Though they may resemble Arnold, the television-loving pig from the classic sitcom Green Acres, the collared peccary of Arizona is anything but domesticated. Also known as the "Javelina," because of its razor-sharp tusks, this bad-tempered creature does make a great trophy animal for hunters with skill, cunning and patience.

According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), the collared peccary is a relatively new addition to their state. This animal evolved in South America before coming north to hang out in the United States.

As the name indicates, the collared peccary has a ring of white fur around its neck, distinguishing it from pigs and hogs. They travel in families or groups, living on a diet that consists of roots, beans and nuts. One of their main sources of nutrition, however, is the prickly pear, which might explain their somewhat nasty disposition.

If you are planning a trip to Arizona to collar a peccary, keep in mind that this game animal likes to hang out near permanent sources of water. DesertUsa.com also reminds peccary hunters that these critters have poor eyesight but really good hearing, so it pays to be patient and quiet during the hunt.

Like a sleeping dog laying the sun, the collared peccary isn't terribly vicious unless it feels threatened by humans or other animals. Since they do hang out in packs if you aren't careful, you could find yourself on the run from an angry group of peccaries (those tusks can leave you with a permanent reminder of your trip).

In Arizona, hunting season for the collared peccary takes place in January and February, starting with archery, and then followed by handgun, muzzleloader and rifle. While going for a trophy, you may want to slip on a pair of Bogs Roper boots. This all-purpose piece of footwear can keep your feet warm and dry in the areas that peccaries prefer.

Arizona does offer ample opportunities to bring home a collared peccary trophy, provided of course, that you don't make a pig of yourself.

Resources:
http://www.osaaventura.com/articles/peccary.htm
http://www.desertusa.com/magnov97/nov_pap/du_collpecc.html
http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/game_javelina.shtml

When hunting season is underway, you might be tempted to trek out to new territory and spend a few nights in the great outdoors. A hunting expedition can put your endurance, stamina and concentration to the test, and roughing it during inclement weather requires packing up some survival gear essentials so you can track down your prey like a pro.

Whether you're hunting game in the forest or tracking down deer in the country, you'll need some basic gear to get through the night safe and sound. Here's what you need for a successful hunt:

Keep those feet well-prepared for hunting mode with a pair of insulated boots. Rugged, lace-up boots are designed with several layers of insulation and extra protection for almost any type of weather. You'll need the extra layers of insulation for snowy days in the forest or country roads, so toughen up with a pair of rugged shoes and thick socks as you trek along your trail.

You'll also need to layer up with fleece and insulated outerwear to ward off those cooler temperatures, day and night. Make sure you're decked out in at least one thick fleece jacket, heavy fatigue pants and a puffy jacket that will give you an extra layer of warmth when temperatures hit rock bottom.

When it's time to call it a day and hit the campsite for a good night's rest, a thermal sleeping bag will help you get through the night with ease. Look for 'chrysalis'-style bags designed with a super-tight construction and extra padding to help seal in the heat. These sleeping bags will keep you warm and toasty on any fall or winter evening and shield you from bugs and insects that might be lurking around your camping territory.

Finally, you'll need a basic sport utility kit filled with some basic tools and a first aid kit for unforeseen emergencies. The Gerber Sport Utility Kit is a lightweight and versatile kit filled with a flashlight, back pack ax, a compact folding spade and first-aid basics; when you're spending a few days and nights in the great outdoors, you'll need these by your side to handle minor cuts and scrapes.

For hunters, Alaska represents a lot more than just a popular cruise destination or the setting for the whimsical television series "Northern Exposure." The 49th state also serves as the home for some of the best trophy animals in North America, in particular Dall sheep.

Typically found in the mountains and on steep slopes, the Dall is a snow white creature that has a beautifully shaped horn. Mature males have ones that curl into a circle, while the horns of the females are somewhat smaller and not quite as curved. By counting the markings on the horns, you can even determine the age of the Dall that you bring down.

Many hunters agree that the best places to find the Dall sheep are the mountains in the Brooks Range; this means that you'll have to do quite a bit of hiking and climbing to find the trophy you want. It's never too early to start training for this kind of hunt. Book some extra time on the Stairmaster before you go.

To carry what you need into the mountains, it's a good idea to invest in a sturdy, multi-purpose backpack like the Kelty Bison 3300. This pack is rugged enough for Alaskan hunting and has enough storage space to hold supplies and bad weather gear.

You can go after Dall sheep from mid-August to mid-September, but you do need a tag in some areas (approximately $425) and a license ($85). Several local guides will, for a fee, take you into the Brooks Range and help make arrangements to ship your trophy back home.

A good way to start your hunting experience is by flying into Fairbanks and catching an air taxi into the Brooks Range. You can find plenty of top-notch accommodations in Fairbanks, but you will be camping outdoors during your time in the mountains.

Going after Dall sheep could be one of the most challenging experiences of your life. With all the backpacking and hauling you will be doing, you should be able to skip a few trips to the gym after you get back home.

Resources:

http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame/dallshee.php
http://www.alaskaone.com/brooks-range/

To farmers, the Eared Dove (Zenaida Auriculata) of Argentina can become a major nuisance, causing millions of dollars of crop damage each year. For hunters, however, this speedy little bird presents one of the most enjoyable big-bag shooting opportunities in the world.

As numerous as pigeons in the United States, these doves apparently live only to eat and mate, which is not bad work if you can get it. Although rabbits breed approximately 5 times a year, the busy Eared Dove can reproduce up to 7 times in 12 months, as long as there is enough food in the surrounding area.

With millions of doves in the region, the serious wingshooter should consider taking a hunting trip to the city of Cordoba. Because the Department of Agriculture considers this bird to be a pest, Argentina's government has no set limits on how many Eared Doves you can shoot while you are visiting Cordoba.

With no bag limits and a sky filled with beautiful birds, hunters in Cordoba reportedly fire between 1,000 and 2,000 rounds in a single day. When the Eared Doves are flying thick and heavy, it's pretty easy to spend a day just aiming, shooting and reloading.

Although Cordoba has very pleasant weather for most of the year, the summer months (January through March) are among the best times to travel to this hunting paradise. Rain is fairly common in the evening, though, so packing a waterproof jacket along with the rifle is a good strategic move.

Traveling to Cordoba by air does require a little planning, though. Instead of a direct flight, consider flying into the capital city of Buenos Aires and then catch a connecting flight to Cordoba. Thanks to its reputation as a dove hunting paradise, Cordoba has some great hunting lodges where you can relax after a successful day of big-bag shooting. Many hotels and lodges also have Internet connections if you need to reconnect with the outside world.

With beautiful surroundings and plenty of winged targets, hunting the Eared Dove in Cordoba is almost like shooting fish in a barrel.

Resources:

http://www.argentinadovehunting.com/argentinagamebirds.htm
http://www.cordobadovehunting.com/dove-hunting-tips.html
http://www.gaje.org/Conf06/TravelToCordoba.htm

Many hunters dream about going on an African safari where they can
stalk such dangerous prey as the leopard or rhino and hopefully bring
home a trophy for their efforts. Bagging exotic animals like these in
another country is a rare and memorable experience.

For a taste of real safari hunting within the United States, you can head to New Mexico to seek out the intriguing Oryx.
This African antelope, which has black-and-white markings on its face,
was first brought to the White Sands Missile Range by the New Mexico
Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) during the 1970's.

The Oryx
population around White Sands has increased significantly in the
decades since its introduction. In some years, hunting can be essential
in keeping these beautiful antelopes from becoming a threat to New
Mexico's native plant and animal life.

In some ways, bagging an
Oryx is easier than all the work that's involved in getting a tag.
NMDGF allows hunters to enter a drawing for the "once-in-a-lifetime"
license that allows you to hunt within the boundaries of the White
Sands Missile Range.

This restricted tag system means you
really only get one prime opportunity to bring home a trophy. You still
are eligible for a depredation hunt, however, if New Mexico decides to
thin out the Oryx herd.

Because this is such a rare opportunity,
you shouldn't take any chances when going after the Oryx. New Mexico
has several experienced guides who can help increase your chances of
taking down one of these exotic African antelopes.

Some Oryx hunters recommend the "glass and stalk" method, which is where a pair of Rocky Stalker boots can come in handy. By quietly blending into the background, you should be able to get within range of a good-sized Oryx.

When December rolls around, start checking the NMGDF Web site
for license application information for the following year. The tag
drawing takes place in February, and if you are one of the fortunate
few, your Oryx hunt will take place between September and March.

With a little luck and lots of patience, you might just get your once-in-a-lifetime chance to put an Oryx trophy on your wall.

Sources:

When hunting season rolls around, think about heading up North for the challenges of Newfoundland.These days, it can be difficult to find those unspoiled places to hunt where everything comes down to an honest confrontation between you and your prey.

Newfoundland, Canada is, however, one of those rare hunting destinations where you truly have to rely on your skills as a hunter to come home with a trophy. With the black powder and rifle season beginning in mid-September, Newfoundland offers some of the best big game hunting opportunities in the world; bow hunters get to start two weeks earlier. Because Newfoundland has a temperamental and changeable climate during hunting season, it's hard to tell exactly what kind of challenges the weather will throw at you. Make sure to pack for cold, wet weather as well as unseasonably warm temperatures. As for the wildlife, Newfoundland definitely puts the "big" in the term big game:

Black Bear

Bears typically are formidable prey, but the North American Black Bear, which has tipped the scale at close to 500 pounds, is an especially challenging target. Newfoundland offers both baited and non-baited Black Bear hunting.

Bull Moose

With large antlers and a weight of approximately 1,500 pounds, a mature Bull Moose is quite a trophy and can be brought down with a bow, muzzleloader or rifle.

Caribou

To stalk these 500 pound beauties, you also can use bows, muzzleloaders and rifles and hopefully come home with an impressive trophy.

On the average, a hunter in Newfoundland has approximately a 70-75% chance of bringing down their prey, with some regions offering a better shot than others. For something a little bit different, also try hunting the Willow Ptarmigan, a local bird that can be found in abundant quantities during the big game hunting season.

Among hunters in Newfoundland, the concept of "fair chase" hunting is fairly widespread; it is perhaps the most honest and honorable way to spot and stalk prey in the wilderness. Instead of using high tech gadgets to get off a shot from a long distance, fair chase means relying on your own skill to move in closer for the kill.

Hunting lodges are quite plentiful in Newfoundland, with all-inclusive packages that offer "fly-in" hunts, accommodations, meals, guides and preparation of meat and trophies. Depending on what kind of game you have your heart set on, packages range in price between $2,000 and $5,000. Lodgings tend to be clean, comfortable and contain everything you need for a great hunting getaway.

One of the best ways to reach Newfoundland is by plane and the recommended carrier is Air Canada. Since you will be traveling outside the United States, a current passport is needed to enter Canada. You can bring your weapons into the country as long as you declare them to the proper authorities at Canadian Customs.

With some of the biggest game available in North America combined with an unspoiled wilderness, Newfoundland could easily become your new favorite hunting spot.

Resources:
http://www.pineridge.nf.ca/general.htm
http://www.newfoundlandhunting.com/hunting_information.html http://www.biggamecanada.com/travel_info.html