Western Hunter

Picking an elk hunting area based on wildfires By Remi Warren Note: Click here to download the complete, original article Across the West, fires are a significant annual occurrence. Over the last ten years, there has been an upward trend. Millions and millions of acres – much of it public land – is barbequed every year. While the immediate effects can seem devastating, the good news is that wildfires can in fact create excellent habitat for elk. The increased feed can bolster the areaâs big game population and overall health of the animals. This also leads to better antler growth. Elk and Fires The interspersed and sometimes splotchy burned/non-burned areas create what biologist call an edge effect. Fires can increase the abundance of elk forage that can have positive lasting effects for ten years or more, depending on the situation involved within an individual burn. Studies have shown that fires in heavily timbered forests can lead to an increase in the elk population for that area by over 70%. Calf survival to maturity has a lot to do with their relative birth weight. With more available food for their mothers, calves are set up to live longer. Also, in captivity, it has been proven that healthy cows have a higher likelihood that new calves will be born male. Cow elk also first breed based on their body weight, with half the cows coming into estrus at 70% of their mature body weight. This means that healthy populations with plenty of forage may start breeding sooner. This effect can have positive impacts in a fairly short amount of time. Noticeable effects are seen within two to five years, hitting the max benefit around seven or eight years. Picking a Burned Area Because not all burns are equal, there is a science to picking the best area to maximize the potential benefits from a fire. To do this, I look at how the fire burned, how long ago it burned, and what type of range was burned in the fire. Once Iâve narrowed this down, Iâll then pick spots based on the criteria Iâm looking for. When the fire took place. The time that has elapsed since the fire took place, as well as the stage of regrowth, makes a huge difference in picking an area to hunt. An early fire (one that ends in July, for example), can often recover enough to start new succulent green growth for that fall. Just because a fire was recent does not mean that it should be passed over. If you see new growth, resident elk will begin using it that very year. If the fire was late in the summer like late August or September, I will pass that area up for hunting the same year. There likely wonât be enough time for initial regrowth, and the elk wonât be there. Most burn areas reach their maximum benefit around seven years after a fire, but Iâll start hunting them three to five years after the initial fire. This gives the area enough time to start growing the population, increase the number of bulls, and provide good feed to bulls that will now be reaching maturity. In 2006 and 2007, there were a large number of smaller fires across Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah that are now in their most productive years for elk. Now is the time to capitalize on some of these burns. How the fire burned. The best elk habitat is a patchy burn where at least 20% of the area remains unburned within the fire perimeter. Look for fires that have a mosaic pattern of areas completely scorched mixed in with partial burned timber and live timber. As edge animals, elk seldom travel more than 1200 yards from suitable cover. These patchy areas are where I focus the majority of my attention. Type of range that was burned. For overall burn use, itâs better to find an area that has had a fire on a winter range than a summer range. Studies show that elk use burns more frequently in the winter than in the summer. This is because food is more important in the winter months and shelter is more important in the summer. Patchy fires in the winter range can help elk remain healthier even if it is a hard winter. This map is an overlay of all fires over 1000 acres (shown in yellow) from 2001-2009. The red indicates single fires over 100,000 acres within the timeframe. This map serves as a reference and starting point to locate units that have had fires that could be productive hunting now. Remember that itâs covering nine years of fires, so the fire range indicated will be in varying stages of regrowth. This also maps the outer perimeter of each fire and does not indicate areas within the perimeter that remained untouched. Top Six Things to Remember 1. Donât overlook patches of standing burned timber. It may not look like a great hiding spot, but dense standing burns can make elk feel secure enough to use it, and theyâre really easy to see if you take time to glass it. Remember that even some areas that look pretty open can easily conceal elk. Take your time and look these spots over. 2. When calling elk, be in front of the burned tree. If you feel like youâre out in the open in a burn, itâs because you are. Donât let that get the best of you. If a bull is coming into bow range as you call, youâre better off being in front of a tree and using it to block your outline, rather than behind a tree and having to move laterally. The open nature of a burn means your movement is more likely to get spotted, so youâre better off in front of a solid backdrop. 3. Now is always a good time to hunt a burn. If a portion of an area youâre hunting or regularly hunt burns this summer, donât count it out. The new growth will become a magnet for elk in the surrounding areas. Although the area may not reap the benefit of boosting the population in that time, the burn will attract many of the current elk and concentrate a portion of the elk in an area that may be easier to glass than other places. 4. Glass into the pockets of live timber. The majority of elk using a burn will spend their time escaping danger in the pockets of canopy cover that remain. Find a spot where you can get across from this cover and glass into it. You may only be able to see bits and pieces, but youâll likely catch elk moving in it. Watching multiple patches from afar allows you to catch elk when they first move out into the burn to feed in the evenings. 5. Think about the habitat in terms what it was like before the fire. Elk will often use the same place theyâve always used, burnt or not. If there is a place you regularly got into elk before a burn and the spot is now open, elk may still be ingrained to use this portion of their home range. Burns also allow you to see the topography of areas in a new way. Look at the areas they like, notice what makes it unique, and then find other spots that look similar. 6. Watch for falling trees. Burns can be dangerous, especially five to ten years after the initial fire. Standing dead trees will rot, and often the root systems have been partially burned out (yes, fire will burn underground). One good windstorm can put you in danger. These rotted trees can fall surprisingly quiet for their size. Make note of areas where there are a lot of downed trees and avoid them during high winds. If Iâm crossing through a large area of blowdowns, I try to look at the direction most the trees have fallen and walk on the opposite side of trees I know could kill me (two close calls really drove this point home). Also, beware of taking stock through areas like these, especially if you notice significant root burning, holes, and sunken spots. Itâs an easy way to break a horseâs leg. 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By Jason Amaro and Elk Hunter Magazine For those who have waited for the last minute to apply for New Mexico elk, here’s some info to help… The post New Mexico Elk Deadline TODAY appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

If you haven’t seen commercial by Think Reel Media for The Western Hunter TV, you’re missing out. In 30 seconds, you’ll understand why people who own the… The post Outdoorsmans Tripod Video appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

It is rare that you find a booth at SHOT show that gets every single person in the group excited. When Ryan dragged us all to the… The post Exciting New Product from Bullseye Camera Systems appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

While stopping by the Victory Archery booth at the ATA Trade Show, the words “I’m so excited I might cry” came out of Nate’s mouth. If he’s… The post New Broadhead Adapter from Victory Archery appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

<p>It’s been a busy day here at the ATA show, and we’ve enjoyed every minute of it. We’ve got some exciting reviews coming soon to the February…</p><p>The post <a href="http://elkhuntermagazine.com/2013/01/08/2013-archery-trade-show-day-1/">2013 Archery Trade Show Day 1</a> appeared first on <a href="http://elkhuntermagazine.com">Elk Hunter Magazine</a>.</p> View the full article

<p>-By Zach Bowhay- In 2010 I went to the Western Hunting Convention hoping to win another Utah elk tag like I had in 2009. Although I didnât…</p><p>The post <a href="http://elkhuntermagazine.com/2013/01/06/caribou-gear-game-bag-review/">Caribou Gear Game Bag Review</a> appeared first on <a href="http://elkhuntermagazine.com">Elk Hunter Magazine</a>.</p> View the full article

Western Hunter and Elk Hunter Magazines (WHM & EHM) are excited to announce the launch of their new cutting edge hunting TV show, “The Western Hunterâ€. The…The post Western Hunter Magazine Launches Exciting New TV Show appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

By Zach Bowhay Miss Part One of Zach’s story? Read it here. The drive back from New Mexico was a long one, spirits were low and Evan…The post The Peanut Gallery – Part II appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

By Mark Huelsing Less than $20 – Meat Eater by Steven Rinella Steven Rinella’s latest book, Meat Eater – Adventures from the Life of an American Hunter, is…The post 5 Gift Ideas for Hunters – Something for Every Budget appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

About 5 or 6 years ago I started applying seriously for out of state hunts and one of the top destinations on my list of places I…The post The Peanut Gallery – By Zach Bowhay – Part I appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

Mark Huelsing is a passionate bowhunter, freelance outdoor writer, and Elite Archery Pro Staff member. Mark became a hunter by pursuing whitetail deer in his home state…The post Staying on Track in the Off Season – Wilderness Athlete Review appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

By Zach Bowhay To help welcome Zach to the Elk Hunter and Western Hunter blogs, Lone Wolf Knives is giving away their Hard Way Skinner! Scroll down…The post Tools of the Trade – Lone Wolf Knives Review and Giveaway appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2012 issue of Elk Hunter Magazine, but is available now for our blog readers to preview Nate Simmons’ column. Subscribe…The post Backpacking Gear List by Backcountry Editor Nate Simmons appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

Awesome photos and update from Jay Scott from this season. Check out Jay’s blog at www.jayscottoutdoors.com! Colburn and Scott Outfitters had a great 2012 archery elk season…The post Field Update Photos from Jay Scott appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

Our very own photography editor, Tony Bynum took this awesome video. This is some of the best bugling audio you’ll ever hear! Thank you Tony! Learn more…The post Bull Elk Bugling in the Rut – Tony Bynum appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

Things That Make You Go “Huh?†Introducing the new Swarovski ATX and STX modular spotting scope By Chris Denham I honestly can’t remember having this much difficulty…The post Swarovski ATX Review, In Depth appeared first on Elk Hunter Magazine. View the full article

You have got to see this footage of this bull elk coming into the water hole. Watch as he wallows and ends up covering every square inch of his body and antlers with mud. He absolutely cakes himself! View the full article

One of our hunting editor’s, Jay Scott, recently sent us this update from the field, along with some great photos. You can read more of Jay’s adventures on his blog, JayScottOutdoors.comWant to see your adventure on the Elk Hunter Blog? Send your update and photos to webmaster@elkhuntermagazine.com, and we’ll post your update on the blog!September 11thAs I write this post it cant be over 65 degrees with on and off light drizzle of rain. The weather appears to be setting up perfect for this hunt. We have been continuing to have great days in the field scouting for the archery elk hunt. We even were able to help friend Alex Rimsza harvest his first antelope. The elk rut seems to just be steady with not too much craziness yet. I keep hoping they won’t go nuts until the season starts. Lets hope that points stay together through the season. I expect the bugling will increase daily. I haven’t seen any actual breeding yet. I expect to see it within the next week and on into the month of September. Once again our God does not disappoint with his awesome sunrises and sunsets over Unit 9. Enjoy the pictures! View the full article

One of our hunting editor’s, Jay Scott, recently sent us this update from the field, along with some great photos. You can read more of Jay’s adventures on his blog, JayScottOutdoors.comWant to see your adventure on the Elk Hunter Blog? Send your update and photos to webmaster@elkhuntermagazine.com, and we’ll post your update on the blog!September 3rdThe weather is awesome in Unit 9! The smaller bulls are pushing cows around and acting tough. The big bulls have been a little elusive so far but I am sure they are just waiting for the rut to progress. We have had some fantastic sunrises and sunsets. Looking forward to the rest of the month in elk paradise!September 5thThe elk rut is steadily improving here in Unit 9. The small bulls are getting their turn at pushing the cows and most of the bigger bulls are by themselves. Janis, Darr and I have been having lots of fun and enjoying one of God’s greatest creations. Should be another good scouting morning.September 6th It has not rained today which is a first in 8 days since we have been here. The forecast for the next 10 days calls for 20-40% chance of rain. The archery hunt starts a week from tomorrow. Bulls seem to be getting more engaged each day with more and more bugling activity. It is hard to beat Arizona elk hunting for sure. Excitement for the upcoming season is increasing each day. The thought of a 14 day archery season with a good moon makes me smile. Darr and I are in Unit 9 and Janis is scouting in Unit 10. I would say the antler growth is maybe just below average for unit 9. Seems like the backs are a little weaker than usual. Still should be a great season trying to find a big bull!We’ll be posting the rest of Jay’s photos tomorrow, so stay tuned! View the full article

This Arizona bull had approximately 30 cows with him. I crawled in amongst these cows and waited for him to make the rounds and come by me. Fortunately, I had showered and changed clothes that afternoon and remained undetected for nearly 15 minutes before I was able to get a shot.Q & A with Bowhunting Legend, Randy UlmerQUESTION: I’m a bowhunter and it seems like I get busted more often from elk smelling me than for any other reason. What do you actually do on your hunts to minimize your scent? Please give me some PRACTICAL scent control advice.ANSWER: The problem with early season elk hunting is that it is usually warm, and if you’re like me, you’re typically moving (and sweating) a great deal. I have two different scent control regimens I use, depending on whether I’m hunting from a vehicle camp or hunting from a backpack camp. Here are several important points to consider: If I’m using my travel trailer as camp, I carry as many as 14 different sets of clean camo clothes/ underwear/socks. It is prohibitively expensive to go out and buy that many sets of clothes, but I’ve been at this a long time and have accumulated them over 20 years. All this clothing takes up a lot of space, so I carry them in Action Packer bins and store them outside the trailer. I tried to use carbon suits for several years. However, I found them to be too warm and cumbersome for early-season, active hunting. In order for them to work properly, you must remain relatively stationary. As you move, the clothing acts as a billows and the smelly air inside is pumped through the neck, arm and leg holes and never touches the carbon. I bathe as often as possible. I always shower every morning and, if I make it back to camp, I shower in the afternoon as well. I limit the amount of animal products I eat for a month leading up to the hunt and during the hunt. I use scent-free soap and then apply Scent Shield hair and body deodorant gel to all parts of my body. I carry approximately ten pairs of clean running shoes with me and put a new pair on every day (a great deal of your odor comes from your feet). I put baking soda in each of my shoes before I put them on. When I buy shoes, I get 100% synthetic shoes (no leather). You can wash these synthetic shoes over and over and they’ll never shrink. I take chlorophyll tablets each day for a few weeks leading up to the hunt and then each morning during the hunt. I brush and floss my teeth with baking soda at least twice a day. I rarely wear a belt, but if I do, I never wear the same belt for more than a day without washing it. I rarely carry a pack, but if I do, I change it out or wash it if it gets sweaty (I take 3-4 packs with me on a hunt). I spray my bow and binoculars with Scent Shield spray. I don’t carry my wallet with me. It probably smells similar to where it’s usually parked. If you only have a few sets of camo, just wash your clothes every few days. You don’t have to run into town to use a laundromat. I use these same Action Packers as wash tubs. I fill one up with water and detergent, put my dirty clothes in, and let them soak for a few hours, and then rinse them out and hang them on a tree. Remember, you aren’t worried about having your clothes clean – just scent-free. The soaking will get rid of all your sweat and odor. It’s much more difficult to limit your scent production when you’re backpack hunting. When I’m on the trail, I carry body soap, detergent for my clothes, deodorant, toothbrush, floss, and baking soda. I don’t sleep in my clothes and I bathe and wash my clothes in the middle of the day – if there’s a water source. Otherwise, I just try to stay downwind of the elk.Even if you follow all of these preventative measures, the elk can still smell you. It’s my belief that scent control merely decreases the volume of scent you put out and allows you to get away with a little more. When I’m clean and freshly showered, I can often get 100 yards upwind from an elk without being detected. However, if I’m stinky, the elk can easily detect me at 400 yards. As a bowhunter, you often have to slip in as close as possible to a herd of elk and wait for something to happen, so the less odor you produce, the longer you’ll go undetected.The bottom line? Keep the wind right.Randy Ulmer presents his tips and advice in each and every issue of Elk Hunter Magazine. Don’t miss the next issue, subscribe today! View the full article

I spend most of my hunting time trying to get as close to game as possible, and there’s few things better than a good, dependable 100-yard shot at a trophy bull. However, there’s one little catch to hunting wary bulls – they’d actually just as soon keep that distance significantly larger, and their instincts and wit will often allow them to do just that. In those cases where a well-educated shot at greater distance makes good, ethical sense, having a scope with a great ballistic reticle is a must.For the past three years, I’ve been using a 4.5-14×44 Zeiss Conquest with Rapid-Z 800 reticle on top of my super reliable Blaser R93 .300 Win.-mag. It’s no bull when I tell you that this combo has been an almost indescribable improvement over previous setups.Just this past fall, I used it to take a great Wyoming 6×6 at 368 yards on a late October high country hunt. Before that, it helped with one-shot kills on several trophy mule deer and even some decent pokes at some Wyoming antelope.The nicest thing about the Rapid-Z is that it’s amazingly simple, which helps mediocre shots like me become better shots just by using great equipment. Here’s how it works. First, go to Zeiss.com and navigate to the Optical Long Range Reticle Analysis form. Input all the necessary ballistic information, including cartridge, ballistic coefficient, etc.,and it will tell you what the optimal power is that you should have your scope dialed to in order for the reticle to be “on†at each100-yard interval appearing on the reticle. It’s that simple. All of this is based on a 200-yard zero.When looking at the reticle itself, there are numbered hashmarks for each 100-yard interval starting at 300 yards, with intermediate hashmarks for every 50 yards in between and dots for each 25 yards before and after the 50s. This enables you to be accurate to no worse than 12.5 yards without worry of using interpolation.There are also hashmarks on the left and right sides for 5 and 10 mph winds. So, if you have a bull standing at 400 yards with an estimated 10 mph left crosswind, you can go directly to the 400-yard crosshairs, move it to the left to the end of the line (the 10 mph adjustment) and fire with confidence.While to some this might seem almost too easy, some time at the range practicing these scenarios will help you immensely in using this tool to its utmost ability. This is twofold in importance – 1) to familiarize yourself with the system and be able to use it quickly, and 2) to prove to yourself that it works and give you confidence at crunch time.The Rapid-Z comes in four reticles and is available in both Conquest and Victory models. Here are Zeiss’ recommendations that match each reticle model with the most favorable cartridges:• Rapid-Z 600: Standard hunting cartridges such as .270, .30-06, etc.• Rapid-Z 800: Magnums such as .300 WSM, .300 RUM, .338, etc.• Rapid-Z 1000: Tactical/Long range shooting, such as .308.• Rapid-Z Varmint: Smaller, fast-shooting cartridges such as .204 Ruger, .220 Swift, .223, .22-250.Here are a couple of other interestingnotes:• The reticle is located in the second image plane, resulting in minimal target cover.• It comes with an integrated ranging feature – hashmarks are available above the crosshairs and are designed to determine distance to the target animal. Simply place one hashmark on top of the back and count how many hashmarks down tobrisket, then do some quick math.• All Rapid-Z reticles are designed to be sighted in at 200 yards, except the RapidZ 1000, sighted in at 500.• Non-illuminated versions are available in Victory and Conquest models; illuminated versions are available in assorted Victory Diavari and Victory Diarange models.There’s no question that it takes a bit more effort to use a rangefinding reticle than a simple “point-and-shoot†duplex. However, the simplicity of such a reticle has great limitations. A solid ballistic reticle and riflescope such as the Rapid-Z, with some time and familiarity, will be worth its weight in gold with its return on investment. I know it has been for me.Don’t miss out on the next gear review in Elk Hunter Magazine. Click here to subscribe. View the full article

Climbing mountains in the most severe conditions, pushing your mind and body to the limit on a daily basis – yes, hunting season is just around the corner. The only true test of our individual performance level and overall toughness comes courtesy of Mother Nature.The road to hunting season is oftentimes paved with the good intentions of getting our body properly conditioned; being human, we often get off course with the hustle and bustle of life, and conditioning can often times go by the wayside.Pushing your body in the backcountry in less than ideal physical condition is hard; pushing a poorly conditioned, dehydrated body is downright dangerous due to increased risk of heart attack and hyperthermia.You can lose as much as 4% of your entire body weight in the form of sweat, causing your blood to become less fluid due to water loss, subsequently causing the blood to become thicker and increasing the workload of the heart, which could potentially result in a heart attack. Proper hydration is critical before, during and after your next trip into the backcountry to ensure that your body will have what it needs for optimal in field performance.What to Consider Before Going AfieldTemperature: The higher the thermometer climbs, the more your body is going to sweat in order to keep cool, causing higher levels of water loss within the body.Relative Humidity: When the air is saturated with moisture, the body loses its ability to naturally cool itself off by evaporating sweat efficiently, therefore causing the body’s internal temperatures to potentially reach dangerous levels that can cause hyperthermia. Water intake is critical in humid environments.Hydration Level: If you enter the field in an already dehydrated state, you’re in great danger of suffering from severe dehydration, hyperthermia, and even heart attack. Before your next trip into the field, drink a minimum of 96 ounces or three quarts of water per inactive day and during days of high activity, double that amount – an equivalent of 192 ounces or six quarts of water per day. In the morning, be sure to consume at least 2-3 cups of water to boost your hydration level.Did you know… If you’re thirsty, your body is already in a state of dehydration. Thirst can be mistaken for hunger. Mild to moderate dehydration can cause sugar and food cravings, especially in the evening, so before you pick up a snack, drink a large glass of water. Mild dehydration may slow your metabolic rate by as much as 3-5%. 80% of people suffering from dehydration have increased back & joint pain. Dehydration can cause daytime fatigue and decreased motor skills, concentration, and memory retention. Dehydration can be attributed to an increased risk of colon, breast, and bladder cancer. Tips If there is water in the area, don’t weigh yourself down carrying excessive amount water. Instead, I carry an ultraviolet water purifier with me, like a SteriPen. These are lightweight and work fast, treating 16 oz. of water in only 48 seconds. By adding Wilderness Athlete Hydrate & Recover to your infield hydration system, you’re not only replenishing fluid loss, but also necessary electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, glucosamine, antioxidants, and metabolic cofactors that power their way into the cells of the body, providing a precisely balanced mineral and electrolyte composition to replenish these vital elements and maintain peak muscle physiology. View the full article

Crisp mountain air, deteriorating daylight, frozen ground, and the rip-roaring bugle of a would-be suitor. Elk hunting is magical and the annual elk rut can never come soon enough. If you have been blessed enough to kiss the elk mountains, then you know challenges that await you every fall. Elk hunting was never meant to be easy, but that’s part of the allure.There are some considerations that must be made before the next elk season approaches. Observe that I say must, not should. I want to outline some of the must dos, but also examine some of the key physical characteristics of an elk and compare them to us. Not only do we hunt elk on their terms, we also play the role as the visiting team trying to rival our quarry on their home field. The goal is to make you better aware of what we’re up against and how we can do our part when it comes to man versus elk.The bones of an elk weigh over 100 lbs. and make up the foundation this mountain athlete and survival specialist. A man has a bone structure tipping the scales at or around a mere 30-40 lbs. The mature bull has a heart that weighs in at 10 lbs. and pumps enriched blood to a network of dense muscle that enables it to maneuver rough and unforgiving country. Man has a heart that weighs less than 1 lb. and in most cases will be taxed as soon as he steps on the uneven ground the elk call home. In fact, most studies show an elk’s average heart rate in the ballpark of 50 beats per minute, while most of us only dip that low while sleeping.Elk own us when it comes humping the hills. Their four legs to our two legs is comparable to a 4×4 and a 2×4 truck. Their lungs are infinitely more efficient than ours. Big deal, elk are built for the mountains, right? Well they also have us on vision and olfactory prowess. Each eye of an elk can rotate independently and their wide-angle lens squashes our view. The elk’s nose has several hundred million receptor sites compared to our paltry five million. The elk that I hunt also have numerous adversaries including black bears, grizzlies, cougars, and wolves.Leveling the Playing Field and Winning the DayWith all these comparisons, it’s safe to say that it’s time to make a simple list of must-dos to better tip the odds in our favor. Must-dos are the items that keep us vibrant, strong, healthy, and of course in shape. Since we all drive to work, drive to the store, and drive some more, I suggest we walk, run, or bike to work once a week. An elk can cover miles for a night of feeding; we walk to our fridge. To combat this, we need a dose of daily activity that I call “winning the dayâ€. You can win the day by waking up 20 minutes earlier for a workout, pumping out push-ups during commercials, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. The little things add up – especially nutrition! What we eat determines how we feel and how many unwanted pounds we might have to lug around in the elk woods. Look below for your hierarchy of food types.Food Hierarchy: Wild Game Fish Chicken Turkey Vegetables Nuts Seeds Fruits Little Starch No Sugar Must-DosStronger Heart: Add cardio training, 20 minutes of intervals goes a long way!Better Vision: Get your eyes checked. Better vision makes you a better predator.Stronger Bones: Supplement your diet with Glucosamine to aid your joints. This can be found in Wilderness Athlete’s Hydrate & Recover drink mixes. Strength training helps combat deterioration of healthy bone and connective tissue.Reduce the Competition: If your elk state permits, pick up your bear or wolf tag and help our elk out!Win the Day: Do something physical every day! Iit all adds up when fall comes around. In closing – Thank you for subscribing to Elk Hunter Magazine. I know the stories and information in these pages will fuel your fire for elk hunting and keep you on the cutting edge for seasons to come. Make your list of must-dos, and don’t neglect the most important piece of equipment you own; your body! View the full article

Swarovski Optik announced this morning a revolutionary line of spotting scopes. The new ATX/STX scopes have a modular, ergonomic design, and allow you to see the world through completely new eyes.The new ATX/STX family of spotting scopes from Swarovski Optik allow you to adapt to each situation without having to compromise on features or performance. Ergonomic design, modular flexibility and user friendliness combine to bring about a real revolution in the history of the spotting scope and set new standards for the next generation. In this new design, the zoom and focusing rings are directly next to each other, ensuring that you can use the spotting scope intuitively and quickly, with only one hand. This reinvented design offers two eyepiece modules (angled or straight) and three objective modules with diameters of 65, 85 and 95 mm, all with Swarovision technology, to combine and provide a total of six different spotting scopes to suit every viewing opportunity.The ATX/STX spotting scopes have an optical quality that has never before been achieved by a spotting scope. With the Swarovision technology, they feature field flattener lenses to produce an image with razor-sharp clarity right up to the edge, without the need for constant refocusing. The HD lenses provide rich contrast, and exceptional color fidelity. They offer extended eye relief, a wide field of view, and are complete with Swarovski’s optimized specialty coatings, Swarodur, Swarotop, and Swaroclean.Stay tuned to Elk Hunter and Western Hunter Magazines for more information about the new scopes. As always, we aim to bring you the most honest and accurate gear reviews. We’ll have more information and reviews for you soon!Features of the new ATX/STX Spotting Scopes - Click HereATX/STX System Details - Click Here View the full article