Game & Fish Midwest

Each issue of Game & Fish Midwest details proven local strategies for whitetails, turkeys, bass, walleyes and more. Discover the best places to hunt and fish from North Dakota to Kentucky, 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 Midwest

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.

ONLINE BOW SHOP • Your one-stop shop for new, accessorized, fully tuned bows.

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

GOING GUTLESS • GETTING A BUCK FROM THE BACK OF BEYOND TO YOUR TRUCK doesn’t have to be a drag.

RUFFS IN THE SNOW • HUNTING RUFFED GROUSE IS A MUCH DIFFERENT ENDEAVOR IN THE LATE SEASON, ESPECIALLY ONCE THE WHITE STUFF COVERS THE GROUND.

RUFF RETREATS • A trio of upper Midwest states are blessed with loads of public lands brimming with grouse.

PLAN FOR THE P.M. • WATERFOWLERS OFTEN PRIORITIZE EARLY-MORNING DUCK HUNTS, BUT UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES, HUNTING IN THE AFTERNOON MAY BE THE BETTER CALL.

OVERCOMING RUT SUPPRESSORS • CERTAIN FACTORS CAN DRAMATICALLY REDUCE RUT ACTIVITY. KNOW WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW BEST TO ADJUST YOUR GAME PLAN WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER THEM.

MONITOR BY THE MINUTE • An excellent cellular trail camera to watch for anything that might affect deer behavior and impact your hunting plans

VERTICAL INTEGRATION • WHEN LETHARGIC BASS HEAD DEEP IN LATE FALL AND WINTER, EMPLOY VERTICAL SPOON-FISHING STRATEGIES TO DRAW BITES.

SPOON SWEET SPOTS • Six stellar lakes for cold-water spoon action.

CHASING CRANES • SANDHILL CRANES ARE A UNIQUE QUARRY FOR SHOTGUNNERS, AND GIVEN LIMITED SEASONS IN ONLY A HANDFUL OF MIDWEST STATES, BAGGING ONE—OR MORE— REPRESENTS A TRULY SPECIAL EXPERIENCE.

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.