This is The Improved Franchi Momentum Elite; It’s Awesome

The Franchi Momentum Elite is gaining … momentum. With a long history — over 150 years — of gun-making, Franchi is well-known for its premium semi-auto and over-under shotguns. Recently, Franchi added a bolt-action rifle to its lineup of stellar guns, the Momentum. In 2020, Franchi introduced its premium model of the Momentum, the Elite.... Read More

The Best Hunting Boots Guaranteed to Dominate Any Terrain

Getting to the top of the mountain, across the farm, or miles into the backcountry takes more than tough leather. Conversely, the best hunting boots are packed with features to keep your feet warm (or cool), dry, and comfortable, and at the same time are rugged enough to handle the abuses of harsh weather and... Read More

Get Your Bow Primed for Archery Season, Challenge Accepted

Selecting a hunting bow and setting it up yourself can be a daunting process. However, doing so — correctly — will ensure your setup is an arrow-flinging machine this bow season. As a short-draw archer, I look for shorter axle-to-axle bows that shoot fast (335+ fps). This year, my bow selection was the Prime Archery... Read More

2021 Editors’ Choice Top Bows

Are you thinking about buying a new bow this year? Don’t hesitate, bow season is right around the corner, at least in most western states. Putting a new bow in your hands now and practicing over the summer will ensure proficiency when opening day arrives. There are several great bows on the market from a... Read More

Raffle Tag

Raffle Tag Here is my AZ Special Raffle tag. By Darren Choate Darren ChoateDarren is the Founder of Western Whitetail. Prior to his career in the outdoors, Darren served as an Airman in the US Air Force. As a freelancer, his articles have been published online and featured in magazines such as Western Whitetail, Western Hunter, Quality... Read More

Kansas Bruiser

Kansas Bruiser I saw this buck in a distant winter wheat field early one morning. I made a few grunt call to no avail. However, later that morning, the buck appeared right underneath the tree I was sitting in. Apparently, the buck had tended his doe and was now looking for a fight. I made... Read More

2020 AZ Archery Bull

2020 AZ Archery Bull The conditions in 2020 were challenging for elk hunting; it was hot and dry! It finally came together for me on the 9th day of the hunt. By Darren Choate Darren ChoateDarren is the Founder of Western Whitetail. Prior to his career in the outdoors, Darren served as an Airman in the... Read More

My AZ Super Raffle Buck

My AZ Super Raffle Buck I was luck enough to win the AZ Super Raffle Whitetail tag in 2020/2021. I hunted for over 50 days before taking this buck. By Darren Choate Darren ChoateDarren is the Founder of Western Whitetail. Prior to his career in the outdoors, Darren served as an Airman in the US Air... Read More

2021 Editors’ Choice Off-Road Tires

In a discussion about gear, tires might not seem like a top priority for most hunters. However, if you put some thought to it, tires are the one gear item that gets all of the other gear where it’s going. Additionally, these same tires are likely hauling your other treasures — family and friends, and... Read More

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Quest for a Special Raffle Coues Tag Winner

I’ll spare you the “It all started when…” story regarding my Special Raffle Coues Whitetail tag. Suffice it to say, I was overtaken with surprise when the caller ID on my phone read “AZGFD” as I watched the Arizona Super Raffle’s live feed on the same phone. In the chaos of answering the phone while... Read More

Arizona Elk Hunting Is a Fantastic Choice for Gigantic Bulls

Arizona elk hunting is arguably the best there is. The state was once the home of the Merriam’s elk, a smaller-bodied ungulate with massive antlers. Cattle grazing and overhunting the sub-species led to its demise in the early part of the 20th century. Arizona’s current elk population is courtesy of Yellowstone National Park. From 1912... Read More

Elk Hunting With a Bow In Extreme Conditions

Elk Hunting With a Bow in Extreme Conditions | Darren Choate Elk Hunting With a Bow in Extreme Conditions When temperatures rise, affecting rutting activity negatively, there is always one sure tactic to try — flank ‘em. By Darren Choate I turned off the vehicle, opened the door, and then walked a few feet away... Read More

Hunting With a Muzzleloader

Hunting With a Muzzleloader Today’s muzzleloaders are far more capable than those of past decades. It’s not just the guns. Advances in bullets, powders, optics, and accessories, the rangefinder, for example, and others have pushed the limits of hunting with a muzzleloader to new limits. Still, add a little water, moisture, or spike in humidity,... Read More

Bowtech Solution SD, An Inside Look

Bowtech Solution SD, An Inside Look | Darren Choate Bowtech Solution SD, An Inside Look A premium performance bow designed to match the desires of the short-draw archer. By Darren Choate From Bowtech “Performance Without Compromise – Optimized for draw lengths of 23.5” to 28.5”, the new Bowtech Solution SD features the dead silence, dead-in-hand... Read More

Chasing 300 FPS, for the Little Guy

Chasing 300 FPS, for the Little Guy | Darren Choate Chasing 300 FPS, for the Little Guy Speed doesn’t have to be a big guy’s game. by Darren Choate Chasing 300 fps? I remember when I first started bowhunting; it was right around the time I became a teenager. During my teens, I spent countless... Read More

Gift Guide | Coues Rifle Hunting

Gift Guide | Coues Rifle Hunting | Darren Choate Gift Guide | Coues Rifle Hunting by Darren Choate Sig Sauer KILO3000 Rangefinder: “Featuring SIG SAUER’s BDX technology, the KILO3000 BDX is the world’s most advanced laser rangefinder. When paired with a SIERRA3BDX riflescope, the onboard Applied Ballistics Ultralite calculator sends ballistic drop data via Bluetooth... Read More