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Mossy Oak Fishing Team Leader Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan, won the Major League Fishing (MLF) Championship at Tennessee’s Chickamauga Lake on June 9, 2021. The $100,000 VanDam won increased his career winnings to $6.9 million. We wanted to know not only how VanDam won this MLF Championship, but also what we could learn from how and where he fished that type of lake, as well as the lures and the patterns that will help all of us catch more bass this summer. To learn more about Kevin

Of all the dangers we face in the outdoors, there are few that instill more pure dread and abject fear than the limbless serpents. Fortunately, the odds of encountering one are as slim as the reptiles themselves, and the chances of being bitten are slimmer still. However, it’s always a good idea to hedge your bets by becoming more familiar with snakes, learning how to avoid them and what to do should the unthinkable happen. There are four groups of venomous snakes in the U.S.: rattlesnakes

For avid campers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, learning how to identify poisonous snakes is a necessary skill. Knowing their habitats and visual markers can save you from sustaining bites and the nasty consequences of toxic snake venom. Recognizing and avoiding poisonous snakes before they strike is ideal, but sometimes a bite occurs before you have a chance to see the snake. If this happens, it is essential to learn how to tell if your snake bite is poisonous and what to do immediately after

Dana Rogers The “more the better,” or perhaps more aptly we’d like “more with higher quality” when it comes to cover, especially that all-important “edge cover.” That isn’t just for whitetails but many different species. Are you interested in increasing deer populations where you hunt? Deer populations rise and fall, and today, it seems we’re on the downward trend throughout parts of the country. If you’re in an area where the whitetails need a little help, or you simply want to increase the

Establishing a career as an adventure photographer is both exciting and terrifying. On the one hand, it opens up opportunities to explore and capture some of the most beautiful scenery the world has to offer. On the other, it requires you to cut loose from a “regular” occupation with no guarantee of success. However, with the right, business-minded approach, adventure photography is a perfectly viable career that can be fulfilling both personally and financially. While it’s essential to use your

Whether it’s on a long, extended adventure or a short hike, the last thing you want is to come home with a bad case of poison oak, poison sumac or poison ivy. The briefest contact with any of these plants can result in painful outcomes, like itchy rashes and welts. To keep you and your hiking mates safe from poison oak, poison ivy or poison sumac, you need to learn how to identify them quickly and correctly. There are some simple details to help you recognize these allergenic plants before using

WEEDS, DROUGHT, & BROWSE PRESSURE Gerald Almy Newcomers to growing forage for deer often picture summer as the best and easiest time for establishing thriving food plots. It’s sunny with mild weather and no frosts or heavy rains to worry about. What could go wrong? The short answer: plenty. Late summer and into fall is, in fact, usually a better time for achieving the ultimate success with food plots throughout much of the whitetails’ range. First, when planting forages during this time you have

Although the practice of hunting by kayak has been around for thousands of years, modern kayak fishing has only become popular recently. Kayak fishing provides an exciting fishing experience because it is more intimate than boat fishing and offers you the opportunity to wrestle with your catch. Anyone who loves the sport should consider kayak fishing. If you are looking to ditch your boat and try kayak fishing for the first time or if you want to ensure that you pack thoroughly for your next

Fishing is a fantastic sport, partially because you can enjoy it alone, savoring the quiet of dawn on the water. But you can also enjoy the sport with your family or friends, creating lifelong bonds and memories. However, not all kids immediately love the idea of fishing. They might think it’s boring, complain about the cold or be reluctant to touch live bait or a wriggling fish. If you love fishing, you want to pass those skills down to your children. By consciously making their first few

Shane Smith When you watch Bassmasters or any national tournament trail in the spring, you will certainly hear the term “sight fishing.” Or that he is a great “sight fisherman.” Is it as easy as seeing a bass on a bed and casting a bait in and catching it? No, it’s not. Just as every technique requires a different approach and gear, sight fishing is no different. Here are 6 tips to help you catch a few more fish that you can see this spring: 1. WHERE TO LOOK. Think of areas that are protected by