Each issue of Game & Fish East details proven local strategies for whitetails, turkeys, bass, trout and more. Discover the best places to hunt and fish from Maine to Virginia, 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.

THE LATE GAME

Game & Fish East

MOON TIMES

WITH RESPECT TO RIMFIRE • Bullet performance on game should be a primary consideration when picking a .22 LR load.

Drop EVERYTHING • With a few minor adjustments, THE DROP-SHOT RIG becomes an ALL-SEASON, ALL-SPECIES wonder tool.

DROP-SHOT RECIPES • Tailor the rig to the species and water conditions.

GET YOUR GRIND ON • FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO MAKE BETTER GROUND GAME MEAT AT HOME.

MEAT MAKERS • New grinders and more

WELCOME, HOMEWRECKER • HOW DO WE MANAGE INVASIVE SPECIES WHEN THEY BECOME PART OF OUR SPORTING LANDSCAPE?

On the Rocks • HUNTING FREE-RANGE AOUDAD IN WEST TEXAS REQUIRES LOTS OF CLIMBING AND A BIT OF CRAWLING TO REACH THE RAMS’ RUGGED HIDEOUTS.

AOUDAD ... AND MORE • Backcountry Hunts offers multi-species adventures.

RAM RIG • Ruger’s Hawkeye Hunter in .300 Win. Mag. can handle hardship.

AROUND THE EAST • A ROUNDUP OF THE TOP HUNTING AND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE REGION THIS MONTH

BIG-WOODS SHED HUNTING • EXPERT ADVICE FOR FINDING SHED ANTLERS IN HEAVY TIMBER—EVEN ON PUBLIC LAND

NIGHT MOVES • CALL COYOTES AFTER DARK THIS MONTH AND YOU’LL EXPERIENCE THE BEST HUNTING OF WINTER—IF YOU CAN HACK THE COLD.

Gear essentials for frigid temps • Hunting in the winter, and especially after dark, can mean having to deal with brutal cold. Here are three items to help you survive the mercury drop and stay in the coyote calling night game.

Snow Days • DON’T PUT AWAY THAT SHOTGUN JUST YET. GREATER SNOW GEESE ARE HERE, THOUGH GETTING THEM TO WORK REQUIRES AN AIRTIGHT APPROACH.

A SIMPLE DECOY SETUP • Authenticity trumps numbers when it comes to greater snow goose spreads.

GOOSE CHASE • Top East Coast destinations

ESSENTIAL GEAR • Equipment for piling up snows

5 BAITS FOR WINTER PERCH • FEBRUARY IS PRIME TIME FOR LOADING UP ON TASTY YELLOW PERCH THROUGH THE ICE. HERE ARE SOME TOP OFFERINGS AND HOW TO FISH THEM ON YOUR FAVORITE LAKE.

RIGGING UP • Basic tackle requirements for yellow perch

TOP EASTERN PERCH LAKES • Perch abound in the Northeast, and these waters are among your best bets.

BOTTOMS UP • ANGLERS WILLING TO BRAVE THE HIGH SEAS IN WINTER ARE REWARDED WITH SOME OF THE BEST-EATING FISH IN THE ATLANTIC.

ROASTED POLLOCK WITH CHICKPEAS AND KALE

DRESS FOR SUCCESS • How to bundle up for a day of bottom fishing

A GUIDE TO GUIDES • Top charters that’ll put you on the fish

HOLD THE ICE • WHILE MANY EASTERN LAKES ARE STILL FROZEN OVER, ANGLERS ITCHING TO MAKE A CAST WILL FIND HOT ACTION ON THESE OPEN WATERS THIS MONTH.

RIDE TO A BEAR • A SPRING HORSEBACK HUNT IN IDAHO’S FRANK CHURCH-RIVER OF NO RETURN WILDERNESS REVEALS STUNNINGLY STEEP SCENERY, WHITEWATER AND THE NEED TO IMPROVISE FOR SUCCESS.

TRIP PLANNER • A backcountry bear hunt is a bargain.

HIT THE WATER! • SPRING BRINGS NEW BOATS, MOTORS AND ACCESSORIES THAT MAKE GETTING TO THE FISH ALMOST AS MUCH FUN AS CATCHING THEM.

LET THERE BE LIGHT • FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, THE COLEMAN LANTERN HAS BEEN A FIXTURE IN FISH CAMPS, WALL TENTS AND JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER PLACE HUNTERS AND ANGLERS GATHER.

START SMALL • Big bucks aren’t always best.