Low and to the Right

By far, the most popular kind of hunting story that exists today is the first-deer story. To kill your first deer is a rite of passage, and a hunter will tell his story with the same degree of passion and mystery that most guys use to describe their first sexual encounter. Indeed, there are many similarities between these two milestones in a boy’s (and in some cases, a girl’s) life. For instance, American hunters generally kill their first deer...

The Catch and Release Conundrum

American fly fishing pioneer Lee Wulff famously stated that “A gamefish is too valuable to only be caught once.” Wulff was an early advocate of catch-and-release fishing regulations that eventually became a widely used management tool in the United States. As a fly fishing trout guide, catch and release is at the core of my job description. I’m sometimes forced to tell my clients I’d be shooting myself in the foot if I allowed them to keep a...

The Hows and Whys of Hunting Licenses and Regulations

Hunting is a highly regulated activity in the USA. Wildlife is managed at the state level, with state game agencies, supported by license sales, deciding who gets to hunt what, where and how. These rules and regulations can and do change annually and are published in a booklet and online.  Each state’s regs are different and it is the hunter’s responsibility to get a hold of a copy and study and know the laws inside and out. The information below...