Outdoor Activities

Hunting purely for sport has long been controversial. Hunters believe they're helping to control a species' population size, while those who oppose the sport feel hunting for recreational purposes -- and a big trophy -- is inappropriate.

By Vivien Bullen

A deer's nose is extremely sensitive, and the better it can smell you, the less likely you are to get a shot at it. What can you do to cover up your human scent?

By Dave Roos

Deer jumping across the road can be serious hazards for drivers. So what's the best way to prevent it from happening? Should more people go hunting?

By Dave Roos

Just about everything is more fun when done in a group. So it seems like group hunting or fishing is a no-brainer. However, a specific type of group hunting, called party hunting, is very controversial -- and is even illegal in some states.

By Sarah Siddons

You may have had a wildly successful hunt, but your work isn't done quite yet. Do you have any idea what to do with the remains of that massive buck in the back of your pickup? We didn't think so.

By Rosalind Jackson

You might think hunting generally takes place on foot, but tree stands let hunters stealthily pursue their quarry from above. How can these structures allow you to get your game?

By Rosalind Jackson

You've bagged a 10-point buck on your latest hunting trip and you're excited to hang it above the mantel. Looks like it's time to call your local taxidermist.

By Vivien Bullen

If you're looking for some legitimate recognition for the buck's head you have mounted on your living room wall, then consider joining this club. Its members are serious about measuring bucks.

By Chris Marlowe

Tree stands are important tools for hunters to help them get the right angle for a kill. But they can be dangerous if you don't set them up correctly. How can you avoid a serious fall?

By Jonathan Strickland

Hunting can be a dangerous activity. The hunter carries a weapon, the game might turn violent and there are other hazards, too. So what's the best way for a hunter to avoid trouble?

By Jonathan Strickland

Sometimes the hunter becomes the hunted. That's what predator hunting is all about: turning the tables on natural-born killers. Is it a public service?

By Molly Edmonds

Big game hunting is big business. Whether it's deer and turkeys a few miles from the hunter's home, or lions and wildebeest on an African safari, millions of people hunt big game for the risk, thrill and prospect of one seriously impressive trophy.

By Maria Trimarchi

Still hunting isn't what it sounds like. It's actually about as different as can be from sitting tight in a tree stand. So what is still hunting, and why do you need a compass, map and orienteering skills worthy of Davy Crockett to do it right?

By Maria Trimarchi

Traditional deer-count methods seem pretty primitive; some even rely on counting roadkills. But there's a new approach to counting deer that can produce up to 100 percent accuracy. What military technology has been adapted to count deer?

By Julia Layton

The opening day of hunting season is a big deal for sport hunter. After all, they don't get to hunt whenever they want to. But what determines the dates of hunting seasons, and why do they differ from animal to animal?

By Julia Layton

Hounds, horseback riders and the hunt -- in Great Britain, this is what foxes are for. At least, until a controversial act banning fox hunting was enacted. Why the hullabaloo?

By Molly Edmonds

It's no surprise that hunting -- because it involves killing -- is a controversial sport. However, there are some practices -- canned, Internet and baited hunting -- that are considered unfair. But others believe these methods offer increased safety.

By Vivien Bullen

Ducks Unlimited has a rich history that started with very humble beginnings during one of the country's worst periods. It's grown by leaps and bounds to become one of the world's most recognized conservation organizations. So what do they do?

By Simon Shadow

Any angler will agree -- there's nothing like the thrill of the catch. And if that catch is tasty, well that's even better. Crappie fishing is one of the most popular and productive types of fishing. Check out our helpful crappie fishing tips.

By Sarah Siddons

Go big or go home, right? Ask any angler about the greatest win of the game and you're likely to get the same response. Once called the catch of 10,000 casts, muskie have become the most popular of game fish, due in part to their elusive behavior.

By Vivien Bullen

The debate over hunting goes way back. While activists and sportsmen will probably be in dispute for years to come, there are steps being taken to make this sport as ethical as possible. That's the idea behind fair chase hunting.

By Vivien Bullen

Controlled hunts can go by other names, but whatever you call them, the idea is to limit the number of hunters allowed to participate and put restrictions on the amount of game that can be killed.

By Jessika Toothman

With public land in short supply, hunting leases are becoming more common every year. While the concept of a hunting lease is pretty basic, the details of one are anything but. What should you include? And what should you charge?

By Jessika Toothman

For many sportsmen, rifle hunting is a source of personal achievement. But there's more to it than simply firing into a forest. Several factors must be considered, including the type of gun you choose, ammunition, preparedness and ethics.

By Sarah Siddons

Whether you or someone you know is an avid lover of the outdoors or doesn't know a rifle from a fishing pole, check out Women in the Outdoors for a new and exciting opportunity to connect with nature.

By Libby Little