Western Whitetail

Western Hunting | Whitetail Hunting


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The Importance of Dope

The Importance of Dope by Glen Stilson  When I head to the shooting range for some practice or out into the field for a hunt, I always make sure I bring my dope. No, I’m not talking about the much debated green leafy plant; I’m talking about D.O.P.E., or ‘Data on Previous Engagements’. There are a few other versions of the acronym that I’ve heard, such as ‘Data Obtained … [Read more...] about The Importance of Dope

More Whitetail Reach

More Whitetail Reach by Ron Spomer  Extreme range shooting is today’s hot topic, but one questions whether it should be any day’s hot whitetail hunting technique. There is a point at which long becomes too long. That said, if ever there were a place for needing a bit more reach on a whitetail hunt, the West is it. Here in the great wide open (long may it remain!) we are … [Read more...] about More Whitetail Reach

Early Season Whitetails

Early Season Whitetails by Scott Haugen, Editor Whether scouting or hunting, late summer is one of the best months to locate a Western whitetail buck. Here’s what to look for in your pre-season scouting missions, and early season hunts! A wild flush at my feet, and instinctively the shotgun was shouldered. I have no idea where my first payload of #6 shot went, but my second … [Read more...] about Early Season Whitetails

Glassing the West for Deer

Glassing the West for Deer by Shelton Boggess I was introduced to glassing at an early age, and grew up behind my dad’s pair of 15x56 Swarovski Binoculars. At the age of five, I remember sitting behind those powerful binos on a Northern Arizona Coues deer hunt, watching, while my dad took a shot at a mountain lion. He didn’t connect, but shortly thereafter, I witnessed my … [Read more...] about Glassing the West for Deer

Setting Up For Success

Setting Up For Success Glen Stilson When I was learning how to shoot a rifle as a young child, I remember being told, “Hurry up and take your time.” It’s a concept that I still use today when I need to make a good, clean shot or when I’m teaching others the fundamentals of marksmanship. The concept suggests that you probably won’t have all day to make a good shot, but if you … [Read more...] about Setting Up For Success

Weatherby Back Country Rifle

Weatherby Back Country Rifle by Darren Choate, Editor In Chief Much has been written about what items you should pack in your backpack when preparing for a hunt in the backcountry. However, on the lists that I have seen, they simply list a line item for a rifle and another for ammo. Are we supposed to believe that any old rifle/ammo combination will suffice? On any hunt, … [Read more...] about Weatherby Back Country Rifle

Make the Transition

Make the Transition by Colton Choate, Juniors-Only Editor Hunting is about spending time with your family. Like many, my father introduced me to hunting. When hunting or scouting with my father, we share an unbreakable bond that grows every time we spend a day together in the woods. Hunting as a young child, with a parent, is much more of a guided hunt experience. The hunt is … [Read more...] about Make the Transition

Bucket List Whitetails

Bucket List Whitetails by Darren Choate, Editor In Chief Before I die, I would like to accomplish a Western Whitetail Slam, which in my mind comprises the following sub-species of White-tailed deer: Carmen Mountain, Columbian, Coues, Dakota, Northwest and Texas. To date, I have taken three of the seven sub-species. Living in Arizona allows me the luxury of hunting for Coues … [Read more...] about Bucket List Whitetails

Long Range Shots

Long Range Shots by Darren Choate I watched my neighbor pull into his driveway, as he returned from his Arizona Coues deer hunt. I had hunted the same area a few years ago and was interested how he did. So I walked over and asked, "Well, how'd you do?" "I shot a nice buck. And, after a long pause, added "at 600 plus yards!" "Wow, that's a more than a mere poke," I … [Read more...] about Long Range Shots