the expansion.

On the bigger water jugs, the same results were visible over and over.

This advantage for my pest removal is a pretty big deal. Other expanding pellets tend to expand at the impact.

For critters like raccoons, woodchucks, or opossum, if my shot is not spot-on the pellet may strike bone and flatten without penetrating and killing the pest.

The good penetration through my target will get me past the bone and then expand in the soft tissue for humane extermination. Getting it done with one shot isn’t just about skill in shooting.

Is the Crosman Destroyer Worth it?

The Crosman DS177 Destroyer Pellet is perfect for a one-shot kill of rodents and small game that are causing trouble around my home.

It’s also such a great pellet for paper range target shooting, and plinking.

The reliable performance with even and effective expansion is ideal.

So go out and get yourself some of these little fellas. Meanwhile, I’ve got a lot of cleaning up on the test range to do! Enjoy!

2. H&N Terminator Hollow Points: Most Accurate 177 Pellets

H&N Terminator Hollow Points: with an imposing name and a vicious look, these pellets are out for blood, garden pest blood that is.

The Terminator Hollow Points are designed for pest management and “extreme accuracy.”

Will these pellets have your yard in tip-top shape or your garden in shambles?

Let’s take a look.

Construction

H&N’s claim to fame was the quality of their construction, so it’s a slam dunk here.

The material used is unpolished lead which is soft and malleable meaning it’s excellent for the “massive expansion” that is advertised for the Terminator Hollow Points.

The design is very similar to most other hollow point pellets on the market with one exception:

From the center of the head, a spike protrudes.

This assists in the initial penetration of the intended target. Additionally, there are notches around the rim of the hollow point that make it easier for the projectile to expand once it hits and enters something.

My only issue was that the pellets look a little bit rougher than what is shown in the advertisements online.

Mine came a little bit scratched up and the point was either dented or rounded enough to where I would not be able to poke myself enough to draw blood. This is extremely minor though because the performance is not affected by this slight discrepancy in looks.

I’m not sure if the point being rounded made much of a difference in effectiveness because I was still able to drop squirrels in one hit. It still gets the job done.

Now, remember this is still unpolished lead. Despite the high-quality construction, you’ll still need to clean your weapon of choice frequently to ensure good and consistent shooting

With that being said, the quality is exactly what you’d expect from H&N: Precise, solid, and dependable.

Accuracy and Practicality

High-quality construction is useless if you can’t hit where you’re aiming; luckily you’ll have no problems with the Terminator pellets.

I used these pellets for two things: garden protection and regular ol’ plinking. I had a good time with both.

H&N has the Terminator pellets being extremely accurate at 25 yards or medium range.

I can personally attest to this. For about two days, I just sat on my back patio and shot at a paper target (with a backstop of course) to see how accurate the pellets actually are.

During my testing, I found that I was able to hit roughly one-inch groups at 25 yards and half-inch groups at 12 and a half. I took this accuracy as a go-ahead to start going after pests in my garden.

I must have gotten at least 6 squirrels in three days. Five out of six squirrels were clean one hits.

There was one instance where the pellet failed to expand and went clean through. The force was sufficient to shock and knock it over long enough for a follow-up.

This brings me to another important personal point:

I do not like squirrels, they have killed many of my plants over the years, but I think an animal suffering is unnecessary. I was very satisfied that I was able to have humane kills due to the design of the pellet.

While large exit wounds are not pretty, you can rest assured that you’re no putting anything in an undue amount of pain. The exit holes are quite large. The Terminators live up to their name and have a massive expansion, like H&N claims.

Another thing I was worried about was over-penetration.

I have kind of close neighbors and initially, I was concerned about hitting windows or houses, even though I was mostly shooting into the ground when I was on the hunt.

It was a relief to find out that these pellets are superb for semi-suburban pest control. I had no over-penetration. The hollow point design and large expansion radius lend itself well to controlled velocity loss.

This means that the pellets lost speed very quickly, usually landing on top of the group behind the animal or bouncing off a tree after passing through my target. This is a great pellet if you’re worried about hitting something unintentionally.

In terms of accuracy, the Terminator Hollow Points are a very solid choice, more so if you’re space is limited.

Price

A tin of 400 unpolished lead pellets isn’t gonna break the bank at $15.39 on Amazon, slightly more expensive elsewhere.

This is definitely worth the cost, especially among similarly priced pellets and brands.

Are the H&N Terminator Hollow Points worth it?

There’s no question about it. These pellets are a must buy if you plan on taking care of a pest problem via airguns and pellet guns.

The construction, accuracy, and practicality all come together beautifully in the H&N Terminator Hollow Point pellets.

3. Crosman Premier Super Points: Best for the Budget

The Crosman Premier Super Points are the best .177 pellets for hunters on a budget.

Crosman Premier is known for their dependable pellets, and the Super Points give you consistent, precise shots without breaking the bank.

But, how do they measure up against more expensive pellets?

Let’s find out!

Accuracy

The Crosman Super Points are made to precise specifications with a far-reaching tip to ensure good, dependable, shot-to-shot accuracy.

Hitting targets within a 50-yard range is no problem. From 40 yards, my average grouping was about 1.5” using the standard iron sights on my Remington Vantage 1200.

It’s not the best accuracy I’ve ever seen, but it’s good enough to get the job done, and a great value for the lower price point.

I’ve shot these through both the Vantage 1200 and a GAMO airgun, and these pellets gave me good, dependable accuracy in both.

Shape and Fit

The Super Points have a pointed, aerodynamic design to ensure the longest range possible.

Although these pellets worked great for me in my two airguns, the fit is very dependent on the bore.

The front drive band is wider than on most pellets, so trying to squeeze them into tighter-bore firearms may damage the pellet, or cause your gun to jam!

However, they fit looser-bore guns tightly, which can give you better velocity. From what I’ve seen and read, they seem to like rotary magazines the best.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the pellets are made from premium lead – which means they can be easily deformed. Make sure you use the flat part of your finger to load them into your airgun.

Reliability

The Super Points feed very well into loosely-bore guns. Crosman Premier usually crafts high-quality lead pellets, and these are no exception.

They’re wear-resistant and give a consistently good performance.

A couple of things to note:

Lead pellets get the job done well, but as mentioned, can be very soft and easy to deform. Make sure you’re very careful, and never drop them onto any hard surfaces!

Manufacturing consistency is also not fantastic.

Although head diameter is usually very consistent, this isn’t the case here.

The weight, on the other hand, is very consistent. We’ll discuss this more in-depth later.

Despite these couple of factors that have the potential to cause issues, these pellets give you clean shots and work well in most loosely-bore airguns.

Speed

Super Points will give you close to the maximum distance you can get with airguns.

They hold their velocity well, which helps with accuracy. Based on my measurements, their average velocity is around 900 FPS!

Before I used them for hunting, I tested the pellets by shooting some through cotton targets. While most other pellets barely broke through 2 layers, these easily went through 4 layers of 100% cotton.

Size

Each Super Point weighs 7.9 grains. They’re a bit heavy to amount to Crosman’s claims of “maximum power” in an air rifle, but they still have impressive velocity and get the job done well.

The average head diameter on the Super Points is 4.52mm, and the average length is 5.37mm.

Although head diameter is usually a very tightly controlled parameter, the Super Points vary slightly from bullet to bullet.

It’s not a huge difference between each pellet, but it’s still something to take note of.

The weight, on the other hand, seems to be at a consistent 7.9 grains throughout each individual pellet.

Price

A box of 500 Super Points retails online for anywhere between $7-$15.

It’s a very good value for what you get, and these are among the cheapest .177 pellets currently on the market.

Recommendations

The Crosman Premier Super Points are great for close-range small game hunting and pest control.

They expand when they get in contact with the target, making them a great choice for hunting squirrels, groundhogs, or birds.

Serious airgunners can expect consistent, precise shots with these pellets.

If you’re a small game hunter on a budget, Super Points are a great choice.

4. GAMO Red Fire: Best for Hunting Rabbits

GAMO Red Fire pellets are the best for hunting rabbits!

Bunnies can raze my entire garden in a single night if not controlled. This means I needed to find the best option for taking care of these furry pests fast!

I’ve always done a decent job with round pellets, so why did I change things up?

What I found out after giving Red Fires a try will probably impress you as much as it did me.

Check this out.

Accuracy

The GAMO Red Fire pellets are very accurate.

Thanks in part to the cone-tipped shape of the pellet itself, GAMO’s design has maximized trajectory consistency.

I was initially testing on targets that I’d set up at 30 yards. From the first shot, I was very impressed with the performance.

No adjustments are needed. No learning curve to adapt to.

Immediately on target, I was ready to get down to business in a blink.

I value quality products, and accuracy is one of the most important features for these pellets. It’s not the only top-notch feature though.

Speed

The excellent performance of these pellets can also largely be attributed to speed.

The actual size of these pellets is a hair larger than the round pellets I’ve used in the past. I was a bit concerned by the appearance that they would be too big for my air rifle, but I was wrong.

The design of the pellet creates such a tight seal in the barrel, that the pellet comes screaming out at incredible speed.

The excellent trajectory also comes hand in hand with more effective stopping power.

Those little furballs are fast and twitchy, giving me only one shot when I catch them in my garden.

If I miss they’re long gone and I’m back to waiting. The high speed of the Red Fire pellet increases my odds of success every time.

Reliability

The GAMO Red Fire pellets are clearly reliable and well made.

Consistency in the way these are made is plain as day. Every tip is centered and in place. The tumbled appearance, without seams or visible defects, is a clear indication of the quality.

I have no worries about failures with the Red Fires.

Many round or poorly made pellets tend to veer way off target on occasion, due to irregular shapes.

I never had any trouble with that problem using the Red Fires. Both on the initial target tests and in my use afterward on the devil-bunnies, I never had a single wayward pellet.

Effective

The Red Fire pellets are so much more effective for rabbits than the round pellets I used to use.

Designed to mushroom on impact, these lethal pellets make a big difference in quickly downing my targets.

When I started, with the paper-over-wood targets, the pellets at everything less than 20 yards would shape into flat discs on impact.

On impact, on the 30+ yard targets, and in my real targets, the expansion was more of the peeled-back shape that I’d expected.

Typical pellets require relatively good precision to get an effective kill-shot that will eliminate the vermin quickly. The Red Fire’s expanding design increased immediate stopping power.

I want to eliminate a pest as humanly as possible. Being able to put the rabbits down quickly is so much simpler thanks to GAMO’s smart design.

Are the GAMO Red Fire pellets worth it?

Yes! For taking care of the rabbits in my garden, I will never use anything other than these pellets again.

The higher speed, consistency in pellets, and effective stopping power are all perfect for Operation Defend-The-Veggies at my house.

I’m so incredibly impressed with these pellets. I’ll be bunny-free in no time thanks to the GAMO Red Fire Pellets. Yes!!

Now It’s Your Turn

I hope you enjoyed my best 177 pellets for huntingguide.

So as a recap:

If you’re looking for the best overall 177 pellets, I highly recommend the Crosman DS177 Destroyer.

Or if you are looking for accuracy, get the H&N Terminator Hollow Points.

If you’re on a budget, then the Crosman Premier Super Points is for you. It is affordable, consistent and precise.

Lastly, if you are into hunting rabbits, then the GAMO Red Fire is what you are looking for.

Now I want to turn it over to you:

Which hunting pellets will you pick?

Let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.

Hey Gunners! Welcome to Best Glock 43x MOS Red Dot Blog In 2024.

I’ve been firing rounds downrange for years, and one of my go-to firearms has always been the Glock 43X MOS.

I’ve looked into the best red dot sights for the Glock 43X MOS and want to share that knowledge with you.

So, What Red Dot Fits Glock 43x?

Here are eight red dot sights that fit the Glock 43x MOS perfectly.

Top 8 Best Red Dot Glock 43x MOS Red Dot

1. Trijicon RMRcc – Best for custom-milled slides
2. Holosun HS507K-X2 – Best budget alternative of trijicon
3. Holosun 507C X2 – Best for tactical shooting
4. Holosun EPS Carry – Best compact red dot
5. Shield RMSc – Best for durability
6. Swampfox Sentinel – Best for wide viewing window
7. SIG Romeo Zero Elite – Best value for money
8. Hex Wasp – Best user-friendly

1. Trijicon RMRcc – Best for custom-milled slides

A game-changing red dot sight specifically designed for concealed carry that’s durable, versatile, and easy to use.

Designed for Concealed Carry: One of the standout features of the Trijicon RMRcc is its design geared towards concealed carry. This thing is slim, I mean, really slim. It nestles beautifully on my Glock 43X MOS, creating an almost seamless look.

If you’re someone who values discretion and a low-profile carry, then this is your red dot. It’s got a design that ensures reduced risk of snags during your draw.

Outstanding Durability: Let’s talk about this sight’s ruggedness. The patented housing shape diverts the force of any impact away from the lens. That makes this little piece of hardware incredibly resilient.

During my field tests, I went through the usual bumps and knocks, and guess what? Not a single crack or distortion in the lens. The quality is military-grade; it’s constructed to withstand harsh conditions without losing zero.

Complete User-Control Illumination Settings: This red dot sight gives you ultimate control over brightness settings.

With eight different modes, you can easily adjust to your environment. What does that mean practically? Well, you’ve got two night vision modes for twilight or nighttime shooting.

And when you’re out in broad daylight, the super bright mode ensures the dot is visible and crisp. The flexibility allows you to tailor the sight according to your needs, whether you’re indoors or outdoors.

Easily Adjustable Windage/Elevation: Do you know how some sights need a special adjustment tool? Not this one.

With 3 MOA per tick, making windage and elevation adjustments is a cinch. The knobs are easy to maneuver, even with gloved hands.

This becomes super handy in dynamic shooting scenarios where quick adjustments are essential. You’ll have your sight zeroed in no time, and it holds that zero exceptionally well.

Crisp 3.25 MOA Dot: The 3.25 MOA dot is another remarkable feature. It’s the ideal size for both-eyes-open shooting, which is fantastic for situational awareness.

The dot is crystal-clear, and the quality of the lens enhances the visibility, even under extreme lighting conditions. I found this particularly helpful when I had to switch targets rapidly.

Why I Love It: What’s not to love? The RMRcc blends flawlessly with my Glock 43X MOS, it’s robust, versatile, and incredibly easy to use. It’s like the sight was made for this gun.

My Experience

I felt an immediate difference When I mounted this on my Glock. The sight was easy to attach and felt like an integral part of the firearm.

The drawing was smooth, and the targeting was accurate, improving my shooting experience significantly.

Pros

• Slim and compact design
• High durability
• Flexible illumination settings
• Easy windage/elevation adjustments
• Crisp 3.25 MOA dot

Cons

• Bottom battery access can be tricky
• Slightly on the expensive side

2. Holosun HS507K-X2 – Best budget alternative of trijicon

A high-performance open reflex sight with a compact profile designed to fit perfectly on subcompact firearms like the Glock 43X MOS.

Red Super LED: The Holosun 507K X2’s Red Super LED is a game-changer. When you’re zeroing in on a target, the crispness and clarity of the dot can make a significant difference in your accuracy.

The LED technology used here offers a fine, well-defined 2 MOA red dot that doesn’t blur or distort, even under rapid movement or recoil.

What really steals the show is the whopping 50,000-hour battery life, which is a godsend for those extended field trips. No worries about the sight dying on you midway through your shooting session.

Multi-Reticle System (MRS): One size doesn’t fit all, and that’s especially true when it comes to reticles. The Multi-Reticle System (MRS) on this sight gives you the best of both worlds.

You get a fast sight picture for those quick reflex shots, thanks to the larger 32 MOA circle. Meanwhile, the inner 2 MOA dot offers the precision required for longer distances.

The genius is in its flexibility; the reticle system allows you to switch between these options seamlessly.

Shake Awake Technology: You know how frustrating it is when you forget to turn off the sight and come back to a dead battery? Shake Awake Technology solves that. The LED deactivates when it senses a lack of movement, extending the battery life.

The moment you pick up your Glock 43X MOS, the sight immediately springs back to life. The timeout settings are customizable, providing further convenience for every type of shooter out there.

Easy Battery Access with Side Tray: Fumbling with screws and mounts just to change a battery can sour the shooting experience.

The Holosun 507K X2 comes with a side-mounted battery tray, making the whole ordeal as easy as sliding out the old CR1632 battery and slotting in a new one.

There is no need to disassemble your setup, saving you time and preserving your zero.

Durable Housing: Durability often gets sacrificed for the sake of compactness in many optics. Not in this case. The 7075 T6 Aluminum housing is the same grade of material used in aerospace engineering.

This material provides an excellent balance of strength to weight, ensuring that your sight won’t fall apart or get damaged even under challenging conditions.

Why I love it: The Holosun 507K X2 is a fantastic little package that brings together thoughtful design with robust performance. It’s everything you’d want in a compact red dot sight.

My Experience

After field-testing this sight on my Glock, I can honestly say it enhances the whole shooting experience.

The reticle options are versatile enough for any shooting scenario, the Shake Awake feature is a nice touch for battery conservation, and the durability ensures that it’s a long-term investment.

Pros

• Exceptional battery life due to high-performance LED and Shake Awake technology
• Customizable reticle options via the Multi-Reticle System
• Side tray for convenient battery replacement
• Built from tough 7075 T6 Aluminum
• Fits the Glock 43X MOS perfectly without overhanging the slide

Cons

• Battery access, although improved by the side tray, could be further enhanced if it were not on the bottom.

See detailed Review of HOLOSUN HS507K.

3. Holosun 507C X2 – Best for tactical shooting

An open reflex sight with high performance, durability, and versatile features designed for tactical shooting.

Green Super LED: When it comes to sights, the LED quality is the real backbone. Holosun 507C X2 nails it with its Green Super LED.

This isn’t just a brighter dot; it’s an element that affects everything from battery life to how well you can acquire your target. The LED has a stunning 50,000-hour battery life. So, yes, you can pretty much forget about running out of juice anytime soon.

But why Green LED, you ask? Green is easier to see in more lighting conditions than red, making it an excellent choice for both daytime and nighttime use.

Multi-Reticle System (MRS): Alright, let’s talk versatility. The Multi-Reticle System (MRS) is truly one of the most fantastic features. It offers a 2 MOA dot and a 32 MOA circle, and you can switch between these two easily.

It’s like having multiple sights in one. In tactical shooting, your needs can change within seconds. Sometimes, you’re going for precision; other times, speed is the name of the game.

With the MRS, I was able to get quick target acquisition when I needed to fire rapidly, thanks to the larger circle.

When I needed pinpoint accuracy, the 2 MOA dot was perfect. Plus, the green color shines in both reticle options, making it easier to engage targets at any distance.

Solar Failsafe: Even if your battery does run out, which, let’s face it, is unlikely, the sight comes with Solar Failsafe. This feature is a lifesaver. It draws power from any available light source, natural or artificial.

The Solar Failsafe kicks in automatically in Auto Mode and adjusts the reticle’s brightness according to the light conditions. When I was out shooting in broad daylight, the reticle was crisp and bright.

When clouds rolled in, it dimmed down to optimal visibility. This feature reassures you that your sight will always be operational, no matter what the circumstances are.

Durability & Housing: Don’t let the sight’s lightweight design fool you; this thing is tough. Built from 7075 T6 Aluminum, the same stuff used in aerospace, it can withstand the rough and tumble of tactical shooting.

I’ve put this sight through the wringer, and it’s come out unscathed every time. From rainy days to dusty conditions, it’s lived up to the test. The anodized finish further protects against corrosion and abrasion.

Given its resilience, you won’t hesitate to take it with you in any field conditions.

Battery Accessibility: Many sights make the simple task of changing a battery an ordeal. But the Holosun 507C X2 has a side-mounted tray that houses the CR1632 battery.

It was incredibly straightforward to swap out the battery without dismantling the whole sight. The tray is secured tightly but is easy to open when needed, even in the field.

This feature is a game-changer, keeping you focused on shooting rather than fumbling with small screws and possibly losing your zero.

Why I love it: I love this sight for its innovation, reliability, and versatility. The Green Super LED, MRS, and Solar Failsafe features work together harmoniously, making the Holosun 507C X2 a robust choice for tactical shooting.

My Experience

This sight has genuinely revolutionized how I engage targets, be it during practice or in more adrenaline-pumping situations.

The easy battery replacement, combined with the Shake Awake Technology and Solar Failsafe, means I’ve never had to worry about my sight failing me. Plus, its sturdy build can withstand anything I throw at it.

Pros

• Exceptional Green Super LED technology
• Versatile Multi-Reticle System
• Shake Awake Technology for extended battery life
• Solar Failsafe for a continuous power supply
• 7075 T6 Aluminum for robust durability
• Convenient battery accessibility

Cons

• Slightly wider profile compared to the Glock 43X MOS slide

4. Holosun EPS Carry – Best compact red dot

A rugged, fully weatherproof sight designed for optimal performance on the Glock 43X MOS.

Closed Emitter: The closed emitter is the first feature that grabs your attention. You’re looking at a sight that’s fully weatherproof against dirt, water, and other debris.

That means you can take your Glock 43X MOS through rain, mud, or even desert storms, and your sight will come out unscathed. For practical applications like concealed carry or duty use, this is a huge plus.

You can’t predict the weather, but with a closed emitter, you don’t have to worry about it either.

Side Battery Access: The side battery access is another practical feature that spares you the headache of sight removal during battery replacement.

The convenience can’t be overstated; swap out the battery without losing your zero. For those of us who’ve been through the hassle of re-zeroing, this is a significant time-saver and stress-reducer.

Six Reticle Systems: The Holosun EPS Carry offers six reticle systems: 2 MOA, 6 MOA, and a multi-reticle system with a 32 MOA ring.

The versatility here is immense. Whether you’re shooting up close or at a distance, you can toggle through the reticle options and find what’s most comfortable for your shooting style.

No Lens Distortion: The sight boasts a refined glass window that eliminates edge distortion. This is particularly helpful during dynamic shooting, where you need to make quick target transitions.

Your sight picture remains crisp and clear, which is precisely what you need in those high-stress scenarios.

Rugged Construction: Made of 7075 T6 aluminum and IPX8 rated, this sight is built like a tank. Drop it, bump it, or even submerge it, and it’ll keep ticking.

For a daily carry or duty weapon, this durability is more than just a selling point; it’s a necessity.

Battery Life: The sight uses a 1620 battery, providing an incredible 50,000-hour battery life. That translates to less time worrying about a dimming sight and more time focusing on your target.

Why I Love It: It’s the small things that make the Holosun EPS Carry exceptional. From the closed emitter to the side battery access, each feature is designed with the end-user in mind. Practical, rugged, and efficient, it’s everything you’d want in a sight.

My Experience

Mounting it was straightforward, thanks to the compatibility with the RMSc plate. During range time, the sight was reliable, offering crisp reticles and holding its zero exceptionally well.

Switching between reticle systems felt intuitive, and I particularly enjoyed the absence of lens distortion.

Pros

• Extremely durable and fully weatherproof
• Convenient side battery access
• Versatile reticle options
• No lens distortion
• Long battery life

Cons

• Requires a turret tool for MOA adjustments

5. Shield RMSc – Best for durability

A compact red dot sight that perfectly complements the Glock 43X MOS with its strength and

adaptability.

Aircraft Aluminum Construction: This sight is made of aircraft aluminum, giving it a robustness you can count on. It might not be as rugged as some other options, but it’s more than durable enough for everyday concealed carry.

Those distinctive support rails on both sides? They aren’t just for looks; they add essential rigidity and strength to the optic.

LED 4 MOA Dot: The 4 MOA dot is an excellent feature, offering just the right balance between visibility and precision. For me, a 4 MOA dot is the sweet spot; it’s large enough to acquire quickly but small enough to allow for accurate shots at a distance.

Glass & Parallax-Free 1X Lens: You can choose between a polymer and a glass lens, depending on what you’re looking for.

The glass lens option provides a clear and crisp sight picture, and it’s parallax-free at 1X magnification, allowing for more accurate aiming.

Auto-Adjusting Brightness: Being a ‘permanently on’ optic, the RMSc automatically adjusts to ambient lighting conditions.

Whether you’re in broad daylight or a dimly lit room, the sight adapts so you don’t have to fiddle around with manual settings.

Why I Love It: The Shield RMSc checks a lot of boxes for me. It’s compact, durable, and features an auto-adjusting reticle that’s a real timesaver. Plus, the 4 MOA dot is just right for my needs.

My Experience

Installation was a breeze, fitting perfectly on my Glock 43X MOS. During my range sessions, the sight held its own, offering a consistently clear sight picture.

The auto-adjusting brightness was spot-on, and I found the 4 MOA dot to be exceptionally user-friendly.

Pros

• Durable aircraft aluminum construction
• Auto-adjusting brightness
• Clear, parallax-free lens
• Seamless fit with Glock 43X MOS
• Versatile 4 MOA dot

Cons

• Not as rugged as some other options

6. Swampfox Sentinel – Best for wide viewing window

Compact yet powerful, Swampfox Sentinel fits like a glove on your Glock 43X MOS.

Auto Brightness Model: The Swampfox Sentinel really shines, no pun intended, with its auto-brightness feature. Located on the left side of the body, a photosensitive sensor adjusts the brightness of the dot relative to ambient light conditions.

In practical terms, you don’t have to fiddle with buttons when transitioning from bright sunlight to low-light environments. It’s like having a sight with intuition; it knows just how bright to be when you need it the most.

Compact Unobstructive Fit: Compact might as well be this sight’s middle name. With a 16mm x 16mm window, this sight offers a field of view that is just the right size: large enough for quick target acquisition but small enough not to mess with concealment.

It’s like a perfect compromise between visibility and portability, a feature you’ll truly appreciate when you’re in action.

Duty Grade: If you’re worried about durability, don’t be. This thing is made from 7075 aluminum that’s hard-coat oxidized.

You could literally drop this from shoulder height or use it in the rain, and it’ll still perform like nothing happened.

Double the Life: Battery life is often the Achilles heel of electronic gadgets. Not here. The CR2032 battery gives you about two years of real-world battery life.

Yep, you read that right: two years. It’s a low-maintenance relationship that you and your Glock will certainly appreciate.

Large Field of View: While the compact design gives you an unobtrusive fit, the large field of view ensures that you can acquire your target with ease.

Unlike other red dot sights where you might struggle to find your target, here, it almost feels like the sight does half the work for you.

Manual and Automatic Brightness: Flexibility is key, and this sight offers both manual and automatic brightness settings.

Whether you’re someone who prefers to set and forget or someone who likes to have control, there’s an option here for you.

Why I love it: Why do I love the Swampfox Sentinel? It’s simple, really. This sight offers a robust set of features without complicating the shooting experience.

It’s like having a personal assistant that knows exactly what you need and delivers without being asked.

My Experience

Let me tell you, this sight didn’t disappoint. From the moment I installed it, everything just clicked. Quick target acquisition, robust construction, and the battery life, oh the battery life! Two years without a change is a game-changer.

Pros

• High-quality 7075-T6 aluminum construction
• Intuitive auto-brightness setting
• Long-lasting CR2032 battery
• Large field of view
• Manual and auto brightness options
• Perfect fit for Glock 43X MOS

Cons

• Battery replacement can be a tad annoying due to small screws

7. SIG Romeo Zero Elite – Best value for money

A budget-friendly sight with top-notch features, optimized for Glock 43X MOS.

Scratch-Resistant Glass Aspherical Lens: Alright, let’s dive into the good stuff! The Romeo Zero Elite comes equipped with a scratch-resistant glass aspherical lens.

What this means for you is a crystal-clear view and, more importantly, a distortion-free sight picture. The lens is made of high-quality glass that maintains its clarity over time, so you don’t have to worry about minor scuffs or scratches affecting your accuracy.

Durable Carbon-Infused Polymer Housing: Durability is a huge plus for this sight. It comes encased in a carbon-infused polymer housing with a reinforced lens area.

So, if you’re someone who’s a little rough on their gear, this sight has got you covered. As a bonus, it even comes with a hardened steel protective shroud, providing an extra layer of protection.

Visibility and Anti-Reflection: Visibility? Check. The rear surfaces of the housing include anti-reflection grooves, and there’s a backup rear sight notch marked with Grade A Swiss SuperLuminova pigment.

You’ll appreciate this feature when you find yourself in low-light environments. With the 8 illumination settings, you can adjust the brightness according to the situation you’re in.

Touch-Activated Programming: Let’s not overlook the T.A.P technology. A simple tap on the optic allows you to change brightness and reticle options.

No more fiddling with hard-to-reach buttons, folks! It’s user-friendly and super convenient.

Why I Love It: So, why do I love this sight? It’s simple: great features at an affordable price point. As someone who enjoys both casual shooting and competition, the Romeo Zero Elite delivers exactly what I need without breaking the bank.

My Experience

The sight fits perfectly on my Glock 43X MOS and performs exceptionally well in the field. Its quick target acquisition has helped me improve my accuracy noticeably.

The T.A.P feature makes it really easy to adjust settings on the fly, which has been a game-changer for me.

Pros

• Excellent visibility features for low-light conditions
• Long battery life
• User-friendly Touch-Activated Programming
• Lightweight and compact, ideal for Glock 43X MOS

Cons

• Not as durable as some other pricier options

8. Hex Wasp – Best user-friendly

A versatile and rugged red dot sight, perfect for Glock 43X MOS users who favor ease-of-use and automatic adjustments.

6061-T6 Aluminum Housing with Anodized Finish: First off, let’s talk about build quality. The Hex Wasp is made from 6061-T6 Aluminum and features an anodized finish.

That combination gives you a robust, long-lasting sight that can withstand moisture and the elements. Being out in the field, I found it to hold up quite well under various weather conditions. No rust, no degradation, and certainly no feeling that it’s going to let me down when I need it the most.

Clarity and Lens Quality: Nothing’s worse than a blurry or hazy sight picture, right? Fortunately, the Hex Wasp comes with a crystal-clear lens that allows for a vivid view.

This has been particularly useful for me during fast target acquisition. The sharp image ensures you don’t miss your mark, and I found it made a world of difference when switching between targets.

Automatic Brightness Adjustment: Now, I know some folks prefer manual adjustments for reticle brightness, but hear me out. The Hex Wasp’s automatic brightness adjustment is actually pretty slick. I’ve found it to be accurate and quick in adapting to changing light conditions.

Whether I was in broad daylight or in a dimly lit environment, the sight adjusted itself flawlessly. It’s a great hands-off feature for those who like to focus on the shot.

3.5 MOA Dot Reticle: The 3.5 MOA dot is what I consider to be the “Goldilocks” of reticle sizes; it’s just right. It’s large enough to easily find but not so large that it obscures the target.

I found this size to be especially useful for mid-range shots where pinpoint accuracy is needed.

Long Battery Life: Battery life is a crucial aspect of any electronic sight. The Hex Wasp offers around 2 years of battery life, which is pretty fantastic.

I haven’t had to worry about my sight going dark in the middle of a shooting session, and that peace of mind is invaluable.

Why I Love It: So why do I find the Hex Wasp to be a keeper? Its exceptional build quality and user-friendly features make it an all-around reliable option.

And I can’t stress enough how helpful the automatic brightness adjustment has been for me.

My Experience

I’ve put the Hex Wasp through its paces on my Glock 43X MOS, and let me tell you, it’s been a great ride. From the easy installation to the reliable performance, it’s been everything I wanted in a sight.

Pros

• Rugged 6061-T6 Aluminum construction with an anodized finish
• Crystal-clear lens for exceptional clarity
• Automatic brightness adjustment works well in various lighting conditions
• Long-lasting battery life
• Versatile 3.5 MOA red dot reticle

Cons

• Placement on the gun can be finicky; requires occasional readjustment

Best Mounting Plates for Glock 43X MOS

Before installing a red dot sight on your Glock 43x, you need to get a mounting plate. Here are my top picks for the best mounting plates for Glock 43x MOS.

• chpws adapter plate
• Outerimpact Micro Red Dot Adapter Compatible with Glock Except MOS
• DPP Titanium Adapter Plate for Glock 43X/48 MOS

Final Verdict

Alright, folks, we’ve explored the cream of red dot sights for your Glock 43X MOS, from the game-changing Trijicon RMRcc to the budget-friendly SIG Romeo Zero Elite.

The best sight for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Some of you might prioritize durability, while others may be looking for something budget-friendly.

At the end of the day, it’s all about what best suits your shooting style. So go ahead, make your choice, and may your aim be ever true!

FAQ’s

What is the best dot for the 43X MOS?

The best dot for the 43X MOS is the Trijicon RMRcc, based on my extensive testing.

What red dots mount to Glock MOS?

Red dots like Trijicon RMRcc, Holosun 507K X2, and SIG Romeo Zero Elite can mount to Glock MOS.

How accurate is the Glock 43X MOS?

The Glock 43X MOS is highly accurate, thanks to its improved trigger, ergonomic grip, and longer sight radius.

Is it worth putting a red dot on a Glock?

Yes, adding a red dot can improve accuracy, especially at longer distances.

Is the G43X MOS worth it?

Yes, the G43X MOS is a reliable and affordable carry gun with great features.

What does Glock 43X MOS stand for?

MOS stands for Modular Optics System, a feature designed to accommodate various red dot optics.

What generation is Glock 43x MOS?

The Glock 43X MOS is part of the Gen5 series, featuring the match-grade GLOCK Marksman Barrel.

Question:When hunting big woods, what are the best terrain features to look for when trying to find deer signs? — Joe Barrett, Cheltenham, Pa.

Saddles

Why bucks use them: Saddles may not be my go-to terrain feature because they don’t occur everywhere, but they are easy to find and easy to hunt. Saddles offer the two things that bucks look for when traveling: the path of least resistance and a low profile. Mature bucks typically slink around like ghosts — just out of sight — they are around but not really visible. Saddles permit this behavior by reducing the amount of time the buck remains on the skyline.

Saddles accomplish the buck’s second goal by lowering the ridge line. When he is crossing from one slope to the other, the saddle makes the mission easier. Saddles funnel all manner of game. I have hunted some impressive trails through saddles up in the mountains when chasing elk, but here we will focus on whitetails.

How to find them: To find saddles you need a topographical map. Saddles will appear as a gap between the contour lines that make up the ridge top. It is easier to show you what a saddle looks like on a topo map than to try to describe it, so I have included a map image for that purpose.

The weakness of relying on topo maps to find saddles is the scale of most maps. Most depict a terrain variation of 20 feet between adjacent contour lines. That means that for a saddle to appear on the topo map, it has be 20 feet deep. I have hunted many saddles over the years that were only five to ten feet deep, yet they were very productive stand locations. There is only one way to find these shallow saddles and that is on foot. You have to walk the ridge tops. If the ridge dips you have a saddle. Start looking for stand locations.

How to hunt them: With a gun, saddles are a killing field. Set up along the top of the ridge, right where it drops off into the saddle. This gives you the best field of fire to cover anything using the saddle and by staying high, you remain in the consistent wind that stream over the ridge versus dropping down over the top where the wind is sure to swirl.

With a bow, most saddles are less exciting, but still worth hunting. Bucks don’t generally flow right through the bottom like water, so you have to pick a side. The wind, not the sign, dictates which side you should pick. If the wind is 90 degrees to the ridge, you can hunt either end of the saddle equally well. However, if it is quartering across the ridge, you must favor the downwind side of the saddle or you will spook too many traveling deer.

Saddles are best during the rut when bucks are actively cruising. They can also be very good on opening day of the firearms season when other hunters keep the bucks moving. Saddles are not as productive during the early bow season or during the late muzzleloader season unless they lie directly between feeding and bedding areas.

Bedding Ridges

Why bucks use them: I don’t hunt bedding areas early or late in the season because of the risk of spooking deer. However, during the rut, the reward is worth the risk. Things are more chaotic and the deer don’t notice my coming and going as readily. Bucks move through these bedding areas looking for does, creating activity that is very consistent. Many of my best bucks have come from this exact pattern and I look for it as my number one morning option everywhere I hunt.

I hunt ridges nearly every morning during the rut because that is where I find the action. Bucks come through these areas looking for does all morning long. I once hunted a single ridge stand 14 mornings during a 16-day stretch. It never grew old and I eventually shot a great 10-pointer.

The buck parade typically starts shortly after the does arrive — roughly an hour after sunrise. They stay on their feet until late morning if the day is cool, offering several hours of possible action each day.

How to find them: Like all terrain features, ridges show up best on a topo map, but because of shadowing, ridges also show up pretty well on aerial photos. Finding a ridge is only the start, you then need to decide where along the ridge to hunt. I favor funnels in all my whitetail hunting, and surprisingly there is a common funnel on ridge tops.

The areas where a ridge narrows are natural locations for a tree stand. In most parts of whitetail country, a ridge narrows because a draw or ravine runs up from the valley below to end at this point along the ridge line. As deer travel the side of a ridge, they will detour up and around that ravine. So at the place where a ravine cuts into the side of the slope, the bucks will bottleneck closer to the top of the ridge. This is also a natural place for bucks to cross a ridge, another reason to select a stand right at the head of a ravine.

How to hunt them: Determine where the deer are likely feeding and then enter the ridge stand from the opposite direction. Don’t hunt the stand unless the wind is blowing from the feeding area toward the bedding area (into your face as you walk in). Once settled in the stand, the wind will carry your scent over the valley on your downwind side (assuming the ridge is at least 60 to 80 feet high), and ideally over the noses of any deer traveling the valley below.

I have hunted a few of these stands where the conditions were perfect. There was literally no way for the deer to smell me because the ground dropped away quickly on the downwind side and my scent didn’t hit the ground until it was hundreds of yards away and sufficiently diluted that it evoked no reaction from the deer. I love setups like that.

Ditch and Creek Crossings

How bucks use them: Now we are getting into what I think is the best natural stand location in rolling or rugged areas. Again, we are dealing primarily with bucks that are on the move during the rut. They are covering ground and looking for does. In the course of their travels, they will have to navigate through (and around) creeks and ditches. You can easily find and hunt the crossings they are likely to select. I bet ditches and creeks have played a role in at least a third of the bucks I have shot in my life.

How to find them: Ditch and creek crossings are the first thing I look for when hunting a new area. In fact, where these terrain features are common, you can build your entire season around them. Creeks scream at you from topo maps, are obvious on aerial photos and you literally stumble over them (or into them) when walking the property. Ditches are less obvious from the map study, but equally easy to find with your feet on the ground.

Creek crossings generally occur at the center of an S curve in the creek. The bends of the S are generally holes with high banks on the outside while the straight portion between bends is generally shallower with a lower bank. That is where the deer cross.

Some creeks don’t meander, making it much harder to find crossings without actually walking the banks of the creek, looking for cross trails.

Ditch crossings typically take three forms. Either the deer go around the ditch at the top or bottom (comprising the first two forms) or they cross the ditch itself at a place where the banks are gradual. The first two crossings are easy to find from a map study, but you have to walk the ground to find the third type.

How to hunt them: This is why I love ditches and creeks. They offer a no-brainer entry and exit route. At least half of my stands rely on creeks or ditches to permit undetected access. I get right down in them and sneak along. Even if I don’t hunt right on the edge of the ditch or creek, I use it to get in and out.

Go in before the season with a chainsaw and remove all the brush and fallen trees from the ditches so you can walk through easily and quietly, even in the dark. Now you have a corridor that permits you to stay out of sight, keep your noise to a minimum and lay down scent in a place where deer are unlikely to walk. This is the definition of the perfect entry and exit route.

Creeks are not as easy to navigate when they are carrying a lot of water, but when they are low they also represent the perfect access route. In fact, I like the undetected access afforded by creeks and ditches so much that I go out of my way to find stands along these corridors just so I can use them to slip in and out.

Field Crossings

How bucks use them: Many people call them swales. If you think bucks love to use saddles when they are located in the woods, you should see the way they use them in an open field. These swales are basically saddles across open fields, a way for the buck to stay out of sight as he traverses open land.

How to find them: These crossings are generally evident by two brushy ravines on an aerial photo. The ravines extend into the open ridge from the opposite slopes of the ridge, pointing at each other like huge, brushy fingers. This is the narrowest crossing point on the ridge — again reducing the buck’s exposure while traveling.

How to hunt them: The opposing brushy fingers are both good stand choices, deciding which to hunt comes down to the direction of the wind and the availability of good trees. This would be a good stand for all phases of the rut and the place that bucks will use to enter the field to feed during the early and late season — an all-purpose stand. These are fun spots to hunt too, because you can see well in all directions.

Bluff Edges

How bucks use them: Any buck cruising along a side hill will funnel up the slope to bypass the steepest section by walking the bluff edge. Very rarely will they traverse the near vertical slope unless someone is pushing them. One of my best stands of all time was located at the top of an abandoned rock quarry.

Talk about a steep bluff! I hunted it when the wind was blowing out over the quarry so no deer ever smelled me on stand. I accessed the stand by walking up the slope, right on the edge of the quarry, so I got in and out without detection. I messed up on one of the biggest 8-pointers I have ever seen in my life from that stand, but that is another story.

How to find them: You can sometimes see bluffs when studying an aerial photo, but they are much easier to see on a topo map. Where terrain is the steepest, contour lines are very close together signifying a fast change in elevation. When you see contour lines that are close together, you are looking at a bluff.

How to hunt them: As mentioned, bluff stands are among my favorites because they offer incredible advantages and a very straightforward hunting plan. Place your stand near the edge of the bluff and then hunt it with the wind blowing out over the valley below. There is no way that a deer will be able to smell you. If you can climb the bluff from below, you have the ultimate stand setup, one where the deer never detect your entry or exit and they never smell you while on stand. It doesn’t get any better than that.