Game & Fish West

Each issue of Game & Fish West details proven local strategies for elk, deer, bass, trout and more. Discover the best places to hunt and fish from Washington to New Mexico, and learn the top times for success in the field and on the water. Get info on hot new gear and how it performs, as well as updates on trends, regulations, seasons and destinations to help you plan your next outing.

TRANSITION TIME

Game & Fish West

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

MOON TIMES

RENOVATED RIMFIRE • THE .21 SHARP IMPROVES UPON THE CLASSIC .22 LONG RIFLE IN A FEW WAYS. BUT WHAT DOES ITS INTRODUCTION TRULY MEAN FOR HUNTERS?

CROWD CONTROL • HOW TO ADAPT TO THE CHANGING PUBLIC-LAND HUNTING LANDSCAPE.

STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE • VENISON DONATION SERVICES ARE EASY TO FIND AND USE, AND A GREAT WAY TO PROLONG YOUR DEER SEASON WHILE HELPING YOUR NEIGHBORS.

A VERY LONG DAY • OVERCOMING THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CHALLENGES OF RECOVERING A WOUNDED BULL ELK IN THE WYOMING BACKCOUNTRY

BULL ANCHORS • Increase your chances of a quick recovery with a large-caliber rifle and quality ammo.

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

READY, STEADY, WHOA • GET YOUR GUN DOG READY FOR OPENING DAY WITH THESE QUICK TIPS ON HOLDING STEADY.

TAKE IT TO THE BANK • SURE-FIRE STRATEGIES FOR THE SHORE-BOUND SALMON ANGLER.

STELLAR SALMON WATERS • Best bets for shore-based anglers

CURRENT EVENTS • LEARN TO READ CURRENT IN RIVERS AND LAKES TO CATCH MORE LATE-SUMMER BASS.

CURRENT BAITS • Top offerings for fishing in the flow

BEARS OF SUMMER • WHILE MOST BIG GAME SEASONS DON’T START FOR ANOTHER MONTH, BEAR SEASONS ARE OPEN IN SOME STATES RIGHT NOW. AND AUGUST JUST MIGHT BE THE BEST TIME TO TAG A BRUIN.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS • Top destinations for early-season black bears

ALPINE GOLD • MAKE YOUR WAY ABOVE THE TREE LINE FOR LATE SUMMER’S BEST AND MOST CONSISTENT TROUT ACTION.

CROWN JEWELS • Top alpine trout lakes across the West

HIGH-COUNTRY CONSIDERATIONS • Keep these things in mind when planning a trip to an alpine lake.

RED DESERT DUST-UP • SOUTHERN WYOMING’S RED DESERT OFFERS A UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING HUNT FOR THE COWBOY STATE’S MOST ICONIC BIG GAME SPECIES.

TRIP PLANNER • Things to know before you set off on a Red Desert adventure

VINES & TINES • A CALIFORNIA VINEYARD PROVIDES A BUCOLIC, IF UNUSUAL, VENUE FOR A COLUMBIAN BLACKTAIL DEER HUNT.

POTENT COMBO • The rifle and load used to take a Columbian blacktail

A CROSS TO BEAR • SIG SAUER’S CROSS 277 SIG FURY IS A LIGHTWEIGHT, HIGHLY ACCURATE BOLT-ACTION RIFLE THAT’S EQUALLY AT HOME ON THE RANGE AND IN THE DEER WOODS.

AN EVOLVED LPVO • THE TRIJICON CREDO HX 1-10X28 TAKES THE LOW-POWER VARIABLE OPTIC CONCEPT TO A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL.

GUT FEELING • WHEN FACING AN UNCERTAIN SITUATION, IT’S ALWAYS WISE TO TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS.