Game & Fish East

Every month in Game & Fish, you'll discover the best hotspots throughout your region for hunting and fishing. We'll also bring you your state's latest outdoor news, plus plenty of how-to tactics and special strategies designed to make you a more successful hunter and angler

HARD LESSON

Game & Fish East

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

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING • Game & Fish editors pick their favorite shows on MOTV.

MOON TIMES

THE CASE OF THE QUARTER BORE • THEY WERE ONCE BELOVED BY HUNTERS FOR THEIR VERSATILITY, BUT ARE .25-CALIBER CARTRIDGES STILL AS USEFUL TODAY?

ICY HOT • FOCUS ON LOCATION AND ACTIVITY LEVEL TO BOAT MORE LARGEMOUTHS IN EARLY SPRING.

SHINE ON • RESTORE THE GLEAM OF YOUR BOAT’S GELCOAT IN A WEEKEND BY WET SANDING.

A PUBLIC PROBLEM • WHILE AMERICANS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT HUNTING AND FISHING, PUBLIC APPROVAL IS SLIPPING—AND WE MAY BE TO BLAME.

GHOSTS OF THE SWAMP • A HUNTER VENTURES SOUTH TO THE SUNSHINE STATE IN PURSUIT OF AN ELUSIVE, HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER BIRD FEW ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HUNT—AND EVEN FEWER ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BAG.

GO-TO GUARD • Sitka’s Equinox Guard Collection offers hunters unparalleled protection against ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers and more.

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

HABITAT HELP • NOW’S THE TIME TO RID YOUR HUNTING PROPERTY OF INVASIVE WOODY FLORA.

BUNNIES IN BETWEEN • LATE-WINTER RABBITS PROVIDE THE PERFECT LINK BETWEEN FALL AND SPRING HUNTING SEASONS.

GUNS AND LOADS FOR COTTONTAILS • Any number of shotguns and rimfires will get the job done on rabbits, but these are a few of my favorites.

LAND A WINNER! • THE BEST ANGLERS DESERVE THE BEST BOATS. BAG AN AMAZING VALUE THIS YEAR WITH SMOKER CRAFT, STARCRAFT AND STARWELD - DESIGNED BY THE PROS AND BUILT FOR ANGLERS LIKE YOU SINCE 1903.

conquer the LULL • WHEN THE ICE-FISHING BITE SLOWS IN FEBRUARY, HERE’S HOW TO FIRE IT BACK UP.

HARD-WATER HOT SPOTS • Top destinations for crappies, perch and sunnies through the ice

SO, YOU WANT TO HUNT ELK? • A FLATLANDER’S GUIDE TO CHASING BULLS THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS OF THE AMERICAN WEST

DRAW DETAILS

GET GOOD GEAR • Don’t cut corners on these pieces of elk hunting equipment.

WINTER RIVER SMALLIES • FEW EASTERN ANGLERS GIVE MUCH THOUGHT TO BASS IN WINTER, BUT NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO TARGET BIG RIVER-DWELLING FISH.

FIVE FAB FLOWS • Hit these rivers for the region’s best winter smallmouth bites.

BOOM TIME FOR BURBOT • HIT THE ICE THIS MONTH TO SCORE ON ONE OF THE TASTIEST FISH THE REGION HAS TO OFFER.

POOR MAN’S LOBSTER • Enjoy chunks of flaky burbot meat dipped in butter.

WORLD RECORDS That Almost Weren’t • IN SOME CASES, PROOF THAT THE BIGGEST FISH REALLY ARE THE BIGGEST HAS BEEN INTRIGUINGLY ELUSIVE.

WHERE TO CATCH A RECORD • Head to these spots if you’re looking to make the book.

BETTER TROLLERS • NEW BRUSHLESS TROLLING MOTOR TECHNOLOGY OFFERS ANGLERS ADVANTAGES IN POWER AND EFFICIENCY.

MULLING OVER MOTORS • Four things to consider before buying a new model

Stag Arms STAG 10 PURSUIT • BUILT FOR HUNTERS, THIS AR COMBINES HIGH PERFORMANCE WITH A HINT OF TRADITION.

Stevens MODEL 334 • THIS RELIABLE, VALUE-PRICED BOLT GUN COMES WITH A COUPLE NOTEWORTHY SURPRISES.

REFUGEES • SOMETIMES THE SMART MOVE IS STAYING IN THE TRUCK.