Beginnings

Above my dad's desk sits a photo, taken one day during the week my grandfather died. Grinning ear to ear and draped in blaze, I hold in each hand a ruffed grouse. This is my beginning. I had hunted before then, but it is often said that fishing is not called "catching" for good reason. Those birds were the first I got and a one-two punch that made me come up swinging for more.
I firmly believe my grandfather had a hand in leading us to those birds because it was on the same roads that my dad had walked as a child hunting with his father. It was also what led my dad back to hunting.
For me it's the connection to the history of our family and a pride of place that originally led me to the woods in the fall. As I noted before, I came to hunting in college, and being of an age where there were virtually no barriers to my entering hunting, it was a simple proposition to get involved. I was raised in an urban environment, as many people are these days so we didn't hunt. We fished because we could and memories of walleye caught on Mickey Mouse toy rods are at the beginning of those memories. Having had the opportunity to work with youth and summer camps, I have seen first hand what the power of fishing can do to a kid who has caught their first fish, and I saw it in me, the first time I got a grouse, a deer or a duck.
We live in a society where barriers are present and people don't get outside enough let alone participating in hunting or fishing in a way that can help them understand the world in which they live. What I hope to build is a community where others can break down those barriers, because our world NEEDS more hunters - or at the very least people who have hunted because the understanding of so many things can be traced back to our nature as human beings.
I want to expose people to hunting who otherwise would not have the opportunity, I want to help you find you the resources and training you need to participate, and I am more than happy to take someone afield.
Drop me a line, this is where your journey can begin!

Going to the Dogs

I took up hunting in college, so a little bit later than your traditional sportsman who grew up on it. What I came with, however was a foundation built around fishing and being outdoors so other than specific skills and gear, I was about as prepared as one could hope to be. As a grouse hunter though, there was one glaring omission from my personal items for a successful hunt. Not that it has been impossible to be successful, it just requires more work without proper preparation.
That 'thing' for lack of a better word is a dog. A lot of people will tell you that they hunt for their dog - that success is not driven by their own work, but rather that their dog got to work that day. I like that bit, so it was with a great deal of excitement that my wife and I got into dog ownership this past fall.

To be sure, there has been some challenges. We adopted a 2 year old lab mix with a dubious background. All we KNOW is that she came from Oklahoma. My fears were: will I end up with incapable of hunting? One that sits on the couch and cannot handle a hard day afield? Fortunately most of these questions have been answered positively or look to be easily addressed with proper training. Our little lab mix, whom we decided to name Willow took to us pretty easy. There was a couple moments of leg humping in our first few days, but with the pecking order sorted out, we have taken on each challenge and she has risen meet them.
The success this far is due in large part to the help of a friend who didn't give up hope on our rescue dog and has led us on a path that is nothing short of impressive. Sarah, who runs PawsNMotion dog training not only gave us good advice on dealing with Willow's biggest issue (separation anxiety) but has helped us build a foundation with E-collar training that will be totally useful for being afield. With about two months under our belt, I can trust Willow off leash in the woods, she loves the water and shows no signs of aversion to loud noises. With those building blocks in place, I look forward to the next year working on force fetch and training with shotguns. I do not take these lightly because they are very important to a hunting dog's enjoyment of their time afield and important to my ability to be effective in locating and or retrieving downed birds.

On a slightly related note, I am reminded daily that the problem with training a dog is often not the dog - but rather the person. We are also in the process of training for skijoring but it is a tender subject to train a dog not to pull and then introduce a new component of it's good to pull but only WHEN we're doing this. In this regard, I have a very good dog, that makes me look like a fool when attached to a harness on either end with a line between us.

Late Season

Here in central MN, we are just digging out of the 5th largest single snowfall in history, officially registering 17 inches. Most seasons are either closed now in MN, or effectively done because of weather or migratory effects.
Despite that, though, there's some great hunting to be had if you work for it. My absolute favorite time to grouse hunt is right now - success in terms of limits may not show it, but what grouse hunt often does?
Birds start to group up, so a walk of a mile or more may not lead to a flush, but all of a sudden, you're prone to spasms of heart-stopping noise. One grouse will explode out of the snow thump-thump-thumping its staccato rhythm. This my friends, is what we call "getting caught with your pants down." It usually happens when the furthest thing from your mind is the birds because you've been lulled into a sense that nothing could possibly be out here.
When I see that first bird, I imagine what follows would look like Elmer Fudd to others who don't grouse hunt. Stalking low, with thumb on the safety and my barrel up, I search the underbrush for tracks or holes left by grouse as they landed the night before.
Shortly after the first, and this time with me more ready, a second and third bird explode from the snow. With luck and quick reflexes, both would be mine, but often its one - sometimes none.
The winter grouse is a late riser, no need to hit the trail before sunup, and often you are fine after 8 or 9 AM.
So aside from having to shovel it and get around, I like the snow. More snow means better cover from cold temperatures for the grouse, and potential better numbers for the bird populations going into breeding season.
If you get out yet, make the most of this time of year, and be flexible. Once, while living in Nebraska, our late season pheasant hunt turned into a successful rabbit hunt instead.

A few things every hunter should have....

Being active in the outdoors, its never hard to find that new something you have to get to make your life easier or your time afield more enjoyable. Whether you truly need it is a different question. If you've got a hunter on your shopping list, consider these basics that should be in everyone's backpack or blind bag:

1. If I plan to go out early or stay out late, I always bring a headlamp. Trouble is, I sometimes forget to pack the one I have since it moves from bag to bag. That's why I've grown to love the Petzl e+lite. The newest version even includes a whistle. With a red flasher and a variety of white light settings, this is perfect for searching through your bag in the dark, or finding your way out of the woods.
   
   
   
2. One item long considered a must for anyone in the outdoors is a knife. Whether you carry a multi-tool, a folder or a fixed blade, there are two simple rules for knives. First, it must be close at hand, and second, it should be sharp. I've long been a fan of CRKT Knives, and have been known to have one in my blind bag and another at my belt.
3. Falling into the category of "gee, I don't PLAN on using that" is a windproof lighter. While were at it, matches in a dry container is a smart bet too but you don't have to buy the $100 dollar numbers either. For the past 5 years, I have had a lighter made by DAC Technologies and a recent search says they go for about $7
4. The last little item I never go into the woods without is considered by many to be outmoded in these days of GPS and that is a compass. In my bird vest, this occupies a space that is more easily reached than even my shells. It doesn't hurt to buy a nice one, and my favorite is the Suunto M3d Leader
   
   If you don't have these in your bag, get em there or add them to your Christmas list so someone else can buy them for you!
   
   

Take 'em

In waterfowl hunting, there is an expression or command that the pit boss or shot caller gives: "take 'em!" This call is a guide to those in the blind that the shot is safe and the birds are near enough to shoot.
As a society, I believe we are disconnected to what we eat and the world in which we live. I realize that for the preservation of wild places and for the opportunity to hunt we must not only advocate for ourselves but to encourage others to live in a world where ACTIVE participation in the food chain is encouraged. If not actively engaged, it is paramount that we KNOW where our food comes from and the direct effect we have on our eco-system.
I also believe our culture is crucial in correcting not only the disconnect between the world and our mouths, but also the nature deficit that exists in our children and even in ourselves.
I see two parts to the equation: 1. A place to share and expose people to nature in all its forms, and to encourage exploration. 2. An arena in which to share our natural world and to promote conservationism, sporting values and to provide others with the tools necessary to fish, hunt and be engaged in our natural world.
This is my call to action. Answer it or ignore it. I want this to grow and develop - it starts today.
Take 'em Hunting is directed at getting people into shooting sports and hunting. Take 'em Outdoors is more broad-based, addressing the issue of a generation that is surrounded by technology but devoid of nature.
Please help; I'm looking for potential contributors, sponsors and individuals interested in changing their world bit by bit. In the coming weeks and months I plan to develop this further, choose to engage yourself or tune out.