OutdoorHub
How a Wisconsin Hunting Trip Resulted in a World Record Yellow Perch
When Gary Wiese recently took a hunting trip to Wisconsin, he hardly expected that it would result in a new world record for yellow perch. Especially since he caught no fish during the trip, the record did not belong to him, and the yellow perch in question was actually caught last March.
So how did it happen? According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, it was a case of fortunate happenstance. In addition to his love of hunting, Wiese is an avid angler and regularly took trips to Idaho's Lake Cascade with his 12-year-old daughter, Tia Wiese. The lake was especially popular with...
ATF Reverses Position on “Stabilizing Braces” in Open Letter
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) released an open letter last week to clarify the agency's stance on pistol stabilizing braces. After receiving numerous inquiries from the public, the ATF decided that the braces cannot be used as a shoulder stock, and that any person who intends to use it in such a way must file the appropriate forms---and pay the corresponding taxes---before doing so. The firearm itself will then fall under...
It’s Time to Set Your Sights on Spring Turkey Hunting
It’s later than you think! Now that we're on the downhill side of January, it’s time to start getting ready for turkey hunting. For those lucky enough to have hunts planned in the Deep South, opening day is just a couple months away. If you’re looking at a new rig for turkey hunting or modifying Ol’ Bessy to take full advantage of the best new shotshells, now’s the time to get after it! Research, acquisition, testing with time to make changes---come to think of it, we may already be running late, especially if you’re going to add sights to your turkey hunting...
The 7 Largest Big Game Rifle Cartidges
One popular subject of debate among hunters is which cartridge is best for a specific game species. Usually a hunter's choice is dependent upon personal preference and whether or not a round can humanely kill an animal. However, there are some cartridges so intimidatingly large that the guns they are used in are simply referred to as "stopping rifles." These firearms shoot projectiles designed to stop a wild animal in its charge with a single bullet. If there were such a thing as huge game calibers, seven of the cartridges listed below would qualify.
1. .577 Snider
This British...
Video: Former Dolphins Fullback on His Death-defying, 16-hour Swim to Safety
While fishing off the coast of Florida last week, former Miami Dolphin fullback Rob Konrad was knocked into the water and endured a grueling 16-hour swim back to shore. As he described it, Konrad was nine miles from the coast when he finished setting lines. At that moment, a rogue wave swept the ex-football player from his boat and into the ocean.
"At that point in time I realized---after panicking for a minute---realized that I was in some real trouble,"...
New Invasive Species Captured in Florida
The US Geological Survey (USGS) recently updated its database on invasive species after a living specimen of Acanthurus pyroferus, commonly known as chocolate surgeonfish, was found by divers in southeastern Florida late last year. The species is native to the Indo-Pacific---excluding Hawaii---and is primarily a coastal fish. Despite its status as a valuable aquarium fish, the USGS and Florida conservation groups recognize it as an invasive species.
“We don’t know what the effects would have...
Should You Feed Deer in the Winter?
Providing supplemental feed to deer in the winter is controversial and illegal in some states, but other states encourage and even help fund it. Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of winter feeding.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has often been opposed to recreational deer feeding. With the increased risk of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and other disease transmissions, there have been discussions about banning it. The winter of 2014 was very difficult for the deer of northern Minnesota. Deep snow and cold temperatures created conditions in which predators...
Off-duty Cop Steps on Bear While Hunting, Gets Bitten in Foot
Depending on where you hunt, black bears can range from being a nuisance to a serious danger. Dover, New Jersey police officer Walter Michalski never expected that he would end up stepping on one. The off-duty policeman was hunting for deer in Allamuch State Park on Tuesday when he stepped over a log and right onto a black bear sow with four cubs.
"It was not a bear attack," Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Larry Ragonese told the Daily Record. "It...
Video: A Shooter’s Take on the “Cups Song”
Can guns be used as musical instruments? Jim Huish of the band Amber's Drive decided to prove that they sure can, and safely at that. The Nashville musician recently produced a viral video where he uses a pistol, its slide, and magazine as musical instruments to cover Anna Kendrick's song "Cups" from the movie Pitch Perfect.
"Jim Huish performed 'The Cup Song' on a ridiculously cold Utah winter day. Aside from the difficulty of manipulating the guns with frozen fingers, the guns were malfunctioning because of the cold as well," says the video's description on YouTube....
INFOGRAPHIC: Crispy Halibut and Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Recipe
Looking Back at SHOT 2014’s Hits: Where Are They Now?
In the lead up to SHOT Show 2015, I decided to look back at some of the guns and gear that made the news at last year's show and see how they've fared. Some have sunk, some have sailed, and some are still works-in-progress.
1. Glock 42
Glock answered fans' prayers last year when they finally unveiled a subcompact, single-stack model. However, instead of chambering it in 9x19mm as hoped, it was a .380 ACP piece.
By most accounts, the Glock 42 is an awesome gun. It just seems strange to many that Glock has continued to refrain from throwing its hat into the subcompact, single-stack...
16-foot, 3,700-pound Great White Shark Terrorizes Australian Beach
Officials in Newcastle, Australia have closed off beaches to all surfers, anglers, and swimmers for the fifth day on Thursday after repeat sightings of a massive 16-foot great white shark estimated to weigh around 3,700 pounds.
"Again, we ask for everyone’s cooperation in heeding the warnings and staying out of the water at all beaches," city officials wrote in a press release. "Sightings of this shark have...
133-year-old Rifle Found Leaning Against Tree in Great Basin National Park
The Winchester Model 1873 repeating rifle has often been called "The Gun that Won the West." For 133 years, one of these rifles lay hidden in plain sight propped up against a tree in Nevada's Great Basin National Park. Archaeologists found the rifle last November in a remote rocky outcrop hidden far away from human eyes, but questions remained over the history of the gun. Who left it there, and why? Were they in danger, or was the rifle left behind out of carelessness? Exposed to wind, snow, rain, and the constant beating of the sun, the weathered rifle offered a unique challenge to park...
Ice Fishing: Where Should You Drill?
When faced with new, ice-covered lakes (and no waypoints from friends in the know) a dilemma quickly follows. Where should you drill your holes? I checked in with Dave Genz and a few other Ice Team pros on how they break down the layout of a lake and make decisions on where to target the most productive fishing spots---and what to do when things slow down.
“It’s amazing, but the easiest thing to look for is the north to northwest sides of any bay, lake, or inlet,” said Genz. “The difference in the water temperature might be as much as two or three degrees from the southern angle of...
Correcting 5 Common Misconceptions about AK Rifles
I have a deep appreciation for the AK platform. Kalashnikovs are probably my favorite modern rifles to shoot, customize, and pick apart. I certainly can’t claim to be an expert, but in the past several years I like to think I’ve learned a lot through my [mis]adventures with a number of different AKs.
Part of the gun-learnin’ I’ve been subject to (whether I liked it or not) consisted of correcting misconceptions I had about AKs and what they’re capable of. Inspired by a recent thread on a subreddit dedicated to the AK platform, I decided to collect five of what I feel are the most...
Animal Rights Groups Pressure Montana Hunting “Derby” into Keeping Location Secret
Despite threats, criticism, and pressure from animal advocacy groups, one predator hunting "derby" in Montana will still he held. Yet according to The Missoulian, the location of the hunt, and even the location of the registration site, is still being kept secret.
The story began last year when the Lakeside Resort and Motel in Trout Creek announced that it would be holding the first annual Great Montana Coyote and Wolf Hunt in...
Video: Magpul Announces 60-round Drum Magazine and AK Accessories
This week, well-known firearms accessory manufacturer Magpul is announcing several of its new products for 2015. So far several products have been unveiled and have become the talk of the gun community.
On Tuesday, the company introduced the PMAG D-60, a 60-round drum magazine for the M4/M16 platform and compatible firearm systems.
"The PMAG D-60. Sixty rounds. Reliable, durable, lightweight, shorter than a 30 rd mag, and full of features that make it extremely easy to use," stated Magpul on its Facebook page.
Some...
Video: AK-74 Blows Up in Shooter’s Hands
There are firearm malfunctions and then there are catastrophic firearm malfunctions. It is not every day that your rifle dissembles itself very suddenly and very loudly in your hands, but this shooter had the misfortune of it happening to him with this Century Arms AK-74 clone.
"This was the first time we had fired the weapon and as you can see it didn't turn out well. A complete review will be coming soon," wrote Brendon Davis, who uploaded the video to YouTube.
The owner later posted online that he had contacted Century and they believed it was a headspacing...
Bighorn Sheep Tag Sells at Auction for $100,000
A single Idaho bighorn sheep tag sold for $100,000 at this year's Wild Sheep Foundation Sheep Show in Reno, Nevada, making it the fifth-most expensive tag sold in the program's history since it started in 1988. Recognized as one of the largest expos for mountain hunting and conservation, the Sheep Show draws thousands of hunters and conservationists to Reno. One of the most anticipated sections of the show is the special permit auction, where bidders can raise millions of dollars for conservation efforts.
"Since 1988, the auction tag has generated more than $1.85 million for bighorn sheep...
Canadian Hunters Rescued from Ice Floe 17 Miles from Shore
Officials from the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) are praising eight hunters in Nunavut for their preparedness and good sense in their own rescue on Sunday. According to the RCAF, the hunters spent two days on the large ice floe after it separated from shore on Friday and quickly drifted nearly 17 miles south of Coral Harbor, where the hunters were eventually airlifted to after being rescued by helicopter.
"The fact that these gentleman were prepared to be out...