Field & Stream

"The World's Leading Outdoor Magazine." devoted to the complete outdoor experience and lifestyle.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS • All across the country, hunting season has arrived

NOW THAT’S A WRAP

Cheers & Jeers • BURNT FISHING SPOTS, PORKY DESSERTS, TROUT POUTING, SKEET STREAKS, AND ONE STARRY NIGHT

F&S FACEBOOK POLL • The night before opening day, you’re most likely to…

FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY

FIRST SHOT

WILD COURSES • A wade in brookie country goes from peaceful to punishing and gives new meaning to “fishing hard”

DO THE BROOKIE STOMP

VENISON BRATWURST WITH JUNIPER PICKLES • As summer winds down and deer seasons get started, the timing for this meal couldn’t be better

ROCK OF AGES • A training course with an expert flintknapper transports the author back in time to the earliest hunters

BACKCOUNTRY CHOW

THE SPEED TRAP • High-velocity shells drop more ducks and geese, right? Not so fast…

PENETRATION TEST RESULTS • Shooting into gelatin proved that with pellets of the same size or nearly so, more velocity does increase penetration. But not as much as sticking with the slower speed and going up two shot sizes.

THE MAGIC BULLET? • It’s not a bullet, it’s a cartridge. And it’s not magic. But the 6.5 Creedmoor might be the best round there is

CREEDMOOR Q&A • Readers ask me a lot of questions, generally. These days, more than any other topic, they ask about the 6.5 Creedmoor. These are the sorts of questions they ask—and my answers.

OPENING DAY IN AMERICA • MORE THAN 700 DIFFERENT HUNTING SEASONS OPEN IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER AROUND THE COUNTRY. LET’S DO THIS

THE QUICK BUCK • THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE BOW OPENER FOR PATTERNING AND AMBUSHING A TROPHY BUCK

Keep Cool for Prairie Grouse

GO ON A NO-JOKE SNIPE HUNT

SET OUT A WATERFOWL BUFFET • There will be days ahead to become a picky greenhead snob. Now you take what the new season gives you with gratitude.

Get the Edge on Grouse

TRICK A BRUIN

TRADITIONS HAIRCUT DAY

U.S. OPENER • IF YOU THINK OF OPENING DAY AS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN MID-NOVEMBER, CHECK OUT THIS MAP. HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT SEASONS OPEN THIS MONTH AND NEXT IN THE LOWER 48. HERE’S A BREAKDOWN OF YOUR BEST OPPORTUNITIES

7 OPENER ROAD TRIPS • A combination of multiple early openers, great hunting, and plenty of public access makes these seven destinations ideal for a DIY road trip. Just pack up the truck and go.

THE DREAM BULL • THE SCOUTING, TRAINING, AND PLANNING HAVE ALL COME DOWN TO THIS: DAY ONE OF ELK SEASON. ARE YOU READY?

Call Up Some Claws

TRADITIONS THE TOAST

Hunt Down the Huns

GET UP FOR MULE DEER

SHOOT THE GAP FOR PRONGHORNS • If a pronghorn buck takes a break from chasing does at 50 mph, it’s because he’s seen another buck that needs a beating.

THE HEALING HUNT • THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE BEST MEDICINE IS A DAY IN THE FIELD WITH AN OLD FRIEND AND A GOOD DOG

Line Up for Teal

DUPE WOODIES WITH A DOVE

Light Up Some Porkers

TRADITIONS SWEET MEMORY

GO CLIMB A TREE • Slipping into an unfamiliar area and killing an opening-week deer with nary a trail camera in sight is rewarding.

CAMO-PLATE SPECIALS • FOUR ALL-AMERICAN DINERS SHARE FAVORITE BREAKFAST RECIPES THAT YOU CAN COOK AT CAMP

THE HARD-EARNED BEAR • HUNT BIG-TIMBER BEARS THIS SEASON WITHOUT BAIT OR HOUNDS

Walk the Road for Grouse

SPOT AND STALK SQUIRRELS LIKE BIG GAME

HIT THE BAR FOR EARLY CANADAS • It’s your best chance to pattern and bag a bunch of big honkers. “A couple of guys might take 15 or more on that first morning.”

TRADITIONS WATCH...