I was nine years into my public land hunting career when I first dipped my toe in the target-buck pool. The North Carolina hitlister showed up on my trail cameras just before Halloween, with pre-rut in full swing, and a gnarly heat wave set to roll in a week later.With nearly a decade of experience in my rearview mirror, I made one of the dumbest hunting mistakes of my life—I stayed home on November 7. The temps hit 80 degrees, and I convinced myself that the deer would sit tight until dark.Guess who cruised by my stand camera mid-morning?I know…

In our latest “I Carry” video, we’re taking a closer look at one of the latest versions of the Springfield Armory Echelon, Springfield’s modern striker-fired pistol. But that’s not the only thing that’s modern. This pistol is outfitted with Aimpoint’s new COA enclosed-emitter red-dot optic, and to carry this optic-equipped handgun, we’ve selected a JM Custom Kydex holster. Check out the details of the full kit in the video above. “We’re taking a look at the new Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0 FC. Now the FC means that it has a full size grip with a compact slide,” American Rifleman Executive…

I sat in the truck at the public boat ramp, sipping bad gas station coffee and watching a parade of glitter-covered bass boats launch and race away. They were in a hurry to get to wherever they thought the bass were holed up.I wasn’t in much of a hurry. When the last boat disappeared around the point, I grabbed my spinning rod and a Rat-L-Trap and walked down the shoreline in my flip-flops. On the third cast, my line went tight as a largemouth bulldogged for deeper water, pulling line from a rig that probably cost me less than a…

On Friday, May 29, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) “Removing Unnecessary and Counterproductive Restrictions on Access to Federal Lands” that rescinds EOs 11644, signed by President Richard Nixon in 1972, and 11989, signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.These two orders have allowed agency heads to manage how and where off-road vehicles can travel on public lands. According to the White House Press Release, “the subjective criteria were difficult for agencies to operationalize in practice because they were so vague.” The ramifications of this move are uncertain.“Our concern isn’t what this EO does today, it’s what it sets…

00:00:05 Speaker 1: Welcome to This Country Life. I’m your host, Brent Reeves from coon hunting to trotlining and just in general country living. I want you to stay a while as I share my experiences in life lessons. This Country Life is presented by Case Knives from the store More Studio on Meat Eaters Podcast Network, bringing you the best outdoor podcast that airways have to offer. All right, friends, grab a chair or drop that tailgate. I’ve got some stores to share. Alice Chalmers and The Call of Paloosa, one of the first installments of this weekly endeavor,…

Watch full video on YouTube

Watch full video on YouTube

Fishing in the West has blown up in recent years, particularly river fishing for trout—and for good reason. Western states hold some of the best trout waters in the world. But the rising popularity has led to significantly increased crowding and pressure on many waterways in the West, to the detriment of fisheries and anglers alike.Thankfully, there are still plenty of underrated—and less trafficked—opportunities to catch fish out West, especially if you don’t mind using different tactics, targeting unexpected species, and fishing different types of waterbodies. This list is meant to inspire anglers to break away from the crowds and…

Pump-action shotguns, like the iconic Mossberg 500 or Remington 870, have proven themselves in some of the harshest hunting environments. They stand up to dirt, grit, and frigid temperatures that would choke or jam semi-automatics. You can abuse the hell out of a pump shotgun, cake it with mud, or drop it in the lake, and it will still perform. Many hunters often prefer the reliability of a pump over any other shooting platform because they are less apt to fail, which is important when you are miles away from the truck at a public walk-in unit.Some of the best…

Not everyone keeps the thighs from a wild turkey, and honestly, it’s a shame. Dark meat can be one of the most flavorful parts of the bird when it’s given the time it needs to cook properly. Most recipes lean toward soups, stews, or shredded barbecue, but confit, a classic French technique, is one of the best ways to turn turkey thighs into something truly special. The meat is first cured with garlicky salt, then slowly cooked in fat or oil until silky, tender, and deeply savory. A crockpot makes the process simple and nearly hands-off, keeping the temperature low…