Field Notes

8x vs 10x Binoculars for Western Hunting: The R...

TL;DR: The "8x is the right answer for western hunting" consensus is real but not universal. 8x wins on mobility, eye strain, and low-light performance. 10x wins when you are...

How to Glass in Timber: Finding Animals in the ...

TL;DR: Glassing in timber is not the same as glassing a basin. You are working at 50 to 300 yards, not 500 plus, and looking for pieces of an animal...

Bear Spray and Gut Piles: Protocol for Field Dr...

TL;DR: A gut pile is one of the highest-risk moments in a grizzly-country hunt. Blood and viscera attract bears from long distances, and bears that arrive at a kill site...

Using a Hand Muff While Bowhunting Without Sacr...

TL;DR: A hand muff is the most effective cold-weather tool a bowhunter can add, but it gets avoided because hunters worry about the draw. The worry is valid: a chest-mounted...

Noise Discipline While Stalking: How to Walk Qu...

TL;DR: Noise discipline on a hunt is mostly about footwork and pace, but your gear is making more noise than you think. This guide covers how to move through crunchy...

Cooling Elk Meat in the Field and Hanging Quart...

TL;DR: The biggest threat to elk meat quality is heat, and September archery seasons can sit in the 70s and 80s well into the evening. A freshly killed elk carries...