Backyard fires feel like part of country living, but a lot of what people toss into the flames is flat-out illegal to burn. State regulators keep repeating that message because the same problem items keep showing up in fire pits and burn barrels. Here are seven things I see people burn all the time, even…
Coyotes have learned that cul-de-sacs and greenbelts can be as productive as any sage flat, and that shift has brought their most aggressive moments right to the edge of our patios and schoolyards. If you understand when they are most defensive, most food‑driven, and most likely to stand their ground instead of slipping away, you…
When a soldier gets hit, the metal that comes out of his body is more than debris. It is proof of what he went through and what he was willing to risk. That is the emotional core behind Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s decision to let wounded U.S. troops keep bullets and shrapnel removed from…
Some dogs are built to hold a line and never flinch. Whether they are guarding a flock, tracking a trail, or quietly watching a homestead, these breeds are known for standing their ground. I have worked around many of them in the field, and each one brings its own brand of grit, focus, and stubborn…
Skunks and opossums are small, thin-bodied animals, so the real trick is picking calibers that anchor them quickly without sending bullets sailing into the next yard. I look for loads that expand fast, shed energy early, and stay controllable around buildings and outbuildings. These thirteen calibers, backed by recent testing and field reports, are purpose-built…
Coyotes are no longer a Western story. They have pushed hard into the Southeast and Mid‑Atlantic, and researchers say their numbers are climbing fast enough that “trying to curb coyote populations may be a lost cause.” I am focusing on 16 states that sit in the path of this expansion, using new work out of…
When you strip away the myth and movie gloss, the greatest marksmen in history all share the same core traits: patience, fieldcraft, and an almost stubborn calm under pressure. From frozen forests to city ruins and desert rooftops, these 12 shooters turned a rifle into a strategic weapon, changing battles and, sometimes, entire wars. 1….
Hogs are tough, cagey animals that rarely stand broadside in perfect light. They slip through brush, quarter away, and soak up marginal hits. When shots come at bad angles, bullet construction matters more than caliber. I look for loads that hold together, drive deep, and still open reliably at real-world impact speeds. Here are eight…
Water pests like snapping turtles and beavers can wreck a pond bank or timber stand in a hurry, but picking the right caliber matters as much as marksmanship. I focus on cartridges that give clean kills, manageable recoil, and safe performance around water, where ricochets are a real concern. With that in mind, here are…
Across deer country, the ethics of killing a wild animal for meat has turned into one of the sharpest arguments between hunters and critics. On one side are people who see venison as a clean, local protein that can even help the land, on the other are those who say any deliberate killing is unnecessary…