Each issue of Game & Fish Midwest details proven local strategies for whitetails, turkeys, bass, walleyes and more. Discover the best places to hunt and fish from North Dakota to Kentucky, 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 Midwest

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 MIDWEST • A ROUNDUP OF THE REGION’S TOP OPPORTUNITIES THIS MONTH

HUNTING THE HUNTERS • EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF SPEARING LARGE NORTHERN PIKE THROUGH THE ICE.

VOICE LESSONS • TWO PREDATOR HUNTING PROS OFFER TIPS ON USING COYOTE VOCALIZATIONS TO SCORE MORE SONGDOGS DURING THE BREEDING SEASON.

TOP TRANSLATORS • Two calls to tempt songdogs

GO NATURAL • WHEN ICE-FISHING GETS TOUGH IN MID-WINTER, LIVE-BAIT PRESENTATIONS CAN TURN THE TIDE.

HARDWATER MUST-HAVES • Essential gear for live-baiting

PUBLIC BUNNIES • WITH A LITTLE BIT OF LEGWORK, THE SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR RABBITS ON PUBLIC LAND.

VARIETY SHOW • Bonus game to add to your bag

HOPPIN’ HOT SPOTS • Four great areas to try for rabbits

STAGING FOR A SNOWSTORM • SETTING AN ENTICING SPREAD FOR SNOW GEESE REQUIRES A LOT OF WORK, BUT THE REWARDS CAN BE INCREDIBLE.

SNOW GOOSE SWEET SPOTS • Top destinations for traveling hunters

FABULOUS FAKES • Decoys to increase snow goose success

OPEN FOR BUSINESS • IF YOU’VE GROWN TIRED OF STARING INTO ICE HOLES, HITCH UP THE BOAT AND HEAD TO ONE OF THESE OPEN-WATER FISHERIES 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.