Hunting Archives - The K-Var Armory

Whitetail Deer — Opening Day Strategies

All summer long you watch deer; they seem to be everywhere. Then, the season starts and there you are, alone, and not a buck to be found. For years, I wondered whether the deer had received a copy of the hunting regulations and simply knew when to go underground. Later, it made sense. Scouting is heaviest in the days and weeks before the season starts. The deer feel the pressure just before the hunt begins. That is simply the nature of the game, but there are a few strategies to up your odds on opening day. [Read more…] about Whitetail Deer — Opening Day Strategies

Skill Set: Flying With Firearms

During firearm training classes, the question of flying with firearms comes up a lot. People have a fear of flying with firearms, but it’s just a lack of knowledge about the process. As long as you know how to proceed it’s not a big deal. [Read more…] about Skill Set: Flying With Firearms

The .243 Winchester Addiction

You would think, being an avid hunter and given the number kids as I’ve introduced to hunting and shooting, I would have discovered the .243 Winchester a lot sooner than I did. My path was rather long and circuitous. I was close a couple of times, but never realized what I was missing until a change in the hunting regulations forced me to shoot the .243. [Read more…] about The .243 Winchester Addiction

Mentoring: Her First Deer Hunt

We had been talking about going hunting for 6 months. It all started one night when I opened the freezer and asked my girlfriend what she wanted for tomorrow’s dinner. She pointed at a freezer bag of “beef” and asked, pot roast? I replied that the roast in question would probably make a better venison roast. Her eyes got big; she smiled, and then asked if all that meat was venison? The conversation sidetracked into a discussion about deer and hunting, and how she had always kind of wanted to hunt, but no one was ever willing to take her. [Read more…] about Mentoring: Her First Deer Hunt

Let’s Go Plinking! — A Boy and His .22 Rifle

While not as long in the tooth as some, I have fond memories from childhood, plinking my way through the hills and forests. Pinecones were trophy bucks, man-eating tigers, and unsuspecting enemy soldiers. The end of a branch or piece of hanging fruit were no safer, most were members of a hostile Indian tribe unlucky enough to have crossed paths the Duke and me. [Read more…] about Let’s Go Plinking! — A Boy and His .22 Rifle

President Trump Issues Proclamation — National Hunting and Fishing Day

President Trump recently issued a Presidential Proclamation on National Hunting and Fishing Day 2018, observed Saturday, saying in part, “On National Hunting and Fishing Day, we recognize the important contributions that America’s hunters and anglers make to our society, our thriving economy, and our continued conservation successes nationwide.” [Read more…] about President Trump Issues Proclamation — National Hunting and Fishing Day

Yellowstone Grizzly Hunts Cancelled — Again

On Sept. 24, 2018, Federal U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen disregarded the advice of numbers of wildlife biologists and conservation experts when he ruled to overturn the March 2017 decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to delist the grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections. This ruling was made despite the fact that the region’s grizzly population has recovered and no longer meets the definition of threatened or endangered, according to ESA standards. [Read more…] about Yellowstone Grizzly Hunts Cancelled — Again

Tree Stand Safety Tips

Tree stands get hunters out of sight and smell of wary deer, but they can also get hunters into trouble. Here are some tips from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department to help stay safe and get the most out of your tree stand hunting experience: [Read more…] about Tree Stand Safety Tips

Bear Country Safety

These are the opinions and observations of a guy who’s spent a lifetime outdoors and a great deal of it in bear country. There is no right or wrong way of dealing with a bear encounter. There are some excellent rules of thumb to know, some common-sense lessons to learn, and a fair collection of experiences to draw on. After all, your survival could result from your knowledge of bear country safety. [Read more…] about Bear Country Safety

Thermal: FLIR Breach Field Test

As I snapped another picture, my model casually mentioned that our photo backdrop was the scene of a double homicide a couple years ago. Nearby, a few kids from the block—some of whom appeared to be in their mid-40’s and malevolent—were interested in what we were doing. Focused on the camera, I didn’t mind the sweat caused by my bulletproof vest, and was thankful for the two other police officers watching our back. It’s a tough street in a tough city. We were standing in the North Harbor neighborhood of East Chicago, Indiana to test the FLIR Breach. [Read more…] about Thermal: FLIR Breach Field Test

Review: Ruger American .450 Bushmaster — The Deer Slayer’s Rifle

Many of us can trace back at least one of our first shooting experiences to a Ruger firearm. Typically, it’s a Ruger 10/22 (.22 Long Rifle). This was the case for me back in the 1980s. I’ve always respected Ruger as a quality/affordable manufacturer. However, I really hadn’t shot anything new from Ruger until two years ago when I bought my wife a Ruger LCP (.380) as her CCW gun. This all began when I was introduced to the marketing team at Ruger. I was particularly interested in its Ruger American .450 Bushmaster. Not only is this caliber gaining popularity in Michigan and Ohio for deer hunters, but it’s quickly becoming popular with guides and hunters across the U.S. [Read more…] about Review: Ruger American .450 Bushmaster — The Deer Slayer’s Rifle

The Skill of Rifle Marksmanship

The primary goal of marksmanship is being able to hit what we are aiming at. Your purpose may be simple target shooting, hunting, or personal defense. Whatever the goal, a great deal of practice is needed. For most of American history, rifle marksmanship has been an essential skill, and it remains so today. [Read more…] about The Skill of Rifle Marksmanship

Deer Hunters: Don’t Give Away Your Power

Elite deer hunters employ a carefully planned scent-control regimen to maintain an advantage over a whitetail’s incredible nose. When properly executed, the rewards include closer shots and more opportunities. [Read more…] about Deer Hunters: Don’t Give Away Your Power

SCI Counters Antis’ Lies About Federal Commission

Anti-hunters never let facts get in the way of an emotionally-based false argument, as is evidenced in their attacks in the media before the meeting of the International Wildlife Conservation Council in Atlanta, GA. Safari Club International (SCI) isn’t about to sit by idly as anti-hunters attack a federal conservation council and its members. [Read more…] about SCI Counters Antis’ Lies About Federal Commission

The 7mm Remington Magnum Cartridge

The 7mm Remington Magnum or .284 caliber rifle cartridge has proud origins. The 7x57mm Mauser cartridge is a mild mannered loading with modest recoil and excellent accuracy. It is quite a game taker at moderate range. A great advantage was that the 7mm cartridge, even at modest velocity, shot flat and featured excellent penetration. [Read more…] about The 7mm Remington Magnum Cartridge

Gun Test: Zastava .22 Rifle

A good quality, .22 caliber bolt-action rifle, such as the Zastava MP22, is among the best firearms available for all shooters and those who love the outdoors. It is suitable for training, recreational shooting, small game hunting, and general outdoors duty. The .22 caliber rifle is easy to use well, and practice is cheap. There is no harsh recoil to intimidate young shooters. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Zastava .22 Rifle

Review: Fiocchi 22 LR — First Class Plinking and Hunting

When I am shooting on my own time and my own dime, most of the shooting is that pastime called plinking—most often with Fiocchi 22 LR. I am fortunate to have plenty of dirt clods on a berm and I also use clay birds. I do not use the time proven tin can so much these days. I use paper because Birchwood Casey offers so many variations. [Read more…] about Review: Fiocchi 22 LR — First Class Plinking and Hunting

Take Your Vepr AK Hunting!

American and Western soldiers have been facing the wrong end of a Kalashnikov rifle for better than half-a-century. The AK-47 is effective as a battle rifle, just as the Remington 700, Winchester Model 70, and Modern Sporting Rifle are. So, if you would take the last three hunting, why not the AK? And, if the Molot Vepr catches on, the North American cervid population may reap a similar whirlwind soldiers have, as the new AK chambers multiple calibers suitable for all big-game in the lower 48. [Read more…] about Take Your Vepr AK Hunting!

FLIR: Go Thermal to Be the Predator

Thanks to FLIR, I got to be a “Predator” for one night last month and it was really cool. For those who don’t remember, Predator was a 1987 movie (and series of forgettable remakes) in which an alien creature hunted down various supporting actors for sport and killed them in gruesome fashion until Arnold Schwarzenegger saves the day. Among other assets, the Predator had thermal vision that allowed him to stalk the various players until the final battle wherein Arnold serves up a crushing defeat. It was one of the first times that the general public saw the advantages of thermal imaging. [Read more…] about FLIR: Go Thermal to Be the Predator

20 Tips for Preseason Turkeys

Wild turkeys are almost as fickle as the springtime weather we experience while hunting them. These and other factors often combine to limit opportunities for turkey-hunting success to just a few hours of hunting per season. Solid preparation is imperative. Serious turkey hunters are prepared to deal with any situation and leave nothing to chance. Are you up to the challenge? [Read more…] about 20 Tips for Preseason Turkeys