Three Mule Deer Hunts That Taught Me the Hard Way

Every hunter remembers the bucks they tagged. But the hunts that teach the most are usually the ones that fall apart. Michael “Micky” Luby puts it plainly: the hunts he botched outright shaped him far more than the successful ones ever did. Steven Rinella made a similar point when he ...

By James Chen •

AO Review: The Tiny Double-Duty WeatherX Lantern Power Bank

Most of the emergency gear I own was bought under mild duress rather than preparedness, usually in a checkout line, usually on the theory that twenty-five dollars is a fair price to not be caught in the dark. The WeatherX XPCW19B started the same way. I was offered a review sample to test out, an...

By Luke Cuenco •

What Is a Citizen First Responder?

Editor’s Note: This article describing the citizen first responder is presented for discussion purposes. Know and follow your jurisdiction’s laws regarding self-defense, and ensure that anyone rendering aid is qualified to do so. Seek competent training from qualified instructors. A commo...

By Randall Wilson •

Best Headlamps for Night Fishing: 6 Field-Tested Picks

Night fishing rewards patience, and it punishes fumbling in the dark. When brown trout and striped bass are most active at dusk and dawn, and steelhead anglers routinely make pre-dawn treks to reach the first-light bite, a good headlamp earns its place in the tackle bag fast. The reason is simple...

By James Chen •

Russia Plague Scare After Lab Worker’s Death Highlights Need for Preparedness

A worker’s unexplained death at Russia’s Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute has sparked international concern, with nearly 200 contacts reportedly under medical observation. Plague remains unconfirmed, but the incident is a reminder to prepare before an emergency, including respiratory pr...

By Duncan Johnson Editor in Chief •

Two Icons, One Platform: The SIG Sauer P226-X AGENCY

SIG Sauer and Agency Arms  have teamed up on the P226-X AGENCY, a purpose-built evolution of the P226 under the tagline "Two Icons. One Legendary Platform." The pistol combines SIG Sauer performance with Agency Arms design, and every element is aimed at control, speed and shootabil...

By Eric B •

The Gila River Alternate: The CDT’s Most Popular Detour

The Continental Divide Trail runs 3,038.2 miles between the Mexican and Canadian borders, spanning five states, and it mostly traces the geographic Continental Divide. That is the official version. On the ground, almost every person who thru-hikes the trail walks a different path, stitching toget...

By James Chen •

Fishing the Bahamas: Six Keys to a Smart Crossing

Running the Gulf Stream to fish the Bahamas rewards planning far more than it rewards luck. The crossing itself throws steep seas and shifting current at you. On the far side, the fishing changes with tide, water clarity, and predators that can end a hot bite in minutes. Anglers who arrive prepar...

By James Chen •

Wheelgun Wednesday: New NAA Second Mate Is A Tiny Backup Gun

North American Arms’ revolvers are very well-known for their ability to offer self-defense in a micro package. Not everyone wants to stake their life on a rimfire round, but sometimes you’ve got no other choice. I remember reading about one undercover narcotics cop who hauled an NAA r...

By Zac K •
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