For the shotgunner, there are few things as satisfying as smashing a clay target. Figuring out the lead, speed and perfect break point, and then having everything come together and seeing the target evaporate in a ball of dust. It’s the result of a good gun mount and proper shooting technique, and it typically requires plenty of practice—at least to do it consistently. Spring is a great time to get to the shooting ground—or the Back 40—and fine-tune the fundamentals. And the proper gear can help achieve smashing-good results. TOM BECKBE SHOOTING GLOVES For breaking targets at the range or dro ..read more

SPONSORED CONTENT: BRAYS ISLAND PLANTATION What shotgunner doesn’t dream of having a personal sporting clays course in his or her backyard? To walk out the door with a gunslip and range bag calling, “I’ll be out back!” While this might be a pipe dream for most, having access to just about every type of shooting activity is part of everyday life for the residents of South Carolina’s Brays Island Plantation. Brays might not be the only residential community to offer a shooting program, but it is one of the only places to make the shooting sports a major focal point of community building ..read more

Whether you’re looking to hunt grouse in Maine, waterfowl in Saskatchewan or desert quail in Arizona, the questions are always the same: Who has the experience and ability to get me into birds? And who will make the hunt enjoyable from start to finish? Finding the right bird guide or outfitter is the first and most important step to venturing into new country and scoring an awesome wingshoot. One of the following guides from throughout the US and Canada may be the perfect fit for your next adventure. So click on the links below or scroll down to view all guides and outfitters. Dave Brown Out ..read more

Waterproof walking boots I’ll confess that I have PTSD when it comes to rubber boots. Some of the worst blisters I’ve suffered have been the result of odd- or ill-fitting knee-high waterproof boots. But technology and materials have come a long way, so last summer I decided I would give five of the latest crop of waterproof footwear a chance.  My test involved walking over hill and dale, seeking out calf-deep mud, fording swift streams, navigating slippery deadfalls and climbing piles of mossy rocks. I even drove my five-speed-manual hatchback, to check the boots’ ankle flexibility. In th ..read more

Mike Stewart, the found of Wildrose Kennels, which specializes in breeding and training Labrador retrievers, says that one of the secrets of dog training is: “Dogs don’t talk, but they are always communicating.” Do you know how to decipher what your dog is telling you? Does your dog understand what you are asking of him? We are going to delve into the human-canine communication matrix to help you understand what you are—or should be—doing when interacting with your furry companion. Canine communication can be broken down into three main areas, or the “3 Ts”: timing, tempo and tone. Our dogs re ..read more

"Travel” means different things to different people. For some it involves trekking around the globe via planes, trains and automobiles. For others it’s simply a short drive to hunting camp. But whether it’s about the journey or the destination, what’s important is having the right gear for the trip. The following items may serve you well on your next adventure. LACROSSE ALPHATERRA BOOT Whether navigating a wet country estate, fetching wood for the campfire or walking the dog in the rain, the LaCrosse AlphaTerra Boot offers waterproof versatility. The 6” non-insulated boot is built with hand-l ..read more

As bird hunters, we all appreciate the beauty of a classy pointing dog that hunts in control, sticks every point and effortlessly retrieves downed birds. “I want one just like that!” has no doubt been uttered countless times by dogless hunters fortunate enough to have watched a well-trained, experienced grouse or pheasant dog at work. Once you have that picture in your mind, it’s easy to become fixated on the breed you were so impressed with. You should get the dog that you think will make you happy. That said, I want you to consider several variables that go far beyond breed.  Decisions ..read more

Sponsored by The Preserve at Crooked Run The Preserve at Crooked Run might be an all-around outdoor venue but, above all, the Virginia-based business is driven by a deep-seated passion for wingshooting. The lead-up to bird season starts in the spring with a litany of habitat and logistical preparations that continue all the way to opening day, in September. While it is always extremely satisfying for those who have put in the hard work to hear the first shots of the season, the real excitement starts at the commencement of “prime time.” The span that runs from November to early February is whe ..read more

There’s a moment in waterfowling when everything changes. It’s when the birds commit and lower their “landing gear” to set in. It’s also when hunters go from hoping for an opportunity to knowing they’re going to get a shot—the reward for all the preparation, scouting and hard work setting up on “the X.” With the help of the following products, you may see more landing gear over your setups this year. FIRST LITE STRAIGHTLINE FIELD JACKET Hunters who venture out in harsh conditions will appreciate First Lite’s Straightline Field Jacket—designed to withstand the storms and straightline winds cha ..read more

Few experiences in the field are worse than knowing your dog is out there somewhere yet having no idea where. I’m not talking about a dog that’s working 50 yards away in some thick cover that you can’t see or hear. I’m talking about a dog you last saw 30 minutes ago that hasn’t checked in and isn’t responding to your calls, or one that was headed for the next county the last time you glimpsed its back end.  GPS collars have all but eliminated the not-knowing-where part, but occasionally collars fail and even today not everyone uses one. New Year’s Eve 2021 was a case study in how things c ..read more