OutdoorHub
Idaho Angler Catches and Releases Enormous Record-contending Rainbow Trout
Idaho angler Larry Warren is receiving praise for catching and releasing a giant rainbow trout earlier this month that allegedly weighed almost eight pounds more than the current state record. Idaho Fish and Game released a photograph of Warren with his mammoth catch on Tuesday, and the image quickly drew the attention of anglers online.
According to Fish and Game, Warren caught the rainbow trout in the Clearwater River near Orofino on January 8 using a six-pound test line. At the time, he measured it to be about 28 pounds, but state records require that catches be documented on a...
.22 LR AR Conversion Kits: Are They Worth It?
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to reject, at least temporarily, internet hearsay. You know what Abraham Lincoln said about the internet, right? “Four score of lies, myths, exaggerations, and urban legends.” That’s a long way of saying lots of folks read something and then pass it on as the gospel truth.
Knowing that I can be a victim of internet “rumorroids,” I’ve decided to do something about it. When I hear something that sounds like an established claim, but with nothing to back it up, I just might test its validity myself.
One claim that's been passed around for...
A Simple Guide for Understanding Application, Drawing, and Tag Terms
Acquiring a deer tag to hunt in a state far from home can be a confusing process, but this explanation of terms and definitions will help you navigate to the deer license you have always been wanting.
Applying for a nonresident tag in a state far from home can leave you with an overwhelming feeling. Game laws regarding tags are complicated and at times very confusing. It seems like every state is different, and laws within a state can differ from one species to another. With that in mind, my "Glossary of Tag Terms" that follows should help you navigate the clutter by...
Video: Angler Lands Giant Catfish While Fishing for Crappie
What was your strangest, largest, or simply most impressive bycatch?
YouTuber LakeForkGuy got hung up on the lake bottom while fishing for crappie, but instead of pulling up a tree he reeled in a massive blue catfish on an eight-pound test line.
http://youtu.be/Y3y96VKlgZk...
Bills That Would Expand Hunting Opportunities Gain Ground in New Jersey
On Monday the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee approved four bills that would greatly enhance hunting opportunities in the state. According to NJ.com, the bills approved by the committee include legislation that would increase the state's limit on beaver trapping licenses, allow bowhunting at military installations, create new apprentice hunting licenses for minors, and repeal the state's ban on Sunday hunting.
"I've heard from many constituents who work long hours...
Illinois Governor Quinn Vetoes Bobcat Hunting Bill
On his last day in office, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn vetoed legislation that would open up bobcat hunting in the state for the first time since 1972. The bill, which had previously breezed through the state House by a vote of 91 to 20, and a much closer vote of 30-19 in the Senate, would allow wildlife officials to set a hunting season from November 1 to February 15 for bobcats. Governor Quinn vetoed the bill despite support from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which argued that the species has since rebounded and now numbers around 5,000.
“With reliable sightings...
Canadian Man Scares Off Cougar by Pretending to Be Bear
Vancouver Island in British Columbia has a reputation for being a haven for big cats, such as the mountain lion. The island is also notorious for attacks on humans by said cats, and roughly two-thirds of all fatal mountain lion encounters in Canada occur on Vancouver Island. However, Ucluelet resident Ted Benson had never seen a cougar until last week, when one slipped through an open door at night and tried to eat his cat.
“It was weird, there was no sound, no nothing, it was eerily quiet and just all of a sudden I see my cat squirt in and, next thing you know, all I hear is claws...
Pennsylvania Lawmaker to Propose Ban on Human Silhouette Targets
In the gun world, there are as few things as ubiquitous as the human silhouette target. Whether it's made out of paper or steel, silhouette targets can be found in gun ranges across the United States and are a mainstay for firearm practice, competition shooting, and law enforcement training. Despite their popularity, human-shaped targets have been criticized by gun control advocates who believe that the targets "perpetuate violence." Taking it one step further, Pennsylvania Representative Thaddeus Kirkland (D-Chester) has announced that he will be introducing legislation to ban the use of...
7 More Celebrities You Might Not Have Known Were Hunters
To many people, hunting is more than just recreation---it is a family tradition, a part of their heritage, and a way to both put food on the table as well as ensure the future of America's wildlife. Little of this changes just because you're famous, yet celebrities bear the brunt of public scrutiny. Other people stand up and take notice, whether they be fans, critics, or even animal rights groups that have a bone to pick. This is why it is important that famous hunters, whether they're politicians or movie stars, defend their right to hunt. In doing so, they show that hunting is not something...
Video: Arrows Blowing Up Eggs, Pop, and a Light Bulb in Slow Motion
Last week we posted a video of arrows perforating whipped cream canisters, fruit, snowglobes, and more in glorious slow-motion video. This week, the women of Archery 360 took on targets of their own. The archers shoot a variety of household objects, including eggs, a light bulb, and the ever-popular two-liter of pop.
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Post by Archery 360.
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Maryland Angler Lands State Record Chain Pickerel
Lee Haile III was fishing with his son and a friend near Salibsury, Maryland recently when he scored a personal best for chain pickerel. As it turns out, the eight-pound fish also proved to be a state record. Officials from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed Haile's catch to be a record last week.
“I’ve been fishing for pickerel for over 38 years, and I just knew this one was exceptional,” he told the DNR.
Chain pickerel, also known as gunfish...
FBI Statistics: 2014 Ended with a Bang for Gun Retailers
The numbers are in, and it appears that December of last year was one of the best months of 2014 for gun retailers. According to data from the FBI, more than 2.3 million background checks were submitted through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) last month, a increase of over 300,000 over the same period in 2013. December 2014 did fall short of the record 2,780,000 background checks conducted in the holiday season of 2012, yet it remains one of the best months of the...
What’s the Best Draw Weight for a Bow?
One of the biggest decisions to make when you are shopping for a new bow is what draw weight the bow should have. Most people, myself included, overdo it for what they are actually hunting. Is this a bad thing? Not really. But when talking to new and old archers alike, I have had way too many conversations where they think they need the heaviest bow on the market because that’s what their buddy or some “pro” on TV has---and that’s simply not true.
There are some facts that can’t be ignored, however. Draw weight is an important factor when it comes to speed and kinetic energy. If...
Walmart Refuses to Print Engagement Photo with Shotgun, Couple Takes the High Ground
Mitch Strobl is a passionate man. He loves his God, he loves his fiancé, and he loves hunting and the shooting sports. His career is dedicated to producing curricula that teach millions of folks how to hunt, shoot, and handle firearms safely.
So when Mitch met Stephanie Wehner, it was only natural their dating included sharing the passion for hunting and the...
Video: Harvesting a 10-foot Shark with a Slingshot
Sam Wood, a slingshot manufacturer and outdoorsman, never thought he would be using one of his own slingshots to take a nearly 400-pound blue shark 40 miles off the coast of California.
"I had a tough decision to make," Wood wrote on his website. "Do I shoot the shark with my new October Mountain recurve bow, or do I shoot him with my falcon slingshot? I chose the slingshot. Come on, how cool would it be to tell my grandkids someday that I killed a ten foot shark with a slingshot!"
Sure enough, the slingshot did the trick and Wood...
Former Miami Dolphins Fullback Swam 9 Miles Back to Shore after Boating Accident
Paying homage to the name of his old team, former Miami Dolphins fullback Rob Konrad swam a staggering nine miles back to shore after he fell off his boat during a fishing trip last Wednesday. According to WPBF, Konrad was caught off-balance while trying to reel in a fish off southern Florida. The athlete-turned-financial adviser attempted to get back onto his boat, but the 36-feet Grady White was on autopilot and he was unable to reach it in time. With few other options, Konrad...
Mountain Lion Eats Porcupine, Killed by Quills from the Inside
Mountain lions are among the most powerful predators in North America, yet even they sometimes keep their distance from porcupines. Although the large cats are known to occasionally prey on the spiky critters, they do not do so without risk---and they do not always succeed. Researchers with Panthera's Teton Cougar Project recently discovered a dead female mountain lion near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Upon conducting a necropsy, scientists found that the cat's internal organs became a pincushion for the porcupine's quills, and they were the main cause...
Video: Giant “Ice Boulders” Resurface in Lake Michigan
Arctic temperatures and rough waters mean that a winter phenomenon has returned to Lake Michigan's shores. Photographer Ken Scott was able to take video of giant, boulder-sized ice balls in Michigan's Leelanau County during the last days of 2014. For the past few years, the emergence of these mega-sized snow balls has captivated visitors and routinely received viral attention online. In spite of all the mystery, the origin of these nightmarish hail balls is actually rather simple. According to Read more »
Angler in Maryland Catches Potential World Record Tautog
One New York angler is celebrating after achieving one of the first fishing world records of 2015. On January 2, Kenneth Westerfield reeled in a 28.8-pound tautog 20 miles south of Ocean City, Maryland. The catch was made with the assistance of Captain Bane Bounds on the charter boat Fish Bound. At that weight the fish is a contender for the all-tackle world record, which, according to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), currently belongs to a 25-pound tautog caught in 1998 in Ocean City, New Jersey. The Maryland Department of of Natural Resources (DNR) has already...
Cheaper but Still Awesome: The Aimpoint ACO Red Dot Sight
Last November I had the opportunity to test out the new Aimpoint ACO red dot sight for a month-long evaluation period. Alongside EOTech, the Swedish optics company is considered one of the best reflex sight manufacturers in the world. Soldiers, law enforcement officers, and recreational shooters alike depend on and utilize Aimpoint sights on a daily basis. First announced last fall, the ACO (Aimpoint Carbine Optic) further builds upon the reputation Aimpoint has established with their previous products and offers some excellent features at an affordable price point.
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