Petersen's Hunting August 2022

FOR YEARS I thought August was too early to go hunting. It was still summertime, after all. And hunting is an autumn adventure. Sure, I was thinking about hunting, and planning out fall hunts. I was shooting my bow religiously, sharpening my knives, and fine-tuning my gear. Early August was also when I realized how out of shape I’d gotten with the easy-livin’ of summer, and I’d implement a not-so-strict workout regimen of morning hikes with a heavy pack on my back. But actual hunting would have to wait for September 1—the opening day of dove season when I’d gather with a bunch of friends sitting around a waterhole, shooting, laughing and, after the guns were put away, drinking beer and grilling fresh dove breasts. Then, one August, I found myself…

The early season: A time graced by warmer weather and less hunting pressure, when many hunters are still caught up by summer BBQs and family trips. Some gunpowder enthusiasts turn their noses up at the early season. Mostly due to the fact that many states require early hunts to take place with a stick and string. That, though, is what many of us hunters find so great about these first hunts of the season: The challenge and struggle to outsmart game, and get close enough to weave an arrow through the vitals. Hours upon hours of practice have consumed those who dedicate themselves to the art of the traditional bow. Cold days spent staying sharp through the winter and summer nights sending shots down range. Now, finally, seasons around the country…

IN MAY, the Biden administration appealed a poorly reasoned federal district court decision. That ruling overturned a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) rule that removed Endangered Species Act (ESA) status for gray wolves throughout much of the United States. Safari Club International (SCI) commends the administration’s decision, as an appeal will take a necessary stand against incorrect legal precedent and will protect important wolf conservation policies. Since 2003 and spanning three Presidential administrations, the Service has repeatedly tried to remove gray wolves from under the ESA—a move that is not only justified by wolf population recovery, but will also free up regulatory resources to protect other species that are truly at risk. During the previous administration, however, the Service succeeded in delisting the gray wolf in the lower 48 U.S.…

There are few items in my pack, if any, that trump the significance or importance of my Garmin inReach Explorer+. Not only is it an intuitive and very capable GPS, but it gives me the ability to communicate with loved ones back home no matter where my adventures take me. The most important feature, however, is the lifeline my inReach provides with the civilized world if things go south and lives are at risk. Garmin, through a monthly subscription, gives inReach users the ability to send and receive text messages via GPS satellites from anywhere in the world. I used to relish the ability to leave civilization behind and disconnect for days on end. While I still crave that solitude, now with a wife and kids of my own, the ability…

BULLET BASICS From Africa to Alaska, no bullet is more trusted by dangerous-game hunters than Swift’s A-Frame. It is the ultimate refinement of a partition-type bullet, with a rear core separated from a front core by a wall of copper. The front core is bonded into place, and never pancakes or fragments off the bullet, even when heavy bone is impacted. Thick jacket walls control expansion and create the ideal mushroom shape. Being flat-based and rather blunt-tipped, the A-Frame is not an aerodynamic bullet. It’s not meant to be. Its specialty is killing with authority, and when gnarly game with big teeth and heavy claws are the quarry, that trumps all else. TESTING GROUND My friend Mark Belcher fired the bullet shown, directly into the chest of a Mozambiquan Cape buffalo. The buff was…

Entering the world of archery can be an intimidating undertaking. Where do you start? What bow do you buy? How do you learn to shoot? All these questions run through the minds of new archers and the answers seem so intimidating it keeps them from entering the sport. Don’t be disheartened. There are easy ways to get started in bowhunting. The following guidelines will help you feel more confident with your setup and skills. Archery is a journey. Pick your gear, practice a lot, and extend your season. Happy Hunting. 1 GO WITH THE PROS Finding a pro shop that you feel comfortable with and trust is of paramount importance when starting bowhunting. Archery shops are there to help you select the right bow and guide you through products that will work…