Entries for September 2012

The familiar chill is in the air as I eagerly step on the heels of duck season here in Minnesota. This weekend I'll make my 3-hour drive north for "opener." As usual, I'll surely be watching every puddle for ducks along the highway as part of my anticipation for what could transpire. I always dream of an opener that'll make the books. That's what it's all about, right?

Many of you have undoubtedly been in the whitetail woods with the September opening of archery season in many states. Some of you—such as NAH Web Editor Josh Dahlke—have already found success. Others will be slipping into the woods any day now, as many states will be opening seasons through Oct. 1. It’s hard to hold back that opening-day enthusiasm, but oftentimes it’s that enthusiasm that can ruin a sure thing.

For 16 years I've hunted whitetails at our family's century farm in central Minnesota, but never have I seen an exceptional buck ... let alone been granted the opportunity to shoot one. My luck finally changed Sunday evening—the second day of archery season—while I waited with my BowTech Invasion on stand. As a cold front moved in, so did that long-awaited handsome buck.

As I write this I’m preparing for—to put it mildly—an ambitious trip to the Yukon. When I board the first plane of my northbound expedition I’ll have four tags in my pocket, which will give me the option to arrow a grizzly bear, moose, mountain caribou and Stone's sheep. Although it’s partially my fault that I’m loaded so heavily with tags for such premier big game species, I have to blame it on my good buddy and guide, Chad Lenz.

Last weekend I was going over the checklist of work that still needs to be done at the farm before opening day: Buy urine to create mock scrapes on trail from bedding area to bean field; apply Deer Trac to food plot next to corn field in back corner; etc.

Looking at the list, I realized we spend a lot of time, money and energy doing things that a lot of folks don't understand. So, while I was alone with my thoughts that day, doing the work, I came up with some signs to identify a land manager.

Wildfires have been prevalent in the West this year. Will you be hunting in or near a zone that's endured a wildfire? If so, there are several implications you need to take into consideration. Watch today's video to make sure you're prepared to hunt a burn area.

Those involved in the business of manufacturing and selling firearms are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the Nov. 6 U.S. Presidential Election, and some retailers are faced with an intriguing conundrum, as reported in The Wall Street Journal this week.

While spending time at NRA Whittington Center during the past week, I remembered how valuable it can be to practice with a shotgun to prepare for running shots that might be presented during rifle (or slug) season.

I grew up playing with LEGOs, but I was never talented enough to build such amazing toy guns as those of LEGO guns mastermind, Jack Streat.

I'm with my son, Cole, at one of the best shooting facilities in the country: NRA Whittington Center. This is a perfect opportunity for me to offer you some shooting tips that you can apply during your next trip to the range.