Game & Fish West

Each issue of Game & Fish West details proven local strategies for elk, deer, bass, trout and more. Discover the best places to hunt and fish from Washington to New Mexico, and learn the top times for success in the field and on the water. Get info on hot new gear and how it performs, as well as updates on trends, regulations, seasons and destinations to help you plan your next outing.

THE OFF-SEASON?

Game & Fish West

GAME & FISH ONLINE • TIPS, TACTICS, GEAR, NEWS AND MORE AT GAFMAG.COM

MOON TIMES

THE TERRIFIC .22S • RECENTLY INTRODUCED .22-CALIBER CENTERFIRES ARE REDEFINING THE CAPABILITIES OF THIS CLASS OF CARTRIDGES, BUT CAN THEY REALLY REPLACE OLDER FAVORITES?

THE WINTER-TO-SPRING TRANSITION • AS COLD WEATHER EASES ITS GRIP, FISHING HEATS UP AROUND THE COUNTRY.

ARE HUNTERS BECOMING TOO EFFECTIVE? • THAT’S THE CENTRAL QUESTION IDAHO IS ASKING AS IT CONSIDERS LIMITATIONS ON HUNTING TECHNOLOGY.

Man’s Best Friend, COYOTES’ WORST ENEMY • A DECOY DOG BECOMES A COYOTE HUNTER’S SECRET WEAPON, AFTER SOME HELP FROM AN OLD PARTNER.

PROTECT THOSE SENSITIVE EARS • Suppressors benefit dogs as well as humans.

FAKE PLAYS • Substitute an artificial decoy for a real dog.

IN THE LAND OF THE BLUE BULLS • PURSUING DEVIL-HORNED ANTELOPE IN THE THORNY BORDERLANDS OF TEXAS PRODUCES EXCITING OFF-SEASON HUNTING AND EXCEPTIONAL WILD MEAT.

A PERFECT PLACE FOR THE 7 MM PRC • Add South Texas nilgai to this cartridge’s capabilities.

AROUND THE WEST • A SAMPLING OF THE REGION’S BEST HUNTING AND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES THIS MONTH

CHOP TALKA • TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR SPLITTING WOOD THE RIGHT WAY

TAG SEASON • HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF THE CHANGING HUNT PERMIT LANDSCAPE AND INCREASE YOUR ODDS IN BIG-GAME DRAWS

DATES TO KNOW • State-by-state big-game permit application deadlines

PRIME TIME • STEELHEAD FISHING IS HEATING UP ON COASTAL RIVERS. HERE’S HOW AND WHERE TO FIND THE ACTION.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO • Regulation changes for Oregon and Washington waters

HEAT Seekers • THE PROLIFERATION OF THERMAL OPTICS HAS EXTENDED HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES INTO THE NIGHT. BUT WHICH THERMAL IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

BUDGET THERMALS • Cost-conscious options for those just getting their feet wet in thermal hunting

LIVE ACTION • AS FORWARD-FACING LIVE SONAR TAKES OFF, TACKLE MANUFACTURERS ARE RACING TO CRANK OUT NEW PRODUCTS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR IT.

FFS FOR THE MASSES • A budget priced live-sonar option for the rest of us

TRI-CITIES Snows • LOOK NO FURTHER THAN EASTERN WASHINGTON FOR SOME OF THE WEST’S BEST SNOW GOOSE HUNTING.

IF YOU GO • Local intel for the traveling snow goose hunter

STUDYING THE SLAM • A DECADES-LONG PURSUIT OF WILD TURKEYS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA CREATES MEMORIES AND TEACHES LESSONS ON THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SIX BREEDS.

The Secrets of PYRAMID • GIGANTIC LAHONTAN CUTTHROAT TROUT LURK IN THIS NEVADA LAKE, AND THEIR STORIED PAST IS AS INTRIGUING AS THEIR SIZE.

FISHING FOLDERS • Benchmade’s Adira and Mini Adira are right at home on the water.

Colt CBX TAC HUNTER • A NEW BOLT-ACTION RIFLE FROM AN ICONIC GUNMAKER COMBINES HUNT-DRIVEN AND PRECISION-FOCUSED FEATURES.

Nosler WHITETAIL COUNTRY • A NEW LINE OF AMMUNITION PROVIDES DEER HUNTERS WITH TOP-SHELF PERFORMANCE AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.

RABBITS AND TROUBLE • GOING OUT IS MUCH EASIER THAN GETTING BACK.