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.

Game & Fish Midwest

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

MOON TIMES

GOING QUIET • SUPPRESSORS HAVE BECOME INCREDIBLY USEFUL TOOLS FOR HUNTERS IN MANY STATES. FOR BEST RESULTS, THOUGH, BUYERS SHOULD KEEP A FEW THINGS IN MIND BEFORE MAKING A PURCHASE.

Master THE RUT • HUNTING THE RUT CAN BE BOTH WONDERFUL AND MADDENING. HERE’S HOW TO SURVIVE IT.

OUT OF COMMISSION • SHOULD THE JOB OF MANAGING WILDLIFE RESOURCES BE OPEN TO ALL, INCLUDING THOSE WHO DO NOT HUNT OR FISH?

WHITETAIL Redemption • WHEN HUNTING MATURE KANSAS BUCKS, THE LINE BETWEEN AGONY AND ELATION IS OFTEN RAZOR-THIN.

LONE RANGER • Incredibly bright and lightweight, Swarovski’s EL Range 10x32 is in a class of its own.

Something About SUNDOWN • EVEN THOUGH A BUCK CAN CRUISE BY AT ANY TIME DURING THE RUT IN KENTUCKY, THAT LAST HOUR OF DAYLIGHT IS STILL SPECIAL.

RUT RIG • Rifle, optics and ammo for Kentucky bucks on the prowl

WHY KENTUCKY? • Nice bucks and well-timed seasons make the state a worthy destination.

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

DISCREET MOVES • STEALTHILY HANG TREE STANDS MID-SEASON WITHOUT SPOOKING DEER.

PINCH PLAYS • NOT EVERYONE CAN—OR WANTS TO—HUNT PHEASANTS WITH A LARGE PARTY. THANKFULLY, SMALLER GROUPS HAVE PLENTY OF OPTIONS IF THEY PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

RINGNECK RETREATS • A trio of states to consider for a pheasant hunt this fall

Fall FRENZY • MUSKIES FEED HEAVILY AHEAD OF WINTER, AND SAVVY ANGLERS WILLING TO BRAVE THE COLD CAN CAPITALIZE ON SOME OF THE YEAR’S BEST ACTION FOR BIG FISH.

MUSKY MECCAS • Five go-to fisheries for big, late-fall muskies

HISTORY REPEATS • COLLECT AND USE HISTORICAL DATA TO PLOT HIGH-ODDS AMBUSHES FOR TROPHY BUCKS DURING THE RUT.

RUT-READY GEAR • Two apps and a pair of products to help hunters rule the rut

SERENE SETS • COMBINATION SPREADS WITH FLOATER DECOYS IN WATER AND FULL-BODY DECOYS ON LAND ARE DEADLY FOR DUCKS, GEESE OR BOTH.

TRUSTED TOOLS • Five items sure to boost your odds of success when setting combination decoy spreads

WHITETAILS ON THE WAYNE • LOOKING FOR A BIG-WOODS BRUISER? OHIO’S WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST PROVIDES A CHALLENGING YET REWARDING HUNT THAT MAY DELIVER JUST SUCH AN OUTCOME.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO • Things to consider when planning a DIY whitetail hunt on the Wayne

ICE ROAD MULE DEER • WHEN WINTER ARRIVES EARLY WITH A THICK LAYER OF ICE, MULE DEER HUNTING TURNS DICEY.

DO-IT-ALL PACK • The ALPS OutdoorZ Elite is made for hauling.

Springfield Armory MODEL 2020 BOUNDARY • THE LATEST VERSION OF SPRINGFIELD’S BOLT-ACTION RIFLE MAY BE THE BEST ONE FOR HUNTING.

Zeiss CONQUEST HDX • THIS WELL-BALANCED BINOCULAR PROVIDES PREMIUM EUROPEAN GLASS IN A DURABLE PACKAGE AT A REASONABLE PRICE POINT.

TECHNOLOGY TRAP • PICTURES MAY NOT TELL THE WHOLE STORY.