Field Journal

The Ultimate Out-of-State Hunt Packing Checklist (2026 Edition)
The Ultimate Out-of-State Hunt Packing Checklist (2026 Edition)
The complete out-of-state hunt packing checklist for 2026 — gear, licenses, tags, food, and camp equipment. Everything that has to go on the truck before you leave, organized by category. Read more...
Best Hunting Apps of 2026: The Tools Every Serious Hunter Should Have on Their Phone
Best Hunting Apps of 2026: The Tools Every Serious Hunter Should Have on Their Phone
The best hunting apps for 2026 — OnX Hunt, BaseMap, and the tools serious hunters use for public land scouting, offline maps, weather, and state regulations. Don't go into the... Read more...
5 Easiest States for Out-of-State Hunters to Get an OTC License and Hunt Public Land
5 Easiest States for Out-of-State Hunters to Get an OTC License and Hunt Public Land
The 5 easiest states for out-of-state hunters to buy an OTC license and hunt quality public land — no draw required. Elk, deer, and antelope tags you can buy today.... Read more...
Interior Pushes to Streamline Hunting Rules on Parks and Federal Sites: What Secretarial Order 3447 Means for Hunters
Interior Pushes to Streamline Hunting Rules on Parks and Federal Sites: What Secretarial Order 3447 Means for Hunters
Secretarial Order 3447 directs the Interior Department to streamline and expand hunting and fishing access on national parks and federal lands. Here's what the order actually says, which lands it... Read more...
Elk Wander to Eastern South Dakota: State Responds With Unlimited Hunting Licenses
Elk Wander to Eastern South Dakota: State Responds With Unlimited Hunting Licenses
South Dakota just opened unlimited elk hunting licenses in several eastern counties as the herd expands into new territory. Here's where to hunt, how to apply, and what hunters need... Read more...
The Ultimate Arena: The Venators of Rome
The Ultimate Arena: The Venators of Rome
Venator is a 2,000-year-old Latin word for hunter. The story of the Roman Venatores — beast hunters of the Colosseum — and why we named our brand after them. Read more...
Turkey Hunting: Tactics, Gear, and Everything You Need for Spring Season
Turkey Hunting: The Complete Guide Spring turkey season is one of the most exciting hunts of the year. Here's everything from calling tactics to gear, from the Venator Field Journal. Tactics & Timing Turkey Hunting in the Afternoon: Killing Gobblers After 10am How Weather Affects the 2026 Season Gear Turkey Hunting Gear: What You Actually Need Camo Clothing System (applies to turkey too) Best Boots for Spring Terrain Dogs & Companions Best Hunting Dog Breeds for Every Hunt Shop Turkey Gear Turkey Hunting Gear | Camo Clothing Read more...
Hunting Gear Reviews: Optics, Knives, Packs, and Boots Tested in the Field
Hunting Gear Reviews: Tested in the Field Venator Hunting is hunter-owned. We don't stock gear we haven't used. Here are the definitive buyer's guides for every category — written by people who actually hunt. Optics & Sights Best Hunting Optics of 2026 Best Trijicon ACOG Scopes for Hunting Trijicon RMR vs SRO Best Trijicon Night Sights Knives & Cutting Tools Best Hunting Knives of 2026 Best Hunting Knives Under $100 Packs, Bags & Carry Best Hunting Backpacks of 2026 Best Tactical Bags: Vertx Review Out-of-State Hunt Packing Checklist Clothing &... Read more...
Out-of-State Hunting: OTC Tags, Draw Systems, and Public Land Strategy
Out-of-State Hunting: Your Complete Playbook Going west? Hunting public land out of state is one of the most rewarding — and logistically challenging — things a hunter can do. Here's everything we've learned. Getting Your Tags 5 Easiest States for OTC Licenses & Public Land How to Draw an Elk Tag: The Western Draw System Best OTC Hunts in the U.S. South Dakota's Unlimited Elk Licenses Planning Your Hunt The Ultimate Out-of-State Packing Checklist When to Start Scouting: Deer & Elk Patterns Best Hunting Apps of 2026 Top Cities with... Read more...
Texas Fishing Guide: Saltwater, Freshwater, and Everything In Between
Texas Fishing: The Complete Guide From Gulf Coast redfish and trout to inland bass and catfish, Texas offers some of the best fishing in the country. Here's everything the Venator team knows about fishing the Lone Star State. Saltwater Fishing Texas Gulf Coast Gear Guide: Redfish, Trout & Flounder Lures vs. Live Bait on the Texas Coast Best Fishing Rods for Texas Best Waders for Texas Wade Fishing Summer Kayak Fishing: Stability & Technique Freshwater & Fly Fishing Beginner's Complete Guide to Fly Fishing Gear Best Fly Fishing Flies for... Read more...
Texas Deer Hunting: The Complete Guide to Seasons, Zones, Gear, and Public Land
Texas Deer Hunting: The Complete Guide Whether you're chasing whitetail in the Hill Country or hunting public land in East Texas, this hub covers everything you need for a successful Texas deer season. Venator Hunting is a hunter-owned store — we carry the gear we actually use, and we write about the hunts we actually run. Season Dates & Regulations Before you head afield, know your dates. Read our breakdown: Texas Deer Season 2026–2027: Dates, Zones & Regulations. Scouting & Tactics When to Start Scouting for Fall Best Trail Cameras... Read more...