Hook and Bullet
Gretchen Steele: Turkey hunters and outdoor fans in southern Illinois can smell spring
By the end of February in southern Illinois, winter has worn out its welcome — but it hasn’t quite left. And here we are in March. More of the same, but with some hope attached.<br
Mike Raykovicz: Synthetic deer scents gaining momentum
Chronic Wasting Disease is spreading, and it seems just a matter of time until it is rediscovered here in New York. To slow its proliferation, 11 states have banned the use of deer scents containing
Trump administration ends protections for lesser prairie chicken
A ground-dwelling bird known for elaborate mating dances on the southern Great Plains will no longer be federally protected after the Trump administration agreed with arguments by three states and the beef and petroleum industries
Former Trump Cabinet secretary Ryan Zinke won’t seek reelection to a Montana U.S. House seat
Ryan Zinke, a Montana Republican who served as interior secretary during President Donald Trump’s first administration, said Monday that he will not seek reelection to a fifth term in the U.S. House, citing health concerns.<br
How prevalent are ‘problem’ turkeys in Minnesota’s metro areas? DNR part of training for control operators
Tom wild turkeys soon will be strutting all over Minnesota as the birds become more aggressive in establishing a pecking order within flocks as the breeding season begins.
It’s also when videos emerge on
State Roundup: .41 Great Lakes is a great cartridge with a great story behind it
The .41 Great Lakes, a mostly new straight-wall cartridge has a great story behind it. I suppose it should still be considered a wildcat round, but the originators, friends John Upp and Larry Miller, both
Christine Thomas: Hunting northern bobwhite quail in South Carolina
“Brian McCoy used to say that he could predict the weather based on what calls bobwhite quail were using,” said my husband, Stan, as we discussed northern bobwhite quail after our recent trip to South
Winter also takes its toll on declining Illinois quail numbers
In most discussions of the decline in Illinois bobwhite numbers, we focus on long term loss of important habitats – including nest cover, brood habitat, food sources and shelter and escape cover.
Statewide, these
Illinois Conservation Police Officer honored with NWTF ‘Officer of the Year’ award
Illinois CPO Amanda McKune issued 27 citations and 18 written warnings related to turkey cases across five counties in 2025 – this while handling illegal fish snaggers, state park violators and making DUI arrests.
