Thursday, June 11th, 2026
My Account

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Main Menu
Menu
Search
My Account
Thursday, June 11th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Main Menu
Menu
Subscribe to Outdoor News

Mike Raykovicz

Mike Raykovicz: Take care of your hunting firearm during the offseason

Blogs, Gear & Gadgets, Hunting, National Hunting, New York, Opinion /

If you’re like me, your hunting gear gets a lot of use.
I don’t think I’m particularly hard on my hunting equipment, but, things do happen. My favorite deer rifle is a Remington Model 7 in .243 caliber. It weighs practically nothing, and its recoil is barely perceptible. It’s something I want to pass down to my grandson, most likely sooner rather than later.

Mike Raykovicz: Take care of your hunting firearm during the offseason Read More »

Mike Raykovicz: Crossbow accessories can make a difference

Blogs, Featured, Hunting, New York, Opinion /

I’ve lost track of the number of hunters I know who have bought a crossbow recently. With their approval for use during New York’s regular archery season, more hunters are embracing their use.
Their main appeal seems to be among gun hunters who want to hunt the early deer season but have never had the desire or inclination to own a compound. 

Mike Raykovicz: Crossbow accessories can make a difference Read More »

Mike Raykovicz: Going all in for one specific buck

Blogs, Featured, Hunting, National Hunting, New York, Opinion /

The first time I saw him, I said he’d be the only one for me and, no, that’s not what my wife said the first time she met me. 
Last September, like most other bow hunters I know, I placed six of my trail cameras in several promising hunting areas to monitor any potential deer that may have been there. One of these locations was an overgrown cow pasture sprawling over nearly 200 acres. The pasture had everything a deer could want, including several small streams, abundant cover, and mature oak and beech trees.

Mike Raykovicz: Going all in for one specific buck Read More »

Mike Raykovicz: National Archery in the Schools Program stronger than ever

Blogs, Featured, New York, Opinion /

When I was in high school back in the stone age, physical education (we called it gym) consisted of playing games, climbing ropes, or workouts on gymnastic equipment.
I worked in a high school for more than 30 years and found physical education classes now included an emphasis on developing lifelong physical skills such as tennis, golf, and, surprisingly to me, archery. As a colleague at the time told me, “We want to encourage a love of a sport that will last a lifetime. Football and baseball can only be played for so long before a person loses interest or can no longer participate.”

Mike Raykovicz: National Archery in the Schools Program stronger than ever Read More »

Mike Raykovicz: Thoughts on another New York firearms deer season

Blogs, Featured, Hunting, New York, Opinion /

Here we are, heading for late November, and the firearms season has just begun throughout most of the state. With thousands of New York hunters searching for deer, it’s important to be reminded of, and share important safety precautions. 
Legal shooting time is 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset but, in my experience, not everyone abides by this rule.

Mike Raykovicz: Thoughts on another New York firearms deer season Read More »

Commentary: How young is too young to hunt?

Featured, Hunting, National Hunting, New York, Opinion /

When the question arises as to how old a youngster should be to hunt big game, the answer varies by state. Here in New York, a 12-year-old can hunt deer provided they have completed a course in both Hunter Education and Bowhunter Education if they also want to hunt deer with a bow or crossbow.
The law stipulates that the youngster must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or youth mentor 21 years or older.

Commentary: How young is too young to hunt? Read More »

Mike Raykovicz: Tough conditions greet New York’s Southern Tier bowhunters during the early season

Blogs, Hunting, New York, Opinion /

I don’t know how warm it was in your part of New York, but here in the Southern Tier, and as I suspect throughout most of the state, temperatures during the first week of October were well above normal. 
Frankly, I was getting tired of my wife and friends saying “how beautiful” the weather was. Sure, clear, blue, cloudless skies with air temperatures in the low 80s made most people giddy with delight, but not me. 

Mike Raykovicz: Tough conditions greet New York’s Southern Tier bowhunters during the early season Read More »

Mike Raykovicz: Tree stand safety reminders

Blogs, Hunting, New York, Opinion /

Now that crossbows have become legal hunting tools in New York, it’s expected that record numbers of hunters will be in the woods hunting deer this fall and, most will likely hunt from a tree stand.
However, before climbing any tree, it’s essential to follow the necessary steps to stay safe while hunting from any elevated platform. Proper tree stand measures are crucial to reducing or, ideally, eliminating accidents from falls, whether while climbing or while in the stand.

Mike Raykovicz: Tree stand safety reminders Read More »

GET THE OUTDOOR NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Sign up for the Outdoor News Weekly Newsletter and get 2 months of FREE access to OutdoorNews.com – packed with hunting, fishing, and conservation news. No Catch.

This offer includes digital access only (not the printed edition)

Email Address(Required)
Password(Required)
Name
What outdoor activities interest you?(Required)

PLEASE READ

Accessing Your Full Subscription Just Got Easier. Introducing Single Sign On.

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Click Continue below.
  2. You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.
  3. Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!
  4. After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue.
  5. You’ll either:
    1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
    2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

One login. Every edition. Easy.

Let’s get you reading!

Continue...

PLEASE READ

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

• Click Continue below.

• You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.

• Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!

• After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue. You’ll either:

  1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
  2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

Continue...

Help Shape the Future of OutdoorNews.com!

We know you love the outdoors—now we want to make OutdoorNews.com the ultimate destination for all things hunting, fishing, and conservation.

Take our brief 3 minute survey to share your thoughts, and help us build the best outdoor website on the planet. As a thank you, we’ll send you a special offer!

Together, we can make OutdoorNews.com even better.

Take the Survey

Introducing The Outdoor News Foundation

Donate Today

For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month!

Sign Up Now

Some restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. For more information see Terms and Conditions. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Offer valid thru 3/31/23.

Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? Click here to login.