October 17, 2025

🏹 Weekend Dispatch: β€œFrost on the Grass, Rifles in the Truck”

Good morning, Western.
Sit back, grab a coffee (or a little whiskey β€” no judgment), and let’s roll into the weekend with your tag checks, predator updates, and gear finds to keep you dialed in.

πŸ”₯ Quick Hit CTA:
πŸ‘‰ Read the Full Issue + Cast Your Rifle Caliber Vote: https://www.westernvantage.com

🧭 Today’s Line-Up

  • 🎯 Tag Tracker: Rifle Openings + Reg Reminders

  • 🐺 Predator Watch: Wolf Movement Post-Opener

  • 🧰 Gear Drop: Boots + Cold-Weather Layers

  • πŸ’ͺ Fit to Hunt: Shoulder Tune-Up

  • πŸ—³οΈ Poll: Favorite Rifle Caliber

  • πŸ˜‚ Meme of the Week

🎯 TAG TRACKER // Rifle Openings

  • Idaho: General deer rifle open statewide β€” check unit-specific antler rules.
    πŸ‘‰ Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules (PDF)

  • Montana: Final archery weekend before general rifle (opens Oct 26).
    πŸ‘‰ MT FWP Hunting Info

  • Wyoming: Elk regions 51–56 closing soon β€” confirm dates.
    πŸ‘‰ Wyoming Game & Fish

  • Oregon: Eastside general deer ends Oct 23 β€” late tags release right after.
    πŸ‘‰ ODFW Hunt Page

πŸ’₯ Field Flash

First week of Idaho rifle season already turned wild β€” two hunters reported close wolf encounters near Stanley, and Montana FWP says opening week could push record wolf harvest numbers.
πŸ‘‰ Read FWP’s early-season wolf report

🐺 PREDATOR WATCH // Wolves After the Opener

When rifles start cracking, wolves go nocturnal.

  • Tracks near gut piles = ambush opportunities

  • Midday howls = regroup after morning pressure

  • Thermal glassing late at night = high odds

🧰 GEAR DROP // Cold-Weather Must-Haves

πŸ₯Ύ Crispi Briksdal EFX Boots β€” serious grip, mountain-built.
πŸ§₯ Badlands Pyre Jacket β€” windproof + quiet for glassing ridges.
πŸŽ’ Cabela’s VersaHunt 80L Pack β€” budget-friendly elk hauler.

πŸ’ͺ FIT TO HUNT // Shoulder Saver Routine

Keep those joints happy for recoil season:

  • Band External Rotations – 3 Γ— 15

  • Scap Push-Ups – 3 Γ— 20

  • Wall Slides – 3 Γ— 15

⏱ 5 minutes before range days = 5 months less pain.

πŸ—³οΈ POLL OF THE WEEK

What’s your go-to western rifle caliber?

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From the first cold front to the last tag punched, this season’s about more than meat β€” it’s about miles, memories, and the grind in between.

Hunt smart. Shoot straight. Stay dangerous.
β€” The Western Vantage Team

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