The Field Journal
Gear reviews, species-specific tactics, and hard-won Texas Panhandle field notes.
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Planning a Youth Deer Hunt in the Texas Panhandle
A youth deer hunt in the Texas Panhandle runs on its own weekend, a week ahead of the general opener. The 2026-27 dates, the license and supervision rules, where to find ground, and how to set up a sit a kid will actually enjoy.
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Reading Wind and Thermals in Canyon Country
Wind and thermals run on separate schedules in the Caprock breaks. How the daily thermal cycle works in canyon country, when it beats the prevailing wind, and how to site a stand around both.
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How to Butcher a Deer at Home: A Deboning Guide
How to butcher a deer at home without a bone saw: deboning a whitetail or mule deer along the seams, aging it in Panhandle heat, and grinding and wrapping what you cut.
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Best Ground Blinds for Open Country Deer Hunting
Picking ground blinds for open country is a different problem than picking one for timber. What matters in Panhandle wind and sightlines, plus the treestands and tripods worth considering instead.
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Archery Whitetail Tactics for Caprock Canyon Country
The breaks don’t hunt like timber. Archery whitetail tactics that actually work in Caprock canyon country, from reading the three layers of terrain to getting inside forty yards.
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Easy Ground Venison Recipes for Beginners
A Panhandle deer fills a lot of freezer space with ground meat. Three easy ground venison recipes that work the first time, plus the one thing that fixes most bad venison.
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When to Hunt Prairie Dogs in Texas: A Panhandle Guide
There’s no closed season on prairie dogs, but there are better and worse months to make the drive. Here’s when to hunt prairie dogs in Texas, and why spring and early fall beat everything else.
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Best Thermal Scope for Hog Hunting in Texas
Panhandle hogs go nocturnal under pressure. How to pick the best thermal scope for hog hunting, what the specs really mean, and a cheaper night vision option.
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Best Compound Bows and Broadheads for Texas Whitetail
Open country, wind, and big-bodied deer change what a bow setup needs to do out here. The compound bows and broadheads worth trusting for Texas whitetail.