Game & Fish West

Each issue of Game & Fish West details proven local strategies for elk, deer, bass, trout and more. Discover the best places to hunt and fish from Washington to New Mexico, and learn the top times for success in the field and on the water. Get info on hot new gear and how it performs, as well as updates on trends, regulations, seasons and destinations to help you plan your next outing.

’TIS THE SEASON

GAME & FISH ONLINE • TIPS, TACTICS, GEAR, NEWS AND MORE AT GAFMAG.COM

Game & Fish West

MOON TIMES

BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD • WITH THE APPROPRIATE CARTRIDGES AND BULLETS, AR-15-STYLE RIFLES ARE SUITABLE FOR A VARIETY OF HUNTING PURSUITS.

FIGHT THE FEVER • PREPARATION, VISUALIZATION AND A QUIET MIND ARE THE KEYS TO MAKING A SHOT AT THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.

ORDER FROM CHAOS • USE TRAIL CAMERAS TO HELP MITIGATE THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THE WHITETAIL RUT.

AMERICA’S CHANGING LAND ETHIC • IF THE FIGHT OVER SELLING PUBLIC LAND GALVANIZED HUNTERS THIS SUMMER, IT ALSO SPOTLIGHTED OUR CHANGING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PLACES WE HUNT.

MY DEER CARTRIDGES • THE AUTHOR REFLECTS ON A LIFETIME OF FAVORITE DEER LOADS, BOTH POPULAR AND OBSCURE.

AROUND THE WEST • A SAMPLING OF THE REGION’S BEST HUNTING AND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES THIS MONTH

CAMS FOR DUCKS • BECOME A MORE EFFECTIVE DUCK HUNTER BY RUNNING CELLULAR TRAIL CAMS ON YOUR HONEY HOLES.

BLACK-POWDER BLACKTAILS • CHANNEL YOUR INNER MOUNTAIN MAN AND TRACK DOWN YOUR NEXT BUCK WITH A PRIMITIVE MUZZLELOADER.

WHERE TO GO • Top PNW spots for a late-season black-powder blacktail

SPREAD ’EM • SIMPLE DECOY SPREAD SOLUTIONS FOR LATE-SEASON DUCKS AND GEESE.

FAB FAKES • Top decoy options for highly convincing late-season sets.

AFTER THE DANCE • WITH THE RUT A DISTANT MEMORY AND WINTER AROUND THE CORNER, TAGGING A LATE-SEASON BULL REQUIRES A STRATEGY RESET.

CONVERSATION STARTERS • Be ready to chat up elk, even after the rut, with these quality calls.

SPIKE STRIKE • A VERSATILE NEW PLASTIC BAIT FROM JAPAN IS ABOUT TO TAKE AMERICAN BASS FISHING BY STORM.

JAPANESE IMPORTS • Other Japanese domestic market baits that have gained a foothold stateside

CHUKAR BOOM • THIS CHUKAR SEASON IS SHAPING UP TO BE THE BEST WE’VE SEEN IN A GENERATION. HERE’S WHERE TO GET IN ON THE ACTION.

WHITETAIL WONDERLAND • ON A 2,000-ACRE FARM IN WESTERN ILLINOIS, THE AUTHOR WITNESSES FIRSTHAND THE SPOILS OF THE LANDOWNER’S TIRELESS LAND-MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

UP FROM THE ASHES • After a 5-year hiatus, Thompson/Center Arms returns to the scene.

A PERFECT PAIRING • THE UPDATED RUGER PRECISION RIFLE, TOPPED WITH BURRIS’ ELIMINATOR 6 RANGING RIFLESCOPE, IS A DEADLY ACCURATE COMBINATION FOR LONG-RANGE HUNTING SCENARIOS.

BROWNING CITORI 825 FIELD • WITH A BLEND OF TIME-PROVEN FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING UPGRADES, THIS NEW OVER/UNDER IS A WINGSHOOTER’S DELIGHT.

POWER GLASS • LEUPOLD’S BX-4 PRO GUIDE HD GEN 2 BINOS OFFER OPTICAL EXCELLENCE AT A FAIR PRICE.

DEER MISMANAGEMENT • IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT, EVEN THE BEST LAID PLANS CAN GO AWRY.