Author: Kat Stevens

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Kat Ainsworth Stevens loves nothing more than a day spent in the woods or on the water. She has hunted all over the country for everything from deer to ducks to alligators. Her fishing endeavors range from setting juglines for catfish to catching rainbow trout in mountain streams. And while she’s out hunting, fishing, hiking, and boating, she’s putting gear through its paces.

It used to be that iron sights were all you saw at the range and in classes, but with time that shifted to include the occasional red dot sight. Today, red dot sights on carry guns are common—if not expected—and that means considering adding a red dot sight to your own handgun (if you haven’t done so already). In fact, this isn’t only about gun owners carrying for self-defense purposes. Red dots are also great for handgun hunting whether you’re using a semi-automatic or a revolver. We have some suggestions regarding red dot selection and use, and we’re going to…

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The air is crisp, if not downright chilly, and the sky promises an early snowfall. You’ve been sitting in your ground blind waiting for deer, and finally, one appears. Said deer is now on the ground, and you’re about to field dress it. Then what? Drop it off at a meat processor? Hang it in a cooling shed? Delegate the task to a friend you believe knows what they’re doing? There’s no reason you can’t learn to process your own venison. Help can be nice, but it isn’t a must. Here are some tips and tricks for making the coming…

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Fall means many things to hunters, but mostly it’s about deer season. Sure, there are other seasons involved like dove, turkey, and duck, but deer remains the winner for sheer numbers of hunters involved. Of course, there’s something else that goes on in October: Halloween. If you have kids—or even if you don’t—you might stop and consider what this means to you as a firearms owner. And if you’re thinking this is just about self-defense, it’s not. Guns and Halloween involve a few factors, and we’re going to get into it here. SHOULD YOUR KIDS HAVE TOY GUNS FOR HALLOWEEN?…

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It’s not an uncommon theme among hunters to assume they’ll both never break the law and never need to worry about self-defense in the woods. But in reality, it can be all too easy to inadvertently do something that results in some sort of issues with the DNR (fish and game), and just because you’re in the woods doesn’t mean you’re magically protected from danger. We’re going to go over the reasons why it can be smart to invest in some sort of hunting-related insurance, and we’re going to start with self-defense. Self-defense isn’t just for city streets. Every year…

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Choosing hunting boots can be a challenge, especially if you’re pressed for time. After all, there are many factors to consider before lacing up a pair of boots, whether it’s for a hunt through rugged terrain or a spring turkey hunt in a field. We’re here to help you narrow down the possibilities with recommendations for boots suited to various purposes. Each has been put to the test in the field. Consider this your one-stop guide for picking out your next pair of hunting boots. For your convenience, the selections are here, click the green link to learn why we…

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It’s a common theme in the hunting world—and the gun world in general—to assume that it’s the man’s job to keep hunting traditions alive. It’s dad or grandpa who will take the kids into the woods to introduce them to all things hunting. It’s dad or grandpa who will teach the kids to shoot, clean deer and whatever else is required. And while it’s fantastic when the men in a child’s life are involved, it’s not just up to the guys to carry on hunting traditions. It’s for moms and other women, too. Strong Female Role Models As a shooter,…

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Spend much time in the firearms world and you’ll find that there are many myths and some substantial misinformation circulating about women and guns. You might find it surprising that these conditions remain pervasive well into the 21st century; nevertheless, here we are. To help you make sense of some of what you hear in conversations about this topic, or when you walk into a gun store door or attend a gun class, I’ve compiled a list. Here are some of the most common untruths, why the information is factually wrong, and what that means for women who have an…

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Guns are purpose-driven tools. That is something that’s said regularly, and it’s true. When you choose a firearm, you’re selecting it for a specific application. That might be self-defense, home defense, hunting or competition—but you probably have something specific in mind. However, it’s also true that some of your guns should be for fun. While they’re absolutely purpose-driven, that purpose can—and should—occasionally be fun. So, what makes a gun fun? A Piece of History If you’ve never considered adding a gun to your collection based entirely on its history, you should reconsider that. Historical firearms of all kinds are a…

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Armed and Responsible Whether they’re kids or adults, new handgun shooters play a key role in keeping the shooting sports going. And when it comes to selecting a handgun for a beginner, it can get a little overwhelming. There are a lot of handguns on the market, and there’s really no such thing as a one size fits all model. When choosing a first handgun, several factors need to be taken into consideration. We’re here to help simplify that process and explain why the following guns are our pick for the best handguns for beginners. What to look for in…

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For gun owners, it can be easy to get caught up in the idea that a favorite handgun is all that is needed for self-defense purposes. After all, the handgun really is the great equalizer, and it can appear to be a one-size-fits-all solution for threats. However, there’s far more to being a responsible defender than owning and carrying a handgun (or having one tucked into your bedside table drawer). If you want to be a well-rounded, capable defender, you need to master skills far beyond the feel of a pistol grip in your hands. Secondary Measures A handgun shouldn’t…

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