Game & Fish West

Each issue of Game & Fish West details proven local strategies for elk, deer, bass, trout and more. Discover the best places to hunt and fish from Washington to New Mexico, 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.

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Game & Fish West

GAME & FISH ONLINE • TIPS, TACTICS, GEAR, NEWS AND MORE AT GAFMAG.COM

MOON TIMES

LEGACY LEVER-GUN CARTRIDGES • HUNTERS SHOULDN’T OVERLOOK THE .30-30 WIN. AND .45-70 GOVT. JUST BECAUSE THEY’RE OLD.

NATURAL SELECTION • MATERIALS MADE BY NATURE ARE ENJOYING A RESURGENCE IN FISHING.

BUZZ KILL • HOW SHOULD WE REGULATE THE USE OF DRONES AND THERMAL DEVICES IN THE FIELD?

Springtime TRIPLE-DOUBLE • A VETERAN TURKEY HUNTER AND HIS PROTÉGÉ EMBARK ON A GOBBLE-FILLED SEASON THAT SPANS FROM OREGON’S COAST RANGE TO THE CASCADES.

GOBBLERS ALONG THE SPINE • FROM GEORGIA TO MAINE, THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS OFFER A WEALTH OF PUBLIC LAND FOR HUNTING TURKEYS IN THE SPRING.

APPALACHIAN DESTINATIONS • These eight areas encompass millions of acres of public land open to turkey hunters.

AROUND THE WEST • A SAMPLING OF THE REGION’S BEST HUNTING AND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES THIS MONTH

NO-DRAMA LLAMAS • A CRASH COURSE ON TRAINING LLAMAS TO SERVE AS BACKCOUNTRY BEASTS OF BURDEN

Spring FLINGS • FOLLOWING THE WINTER FAMINE, MARCH BROWN AND SKWALA STONEFLY HATCHES BRING TROUT TO THE SURFACE IN DROVES.

SPRING HATCH HOTBEDS • Find early action on these six legendary waters.

BRONZEBACK BOOM TIME • LARGEMOUTHS AND SPOTTED BASS GET THE LION’S SHARE OF WESTERN BASS ANGLERS’ ATTENTION, BUT SMALLMOUTHS OFFER SOME OF THE REGION’S BEST SPRINGTIME ANGLING.

SMALLMOUTH SMACKDOWN • Top destinations for the springtime brown bass bite

TOM TIMING • ANY DAY YOU CAN HIT THE TURKEY WOODS IS A GOOD TIME TO HUNT GOBBLERS, BUT CERTAIN PARTS OF SPRING HAVE PROVEN TO BE BETTER THAN OTHERS.

TRAIL CAMS FOR TURKEYS • Improve your gobbler hunting game with remote reconnaissance.

MONSTER WALLEYES • TROLLING AND VERTICAL JIGGING ARE GO-TO STRATEGIES FOR NUMBERS OF WALLEYES. CATCHING THE LARGEST SPECIMENS, HOWEVER, CALLS FOR A CHANGE IN TACTICS.

WHERE TO GO • Much of the Columbia River system offers the chance at a walleye of a lifetime.

PANHANDLE GOBBLERS • STRETCH YOUR LEGS IN NORTHERN IDAHO FOR PUBLIC-LAND, DIY TURKEYS.

TAG TALK • Things to know about Idaho turkey permits

TACKLE TEST 2025 • WE RANK 45 NEW BASS RODS AND REELS BASED ON THEIR PERFORMANCE IN REAL-WORLD FISHING CONDITIONS.

Mossberg International SILVER RESERVE EVENTIDE TURKEY • THIS STACKED-BARREL SCATTERGUN IS A VERSATILE OPTION FOR SPRING TURKEY HUNTERS.

MIDDLE GROUND • NOT EVERYONE AGREES ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.