Hunting season is well underway throughout North America. If you’re planning a hunt, and want to improve your chances of success, you can benefit from today’s Saturday Showcase featuring noted huntress and outdoor video host Kristy Titus. Titus, co-host of the Team Elk TV show, is a certified instructor who has hunted around the globe. She grew up in the outdoors, running pack mules in Oregon with her father.
Successful Hunts with Kristy Titus and Field Dressing Methods
Kristy has her own successful YouTube Channel, Pursue the Wild with Kristy Titus. Here are three popular videos on that channel. Kristy’s field dressing video has amassed over 5.7 million views!
Best of North American Big Game Hunting
Caribou Hunting in the Northwest Territories
Gutless Field Dressing Method
Hunters who are deep in the backcountry may need to quarter the animal for easier field removal and to help cool the meat as quickly as possible. In this video, Kristy Titus shows the step-by-step process of the gutless method. Kristy recommends a good skinning knife such as the Buck Knives Pursuit Series. She also states you should have quality game bags plus a section of Polyethylene Visqueen material which can be purchased at local hardware stores.
Shooting Skills and Tactics for Hunters with Kristy Titus
As part of NRA Women TV, hunting guide Kristy Titus hosts a series of videos that explain important strategies and shooting skills for hunters. In these videos, Kristy demonstrates field positions that can be employed during a hunt. She also explains preparation for a hunt, including fitness training.
Click each link below to watch other Kristy Titus Hunting Videos.
Kristy says: “When it comes to bolt-action rifle fit, there is no ‘one size fits all’. When picking out your rifle [consider options] after the purchase to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.”
You can save big bucks on guns and gear with factory rebate programs. But with the end of 2025 fast approaching, dozens of great shooting industry rebate programs are about to expire. Many major rebates on rifles, pistols, optics, and/or ammunition require purchases no later than December 31, 2025.
If you are in a buying mood (maybe to get a new gun as an Xmas gift to yourself), check out these notable rebate offers. We showcase 16 great discount/rebate programs. These rebates can save you big bucks on rifles, pistols, shotguns, ammo, or gear. Many of these rebates are worth $100 or more. For example you can Save $200 on Savage rifles or Save $150 on Beretta pistols. Note: most of these promos are good through the end of December 2025, but some expire on November 30 — so check the dates.
Hunting season is underway now across the country. You’ll definitely want to zero your hunting rifle before the hunt, and you need to know how your shots will impact with a cold barrel.
Commonly, hunters won’t have the ability to fire one or two fouling shots before heading out on a hunt. Therefore it’s important that a hunter understands how his rifle shoots with a “cold bore shot”. Both the point of impact (and possibly velocity), may be different with a cold bore than with a barrel that has been warmed and fouled with a series of shots. In this video from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU), you’ll learn how to determine your cold bore point of impact (POI) for a rifle that just been cleaned, as well as the cold bore POI with a barrel that has already been “fouled in”.
SGT Joe Hein of the USAMU shows how to plot cold bore POI with both a clean bore and a fouled bore. Note that the “cold bore” shot from a fouled barrel was closer to the follow-up shots than the cold bore shot from a clean barrel. This is typical of many factory barrels. SGT Hein provides a simple way to understand your rifle’s cold bore performance. Hein’s advice can keep you from missing that long range shot at that big buck on opening day. A little time spent on the range before that critical first shot will help ensure you have meat in the freezer this season.
It’s the heart of hunting season in many parts of the country. Game hunters are heading out for their late fall deer hunts. For hunters making long treks in the back-country, reducing carry weight is a big deal. That’s why we’ve seen a trend among rifle-makers to introduce rifles that weigh significantly less. This is accomplished through use of carbon fiber stocks, carbon-wrapped or fluted barrels, and even titanium actions. The Weatherby rifles showcased here feature such lightweight components. For example, the Weatherby Mark V Backcountry 2.0 Ti (Titanium) model comes in at just 4.7 pounds before optics. That’s mighty light for a hunting rifle.
Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 Ti with titanium action, fluted barrel, and carbon-fiber stock, 4.7 pounds.
Light-Weight, Carbon-Stock Backcountry 2.0 from Weatherby
Here is good news for backcountry hunters. Weatherby’s Backcountry 2.0 carbon-stocked hunting rifles weigh well under 6 pounds before optics. There is even one titanium action model series that weighs just 4.7 pounds. The 2.0 series now offers both standard steel receivers or even lighter titanium receivers. And Backcountry 2.0 Carbon models are equipped with a new carbon fiber stock that is the lightest in the industry — weight is a mere 20 ounces for standard actions. For further weight savings, some models feature a tensioned carbon fiber-wrapped barrel. But all that high-tech doesn’t come cheap — MSRP for the Titanium action, carbon-wrapped barrel model is $3849.00!
Ultralight Carbon Stock — Weatherby’s new Blacktooth stock features a Carbon Link™ bedding system which engages the recoil lug and distributes recoil throughout the stock without the weight of a traditional aluminum bedding block. This makes the overall stock lighter and stiffer.
The Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon combines a tensioned carbon fiber barrel with the ultra-lightweight Titanium Weatherby Mark V action. This barrel system has shown excellent accuracy, making it a good choice for a long-range hunter. Registering a very low 5.3 lb starting weight, the Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon combines a titanium action with the Peak 44 Blacktooth stock — which Weatherby claims is the “lightest production carbon fiber stock on the market.”
Along with the new ultra-light elements, these Weatherbys have premium Mark V features: 54-degree bolt lift for fast cycling, fluted bolts, TriggerTech triggers, and Cerakote finish on metal parts. All the Backcountry 2.0 series rifles have a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee. CLICK HERE for Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 Field Test by Peterson’s Hunting.
Light is Right — Weatherby’s Backcountry 2.0 rifles weigh as little as 4.7 pounds (before optics).
Weights for Backcountry 2.0 Models range with chamberings:
Weight Saving Secrets — How Weatherby Achieved Such Light Weights GunsAmerica Digest reports: “A huge amount of the weight savings comes thanks to the updated carbon fiber Blacktooth stock by Peak 44. This stock uses what they call their Rock Solid Carbon Link bedding system which eliminates the need for a metallic bedding block. The Blacktooth stock weighs less than 20 ounces. The Backcountry 2.0 [series adds] both a carbon fiber stock and either fluted #1 MOD-profile or #2 MOD-profile carbon steel barrels or #4 MOD-profile BSF carbon fiber-tensioned barrel to achieve these light weights.” READ GunsAmerica Review.
To mitigate recoil Weatherby developed its new 3DHEX recoil pad — the gun industry’s first production 3D-printed pad. The 3DHEX’s three-dimensional honeycombed design extends the duration of the recoil pulse — taking away the sharp kick. Weatherby explains: “With the same amount of recoil spread out over a much greater time period, felt recoil is greatly reduced[.]” Backcountry 2.0 rifle recoil is also reduced by factory-fitted Accubrakes, contoured to match barrel profile.
Field Test of Titanium Action Weatherby Backcountry in 6.5-300 Whby Magnum
In this video, Hunter Todd Helms reviews Weatherby’s Backcountry T1 rifle in 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum. This rifle is meant for fast and light travel in the backcountry. A fluted barrel, titanium action, and carbon fiber stock minimize weight. Todd says the 3DHEX recoil pad really does tame the magnum kick. This model also features a new streamlined muzzle brake.
Preparations Before The Hunt
1. Map Your Hunt and Notify Others — Before your hunt, make a plan and notify friends and family members about WHERE you are going and your intended return date and time. Print out a Google Satellite map and locate landmarks and trailheads. Mark where you plan to park your vehicle and give a copy of this map to friend and/or family members. A hunter may injure himself by falling off a rock, or tumbling in a creek-bed. After that kind of injury the hunter may be confused or unable to walk. If you get stranded in the wilderness, you want trusted persons to know where you are. So, before you leave on a trip, provide a map to a friend or family member. Show them where you will leave your vehicle, and where you expect to be every day of your hunting adventure.
2. Licenses and Permits — Make sure you have a valid hunting licenses and all the necessary tags. Begin this process with ample time before your intended hunt(s). The NSSF adds: “If you are crossing state or national borders, find out about any special considerations you must take care of. Border crossings can mean knowing about firearm transport laws or Chronic Wasting Disease-related regulations.”
3. Work on Your Fitness — On a multi-day hunt you may be trekking many miles. You need to be in good shape. If you are out of shape you may be putting yourself in a precarious situation, particularly if you underestimate the terrain difficulty. As the NSSF says: “Not being able to handle the conditions lessens your chances of success, can turn a great experience into an agonizing one and can endanger your health.”
4. Do Your Homework — Study the area you will be hunting. Talk to other hunters. Look at satellite photos. Get a real sense of the walking and terrain challenges. For a multi-day hunt, MAKE a PLAN. The NSSF states: “Eliminate surprises. Learn as much about where you will be staying, the area you will be hunting, what the weather might be like and what you need to bring[.]”
5. Rifle and Ammo — Make sure your rifle is sighted-in and your ammo is tested. Sight-in your rifle with the ammo you plan to use on your hunt. CLICK HERE for 4-Shot Sight-in Method. After sighting-in from the bench, confirm your zero by shooting from typical hunting positions (kneeling and with forearm supported on a rock or post).
6. Communications and GPS — Bring a GPS if you are in a wilderness area far from civilization. It’s a good idea to bring a cell phone, but you may not have coverage if you’re quite a distance from populated areas. A smart-phone also doubles as a digital camera to record your trophies. For navigation and safety, consider getting Garmin inReach Explorer+. This high-tech handheld unit features interactive SOS, connecting you to the GEOS 24/7 search-and-rescue monitoring center. They also allow you to send and receive text messages, no matter where you are, via advanced inReach satellite technology. Yes you can communicate even if you are miles from the nearest cell tower.
Visit WhereToHunt.org
There’s a great online resource for hunters that will help you find game locations in your state and ensure you have all the proper permits and game tags. WheretoHunt.org features an interactive map of the country. For all 50 states, the NSSF has compiled information about hunting license and permits, where to hunt, hunter education classes, laws and regulations and more. For each state you’ll also find a link for required applications and license forms.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 27th this year. Looking for culinary inspiration for your holiday gatherings? The NRA Blog offers three special (and delicious) Wild Game Recipes for your family feasts:
Honey Mustard Planked Wild Turkey Breast
Mushroom-Stuffed Wild Boar Roast with Black Truffle Sauce
BBQ Brined Pigeon
These recipes come from some of the country’s best chefs, and they all seem mouth-watering. You’ll find a full list of ingredients plus step-by-step cooking tips.
One of the many advantages to hunting is the assortment of game you can gather that lasts for an extended period of time. Just because it’s Thanksgiving doesn’t mean you have to stick with a whole turkey from the store and a ham hock.
We have three unique spins on wild game recipes that will suit your dining table perfectly. Even if you’re one of those hunters who enjoys a quick hunt the morning of Thanksgiving, these recipes will make your holiday more delicious than ever. — NRABlog.com
And for those folks who hope to harvest their own gobbler for the Thanksgiving holiday, here is a special NRA Turkey target that can help you hone your turkey-hunting skills.
GetZone.com offers a turkey hunting video with expert guidance on Turkey hunting, specifically stalking and shot placement: “When it comes to shotgun hunting, you don’t want to get BBs in the meat, so the most common (and lethal) shot with a shotgun is a headshot.”
This photo is from GetZone.com, a website that provides information on shooting and hunting. CLICK HERE to watch a GetZone video on turkey hunting. Work Warning: When you click photo, a loud audio track may start immediately, so turn down the audio volume.
The Lever Action Supreme Rifle (LASR) from Henry Repeating Arms has been named 2025 Rifle of the Year by Guns & Ammo magazine. The selection was based on a rigorous evaluation process, which included extensive field testing, in-store availability checks, and value assessments. With these considerations, Henry’s LASR rose above other new rifles introduced in 2025 to earn Guns & Ammo’s top honor.
Chambered in .223 Wylde or .300 Blackout, the LASR is available at Henry dealers nationwide with an MSRP of $1,299. For more information, visit www.HenryUSA.com.
This new Henry rifle will be featured in the Guns & Ammo November 2025 issue which hits newsstands on November 5th. In the feature story, Guns & Ammo highlighted the Lever Action Supreme Rifle’s ability to reliably feed from commonly available MSR-pattern detachable box magazines, a unique feature for a lever-action rifle. The Guns & Ammo editors also praised the Henry’s quad-bar linkage action that allows reliable, smooth operation without interference from the magazine. Among the key factors that earned Gun of the Year honors, Guns & Ammo noted the LASR rifle’s sub-MOA accuracy potential, suppressor-ready design, good handling, and high-quality materials.
“We set out with this rifle to raise the bar for America’s most iconic rifle platform, and this award suggests that the team was able to accomplish just that,” said Anthony Imperato, Founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms. “We’re honored that Guns & Ammo has recognized the fruits of our labor, and I am incredibly proud of the many bright minds that came together to make this rifle a reality.”
Palmetto State Armory (PSA) is running a major Halloween Sale for the next few days. We found some very impressive deals. For example, save $150 on a Savage hunting rifle, save $450 on a PSA AR15, save $240 on a complete AR lower, save $350 on a 1911 pistol, and save $200 on a SIG Sauer optic. And there are big savings on other products such as gun cases, magazines, rifle scopes, triggers and more.
If you compete in service rifle, NRL22, or 3-Gun competitions, we recommend getting a .22 LR AR-style rifle for cross-training and fun matches. With this Rimfire Combo Special you get a good S&W rimfire rifle plus 3 magazines and a nice rifle case.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. EuroOptic — Tikka T3x Rifle Sale, Save up to 40%
⏺️ » Fantastic savings on excellent, accurate hunting rifles
Tikka makes some of the best off the shelf rifles on the market and for a limited time you can pickup one of their many T3x rifle variants at prices up to 40% off. Prices start at just $699.99 after discount. These T3x Tikkas are great hunting rifles for large and small game. There is a wide selection of cartridge types, both standard and magnum. These T3x rifles are typically quite accurate, and they have smooth-operating actions with very good triggers.
2. Graf & Sons — Vihtavuori Powder Sale
⏺️ » Major discounts on top-quality powders
Vhitavuori powders are favored by top shooters in many disciplines — from action pistol to F-Class and ELR. While other powder brands may be hard to find (at reasonable prices), Graf’s has a wide selection of popular Vihtavuori powders in stock at attractive prices. For example N133 powder (much favored by top short-range benchrest competitors) is IN STOCK at $54.99 per pound. And versatile N340 pistol powder is now just $47.99 per pound, a 23% savings off the standard price.
3. MidwayUSA — Sightron Optics Sale up to 51% OFF
⏺️ » Huge 50% discounts on popular scopes for competition and varminting
Need a good, sharp, and reliable for competition or hunting? Right now MidwayUSA is running a major Sightron Scope Sale with huge discounts on quality Sightron SI and SIII Optics with superb Lifetime Warranty. You can save up to 51% on select hunting and long range optics. Items on sale include a 3-9x40mm S1 ($124.99, 50% off), 6-24x50mm SIII ($599.99, 51% off); and 8-32x56mm SIII ($689.99, 50% off). These are SFP scopes with 1/4-MOA clicks.
4. Natchez — Frankford Arsenal Essentials Reloading Kit, $384.99
⏺️ » Very complete reloading kit with excellent F-1 press
Need a complete reloading kit with all the tools you need for precision handloading? Then check out this Frankford Arsenal F-1 Single Stage Press and Reloading Accessories Kit. On sale now for $384.99 at Natchez, this kit includes the Frankford Arsenal F-1 Single Stage Reloading Press, Benchtop Powder Measure, Hand Primer, Aluminum Powder Funnel Kit, Digital Calipers, DS-750 Powder Scale, Powder Trickler, and Universal Reloading Tray. NOTE: If you don’t need the full kit, you can also buy many of the listed items separately at great prices. For example, the F-1 Press is $129.99 by itself.
5. MidwayUSA — Midway Camouflage Hunting Clothing Sale
⏺️ » Major discounts on good camo gear for hunting season
If you need good camouflage clothing for a fall hunt, check out the MidwayUSA Hunting Clothing Sale with discounts up to 44% on camo bibs, jackets, hoodies, vests, gloves and more. Featured Elk Fork items combine a rugged exterior camo shell with breathable PrimaLoft insulation. There are also Zip Fleece hoodies, Long Sleeve shirts, Elk Grove Camo Gloves, and insulated vests. And if you need a high-viz orange top or vest there are multiple options on sale.
6. Midsouth — Nikon Binoculars Sale + FREE Tactical Bag
⏺️ » Good binoculars with free shipping and bonus tactical bag
Nikon binoculars are respected for durability and for clarity, especially in low light conditions. Now you can get Nikon Monarch M5, M7, and Prostaff P3 or P7 Binoculars at the lowest prices we’ve seen in a while. This is a great chance to pick up good binoculars for spotting/hunting AND get a nice, multi-pocket tactical bag for FREE. With Nikon Clearance Sale discounts of 14-16%, these binoculars start at $119.99 for the ProStaff P3 8x32mm model. The tactical bag is a free bonus with purchase of any Clearance Nikon binoculars, plus you get FREE Shipping.
7. Amazon — Bushnell Hard Sided Rifle Case, $99.99
⏺️ » Rugged, TSA-approved waterproof case with wheels and pluckable foam
When traveling with rifles you need a high-quality hard case. The Bushnell 38″ GX3836 Large Hard Case (#ad) is made from rugged polypropylene with integrated roller wheels. This sturdy, waterproof case will hold hunting or tactical rifles, and can also carry longer competition guns with the barreled action separated from the stock. External dimensions are 38.3″ x 17.85″ x 6.25″. The case features three layers of foam padding: egg-crate foam top liner layer; customizable pull & pluck layer; and foam bottom layer. This quality rifle case is now just $99.99 on Amazon — a 47% savings off the regular price.
8. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Tumbler, $59.99
⏺️ » Major discount on good tumbler that will last for years
All handloaders should have a good case tumbler to clean fired pistol and rifle brass. The Frankford Arsenal Case Tumbler (#ad) is a very effective and reliable unit with a handy transparent top cover. Right now this unit is just $59.99 on Amazon (20% Off). When used in conjunction with Walnut or Corn Cob media, this Case Tumbler removes lube, carbon, and oxidation from cases quickly and conveniently. This Quick-N-EZ tumbler holds up to 600 9mm Luger cases or 350 .223 Rem cases.
⏺️ » Good Hi-Viz reactive target with inch grid and 5 diamonds
Reactive targets are great for pistol practice and rifle shooting at longer ranges. Bullet impacts show as bright yellow circles. We like these Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C 12″ Sight-In Reactive Targets (#ad), price $19.99 for a 12-pack. There are five diamond-type targets on each sheet. Convenient 1-inch numbered grid lines simplify scope adjustments. You can use the center diamond for sighting-in and 4 smaller targets for testing loads. Shots produce high-contrast yellow spots on the black target face, which are easy to see even from long distances.
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A while back your Editor was in New Mexico, on a prairie dog expedition. While in the field, my companions and I used two pairs of Steiner 8x30mm Military/Marine binoculars to spot the critters. Finding the Prairie Dogs (PDs) could be challenging in the high grass. Often, a PD would reveal only its head — a small target at distances approaching 400 yards. We really needed sharp optics with high contrast to spot the dogs hiding behind tufts of grass or dry brush.
The Steiner Military/Marine binoculars performed superbly. I came away very impressed with these armored 8x30mm binoculars (now called Model 2033). The glass is bright and super-sharp. And the rubber-armored body is truly rugged. These binoculars offer both right and left diopters — important for me as my left eye requires more correction than the right eye. One great feature of the Steiners is the focusing system which keeps everything you can see in focus. This really is a big deal. You don’t have to constantly fiddle with focus — everything past about 20 yards is in sharp focus all the time.
As one Steiner owner reports: “Focusing set-up is worth the price of admission. Set it and forget. Amazing. This single feature makes these worth owning.” And the sharpness is impressive. I compared the Steiners’ image with a 6.5-20x40mm Leupold EFR riflescope set at 8X. Both 8×30 Steiners were brighter than the Leupold scope, and the Steiners resolved individual blades of grass and fine details better than the Leupold. Of course, comparing a binocular optic with a riflescope is like comparing apples and oranges. The advantages of binoculars (compared to a monocular scope) are well known — the brain combines the two images (left eye and right eye) to create a more vivid, 3D effect, with greater perceived contrast.
Good Binoculars Are a “Must-Have” Item for Hunters
After three days in the prairie dog fields I came away convinced that a good set of binoculars is absolutely essential for varmint hunters. As the PD population was fairly thin where we were shooting, we probably spent five minutes glassing for every minute actually behind the trigger. Over 90% of the dogs were first spotted with binocs rather than riflescopes. We had a fixed (non-rotating) bench so it was difficult to swing the rifle more than about 30° from one side to another (60° total arc). With the binoculars, and their wide field of view, we could quickly scan a much wider arc.
Steiner 8×30 Military/Marine Binocs are Just $255.70
At the end of our hunt, I told my host that I planned to purchase some Steiner 8×30 Military/Marine Binoculars similar to the units we used during our New Mexico varmint hunt. When I arrived home I was amazed to see that the Steiner 8×30 Military/Marine Binoculars are now just $252.82 on Amazon.com (#ad), with FREE shipping. That’s a great value, considering the ruggedness and optical quality of the unit. Most other vendors sell these binoculars for $299.99, so you can save $47+ with Amazon, plus get FREE shipping.
Need more power and low-light capability? The Steiner 210 10×50 Military/Marine (#ad) is also offered on Amazon.com. It has more magnification and better low-light performance. However, it costs $524.99, more than double the current price of 8×30 Military/Marine on Amazon! Unless you really need the 10×50’s extra low-light capability, the 8×30 M/M is the smart choice.
On the Defensive Edge Website, you’ll find a good article by Shawn Carlock about wind reading. Shawn is a veteran law enforcement marksman and a past USPSA national precision rifle champion. Shawn offers good advice on how to estimate wind speeds and directions using a multitude of available indicators — not just your wind gauge: “Use anything at your disposal to accurately estimate the wind’s velocity. I keep and use a Kestrel for reading conditions….The Kestrel is very accurate but will only tell you what the conditions are where you are standing. I practice by looking at grass, brush, trees, dust, wind flags, mirage, rain, fog and anything else that will give me info on velocity and then estimate the speed.”
Shawn also explains how terrain features can cause vertical wind effects. A hunter on a hilltop must account for bullet rise if there is a headwind blowing up the slope. Many shooters consider wind in only one plane — the horizontal. In fact wind has vertical components, both up and down.
» CLICK HERE to Download Full Article as Printable PDF
If you have piloted a small aircraft you know how important vertical wind vectors can be. Match shooters will also experience vertical rise when there is a strong tailwind blowing over an up-sloping berm ahead of the target emplacements. Overall, Shawn concludes: “The more time you spend studying the wind and its effect over varying terrain the more successful you will be as a long-range shooter and hunter.”
This Editor, as a life-long sailor, also has some suggestions about wind. Many folks may not realize that wind can cycle, both in direction and in speed (velocity). If you are patient, you should be able to sense the timing of the cycles, which will help you predict shifts in wind direction and velocity. While it is tempting to shoot in the lulls, sometimes the true wind vector (angle + speed) may be most constant when the wind is blowing stronger.
Another tip for hunters is to orient your shot, when possible, in alignment with the wind direction. Try to face into the wind, or have the wind at your back. This is especially effective when shooting in a varmint field. Use a string of tape on a pole to show wind angle. Then shoot directly into the wind or with the wind directly at your back. This will minimize horizontal deflection caused by the wind.
A while back your Editor was in New Mexico, on a prairie dog expedition. While in the field, my companions and I used two pairs of 
