We were making our way deep into the Chugach Mountains in pursuit of the Alaskan Dall sheep. It was our fourth day of hiking, the opening day of hunting season, and my first official sheep hunt. It rained all night, but we woke to clear skies and clear minds.

“Almost there”, I reassure myself, catching my breath before continuing on to the appointed meeting spot. Having just completed the steepest part of the trek, I note that I’m making good time, despite the vertical challenge. I am eager, of course, to reach my husband, Chris, and see the buck he just shot. But the other part of my eagerness stems from a desire to prove my worth as a packer. After all, Chris could have called his football-player-built buddy to help haul out his deer; instead, he called me: his barely-five-foot-tall, eighty-nine-pound wife.

Women are taking up arms and heading outside for multiple reasons. Mental health, physical health, and spiritual health are big reasons. Family is another; women know that when their children sit in front of the TV or iPad it leads to obesity, ADD/ADHD, and so many other negative effects. Conscious eating has turned from fad to lifestyle

Snow or no snow, early March is the RIGHT time to put your spring turkey hunt plans in place.

Planning is critical if your goal is to tap a tom on opening morning. Staking a blind near a winter roost or loitering location can boost your odds for early season success.

Public-land DIY archery elk hunting is taxing enough without knowing where to find elk. I find them by antler hunting in spring. You can too.

For me, elk scouting is a year-round activity, but spring is one of the most revealing times because it gives me a head-start on fall elk success.

Getting a novice, small framed, and/or recoil shy hunter properly outfitted with a good hunting rifle takes a bit of extra effort and care, but the rewards are worth the effort. Take the time to do it right. Then spend plenty of time practicing before actually going hunting.

The 300 WSM has proven to be the short-action equal of the longer 300 Win. Mag., making it suitable for hunting just about anything, anywhere.

Zeroing a rifle for maximum point blank range can keep you on targets for perfect hits out to 300, perhaps even 400 yards without the need for ranging precisely, dialing turrets, or choosing sub-reticles.