The Friday Hunting Briefing — Issue #7

The Bargain Blind

58% off · Stealth Cam Fusion Max Trail Camera Combo · $58.14 · $139.99

This is the deepest discount I've seen on Stealth Cam's cellular trail cameras this year. At 58% off, you're paying less than $60 for a combo that typically runs $140 — perfect timing to get eyes on your property before turkey season heats up.

Field Report

• Michigan Proposes 1 Buck Rule — The Michigan DNR wants to cut the antlered deer bag limit from two to one statewide. The goal is improving buck structure and hunter satisfaction, though it'll likely spark heated debate among hunters who've grown accustomed to the two-buck limit.

• More Than Half of Colorado's Reintroduced Wolves Are Dead — Colorado's wolf program is struggling badly — 13 of 25 transplanted wolves have died, winter releases are canceled, and costs are spiraling. The controversial reintroduction faces serious questions about its long-term viability.

• Idaho Makes Lifetime License Much Harder to Get — Fed up with out-of-state influencers gaming the system, Idaho extended its residency requirement from 6 months to 5 years for lifetime hunting licenses. The change targets temporary residents who were moving to Idaho just long enough to qualify.

• USDA Finalizes Faster Environmental Reviews — The Trump administration overhauled NEPA regulations, shortening environmental review timelines for public land projects. While some changes are bipartisan, the real-world impacts on hunting and fishing access remain to be seen.

The Watch List

MidwayUSA · MidwayUSA Full Strut Turkey Vest · $49.01 · 50% off · Boss Buck Broadcast Spreader 80 lb · $219.99 · 34% off · Bass Pro Shops · Winchester SXP Turkey Hunter Shotgun · $399.98 · 18% off · MEAT! Dual Grind No.8 Meat Grinder · $559.99 · 7% off

Trail Tested

Wired to Hunt: The Social Aspect of Whitetail Hunting

Tony Peterson tackles a topic most hunters don't discuss enough — how building the right hunting network can open doors to new opportunities. His advice on being selective about hunting partners and finding trustworthy, ethical hunters is spot-on.

MeatEater: Man-Eating Lions, Border Wall, and Judas Deer

Rinella and crew cover everything from bobcat collaring to Catalina Island's deer depopulation controversy. The Big Bend border wall discussion and Michigan's deer baiting debate make this episode particularly relevant for policy-minded hunters.

MeatEater: The Science and Magic of Hot Dogs

An unexpectedly fascinating deep dive into hot dog production with expert John Carter. The discussion about why wild game makes poor hot dogs is genuinely educational, even if the topic sounds quirky.

Planting This Week

Spring planting season is in full swing across much of the country. If you're in the Mid or South regions, now's the time to get those food plots established.

White Clover (Mid) · March 15 – May 15

Plant after the last hard frost for best germination rates.

Chicory (Mid) · March 15 – May 15

Mix with clover for a diverse plot that deer love year-round.

Corn (South) · March 15 – May 15

Wait for soil temperatures to hit 55°F consistently before planting.

Alfalfa (Mid/South) · March 15 – May 15

Test soil pH first — alfalfa needs 6.5-7.0 pH to thrive.

Lablab (South) · April 1 – June 30

This heat-loving legume is perfect for summer food plots in warmer climates.

Get personalized planting alerts for your property.

The Sign-Off

"The two best times to plant a tree were 20 years ago and today." — Chinese Proverb

Get those trail cameras up and food plots planted while the timing's right. Turkey season's almost here.