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There are plenty of ways to keep fresh on camping trips. Portable showers are great items to help you stay clean at the campsite, but they aren't something you can keep in your backpack. Camping wipes are fantastic, but they won't clean you up like a shower. The best way to get a quick rinse is to use a Simple Shower. The Simple Shower is a lightweight showerhead that fits into most one or two-liter water bottles (or Platypus collapsible bottles and bladders.) Once it's inside the bottle, turn it upside down for a steady stream of water. See more at wideopenspaces.com/simple-shower

Each and every season, the new fishing gear that rolls out seems to get more and more endless. The levels of new fishing rods, fishing kayaks, moisture-wicking apparel, waders, pliers, and anything angling-centric have reached new heights. We would typically spend a portion of our early summer attending ICAST, the biggest fishing trade show there is, but the year 2020 had other plans. The conference went virtual, and we got some inside scoops on a lot of new stuff, including info on new products from Abu Garcia, Berkley, AFTCO, PENN, and Smith, just to name a few. Whether you're in the market for a new baitcasting or spinning reel, dying to get your hands on the latest fishing tackle, or shopping around for a trolling motor, the selection of gear specifically for anglers has never been so vast. We highlight a next generation hoody, some new carbon fiber rods, a co-polymer fluorocarbon fishing line, and even a unique kind of sun protection you probably haven't seen before. This just scratches the surface of all the new fishing gear that hits shelves soon, so sit back and pick your favorites, and be sure to read more in the fishing section of WideOpenSpaces.com.

Survival bandanasare often overlooked insurvival kits. Everyoutdoorenthusiast should prepare for the worst-case scenario. It's best to be safe than sorry. Hopefully, you won't ever have to use yoursurvivalgear, but life happens. Fromsignal mirrors,Lifestraws, and thermal blankets, there are so many items you should pack. Although, you don't see much buzz aboutsurvival bandanas. It's unfortunate becausesurvivalbandanasare budget-friendly items that could save your life. They're not a burden to carry at all. Before you think it's just apiece of cloth, check out the specs onColter Co.'ssurvival bandana. BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/2PNi2Gv Colter Co.'ssurvival bandanais abright orange colorfor a great reason. If you're a hunter, you're familiar with 'blaze orange' and the importance behind it. The color of the bandana makes it highly visible. If you're in anemergency situation, you're going to wish you had a bright color on to be spotted. It's also printed with reflective ink, which means when this headband is hit with a beam of light, it will light up. Not only does this bandana help you stay visible, but it gives yousurvivaltips. That's right, all the words you see printed on this bandana aresurvival information. Thecollection ofsurvival tipsincludeuseful informationon how to start a fire, seek shelter, water, and even food. Customer reviews are fantastic. Manyhikersandcampersare amazed by thesurvival guide. See whatAmazoncustomers are saying. Getting lostisn't ideal, but it happens. If you already wear bandanas in the wilderness, you might as well invest in this emergency item from Colter Co. Get this American-made bandana onAmazonfor only $13.50. Be sure also to check out Colter' Co's 'Know YourKnots' bandana. It's a greatsurvival itemforhiking safety. For more, check out WideOpenSpaces.com

We got an exclusive look at the Lacrosse Lodestar Hunting Boots, the newest addition to the Navigator Series highlighting the fall 2020 gear lineup packed with premium components. Most notably, it's the first pair of boots in the Navigator Series to feature a GORE-TEX breathable lining, and has set itself up as an ideal boot for navigating the backcountry. Things start from the ground up, and the new Lodestar is equipped with an exclusive Vibram outsole that features omni-directional lugs for superior traction in just about any condition. There's an oversized X-shank system that helps to distribute weight over your entire foot, which in turn promotes stability and comfort during long days with lots of miles to cover. The Durafit rubber heel cup won't let your heel slide around, virtually locking it in place, and the HexGuard rubber toe gives the boot advanced defense against dings and scratches. The Nubuck leather upper is enhanced with lightweight, abrasion-resistant materials to help with the style and durability. These would work for a wide variety of hunting experiences, from high country mountain elk to upland birds on the prairie. The Lodestar aims to be one of the more versatile boots the market has seen lately, as opposed to the specialized trend that's been so prevalent. The boots were technically debuted during January's SHOT Show in Las Vegas, but they're going to be available for purchase in time for the fall 2020 hunting season. You can see more about the Lodestar and the rest of the Lacrosse Navigator Series at LacrosseFootwear.com.

Check out the super-fast Mossberg 940 JM Pro competition shotgun, built to keep up with pro shooter Jerry Miculek. O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. is a name synonymous with great shotgun platforms and it’s no surprise they keep innovating new technology. Right at the turn of the calendar, they've announced a new gun, the 940 JM Pro. In a press release, Mossberg says this new autoloading firearm spent two years in development with input from two of the world’s best shooters, Jerry Miculek and his daughter, Lena Miculek. The gun redesigns some areas of the 940 JM series. This new version of the shotgun has a capacity of 9+1 and features a 24-inch barrel length with a vented rib and an overall length of 45.5 inches. Mossberg fitted it with their “Accu-Choke” system, but are also including Briley extended chokes in cylinder, improved cylinder and modified. The barrel is topped with a fiber optic HIVIZ TriComp sight. To keep this gun versatile, Mossberg made sure users could select from three different colors of optics and three different shapes. The stock and forend are also customizable to adjust drop and length of pull, which the company says is 13-14.25 inches. The stock is available in either black synthetic or their black MultiCam camouflage pattern. Features of the new Mossberg 940 JM Pro Shotgun Mossberg completely redesigned the new gas systems and loading port on this gun. The gas system is built to cycle 2 ¾ or 3-inch shells and uses a stepped and vented-spacer component. Mossberg says this design allows you to fire nearly 1,500 rounds between cleanings. The loading port has redesigned shell catches and an elevator. Mossberg knows that in competition, speed is everything. In recent years, quad-loading ammo has really taken off as the most popular way to load a competition shotgun in just seconds. So, Mossberg designed the 940 for quad-loading straight out of the box, with no mods needed. This gun also offers plenty of other options including a gold-anodized bolt handle, a bolt release button, tungsten gray-anodized receiver, magazine extension nut and more. Both models of the 940 JM Pro have an MSRP of $1,015. For more, check out WideOpenSpaces.com

It's usually a good idea to be well armed when out in bear country. These are the best bear-defense guns for the job. When you head into bear country, be it the Alaskan wilderness or your Florida backyard, you must accept that you are no longer at the top of the food chain. Luckily, most bears usually do not want any trouble and will leave the area as soon as they detect you. However, this is not always the case and you should be prepared for self-defense if you get in a tight situation. A good bear gun should be a part of your defense plan. That said, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. By using your brain and taking a few basic precautions out in the woods, you can dramatically reduce your odds of encountering a bear attack. Give any bear that you encounter (especially a sow with cubs) plenty of space. Make lots of noise so that any bears in the area know that you are there and carry bear spray. Firearms should only be used as a last resort to defend yourself from a bear. A charging bear can move extremely fast and only a hit on the bear's central nervous system (brain or spine) is guaranteed to stop a bear in its tracks. Even on the biggest brown bears or grizzly bears, the central nervous system is not a large target, so stopping a charging bear with a gun makes for some very challenging shooting. Because of this, you should practice shooting your chosen gun extensively. If you use a handgun, then buy a good quality holster and practice drawing it. Remember: even the biggest and most powerful bear-defense guns aren't guaranteed to stop a charging bear if you don't make a good shot. By the same token, even a smaller handgun will get the job done with good shot placements, good bullets, and a little luck. We suggest some well-known bear guns, made by the likes of Ruger, Taurus, and Smith & Wesson, plus some lesser known or unthought of firearms, like big bore rifles, 12-gauge shotguns, and even a lever action for old time's sake. They're all good for close range bear protection when it's needed most. For more, check out WideOpenSpaces.com

If ever found yourself asking this question, here's all you need to know. At one point or another throughout life, you have probably asked somebody just how big is a moose, anyways? Well, a big bull is huge. As a matter of fact they are the largest member of the deer family in North America. They can weigh over 1,000 pounds and be up to seven feet tall at the shoulders. Considering that is only at the shoulders, a bull moose is much taller than that when you factor in the head and antlers. So yeah, moose are big. It's hard to imagine an animal like this still exists in the the world. To me, they seem like a relic from our past that used to rub shoulder with the wooly mammoth and ran from cavemen. However, they are still here and flourishing in Alaska, some parts of Europe, as well as Canada. Here in America though, their populations are in great decline. Minnesota and the Northeast have seen the most rapid drop in populations. Studies are underway trying to figure why. Currently the culprits are most likely winter tick infestations, brain worms, bacterial infections, to even liver flukes. Harsh winters over the past several years from possible climate change have also not helped at all. in the meantime all we can do is hope an answer is right around the corner and our American moose populations can start to rebound. However, when it comes to how big a full-grown moose really is, let's have some fun here. It's easy to say a poundage and a height, but there's more to it than that. If you are like me, you like to think in pictures, not in numbers. So, let's dig in. Weight Okay, so as it was written above, the average moose can weight over 1000 pounds. To put that in perspective, that's about the same weight as a grand piano. Some Alaskan moose get much bigger, but on average, that's a good rough size. You know what else weights 1000 pounds? A polar bear. Yes, just imagine in your head how big polar bears are. I'm not talking about small little black bears, but their giant man-eating cousins. Well, a big bull moose is about that big. Also, in most cases, a big brown bear is no match for a full-grown moose. Most things on this Earth aren't either in a face to face showdown, though. An adult cow weighs about 1500 pounds. A giant moose could get up to that range range fairly easily. Actually, the largest moose ever recorded weighed in at 1,800 pounds. That was a full grown adult bull moose from the Yukon, but different species of moose rarely get that big. They just grow them differently in the Land of the Midnight Sun. As you can imagine a moose has a huge appetite to maintain this weight. They typically consumer about 60 pounds of different species of aquatic plants. In other words, that's a whole lot of food! Height An adult moose is about seven to eight feet at the shoulders. When they look upright, they could be as tall as 10 feet if you factor in the head and the horns. This makes them easily the biggest of any deer species on the planet. A male moose is often much bigger than a female moose, too. Regardless, either sex is still pretty dang tall. So how tall is tall? Let's find out. A seven foot moose at the shoulders is about the same height as Andre the Giant, or Shaquille O'Neil. A 10 foot moose, if you factor in the head and horns, would be about the size of an upright basketball hoop. If you want to walk out to your kitchen, it's about two times the height of your refrigerator. Perhaps the next time you decide to go moose hunting, this might give you a little perspective into the size of your target. If nothing else these facts about moose might make you the winner of a trivia contest some day down the road. If that is the case, then you are welcome in advance. For more, check out WideOpenSpaces.com

Hunters and shooters have preferred Leupold clarity for decades, and now they can enjoy it every day. Leupold made a big splash at SHOT Show 2020 when it unveiled its new line of performance eyewear, an entirely new expansion for the world-renowned optics producer. Available to consumers in early 2020, these glasses will come in five different styles—the Katmai, the Becnara, the Packout, the Switchback and the Tracer. Using 113 years of optics manufacturing expertise, Leupold uses lightweight, ballistic-rated materials and scratch-resistant polarized lenses to create a view as clear as any of its sporting optics. "We make the lightest, clearest and most rugged rifle scopes, spotting scopes, binoculars and rangefinders you'll ever use," said Tim Lesser, Vice President of Product Development for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. "Our products outperform the competition under the harshest conditions, without fail. Now, with the Performance Eyewear line, we're applying that same expertise to a new line of optics, so you can experience Leupold's rugged clarity every day." For more, check out WideOpenSpaces.com

The SIG SAUER CROSS rifle could be the do-it-all gun we've all been waiting for. As the shooting industry continues to expand, the variety of firearms widens as rapidly the quality improves. However, they tend to fall into two separate categories: tactical and hunting. While hunting firearms are still fun to shoot at the range, and tactical firearms are still capable of hunting, firearms usually serve their designated purpose. SIG SAUER decided to bridge that gap, however, with a tactical bolt-action rifle equipped for true backcountry hunting. Not only do you get the best of both worlds, but also top-tier quality for each purpose. For starters, it only weighs 6.5 pounds, making it one of the lightest long-range rifles on the market. And, it features a fully adjustable, folding stock, making it easy to carry deep into the wilderness. Spring-loaded for one-handed operation, the stock is fully adjustable for comb height and length of pull in the field without the use of any tools. An adjustable, two-stage match trigger optimizes the CROSS' spot-on precision, as does a stainless steel, rifled barrel, a free-float M-LOK handguard, an ambi-safety and a three-lug bolt design with a 60-degree throw and an interchangeable bolt handle. Additionally, a one-piece aluminum receiver strips the need to bed the action. Available in both black anodized and First Lite camo finishes, the CROSS comes chambered in .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and 277 SIG Fury (coming soon). A full-length Picatinny rail creates allows hunters to mount 0 MOA and 20 MOA optics, too. If you've always wanted a rifle to exhaust at the range and also pack into your hunting bag, the SIG CROSS bolt-action rifle is finally here to grant your wish.

We went live from the water in South Padre Island Texas with Osprey Cruises!!

Here are our picks for the five new bows that drew the most attention at ATA 2020. While the ATA Show brings all kinds of bowhunting products to the forefront of the outdoors industry, the bows themselves undoubtedly lead the charge. Mathews VXR The new Mathews VXR was highest on our list of must-see bows, and it didn't disappoint. It comes in 31.5- and 28-inch axle-to-axle lengths, and has an extended, six-bridge riser that decreases weight and increases strength. The bow is super customizable, you can pick from nearly any camo pattern, and there are tons of accessories already available. Most notably, the sling and the innovative sling mount is something we never knew we needed so badly. Hoyt Carbon RX-4 Alpha The new Hoyt RX-4 Alpha brought some major buzz to the bow industry. Our initial reaction: it's super, super lightweight, has a high-strength riser and durable components that make Hoyt so reputable. Additionally, Hoyt bows have always carried a legacy for delivering arrows at blazing speeds, and RX-4 Alpha will undoubtedly accept the proverbial torch. Bowtech Revolt The new Bowtech Revolt features the Deadlock Cams that have gotten lots of folks talking. You can actually move the cams left or right (with a simple turn of a screw) and position the energy directly behind the arrow, exactly where it should be. This is just one of the bows now available in a huge range of finishes, able to match up with precisely what you're looking for in color or concealment. Bear Divergent EKO The Bear Archery Divergent EKO stood out particularly because of its unique cams. The EKO cams allow for adjustable let-off (75, 80, 85, or 90 percent) to fine tune it right where you need it. The 338 fps EKO also features the Fred Bear camo pattern, which is pretty awesome if you ask us. Prime Black 1 Finally, the Prime Black 1 boasts an impressive speed of 332 fps and a weight of only 4.3 pounds. With this bow, it's all about the double cams. The draw length and weight are adjustable, and the Prime Black 1 has earned serious consideration as the next go-to hunting bow. For more, check out WideOpenSpaces.com

PETA posted a tweet that made a lot of people scratch their heads. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has always had its fair share of opponents, as its aggressive approach to combatting the mistreatment of animals has always seemingly had an abrasive effect. Although most people agree with the sentiment of looking out for animals' best interest, PETA has a well-known reputation for taking it a step further, condemning many law-abiding citizens for participating in legal activities. Now, however, PETA is taking shots at anglers, too. Last week it posted a tweet that essentially said no one should ever fish—catch-and-release or not—because fish feel pain. "Fish are sentient individuals who feel pain," PETA said in the tweet. "Invading an animal's natural habitat, harassing them, and eating them for fun is so cruel. Don't go fishing this summer, or EVER." The fallacy with the veganism argument isn't in what an animal feels. No one is disputing the pain an animal experiences before it dies. So, there's one thing meat-eaters can and should acknowledge. Yet, somehow PETA and its followers refuse to acknowledge our anatomical ability to eat meat. Humans are omnivores; it's more natural for us to eat meat than for us to be vegan. At the end of the day, death isn't pretty. It's death. But no one's cornering a tiger or a lion with an animal cruelty picket sign. No one's telling a black bear to only eat those berries even though it instinctively knows it needs to add protein to its diet. How many of the animal rights people who retweeted or liked this post go home and feed their dogs food made with farm-raised chickens? This conversation is an exhausted one. Let it go, people. For more check out WideOpenSpaces.com

A gun dog is a product of its training, but these 20 breeds are in a class of their own. Ranking hunting dog breeds is really an impossible task, as each is so unique. Every hunting breed has an area in which it excels, and typically some kind of weakness or drawback to go along with it. The key is finding a breed that best meets your specific needs, rather than trying to force a dog to be something it's not. Meet the inductees. THE POINTERS These are your upland heroes. All sporting dogs are exceptionally cognitive creatures, but the pointing breeds are easily the most methodical. While retrievers and hounds have a process by which they work, it's safe to say no other bird dogs actually do as much as pointers. 1. German Shorthaired Pointer 2. Brittany Spaniel 3. English Setter THE RETRIEVERS These are most often your waterfowl ride-or-dies. While plenty of duck hunters will go without a dog, most believe the implementation of a dog is half the experience. There are hunters here and there who swear by retrievers for chasing pheasant and grouse, but no one will argue with the notion that they rule the marsh. 1. Labrador Retriever 2. Chesapeake Bay Retriever 3. Golden Retriever THE FLUSHERS Most of the breeds that fall under this category are on the smaller side of the gun dog spectrum, but each brings a ton of personality to go along with its unique bird hunting technique. Also popular among upland hunters, flushers can serve a number of purposes. Unlike pointers, flushers typically work to push a bird rather than stalk it. So instead of finding the bird, pointing and holding, a flusher will run around the other side of it and force it toward the hunter. 1. Cocker Spaniel 2. English Springer Spaniel 3. Boykin Spaniel THE HOUNDS This group is stands apart from the rest of the sporting breeds. There are a number of reasons they're so different, starting with the quarry they're employed to hunt. The majority of gun dogs out there hunt various game birds, whereas hounds hunt four-legged critters, such as deer, squirrels and rabbits. 1. Bloodhound 2. Beagle 3. American Pit Bull Terrier For more, check out WideOpenSpaces.com

Despite years of intense hunting and trapping, Texas is losing the war on feral hogs. Since Texas Parks and Wildlife first began removing wild boars in 1982, the hog population in the Lone Star State has dramatically increased and there are now more than 10 times as many hogs in the state as there were then. Unfortunately, the evidence is clear: Texans are losing the war on feral hogs. Texas has very permissive regulations regarding hog hunting, and hunters may pursue hogs all year long with no bag limit. You can hunt them over bait, trap them, hunt them at night and from aircraft. As a result, it is estimated that over three quarters of a million hogs are taken by recreational, commercial, and government hunters and trappers each year in Texas. Unfortunately, though, it isn't enough. Hunting for Hogs in Texas Even though hunters and trappers are killing approximately 30 percent of the hog population in Texas annually, hog numbers are still growing by about 20 percent each year. Biologists and wildlife managers estimate that 70 percent of the hogs in the state will have to be killed each year just to maintain the population and even more must be killed to actually start reducing their numbers. Yes, you read that right: 7 out of every 10 hogs in the state must be killed just to keep their numbers where they are now. So why are wild hog populations experiencing such explosive growth in this portion of the United States? The main reason is that hogs breed almost as quickly as rabbits. They become sexually mature before they are a year old and can produce as many as 2-3 litters of up to 6-8 piglets every year. Another reason they are difficult to control is because feral pigs are very intelligent and resilient animals. They quickly respond to hunting and trapping pressure by changing their habits or just leaving the area for greener pastures when things get too hot. Since they are known to roam over extremely long distances in search of food, this makes long term hog control measures difficult and complicated. [embed_recommendations] Landowners and biologists have been relatively successful in controlling feral hog populations in small areas. However, these are usually short-term successes that only last until a new hog sounder moves in and the cycle starts over again. While wild hogs are fun to hunt and provide some very tasty table fare, they also cause all sorts of problems. Their diet normally consists of things like roots, acorns, tubers and other plants, they will eat literally anything they can find or catch. Crops, snakes, insects, ground-nesting birds and even deer fawns aren't safe from a hungry hog. Wild pigs are a textbook example of an invasive species and are causing significant damage to native wildlife and ecosystems in Texas. In addition to competing directly with deer for food, they damage vegetation that quail and turkey need to thrive. They also are carriers of a number of nasty diseases and there have even been cases of drinking water sources being contaminated by droppings from feral hogs. So, what can be done about the hog problem in Texas? Trapping Feral Hogs The good news is that for all their strengths, hogs aren't invincible. Indeed, just about any rifle capable of taking a whitetail deer will probably also work very well as a hog hunting gun. While they are indeed very intelligent, they aren't geniuses, either, and trapping is a viable option for hog control virtually wherever they live. Unfortunately, hog hunting and trapping are already going nearly full bore in Texas. Right now, these operations are taking less than half the number of hogs necessary to stop their explosive population growth and it's doubtful this can be achieved by those with trapping and hunting alone. Poison has been touted as one potential way to turn things around in the American war on feral hogs. However, the use of a feral hog poison on a large scale is a very hotly contested idea. Among other issues, researchers have really struggled to find a poison that'll quickly and reliably kill hogs without harming other wildlife. For instance, proponents of hog poison experienced a big setback when nearly 200 birds died after consuming sodium nitrite poison intended for hogs during field testing in northern Texas. The Texas state government has enacted several measures in recent years to encourage feral swine removal like legalizing hunting hogs from aircraft and hot air balloons. In 2019, Texas Governor Greg Abbot even signed a bill into law that removes the requirement to possess a valid hunting license to take feral hogs on private land in Texas. When added on top of the already very permissive regulations for hunting feral swine in Texas, those measures certainly help to a certain degree, but they probably won't be enough on their own. Only time will tell what the future holds, though. Like what you see? You can read more great articles by John McAdams on the Big Game Hunting Blog. Follow him on Facebook & YouTube and subscribe to his show: the Big Game Hunting Podcast. Visit us at WideOpenSpaces.com

Military surplus guns are cheap, fun to shoot and make great additions to any gun collection. Armies of various different countries adopted these guns because they were rugged, easy to use and well-built. Since most of the military surplus guns on this list are over 50 years old (some individual guns may even be more than 100 years old), they also offer great opportunities to possess a piece of history. Because millions of these guns were produced, most of them (and their ammunition) are still widely available in the United States for a reasonable price. While they aren't all as affordable as they used to be, there are some good deals on this list. If you're a serious shooter who wants to own some history, continue reading to see the eight military surplus guns every shooter should own. Mosin-Nagant Russian soldiers and communist forces used these rugged, inexpensive and easy-to-use rifles were in dozens of third-world countries during the Cold War. The Mosin-Nagant is chambered in the potent 7.62x54mmR round, which owns a reputation for its fierce recoil. Additionally, soft- or hollow-point ammunition is available in the United States, which makes this rifle a good choice for a hunter on a budget. Lee Enfield The Lee-Enfield rifle is a great military surplus rifle, and it's chambered in the excellent .303 British cartridge. These rifles are very common in countries with a lot of British influence, like Canada, South Africa and Australia. Many deer, bear, moose and kudu have fallen to bullets from Lee-Enfield rifles over the years. SKS The SKS is the first semi-automatic rifle on this list of military surplus guns. And, along with the Mosin-Nagant and the Kalashnikov, it's another Russian contribution to conflicts all over the world. Like the AK-47, the SKS also shoots the 7.62x39mm cartridge. Comparable in power to the .30-30 Winchester, the 7.62x39mm cartridge is wonderful for short-to-moderate-range shots at many species of big game. M1 Carbine Millions of M1 Carbines were produced in the United States during World War II. Since then, many of those rifles have made their way into the hands of gun collectors and shooters all over the country. Though it shoots the anemic .30 Carbine cartridge, the M1 Carbine is very popular because it's lightweight, easy to shoot and carry and has mild recoil. 1898 Mauser Immediately after its introduction, the Mauser 1898 revolutionized the firearms world. Since then, it's been the standard that all bolt-action rifles have been measured against, and many modern sporting bolt-action rifles incorporate a Mauser-style controlled feed system. The Germans used the Mauser 1898, and its subsequent variants (such as the Karabiner 98k), in World War I and and World War II. Most of the military-surplus Mauser rifles on the market today are chambered in 7.92x57mm, which is a great cartridge for hunting medium-sized game, such a deer, bear and hogs. 1903 Springfield The 1903 Springfield was the American answer to the Model 1898 Mauser, incorporating many of the features that made the Mauser such a revolutionary rifle. The 1903 Springfield was a very successful rifle and was widely used by American Soldiers in World War One & Two. Chambered in the ubiquitous .30-06 Springfield cartridge, the Springfield is a very accurate rifle and, with a competent shooter, is capable of hitting targets at long range. CZ-52 The CZ-52 fires the extremely potent 7.62x25mm Tokarev round. The CZ-52 was replaced by the CZ-82 in the 1980s. As a result of this, thousands of surplus CZ-52 pistols eventually flooded the American market. At one point they were so common that you could purchase a CZ-52 pistol, 2x magazines, and a military issue holster for less than $100. M1 Garand George Patton called the M1 Garand “the greatest battle implement ever devised.” He was right: the semi-automatic M1 Garand with its eight-round “en bloc” clip was a quantum leap ahead of the standard bolt action rifles used by the other belligerents in World War II and the Korean War, giving American Soldiers a significant advantage on the battlefield. What do you think about our choices for the best military surplus guns every shooter needs to own? Did we miss any? For more check out WideOpenSpaces.com

Axis deer are threatening parts of Texas and other areas in the United States. The axis deer, also known as the chital deer, is regarded as one of the most beautiful breeds of deer, and they’re a far cry from the native Texas whitetail deer. What are Axis deer? Axis deer sport an orange coat dotted with white spots, not unlike a whitetail fawn, and white patches on their throats. Their antlers are unique to this deer species, as they are thin but long, and often branch out into several impressive points. Similar to the elk but with a much smaller body length, these spotted deer are also extremely vocal, letting out distinctive sharp, alarm calls to communicate. How did they get here? Originally from southern India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the axis deer was introduced to Molokai, Hawaii in the 1860s, Maui years after that, and Texas in 1932, intended as a game animal. The primary threat of the axis deer lies in the fact that, large as Texas is, there simply aren't enough open areas for two thriving species of deer. The axis deer and the whitetail must compete for resources. As is common with invasive species, the axis deer also have few natural predators. While coyotes and bobcats will go after them, they are powerless to make a significant dent in the axis deer population. Axis deer hunting The best way to manage the axis deer is also the simplest. You can hunt them whenever you like! In the state of Texas, non-native and exotic game don’t have a limited hunting season. So, unlike whitetails, you can bag an axis deer any time you like. For more check out WideOpenSpaces.com

Though they don’t come without shortcomings, a home-defense shotgun can be incredibly tool for defending your family. However, like any tool, you need to use the right one for the job. Yes, you can drive a nail with a screwdriver, but a hammer is a much better choice. By the same token, a shotgun specifically designed with home-defense in mind is a much better choice for that sort of work than your trusty turkey or duck hunting shotgun. A good shotgun is a powerful defense tool when in the right hands. Here are our picks for the best home-defense shotguns. 
 First up on this list of the best home-defense shotguns is the Winchester SXP Defender. The primary feature of the SXP (Super X Pump) series of shotguns is their inertia-assisted action, which Winchester markets as one of the fastest and smoothest pump-actions currently available.

 The Benelli M4 has a self-regulating gas system that is specifically designed to reliably function with a wide variety of shotgun shell length and power levels. 
 No list of the best home defense shotguns would be complete without a Remington 870. The pump-action 870 is the best-selling shotgun of all time for good reason: it works. That's why it is such a popular shotgun for hunters, police and people who want a reliable shotgun to defend themselves from both 2 and 4-legged predators. 
 The Mossberg 590A1 Tactical is currently in use by the U.S. Army because of its rugged durability and reliability. The base model has an 18.5-inch barrel with a fixed-cylinder choke, a seven-shell (6+1) magazine capacity and a synthetic stock that can store an additional four shotgun shells. 
 Like the Benelli M4, the Remington Versa Max Tactical is a semi-automatic shotgun specifically designed to reliably operate with a wide variety of slug and buckshot loads. The Versa Max Tactical's special gas-operated action combined with a high-quality recoil pad also dramatically reduces recoil, making the Versa Max much easier to shoot rapidly and accurately. For more check out WideOpenSpaces.com

We took joined Can-Am at the famed Y.O. Ranch to test out the revamped 2020 Defender lineup. Trekking through Texas' breathtaking hill country, pushed the Defender Limited, the Defender Pro and the Defender 6x6 to their absolute limits, putting each through brutal off-road conditions and real-life ranching drills. While they all fared well, each showcased its own unique advantages. For more, check out WideOpenSpaces.com

We got to check out the 2019 RANGER XP® 1000 EPS Back Country Edition while maintaining our own Daryk Ganske’s deer hunting property in the Texas Hill Country. Daryk was familiar with the Polaris Ranger's older models, and I'd driven my share of the side-by-sides too. We were eager to see how the high-performance machine built for the back country handled the necessities of a typical hunting rig, as well as the tough terrain found around the property. Using sport utility vehicles as tough as the Polaris Ranger XP is a serious advantage, and we proved it. Features of the 2019 RANGER XP® 1000 EPS Back Country Limited Edition It’s got an 82 horsepower ProStar 1000 engine, a Polaris Pro winch, the industry’s largest stock front bumper. The 13-inch ground clearance is the best in this class of side by sides, and we needed the full length if we were really gonna send it through these off-road trails and two-tracks. There were rocks, big divots, small creeks, and steep hills to handle. The heavy-duty tires did it all with no problem. The A-Arms are exceptionally high, angled more sharply than we’ve ever seen, and that made a big difference. And hunting-specific stuff? There’s plenty to take advantage of. We dug the Polaris Pursuit camo, and we could cover the ground easily to fill feeders, tend to stands, haul brush, and even do more heavy duty stuff if need be. For more, check out WideOpenSpaces.com

The opening day of dove season doesn't only mark the start of a new hunting season; it serves as an unwritten holiday built on a foundation of informal formalities, timeless rites of passage and, most importantly, community-wide congregations of desirous hunters. When Academy Sports and Outdoors planned its “Cast & Blast” event, it stayed true to both dove hunting tradition and its own Texas roots. On the eve of opening day, I arrived in El Campo, Texas, where I would meet up with other media members and a handful of delightful Academy folks. We caravanned to Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar in Katy, where we would exchange personal anecdotes, abridged media backgrounds and upcoming plans for the season. The food—mouthwatering and plentiful—set the tone for what was about to an incredible dove opener. Once we were done feasting, we devised a plan for the following day. We woke up early enough to beat the morning rush at the nearest Academy store, where we would gear up and go over each new Academy products we’d be using (I’ll be diving into the products we used in a follow-up article). We then rendezvoused with the rest of our hunting group, which would comprise a total of more than 50 camouflaged gunners eyeing the same prize. After driving about an hour and a half down to the El Campo area, we spotted a fleet of lifted trucks, a sure sign of fellow Texas hunters. Correctly assuming we were at the right place, we started unloading trucks and picking out shotguns before hitting the field. I went for the Yildiz SPZ ME/12 TX 12-gauge over-and-under, as I'm a sucker for a pretty double-barrel (maybe it's the upland hunter in me). This thing was no joke, though, as not only did it feature epic Texas markings and beautiful craftsmanship at a low cost, but it also shot like a top-shelf bird gun. A vast cornfield gave us plenty of room to spread out and place decoys between each line of hunters. The sun was brutal, however, prompting everyone to grab excessive amounts of sunscreen and water. It was slow for a while, as the sun was just starting to come back down. But as soon as temperatures dropped a little, there were birds, and tons of them. Those of us who were using break-barrel shotguns found ourselves fumbling over shells trying to keep up with the number of fliers flapping from above. As soon as a bird fell, you couldn't take your eyes off of where it landed, as the cut corn did us no favors in spotting our white-winged quarries. At first, each of us was trying to take shots en route to the pickup, but quickly learned there was no need. The birds weren't slowing down any time soon, and it wouldn't take long to reach the minimum of 15 anyway. Constant action led to a collective struggle of heat exhaustion, which was fortunately aided a few of our hosts on a side-by-side full of supplies, namely cold water. When the dust settled, the sun had sunken below the horizon, empty shotgun shell boxes surrounded our feet and loose feathers served as evidence of a long, fruitful hunt. A few stopped after getting 10 birds, but everyone left with a haul, which, of course, was celebrated with a beer. Upon our return to the trucks and tents, we could smell already-cooked barbecue—brisket and pulled pork—which only solidified the underlying Texas theme. We exchanged highlights, laughs and harmless jabs over what felt like a well-deserved meal. While it was easily the best dove opener I'd ever experienced, all good things have to come to an end. We packed up and returned for sleep, as we had to get back at it in the morning for our next expedition: a full day of largemouth bass fishing. Stay tuned.

What's the Best Rifle Caliber for Deer? There’s no shortage of deer rifle choices, and even narrowing in on the best caliber to use is a hard enough decision. How do you decide on the best caliber for deer hunting? No matter if it’s a trusty bolt-action rifle, a more traditional lever action rifle, or a modern sporting rifle, the muzzle velocity, bullet weight, and expansion effects your ammo of choice has can make a pretty big difference. What rifle calibers are most appropriate for the coveted North American whitetail deer? Based on popularity, the best deer hunting calibers come down to the .243 Winchester, the .270 Winchester, the .30-30 Winchester and the .308 Winchester. Yes, there are many other rounds that make the grade, but these four repeated over and over again for a variety of reasons. If you are in the market like me, start your search right here. The .270 takes the lead when it comes to a long shot with more knockdown power for hunting deer. The .30-30 is a great all around deer round, but lacks when it comes to longer-range, open-field settings. Then the .308 does the most damage to the meat (pending shot placement), but you also get the most bang for your buck. However, one round kept getting more comments deer hunters than the other three, and that was the .270. It seems to be the clear-cut favorite as the top deer round available. It’s good at short range and long range, and it’s versatile. The price point and abundance for high-quality bullets are great. This round can also be used on a variety of big game hunting opportunities around North America. This caliber is available in many different rifles from just about every major manufacturer from Remington to Ruger. Effective from 500 yards or more, this just might be the best rifle cartridge out there for deer. There are other popular deer cartridges for hunting whitetail, like the .30-06 Springfield or the .25-06 Remington, both of which can handle big game animals with solid shot placement. Deer season in the United States will be here before you know it, so if you’re looking at a new deer hunting rifle, one of these deer hunting cartridges should do you well.

The hunter sits in a tripod hunting stand above two deer feeders in west Texas. A herd of whitetail deer stroll underneath the hunting stand as the hunter films from above.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast, or the "Secret Coast" as it's becoming known, has just about everything an outdoorsman could want. Made up of cities like Gulfport, Biloxi, Pass Christian, Bay St. Louis, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, and the barrier islands that create the Mississippi Sound, it's one of the most historic and important American regions, with undeniable influences on the seafood industry, the great outdoors, and the heritage of the South.

The FLIR ThermoSight PTS223, powered by the ultra sophisticated FLIR Boson Core, is a thermal weapon sight with super-high image quality and the color palette selection is vast. It has an adjustable reticle pattern selection, and incredible battery life for such a sophisticated rifle scope. The digital zoom gives you smooth control of the adjustment ranges, and the thermal scope is equipped with everything you need for better detection. Which is bad news for the hogs.

On a Wyoming turkey hunting trip with Mossy Oak, we found out a lot on family, friends, and togetherness. 16:9, Family, Gear, Guns, Hunting, WOS, Wide Open Spaces, Wyoming, hunting trip, turkey, turkey hunting, turkey vest