The Friday Hunting Briefing — Issue #11

The Bargain Blind

38% off · Garmin GPSMAP 65s Multi-Band GPS Handheld Unit with Sensors · $249.98 · $399.99

This is a legitimate deal on Garmin's premium GPS unit — $150 off isn't something you see often on their high-end handhelds. Multi-band GPS gives you pinpoint accuracy even in heavy timber, which is worth the investment if you hunt new ground or track wounded game.

Field Report

• DNA Testing Reveals Shocking Truth About World's Biggest Whitetail — New DNA evidence and investigation uncover surprising facts about "The General," the current world record typical whitetail. The story behind this famous buck just got a lot more complicated.

• Why One-Buck Limits Won't Help Michigan's UP Herd — DNR data shows harsh winters, not hunters, control buck numbers in the Upper Peninsula. Environmental factors trump hunting restrictions when it comes to long-term deer population trends.

• South Dakota Opens Unlimited Elk Tags East of Missouri River — Agricultural damage concerns drive new policy allowing unlimited elk licenses in eastern South Dakota. What some see as trophy animals, farmers view as crop-destroying pests.

• South Atlantic Gets Longest Red Snapper Season in Decades — Federal fisheries managers grant up to two months of red snapper fishing for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Saltwater anglers are calling it the best news in years.

The Watch List

MidwayUSA · Browning Strutter Turkey Hunting Chair · $39.99 · 50% off · Cabela's · Shadow Hunter GhostBlind Phantom Ground Blind · $79.99 · 9% off · Amazon · CVLIFE Biometric Gun Safe with Wireless Charging · $103.99 · 35% off

Trail Tested

MeatEater Trivia: Game On, Wives!

Shelby Huber hosts an all-female trivia showdown with seven contestants from the MeatEater community. It's refreshing to hear different voices tackle the show's signature outdoor knowledge questions.

MeatEater Podcast: Clovis First and Wildlife Crossings

Rinella and Sportsmen's Alliance's Brian Lynn cover hunting politics, Great Lakes conservation, and the world's largest wildlife crossing project. The archaeological discussion about early human settlement adds unexpected depth.

Planting This Week

We're in the heart of spring planting season with multiple food plot opportunities still open. Don't wait much longer — some windows close by mid-May.

White Clover (North) · April 15 – May 31

Plant after soil temps hit 50°F consistently — cold germination will set you back weeks.

Chicory (North) · April 15 – June 1

Seed shallow and firm — chicory needs good soil contact but don't bury it deep.

Soybeans (Mid) · May 1 – June 15

Wait for soil temps to reach 60°F — rushing soybeans in cold ground leads to poor stands.

Corn (North) · May 1 – June 1

Plant 1-2 inches deep in cool soil, deeper once it warms up.

Get personalized planting alerts for your property.

The Sign-Off

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." — Chinese Proverb

Spring's moving fast. Get those plots in the ground while you still can.