Author: Jeff Helsdon

The realism in today’s turkey decoys is miles from just a couple of decades ago, with iridescent paint schemes, feather detailing, and lifelike improved postures. The only way to tell them from the real thing is that they don’t move. Wily old toms often become decoy-shy, avoiding even the best fakes. It’s impossible to read a turkey’s mind, but the decoy not moving is likely a factor in keeping toms at bay. Think about it: if a tom is wary, hesitates, and watches, he could note no movement. While a turkey’s brain is a fraction of the size of a…

Turkey hunters looking for new boots to protect their feet this turkey hunting season have several new, and some unique, options to choose from. To pick the best boots for turkey hunting is difficult with terrain, weather conditions, hunting style and the presence of venomous reptiles varying across North America. The newest introductions of boots for turkey hunters introduced at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s convention offer something to satisfy everyone no matter what situation you turkey hunt in. Here is a list of the best turkey hunting boots for multiple situations and preferences this turkey season: Best Overall Turkey…

The selection of turkey hunting vests grows every year, and this year was no exception. Turkey hunting is an adventure that requires skill, patience, and the right gear. Among the essentials, a turkey vest stands out as a crucial piece of equipment that can make or break your hunting experience. The best turkey vests are more than just storage solutions; they are designed to enhance your comfort, organization, and stealth in the field. With features ranging from ample pocket space for calls and ammunition to built-in seats for those long waits, a high-quality turkey vest is an investment that pays…

Beretta’s BRX1 might just be the ultimate bear-hunting rifle. Originally designed as a unique bolt-action gun, the BRX1 combines the reliability of a traditional bolt-action with the speed of a straight-pull system, making it ideal for quick follow-up shots in critical moments. Its military-inspired design, sub-MOA accuracy, and ambidextrous features offer unparalleled versatility for hunters. Whether you’re tracking a wounded bear or setting up for a long-distance shot, the BRX1 ensures precision, power, and reliability. Let’s explore why the Beretta BRX1 stands out as a top contender for the best bear and deer gun on the market. Beretta may have…

Why use mouth calls for hunting turkeys If you aren’t using a turkey mouth call for hunting – at least part of the time – you are missing out. Mouth calls for turkey hunting are a love-hate thing: some people love them while others hate them. Even if you like your pot call or box call, learning to make a cluck on a turkey mouth call can help you kill more turkeys. Quiet purrs and clucks often help finish off a gobbler that’s hesitating, but a cluck is also vital to get a gobbler to stop and raise its head…

If you aren’t using a turkey mouth call for hunting – at least part of the time – you are missing out. Mouth calls for turkey hunting are a love-hate thing: some people love them while others hate them. Even if you like your pot call or box call, learning to make a cluck on a turkey mouth call can help you kill more turkeys. Quiet purrs and clucks often help finish off a gobbler that’s hesitating, but a cluck is also vital to get a gobbler to stop and raise its head to get a clean kill shot– most…

It didn’t take long for me to figure out that cod fishing with Newfoundland’s Quidi Vidi Charters was not your typical fishing trip. Someone asked Captain Kevin Battock if we would catch fish. “I guarantee you will catch fish and I will feed you the best fish and chips you ever had,” he answered. ”This isn’t a fishing charter, it’s a catching charter.” I had never had a guarantee of catching fish on a charter before, although it usually occurred. And I certainly never had the culinary guarantee that I would be fed the best fish and chips ever. Then,…

By Abigail and Jeff Helsdon Some people say a gun is a gun. You can have an adult gun or a youth gun, and many gun-store salespeople say you should be able to fit into one or the other, regardless of age. When buying a gun, there are many elements to consider. You want to look at caliber, brand, style, weight, fit and many other aspects of suitability. Women now have something else to consider. It’s the question of whether they’d’ want a gun that is specifically designed to provide the best fit for women. If you answered yes to…

“If you build it, they will come.” That famous line from Kevin Costner’s 1989 Movie “A Field of Dreams” was about a baseball field, but it could also apply to the John A. Halter Shooting Sports Education Center. The building of the center transformed a field into a first-rate shooting center for multiple shotgun disciplines on a scale that hadn’t been seen before. The shooting center is associated with Hillsdale College, a private liberal arts college. Hillsdale was founded in 1844 and has an enrollment of about 1,500 students. Competitive shotgun is a fully-funded program within Hillsdale’s Athletic Department. Although…

Pitting themselves against the wariest wildlife, hunters need to have all their senses at their peak. The trouble is that many hunters have a compromised sense of hearing due to repeated exposure to gunfire. The latest in electronics can help hunters hear better. And for those who don’t yet have hearing loss, the equipment to protect hearing is better than it has ever been. Hearing loss starts at any noise exposure above 140 decibels (dB). The quietest of firearms, the .22 rimfire, creates 140 dB. Centerfire rifles and shotguns are noisier, producing 160 to 170 dB. You need to realize…