A public land, DIY hunt is what this issue of EHJ is all about. Spending time with longtime friends, family or loved ones doing what you love to do best, making all of the preparations, decisions and owning up to your failures is what this part of the sport is all about. It makes us better hunters and outdoorsmen, and outdoorswomen. This issue of EHJ has a very well rounded story line-up consisting of everything from the customary mule deer and elk stories, but also a few fringe additions as well. A hunt for a bighorn sheep in Wyoming’s rugged wilderness, Alaska moose, and a monster inland California blacktail buck that graces the cover of this publication for the first time in twenty-five years all DIY style. In addition to those incredible articles, you will find an MRS packed to the rim with a very enlightening article by Jason Peak on wilderness areas out West, why they exist and what they mean for you, the public land hunter, coupled with a detailed write up by Jordan on Montana general tag options. Follow that up with the most comprehensive multi-day pack review of the newest large hauler’s on the market today and you have a big, fat issue that is all about western DIY hunting on public land.
Everything from a DIY hunt for sheep in Montana’s unlimited, over-the-counter unit to a float trip in the Alaskan bush for big moose and everything in between is represented by these, the hardest of the hardcore, the toughest of the tough, the guys that refuse to take on professional help and get the job done on the shoulders of their own skill, knowledge, will and shear perseverance. Guys and gals that, even when the going gets rough, they press on through the rain, snow and blisters to push the hunting experience to its limits and near disastrous failures.
We dedicate this issue to those of you who have hunted on our common public lands, and know what it means to plan, execute and pack out the reward of your hunt on your own. This is your Public Land, DIY issue, enjoy and prepare, fall is nearly upon us now.
Keep hunting hard and hunt every hunt like it may be your last.
N. Guy Eastman
