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.

A RUNNING TRADITION

Game & Fish West

TRENDING NOW AT GAME & FISH ONLINE • GET TIPS, SEE GEAR AND CELEBRATE THE LIFESTYLE AT GAFMAG.COM

MOON TIMES

LENGTH LOGISTICS • RIFLES WITH SHORTER BARRELS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR WITH HUNTERS, BUT DO THE BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE LOSSES?

BUNGLING THE RUT • THE BEST THING ABOUT MESSING UP ON BUCKS IS LEARNING FROM YOUR MISTAKES.

OFF-ROADING: A NON-CRASH COURSE • SAFE AND EFFECTIVE OFF-ROAD DRIVING TAKES EXPERIENCE, AND EXPERT GUIDANCE WILL HELP YOU GET STARTED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

KEEP IT SIMPLE • A NEW STUDY SUGGESTS THAT STREAMLINING COMPLICATED HUNTING REGULATIONS COULD LOWER BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION.

NO WONDER WE’RE CONFUSED • Some regulations stand out for inconsistency.

SONG OF THE SOUTH • INCREASINGLY UNDER ATTACK AS TRACTS OF LAND SHRINK AND HUNTING ATTITUDES SHIFT, THOSE WHO RUN HOUNDS FOR DEER ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR SPORT THAN EVER.

READ MORE ABOUT HOUND HUNTING

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

LOOKING SHARP • SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BLADES FINELY HONED

V FOR VICTORY • When time or patience is in short supply, V-shaped sharpeners get the job done.

CONQUER THE RUT • HUNTING MULE DEER DURING THE RUT HAS ITS CHALLENGES, BUT THERE’S PERHAPS NO MORE EXCITING TIME TO CHASE THEM.

NO GUTS, JUST GLORY • Tips and tools to break down a winter buck and get the meat cooling quickly

PULLING POWER • LIGHTER IN WEIGHT AND LESS EXPENSIVE THAN FULL-BODY DECOYS, SILHOUETTES CAN BE POTENT WATERFOWL-ATTRACTING TOOLS.

LATE IS GREAT • SEPTEMBER MAY GET ALL THE GLORY, BUT NOVEMBER CAN BE THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO PUNCH AN ELK TAG.

BASS AT THE BUZZER • LATE FALL MIGHT NOT BE THOUGHT OF AS PRIME TIME FOR LARGEMOUTHS AND SMALLMOUTHS, BUT THE FISH ARE STILL BITING IN MANY SOUTHERN RESERVOIRS.

SWEET SAUVIE • THE COLUMBIA RIVER’S LARGEST ISLAND OFFERS BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR A WIDE RANGE OF WATERFOWL SPECIES.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO • Proximity to a major metropolitan area means no shortage of amenities.

WATERFOWL All Ways • LONG SEASONS AND A VARIETY OF SPECIES IN VAST HABITATS MAKE THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST A SPECIAL PLACE TO HUNT DUCKS AND GEESE.

HEVI-METAL XTREME • Tungsten and steel combine for top performance.

MARLIN MODEL 336 CLASSIC • AN ICONIC DEER RIFLE RETURNS THANKS TO THE MANUFACTURING PROWESS OF RUGER.

Winchester SXP HYBRID HUNTER • THIS MULTI-PURPOSE MODEL HAS A PLACE AMONG THE TOP PUMP-ACTION SHOTGUNS OF OUR TIME.

FAIR GAME • ANY BUCK—NO MATTER ITS SIZE—MUST BE TREATED AS SUCH.