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.

DINNER PLANS

Game & Fish Midwest

TRENDING NOW AT GAME & FISH ONLINE • GET TIPS, SEE GEAR AND CELEBRATE THE LIFESTYLE AT GAFMAG.COM

MOON TIMES

OUT OF FOCUS • SEVERAL LESS OBVIOUS AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED RIFLESCOPE FEATURES CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HUNTING SUCCESS.

HUNT THE FOOD? • IT’S THE LATE SEASON AND YOUR DAYS TO TAG A BUCK ARE DWINDLING. REST ASSURED, THERE’S HOPE.

BUYING A USED BOAT • THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING A BIG PURCHASE

RECONSIDERING CONSERVATION FUNDING • THE RECENT ATTEMPTED ASSAULT ON PITTMAN-ROBERTSON FUNDING SHOULD SIGNAL THAT WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF EXPLAINING THE BENEFITS OF THE ‘GUN TAX.’

SNOW SHIFT • WHEN DUCK SEASON ENDS IN ARKANSAS, HUNTERS AND GUIDESSWITCH FROM FLOODED TIMBER TO OPEN FIELDS IN EXPECTATION OF WHITE TORNADOES.

SAFE, SUCCESSFUL AND STRESS-FREE • Keep these things in mind for a great hunt.

GREAT GOOSE GEAR • Grab these items when the snows start to fly.

AROUND THE MIDWEST • A SAMPLING OF THE REGION’S BEST HUNTING AND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES RIGHT NOW

FOOD FOCUS • AFTER THE EXCITEMENT OF THE RUT FADES, FINDING FOOD BECOMES THE PRIORITY FOR WHITETAILS. TARGET SOME OF THEIR FAVORITE SOURCES DURING THE LATE SEASON TO BOOST YOUR ODDS FOR SUCCESS.

PLAYING IN THE SNOW • WHEN THE WHITE STUFF BLANKETS CROP FIELDS IN THE LATE SEASON, TWEAK YOUR TACTICS TO SCORE BIG ON GEESE.

ARCTIC ADVICE • Simple tips for hunting late-season geese in the cold and snow

CHASING GHOSTS • DUE TO THEIR CAUTIOUS AND COVERT NATURE, BOBCATS CAN BE DIFFICULT TO KILL. IF YOU KNOW THEIR MOTIVATIONS AND HABITS, THOUGH, YOU CAN GREATLY IMPROVE YOUR ODDS.

ELECTRONICS EDGE • THE VARIETY OF ELECTRONICS AVAILABLE TO ICE ANGLERS TODAY WAS UNIMAGINABLE JUST A DECADE AGO. WHAT UNIT, OR COMBINATION OF THEM, IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

ICE ESSENTIALS • Boost your hardwater efforts with some of the best new ice-fishing gear.

’EYES WIDE OPEN • EARLY-ICE WALLEYES CAN BE AGGRESSIVE, BUT AFTER THE INITIAL ACTION, THINGS TEND TO SLOW DOWN. REMAINING SUCCESSFUL IN THIS MIDWINTER LULL REQUIRES A CHANGE IN TACTICS.

RODS, REELS AND COMBOS

JIGS AND LURES

BACKWATER BLISS • WITH A STEADY SUPPLY OF FOOD, CRAPPIES GROW BIG ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER’S BACKWATERS. IT CAN BE ONE OF THE HOTTEST BITES OF THE HARD-WATER SEASON.

ACCESSORIES

APPAREL

THE TROUT OF THE BLUE RIDGE • NORTH CAROLINA’S HIGH COUNTRY OFFERS ANGLERS PREMIER TROUT FISHING AND EIGHT MONTHS OF IDEAL WATER CONDITIONS IN BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS.

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS TRIP PLANNER • See waterfalls and white squirrels in western North Carolina.

SAVAGE MODEL 110 ULTRALITE • A COMPANY KNOWN FOR ACCURACY CUTS NEARLY 1½ POUNDS FROM ITS VENERABLE BOLT GUN.

GREAT WHEN IT’S LATE • STAY COMFY TO THE SEASON’S BITTER END WITH GEAR THAT TAMES THE COLD.

THE BIG BOOMER • MORE POWER DOESN’T MAKE A BETTER RIFLE.