Finding shed antlers is fun, but does scooping up a matched set at the end of February mean anything come November? It all depends on the details of a specific antler, whether you have any history with its previous owner, and what you plan to do with the information it gives you.
Mark Kenyon is a devout shed junkie who believes that a cast antler is most valuable when on a multi-season quest for a single deer. “The most important benefit to shed...

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
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and can kill them if they consume too much.
Origin
This claim has been around for as long as...

When Idaho and Wyoming tried opening limited hunting seasons for grizzly bears in fall 2018, opponents instantly dubbed them “trophy hunts.” They claimed no one hunts grizzlies for their meat, and charged that hunters only want the big bear’s skull, claws, and hide for rugs and decorations.
Those who supported the low-impact hunts—one tag in Idaho and 22 tags in Wyoming—felt stung by the sweeping accusations. Grizzlies hadn’t been hunted in the...

This time of year, chasing big whitetails couldn’t possibly feel further away. That doesn’t mean your downtime between deer and turkey season should be wasted though. If you want to capitalize on the long offseason, now is the perfect time to download onX, put your virtual boots on the ground, and start e-scouting. After all, success favors the prepared.
Locating Quality Public Land
When starting from scratch while looking for public land, there...

In our Ask the Eagle series, I’ll be answering your questions about everything from hunting to butchering to marriage. This week, someone wants to know if I have any tips for preventing flinching while shooting.
Have a question of your own? You can write to me asktheeagle@themeateater.com.

Cottontail rabbit hunting is a simple proposition on paper. You either push through the gnarly stuff until bunnies bust out and roll them with a load of 7.5 shot, or slip along a brushy fenceline with a scoped .22 and plink them as they hang tight and try to blend in.
Both strategies can work well, but they’re often dependent on weather conditions, habitat, and an understanding of bunny behavior. Factor all of these into your day afield and you...