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.

Game & Fish West

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

MOON TIMES

SHOT PLACEMENT SIMPLIFIED • HITTING A BIG-GAME ANIMAL IN THE RIGHT SPOT FOR A QUICK, ETHICAL KILL ISN’T OVERLY COMPLICATED. NOR IS IT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO GET WRONG.

THE MAGIC MONTH • WAIT FOR NOVEMBER IF YOU WISH, BUT OCTOBER HOLDS MORE PROMISE.

SUPER SCRAPES • Not all scrapes are created equally.

ROAD TRIP Ready • BEFORE LEAVING FOR YOUR NEXT BIRD HUNT, STOCK YOUR VEHICLE WITH NECESSITIES TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS ON AND OFF THE PAVEMENT.

IN THE VEST • Prep outerwear for the field, too.

A MEATY TOPIC • AS COMMUNITIES AND ECOSYSTEMS DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF OVERPOPULATED WILDLIFE, IS IT TIME TO REVISIT OUR BAN ON MARKET HUNTING?

TEA BEFORE PRONGHORNS • AN UNHURRIED HUNT ON AN IDYLLIC RANCH IN WYOMING LEAVES TIME TO APPRECIATE THE FINER DETAILS OF A TRIP TO THE WEST.

CARBON CALLING • Bergara beckons hunters with a new lightweight rifle.

MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST, WYOMING STYLE • Pronghorn is better than beef for this savory dish.

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

GET OUT ALIVE • WHAT TO PACK IN A WILDERNESS SURVIVAL KIT

Welcome to BUCKTOBER • HOLDING A WHITETAIL TAG? A FIVE-DAY WINDOW LATER THIS MONTH MIGHT OFFER YOUR BEST CHANCE OF PUNCHING IT.

BEST OF THE WEST • Jumping-off points for an October whitetail adventure

FALL Classic • FALL TURKEY HUNTING IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME COMPARED TO SPRING. SUCCESS STARTS WITH UNDERSTANDING WHY TURKEYS DO WHAT THEY DO THIS TIME OF YEAR.

FALL TURKEY HOT SPOTS • The West’s best locations for chasing birds in autumn

BULLS ON THE FRINGES • WHEN ELK FLEE THE HIGH COUNTRY, THEY HEAD TO SOME UNLIKELY PLACES.

TOP LOADS FOR FRINGE-COUNTRY ELK • PRC rounds that deliver knock-down power at long range

SURFACE Seduction • AS BASS FEED UP FOR WINTER, THEIR FOCUS IS ON BIG, EASY MEALS, MAKING TOPWATERS GO-TO BAITS FOR THE FALL.

HOPE FLOATS • When power topwaters fail, try a little finesse.

MIGHTY WHITIES • THIS MONTH, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ONE OF THE WEST’S MOST UNDERAPPRECIATED FISHERIES: THE COLORADO RIVER’S WHITEFISH SPAWN.

WHERE TO STAY • Rustic and more refined options abound.

TOP FLIES • Proven patterns for whitefish

BIRDS OF THE ECLIPSE • HUNTING CHUKARS DURING A RARE CELESTIAL EVENT BECOMES A TRIP FILLED WITH DISCOVERY, MYSTERY AND EVEN A BIT OF MAGIC.

SPANDAU S2 • RELIABILITY MEETS AFFORDABILITY IN THIS ALL-PURPOSE INERTIA-OPERATED SEMI-AUTO.

.360 BUCKHAMMER • THIS NEW STRAIGHT-WALL CARTRIDGE SMASHES DEER BUT IS EASY TO SHOOT.

Spypoint FLEX-M AND FLEX-PLUS • TWO CAPABLE, AFFORDABLE CELLULAR TRAIL CAMERAS THAT MINIMIZE IMPACT AND PROVIDE UP-TO-DATE INTEL

CHEAP LESSON • A CLOSE CALL IS NOT SOON FORGOTTEN.