We all know them. Those people who seem to collect trophy deer almost every season. They say roughly 75 percent of all big game animals are taken by only 10 percent of bow hunters. I am not sure if this is true but what I do know is there are people who seem to take trophy animals on a consistent basis.

The day before a hunt is one of the great joys left in the world. Sometimes the anticipation can be more important to the experience than the hunt itself.

Bow hunting is a commitment to a discipline that attracts a certain personality. We sit alone for hours in a tree stand, or maybe we hike deep and far for miles at elevation. We commit to an idea and stress over the most idiosyncratic details that ultimately are forgotten when we need them most. We obsess and debate over concepts of modern technologies, somehow neglecting that for tens of thousands of year’s animals had fallen victim to much more primitive techniques. Hunting with a bow may only be a viable option for several months a year, while time with one spent in hand never appears to end.

I’m not really sure why the sharp-tailed grouse doesn’t get the attention that other upland birds do. Heck, I’m still not sure why upland hunting in general isn’t more popular. Sure it’s not as “sexy” as public lands backcountry archery hunting, it doesn’t seem as hardcore as busting ice with headlamps and decoy bags in the dark and all-to-often it gets called a “gentleman’s sport,” but most of the time there’s pretty much nothing gentlemanly about it.

One of Elvis Presley’s favorite sayings was “TCB,” which stands for “Taking care of business.” While we’re not exactly sure what The King meant, we do know that for a shooter, taking care of business means taking care of your firearm.

Everyone loves being a winner and that includes iSportsman users. When it comes to hunting lotteries in high-stakes areas every second counts to ensure the odds are in your favor. Mike Rogers, active service member, iSportsman user and YouTuber, knows this better than anyone, which is we he set out to help others snag that winning spot for their next big hunt.

Beads of sweat were pouring down my face, like small streams winding down a mountain side. A widening stain on the back of my tee shirt was growing rapidly. I had been standing underneath a small group of trees, trying to find some shade. A slight breeze was in the air, but not enough to provide any comfort or the ability to air dry my perspiration. The action was slow for a mid-morning dove hunt. It was already into the third week of dove season and most dove hunters had vanished from the fields. I could see doves flying around the cut sunflower field, trying to figure out the best place to land to commence their gorging of sunflower seeds.

Fall turkey hunting is nowhere near as popular as spring turkey hunting. During the fall, there is a lot of competition for the time and attention of hunters. Deer, ducks, small game and migratory birds all pull hunters in different directions. For the hardcore turkey hunters out there, fall can be a great time to pursue these magnificent birds without much competition in the field.

While you can catch crappie any time of the year, for many anglers fall and winter are their favorite. 

My first hunting bow was an old compound handed down from a family friend. I have no idea what brand it was, and I suppose it doesn’t really matter. I do remember it had a 40-pound draw weight and no sights. I was 11 and it took me nearly a year to gain the strength to draw it.