Bore Cleaning – How Much and When for Prairie Dogs
Learn when and how to clean your bore during high-volume prairie dog shooting without overdoing it.
Maksym Kovaliov
Maksym Kovaliov is a hunter with over 30 years of field experience, rooted in a family tradition passed down from his father and grandfather - both trappers in Soviet-era Ukraine. A Christian, a conservative, and a fierce advocate for the First and Second Amendments, Maksym came to the United States as a refugee after facing persecution for his journalism work. America gave him freedom - and wider hunting horizons than he ever had before. His writing combines old-school fieldcraft, deep respect for proven methods, and a critical eye toward anything that hasn't earned its place in the field.
Tripod and Glassing Comfort for Long Sessions
Tripod stability and seating tips for all-day mule deer glassing comfort and effectiveness.
Ammo Failures and Misfires – Field Fixes on Prairie Dogs
Quick fixes for ammo misfires and failures when shooting prairie dogs in the field
Glassing Migration Corridors and Funnels
Glassing saddles and passes when snow pushes mule deer through traditional migration funnels between seasonal ranges.
Lost Accuracy – Systematic Diagnosis on Prairie Dogs
Diagnose prairie dog accuracy loss systematically - check recent changes, shooting form, scope mount, barrel fouling, and heat methodically instead of guessing.
Glassing Timing – Best Hours for Seeing Muleys
Learn the best times to glass for mule deer from first light through evening and how to adjust your strategy for midday bedded bucks.
Cold Morning Starts – Quick Warm-Up on Prairie Dogs
Cold mornings affect rifle function and shooter dexterity when shooting prairie dogs
Spotting Scope Use – When and How for Muleys
Learn when spotting scopes help identify distant mule deer bucks and how magnification aids judging before stalking.
Sun and Glare – Position and Eye Comfort on Prairie Dogs
Managing sun position and glare for comfort and accuracy during all-day prairie dog sessions
Finding Bedded Bucks – The Patient Game
Spot bedded mule deer bucks in open country using patience and optics to find hidden animals.
Wind – Reading Daily Patterns on Prairie Dog Colonies
Daily wind patterns on prairie dog colonies - morning calm periods, midday building, afternoon peaks, and evening drops help schedule shots on tiny targets through the day's changing conditions.
Field Judging – Spotting Mature Bucks
Learn to assess mule deer buck maturity in the field by evaluating antler structure, body size, and behavior through optics.
Rain and Wet Days – When to Shoot, When to Pass on Prairie Dogs
Rain reduces visibility on tiny prairie dogs and challenges scope clarity - when light rain is workable versus when to wait out storms on colonies.
Migration Patterns – Following Elevation Changes
Learn how mule deer migrate thousands of feet down in elevation each fall as snow accumulates, using traditional routes you can hunt.
Prairie Dust – Keeping Rifle and Glass Working
Managing dust on prairie dog colonies keeps your rifle and optics functioning through long shooting sessions on tiny targets.