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A concealed carry license deserves a worthy handgun. Here are 10 optimal choices. Americans enjoy a right that citizens of many other countries do not-the right to carry firearms. However, choosing the best concealed carry gun can be a challenge. We stacked up 10 guns against each other to bring you our top carry handguns based on stopping power, weight, ease of use, and price. There's a wide variety in the compact pistol market, and we're helping make sense of it. Using a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best, you'll be able to compare the best to the best. For this particular article, we've only covered compact handguns. For shooting accessories, visit walmart.com.

If you've always wanted to conduct an archery elk hunt in the backcountry of Idaho, then this video from Outdoors Allie is right up your alley. It shows all sides of the experience, from the epic hikes, to the beautiful scenery, to the opportunities (or lack thereof) that you can realistically expect. What's extra special about it is that these two hunters are just ordinary people. They aren't on some exclusive list that gets them access to pristine private lands with abundant game species. These two elk hunters are doing it the way you and I would do it, and sharing the journey with all of us.

Outdoors Allie, the engaging public land hunter who's made a name for herself on YouTube and social media, takes her audience along on an exciting hunt. What makes it most exciting is the close encounter with a black bear that's enough to get anyone's heart pumping! With archery tackle and a wildlife conservationist's mind, Allie gives us real perspective on her insightful reflection as she recounts the hunt.

If you're going to elk hunt, you should highly consider doing it the way Outdoors Allie does. She brings us along on her and her companion's Idaho public land elk hunting trip, in which they travel into the backcountry in search of a coveted bull elk to harvest. Idaho hunting is always going to take a spot on most outdoorsmen and women's bucket lists, and even nonresident hunters have an opportunity.

Allie D'Andrea has established herself as a prominent hunting personality through her social media accounts and YouTube page, which has risen to 75,000 subscribers in the short time she's been at it. Her videos are consistent, she's super personable, and her go-get-'em attitude is the sort of inspiration we could all use in our hunting exploits, male or female. This recent video shares all the greatness of Allie's contributions to the outdoor content world, and it's highlighting a whitetail public land hunt that anyone is able to try for themselves.

Outdoors Allie went on this incredible iguana hunting trip to Florida, and the video she shared depicting the adventure is second to none. Though you'd expect to see alligators in Florida, the invasive species of green iguanas are almost more common. They have no natural predators, and have become a significant problem for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Allie opted for air rifles, which is becoming more and more popular. The FWC allows for it, and Allie was pretty pumped to give it a shot, literally.

It takes a special person to marry a hunter. When you say "I do" to one, you're committing not just to a person, but to a lifestyle. While it in no way reflects how much your spouse loves you, when it comes to hunting season, you often take a backseat. You often find yourself making a whole host of unique concessions on behalf of your spouse's favorite hobby. Here are 10 things that'll happen when you're married to a hunter.

Forget the hassle of building a campfire, the Radiate Portable Campfire only needs a match or lighter. The Radiate Portable Campfire looks like a candle and it basically works as one. Made from recycled soy wax and paper briquettes, this portable campfire has a 3-5 hour burn time with a 30+ year shelf life! I can see why this won't work for some, considering you can always build a larger fire pit, but if you're looking for a small fire with minimal supplies and effort, this is all you need for your camping trip! IT's the perfect portable outdoor campfire. The biggest pro about the Radiate Portable Campfire is that you can fit it in just about any bag. The portable design is unmatched. The dimensions are 8 x 3.5 inches and it weighs only four pounds. You might have seen the Reusable Portable Campfire on Shark Tank. I'm glad this idea was brought to life because I think it's a great product for someone who doesn't have much outdoor experience. Not everyone can build a bonfire or is able to purchase a $100 camp stove. Be sure to also pack marshmallows, because this is a quick and easy way to get some s'mores and hot dogs cooked! I love that there's no smoky smell, no embers, and the fire has low soot. You can roast marshmallows and hot dogswithout small pieces of glowing coal in your food. Amazon customer reviews are fantastic. This made in USA campfire has 4.6 out of 5 stars. An Amazon customer said, "This product is SO great!!! I just used it tonight on the beach for the first time and it was perfect! It was compact, easy to light, the flame was large like a campfire and it gave off much more heat than I expected." See more at wideopenspaces.com

We've got some awesome game animals here in North America. These are the ones every hunter deserves to go after. Hunting is our passion. As long as it tastes good and it's in season, no game animals are off-limits. And, if you're lucky enough to live somewhere in North America, you have quite the variety of big-game animals to choose from. Here are 12 game animals all North American hunters should try to harvest at least once.

Though at times it can be intimidating, smoking game meat is one of the best ways to accomplish the dream recipes and preparations we've envisioned since we field dressed our first deer. We turned to wild game chef Bri Van Scotter for a crash course in the basics of smoked wild game, and we think you'll get a lot out of what she shares in this great video.

Not everyone who hunts has done it since day one. Just ask Bri Van Scotter, who started later in life on an unconventional path towards becoming an avid hunter. Like many, it was her passion for food that first introduced the notion, and from there it's become a serious part of her identity, cooking style, and every day life.

Venison bone marrow is rarely at the top of the list when it comes to most popular wild game ingredients. But Chef Bri Van Scotter from "Wilderness to Table" is on to something with this unique appetizer using whipped bone marrow to spread on sliced crostini.

So you want to plan a bass fishing vacation, but you're not sure where you want to go. Lucky for you, consensus has begun to form about which lakes and states offer the best bass fishing in the country. Whether you're looking for largemouth or smallmouth bass, huge trophy fish or large numbers, we've got you covered.

If you've never heard of Ombraz, the armless sunglasses, you're going to want to watch this interview. Ombraz Sunglasses is setting a precedent. They're not only creating the coolest, most unique pair of sunglasses you can get your hands on, but they're doing so in a responsible way that should frankly be the envy of any outdoor business. Our editor Eric Pickhartz put on his first pair of Ombraz armless shades during a fishing trip in Florida, an right away he knew they were on to something. When the two Ombraz co-founders, Jensen Brehm and Nikolai Paloni, jumped on a video chat to answer some questions, Eric and sunglass wearers everywhere learned a lot about what they brand is doing to offset their environmental impact. For each pair sold, 20 trees are planted through a connection with Eden Reforestation Projects. Ombraz glasses don't use traditional sidearms, insted opting for an adjustable cord. The result is a world-class fit, unlike any sunglasses you've ever worn, and the same polarized technology you expect for eyewear you can wear as easily in the backcountry as you can next to the pool. Jensen and Nikolai talked to Eric about the scratch-resistant Zeiss optics used in the shades, achieving a carbon negative status as a company, plus some of the new styles Ombraz is just now releasing. All the Ombraz models have a design that embodies the classic aviator style, but applies modern, sustainable materials like acetate and recycled nylon while eliminating any hinges or screws.

Professional hunter and TV host Randy Newberg joins the show to talk about his plans for the upcoming seasons, his favorite hunts and more. If you're hard-pressed, who would you say is the most well-known hunter in today's landscape? There are a few legit possibilities, but for a lot of folks, Randy Newberg ranks pretty high. Referred to by many as "the voice of the public land hunter," Newberg hosts the "Leupold's Fresh Tracks" and "On Your Own Adventures" hunting TV shows, as well as the Hunt Talk Podcast. Plus, he is the brains behind the Hunt Talk web forum. When he agreed to speak with our editor Eric Pickhartz for a question and answer segment, we knew we should consider ourselves lucky to have access to such an experienced hunting mind. From his headquarters in Bozeman, Montana, Newberg had a lot to say about a lot of topics. He also serves as a volunteer and board member for many hunting and conservation groups, something more sportsmen and women should consider if they want to make a difference. Whether you're talking backcountry mule deer, elk hunting or quail hunting, public land hunting access or strategies, or even hunting gear recommendations, you're going to get an ear full from Newberg. We touched on all sorts of subjects, like the new Gerber Knives line Randy collaborated on, his affinity for pronghorn antelope hunting, and his role as a leading advocate for our hunting heritage. Big game hunters in the western United States can learn a lot from Newberg. If you're looking for a role model in the wildlife conservation and appreciation realm, there may be no better sportsman to hear from than Randy Newberg.

A pocket chainsaw is the only gadget you'll need for splitting firewood. If you're the designated person on campfire duty, you know that splitting firewood is part of the process. Many campers and Boy Scouts pack axes, hand saws, and large chainsaws for camping trips, but you don't need to do that anymore. Gone are the days of chopping firewood thanks to pocket chainsaws. Amazon has a pocket chainsaw only $20. Don't let the price fool you. This is one of the best pocket chainsaws on the market. This best seller is heavy-duty. With specs like bi-directional blades and self-cleaning cutting teeth, you'll have a pocket saw that won't leave you without split firewood. This fast-cutting hand-saw tool can cut through tree limbs and tree trunks in seconds! Outdoor enthusiasts love it. This camping pocket chainsaw is something to add to your survival gear backpack. Here at Wide Open Spaces, we love work-saving camping supplies. Sportsman Industries delivered a survival hand chainsaw that reduces the cutting time. Another perk is that it's budget-friendly. When you're not using it for camping purposes, feel free to use it for general yard work. This high-quality chainsaw is loved by campers, survivalists, and hikers all over the world. This folding saw has a long chain. (A longer chain means more strokes.) Sportsman Industries created a survival tool with high-strength and carbon steel blades. An Amazon customer left a chainsaw review and said, "I've had this in my work bag for a few months knowing I'd need it sooner or later. Well today was the day! It performed beautifully! I drive Hana tours on Maui and have been stuck behind fallen trees way too many times with no service and nothing I can do except wait for someone with a chainsaw for hours. Well today was different. I had that tree cut in half and moved to the side of the road within 10 minutes." This survival pocket chainsaw only weighs 5 ounces. Can you believe it? This small, folding saw can take on the toughest jobs. Once you've used it enough, pull out a 5/32 round chainsaw file and sharpen it to your liking. Sportsman Industries even threw in an 8 mm round fire starter. I promise, with this survival chainsaw you will be too excited to start a campfire. Add this portable pocket chainsaw to your backpacking survival kit or car emergency kit today. There's even a carrying case included. See more wideopenspaces.com

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

We sat down with Brittany Boddington and got the details on why "She Hunts" is such an integral part of supporting the female hunters demographic. Brittany Boddington is the type of woman who takes hunting seriously. There's no wonder, seeing as her father Craig Boddington is one of the industry's most well-known figures. Their shared hosting duties of TV shows (like "The Boddington Experience") and common goal of writing informed, entertaining articles for hunting magazines and websites (such as Guns and Ammo, Sports Afield, Petersen's Hunting Adventures, and Wild Deer) have sent them down similar paths, but Brittany's taken her responsibilities even further with the creation of She Hunts Skills Camps. She filled us in on what makes She Hunts so special, but it was her pedigree and experience that spoke for itself; if you're going to learn hunting skills for the first time, being taught by someone with years of international big game hunting knowhow is going to be a significant benefit. The California native is a great spokeswoman for her way of life, and is helping ensure the next generation of hunters is a diverse, educated bunch. To find out more about She Hunts, check out their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to follow Brittany herself as well. Visit us at 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