Game & Fish Midwest

Every month in Game & Fish, you'll discover the best hotspots throughout your region for hunting and fishing. We'll also bring you your state's latest outdoor news, plus plenty of how-to tactics and special strategies designed to make you a more successful hunter and angler.

A RUNNING TRADITION

Game & Fish Midwest

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

CHATTER MATTERS • MASTER THESE SQUIRREL CALLS TO MAKE BUSHYTAIL HUNTS MORE PRODUCTIVE.

CLUTCH CALLS • Draw out bushytails with these great squirrel attracters.

BUSTING BRUSH • WHEN THE WIND IS WHIPPING LATER IN THE SEASON, ROOSTERS SEEK PROTECTION IN BRUSHY COVER. LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY LIKELY SPOTS AND HUNT THEM EFFECTIVELY.

ROOSTER ROUNDUP • Check out these five spots for solid shots at late-season pheasants.

DIVERS from the DIRT • MOST DIVER DUCK HUNTS INVOLVE BOATS AND DEEP WATER. HOWEVER, IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING, YOU CAN HUNT THEM WITHOUT LEAVING DRY LAND.

DRY-LAND DIVER DESTINATIONS • Top spots for solid diver duck hunting from shore

LOCKDOWN LOGISTICS • THE PEAK OF THE RUT CAN MEAN INCREDIBLE ACTION OR A COMPLETE LACK THEREOF. HERE’S HOW TO KNOW WHEN TO STAY PUT AND WHEN TO MAKE A MOVE.

FINE POINTS OF FAKERY • Add a decoy to your lockdown strategy to bring more bucks into range.

PLAY DEAD • WHEN WATERS COOL AND BASS GROW LETHARGIC, SOMETIMES YOUR BEST BET IS TO TRANSITION TO A DEAD-STICK APPROACH.

COLD-WATER KIT • Gear to help you excel on the water as temperatures drop

THE PROMISED LAND • SOUTHERN IOWA IS HOME TO MONSTER BUCKS. WHILE DRAWING A TAG TYPICALLY REQUIRES MULTIPLE PREFERENCE POINTS, THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO START APPLYING.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP • Tips on lodging, dining and gear for a southern Iowa adventure

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.