December is a joyous time for many here in Virginia. Why? Turkeys are in season!

Just this past weekend, I spotted a flock of turkeys about 350 yards away, parading confidently in a cornfield. Virginia’s fall turkey season was in full swing, and I had my trusty Smith & Wesson 629 Stealth .44 Magnum in hand. The scene was set, but I was racing against two clocks: the setting sun and the infamous “legal wife light.”

For those unfamiliar, “legal wife light” is that unspoken yet inviolable deadline negotiated—or sometimes outright mandated—by one’s spouse to leave the woods in time for non-hunting obligations. It may coincide with legal shooting light, but, as many hunters know, it rarely works out that way.

With about 30 minutes left, I had to close the 275-yard gap between myself and the flock. The turkeys were enjoying an open field, with a hardwood tree line providing cover for the last 150 yards. Confident in my handgun skills up to 75 yards, I began my slow and calculated stalk, equipped with superb Kryptek camo and the obligatory blaze-orange hat for firearms deer season.

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Wait. Crunch, crunch. Wait.

Patience and discipline are critical when stalking any wild game, and step by step, I crept closer. Every step on the dry leaves seemed to echo in the still woods, but I pressed on. Meanwhile, I kept a close eye on the turkeys which seemed to be celebrating in the field, complete with a live DJ and disco lights.

Just as I neared 100 yards, my phone buzzed—a dreaded five-minute warning I had set to honor my legal wife light. Slowly, I lowered my foot, silenced the vibration, and glanced at the clock. Time was up.

I muttered a few colorful phrases, which, loosely translated, meant the turkeys were lucky I had to leave. I stood there, watching the flock, as they strutted confidently, seemingly unfazed by my presence. Wild turkeys, in my opinion, are the cockiest critters in the woods—hence the strut.

Unloading my handgun, I retreated to my truck, carrying with me the bittersweet taste of an “almost” hunt. But deep down, I knew I had made the right choice. Family always comes first, and that evening, Wendy and I were honored to participate in a local Christmas parade as part of the American Legion and Wreaths Across America float.

December truly is a joyous time around these parts, and not just because of turkey season. It’s a time for family, community, and reflecting on what matters most.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Jay Pinsky
jay@theoutdoorwire.com

For those who haven't seen it, waterfowl hunting in California might just be one of North America's best-kept secrets. So why would we share a best-kept secret? Simply put, the more hunter interest we have, the stronger our sport is! We need hunters for conservation, and we need conservation for hunters. I want to live to see the next generation have the same opportunities we have had, and the only way to do that is to spark their passion and share the beautiful places we love, so they will stay this way. Our team is fortunate enough to chase waterfowl across the nation to some of the best hunting destinations in the world, and I can say with confidence that California offers something truly unique, and it's something every waterfowler should experience at least once.

When most people think of California, waterfowl hunting rarely tops the list. The Golden State usually makes people think of the sprawling cities and high rises, rolling vineyards, beaches, and rugged coastlines, but hidden within this landscape, or more specifically, just outside of it, are some of the most vibrant and productive waterfowl habitats on the planet.

A Flyway Like No Other

California is the lifeblood of the Pacific Flyway, with millions of migratory birds making it home every season. From dozens of species of ducks to speckle-bellies, Canada geese, and snow geese, the diversity and opportunity in this state are truly incredible. For those of us who obsess over decoy spreads, perfect hide setups, and unique opportunities, California gives a real shot at seeing it all.

The Butte Sink, often referred to as the "crown jewel" of California waterfowling, is a prime example. Its infamous history and carefully managed wetlands make it a literal magnet for birds. Nearby, the flooded rice fields of the Sacramento Valley shimmer in the early morning light, offering a perfect imitation of the natural marshes that used to dominate this region. And then there’s the Suisun Marsh and the Delta, where tides and waterways challenge even the best hunters. 

Especially in the north, this state is full of thriving agriculture. From the rice fields to sprawling almond orchards, the region not only feeds the nation but also sustains a deep connection between the land and the people who nurture it. Merlo Farming Group is the perfect example of this, balancing their commitment to producing top-tier crops and their passion for waterfowl hunting and conservation. Merlo’s agricultural heartlands serve as a waterfowl buffet, offering food sources from their grain-rich fields to the wetlands. On the Pacific Flyway, it’s a haven where farming and wildlife coexist in harmony.

A morning in the Butte Sink is nearly as close to heaven as one can get on earth. The world wakes up slowly as the mist clings to the water’s surface. The faint whistle of wings overhead signaling birds are on the move; by the time the sun cracks the horizon, the marsh comes alive with pintails twisting through the air like tiny fighter jets. It's magic—pure and simple.

More Than Just Ducks

Though ducks are usually the ones in the spotlight, when it comes to waterfowl, California has it all. Geese play a starring role here, too. Snow geese pour into the rice fields in staggering numbers, their unmistakable calls echoing for miles. Specklebellies, with their distinct cries, are a personal favorite of mine. And let’s not forget the Canada geese, a species that adds a rare, fun, and rewarding element to a California hunt.

The Balance of Tradition and Conservation

As hunters, we hold the majority of the responsibility to protect these resources. But this is where California really shines. The state is home to many conservation organizations, like the California Waterfowl Association, which works tirelessly to restore habitats, band birds, and advocate for hunting rights. CWA is the undisputed leader in hunter and conservation for waterfowl in California. We've had the privilege of working alongside their team, and their dedication is truly endless. If you're interested in hearing more about CWA or the projects they're working on, you can visit their website at https://calwaterfowl.org/ and listen to The Fowl Life podcast, where we have special episodes dedicated to CWA and details on the amazing work they are doing!

Why You Should Give California a Chance

So, while California may not be the first place you think of for waterfowl hunting, I can promise you this state will leave a lasting impression. The diversity of species, the beautiful landscapes, and the unexpected hunting culture create a scene that’s tough to match. When the sun sets over the marsh, with your dog curled up at your side and the scent of wet grass in the air, you’ll know that you’ve discovered something truly special.

By Josh Veverka

The buffalo was reintroduced to Ft. Peck in 1999.

Bison or Buffalo? Whatever you call it, it is an iconic animal across America, and in particular, the American West. Their presence on the landscape enabled American westward expansion through hunting for food, sport, and trade. But even before settlers sought the animal, American Indians relied on the buffalo for their livelihoods and developed a deep spiritual connection to this icon. And then we hunted them to near extinction.

But that is not the end of their story. Through protection and conservation efforts the species has climbed back. One group working to recover Buffalo on the landscape is the Fort Peck Tribes Reservation in northeastern Montana. These efforts to reintroduce and expand the Buffalo on the western landscape brought me here to hunt one of these amazinganimals.

Fort Peck began their buffalo program in 1999 with excess animals transferred from nearby public lands at Theodore Roosevelt and Badlands National Parks and Custer State Park. This "commercial herd" has grown to over 300 head, occupying approximately 13,000 acres of rolling prairie and Missouri River breaks country. In 2005, they began a second herd by accepting Buffalo from Yellowstone National Park in a one-of-a-kind program seeking to distribute the "genetically pure" animals from Yellowstone to their reservation and other parts of the country. These Buffalo are quarantined on the reservation to ensure they are disease-free before moving them into either their own cultural herd or transferring the Buffalo to other reservations through the InterTribal Buffalo Council. The cultural herd on Fort Peck numbers approximately 375 heads living on over 16,000 acres.

After learning about this program several years ago, I began applying to hunt with Fort Peck. This summer, I learned that I drew a tag to hunt a bull bison on the Fort Peck Reservation. I was thrilled to harvest a buffalo, but immediately, I had the same thoughts. Many reading this have the same thoughts: Is this a real hunt?

Yes, it is. Was it a hard hunt like DIY Elk? No, but very few hunts are. I would equate the effort to that of an antelope hunt, with some caveats. Finding buffalo on the prairie was easy—they are big black bodies on an open pasture. Getting in range was a little more complicated, but not really difficult—they are wild animals, and after months of being hunted, they were skittish, but there are also not many things in nature that threaten a buffalo. That being said, we did blow one stalk, could not get in range on another, and finally closed the deal on the third and, ultimately, fourth stalks. The hardest parts? Harsh conditions and putting the animal on the ground. This tough critter lives on an incredible and, at times, harsh landscape.

When scheduling the hunt, I knew I wanted to hunt later in the season to ensure the hide was as thick and fluffy as possible. I also had to make it work within my work and kids' school schedules since this would be a family trip. The Friday after Thanksgiving was the natural date that made the most sense. Luckily, the date was available (they only like to take out one hunter per day), and I could find an Airbnb so we could still cook Thanksgiving dinner!

I next had to decide what weapon to use. I do almost all of my hunting with a 7mm Remington Magnum, but in speaking with Fort Peck's Game and Fish Department, they really encouraged me to bring something in range of a big 30 caliber. Luckily, Hunting Wire's Jay Pinsky offered me the use of his Mossberg Patriot LR Hunter in 300 Winchester Magnum, and I gladly accepted. With a Vortex optic, I had it sighted in and ready to go in just a few shots.

As the hunt day arrived, the temperature in Wolf Point, Montana, hovered right around 1 degree, with wind chills hitting negative double digits. My son (we arranged with Fort Peck to allow him to harvest a cow buffalo as my companion) and I met the program leader and headed towards the pasture before sunrise. My tag called for a 4-5-year-old "management" bull bison. Our target for the morning was a group of bulls who were making trouble for the staff as they kept getting out of their enclosure by jumping or breaking fences.

It took little time to reach the northern end of the 13,000-acre pasture. This breathtaking landscape truly represented the Montana "big sky" moniker. We quickly located the bulls, who were, in fact, outside the pasture in a neighboring canola field. We made our initial approach from a coulee and got ahead of the bachelor group. As we set up for the shot, we could only see their humps above the hill, but they soon approached, and I had my first buffalo line up in the crosshairs. With an animal as tough as a buffalo, a close, broadside shot is necessary, and much like any hunting, we need to isolate a single bull so as not to hit the wrong animal. This proved problematic in the herd, and while they gave me multiple looks, I could never isolate a bull with a broadside shot. Soon, they spooked, and it was time for a reset. A quick truck ride across several fields, and we began approaching on foot again. Unfortunately, we ran out of topography to cover our approach at around 400 yards and had no way to get closer without risking the bulls spooking to an area we could not get to. We backed out and strategized a new approach. The bulls continued to move along the outside of their pasture, and we were finally able to get ahead of them and get set up. I focused on the two bulls in the front, but they played hide-and-seek behind each other, and I was not comfortable with their position. Finally, the next bull back made the mistake of isolating himself perfectly broadside.

The Mossberg Patriot LR and Vortex optic performed well for the author and his son during their once-in-a- lifetime bison hunting adventure.

The Mossberg Patriot 300 Winchester Magnum rang out and the 200-grain bullet found home in the vitals, and he stood there. Another round found home and he looked to be going down but managed to keep his feet and begin to walk. A third round to the lungs and he finally lost energy and went down. As I approached the downed animal (after using the truck to move the rest of the herd away), only then did I truly appreciate how big these animals are. Picture time ensued and Fort Peck staff members arrived with a trailer to transport the bull for skinning.

The author with his buffalo

My 16-year-old son was next up with his cow tag. The decision to take a second bison was difficult, both from a cost and logistics of meat handling standpoint, but I did not want to pass on this chance to give my best hunting buddy a shot at something truly memorable. Plus, my bull would likely not taste as good as his cow, so we went ahead and sought a new herd. We headed for the south end of the pasture where I had spotted some buffalo the day before. On the top of a plateau stood a group of 30 cows, calves, and young bulls.

The author with his son's bison

This time, our approach was more straightforward as these animals were in break country, and we could drop down behind them and come up out of the coulee in range. It did not take long, and we were set up in a prone position at 150 yards. Then it was a waiting game. We wanted to identify a mature cow with no calf, and she had to be separated from others and standing broadside. The cold temps began to set in on us, but soon, we found our target, and my son made a great shot. The telltale "thump" of a shot in the cavity was quickly followed by the cow going to the ground. But she had different ideas and managed to stand. We were now faced with either getting her down here or looking at a difficult recovery from the breaks if she could escape with the rest of the herd. He made another good shot and, at the guide's urging to get her on the ground, sent a third round to finish her off. Pictures, loading, and a trip to the skinning area remained.

It helps to have friends when you have to skin and quarter a bison.

Reflecting back, this trip exceeded my expectations. The cold and snow, the Fort Peck story of conservation, the chance to take my son along, and the great bull I was able to take all added to the adventure and mystique of hunting one of these massive animals on their native ground.

I encourage anyone interested to check out https://fishandgame.fortpecktribes.org/ and learn more about their hunting opportunities. Don't wait long though. The Pope and Young Club has just announced that they are now accepting bison from Fort Peck into their record books, and Fort Peck is also petitioning Boone and Crockett to follow suit. With these organizations officially recognizing the Fort Peck Buffalo program as a fair chase hunt, I expect demand for the hunts to grow.

The big horn sheep and the Bedded Buck are going to be added to the 2025 ASA target line. These two targets are going to replace the Aoudad and the brown bear that were part of the 2024 ASA Pro/Am tour target line. 

Lavin brings more than three decades of strategic leadership and program development experience to his new role, including a strong background in the conservation industry.