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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

We got an exclusive factory tour of the Savage Arms manufacturing center in Westfield, Massachusetts, where they’re making some of America’s best firearms. It’s not every day you get to see a full manufacturing process, from start to finish, that ends with a finished product so deep-seated in America’s hunting and shooting sports heritage. We got that opportunity with a unique, inside look at the Savage Arms factory, located in Westfield, Massachusetts. It’s at the center of the historic region that’s been churning out guns inn the United States since the Revolutionary War. Though plenty has changed since those times, one thing that hasn’t is Savage’s dedication to dreaming up, creating, and distributing guns that do more than put a smile on your face when you finally make the decision to get one of your own. And it’s all done under one roof, from bar stock to assembly, and from test firing to packaging. The gun company continually produces new models of rimfire, bolt-action rifles, and MSRs. The Savage name has been at the forefront for more than a century, as they celebrated their 125th anniversary last year. The production of Savage guns has been streamlined and improved over the years, with a mix of sophisticated modern-day technology and old school craftsmanship done by hand. And it's here where engineers came up with the AccuFit and AccuTrigger features, groundbreaking steps in the modern gun world. The way they straighten the rifle barrels, how they apply the camo stock, and the live ammo test firing were all incredibly interesting to see. We watched modern sporting rifles get wrapped in boxes, long distance hunting rifles get their stock assembled, and lightweight varmint guns get laser etched. We saw pre-World War II-era equipment alongside futuristic robots and heat blasting furnaces. Much like the gigantic American flag that hangs from the ceiling of the factory, the guns Savage makes are symbols of what makes this country great. A lot of hardworking folks put in serious time and effort, and they all seem extremely proud of their jobs. Those in charge are proud too, and strive to make the whole manufacturing process as good as it can be. After getting a firsthand look at that process, it’s clear why Savage is among the top of their industry, helping people exercise their Second Amendment rights and preserve the hunting heritage we all know and love. For more check out 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

Here's a clip from one of our recent trips to Lake Michigan.

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

Here's some footage from a spring hog hunt in Texas 16:9, 2018, Hunting, WOS, Wide Open Spaces, hog hunting

Here's a quick shot of a hog hunt that went down in the spring on a Texas ranch. 16:9, Guns, Hunting, Texas, WOS, Wide Open Spaces, hog hunting, rifle

Yakima racks and travel accessories aren't just helping make things easier, they're harnessing adventure with smart design and a deep history.

The FLIR ThermoSight PTS 223 thermal rifle scope is a necessity when it comes to hog hunting.

We got to try the new Can-Am Apache Backcountry LT track system in the deep snow of northern Quebec. Read more here: https://www.wideopenspaces.com/can-ams-new-track-system-absolutely-dominates-the-snow/

Some school programs already offer it, but do you think firearm safety should be taught as part of physical education classes?