All Outdoor

Crappie anglers often struggle because we ignore the simplest facts. These principles will help everyone become more successful, which at the end of the day, can be measured by the number of crappie in the livewell.

Are you skilled enough? Would you take a flying shot? I don’t know if it’s an industry trend, or just something that’s being published more frequently, but I’ve noticed more and more waterfowl hunting videos by folks using stick and string. So what do you think? Would you give this a try?

Outdoor life recently published an article on the top tasting game meet species (based on backstraps). I was very surprised at the results. Do you agree? Take a look at their list below and if interested take a look at their article.

“They rank, in descending order, as follows:

1. Elk
2. Moose
3. Antelope
4. Mule deer
5. Whitetail
6. Sheep”

I would have guessed Moose to be further down the list…maybe that’s just me.

When is the last time you checked the tires on your ATV, UTV, or other farm/ranch/hunting vehicle? I am betting it has probably been a while at least since maybe last hunting season. Take a few minutes and inspect them now.

Something makes me squeamish about aftermarket firearm magazines. Most shooters put full faith in their pistol or rifle factory issued magazines at least and until there is a breakdown, failure to feed or function or some other negative issue.

Last year, I finally determined that most historic guns aren’t for me. I am just not as fond of the process of loading a percussion revolver or, worse, a flintlock, as I am of shooting and making hits. That sentiment was shared pretty widely in the 1860s and 1870s, when quite a few percussion guns were converted to rimfire and centerfire cartridges. Percussion Colts, in particular, were converted to .38 rimfire — and that round was no ballistic slouch at 750fps with 150 grain heeled bullet! Soon after, purpose-made rimfire revolvers were made for military use, most of them similar to the percussion models in look and feel. Unfortunately, rimfire .38 ammunition hasn’t been made since the 1940s.

Starting today, Springfield Armory® is introducing a Lipsey’s exclusive XD(M)® 4.5″ Threaded Barrel Pistol in both 45 ACP and 9mm options. According to the press release, the pistols are set for consumer and retailer availability by June 6, 2015.

I’ve been following this product since December of last year, when I reported on a kickstarter project for a bulletproof baseball cap. Initial reports were met with much scoffing, but as time went by I talked with the inventor at SHOT Show 2015 to confirm it was real, and shared a video of a test on a production prototype. Now we’ve got the most significant test to date, as seen in the video below.

Next time you’re in a grocery store and the clerk asks if you want your merchandise placed in a plastic or paper bag, you might want to choose paper, because plastic bags have a pretty unsettling grip on the world.

In the summer time I use lots of chum. In the sallow, hot water I frequent, you have to hedge your bet anyway you can. Chumming is a great way to do that.

Ball ammo is perhaps the most standard type pistol ammunition available. So, when the question arises, is it worth buying and possibly even stockpiling, then you simply have to ask “for what?”

It would seem logical for a coastal marine fish that “free jumps” as much as mullet the fish would be a terror when hooked on rod and reel.

Working on a firearm is nothing like working on a car engine or lawnmower. Gun screws are typically finely made precision parts. Therefore, they demand precision tools for working on them. If you plan to tinker on your firearms, then the first thing you need to buy is a high quality gunsmithing screwdriver set.

Folders, thankfully, are getting smaller.  Sure Cold Steel is still making folding knives that have 6 inch blades, but the trend is distinctive over the past two years–ZTs are getting smaller and Benchmades are staying right around 3 inches (plus the Valet was released and that is squarely in the smaller blade camp).

Steve Jernigan made his first crude knife with a blade honed from a mill file and wood handle in 1952. That first Jernigan knife isn’t much to look at today, since it survived a fire and has a bit of charred handle and darkened steel. But that initial knife spawned a love affair with Jernigan knives for collectors the world over. Thus the file-and-charred-wood model may be worth its weight in gold as the first Jernigan knife ever built.

In our present era of terrorism and general insecurity, law-abiding citizens across the United States are taking up arms in unprecedented numbers to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their property. Because I’m an outdoors writer, I get asked often about the best types of firearms for self defense. It’s not an easy question to answer, because even for people who already own guns for hunting and target shooting, choosing just the right firearm for protection takes careful, well-planned thought.

Conyers, Georgia – When a man decided to enter the Magnet Package Liquor Store and start shooting, an armed citizen fired back, putting an end to his assault.

Watch the focus and speed in this reload. This can’t be easy.

Last May my deer hunting club held its annual corporate meeting as required by the Secretary of State’s office for registered corporations in my home state. Once we get the formal agenda out of the way, we concentrate on the real issues. How to continue to transform our 680 acre holding into a really good deer hunting property?

Warning: Graphic images of bites and stings below. Don’t read this while eating!