Outdoor Channel | Newsletter Archive

Issue 276 - May 16, 2013

Nugent Helps Injured Veteran Shoot Again - Nobody gets the crowds rocking harder than the Motor City Madman, and his appearance at the NRA Convention was no exception. This experience, however, ended a little different than the others.

The Scoop on Poop - As a Seasonal Park Ranger at the only Vermont State Park that allows dogs off-leash in a designated area, I pick up a tremendous amount of doggie doo. Recently, I began thinking seriously about the impact of pet waste on our environment, and started doing some research.

Hog Wild - Feral hogs destroy wildlife habitat at alarming rates and cause a number of important concerns to hunters, farmers and other landowners in Oklahoma. Feral hogs can cause extensive damage to farm fields, crops, stored livestock feed, woodlots, and more.

Not Just for Football - Many folks outside the Upper Midwest probably wouldn't even know that Green Bay exists if it weren't for the Packers. In fact, there are folks who probably don't know the "Bay" in "Green Bay" actually refers to a 1,626-square mile basin off Lake Michigan's western edge.
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Issue 275 - May 14, 2013

Gray Matter - I'm sure I earned several dozen more gray hairs in the days approaching my son's first hunt. The plan was to take him turkey hunting, and the gray hair issue was the shotgun -- I was afraid he would know how to use it. He's not like most 8-year-old boys. Mason has autism.

Abilities Triumph - Seven paraplegics and four quadriplegics were found with guns and hundreds of rounds of spent ammo casings. This was not mayhem; it was a well-organized Adaptive Shooting Event for people with disabilities.

Roasted by a Pig - Marc Ryan of "Marc & Todd's Crazy Clips" hopes nobody gets him confused with Todd. Not that Marc wouldn't want to take credit for some of Todd's lines on their new Outdoor Channel show, but Todd is a boar. Not a bore, a boar. As in wild pig.

The Good Old Days - Fish were everywhere around Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida three decades ago, and a local guide recalls one spectacular day in particular. "I caught so many redfish that day that you could have filled up the bed of a pickup truck with them," he said.
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Issue 274 - May 9, 2013

Top 5 Bucks of All-Time - Most elk hunters are happy if their bull scores 300 or better. Most deer hunters can't even picture a whitetail of 300-class proportions. No wonder. Since 1830, it's only happened five times.

New Bass Species Discovered - Introducing, the Choctaw bass. Scientists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have discovered a new species of black bass in the southeastern United States.

That Boy Will Hunt - Since hunting is their livelihood, Ralph and Vicki have certainly exposed R.J. to a lot of it. Like any farm boy, one would figure it'd be a no-brainer for the Cianciarulos' son to dive right into the field, but Ralph and Vicki took nothing for granted.

Evers Seeks First Win - With a win on blustery Lake Istokpoga, one of the most successful professional bass anglers of modern times - Oklahoma's Edwin Evers - could find his way to resume redemption and shed once and for all the fishing version of "best to never win a major."
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Issue 273 - May 7, 2013

Labonte's Naked Pit Stop - Bobby Labonte is accustomed to speeding around asphalt at about 215 miles per hour. In those trips, he's always making a left turn. On a Georgia turkey hunt, he found out he needs to stick to left turns. A short right turn, mixed in with a little bottomland mud, left him stuck and spinning in the mire.

Gun Safe in Kid's Room - A personal defense trainer takes heat after he advised homeowners to place a gun safe in their child's room. Rob Pincus held a "Home Defense Concepts" seminar at the NRA Convention. While he admitted there are definite emotions behind it, a quick-access gun safe in a child's bedroom makes sense.

If Mama Ain't Happy… - If you're reading this and still have no idea what to get for that woman who brought you into this world, trust this: You're in the wrong place, and we know you're not interested in going to the right one. So stay, we understand and we're here to help!

Home Given Away at NRA - In recognition of the sacrifices made by the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their continued efforts protect the way of life enjoyed by Americans throughout the generations, Daniel Defense was honored to present a combat veteran and his family with the gift of a mortgage-free home.
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Issue 272 - May 2, 2013

Open Casting Call - Addicted to the Outdoors with Jon and Gina Brunson has unveiled a dynamic new program focused on shining a spotlight on family participation in the outdoors, and on couples who make the outdoors more than a hobby – but a lifestyle.

Late Chapman Charge Wins Day Three - The third and final Elimination Round of the Jack Link's Major League Fishing 2013 GEICO Challenge Cup followed the pattern set by the first two days of elimination competition.

Seeing The Light - As the smuggler led his group through the dense foliage of the Tijuana River valley, he was confident they would get to their pick-up point without detection. He reasoned, it was a pitch-black moonless night and the hated Migra rarely ventured into the jungle.

Eagle Conservation Plan - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance to provide a pathway for the responsible development of wind energy that fosters protection for bald and golden eagles.
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Issue 271 - April 30, 2013

Baring Her Teeth - Bryan "Bear" Holeman has spent most of his adult life pursuing and catching a variety of offshore fish - many of those being sharks in the clear waters off the Florida Keys. Until the seventh annual Madfin Shark Series was held last month, his girlfriend Jen Hurst had never fished for sharks.

Storming The Castle - The outline of a strutting turkey was like a shadow, no real detail just lines and arcs of a slowly moving presence that could have been a bowed-up gorilla. Like a sniper, the big gobbler was taking full advantage of the terrain, staying concealed while commanding a view of the world around him.

Ship Shape Boating Tips - For many of the nation's 80 million recreational boaters, the upcoming Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Like a football game "kick-off," boaters will work to a frenzy to get their boats in the water by the May 27 goal line.

Feds Join in Pork Project - Feral hogs - forever the bane of hunters, landowners and, well, everybody -- are found in more than three quarters of the United States and are responsible for an estimated $1.5 billion in damage yearly.
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Issue 270 - April 25, 2013

Biffle Aims to Catch Buried Bass in Sudden Death - As the first day of Sudden Death looms on Lake Istokpoga during the Jack Link's Major League Fishing 2013 GEICO Challenge Cup event, all eyes are on the weather.

High-Altitude Education - The story of climbers at Everest wanting to give back to the people living in the Himalayan foothills of the world's tallest peak is as old as the stories of climbers visiting the top of Everest itself.

NRA Programs are Growing … Quickly - Americans' interest in firearms has surged in popularity over the past five years. More people are getting involved with the shooting sports, personal safety and hunting than ever before.

Disaster Revisited - As the third anniversary of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster passed on April 20, Ducks Unlimited remembered the 11 lives lost and reminds decision makers that Gulf Coast ecosystems intrinsically linked to the regional and national economy are still in a devastating state of decline.
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Issue 269 - April 23, 2013

Guided to Tears - During turkey season, Larry Shockey can call his shots. His turkey calling skills, which have garnered nine grand champion titles and four world champion titles, could earn him big guiding money anywhere in the country. Instead, he chose to spend a weekend during turkey season volunteering at a youth hunt.

Fearless in Face of Sharks - Catherine Fordyce had not gone shark fishing in more than five years, and she had no experience in the dangerous art of dehooking the thrashing and rolling sharks. But she had no fear. Zero.

Just Grin and Bear It - During spring and summer, it is not unusual to see young male bears venturing into suburbs and even urban areas, even in metro Atlanta, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division. The young bears roam as they try to establish their own territory.

Scared Straight - Two days ago on the Ramada Quest stage, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jason Christie bemoaned the crystal water and dead-calm conditions of Bull Shoals Lake. "Clear water and no wind scares the heck out of me," said the Elite Series rookie from Park Hill, Okla. If Christie was scared, he was scared straight.
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Issue 268 - April 18, 2013

Flathead Ed's Flathead - Eddie "Flathead Ed" Wilcoxson was asleep on the fold-out cot of his 24-foot pontoon boat on Friday, April 12, when what would become a state record flathead catfish began taking drag at Bartlett Lake. About 35 minutes later, Wilcoxson boated a 76.52-pound flathead catfish.

Flying Fearless - Even after hundreds of skydives and base jumps, Steph Davis says, stepping to the edge of that cliff still brings up a bubble of fear. But she's spent her life pushing the line for fear that holds you back and the freedom that lies beyond it.

NRA Rescues Harrisburg Outdoor Show - Banning modern sporting rifles ultimately led to the cancellation of this year's hunting & outdoor show in Harrisburg. An estimated $80 million dollars was lost. It won't happen again.

True Trophy Buck Moment - Is hunting just about the search for the trophy buck? What hunter wouldn't want to set their sights on such a creature? But with only so many beastly bucks out there, there has to be more to it than just that.
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Issue 267 - April 16, 2013

Shark Week in Florida - It wasn't Jaws. Nor was it a great white - but the 4-foot silky shark on the line still provided an adrenaline-packed thrill. Such thrills are ordinary in Florida, particularly in March when thousands of sharks follow their migratory pattern through warm waters.

Harvesting Older Bucks - Oklahoma deer hunters are harvesting increasingly greater numbers of older bucks while letting more and more young bucks walk. In comparison, the national average of states from which QDMA was able to collect harvest data is about 33 percent.

Avoiding Catastrophic Turkey Hunting Mistakes - Standing in the middle of a fire lane skirted by pines and hills an hour and a half before daylight in south Alabama, with the black so thick you can barely make out the blob walking in front of you, is an exercise in trust.

Take a Virtual Safari - A pride of five lions skulked about the watering hole and the camera operator, at a remote location, followed their moves. The day before this area hosted a variety of wildlife, including wildebeest, waterbucks, kudu, a warthog, etc, and later a herd of elephants.
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Issue 266 - April 11, 2013

Home-Field Advantage - When word came that the Jack Link's Major League Fishing 2013 GEICO Challenge Cup would be held on Florida's Lake Istokpoga, most observers immediately penciled in Floridians Bobby Lane and Shaw Grigsby as pre-tournament favorites.

A Snow With A Bow? - Chris Brackett has skills, but most would think he had too much of an "arrow affliction" when he went after snow geese with a bow. Yet that's exactly what the host of Outdoor Channel's "Arrow Affliction" and "Fear No Evil" did, taking his Diamond out to a pit in central Illinois to try to take down flying snow geese.

The Ruger SR45 Pistol - The Ruger SR45 pistol is the latest in a series of SR pistols and is a lightweight, easy carrying and easy shooting pistol. Although it's reasonable to suppose a compact SR45C will come out next, the folks at the factory are tightlipped about future projects.

Fishermen in Hot Water - Spring brings blooming flowers, warmer weather and more Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers patrolling state waters for fishing violators. They have already been busy…
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Issue 265 - April 9, 2013

I Was a Human Chum Line - How a woman from the Midwest and a Florida thrill-seeker wound up in a relationship - much less operating a charter fishing service in the Gulf of Mexico — is anyone's guess. But the relationship of Bo Johnson and Deidra Bridger works, both on the water and off.

Find Roost for Boost - The first step in any process is often the most critical part of eventual success. If you are Mark or Terry Drury on a turkey hunt, that is especially true. For them a turkey hunt is a process that requires more than just showing up to the woods and turning a listening ear in hopes of hearing a gobble.

Businessman Pleads Guilty to Horn Smuggling - A Chinese business executive, arrested by USFWS special agents in connection with the smuggling of a carved rhino horn from the U.S. to China, faces a potential prison term of up to 10 years after pleading guilty to a Federal felony charge in Miami.

Detector Dogs Sniff Out Smuggled Wildlife - There's a new dog in town, and if you try to bring illegal wildlife parts into the U.S., there's a good chance you'll be sniffed out. The first class of "wildlife detector dogs" will be at key ports of entry searching for wildlife smuggled across U.S. borders.
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Issue 264 - April 4, 2013

Anglers Tackle Istokpoga and a Gator in Prime Time - Lake Istokpoga offers the anglers unspoiled natural scenery, challenging but rewarding fishing conditions, a host of changing weather conditions and even unexpected visits from species other than bass.

Watch the Golden Moose Awards Tonight - Twenty-three awards were presented throughout the evening, including five "Fan Favorite" accolades, to celebrate Outdoor Channel's most popular programs and recognize the network's producers and on-air talent for their unparalleled work in 2012.

Challenge Cup Calculations - One thing we've found in the brief history of Major League Fishing is that anything can happen on the water. When you put 24 of the best anglers in the world on a body of water - any body of water - there will be surprises.

New Shows Go Dark - Ivan Carter is dedicated entirely to the pursuit of Africa's "Big Seven." It gives unique insight into the hunt for elephant, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino, as well as the aquatic heavyweights, hippo and Nile crocodile, all seen from the perspective of the Professional Hunter.
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Issue 263 - April 2, 2013

'Bass Professor' Dies at 66 - Doug Hannon, a legend in the fishing world known as the "Bass Professor" for his expertise in a wide range of design skills and academic subjects in and outside of angling, died Thursday at his home in Keystone, a north Tampa suburb. Hannon was 66.

West in Reach - Steve West, host of "Steve's Outdoor Adventures," will be filming his next hunt in Alaska in April-May. This time, thanks to the inReach satellite communicator www.inreachdelorme.com fans can follow his every move during the hunt like never before.

Turkey Tips from the Drury Brothers - Regardless of what you call it; a diaphragm, mouth call or juice harp, every turkey hunter has one. That goes for the grizzled old veteran to the newest of rookies.

No Walk in Park for Parks - From the 13-million acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve to the 0.2-acre Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, America's National Parks feel the effects of sequestration & automatic spending cuts set in place March 1 after Congress could not agree on a budget.
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Issue 262 - March 28, 2013

Duck Dynasty's Willie is also Buck Commander - With millions tuning in each week for A&E's "Duck Dynasty," you have to wonder how many know about Willie Robertson's other reality TV show on Outdoor Channel.

Surf's Up - Warming water stimulates angling opportunities all throughout southern waters, but none present such broad accessibility and low impact ease of operation as the activity generally known as surf fishing.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow - Chris Brackett really let his hair down in Minnesota. The bow hunting expert of Outdoor Channel's "Fear No Evil" and "Arrow Affliction" was among the celebrities to have their heads shaved to benefit cancer.

R&D with KVD - Walk into any tackle shop these days and it doesn't take long to find a lure package with the letters KVD printed on it. There are topwaters, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, plastics – lures highlighted with Kevin VanDam's likeness are everywhere.
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Issue 261 - March 26, 2013

King of the Spring Finale - Terry Drury needs a big final day if he expects to beat his younger brother, Mark. Finding out which will be crowned "King of the Spring" plays out tonight at 10:30 ET on Outdoor Channel. Watch tonight to see what happens.

Combs holds off Clunn - Third-year Elite pro Keith Combs of Huntington, Texas, locked out 11 other finalists Monday in the Rigid Industries Falcon Slam, including his biggest threat after three rounds, four-time Bassmaster Classic champ and Zen master of bass fishing, Rick Clunn.

Footsteps to the Future - Will and Paul Reilly wanted to do something monumental for their Eagle Scout project. So the twins came up with an idea that would be a gift to their hometown of Prescott, Ariz., and a tribute to their mentors as scouting in the U.S. celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Evolution of the Pocket Rocket, the SIG P224 SAS - We called it the Pocket Rocket. When stoked with hot Border Patrol issue .40 S&W ammunition, the little Glock 27 sub-compact was a handful.
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Issue 260 - March 21, 2013

Ammo Supply Still Short - If you are a frequent purchaser of handgun or assault-style weapon ammunition - or even an infrequent one - you know the frustration. On your favorite online supplier's website, where it used to always say "add to cart" or "buy now," it now reads "out of stock, no back order."

Iowa Monster Fuels Obsession - No one can say Bo Russell didn't put in the work for his monster deer. He sweated, fretted, worked, worried and grieved over the buck for more than three years.

The Ting Is The Thing - Deb Ferns enjoys cold, hard steel … as targets. As camp director of the Babes With Bullets programs instructing women around the country on shooting, Ferns enjoys using steel plate targets.

Learn Antler Shed Hunting - Late winter and early spring is the worst time of the year for elk, moose and especially deer in Utah. In the winter, deep snow makes it hard for deer to move and find food. And cold temperatures sap the deers' strength. By the time winter ends, deer are usually the weakest they'll be all year.
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Issue 259 - March 19, 2013

Short Day for Faircloth - It was a short workday for Todd Faircloth on Friday. By noon, the Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Jasper, Texas, had a five-fish limit. He decided they weighed enough, and they did as he holds the two-day lead on the Sabine River.

Windows of Welcome Winter Weather - For most Gulf of Mexico anglers, prime offshore fishing is considered a warm weather deal - mostly because winter through early spring delivers windy conditions.

Venison Faux Pho - My name is Julie and I am addicted to pho. I could eat it every day. For those of you who haven't had it, pho is a Vietnamese rice noodle soup. There are lots of variations but my favorite is a beef broth version with shavings of sirloin.

Another Bald Eagle Dead - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) are investigating yet another bald eagle shooting - this one occurred in Union County, Mississippi.
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Issue 258 - March 14, 2013

Have Horns, Will Travel - Kevin Foley was glad his deer of a lifetime was the traveling sort. He killed the largest deer of his hunting lifetime, a 15-pointer, near Clintonville, Wis. Foley had seen the deer before, but never on the wooded parcel of land he owns and maintains with his father and two brothers.

A Jewel of a Rifle - I met gunsmith Vic Samuel from SSA Enterprises through his son, Alan, who's a machine gun guy and a revolver competition champion, while filming the first episodes of "Shooting Gallery." When I met Vic, he mentioned in passing that he "fiddled around with guns."

Come Sail Away - A "shower" of baitfish guides anglers to fish, and the first seen by the crew on the Blue Heaven set the boat into fast forward. "Sail on." The distinctive sound of a sailfish dragging line off the spinning reel sends Capt. Skye Stanley and first mate Daniel Attales into motion.

Undeniable Denali - He looked bizarre, totally out of place, this Pakistani climber in ragged, old mountaineering clothes, alone, shaking our tent while we tried to sleep, asking frantically for a satellite phone," says Alex Harz, recounting a night high on a flank of North America's tallest peak, Denali.
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Issue 257 - March 12, 2013

Poachers Were My Prey - In his new book, Poachers Were My Prey: Eighteen Years as an Undercover Wildlife Officer, Stewart chronicles his many exciting undercover adventures, detailing the techniques he used in putting poachers behind bars.

Elk Camp the Perfect Convention - For Cameron Hanes, host of RMEF Elk Chronicles, this past Elk Camp was the best ever. There were tons of elk hunters and his old friends, but his personal highlights of the weekend took it to another level.

The Second Time Around - Doug Fredericksen of St. Charles, Ill., killed a monster 15-point whitetail in November on the family farm in eastern Iowa. After hearing about the Outdoor Channel National Deer Contest powered by BuckScore, he entered his picture.

Man Convicted and Fined for Killing Whooping Crane - Whooping cranes are one of the rarest birds in the world with a total population of approximately 437 cranes in the wild and 599 overall.
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Issue 256 - March 7, 2013

The Shadow of Sasquatch - In a lifetime around outdoors television, Trevor Gowdy has produced countless programs, including many of the best ever. And during his career, he has seen and worked with more than his share of interesting characters. None of them, he said, are quite like Laramy "Sasquatch" Miller.

Late Winter Creek Hopping - Looks like spring's full-time warmup is just around the corner, but Florida fish are usually pretty smart about not rushing into their vernal patterns too quickly. Most of the state's snook and a lot of the redfish, trout, ladyfish, jacks and juvenile tarpon spend their winters in the warm, stable, coastal waterways.

Three Questions on Personal Defense Guns - What's the best pistol for personal defense? How accurate must it be? How reliable should it be? Get candid answers to the three most frequently asked questions Ed Head receives about personal defense handguns.

Stay Sharp, My Friends - Ok, great, I won't have to ever surrender my penknife again, not after TSA administrator John Pistole said the ban on small knives in passenger cabins of airplanes will be lifted come April 25.
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Issue 255 - March 5, 2013

2nd Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Taken by Hunter - An Indiana sportsman has recorded the second-largest whitetail deer ever taken by a hunter, according to Boone and Crockett, which compiles such records for conservation, management and historical purposes.

Focus Under Pressure - Cliff Pace had six long hours in which to lose both his mind and, in the process, the Bassmaster Classic. It was compounded by the fact Pace knew from experience that someone near him on the leaderboard was not losing his mind that day.

NRA Action Pistol - Matches Come to Headquarters NRA Action Pistol is a great sport, but it's a little more demanding than regular target shooting. It can be daunting to start the sport by showing up to a match like the MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup with little to no practice.

Season 1 Winners - The Outdoor Channel National Deer Contest is not just a "Big Buck" or even whitetail photography competition. The contest is the vehicle" for one of the largest white-tailed deer conservation projects ever conducted.
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Issue 254 - February 28, 2013

Velvick Back With Enthusiasm - The Spanish word "amistad" means "friendship." "Lake Amistad" means "love" to Byron Velvick. This lake on the Texas-Mexico border is where Velvick's bucking-bronco-ride of a life finally started to smooth.

Ice in Their Veins - They say every scar has a story to tell, and in ice climbing, a sport which requires its athletes to wear 24 sharp points on their feet while wielding an axe in each hand when suspended high above the ground, climbers often have more than a few scars and stories.

Getting Ready for the Eaglets' Arrival - Egg #1 was laid on Feb. 6 and Egg #2 on Feb. 9. In about 35 days, the first eaglet will begin to hatch. Watch live on EagleCam to see the eagles care for their eggs and wait patiently for the eaglets' arrival.

Undercover Wildlife Poaching Operation - State and federal wildlife officials announced today an undercover operation involving more than 80 wildlife violators and as many as 900 wildlife violations detected.
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Issue 253 - February 26, 2013

Pace Picks Up Classic - On Sunday, Pace won the 43rd world championship of bass fishing, the 2013 Bassmaster Classic presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. His prize for a three-day catch of 54 pounds, 12 ounces, was $500,000 and the most coveted trophy of the sport.

ETU: Operation Hotwire - The four remaining operators are dealing with an individual called the "dirty bomber" who has placed a large amount of explosives in a downtown parking garage. He has also taken a hostage. Mission is to rescue the hostage and get out.

Eagle Parenting - The eagle pair have laid two eggs this season. Watch live on EagleCam as the male and female eagles share parenting duties and tough it out through rain, wind, and snow to protect their fragile eggs.

Understanding & Working "The Chase" - The sport of Big Air® is growing by leaps and bounds. It's getting more media attention and dogs are jumping farther and farther every day. The sport is also bringing out more and more new handlers and dogs.
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Issue 252 - February 21, 2013

It's About the Weather - If you hear someone say, "The 2013 Bassmaster Classic isn't about weather," it's about weather. "The story has been the weather since they announced the Classic was going to be here," (Grand Lake O' the Cherokees) Mike Iaconelli said.

Matt and Jessie Duff Trek the Oregon Trail - In Coos Bay, Oregon, the Friends of NRA Committee plays as hard as it works. Matt and Jessie find out just how hard when they were treated to a dune buggy tour of the Bay's beaches.

Florida's 2013 Python Challenge a Success - Competitors in the 2013 Python Challenge™ trekked through more than a million acres of swamps and sawgrass in search of the wellcamouflaged Burmese python.

Kriet's Offshore Crush - Do you think a 2-ounce tungsten is a big weight? Is 85-pound test braid a heavy line? Do you consider 60 feet to be "really deep?" Do you think a 10-pound bass is a big fish? All that is mere child's play to Major League Fishing pro Jeff Kriet.
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Issue 251 - February 19, 2013

The End-All, Be-All - Here's an interesting exercise: Ask any Bassmaster Classic qualifier to describe why being in this particular tournament is cool. Most will come up something like this: "Well, it's the Classic, isn't it?" End of story, their tone of voice implies. And indeed, especially among anglers, nothing more needs to be said.

Don't Miss The Boat - The recession forced a lot of folks to miss the boat. And the boating industry missed them, too. In the ladder part of the past decade, boat sales dropped significantly, but reports from the winter boat shows are encouraging.

Oldest Known Wild Bird Hatches Another Chick - A Laysan albatross known as "Wisdom" â€“ believed to be at least 62 years old â€“ has hatched a chick on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for the sixth consecutive year.

Off the Beaten Path - There is no doubt that West Virginia has some of the best trail riding on the East Coast and that's why we spend a lot of time riding there. If you're looking for some new places to explore, you'll want to check out Burning Rock Off Road Adventure Park in Sophia, West Virginia which is just south of Beckley, West Virginia.
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Issue 250 - February 14, 2013

The Final Catch Tonight! - It's down to the final six. Personalities clash, in a race so tight it all comes down to the final catch. Don't miss the finale of Jack Link's Major League Fishing 2013 General Tire Summit Cup Championship Round tonight!

Nothing Goes As Planned - The plan was to meet at a small private lake near Stuttgart, Ark., to tape an edition of "Zona's Awesome Fishing Show." But other than the early-morning gathering, nothing went as planned. At the end of the day, it made for an apt edition of a televised outdoor show.

Best Defense: Real Estate - What are the threats that face us because of our job? There are more than we can actually imagine, especially if our job put us in contact with people in a one on one situation and in a non-public environment.

Midnight 3 Gun - Defensive lights and lasers were not meant for sporting purposes, but Crimson Trace decided there should be a sport where these devices were applicable. Chris Knight from "The Bradys" shoots the Celebrity Challenge.
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Issue 249 - February 12, 2013

Drurys Go Into Full Strut - There's friendly competition and then there's good old sibling rivalry. There is no comparison. "King of the Spring" is a brother vs. brother battle featuring Mark and Terry Drury, veterans of several shows on the Outdoor Channel lineup.

Pan Ban Proposed - The Department of Natural Resources in Larimer County, Colo., proposed a ban on gold panning on DNR properties, claiming the department needed to sort out its mineral rights. News of the possible ban broke in mid-November in the Denver Post and began a stir among the Colorado mining community.

Bird Signs - For the second year in a row while cruising from Key West to the Marquesas, the captain pulled back on the throttle just a short run from our launch. In both cases, it was because of birds; birds signaling a fish feeding frenzy we got in on.

No Sitting Ducks - With the exception of some late goose hunts and various youth hunts, waterfowl season is all but complete in the U.S. We know for many there were few ducks at the end of the season, and for many the season was either too dry, too wet, too warm or too cold. Has anyone ever had a perfect duck season?

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Issue 248 - February 7, 2013

Major League Fishing Makes a Splash on NBC - Viewers are invited to tune in to NBC on Saturday, February 9, at 1 p.m. ET/Noon CT for a special airing of the Championship Round of the 2013 General Tire Summit Cup of "Jack Link's Major League Fishing."

Mining Bronze in Iron Country - Just before his untimely death, Capt. Jim Hudson hosted our writer on an ice fishing excursion for smallmouth on Chequamegon Bay. His family gave their blessing to run this story on Hudson, a Midwest fishing legend who was dedicated to sharing his angling knowledge.

Monster Nugget Found - A gold prospector hit paydirt on Wednesday when his metal detector found something big buried two feet down. When the man, who asked not to be identified, dug up his prize, he was astonished to find himself the lucky owner of a 12-pound gold nugget worth around $315,000.

CEO Stalks First Buck - George C. Thornton is the CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation, a non-profit organization that works on conserving the wild turkey and preserving Americans' hunting heritage. Here is his first deer hunt.
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Issue 247 - February 5, 2013

Chris Kyle 1974-2013 - Outdoor Channel is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Chris Kyle. Our country has lost a dedicated father, husband, patriot and American hero. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Triggering a Windfall - The huge volume of gun, ammunition and archery sales in 2012 should mean record funding levels for many fish and game agencies, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Chautauqua Institution Meets MLF - It's a place where religious leaders, philosophers, business trend-setters and politicians from both sides of the ideological spectrum are featured. New to the Chautauqua calendar: Major League Fishing.

Going To The Birds - For the second consecutive year, Pheasants Forever spent more than $50 million on its wildlife habitat conservation mission. The organization also turned 30 in 2012, when 91.23 percent of the monies it raised went directly on mission work.
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Issue 246 - January 31, 2013

Winding Down To Finals - To say that the wind is supposed to blow on Sudden Death Day 2 in Western New York would be a serious understatement. According to the weatherman, the wind is supposed to blow, blow, and blow some more.

Pipeline To Redfish Action - Sometimes, life's unintended results are the most enjoyable. Such is the case for anglers fishing the network of manmade waterways cut through the Southern Louisiana marshes. Decades ago, the drilling industry dug a vast network of navigable channels to allow access to a smattering of wellheads, pumping stations and other structures.

Trout Releases Grouper - Sure, it's likely baseball star Mike Trout has some groupies. Now he has a grouper. A huge one. Trout, the center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels and the 2012 American League Rookie of the Year, caught and released a huge goliath grouper while fishing off Key West this month.

Carp, It's For Dinner - Most Americans consider them trash fish, but carp and similar rough fish have a big market in the U.S. and overseas. They are called "Bottom Feeders," also the name of Outdoor Channel's new reality show.
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Issue 245 - January 29, 2013

Making The Big Haul - The cell phone of "Bottom Feeders'" Tim Adams rings, then goes to voicemail. It's understandable he didn't answer – he was up to his chest in ice-cold water surrounded by 200,000 pounds of fish. But before a voicemail can be completed, Adams is calling back this strange number.

EOTech XPS2-300 Holographic Weapon Sight - The EOTech XPS2-300 Holographic Weapon Sight was designed with tactical shooters in mind. The reticle has been specifically calibrated with yardages based on the .300 Blackout/Whisper.

Dawn Plus 10 Million Years - Before the sun even hints of rising above the San Pascual Mountains to the east, before the sky turns from black to burnt orange to gold, the shadows on the water begin to move. First one, then another and another, until the shallow lake becomes a blur of motion and a cacophony of noise.

Going On A Lion Hunt - More than 70 major safari operators, hunting industry leaders and top conservationists have pledged to support Dallas Safari Club's (DSC) newly adopted definition of the ideal huntable male African lion.
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Issue 244 - January 24, 2013

Anglers Face Quick Exit - Beautiful, serene Chautauqua Lake is about to become an explosive aquatic pressure cooker. Day four of the event marks the beginning of the Sudden Death rounds at the Jack Link's Major League Fishing 2013 General Tire Summit Cup competition.

Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic - The Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO) is ready for duty. The Aimpoint PRO incorporates many never before seen features to maximize the sight's performance within the challenging conditions faced by modern law enforcement.

Water Scarcity, Fiscal Challenges Top Priorities - The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership released its 2013 Conservation Policy Agenda, outlining practical, solutionsfocused approaches to natural resource management challenges.

Competitive Disadvantage - Mike Eash has put himself in a conflict of interests on the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series Presented by Ram Trucks. Instead of doing anything possible to gain a competitive edge, Eash is doing everything imaginable to help his fellow competitors.
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Issue 243 - January 21, 2013

SHOT Show Sets Attendance Record - The largest trade show of its kind in the world and the fifth largest trade show in Las Vegas, the SHOT Show attracted a record overall attendance of 62,371, including a new high for buyers and more than 2,000 media representatives.

New Strength in Numbers - It appears there's new life in the great outdoors. Some of the best news from the 2013 SHOT Show was unveiled in a mountain of statistics Thursday. Hunters and anglers have more strength in these new numbers.

Cool Rides at SHOT - You've seen the tricked out new products from SHOT Show 2013 in our photo galleries, now take a look at the juice- up vehicles that were on the floor, from a camo Rally Fighter, to a Lenco Armored Vehicles 'Bearcat' to Toyota's 'Ultimate Fishing' Tundra.

Trijicon CCAS - The Trijicon CCAS accurately computes a corrected aiming point based on current environmental conditions using known ballistic equations instead of the common G1 table averages typically used in the majority of ballistic modeling programs.
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Issue 242 - January 17, 2013

15 Little Things With A Big Bang - The bigger the better. Well, not always. In comes the need for the smaller, lighter, more compact products. Here are 15 products that show big things can come in small packages.

Been Here, Done That - President Obama's new gun proposals announcement was watched on a big screen at the SHOT Show. The reaction of attendees was heated, but as one pointed out, "The more they try to restrict these guns, the more people want them."

The Quietest Quiet Gun™ - Gamo Outdoor USA will launch "The Quietest Quiet Gun™" air rifle on the market in 2013. With its patent pending double integrated noise dampening technology making the shot nearly undetectable to pesky varmints.

Taurus Millennium G2 - With its lightweight 22 oz. polymer frame, thin profile, and ramped 3.2 inch barrel, the newly designed Millennium G2 is the ideal concealed carry handgun. Perfect for everyday carry as well as reliable home defense.
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Issue 241 - January 15, 2013

Media Day in Baghdad - Neither 30-degree temperatures, nor 20-milean-hour north winds, nor a 35-mile drive away from Las Vegas could keep the media from one of its most popular rounds at the annual SHOT Show. It was nicknamed by some as "Media Day in Baghdad," unofficially, of course.

Golden Moose Nominees - Outdoor Channel, America's Leader In Outdoor TV, today revealed the list of nominees, including the Fan Favorite finalists, who are up for top honors at the 13th Annual Golden Moose Awards Powered by RAM.

SHOT Show 2013 - The Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference (SHOT Show) is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for professionals in the shooting sports and hunting industries. Tune in to OutdoorChannel.com for the latest SHOT Show updates.

Secret Sanctuaries - Seek and ye shall find. That's a good piece of advice for those intrigued by those tiny, tuckedaway sanctuaries scattered throughout West Central Florida's mangrove swamps. From Tampa Bay to Charlotte Harbor, those willing to invest the time and effort may find angling nirvana in one of the hidden spots.
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Issue 240 - January 10, 2013

Targeting Green Or Brown - Can the West rule the East? That's one of the big questions as the second group of eight Elimination Round competitors get set to kick off Day 2 at the Jack Link's Major League Fishing 2013 General Tire Summit Cup event at Chautauqua Lake.

A Trophy Experience - In 1962, in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, I was hunting with my dad. You had to wait until you were 12 years old in Pennsylvania before you could hunt, but of course, I went on many hunts before as just an onlooker.

Patience Required - Denny Brauer built a career chasing big bass in the waters across the country. Before retiring after last season's final Bassmaster Elite Series event, the dean of top professionals stayed at the top of his game for three decades. A big part of that success is as simple as one word: Patience.

Evolution Of The Hot Saw - If you believe in fate, Dennis Cahoon's 62 years on this earth might serve as an example. He raced motorcycles as a young man, before embarking on a 32-year career as a logger and timber-faller in California's Sierra Mountains.
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Issue 239 - January 8, 2013

A Big Mulie To Zumbo - Outdoor Channel host Jim Zumbo is arguably the country's most prominent big game hunter. Although he's hunted and fished on five continents and all 50 states. his first deer hunt remains etched in his memory.

For Goodness Snakes! - There was a time when the worst part about Bo Johnson's fall mornings was traversing a desolate and rather spooky course to his hunting spot in Big Cypress National Preserve. Now he treads every step concerned about sudden encounters with a hostile out-of-towner known as the Burmese python.

Fuel Stingy Vehicles Wear - Lower Price Tags The combined effect of a slow economy and ever-increasing competition has caused the big manufacturers to bring out vehicles that are stingier on fuel while at the same time are priced lower.

What The Heck Is That? - Hunters of all ages enjoyed the taxidermy and photos exhibited by outfitters at the Dallas Safari Club show, Jan. 3-6. Some trophies are common and easy to identify. Others, not so much. For example, did you properly ID this sheep species as an Altai argali? Great! Let's see how you stack up from here…
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Issue 235 - December 20, 2012

Gifts Near And Deer - In this season of giving, we asked a selection of Outdoor Channel personalities to tell us about the best gift they've ever received. What they told us ranged from a specific product they found invaluable in the wild, to a weapon that holds special meaning.

Seven Sharks ASwimming - With heavy winds blowing the entire time, the first two days of the 2012 Madfin Shark Tournament offered challenging fishing conditions. So when the event ended in a tie, both teams qualifying for the one-day fish-off felt they'd catch considerably more sharks in better weather.

Wyoming Mulies Poached - Game wardens are investigating two mule deer poachings that occurred within 16 days of one another in Wyoming's Curt Gowdy State Park. While mulies being poached out of season is not a new thing for the park, game warden Allen Deru said the proximity in time of the two shootings is unusual.

Here Comes Rudolph - A trifecta of long shots made their way onto the horse track outside of Pittsburgh just as a field of horses were ready to leave the gate. Breaking from behind the backstretch were three deer, who made their way on the track and delayed the race.
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Issue 234 - December 18, 2012

Scroggins Takes VanDam's Spot - Five-time B.A.S.S. event champion Terry Scroggins joins the competition field for Jack Link's Major League Fishing's second televised event, The General Tire Summit Cup, League Commissioner Don Rucks announced.

Five Gold Rings - Come back each day to see what's under the tree in the Twelve Days of Christmas, OutdoorChannel.com style. On the fifth day of Christmas, we had the chance to see, five gold rings.

Air Heads - Normally, running wide open toward a bunch of herons and egrets standing ankle-deep qualifies you as certifiably insane. But for every rule, exceptions exist. Fan-powered boats offer ultimate angling access.

Cross Marks The Spot - If you can accurately shoot a rifle, you should be fine with shooting a crossbow, right? Or wait… do you have to be accurate with a bow to be able to have tight groupings with these hybrids? According to David Barnett of Barnett Crossbows (www.barnettcrossbows.com), the answer is both, sort of.
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Issue 233 - December 13, 2012

Seeking Duck Art Dynasty - The first family of ducks cried fowl when they learned that many times the artwork that graces Louisiana's famous duck stamp and poster is created by out-of-state artists. "It's 100 percent Louisiana, no Yankees or Yuppies Involved," Si Robertson said.

Vote Going To The Dogs - Dog lovers, in general, have a special connection and affection for not only their own dogs but their particular breeds as well. It's even more so for bird hunters. Whether it's a flusher, a retriever or a pointer, everyone has their favorite breeds.

Flounder Fun - The last few years have seen a remarkable surge in flounder catches along the Central Gulf Coast. The jury's still out on whether we literally have more flounder, or if more anglers are figuring out how to catch them.

Deer Under Pressure - It won't come as a surprise that deer often respond to hunting pressure by altering their daily activity patterns. But it might surprise hunters that sometimes the opposite is true. Despite increased hunting pressure, whitetails may not change their movements.
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Issue 232 - December 11, 2012

Reality SWAT Swatting - Terry Schappert is a team leader on "Elite Tactical Unit," a new show that premieres on Outdoor Channel on Jan. 9 at 9 p.m. ET. The reality format forces him to select a person to be eliminated from the competition, a chore he truly deplores.

Deer Key In Keystone - The Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving are the two busiest days on Pennsylvania highways for two reasons: people heading home after turkey day, and Pennsy hunters heading to deer camp - which they've been doing for hundreds of years.

Tried And Tested Gifts - Jared Gustafson, video manager at Outdoor Channel, gives his recommendations to these outdoors products. He takes them to the field and gives them a real workout. Get the lowdown on gifts that would be highly usable.

Sub Guns Face Off - "Rapid Fire" tests one of the most respected open-bolt sub-machine guns of all time against the absolute state-of-the-art personal defense weapon. Watch them go head to head in tight scenerios with multiple targets.
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Issue 231 - December 6, 2012

Eagle Squatch - When it comes to survival in the outdoors, Laramy "Sasquatch" Miller takes a Boy Scout mentality. "Just be prepared," said Miller, host of the Outdoor Channel's popular show Sasquatch: Mountain Man, which appears Fridays at 9:30 p.m. ET. "Hope for the best, but always prepare for the worst."

Hot Catches - Saltwater anglers in Australia and both coasts of the United States are certainly eager to hear word of the potential new black grouper, Atlantic snook, Pacific halibut, and southern bluefin tuna records, but one more record application may be drawing a bit more attention.

Great Gift Ideas - If you have a fisherman on your gift list this holiday season, who better to ask for ideas than the pros. At the ICAST 2012 convention we went on the floor to find out what's on some of the people's holiday gift wish list for the outdoorsman.

Le Pomme Cochon - The Camo Gourmet shares his recipe for wild boar backstrap with brown sugar, apples, and spicy mustard. This festive dish would make a wonderful holday dinner. Pour a glass of Pinot Noir, say grace and get it on!
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Issue 230 - December 4, 2012

High Risk Shooting - Paul Thompson goes up against Luke Hitt in the Total Outdoorsman Challenge. As the shooting gets down to the wire, Luke must choose between the high risk gong for the win or play it conservatively with the low risk coyote.

Gifts For The Outdoorsman - Don't let the ghosts of past Christmas ties reappear. Whether they've been naughty or nice, now is the time to get/order gifts for your loved ones before the season slips away.

Flying High - With the cool season igniting east coast sailfishaction, anglers will be taking to the near shore waters in search of the spindlebeak ballerinas knows as much for their acrobatic leaps, as their distinctive dorsal assembly.

Does Stay Put - One of the most important components of successful whitetail hunting is patterning animal movements. The hunter must determine when deer are most active and how they're using different habitat types at different times.
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Issue 229 - November 29, 2012

Stalking Bear with a Bow - In the fall, hunting season opens for just about every big game. In the spring, however, the selection is limited. This Sunday on Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures, guides show us what it's like to go bowhunting for black bear on Vancouver Island.

Puppy Play - Fall finds surf fishermen lining North Carolina's Outer Banks for the famed surf run of jumbo redfish. Exciting, no doubt, but this beach fishery can be hit-or-miss. Meanwhile, the Tarheel State's vast backwater system offers a predictable year-round fishery for juvenile reds that locals call "puppy drum."

Where are the Moose? - It's almost impossible to visit Grand Teton National Park or its gateway city, Jackson Hole, Wyo., without thinking about moose. Road signs warn drivers of moose crossings, guidebooks and pamphlets list favorite moosewatching hotspots, and at least one downtown shop is dedicated entirely to moose-related souvenirs and sweatshirts.

Check Out The Big Brains - For most outdoor enthusiasts, hunting is a legacy than has spanned generations, handed down from parents to children for longer than anyone can remember. And according to one scientist, it has been going on for a lot longer than originally thought.
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Issue 228 - November 27, 2012

Catch The Summit Cup - Jack Link's Major League Fishing announced that its second televised event â€“ The General Tire Summit Cup â€“ will premiere on Outdoor Channel at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Summit Cup episodes will air six times per week, an increase of one episode per week from the first season.

Wolf Season Success - The first of Minnesota's two wolf hunting seasons, which ran Nov. 3-Nov. 18, was a success, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The state's first regulated wolf hunt resulted in 147 wolves taken out of a possible 200.

How's Your Mo, Bro? - Outdoor Channel personalities are growing out moustaches in support of Movember, a national promotion bringing awareness to men's health issues. Donating as little as $5 to the OC team enters you to win Matt Busbice's Wildgame Nation truck loaded with products.

Shot From The Hip - Brenda Valentine, The First Lady of Hunting, said back in the day, you were lucky to see a track in her home state of Tennessee, much less a deer. When she was about 12 years old and working in the tobacco field, Valentine saw her first whitetail.
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Issue 227 - November 22, 2012

Drury Brothers New Show Battles the Turkey - No Turkey is safe when the Drury's join the game. The new series: "King of the Spring" starts January 1, 2012 here on Outdoor Channel.

OC Family Gives Thanks - From being "harvester of God's annual natural renewable bounty" -- guess who? -- to being able to chase their dreams in their work, to family members who overcame illness to families that haven't "disowned us for being gone on every holiday for the last 15 years!", our TV stars are truly thankful.

ATVs Take The Plunge - There have been wheeled vehicles that could morph into a boat - real ones, not from a Bond movie - but Gibbs Sports Amphibian Inc. spent millions in man hours and dollars to develop this High Speed Amphibian (HSA).

To Shoot Or Let Walk - It's deer season all over the country and the collective B.S. has started. Deer hunters know what I'm talking about: Every racked buck seen and missed was the biggest ever, every excuse in the book for missing has been laid out, and every tall tale imaginable has been spilled out around a camp fire.
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Issue 226 - November 20, 2012

The Best of 'Rapid Fire' - History's greatest weapons, from two different eras, battle it out for supremacy in the all-new "MidwayUSA's Rapid Fire! Light up the night with 30 high-octane minutes featuring the best of automatic weaponry, military hardware, and the fascinating stories behind the world's most popular rapid-firing weapons.

Patience, Strategy and Luck - My heart sank as two distinct slug gun blasts exploded across the creek. I had just watched a 130-class buck cross the same creek, and the shots came from the woodlot he just entered. Another buck cut short of his potential.

Fishing for Barramundi - Fishing for barramundi in northern Australia isn't for the feint-hearted. Josh Goldman knows. Touring fish farms in a remote area that reminded him of Jurassic Park, the founder of Australis Aquaculture wanted to hook some wild barramundi.

BP Hit With Record Fine - More than two years after its Deepwater Horizon rig created the largest oil spill in U.S. history, British Petroleum this week admitted criminal wrongdoing and settled for $4.5 billion with the U.S. Department of Justice. The amount is the largest corporate fine in U.S. history.
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Issue 225 - November 15, 2012

A case of Bow Madness! - Eric Bothun has reached a point in his hunting career where he is focused only on five year old bucks. Some people may call him crazy, but we know he just has a case of "Bow Madness."

Key To Prime Angling - No doubt, the sport fishing world holds Key West in high esteem, but it was one man's vision, resolve and unflinching spirit that brought this angling oasis into mainstream awareness. Who's that man?

Doe You See What I See? - What exactly do deer see? Since the deer can't tell us, we turn to science for answers. Wildlife biologists have been studying whitetail vision for years, including a landmark 1992 study by scientists from the University of Georgia, the University of California and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Launching Alone - OK, we've all taken great delight at watching the boat ramp mishaps, missteps and messups that range from amusing to downright bizarre. A lot of the hair-raising calamity doesn't boil down to preparation, but rather the lack thereof.
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Issue 224 - November 13, 2012

It All Comes Down to This - Three-time TOC Champion Paul Thompson goes up against rookie David Wiens. Both competitors put up a good fight. It's guaranteed to be close and come down to the wire. Tune in Wednesday at 9:30pm ET to find out what happens!

First Bow Setup - The expertise of a bow technician may be just the right prescription for anyone who is setting up a bow for the first time. It is possible to buy everything you need and tweak it at home, but for the novice, that could be the recipe for starting some bad habits.

See How Your Buck Ranks - Jeremy Flinn sees it as an excellent tool to refine deer management across the United States. Deer hunters and enthusiasts will see it as a fun and simple way to brag about big bucks to their peers around the nation - and have a chance to collect awesome prize packages in the process.

Mossy Oak Tuesday Night Pursuits - Tuesday Night Pursuits Presented by Mossy Oak is where serious hunters come to fill their tag of outdoor entertainment. Featuring notable personalities and the best insight on how to bag the best trophies.
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Issue 223 - November 8, 2012

The Next Challenge - Three-time TOC Champion Paul Thompson goes up against rookie David Wiens. Both competitors put up a good fight in events from fishing to archery. It's guaranteed to be close and come down to the wire. Tune in to see who makes it to Round 2.

Dove Days - Neurotic turkeys, elusive quail, sharp-eyed ducks - there's plenty of stressful bird hunting in Florida, but why not take it easy with a laidback, casual hunt that's as much about bonding with friends and family, as it is about bagging dinner - although that part's not so tough.

Blue-Winged Teal Bonanza - If it weren't for the heat, you'd think this was Thanksgiving weekend in Stuttgart, Ark., site of the annual "Wings Over the Prairie Festival." That party signals the opening week of duck season in the "mallard capital of the world." But this was September in southwest Louisiana.

Wax On … Wax Off - If you've ever tried to pluck a duck, you know how maddening it can be. When you think you're finally finished, some of those tiny pinfeathers seem to magically reappear. There is a bette way. As Mr. Miyagi instructed in "The Karate Kid": "Wax on … wax off."
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Issue 222 - November 6, 2012

Self-Taught Elk Hunter - As a child of the Pacific Northwest and growing up hunting the great public lands of Oregon, it's safe to say Kristy Titus' truest outdoor passion is elk hunting. And while she is offering her top 10 elk calling tips here, she is quick to point out there is no quick method of education for calling in that giant bull elk.

Urban Fishing for Peacocks - Quietly trolling in the heart of Miami, Steve McDonald waits for a bite. He targets a rare fish known for its bright colors, a fish that in the U.S. can only be found in this canal system.

Boat Repair Done Right - For many recreational boaters, getting the right salvage and repair help for a damaged boat after a hurricane is difficult. Some insurance programs will arrange and pay to have their insured's boats salvaged, but those without insurance don't have anyone to lean on.

Deer Stand Sightings - After Steve Bowman's column, Out From Behind the Glass, in which he wrote about experiencing the deer woods from a stand, we did a little impromptu poll among our Outdoor Channel Facebook friends: What's the craziest thing you've seen from a deer stand?
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Issue 221 - November 1, 2012

Himalaya High - Hiking for almost three weeks together chasing animals in the Himalayas, Jim Shockey got a good read on his son, Branlin, and vice versa. Both say they left Nepal with a better understanding of one another, a closer bond, and Branlin began to figure out exactly what makes his father tick.

Choupiques Dominate - It's not often that catching a choupique will earn first place in a fishing tournament. But it happened at the first annual Fishing For Kids Tournament at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Twice.

Making Muskie Mark - When Joseph Seeberger hooked into his group's fourth fish of the day, what he thought was another smallmouth bass, he told partners "It's a good one." Boy, was it ever. Seconds later he revised that impression. "Oh, it's not a smallie," said the angler from Portage, MI.

What To Do After Sandy - It's barely two days since she struck the New Jersey coast with all her fury, and early reports indicate that Hurricane Sandy has caused significant damage to marinas, boat yards, boat clubs and boating infrastructure. BoatUS provides helpful tips.
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Issue 220 - October 30, 2012

Zombies In The Heartland - The last stand of humans are surrounded by Zombies closing in, and there will be shooting. Lots of shooting. That was the premise behind Hornday's Pandemic 2012. At the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, NE, gun enthusiasts and Zombie haters united for a three-gun shooting event to take out the living dead.

Art From The Woodpile - It's late summer and somebody is already in the woods cutting firewood. Come closer to the steady buzz of a chainsaw and you discover something is wrong with this picture. Yep, there's a guy cutting wood, but it's not for the firewood pile.

Learning On The Fly -Tom Boatwright has won two championships in the Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge, which is seen Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on the Outdoor Channel, and he hasn't become a yearly contender in the series by limiting himself.

Dirty Dogs - Free ranging cats and dogs frustrate outdoorsmen and environmentalists. Domestic cats and dogs kill and maim more than a billion birds and mammals in the United States every year.
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Issue 219 - October 25, 2012

Zombies Take Over - It normally takes three days of roaming the SHOT Show floor before show attendee's start getting that walking-dead, 1,000-yard stare look. At the 2012 SHOT Show, the "Walking Dead" or "zombies" were a consistent part of the show from the start.

Move Deer Crossings? - This is too absurd to be believed. I mean really. With apologies to Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler of Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update, Wild Card has come across a video that has left jaws dropped and minds boggled. Really.

Out From Behind The Glass - Deer season is pretty much under way through most of the country. Either in the form of an archery or muzzleload hunt, anyone who wants to sit on a deer stand can do it, and there's nothing like it.

Autumn Beach Blast - The sight is unmistakable - frothing white water, violent surface explosions, sporadic waves of silver shards leaping for their lives. It's the annual fall baitfish migration along Florida's West Coast and it's one of the best times of the year to bend a rod on a mixed bag of jacked up predatory species.
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Issue 218 - October 23, 2012

Island Of The Big Grizzlies - When the first Paleolithic hunters arrived on what would become Kodiak Island some 7,500 years ago, the big bears were already there. Like the hunters, they had walked across the frozen Shelikof Strait from mainland Alaska, only they'd made the 30-mile trek at least 2,500 years earlier.

Handle With Care - When sports fans tune in to Outdoor Channel in January to view the second Jack Link's Major League Fishing® event, they will see something fundamentally different in the way anglers bring fish into the boat, as well as another major sponsor.

Traveling The World - Arden Cogar, Jr., champion of the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series presented by Ram Trucks, couldn't drive his new prize truck across the Big Pond for the event in Lillehammer, Norway, instead having to rely on the airlines. And they let him down some.

The Crush Does Halloween - With the rut starting, Lee Lakosky only wanted to trick or treat in the woods wearing camo. Tiffany had other ideas. "It's Halloween, and those boys are going to dress up," she said. "There's some battles you fight, and some just aren't worth it," Lee said.
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Issue 217 - October 18, 2012

Professionals Hunt Nepal - Nepal may be the top of the world, but it's not on the top of many people's bucket list of hunting locales. But, Jim Shockey went, taking a four-man crew from "The Professionals" series on Outdoor Channel with him.

The Well-Heeled Archer - It must have been a woman who first said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Clearly, the speaker never had a truck she wanted to jack up, a car she wanted to hot rod, and certainly not a bow of any sort. All of these things beg for "fixing," even though they might already work adequately.

Have Fins, Will Travel - Marlin are among the fastest fish, reaching speeds of up to 68 mph. Researchers wanted to know how far they travel, and they got a good idea after the first year of the Great Marlin Race.

Don't Hate The Crossbow - Crossbows are currently enduring what compound bows battled years ago; claims that their use will decimate deer herds and ruin the "sport" of archery. The same goes for 60 percent let-offs.
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Issue 216 - October 16, 2012

Hunting brotherhood - Alex Rutledge's first deer was only a spike buck, but he'll never forget it. He shared many special moments in the woods with family, and says that's what hunting is really about, the comradery.

Bring On The Cold - Frigid conditions cannot arrive soon enough for the nation's deer hunters. A deadly disease has attacked deer herds throughout many portions of the Midwest after this summer's brutal drought conditions.

Mule Vs. Whitetail Deer - Both the whitetail and mule have the same generic name "deer", but have different species names. The mule deer is Odocoileus hemionus. While the whitetail is Odocoileus virginianus. The later part of that title referring to what was once known as the "Virginia Deer."

Easy Venison Meatballs - Venison meatballs anyone? You will certainly impress your friends and family with these babies. They have an unbelievable flavor and they freeze well too. MissHomemade has also included many Italian sauce recipes to put them in.
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Issue 215 - October 11, 2012

Ole Miss To Honor Jordan - Bill Jordan, the creator of Realtree Camouflage and the host of the Monster Bucks video series and the Realtree Outdoors television show, will receive two prestigious awards from the University of Mississippi October 13 when Ole Miss hosts Auburn as part of Homecoming 2012.

Bloodlines - More than any other hunter in the woods, bowhunters know that after the shot and before the drag comes the search. Mastering the art of tracking a wounded animal is often the Live 2 Hunt: Worlds largest archery mulie!

Just The Thing For A King - It's gotta be a top 5 for the Worst Cliché list - the one about being able to sell ice cubes to Eskimos. This statement of persuasive power hinges on the notion that Alaskan natives lack not for chill. Closing the sale therefore requires convincing said Alaskans that your brand of ice cubes are more attractive than others.

Yellowfin Record May Fall - "El Suertudo," Spanish for "the lucky one," is the perfect name for the 61-foot Viking that belongs to Guy Yocom from Dana Point, CA. Yocom is also the lucky angler who hauled in a monster yellowfin tuna, which looks to be a shoo in for the all-tackle world record and possibly a $1 million payday.
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Issue 214 - October 9, 2012

The Total Outdoorsman - Everyone has that friend who can cast a jig into just the right spot in brushy cover from 25 yards out. Or has a buddy who seems to never miss a shot, no matter the conditions or the degree of difficulty. Or know the guy who always has the best route to take the ATV through every mud bog.

Building A Better Buck - An Alabama group's plan to improve a local deer herd's genetic structure is seen as an innovative project by some, but has also drawn harsh criticism from wildlife biologists. The Big Buck Project plans to release captive trophy class deer into the wild in an effort to produce genetically-superior bucks.

First Female AOY - Like many pro anglers, Marianne Huskey was bitten by the fishing bug at an early age. She reached her first goal by making the pro ranks, and this year hit new heights as the AIM Pro Walleye Series Angler of the Year, the first female to win a title in either bass or walleye fishing.

Fatal Deer Disease Creeps North - Deer infected with EHD may appear depressed or feverish and act erratically. Other signs may include blue-tinted tongue or eyes, ulcers on the tongue, sloughed hooves, high fever and swelling of the head, neck, tongue or eyelids.
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Issue 213 - October 4, 2012

Bighorns Diminish - To sit in the presence of the Rocky Mountain bighorns in the high, wild and lonely country of northwest Wyoming they call home is nothing less than a royal privilege. It's a privilege, however, that may not last a lot longer.

Sirguy's Silver Lining - Sirguy, of Port Angeles, Wash., was part of the United States squad that took the silver medal in the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series World Championship team relay competition. But, he also got to spend some extra time exploring the land of his Norwegian ancestors.

A Taste for Beef Dooms Washington Wolf Pack - Opposing conservation and livestock groups eventually stood in agreement last week concerning a wolf pack that appears to be preying exclusively on cattle in in northeast Washington.

Hot Catches of September - The end of the year is just around the corner, and world record-seeking anglers have their eye on the 2013 IGFA World Record Game Fishes book. Some of the record hopefuls who have submitted applications to the IGFA this month just may see their name in the next edition of the annual publication.
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Issue 212 - October 2, 2012

Fish Gives Angler Finger - Hahns Galassi knew why police called him. He had predicted it himself months before after losing four fingers in a wakeboarding accident. "They're fish food at the bottom of the lake," he said of his digits.

Third Tine Not A Charm - After more than six years of discussions, rulings and much wringing of hands, the famed Johnny King whitetail buck was officially scored by the Boone and Crockett Club on Sept. 24. And it is not a new world record.

The Experience - Every hunter has that one memory that filters back every season. Those visions might be of a big buck slipping through the woods 20 years ago, or the warm feeling of a camp fire shared with friends and family. Often, those memories center on a hunter's first opening day or the first time a hunt was successful.

Fall Redfish Roundup - Redfish are a predictable lot - they'll eat when food avails. But just as a dog will growl at even his owner for trying to take away his food dish, Florida redfish get really aggressive when fall starts to threaten their chow line.
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Issue 211 - September 27, 2012

Crappie On Call - Hard work, not luck, has always been the key to catching crappie consistently. Dennis Tietje and his buddies at Living the Dream Guide Service do the hard work — building and maintaining brushpiles in Toledo Bend Reservoir.

Walking A Fine Line - For the last 30 years, Mike Frenette has been a fishing guide operating the Redfish Lodge out of Venice, LA. In that time he's built a business that has catered to anglers all over the world in a fishery that has no match anywhere else.

Fishing For Votes - A variety of issues can and will affect the nation's 60 million recreational anglers, the sport fishing industry and the nation's fisheries. But, rarely are the presidential candidates presented questions regarding those topics.

Limiting Licenses Considered - Wildlife agency officials in South Dakota and Nebraska are considering taking measures to reduce the number of deer hunting licenses or permits issued this fall due to outbreaks of a viral disease in the state's deer herds.
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Issue 210 - September 25, 2012

Moose Delivery - Imagine this call. "Hello, Moose Federation." "Yes, I'd like a moose, no antlers." "Ok. We'll be there in 30 minutes or less, if not, it's still free." Something along those lines is taking place across Alaska under the state's moose salvage program.

Gruesome Grizzly Mauling - When I strung my longbow and set out on the trail that crisp September morning in 1992, I never guessed that in a few hours my life would be not only threatened, but forever changed.

Martens Wins All-Star Title - This one had it all – long runs, risky strategies, run-and-gun fishing and a dramatic save of a stranded competitor. In the end, Alabama's Aaron Martens edged out Oklahoma's Edwin Evers to win the 2012 Toyota Trucks All-Star Week championship.

Outdoors Across Alaska - It's the time of year that Don Mulligan, an outdoors writer from Indiana, looks forward to — his annual adventure trip through the pristine wilderness of Alaska. Mulligan and his travel partner braved a rickety bush plane ride and indulged in The Last Frontier — from fly fishing in Soldotna to bear and wolf hunting overlooking the Tustumena Glacier.
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Issue 209 - September 20, 2012

Shawn Michaels' Pays Tribute to The Nuge - Ted Nugent is an icon in the music and hunting industries. The Motor City Madman has sold more than 40 million albums and his Outdoor Channel show Spirit of the Wild has won six Golden Moose awards.

Best of Elites To Meet - As the 2012 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Brent Chapman is red-hot in pro bass fishing. But he is going into Toyota Trucks All-Star Week stone-cold and he's not alone.

Cogar Fourth; U.S. Relay Second - Poor finishes in the stock saw and hot saw hurt U.S. champion Arden Cogar, Jr. as he finished fourth in the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series World Championship in Lillehammer, Norway.

EHD Killing Deer - As of mid-September, the Missouri Department of Conservation had received reports of approximately 2,800 dead deer from throughout most of the state, with EHD being the suspected cause.
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Issue 208 - September 18, 2012

Miss Wildgame Nation - Matt Busbice of Wildgame Nation headed from the homestead in Louisiana to Texas, leaving Bill and Ryan behind for three pageant girls who will compete for the prestigious title of Miss Wildgame Nation.

On The Ready - You hear a lot of cliches in the fishing industry. Our sport is 10 percent skill and 90 percent luck. Ten percent of the anglers catch 90 percent of the fish. My favorite overused, albeit forever sage axiom holds that luck occurs when opportunity meets preparation.

Attack Fuels Anti-Attack - Mark Matheny knows it's not true, that old joke about not having to outrun a bear, only having to outrun your hunting partner. "Because they lock in on you like a homing missile," said Matheny, who survived a brutal bear attack 20 years ago and developed a bear spray to prevent others from being attacked.

Where 'Bad' Is Still 'Great' - Capt. Mike Frenette stood on the dock of his Redfish Lodge, scanned the expansive Venice Marina and said, "Everything you see in this marina was gone, except for some pretzeled steel." Frenette was referring to the effects of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005.
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Issue 207 - September 13, 2012

Weekend At Beary's - He stared me down for what seemed like forever before going back to feeding -- I put a fresh primer in and this time when I took the shot, the gun went off and the bullet struck perfectly and surprisingly the bear dropped in his tracks.

Heavy Fines, Serious Time - After illegally taking a record Kansas buck, David Kent won't be paying as much as he might have. Kent got a sentence of 30 days in jail, had to forfeit the antlers and gun used in the crime, paid $1,500 in state fines and won't be allowed hunt for 5 years.

West's Record Grizzly - Steve West, founder and host of Steve's Outdoor Adventures TV has taken the muzzleloader world record grizzly bear. The previous record of 23 2/16 inches was shattered when West's grizzly was scored at 26 1/16, eclipsing it by almost three inches.

Where Are The Trout? - As fantastic as redfishing continues to be in southern Louisiana, prospects for catching speckled trout have just as stunningly diminished. If any fisheries biologists know why, they aren't saying.
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Issue 206 - September 11, 2012

Cody's Massive Mulie - When Cody Robbins dropped his massive mule deer in Saskatchewan during a bow hunt in September 2011, he knew it was the trophy of a lifetime. Upon taking measurements, it appeared there would a new world record for a nontypical mule deer.

Oil Casts Ugly 'Shadow' - For P.J. Hahn, the white PVC poles poking up from Bay Jimmy are a stark reminder of just how quickly the Louisiana marsh is receding since the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010.

Things Changed After 9/11 - Things have changed in the last 11 years. In some ways I can't put my finger on all the changes, but I feel the change, as do most Americans. Exactly 11 years ago today, we watched as the Twin Towers came tumbling down at the hands of religious fanatics flying airplanes.

Venison Tenderloin Bake - With deer season locked in your sight, you may be thinking ahead to what you'll do with all that tasty venison. Misshomemade is never short on ideas. She pulls through this time with a simple, powerhouse recipe for venison tenderloin.
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Issue 205 - September 6, 2012

Wearing Colors With Pride - Dave Jewett owns scores of records and accolades accrued over a quarter century of competing in the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series presented by Ram Trucks. After that introduction, what spikes his competitive spirit might come as a surprise.

Helping Hunters Connect - What's the best deer hunting tip you've ever received? Always, always pay attention to the wind. Sure, besides safety, that's probably the most important thing to be aware out in the deer woods. We at OutdoorChannel.com have compiled a list of the some other things you should consider.

Hungry Jack Recipe - Arden Cogar Jr. is hungry for the world title, even if it means going a little hungry at times. The U.S. Champion of the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series presented by Ram Trucks is chomping at the bit for this week's STIHL World Championships.

Cat Island On Ninth Life - The small island was cramped with pelicans, each of them jockeying for a position on the small sliver of land, like trying to balance on the top of a basketball. In the two years since the Deep-water Horizon sent waves of oil into Barataria Bay, islands like this have become an increasing concern.
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Issue 204 - September 4, 2012

Fight To Pass Farm Bill - The 2012 Farm Bill stalled before reaching the full House floor prior the August recess. That means upon their return, lawmakers will have a very small window - a little more than three weeks - to pass this critical piece of legislation.

A Shaky, Shaky Start - Ralph Cianciarulo's first deer hunt was not what anyone would expect from the world class bow hunter. It was an absolute disaster. Cianciarulo was taken under the spell of the stick and string after first acquiring one when he was 6.

Marsh Sadness - The southeast Louisiana Delta is largely considered one the finest fisheries in North America, if not the world. That fact is not lost on Ryan Lambert, the Vice President of the Louisiana Charter Boat Association.

A Hunt with Mom - Watch "Craig Morgan All Access Outdoors" and you get a glimpse of the popular country music performer's passion for living the outdoor lifestyle. His enthusiasm is undeniable and it can be traced back to a memorable childhood moment shared with his late mother, Betty Sue Crockett.
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Issue 203 - August 30, 2012

Keep Marsh in Mind - As outdoorsmen, we rarely live by the adage "out of sight, out of mind." It is simply not part of our make-up. Images of hoped-for bucks, big bass or strutting turkeys are burned into our psyche, so deep that even while sitting in church, they can be seen clearly.

Finding Big Water Smallies - Fishing deep northern lakes for smallmouth can present the proverbial feast-or-famine scenario. Erie, St. Clair, Ontario, Champlain; these allstars, along with many other brown fish favs, offer vast ranges of productive bottom structure.

Unreal Wildlife - An African lioness, head erect, belly on the ground, appears to give you a glance as you walk into this big conference room at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center. But, the big cat can't hold your eyes more than a moment. This place appears alive with wildlife.

Deer Eats On The Cheap - Though some purists think hunting over a food plot is no different than baiting and detest the practice, there is no denying they are here to stay and are responsible for one of the fastest growing segments of the hunting industry.
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Issue 202 - August 28, 2012

Duckett Rallies On Oneida - Boyd Duckett used to count on his red shoes as his talisman. Now it seems his two-week-old son is bringing him all the luck he needs. In pro fishing, it's half-jokingly called "the baby pattern" because pros with new kids have proved to suddenly be more motivated.

The Gold Is Gone! - Outdoor Channel and the Gold Prospectors Association of America went on a northern adventure set in a city of gold - Nome, Alaska - for an original documentary series, "Alaskan."

The More, The Merrier - Hunting numbers are up, reversing a previous downward trend, according to a national survey released this month. A youth hunting advocate said increased interest in getting young people involved in hunting is one of the primary reasons for the increase.

Chapman Achieves Lifetime Goal - Maybe Brent Chapman will let up now. The man many regard as the most focused, singleminded angler of the 2012 Bassmaster Elite Series has accomplished exactly what he set out to do at the beginning of the season.
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Issue 201 - August 23, 2012

Cogar's French Connection - With a pair of gold medals to Arden Cogar Jr.'s credit, the obvious question from timber sports fans and lumberjacks comes next. What's his secret to success?

Addicted Hits Africa - Jon and Gina Brunson, hosts of Addicted to the Outdoors, flew to Johannesburg, South Africa, for a hunt. Jon wanted to snag a waterbuck, and Gina was after a zebra, which their daughter, Raven, wanted for a rug.

IGFA August Hot Catches - Two species - the pinima peacock and the unusual butterfly kingfish - are being considered for first-time IGFA World Records in this month's Hot Catches report.

The Shot of Champions - Hundreds of athletes have been on Wheaties' cereal boxes in its "The Breakfast of Champions" promotion - only three have received a similar honor from Winchester Ammunition. Kim Rhode is the fourth.
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