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.

HARD LESSON

Game & Fish Midwest

GAME & FISH ONLINE • TIPS, TACTICS, GEAR, NEWS AND MORE AT GAFMAG.COM

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING • Game & Fish editors pick their favorite shows on MOTV.

MOON TIMES

THE CASE OF THE QUARTER BORE • THEY WERE ONCE BELOVED BY HUNTERS FOR THEIR VERSATILITY, BUT ARE .25-CALIBER CARTRIDGES STILL AS USEFUL TODAY?

ICY HOT • FOCUS ON LOCATION AND ACTIVITY LEVEL TO BOAT MORE LARGEMOUTHS IN EARLY SPRING.

SHINE ON • RESTORE THE GLEAM OF YOUR BOAT’S GELCOAT IN A WEEKEND BY WET SANDING.

A PUBLIC PROBLEM • WHILE AMERICANS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT HUNTING AND FISHING, PUBLIC APPROVAL IS SLIPPING—AND WE MAY BE TO BLAME.

GHOSTS OF THE SWAMP • A HUNTER VENTURES SOUTH TO THE SUNSHINE STATE IN PURSUIT OF AN ELUSIVE, HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER BIRD FEW ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HUNT—AND EVEN FEWER ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BAG.

GO-TO GUARD • Sitka’s Equinox Guard Collection offers hunters unparalleled protection against ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers and more.

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

IN A FLASH • MASTER USING A TRADITIONAL FLASHER TO ICE MORE FISH DURING THE HARDWATER SEASON.

A GATHERING OF TEETH • NORTHERN PIKE CONGREGATE IN PREDICTABLE STAGING AREAS BEFORE THE SPAWN. SET AN AMBUSH WITH RODS AND REELS, TIP-UPS AND HOOK-SETTING DEVICES FOR SOME OF THE SEASON’S BEST HARD-WATER ACTION.

WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY • Know exactly how long you can chase pike beneath the ice this winter and spring.

BUSHYTAILS In The Open • WHEN THE LEAVES ARE GONE AND THE MAST HAS DROPPED, ADJUST YOUR TACTICS TO BAG MORE WARY, LATE-SEASON SQUIRRELS.

BUSHYTAIL BASICS • Key items that will make wintertime squirrel hunts more productive and enjoyable

SMALL-PARCEL PREDATORS • HUNTING PRESSURED COYOTES, BOBCATS AND FOXES ON SMALL PIECES OF LAND CALLS FOR A CHANGE IN TACTICS.

PREDATOR PICKS • Great gear that can help you put fur on the ground on small properties

SOCKS for SNOWS • MANY HUNTERS THINK FULL-BODY DECOYS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR DECOYING SNOW GEESE DURING THE SPRING MIGRATION. BUT, IF YOU SET UP IN THE RIGHT PLACE, ALL-SOCK SPREADS CAN WORK WONDERS.

SEEING RED • Mounting a red-dot sight to your scattergun can cause the snows to pile up on a hurry.

TAILWATER TREASURE • MISSOURI’S LAKE TANEYCOMO—MORE RIVER THAN RESERVOIR— OFFERS YEAR-ROUND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOADS OF RAINBOW TROUT AND, OCCASIONALLY, MONSTER BROWNS.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO • Key considerations for prospective anglers planning a trip to Taneycomo

WORLD RECORDS That Almost Weren’t • IN SOME CASES, PROOF THAT THE BIGGEST FISH REALLY ARE THE BIGGEST HAS BEEN INTRIGUINGLY ELUSIVE.

WHERE TO CATCH A RECORD • Head to these spots if you’re looking to make the book.

BETTER TROLLERS • NEW BRUSHLESS TROLLING MOTOR TECHNOLOGY OFFERS ANGLERS ADVANTAGES IN POWER AND EFFICIENCY.

MULLING OVER MOTORS • Four things to consider before buying a new model

Stag Arms STAG 10 PURSUIT • BUILT FOR HUNTERS, THIS AR COMBINES HIGH PERFORMANCE WITH A HINT OF TRADITION.

Stevens MODEL 334 • THIS RELIABLE, VALUE-PRICED BOLT GUN COMES WITH A COUPLE NOTEWORTHY SURPRISES.

REFUGEES • SOMETIMES THE SMART MOVE IS STAYING IN THE TRUCK.