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.

HOLDING OUT HOPE

Game & Fish West

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

MOON TIMES

CHASSIS CONSIDERATIONS • CHASSIS-STYLE RIFLES OFTEN OFFER EXCELLENT ACCURACY AND MORE FLEXIBILITY WITH FIT AND ACCESSORIES, BUT DO THEY MESH WITH YOUR HUNTING STYLE?

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER? • LATE-SEASON DEER HUNTS CAN BE SUCCESSFUL ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT LEVELS.

Proclamation EXASPERATION • IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED A LAW DEGREE TO DECIPHER HUNTING REGULATIONS, YOU’RE NOT ALONE—BUT THERE’S HELP.

DOWN TO THE WIRE • PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF WHEN PURSUING MATURE MIDWEST WHITETAILS, EVEN IF IT MEANS HUNTING TILL THE VERY LAST MOMENT.

STRAIGHT-WALL SETUP • These three pieces of gear were clutch in Illinois’ deer woods.

Borderland BUCKS • A HUNT FOR DEER AS UNIQUE AS THE LAND IN WHICH THEY THRIVE

CREATURE COMFORTS • Cibolo Creek Ranch is not your average hunting camp.

NEXT-GEN GLASS • A pair of rangefinding optics loaded with techy features

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

Bump-and-Run CHUKARS • HOW TO EXECUTE THE PERFECT PARTRIDGE HUNT

CHUKAR GEAR • Top picks for better bird hunting

Public GOOSE CHASE • THE GOOSE HUNTING COMPETITION IN THE WEST HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER. HUNT SMARTER, NOT HARDER, TO BEAT THE CROWD.

GOOSE GEAR • Essential items for public-land geese

FIRST-ICE BITES • THERE MIGHT NOT BE A BETTER TIME ALL WINTER THAN NOW FOR HARD-WATER 'BOWS, BROWNS, BROOKIES AND CUTTS.

COLD-WEATHER GEAR • Base layers and boots that will keep you focused on the fishing

CAT CALLS • LOOKING FOR A WINTER THRILL? TRY CALLING AN APEX PREDATOR INTO YOUR LAP.

CAMS FOR CATS • Elevate your lion hunting with strategically placed trail cameras.

Finesse CRANKING • BALSA CRANKBAITS AND BFS REELS ARE A MATCH MADE IN WINTERTIME BASS FISHING HEAVEN.

WHERE TO GO • Looking for a winter bass-fishing fix? Give these waters a try.

BACK TO THE MOUNTAINS • EXTEND YOUR BIG-GAME SEASON WITH A PUBLIC-LAND BARBARY SHEEP HUNT IN THE NEW MEXICO DESERT.

SHEEP GEAR • Other than good hunting buddies, certain pieces of gear are essential for a successful aoudad hunt.

SAIL ON!

CROCODILE BAY COMFORTS • Lodging and dining at Botánika Osa Peninsula

JUNGLE IMMERSION • Ecotours offer an up-close look at Costa Rica’s wildlife.

BURRIS BTC35 V3 • THIS CLIP-ON UNIT PROVIDES COMMITMENT-FREE THERMAL IMAGING FOR LESS THAN YOU MIGHT THINK.

Bushnell R5 BINOCULAR • DEER HUNTERS GET ALL THE FEATURES THEY NEED—ALONG WITH SEVERAL UPGRADES—IN AN OPTIC CARRYING AN IMPRESSIVE WARRANTY AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.

TAKE A SHOT • NOT TRYING CAN BE WORSE THAN MISSING.