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These are some of the best 9mm pistols for concealed carry you can find. So, you've been thinking about finally buying a concealed carry handgun for some time now. Maybe you've already settled on a 9mm. We can't blame you. Sure, it doesn't have as much stopping power as a .40 S&W or a .45 ACP, but 9mm is a lot cheaper and easier to come by. Plus, it is proven in the field by many military and law enforcement agencies. But which one should you get for concealed carry? Do you go single-stack or double-stack? Full-size or compact? Hopefully we can help you narrow down your decision with this rundown of 12 of the best concealed carry guns chambered in 9mm.

The Mauser Tankgwehr 1918 anti-tank rifle was one of the first of its kind. Military history is rife with firearms experiments that have been developed quickly out of pure necessity on the battlefield. One of those guns is the slightly obscure Mauser Tankgewehr M1918 or "T-Gewehr" for short. In a way, this massive 5', 7", 35-pound, rifle was sort of the great grandfather for modern anti-material rifles like the Barrett .50 BMG. In the first World War, Germany was taken by surprise when some of the first-ever tanks began rolling onto the battlefield during the bloody trench warfare. Tank crews were protected by crude armor that was not nearly as effective as what is used today.

The Coachwhip snake is an interesting reptile. Here's all there is to know about this reptile and its life history. The Coachwhip snake has a unique history as a resident of the southern United States. Coachwhips are a fairly slender but unduly fast snake that can sometimes reach eight feet in length. The coachwhip has a pattern of scales on the tail that resembles a braided whip, giving this species of snake its common name. It lives and breeds from southeastern North Carolina to central California. One of the reasons why this reptile loves its southern lifestyle is the fact that it is diurnal, or mostly active during the daylight hours. They are also very much at home during the hottest part of the year; more so than other snakes. Let's discuss what the Masticophis flagellum is all about, including breaking a couple of myths about the snake. We'll share a little more about their natural history, including what they look like and where they live, with some references from the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory.

he difference between trap and skeet is a very common question. Trap and skeet shooting. You've probably heard these terms before. But if you haven't participated in these shooting sports before, you might be confused about the differences between them. They are incredibly similar. Both shotgun games were developed to mimic bird hunting and have since turned into contests designed to test the marksmanship of the world's best shooters. These games have even made it into the Olympics.

Do you name your firearms? How about your bow or truck? The greats that came before us all had famously named weapons for many different reasons. Have you ever wondered who was the first person to give a personal name to an object? I wonder if people thought they were crazy or brilliant. Probably a little of each. Knowing the background of naming firearms will convince you to give yours a name if you haven't already.

Fishing tackle companies sure do like to keep the ideas coming. New, fresh, and innovative stuff rolls out each year in the effort to put more and bigger fish on our hooks. Sure, these companies are looking to make a buck like any other, but then that's the whole point. Profitable fishing tackle manufacturers get that way and stay that way because they continue to create fishing lures that not only catch fish but last for years. Proven designs like minnow imitations, stickbaits and crankbaits, jigs, and topwaters continue to be among the most popular, but the folks that make these things never stop making them better. We'll cover it all, whether you're into walleye or bass fishing, wahoo or red drum. Freshwater and saltwater will each get some coverage, and we'll home in on a combo of catch potential and basic intrigue.

Here are the seven best duck calls that you can buy. You'll get an argument from duck hunters everywhere, but when you start talking about the best duck calls, you'll have to understand that we all have our favorite. The game calls we use for the realistic sounds of waterfowl are arguably the most important call in the hunting game. From single reed to double reed, and even triple reed calls, duck callers can get a little overwhelmed by all the possibilities of different calls.

A shotgun might be the most universal hunting weapon ever devised. Pick the right load for your game and you're all set. Whether you're hunting doves or bears at close range, a shotgun is very versatile. If you use the wrong load, though, a hunt could go bad quickly. We'll start with the very smallest game one might hunt with a shotgun. Then, we'll progress up to the very largest and suggest the right loads for each specific hunt. ADVERTISING 1. Dove and quail dove hunting When hunting dove and quail, it's best to pick No. 7, 7.5 or 8 shot. Anything bigger creates gaps in the shotgun patterns the birds might fly through. Also, the larger shot might tear up the birds too much. Any shotgun bore or gauge size is suitable given distance accommodations. Remember, a tiny .410-bore shotgun won't reach out as far as a 12-gauge will. 2. Rabbit and squirrel Rabbit Hunting No. 6 lead shot has been the go-to shot size for rabbits and squirrels for as long as anyone can remember. For higher treetop squirrels, larger shot like No. 5 shot is perfect. Many hunters prefer also the even-larger No. 4 shot, but remember as the shot size goes up, you also have less pellets and more holes in your distance patterns. Fire a test shot pattern into a sheet of paper at different distances and see what shot size works well in your shotgun. Rabbits don't require a magnum load or heavy game load, but squirrel shots way up in a tree can use such a load. An improved cylinder choke is great for rabbits, but go full choke for squirrels. 3. Ducks For waterfowl loads, nontoxic shot such as steel, tungsten, bismuth or others have replaced lead shot by federal law. The best way to hunt duck-sized birds is by using No. 2 steel shot in a magnum load. 4. Geese Geese also require nontoxic shot by law. It takes a lot to knock these tough birds out of the sky. Plan on using BB shot or close to it for maximum knockdown power on the big honkers. Magnum loads are the name of the game. 5. Turkey Turkey hunting with a shotgun comes down to blasting the gobbler in the head and neck with as much shot as possible. These notoriously hard-to-kill birds can take body hits of shot and keep on going. A tightly choked larger-gauge shotgun is best, but choose your loads wisely. No. 4, 5 or 6 shot in buffered magnum loads is a safe bet. Aim small and miss small when shooting at these birds! 6. Coyotes and other predators Coyote Hunting Coyotes are best targeted up close with buckshot-sized loads. Smaller buckshot loads like No. 4 Buck will carry many pellets out to the critter and still pack a punch a ways out. A 12-gauge shotgun is perfect for this role using 3-inch magnum loads or even the larger 3.5-inch loads if your shotgun is chambered for them. 7. Deer Travis Smola Deer hunting is usually with shotgun slugs. Soft-lead, Foster-style slugs are the classic choice from smooth-bore shotguns. If you have a rifled barrel, sabot slugs increase accuracy and give you a better projectile to launch with better accuracy. Don't fire lead Foster slugs from a rifled barrel. They'll be inaccurate and foul the rifling badly with lead deposits. Buckshot might be legal in some areas. Larger sizes are recommended, such as 00 Buck for large deer. Pattern your shotgun before you hunt and only use this method for short-range hunting where it's legal. Shotgun slugs are a better choice. 8. Bears and wild boar Deep-penetrating shotgun slugs are the go-to here. A rifled 12-gauge shotgun barrel firing hot sabot slug loads is a good choice for short range. Leave the buckshot at home. You need all the skull-penetrating power you can get. Make sure you can hit your target, though! Your shots truly might be in self-defense.

The story of the Pope & Young Club is long and full of history figures. Many bowhunters have a passing familiarity with the Pope and Young Club. This bowhunting organization is the official keepers of world records for North American big game animals harvested via archery equipment. While the record book gets all the attention, many hunters do not realize the club's many contributions to wildlife conservation and the growth of bowhunting for big game as a while. In fact, it can be argued that without the P&Y Club, modern bowhunting as we know it may not exist at all. This is the story of how a handful of like-minded individuals fostered bowhunting heritage and ushered in a whole new era of modern hunting.

Here are some of the best duck hunting boats you can buy. Finding the best boat for duck hunting can be a real challenge. The market is saturated with options for both the serious and the casual waterfowl hunter. So, what should you buy? Are you looking for something that can serve double duty as a fishing boat? Or are you a serious duck hunter who needs a serious, heavy duty backwater boat with the best boat blind on the market? No matter what your hunting style is, we should have something for everyone on here to suit a variety of different budgets.

Buying your first handgun can be overwhelming and downright confusing. We have decided to break down our top five picks for the best all around first guns. We are presenting this list in countdown order, and we're going to start from the bottom. They are all 9mms. We know that's a smaller caliber for self-defense, but that's for a good reason. While you might beat your chest about how larger calibers like .357 Magnum or 10mm are far superior, good luck finding ammo. I want the odds of any ammo I find fitting my gun to be high, and with 9mm they will be. And I love .45 ACP as much as anyone, but it's heavy and bulky in addition to less available and more expensive. There's less felt recoil, but it's negligible. It's a simple cost/benefit decision.

Every outdoorsman could use the Know Your Knots Bandana. Rope is essential for many hikers and campers. Whether you're climbing or boating, you'll need to know how to tie a knot. Knot tying comes naturally for some, but it can be tricky for others. If you don't know many useful knots by heart, you need the Know Your Knots Bandana. This $13 cotton bandana is actually a survival tool. You could find yourself in an emergency where your life depends on knowing a Prusik knot. The Colter Co. bandana features 16 essential knots. There are excellent explanations of the survival knot diagrams. Colter Co. Knot Tying Emergency Survival Bandana You may not have every outdoor skill down, but this knot trying guide will help you get by until you're a knot-tying veteran. It's an excellent gift for outdoor enthusiasts, especially hikers. These hacks could save your life. Essential climbing knots Doubles as a washable face mask Backpacking or road trip essential Linda left a review and said, "My husband has been searching for this type of thing for 30 years. A+++++++." Another Amazon customer said he used it for a 5-day hike. You can wear it, keep it in your day pack, survival kit, or first aid kit. Many prefer using the rugged bandana as their knot tying guide, so they don't ruin their favorite knot book on camping trips. Not only is it made in the USA, but this bandana is a true essential, and it beats trying to Google "how to tie a knot" in the middle of your hike. Colter Co. also has a fly fishing knot bandana available too. You'll find tutorials on how to tie arbor knots, uni knots, nail knots, and more. For more camping gear and survival gadgets like this, visit Amazon.

The days of the Wild West are over, but if you know how to find homesteading land, you can still own your own land for little to no cost. When you first hear the word homestead, you probably think of the Wild West. Most people associate the word with the Homestead Act of 1862, a land program that gave potential farmers 160 acres of free lots as long as they were willing to work and live on the land. While the offer of 160 acres of free land has long since passed, if you know how to find homestead land, you can still come out with a small farm or ranch setup, even today.

Top 10 Revolvers for Concealed Carry Revolvers can be a strong choice for concealed carry guns, as they're reliable and easy to use. Not everyone loves using small, semi-auto pistols for concealed carry. As a matter of fact, there's a large crowd of shooters that will only carry revolvers for self-defense. Of course, semi-autos might be more popular, but when you get down to ease of use and functionality, it's hard to beat a good ol' wheel gun. So, if you're in the market and want to know what the best concealed-carry revolvers are, these 10 guns are a great place to start. 10. Rossi 352: $299 The Rossi 352 shoots .38 Special in a five-shot capacity. Simply remove the gun from its holster, cock back the hammer and you're ready to roll. It doesn't get much easier than that. However, seeing as this gun does have a hammer, some may not like it. But, considering this is a Rossi, it's a good gun. 9. Ruger GP100: $725 This may be a lot of gun to conceal, but if you have to defend yourself, you want to win. That's where this small, palm-sized cannon comes into play. Firing .357 Magnum rounds out of a 3-inch barrel with a six-shot capacity, this gun won't let you down. 8. S&W Bodyguard 38: $469 Probably one of the two or three most popular revolvers for concealed carry, the lightweight Bodyguard just won't let you down. The hammerless design won't get stuck in your pocket and the five-shot capacity of .38 Special ammo will make you feel safe and sound. It's a black beauty, too, and those looks make it one of the best revolvers you can own. 7. Ruger LCR-22: $499 Wait... a .22? Yes. When it comes to a situation where you need a gun, any gun is better than no gun. The concealability of the LCR is second to none, and being able to produce one in a hurry can make the difference between life and death. What you might lose in stopping power, you'll gain in follow-up shots. The LCR allows for an eight-shot capacity of low recoil, highly accurate rounds. 6. Smith and Wesson 442: $749 Looking for another hammerless option? Alongside other Smith & Wesson J-Frames, this model has gained a lot of popularity in the United States in regards to self-defense performance. 5. Taurus Protector: $615 Who doesn't love a small .357 revolver that can be concealed super easily? Well, Taurus sure figured it out here. This small little pocket shooter only has a 2-inch barrel. After that, it fires five rounds of either .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Regardless of your choice, this is a good one, and far easier to carry than the Taurus Judge. 4. North American Arms .22 Revolvers: $209 [embed_recommendations] The size of these revolvers alone will astonish you. The .22 Short pictured above has a barrel length of just 1.125 inches. Ultra-light and inexpensive, these not only make a great sidearm, but also eliminate any excuses for not being armed once and for all. 3. Ruger Super Redhawk: $1079 Got some extra money laying around and want a gun that can put down the threat with one shot? Well, here you go. From bad guys to grizzly bears, or anything else between, this gun should have an advantage over most semi-automatic pistols. However, the stainless steel Ruger Super Redhawk will be harder to conceal than others, but for a winter carry gun, go for it. You can get this gun chambered in .44 Magnum, .454 Casull or even .480 Ruger, all sporting a six-round capacity. 2. S&W Governor: $769 When the situation is calling for it, reach for the Governor. Feel at ease knowing you will be firing .410 shotgun shells at the bad guy who won't know what to do when those rounds start going off. This gun just flat out overpowers about anything you would encounter. 1. Taurus Raging Bull: $641 The .44 Magnum is a great round for self-defense. The problem is most guns that can fire this round are big, bulky and not designed to be concealed. Thankfully, Taurus has the Raging Bull. This gun can deliver a five- or six-round capacity of either .44 or .454, depending on your preference. Regardless of your method of personal defense, this is a gun you can trust your life with.

With feral hog populations exploding all over the United States, there are a lot of great places to hunt hogs. It is thought that the first hogs in the United States were introduced in the 1500s by Spanish explorers. Since then, the hog population has ballooned and their range has expanded dramatically thanks to their prolific breeding (supplemented by hogs that escaped from farms and those introduced specifically for hunting). While their exact distribution and population are though to precisely pin down, biologists estimate that there could be as many as 6 million feral hogs living in 39 different states. This is bad news for farmers and wildlife biologists, but it is great news for sportsmen looking for a place to do some wild boar hunting. Be sure to visit walmart.com for all of your hunting needs.

Why go out and look for fresh skunk when you can have a good ol' bowl of canned skunk? Forget deer season! Everyone is going on and on about how they're about to make tasty venison steak, stew, and sausage. You can keep your venison, it's all about some stinky, good canned skunk. These critters are going to make great sides for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Head on over to Amazon for your very own can of roadkill. Just kidding, y'all. This can is the perfect gag gift for your favorite outdoorsman. Throw this gag can in your dad's or husband's Christmas stocking and watch him lose his mind. Once he realizes it's not made of real skunk, he'll be able to have a good ol' laugh. Can you imagine if this was real skunk? The skunk smell would probably make your whole house reek. A five-star customer review says, "Very funny." Who are you pranking with the canned skunk gag gift? If you have a buddy who's willing to eat about just about anything you can hunt, I recommend pranking him with this gag can. Oh, the look on his face when he sees the funny gag gift. The prank will be extra funny if he's a little gullible. I know we all have a friend who takes forever to catch onto jokes. If he's curious and picks up a can opener to see what's in it, the joke will end there. There's just composted organic material in it. (It's not edible.) Surely he'll be relieved when he sees there isn't skunk meat in it. (Hopefully.) Your buddy will be able to keep the hilarious novelty gift in his cabin for fellow hunters to laugh at. You can find more canned gag gifts on Amazon. Choose from canned raccoon, armadillo, possum, and more.

No matches or lighters needed; just pull the Pull Start Fire string for a campfire. A campfire is a must for the campground. That's where memories are made. Roasting hot dogs and s'mores is one of the best parts of camping with friends and family. As much as we all enjoy time around the campfire, starting it can be daunting for some. Everyone has different experiences with their methods of fire pits. If getting the fire going is typically a hassle, or high winds and rain are an issue for you, then it's time to consider the Pull Start Fire. It's exactly how it sounds. Just pull the string to get your fire going in seconds. Pull Start Fire Pull String Firestarter Eco-friendly Windproof Rainproof Safety features included for campers If you're looking for a lightweight firestarter for backpacking, RV'ing, or vanning, it doesn't get better than this. It's also a great gadget to look into if you want a patio fire at home. You can find this 3-pack firestarter on Amazon for only $17.99. (You can also buy a single pack at Sportsman's Warehouse for $4.99.) It's budget-friendly, lightweight, and can start a fire in seconds. One of the biggest selling points for me is the fact that it's safe for food and can withstand 200 MPH winds and wet wood. Since it can light wet logs, it's the perfect survival tool for the outdoorsman. The Pull Start Firestarter will give you a roaring fire much quicker than what you're doing now. You may be a little reluctant about it still, but check out the Amazon customer reviews. An Amazon customer gave it a five-star rating and said, "Works exactly as advertised and burns hot enough to start a decent fire without a need for kindling." With the pull of a string, you'll have the perfect fire pit for your campsite. Add it to your Amazon wishlist today.

After a stretch of unusually harsh winter weather took a toll on Texas wildlife, the impact is just now being fully understood. The Lone Star State saw massive fish kills in both fresh and saltwater fisheries, resulting in thousands of dead fish washing ashore. "The quantification of impacts to fish is still ongoing. Rapid assessments indicate the majority of fish (by number) impacted were non-recreational species," said the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. Still, the TPWD says gamefish species will be affected due to food chain interruptions, like black and red drum, tarpon, snook, sheepshead, sea trout, and grey snapper. The TPWD is asking citizens to report animals likely killed by the extreme weather so the agency can better assess the overall impact to Texas’ wildlife.

The Polaris General XP 4 1000 Pursuit Edition is the offroad powersports leader's hunting-centric machine, ready for anything a sportsman or woman can throw at it. The 100 horsepower ProStar 1000 4-Stroke DOHC Twin Cylinder engine is just what the doctor ordered, and the On-Demand True AWD/2WD/VersaTrac Turf Mode drive systems make driving and operating this side-by-side more than enjoyable, even when your mind is on the hunt and not the ride. The General XP 4 1000 is a four-seater with 13.5 inches ground clearance and four Pro Armor tires on 15-inch cast aluminum wheels. The 115-inch wheelbase ensures it's wide enough to stay stable while loaded down, but narrow enough to make it through tight spots. The hitch towing rating reaches 1,500 pounds, and the overall vehicle size is 150.2 x 64 x 77 in (L x W x H). The Bed Box dimensions are 27.5 x 43.1 x 11.6 in (L x W x H). The Pursuit Camo pattern that's splashed across the frame, seats, and bed box is exclusive to Polaris, and the 1,100-pound payload capacity ranks among the tops in the industry. The front suspension includes a High Clearance Dual A-Arm with Stabilizer Bar, providing 14 inches of travel, and the same goes with the Long Travel High Clearance Dual Arm IRS with Stabilizer Bar that makes up the rear suspension. There are Walker Evans Velocity Series Shocks in the front and rear as well. Perhaps most notably, the new Rear Box Rack adds a stacking element to the back bed storage, and there's a Kolpin Gun Mount & Boot to secure your weapons through any conditions. The instrumentation is eye-pleasing with its Dual-sweep Analog Dials w/ 4" LCD Rider Information Center. The versatility factor is multiplied when you add in the Polaris HD 4500 LB Winch, the Pro Armor 11" Light Bar, the Sport Low Profile Color-Matched Front Bumper, and the Rockford Fosgate Stage 1 Audio system. Pricing starts at $25,999, but that includes all the features and upgrades we've mentioned. In our opinion, this UTV makes a serious case for earning the top spot in the race for "Ultimate Hunting Machine."

Here are some of the best bass fishing lures for tried-and-true consistency. Looking to add a few new baits to your collection? There are thousands of hard baits, soft plastics and buzzbaits to choose from, from well-known brands to emerging fishing companies. We can't claim to know about every great bait on the planet, nor can we say what exactly will work in your neck of the woods or with your rod and reel, but we have collected 10 of our favorites below for your perusal. Strike King Red Eye Shad Need a shallow-water lure that's perfect for fall bass fishing? Bass fishing mastermind Kevin VanDam used this gold-tinged, lipless crankbait beauty to score his third Bassmaster Classic win in 2011. If that's not reason enough to add this one to your arsenal, we don't know what is. Lucky Craft Live Pointer 80DD With an impressive run of public review and a unique, long-bodied design, this lure already has a reputation for helping anglers to notch extremely productive bass fishing sessions. River2Sea Dahlberg Clackin' Crayfish 90 Capture the hogs while they're hungry for crawfish with the Dahlberg. Jackall Soul Shad10-lures Used by Cliff Pace to win the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, the Jackall Soul Shad, just like the Strike King Red Eye, is perfect for the difficult waters. Rebel Pop-R A longtime classic that's risen to the top of the topwater lures category, the Rebel Pop-R will drive them bonkers with its topwater action. Heddon Sonar Lure Adjustable action? The Heddon Sonar has it, and is a go-to for many big game fishermen. Rapala Ultra Light Crank Forget larger lures. The 1.5-inch Rapala Ultra Light Crankbait is a perfect baitfish imitator that can sink to the bottom of many a bass-ridden river or stream late in the season. That it comes from one of the most noted lure manufacturers in the world only sweetens the deal. Gary Yamamoto Tate' Pencil Bait Tate', which means "dance" in Japanese, is a classic walk-the-dog topwater pencil bait with more character and zip than its counterparts. Big bass can barely resist, and the treble hooks will hold on tight. Southern Lure Scum Dog You have to add a frog to your tackle box, and the Scum Dog might be the best of the bunch. SPRO BBZ-1 Rat The SPRO BBZ-1 Rat might give some the willies, but it will drive hungry bass, and big ones at that, absolutely wild. If you actually want to catch bass instead of just fish for them, then these bass lures should sit right next to your plastic worms and jig heads in your tackle box.

4 Most Effective Ways to Get Rid of the Gamey Taste in Wild Meat If you're struggling with the gamey taste in wild meat, start here. You spend a lot of time, effort and money in going about chasing down wild game for the freezer. The last thing you want in wild meat is a gamey taste when it comes time to cook it. All is not lost if the first time you tried to eat your hard-earned meal, the gamey flavor was just too overpowering to enjoy anything. Thankfully, we've found a few kitchen hacks when it comes to cooking venison, elk or other game animals that takes those stronger flavors right out. A lot of people love to tell you how much they hate eating wild game meat because of the overpowering flavor. When it comes down to the facts, though, they probably never actually ate a properly field-dressed animal. On top of that, the wild game meat might not have been prepared according to traditional wild game recipes. Game meats aren't the same as beef. Unfortunately, many try to cook it the same way. The following suggestions are true results from nothing but trial and error. My wife hates the gamey taste of venison. However, we've found a few ways around this that I'm sure will work for you, too. If you think something tastes gamey, here's where you start to turn that around. 1. Field dressing basics One of the biggest reasons your venison or other wild game might have a strong gamey taste starts in the field. The key to getting great-tasting game meats is to get the animal gutted and cooled as quickly as possible. The longer the animal stays in the field, overnight for example due to a bad shot, the worse it's going to taste. Enzymes start breaking down inside the animal fairly rapidly. The warmer it is outside, the quicker this process happens. For most hunters, this is the biggest reason your meat tastes terrible. A lot of hunters also tend to believe it's necessary to hang and bleed an animal after it's been gutted. However, a shot through the vitals that bleeds quite a bit is usually enough. It's this blood that remains in the muscles that create that overpowering, gamey taste. If you want that gamey taste out, put more emphasis on proper cleaning and getting your deer to a professional processor or your home processing station rather than hanging it. 2. Soaking it Here's where you'll probably get the most advice as it pertains to wild game meat. A lot of suggestions like to recommend soaking your game meat in vinegar. Seeing as vinegar is very acidic, this technique can often dry out the meat making it very tough. Instead, soaking the meat in milk gets much better results. For a lot of old school cooks, this is must-do step before putting any wild game meat in a slow cooker or Dutch oven. A saltwater brine is also a very popular choice. The salt helps suck a lot of the bad flavors right out. Make sure you give the meat a good clean water bath before cooking, though. Otherwise, the salt can really overpower. Marinades are also a great way to reduce the gamey taste in wild meat. There are a variety available on the market, but something as simple as soaking it in Italian dressing can be enough. Ultimately, this helps remove more of the blood from the meat, leaving only the tissue behind. As mentioned already, that blood when it cooks is a big contributor to a strong game flavor. 3. Silver skin Taking the time to remove the silver skin and other connective tissues before cooking will pay off dividends when it comes time to sit down and eat your meal. If you have a strong gamey taste in wild meat at your house, this very well may be the culprit, regardless of whether any of the previous strategies worked. These tissues are very strong and full of unwanted flavors. Taking the time using a small knife, or even a fork in some cases, can improve the entire cooking experience. Removing the fat altogether is a must if people in your family have a sensitive stomach regarding wild game. In range-fed beef, the fat is a great flavor addition. In wild game, the fat doesn't do a whole lot but make your house smell and ruin your meat. 4. Don't overcook! Overcooking wild game meat is a cardinal sin. The game taste in wild meat is actually amplified the more you cook it. Low and slow is the name of this game. Any pan seared venison needs only a little bit of time on both sides, but medium rare should be about all the meat is cooked at the most. Seeing as there is not a whole lot of fat, game meats cook surprisingly quick. If you're doing all of the above and still getting a strong, gamey taste, this just might be why. Again, trial and error is a great teacher. If the gamey taste in wild meat turned you off to it years ago, perhaps it's time to try it again. Only this time, hopefully you can keep a few of these tricks up your sleeve.

10 States Every Bird Hunter Has to Visit Once Why stay in your home state when you and your gun dog can explore all of America's upland hunting opportunities? Most hunters would probably agree the overall experience of hunting is far more important than the harvest. Granted, we're all driven by the hope of hanging antlers on the wall, filling the freezer and having an up-close encounter with a wild animal. But the harvest is usually just the cherry on top. It's everything else we soak in throughout the process that makes hunting so special. I think this sentiment applies the most to upland bird hunting. First, birds don't vary in size or trophy quality near as much as a big-game animal. They don't offer antlers like a cervid or horns like a ram for us to measure and compare. What they do offer, however, is quantity. If you go to the right place at the right time, you can see action all day. Even if you find yourself in a tough spot, though, you're still able to enjoy the experience of exploring beautiful country while watching your trained bird dog hard at work. Additionally, the quantity element of upland hunting isn't limited to just the number of birds you can see in a day. There are also a ton of different birds you can hunt all over the United States. Instead of constantly hunting your uncle's land down the road over and over again, you can explore new terrain and chase new birds with different behavioral patterns. That said, you could write an upland bucket list in a million different ways. But these are the 10 hunts I have on my own horizon. [embed_recommendations] 10. Oklahoma Bobwhite quail numbers are down nationwide, despite valiant efforts to revitalize populations. Almost every state continues to report a decline in quail numbers, but Oklahoma somehow thrives even on a down year. "We are sitting right at the 10-year average. That last two years was a boom, and now we are back down to average," said Derek Wiley, upland game biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in a study. "It is not something to panic about. Even 'average' in Oklahoma is much better than in most states." If you're looking to move a ton of bobwhites, a trip to Oklahoma is a must. 9. Nevada Chukar aren't native to the U.S., but of all the northwestern states they were introduced to, Nevada may offer the best hunting opportunities. With the healthiest population of any state, a long season (early October through early February) and a daily bag limit of six, the Silver State could be called "The Chukar State." Bird hunters from all over the country travel to Nevada for this unique bird, so if you're looking for a top-notch desert hunt, this is the place to go. 8. Kansas Kansas offers a wide variety of upland hunting opportunities, but no other state can rival Kansas' prairie chicken population. In fact, more than half of the lesser prairie chicken population lives in Kansas. They've flirted with the Endangered Species Act, but are currently legal to hunt. However, getting the opportunity to harvest one isn't so easy, as the vast majority of them live in an area where hunting is currently closed. While Kansas' prairie chicken hunting requires a little studying up and checking with Kansas Department of Wildlife regulations, the Sunflower State still remains a coveted destination for this special bird. Plus, Kansas prairies will offer hunters breathtaking scenery and a hunt like no other. 7. Wyoming Sage grouse, the largest of all non-turkey upland birds, are easily the most exotic birds on this list. Known for their fascinating courtship rituals, sage grouse not only offer a spectacle, but also a ton of meat. If you ask any serious western upland hunter, they'll tell you Wyoming is the one and only place worth hunting them, and that nowhere else compares. With a trip to Wyoming, you'll be trekking through grasslands with big sagebrush and beautiful, mountainous backdrops, all to pursue one of America's most iconic game birds. 6. Minnesota If you're going to hunt ruffed grouse, do it right. Minnesota offers other upland opportunities, but ruffed grouse is king here. A trip to Minnesota will feature the perfect grouse conditions: great autumn weather, deep pockets of aspens, complimentary spruce trees and tons of grouse flushes. Other states offer more variety in their grouse woods, but Minnesota is the place to go if you want to specifically chase ruffed grouse. 5. Montana Montana offers a lot to bird hunters, but what's always drawn my attention is its landscape and its range of sharptail grouse. The Treasure State is the fourth-largest in the U.S., and sharptails cover the whole thing. There are many other birds one can hunt in Montana, too, including ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, sooty grouse, greater sage grouse and chukar. But no state can challenge Montana's sharptail numbers. Plus, a hunt in Montana means watching your dog traverse some of the most beautiful country America has to offer. 4. Alaska When most people think of hunting in Alaska, they imagine a spot-and-stalk for a moose or a week-long brown bear archery hunt. But bird hunters daydream about Alaska a little differently. The state obviously features some magnificent land to explore, and a ton of it. Upland hunters fantasize of letting their dogs lead the way through the Last Frontier, chasing ruffed grouse, sooty grouse, spruce grouse and sharptail grouse, but also ptarmigan. Here, you can hunt willow ptarmigan, rock ptarmigan and whitetail ptarmigan with a ton of success if you know where to go. Alaska should be on everyone's bucket list. 3. South Dakota The "Pheasant Capital of the World" is generally the first out-of-state destination on every bird hunter's list. South Dakota not only holds more ring-necked pheasant than any other state, but the population continues to increase. According to South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, the 2018 statewide pheasants-per-mile index was 2.47, an increase from the 2017 index of 1.68. Some of the more notable areas to chase pheasants in the Mount Rushmore State include Huron, Eureka and Redfield. North of Pierre, you'll find healthy populations of prairie chickens, sharp-tailed grouse and gray Hungarian partridge, too. 2. Arizona [caption id="attachment_172701" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Gun Dog Magazine[/caption] Arizona exclusively offers hunters with one of the most iconic experiences in all of bird hunting: the quail trifecta. The Grand Canyon State's marvelously diverse terrain alone makes for a one-of-a-kind hunt, but it also allows three different species of North American quail to survive: the Gamble's Mearns and scaled. Now, there are two other quail species in Arizona—bobwhite and California—but hunters come to Arizona to complete the trifecta, which only includes the former three. Each of the three quail flaunt vastly different behavioral patterns, making the hunt a challenge like no other. Scaled and Gambel's quail are known to run at high speeds as long as they can before finally flushing, where as Mearns don't run at all, but rather crouch low and hide. Each radiates beauty with its own unique set of features, yet each remarkably compliments its desert setting. 1. Idaho South Dakota probably gets more attention from bird hunters than any other state, and rightfully so. But I'd argue Idaho presents the best upland hunt in America. First off, it offers what many western states offer: millions of acres of huntable land. In fact, more than two-thirds of Idaho is public land. Second, it features spectacular terrain that delivers a mountain hunt that could challenge any other hunt out there. But most importantly, it gives you six famed birds to pursue at once: ruffed grouse, blue grouse, sharptail grouse, Huns, chukars and valley quail. Bird hunters visit the Gem State with the hope of bagging all six, arguably the tallest task in all of upland hunting. What does your bucket list look like? Let us know! [buy_now link="https://amzn.to/38qaSCk"] This original post was published on February 11, 2019. The post was updated on September 10, 2019, to reflect editorial corrections around details surrounding the lesser prairie chicken hunting regulations in Kansas. While the Greater Prairie Chicken Hunting Unit is open to hunters, the Southwest Prairie Chicken Unit (where the majority of Kansas' lesser prairie chickens are) is currently closed to hunting.

You'll be blown away by the uniqueness of this venison heart recipe, courtesy of wild game cook extraordinaire Jeremy Critchfield, aka HuntChef. We've found what might possibly be the oddest, strangest, yet most delicious version of venison heart ever.

You'll be blown away by the uniqueness of this venison meatloaf recipe, courtesy of wild game cook extraordinaire Jeremy Critchfield, aka HuntChef. We've found what might possibly be the oddest, strangest, yet most delicious version of venison meatloaf ever. What makes it so odd? Well, it's wrapped in bacon, grilled, shoved onto a stick, and placed inside a tortilla. Sure, you'll find the typical ingredients as the basis of the recipe, but the exciting tweaks HuntChef makes to the traditional meatloaf prep send this dish into overdrive. The most important thing is that we're given yet another method of food preparation that helps encourage eating what we kill.

Make some Pan Fried Rabbit! Yum!