Early season goose is often thought of by many hunters as the feast or famine season. Typically early goose season is designed to manage resident goose populations which in many states are far above population goals. It goes without saying that hunting early season geese presents a whole different set of challenges and strategies for these local resident geese than one would typically use for migrators during regular season. Read More
5 Strategies for Early Goose Season Success
Early season goose is often thought of by many hunters as the feast or famine season. Typically early goose season is designed to manage resident goose populations which in many states are far above population goals. It goes without saying that hunting early season geese presents a whole different set of challenges and strategies for these local resident geese than one would typically use for migrators during regular season. Read More
Kentucky Sandhill Cranes – Winter Wildlife Watching at Its Finest
Just this week our fearless leader, publisher, and editor CarrieZ did a great post about winter eagle watching opportunities in Kentucky. But eagles aren’t the only outstanding bird watching opportunity during the winter months in Kentucky.
While Carrie was writing about the eagles, I was attending a sneak peek tour that was designed to give me the same experience that attendees of the upcoming Sandhill Crane Nature Watch Weekend at Barren River State Resort Park will enjoy.
Read More
Kentucky Sandhill Cranes – Winter Wildlife Watching at Its Finest
Just this week our fearless leader, publisher, and editor CarrieZ did a great post about winter eagle watching opportunities in Kentucky. But eagles aren’t the only outstanding bird watching opportunity during the winter months in Kentucky.
While Carrie was writing about the eagles, I was attending a sneak peek tour that was designed to give me the same experience that attendees of the upcoming Sandhill Crane Nature Watch Weekend at Barren River State Resort Park will enjoy.
Read More
Gear Review: Zippo Outdoors Rugged Lantern
Let’s face it – every outdoorsman needs a good, durable, lantern. For those of us who spend time on the water at in the dark, wouldn’t a waterproof lantern that floats be just ticket? A lantern that floats. Sound like I am I asking for too much? Read More
Gear Review: Zippo Outdoors Rugged Lantern
Let’s face it – every outdoorsman needs a good, durable, lantern. For those of us who spend time on the water at in the dark, wouldn’t a waterproof lantern that floats be just ticket? A lantern that floats. Sound like I am I asking for too much? Read More
Archery After Mastectomy – YOU CAN DO IT!
PREFACE: This isn’t meant to be a how to guide for returning to archery after mastectomy; because the mastectomy experience is intensely individual with individual and unique challenges. This is merely my experience and from that I hope that others can learn, find some help, and most of know that it is possible to return to archery after a mastectomy. Read More
Archery After Mastectomy – YOU CAN DO IT!
PREFACE: This isn’t meant to be a how to guide for returning to archery after mastectomy; because the mastectomy experience is intensely individual with individual and unique challenges. This is merely my experience and from that I hope that others can learn, find some help, and most of know that it is possible to return to archery after a mastectomy. Read More
Destination Review: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Five Reasons to Make Fond du Lac Your Late Summer Getaway
The dog days of summer are upon us, and that finds many of us longing for one last late summer getaway. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, provides a great destination for anyone interested in the outdoors, plus plenty of activities for those in the family who may not be quite so outdoor oriented. Read More
Destination Review: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Five Reasons to Make Fond du Lac Your Late Summer Getaway
The dog days of summer are upon us, and that finds many of us longing for one last late summer getaway. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, provides a great destination for anyone interested in the outdoors, plus plenty of activities for those in the family who may not be quite so outdoor oriented. Read More
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em – Eat ‘Em – How to Clean and Prepare Invasive Carp
It’s no secret that folks along the Mississippi river and its tributaries are fighting a war with invasive carp. Not only are many states and municipalities at war with the carp, they are having one heck of time finding any effective weapon.
At this point there just isn’t anything that has been truly effective in stopping the invasion of these dastardly fish. Because they are not only invasive but injurious it’s pretty much open season on them in any water where you can find them and they are the most frequent target of many bowfishers. Read More
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em – Eat ‘Em – How to Clean and Prepare Invasive Carp
It’s no secret that folks along the Mississippi river and its tributaries are fighting a war with invasive carp. Not only are many states and municipalities at war with the carp, they are having one heck of time finding any effective weapon.
At this point there just isn’t anything that has been truly effective in stopping the invasion of these dastardly fish. Because they are not only invasive but injurious it’s pretty much open season on them in any water where you can find them and they are the most frequent target of many bowfishers. Read More
How To Find Fish For Bowfishing
There is perhaps no sweeter phrase to a bowfisher than that of “Fish are up!” In the world of bowfishing that means that the targeted rough fish (carp, gar, drum, bowfin etc.) are in the shallows, or in water where they are easily seen and easily shot. Read More
How To Find Fish For Bowfishing
There is perhaps no sweeter phrase to a bowfisher than that of “Fish are up!” In the world of bowfishing that means that the targeted rough fish (carp, gar, drum, bowfin etc.) are in the shallows, or in water where they are easily seen and easily shot. Read More
Bowfishing 101 – Bowfishing Equipment for Beginners
Imagine that you could combine your love of archery with your love of fishing. Bowfishing is just that that, archery and angling in one fun package! Bowfishing is the perfect way to keep your archery skills intact and continue enjoying bringing home food for the table between hunting seasons. Read More
Bowfishing 101 – Bowfishing Equipment for Beginners
Imagine that you could combine your love of archery with your love of fishing. Bowfishing is just that that, archery and angling in one fun package! Bowfishing is the perfect way to keep your archery skills intact and continue enjoying bringing home food for the table between hunting seasons. Read More
Five Strategies for Hunting Spring Snow Goose
Snow Goose conservation season offers waterfowl hunters a way to extend their season. Also known as “light geese” snows have become so incredibly prolific that they are quite literally eating themselves out of house and home, along with causing serious damage to the ecosystems that support them. Read More
Five Strategies for Hunting Spring Snow Goose
Snow Goose conservation season offers waterfowl hunters a way to extend their season. Also known as “light geese” snows have become so incredibly prolific that they are quite literally eating themselves out of house and home, along with causing serious damage to the ecosystems that support them. Read More
Yet Another Sneaky Gun Grab Proposal from Illinois
Illinois policy makers force medical cannabis patients to choose between medication and firearm ownership.
Yet Another Sneaky Gun Grab Proposal from Illinois
Illinois policy makers force medical cannabis patients to choose between medication and firearm ownership.
Refuges, Rest Areas, and Restricted Zones
If the sign says no admittance, no trespassing, no access that means everyone. Including YOU!
I have noticed a disturbing trend this year – more and more people blatantly and blithely overlooking signage on both private and public lands that clearly states an area is closed or clearly states its intended usage. Read More
Refuges, Rest Areas, and Restricted Zones
If the sign says no admittance, no trespassing, no access that means everyone. Including YOU!
I have noticed a disturbing trend this year – more and more people blatantly and blithely overlooking signage on both private and public lands that clearly states an area is closed or clearly states its intended usage. Read More
Hen of the Woods Mushrooms – A Foragers Delight
For most in the Midwest, autumn means big bucks, the early days of deer season, and all things whitetail. Forest foragers know that late autumn also means the mushrooming season for the most part is coming to a close; however, there remains one last great treat for those perusing the autumn woods… One last great big giant treat because, those glorious autumn days are when you can find a fruiting of Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa) as big as forty or fifty pounds. Read More
Hen of the Woods Mushrooms – A Foragers Delight
For most in the Midwest, autumn means big bucks, the early days of deer season, and all things whitetail. Forest foragers know that late autumn also means the mushrooming season for the most part is coming to a close; however, there remains one last great treat for those perusing the autumn woods… One last great big giant treat because, those glorious autumn days are when you can find a fruiting of Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa) as big as forty or fifty pounds. Read More
Dear Congress; Let These Kids Hunt!
I try to stay out of most of the political wars on social media, around the tables in local eateries and pubs. After all, my mama always told me that sex, politics, and religion just weren’t good topics for polite conversation.
But this whole raft insanity that has come out of Capitol Hill in the last week has – well might as well be frank – flat pissed this old lady off.
Specifically the closure of federally funded public lands. Read More
Dear Congress; Let These Kids Hunt!
I try to stay out of most of the political wars on social media, around the tables in local eateries and pubs. After all, my mama always told me that sex, politics, and religion just weren’t good topics for polite conversation.
But this whole raft insanity that has come out of Capitol Hill in the last week has – well might as well be frank – flat pissed this old lady off.
Specifically the closure of federally funded public lands. Read More
The Carp War – Fighting Invasive Carp One Arrow At A Time

It seems like we’ve been bowfishing for the invasive carp a long time now – even though to many in the outdoor world bowfishing is a seemingly new and trendy sport.
For those of us that are river rats – it’s not a sport.
It’s a war. Read More
The Carp War – Fighting Invasive Carp One Arrow At A Time

It seems like we’ve been bowfishing for the invasive carp a long time now – even though to many in the outdoor world bowfishing is a seemingly new and trendy sport.
For those of us that are river rats – it’s not a sport.
It’s a war. Read More
Chanterelle Mushrooms: Gold on the Forest Floor
There’s gold lurking in the late summer forest and woodlands; and it’s in the form of fabulous flushes of chanterelle mushrooms. These gorgeous golden treats flush and flourish best during the warm wet days of late summer.
Chanterelles, often called chanties, go hand in hand with squirrel season in many areas. Many a squirrel hunter has returned home not only with a nice bundle of bushy tails for the roaster, but also a bag of these bright yellow, delicate mushrooms that complement the wild game that’s available this time of year. Mother Nature does a great job of providing us with just the right mushroom for whatever game or fish is being harvested at that particular time, and chanterelles are no exception. Not only do chanterelles pair well with eggs, fish, chicken, and pork; they are equally well suited to doves, squirrel, and early season teal. Their delicate flavor however, is often overpowered by darker, heavier, red meats. Read More
Chanterelle Mushrooms: Gold on the Forest Floor
There’s gold lurking in the late summer forest and woodlands; and it’s in the form of fabulous flushes of chanterelle mushrooms. These gorgeous golden treats flush and flourish best during the warm wet days of late summer.
Chanterelles, often called chanties, go hand in hand with squirrel season in many areas. Many a squirrel hunter has returned home not only with a nice bundle of bushy tails for the roaster, but also a bag of these bright yellow, delicate mushrooms that complement the wild game that’s available this time of year. Mother Nature does a great job of providing us with just the right mushroom for whatever game or fish is being harvested at that particular time, and chanterelles are no exception. Not only do chanterelles pair well with eggs, fish, chicken, and pork; they are equally well suited to doves, squirrel, and early season teal. Their delicate flavor however, is often overpowered by darker, heavier, red meats. Read More
Let’s Talk Turtle: Catching, Cleaning and Cooking the Common Snapper (Recipe included)
Summer is prime snapping turtle time. Although many are put off by the snappers prehistoric looks, downright spiteful attitude, and reputation for eating all the nasties of the aquatic world; those in the know about snapping turtles know that the meat is some of the most delicious and lean wild meat out there.
Be forewarned, there’s nothing zippity do dah easy about snapping turtles, not the catching, not the cleaning or the cooking. Perhaps that’s part of what makes them so tasty. It’s a bit of an accomplishment to put a turtle on the dinner table. Read More
Let’s Talk Turtle: Catching, Cleaning and Cooking the Common Snapper (Recipe included)
Summer is prime snapping turtle time. Although many are put off by the snappers prehistoric looks, downright spiteful attitude, and reputation for eating all the nasties of the aquatic world; those in the know about snapping turtles know that the meat is some of the most delicious and lean wild meat out there.
Be forewarned, there’s nothing zippity do dah easy about snapping turtles, not the catching, not the cleaning or the cooking. Perhaps that’s part of what makes them so tasty. It’s a bit of an accomplishment to put a turtle on the dinner table. Read More