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    Spencer Neuharth

    Spencer Neuharth is the hunting editor of MeatEater, producer of Wired to Hunt, and founder of Rut Fresh. His writing has been featured in over a dozen magazines, including Field & Stream, Petersen's Hunting, and Men's Journal. His work is a reflection of his roots as a whitetail hunter and training as a biologist.

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    Ice Fishing

    Fact Checker: Do You Lose Half of Your Body Heat from Your Head?

    Spencer Neuharth

    Jan 17, 2020

    Myths, lies and old wives’ tales loom large in the outdoor pursuits. Here at MeatEater, we’re dedicated to separating facts from bullsh*t, so we created this series to examine suspect yarns. If there’s a belief, rumor, or long-held assumption you’d like us to fact check, drop us a note at factchecker@themeateater.com.
    Claim
    You lose half of your body heat through your head, making it the most important part of your body to cover in frigid...

    Pike

    Photos: Minnesota Angler Catches Same Giant Pike Twice in a Week

    Spencer Neuharth

    Jan 16, 2020

    Mike Johnson, an avid angler from Crystal, Minnesota, has quite the fisherman’s tale to share this winter. Unlike most yarns that anglers spin, though, he has photos to back it up.
    Johnson was ice fishing Mille Lacs last week when he hooked into a 40-inch pike on a rattle reel with a 3-inch sucker. After a quick picture, he slid the big female back into the hole and watched her swim off.

    One week later and 100 feet away, he set the hook on...

    Wildlife Management

    Ask a Warden: Have You Ever Written a Citation to a Friend?

    Spencer Neuharth

    Jan 16, 2020

    In our series Ask a Warden, we interview officers from across the country to learn about their role in protecting our game, fish, public lands, and other resources. In this edition, we asked officers from West Virginia, Minnesota, Georgia, and Arizona if they’ve ever ticketed a friend or family member.
    A friend of mine who’s a warden started his career in the corner of the state opposite where he grew up. He says state agencies are...

    Wildlife Management

    Ask a Warden: Are Most Officers Avid Hunters and Anglers?

    Spencer Neuharth

    Jan 7, 2020

    In our series, Ask a Warden, we interview officers from across the country to learn about their role in protecting our game, fish, and other resources. In this edition, we asked officers from Ohio, California, Alabama, and Montana if most wardens are avid hunters, trappers, and/or anglers.
    During my five years with the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, I worked with some wardens that were great guys, but...

    Pike

    Video: Anglers Stunned by Pike’s Stomach Contents

    Spencer Neuharth

    Jan 6, 2020

    Roger Niesen was cleaning fish and watching MeatEater TV with buddies last weekend when they came across a hockey puck-sized object in a pike’s stomach.
    The 38-inch northern was caught on the Mississippi River in Wisconsin and sat on the ice for 5 hours before hitting the cutting board. They noticed a hard object bulging in its belly and made guesses about what it was. When they sliced in, they were stunned to find a 9-inch bluegill still...

    Whitetail Deer

    Fact Checker: Do Outdoor Stores Pay Big Money for Big Mounts?

    Spencer Neuharth

    Jan 3, 2020

    Myths, lies and old wives’ tales loom large in the outdoor pursuits. Here at MeatEater, we’re dedicated to separating facts from bullsh*t, so we created this series to examine suspect yarns. If there’s a belief, rumor or long-held assumption you’d like us to fact check, drop us a note at factchecker@themeateater.com.
    Claim
    Big box stores like Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops will pay premium prices for exceptional deer mounts.
    Origin
    Every time a...

    Small Game

    A MeatEater Christmas: The Best Gifts We’ve Ever Received

    Spencer Neuharth

    Dec 23, 2019

    As Christmas draws near, we at MeatEater are reflecting on the best gifts we’ve ever received. What you’ll find below is a compilation of some of our favorite December 25 memories. We wanted to bring you something different this holiday season, rather than another worn-out gift guide.
    “Out of all the of gifts my father gave me as a young hunter and angler, the best was an extremely well-used, sporterized, Czech army Mauser rebarreled...

    Wildlife Management

    Fact Checker: Can a Christmas Tree Give You Lyme Disease?

    Spencer Neuharth

    Dec 16, 2019

    Myths, lies and old wives’ tales loom large in the outdoor pursuits. Here at MeatEater, we’re dedicated to separating facts from bullsh*t, so we created this series to examine suspect yarns. If there’s a belief, rumor, or long-held assumption you’d like us to fact check, drop us a note at factchecker@themeateater.com.
    Claim
    Some Christmas trees have dormant ticks and tick eggs that will hatch in your home. Those ticks can carry Lyme disease...

    Whitetail Deer

    Rut Fresh Report: 12/12

    Spencer Neuharth

    Dec 12, 2019

    Sadly, the best deer hunting is over for most of the country. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to tag a mature buck in mid-December though. As Mark Kenyon said on the Wired to Hunt Podcast, “The late season is the great season.”
    Like we often preach when hunting the rut, you just need to keep it simple this time of year. But, instead of focusing on doe bedding and pinch points, look for thermal cover and obvious food. Bucks and does alike are...

    Whitetail Deer

    Are Big Rubs Made by Big Bucks?

    Spencer Neuharth

    Dec 4, 2019

    For archers seeking out deer sign, it doesn’t get much more obvious than rubs. In most cases, rubs start showing up in mid-September when bucks begin to feel a spike in testosterone. It’s a visual and chemical way for deer to communicate: shredding the bark off a tree while leaving behind scent from their forehead glands.
    There’s a lot of lore when it comes to rubs, as they’ve been captivating outdoorsmen for centuries. You’ll often hear...