Backcountry Velvet Buck

You know those moments in your life where everything just seems to come together?

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The moments where training, preparation, and vision combine to deliver nearly everything you had in mind leading up to the event?

Well, this is as close to one of those stories as I think I will ever get.

And like many good stories, this one starts with winning the lottery… the tag lottery.

For the first time in my hunting career I drew an early season controlled tag, one that carried about a 11% chance of drawing in the state of Idaho. Not terrible odds, but in the past six years of being an Idaho resident, I had yet to draw any tag that I had applied for. To say that I was happy and surprised is an understatement. Not only did I draw, but I drew a tag that was on my home turf… one that I could use to hunt in an area that I trap year round.

Planning for this hunt commenced immediately with my two closest hunting partners agreeing to hit the ground with me on opening day. All three of us are fathers of young kids and we all had the chore of convincing our wives that the prestigiousness of this tag warranted us a 4-day window to go and try our damndest to find, harvest, and bring home a backcountry mule deer buck that was still in velvet.

In the lead up, myself and my two amigos did our best to sync gear lists, and ensure that we had everything we needed for a deep backcountry jaunt, but largely each of us were left to our own devices to make sure we were prepared. Personally, my bag was still packed from the last bear hunt I had in June, which gave me a level of complacency that would come back to bite me in the ass in little nagging ways.

The day before season opener, we headed out from our domesticated city lodgings to make the 4-hour drive to the rural trail head. With 50+ pound packs consisting of a hodgepodge collection of various shit, we slipped our socks and boots on and prepped for the hike in, which is where I made my first critical early season error.

In a rush leaving the house, I grabbed a pair of boot socks. Socks that looked like wool, but in fact, were very much not wool. Now mind you… I have been wearing the same pair of wonderful, overpriced, and sturdy kennetrek boots for the past two seasons with absolutely zero issue. In fact, I always sing the praises of these boots to any chump who gets caught alone with me at a wedding or dinner party… but in the past, these boots have always been paired with the wonderful wool fiber that all hunters should be wearing. But, in this instance, as I slipped on my thin synthetic devil socks, I was bliss(ter)fully unaware of what was about to come by this simple mistake.

At departure, we sent our spouses a last in-reach message as we started the late evening 6+ mile hike into our hunting area. With 2500’ of elevation gain and deadfall to overcome, this hike has historically taken me 4+ hours under equal conditions. Impressively, this go-round only took us a shade over 3, (only being slowed down by one stubborn trail badger and a few quick water breaks) which got us to our campsite at just past 10 pm. In the pitch black, we used the light from our headlamps to pitch our tent, lay out sleeping bags, and get a bit of sleep before our alarms rang at 4:30 am.

What happened next was a bit of a masterclass in mule deer hunting. We got up, did our camp dance, and made it up an adjacent ridge line to start glassing back toward the east facing slopes. (This is also when I first realized that my synthetic socks had rubbed holes in the back of my heels, too, which required the first of many rounds of moleskin and duct tape)

In short order one of my hunting partners spotted a nice little buck bandying about with a doe at a touch over 600 yards away. We patiently watched as this buck acted more like a dog than deer harassing the doe, stealing her bed, and peeing on just about everything he saw. With a limited time window to hunt, we were certainly not going to be size queens, so we locked in and decided we would pursue this deer and glassed him until he disappeared into an adjoining drainage.

Instead of chasing him we decided to let him go to bed during the heat of the day, which even at our high altitude was going to hit the mid 80s. Following suit, we spent the next few hours laying low in camp. At 4 pm, I re-wrapped my now bloody heels, and we packed up to hike to the bottom of the drainage our deer had picked as a napping spot. We set up in a sea of burned and dead-fall trees and picked apart every shadow for the next 3.5 hours. At about 7:30 pm, one of my buddies hollered out “I got him!”

After a bit of observation, we realized that our deer was quite content at the very tippy-top of a stupidly high, scree covered, hillside, which was about 700-800 vertical feet above where we were glassing. Without wanting to miss out on an opening day opportunity, me and one of my buddies decided to make a downwind play up an adjacent ridge line.

Rifle and shooting sticks in tow, we made the 500-ish vertical foot climb with my heels screaming with every step. On the way up, we managed to dust up a rogue doe who blew at us, but after a longer than expected standoff she ran the opposite direction of our target quarry. With a bit more scrambling we were able to get within 325 yards for a rim-to-rim shot. After setting up, adjusting turrets and parallax, all I had to do was wait for our deer to turn broadside. A quick forty seconds later, he did just that and I sent a perfect shot through his side and dropped him.

After a few high-fives and a massive cortisol spike, we ventured back down the drainage to collect our other hunting partner, drop unnecessary gear, and then sprint up the scree field to try and locate our deer before it got completely dark.

Thankfully, my pals were a little more mobile than ol’ bloody heels Hanson, and made quick work getting to the top, but in what seems to be a recurring-hunting-theme for me… they were having trouble finding the deer.

By the time I reached the top, I already had my headlight on. With only a five foot radial circle of light to work with the panic began to set in about the potentiality of not finding my deer. I began to replay my shot sequence, think too much about the pain in my heels, and worried about meat spoilage if we had to come back in the morning.

In a fit of desperation, I stopped what I was doing and said a quick prayer out loud to the big Man to give us some sign that the deer was actually hit. Then, I shit you not, I looked down at my feet and right there on a white rock was a large splotch of blood. At that moment I couldn’t help but laugh and give a hat tip to the man upstairs before hollering to the other guys that I was on blood.

In short order, we found the deer.

With some congratulatory whoops and hugs we came up on a scene that looked like something out of a still life magazine shoot. The deer had fallen perfectly into a small crevasse of deadfall wedged between timber, a rock, and some buckbrush. The result was a setup you couldn’t recreate if you had wanted to.

Being at such an incline though, we had to move the deer to a rock several yards below us to begin the butchering process. Once relocated, we all went at the deer in an uncoordinated and extended three-stooges bit. I, myself, started to skin-out the head, Kyle began to remove the front quarters, and Eric began at the ass-end. At times, we each needed to manipulate the animal in different directions and we all were struggling more than we cared to admit. It felt like a fighter shaking off ring rust by taking one or two shots to the chin that would normally be slipped. Nonetheless, after about an hour and a half worth of uncoordinated work, we had bagged up most of the meat, leaving only a macabre Jackson Pollack-esque blood painting on the rock.

The feeling of bounding down the side of a hill where mountain goats live, in the pitch black night, and loaded down with extra pounds of meat would typically induce a level of caution and fear. Yet, when it comes at the tail end of a successful day long hunt, there is none of that. We rode the rock elevator down with joy, laughter, and conversation. Each step saw us descend three feet while trying to stabilize ourselves with walking sticks or bracing ourselves against deadfall. With only a few navigational errors in the dark, we were back at our cached gear and ready to make the final push back to camp.

Just after midnight, we were back.

Exhausted, we loaded the meat into contractor bags (Editorial Side Note: always make sure there are no holes in said contractor bags if you plan to do this…) and placed all of our meat into the shallow creek right beside our camp to cool off.

With no fanfare, we stripped down to our skivvies and crawled into our sleeping bags gossiping like middle school girls. Then, mid-conversation recounting the epicness of the day, my buddy Kyle passed out… and I expected that I would be doing the same shortly.

However, for some reason I had a huge feeling of unease. I tossed and turned for what felt like an hour before I, too, joined the upside down of the unconscious. That quick dip into REM-sleep didn’t last long though as I was soon met with an unbearable stench of sulfur. I shot up to look across at my tent mate wondering if a day’s worth of freeze dried meals had turned his stomach. With no signs of movement from him, I began to question my own bowels before lifting up the tent’s edge to see if the smell was coming from outside. We were relatively close to some natural hot springs, which could have been the source, but when I lifted the fabric, I was met with a waft of fresh mountain air… which was both a relief to my sinus cavity as much as it was an addition to the mystery of the smells origin.

Shaking it off, I fell back asleep.

Hours later we all wrestled our snooze buttons at around 6 am. When the battle was finally won, I let out a big stretch before reaching for my sleeping bag’s zipper. With one long stroke I released myself from my cocoon only to be hit by a God-awful stench. I remember nearly gagging and expressing to my tent mate that I knew I reeked from the day’s prior activity, but I didn’t realize I smelled like a dog that had rolled in something dead. Somewhat impressed by how terribly I stunk, I crawled out of the tent obsessively sniffing everywhere my nose could reach to try and find the source.

In a bit of shock, I looked back at my sleeping bag to have my eyes catch a splotch of red and black. Getting closer, it became apparent that I had enjoyed the company of a bed mate. On hands and knees, I finally was able to make out that a small mouse had made its way into my bag for some warmth, before ultimately meeting its demise under the crushing pressure of my spine. The blood, internal organs, and poop had been worked into a near paste as if I were using a molcajete to make a thick salsa.

The brutality of my second kill of the night sent an instantaneous shiver through my body and stood the hairs of my extremities upright as I stripped myself of my clothes, placed them in a plastic bag, and then began to shake out my sleeping bag. A few hantavirus jokes later, we were over the ordeal and got down to the business of packing our camp for the long and slow descent back toward the trail head.

Thirty-one hours after starting our pack-in, we were officially on our way back home with our quarry on our backs. As a relatively new hunter in the grand scheme of space and time, I always find myself in sheer amazement when I bring something home to feed myself, family, and friends. It’s a bit of disbelief covered with a sprinkle of growing self-reliance that seems to expand with each passing season and one that is best served with a side of friendship.

PS: Don’t forget to go purchase a copy of my new book The Trade Gap

PPS: All photo credit to the amazingly talented Eric Becker

Osage Stave Bow Making

Making Bows in the Bitterroots

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Interview with Jim Neaves of Centaur Archery

Tucked into Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains, master bowyer Jim Neaves has been shaping wood, fiberglass, and carbon into lightning-fast longbows and recurves for nearly 30 years. Just shy of 50, Jim has already left a mark on the traditional archery world with home-based shop, Centaur Archery. What began as a teenager’s fascination with arrows in flight has grown into a lifelong craft — blending art, engineering, and a deep respect for the hunt.

Figure 01: A beautifully preserved Osage selfbow that Jim made in 2010.

Matthew: You’re not even 50, yet you’ve been making bows for nearly three decades. How did that begin?

Jim: I was born and raised here in Montana, and the Bitterroots have always been home. Like most kids in their early teens, I whittled little sapling bows and arrows, and became fascinated by watching an arrow in flight. It’s mesmerizing — like staring at a campfire.

By the time I was 19, I was researching how to build real hunting-weight bows and started out with selfbows. I still dabble in those, but I soon moved into laminated longbows. Along the way, I had some great mentors: Gordy Mickens of Selway Archery, Darryl Forslund who taught me limb lamination, and many Montana bowyers who inspired me. Howard Hill Archery was once based here, Neil Jacobson of Bear Paw Bows worked up near Flathead Lake, the late Dale Dye made fine recurves, and Dwayne Jessup of Thunder Horn Archery is practically a neighbor. Even Dick Robertson hailed from this area.

Figure 02: Jim Neaves working on an osage stave with an antique draw knife. I am not sure if the hoochie daddy shorts are part of his daily uniform, but they do not seem OSHA approved. 

Matthew: It sounds like Montana has been a hotbed of bowyers.

Jim: Absolutely. If you sat down with all of us, it’d be an encyclopedia’s worth of stories. I’d probably do as much listening as talking — most of those guys are older, and they’ve all been great sounding boards over the years.

Matthew: How did you land on the name Centaur Archery?

Jim: It comes from my astrological sign, Sagittarius — the centaur with a bow. It’s always been a meaningful symbol to me. In 2000 I decided to make it official, and Centaur Archery has been my full-time work ever since.

Matthew: Your bows have a very distinct aesthetic. I’ve seen only a handful in person, but they’re instantly recognizable. Where did that style come from?

Jim: The profile actually traces back to one of my very first designs. Over time I’ve refined it, but the silhouette was inspired by a manta ray. Picture one swimming away with its wings rising on the upstroke — that’s the shape you’ll see in my bows.

For me, bowmaking has always been an artistic outlet as much as a craft. I loved art as a kid, and this work lets me bring beauty and function together in every piece.

Figure 03: Right handed 58” 40# @ 28” one piece, glass model longbow. The handle is royal Jacaranda Dymalux with a thumb rest, small stippling, engraved cross and elk antler fingerboard. 

Matthew: I’ve thought about making bows full time, but I’m afraid it would lose its joy and feel like just a job. How do you keep it balanced?

Jim: There’s definitely pressure. I have a family to provide for, and production is always on my mind. But the work remains therapeutic because no two bows are identical. Each one feeds the creative side of my brain.

When I approach it as art — a chance to create beauty and function — it stops feeling like a hustle. The shop becomes a place where I disconnect from stress and reconnect with the values that first drew me to archery.

Figure 04: Left-handed 58“ 32# @ 24” one piece, Super Curve. The carbon fiber limbs are backed with a diamondback rattlesnake.

Matthew: Spoken like a true artist and craftsman. What bow are you hunting with this year?

Jim: My personal bow is a 58-inch Super Curve, a 49-pound takedown model with a dark matter rise with lime green accents. This particular formula provides phenomenal performance for my shorter, 25-inch draw length. Its a fairly compact, super fast, and quiet bow that is just fun to shoot. 

Matthew: I wish you the best of luck chasing deer and elk this fall in the Bitterroots and river bottoms. How should folks contact you to order a Centaur Archery bow?

Jim: All of our order forms and contact information can be found at www.centaurarchery.com, and most of our photos dwell on our Facebook page under the same name. I want to provide customer experience, rather than just customer service. Give me a call so that we can discuss exactly what you’re looking for in a bow – both in design and application. We’ll ensure you come away with the right tool for the job.

Find Centaur Archery at:

www.centaurarchery.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentaurArchery

Instagram: @centaurarchery 

Author’s Note: I was lucky enough to shoot a Centaur Super Curve at this year’s Eastern Traditional Archery Rendezvous (ETAR) – that I saw hanging on a pal’s vendor wall. After I put about ten arrows through that bow I knew I needed one. I’ve since put down my deposit on a Centaur Archery Super Curve (takedown) and hope to put it to use in Spring 2025 chasing bears. 

About the Author: Matthew Morris is a long-time hunter, aspiring bowyer, and family man. He is the host of the Bowyer Podcast, where he chats with masters of their craft to uncover the deeper “why” behind reviving the old ways in a modern world.

Stick bow hunting

The Archery Artisan: Correy Hawk and the Organic Archery Bowmaking School

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The Bowyer’s Bench

In a fast-moving digital world, ancient crafts are often left behind. Yet, one man—Correy Hawk, better known as The Organic Archer—has not only revived the time-honored art of bow making but also built a thriving community around it. Through his renowned Organic Archery Bowmaking School, Correy welcomes newcomers and seasoned bowyers alike to slow down, shape wood with their hands, and rediscover an ancient connection between nature, craftsmanship, and self.

Figure 1: Correy harvested a dandy whitetail doe with self-made bow and arrows.

Origin Story

Correy’s story begins in the American heartland, where hunting and traditional archery were woven into his upbringing. But it wasn’t until after his service in the United States Marine Corps that bow making became a refuge—and ultimately, a calling.

Seeking solace and creativity after military life, Correy began by crafting wooden arrows. He soon transitioned to bows, building dozens by hand, gifting many to friends, and only selling them when he felt the work had truly earned the value of another’s hard-earned money. Through late nights, trial, error, and endless research, and a call to entrepreneurship Organic Archery was born.

Figure 02: Osage selfbow, arrows, and quiver made by hand.

So You Want to be a Bowyer?

Figure 04: Correy outlines the fine detail of limb design with students of the Bowmaking 101 Course.

In 2018, Correy made a bold leap—leaving full-time work to focus solely on his bow-making passion. He opened the Organic Archery Bowmaking School with a mission to share knowledge, foster connection, and preserve tradition.

The school offers workshops for all levels—from complete novices to skilled craftspeople. Each class is filled with warmth, purpose, and personal instruction, reflecting Correy’s deep love for the craft.

“I like nothing more than teaching this to other people,” says Correy. “Bringing in people from all walks of life—from across the country and even other countries—and showing them this ancient art of bow making.”

In 2024, he introduced an advanced course, giving students the opportunity to design and build more complex bows from Osage orange wood. While the introductory workshop is a three-day experience using whitewood—ideal for first-timers—the advanced course allows for more customization, from short Native American horse bows to tall English war bows. The only requirement? A passion to learn.

Author’s Note: I personally attended the Bowmaking 101 workshop, walking in with zero experience and walking out with a hunting-weight hackberry longbow. The experience put my life on a different path—one that values simplicity, mindfulness, and the ancient pursuit of wild game with a stick and a string. This October, I’ll return to build a heavy-draw, Comanche-inspired shortbow in the advanced course.

Reverence for History

Beyond teaching, Correy immerses himself in the history of archery, recreating historical bows from cultures around the globe. His specialty lies in authentic, smooth shooting, wooden bows, each crafted in the spirit of ancient traditions. Correy is a lifelong learner, and has spent over a decade diving into the literature of ancient bowyers, artisans, and warriors.

Figure 05: Eastern Woodlands inspired replica. 

Work-Life Balance on the Homestead

Despite his growing success, Correy remains deeply grounded. A family man and homesteader, his days are structured with balance in mind: mornings and evenings are for family and farm work, while the midday hours are reserved for deep focus in the workshop.

He credits much of his well-being to this intentional rhythm, support from his wonderful wife, Holly, and emphasizes that adaptability—especially for entrepreneurs—is essential.

Parting Thoughts

Whether you dream of building your own bow, hunting your own food, or simply stepping away from the noise, Correy’s journey is a powerful reminder that ancient crafts can still shape modern lives.

Registration for Correy’s upcoming workshops is now open, including both foundational and advanced courses. Visit Organic Archery’s website to learn more, reserve your spot, or explore his custom bows and educational resources.

About the Author: Matthew Morris is a long-time hunter, aspiring bowyer, and family man. He is the host of the Bowyer Podcast, where he chats with masters of their craft to uncover the deeper “why” behind reviving the old ways in a modern world.

Interior Department Announces More Than $157 Million in Funding for Wetland Conservation Projects and National Wildlife Refuges

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The U.S. Department of the Interior announced that more than $46.2 million in grants, under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), will conserve or restore 91,425 acres of critical wetland habitats across 17 states. The grants, matched by $99.1 million from partners, aim to support migratory birds and boost local economies through enhanced recreational opportunities. Additionally, $11.7 million from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund will conserve 3,268 acres across seven national wildlife refuges, fostering public access for hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. This initiative aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s conservation goals, supporting biodiversity and climate resilience.

Key Takeaways:

  • NAWCA Grants: $46.2 million in federal funding matched by $99.1 million from partners will conserve vital wetland habitats across 17 states.
  • Biodiversity & Recreation: These efforts benefit 11 Endangered Species Act-listed birds and enhance local economies by expanding opportunities for wildlife observation, hunting, and fishing.
  • Public Lands Expansion: $11.7 million from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund will conserve land on seven national wildlife refuges, contributing to the “America the Beautiful” initiative to protect biodiversity.

Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized that these investments demonstrate the administration’s commitment to conserving habitats that are essential for biodiversity and community resilience in the face of climate change. More than half of endangered species rely on wetlands, and this funding supports critical projects that ensure their future.

Wetlands Conservation and Migratory Bird Protection:

The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, helps conserve the nation’s most important waterfowl habitats through projects that support both ecological preservation and outdoor recreation. For example, acquisitions funded by the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund include:

  • Bear River Watershed (Idaho) – 656 acres for $610,000
  • Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (Missouri) – 294 acres for $2.94 million
  • Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Maryland) – 460 acres for $1.57 million

Additionally, the sale of Federal Duck Stamps continues to play a vital role in supporting these conservation efforts, raising over $1.2 billion since 1934.

These efforts by the Department of the Interior and its partners ensure that the nation’s diverse ecosystems are preserved for future generations, enhancing both the natural environment and the quality of life in surrounding communities.

For more detailed information on these programs, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

Best First Hunt for a Gun Dog: Setting Your Dog Up for Success

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By John McCarter

Taking your gun dog on their first hunt is an exciting time and it is easy to get lost in that excitement. It does require preparation and doing everything you can to put your dog in the best position to succeed. Ensuring a positive first experience is a crucial and fundamental piece to them turning into the gun dog of your dreams. 

Understanding the Hunt and Your Dog’s Preparedness

Before heading out for your first hunt, it’s essential to match your dog’s training and experience with the type of hunt you’ll be doing. For retrievers, the first hunt usually revolves around waterfowl or dove hunting. The key here is preparation—replicating the actual hunt environment as much as possible beforehand. Here are a few points to consider:

  • Mock Hunts: A week or a few days before the hunt, conduct a mock hunt to simulate the hunting environment. Set up decoys, mojos, dog stands/blinds, etc, and let your dog familiarize themselves with the area. This exposure is critical for young dogs to understand what will happen during the actual hunt.
  • Specific Environment Familiarity: If your hunt involves waterfowl, make sure your dog is accustomed to water and has experience retrieving in similar conditions. For dove hunts, your dog should be used to smaller birds, and understand how to handle them properly. Doves have delicate feathers that can easily come out in the dog’s mouth, so practicing retrieves with this type of bird is crucial. 
  • Control and Commands: Dogs should respond well to commands and demonstrate control in a variety of scenarios. Basic commands (here, heel, sit, kennel/place) are crucial, but advanced skills like running blinds (retrieving a bird that falls out of sight) may also be necessary, depending on the hunt.

Tips for the First Hunt: Keeping it Simple and Positive

When it’s finally time for the first hunt, the goal is to ensure a positive experience for the dog. Here are some specific strategies:

  1. Keep it Small and Manageable: For the first hunt, go with one or two hunting buddies. This reduces the number of variables and makes it easier to manage the dog. A crowded hunting environment with many hunters and gunshots can be overwhelming for a young dog.
  2. Focus on Easy Retrieves: Aim for straightforward and visible retrieves, like birds falling near the decoys or within easy sight. Avoid complex or long retrieves that could overwhelm or confuse the dog. Simple, successful retrieves will boost the dog’s confidence and create positive associations with the hunting experience.
  3. Safety First: Safety should be the top priority on the first hunt. Keep the dog safe by holding onto their collar or using a leash to prevent them from breaking (running out too soon) and getting into danger. The excitement of the first hunt can be difficult to replicate in training, so it’s important to manage this carefully. It is wise for the handler to not carry a gun on the first hunt and instead, focus on handling your dog.
  4. End on a Positive Note: Ensure the first hunt is short and ends positively. Even if there aren’t many birds, a few successful retrieves and a happy, safe dog are more valuable than a chaotic hunt with many variables. This positive ending sets the stage for future successful hunts.

Building Rapport with Your Dog

A successful hunt is as much about teamwork as it is about the dog’s training. If your dog has been with a professional trainer, spend time building rapport with them before the hunt. Just because your dog is trained, doesn’t mean you are speaking the same language. It takes time to build a rapport and teamwork.

  • Understanding Commands and Signals: Dogs need to learn the specific language, commands, and body language cues of their handlers. This helps avoid confusion and enhances teamwork in the field.
  • Consistent Reinforcement: Reinforce training behaviors such as waiting for the command to retrieve, staying calm, and ignoring distractions. The more your dog sees consistency in your handling, the more it will learn to trust and follow you.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Hunters new to handling dogs or those handling a dog for the first time should be aware of common mistakes:

  • Rushing the Dog’s First Hunt: Don’t rush into a hunt immediately after getting your dog back from the trainer. Spend time reacquainting and reinforcing your expectations.
  • Lack of Control: An out-of-control dog can ruin a hunt and potentially endanger itself or others. Dogs should demonstrate control in training before being taken to a real hunt.
  • Ignoring Hunt-Specific Training: A dog that has only picked up ducks should not be expected to know how to handle doves, geese, etc, without training for it. Each type of bird and hunting environment should be introduced in training first.

What to Expect on the First Hunt

Even a well-trained dog might face unexpected challenges during their first real hunt. For example:

  • Excitement and Breaking: Even experienced dogs can break (jump out before being released) when they encounter new, exciting situations, such as multiple hunters firing simultaneously or a large group of birds landing. Prepare for this possibility by keeping the dog close and under control.
  • Sitting for Long Periods: Hunting often involves waiting, which is hard to replicate in training. Be prepared to manage your dog’s energy levels and keep them engaged or calm during long waiting periods.
  • Handling the Unexpected: Certain scenarios cannot be perfectly simulated, such as multiple birds coming in from different directions or hunting in new terrain. These situations will be learning experiences for both the handler and the dog.

Final Thoughts

A dog’s first hunt sets the tone for their future hunting experiences. By carefully preparing, managing the environment, and focusing on positive reinforcement, you can ensure your gun dog builds a love for hunting that lasts a lifetime. Always prioritize the dog’s safety and experience over the success of the hunt itself. Remember, a well-managed first hunt with simple retrieves and a controlled environment leads to a more confident and capable hunting companion for years to come.

John McCarter is the owner and lead trainer of Bayou Gundog in Knoxville, Arkansas.

New Hunting & Fishing Opportunities: US Fish & Wildlife Service Announces

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced 53 new hunting and fishing opportunities on approximately 211,000 acres within the National Wildlife Refuge System. This expansion includes twelve national wildlife refuges in Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Notable additions include first-ever hunting on Green River National Wildlife Refuge and expanded fishing on Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. To view the complete list of new opportunities, click here.

Martha Williams, Service Director, highlighted the significance of these activities, citing their roots in American heritage, and the economic benefits to local communities. Nearly 80% of Service stations currently offer hunting and fishing access, boosting local economies and connecting people with nature. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of increasing public land and water access through locally led and voluntary conservation efforts.

Public land access is an essential component for the hunting community, especially as private lands continue to fragment, and access to those private lands is harder to come by due to a multitude of factors.

The National Wildlife Refuge System comprises 571 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts. It offers vital habitats for thousands of species and various recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, boating, and nature watching. With over 68 million annual visitors, these refuges significantly contribute to local economies. In 2022, outdoor activities like hunting and fishing generated over $394 billion in economic expenditures, with hunters and anglers contributing over $144 billion.

This expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities reflects a commitment to conservation and responsible wildlife management, ensuring these lands are preserved for future generations.

sandhill crane hunting wisconsin

Legislative Study on Sandhill Cranes Announced in Wisconsin

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sandhill crane hunting wisconsin

On August 1st, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association announced the formation of a bipartisan Legislative Council Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes. This committee, which includes state legislators and representatives from agricultural, birding, and hunting communities, is set to address the burgeoning sandhill crane population in Wisconsin and its associated issues, including as crop damage. The committee’s first meeting took place on August 1 at the Horicon Marsh Education Center.

Bruce Ross, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA), praised the establishment of this committee, emphasizing the need for a management plan for the state’s increasing sandhill crane population. He advocated for science-based solutions to manage the population and mitigate crop damage.

State Representative Paul Tittl (R – Manitowoc) chairs the committee, which includes public members like Todd Schaller, Vice President of WWA and former Chief Warden of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Schaller’s appointment underscores the committee’s commitment to using scientific data to inform wildlife management decisions.

The sandhill crane population in Wisconsin has seen significant growth since the early 1900s, when federal protection was established through the international treaty on migratory birds. The population has doubled in the past decade, surpassing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s upper population goals by nearly 100%. This rapid growth has resulted in increased agricultural damage, estimated at over $1.6 million in 2022, with more than 1200 cranes destroyed under federal kill permits.

Farmers have been using the chemical deterrent AVIPEL™ to mitigate crop damage, costing approximately $2 million in 2020 for application on 200,000 acres. The potential area affected could expand to 3,000,000 acres with the crane population’s continued growth. There is currently no financial relief for farmers dealing with crane-caused crop depredation or for the use of AVIPEL™.

In addition to agricultural impacts, the growing crane population poses other challenges. Negative human interactions, like those experienced with increasing Canada goose populations, are expected to rise as cranes become more prevalent across Wisconsin.

Currently, Sandhill cranes are hunted in 17 states and 3 provinces, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based on annual population counts and scientific research.

The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association is a state-based non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the conservation of Wisconsin’s waterfowl and wetland resources. Since 1984, WWA has worked to restore critical habitat in Wisconsin, educate the next generation of waterfowl hunters, and advocate for policies that protect Wisconsin’s resources and the rights of citizens to hunt.

Longbow hunting for hogs

Am I a Hunter Now?

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By Matthew Morris

“How many more days until we go pig hunting, Dad?” Waylon asked. 

“Oh, we have a couple of more weeks Buddy. Are you getting excited?” I inquired, already knowing the answer. 

“I cannot wait! Did you really see dozens of pigs when you were there last time?”

“I sure did, and we’ll see just as many on our trip.”

This had been an ongoing discussion with my ten-year-old son, Waylon, particularly after I confirmed that I had booked a father-son pig hunting trip in central Florida. For several weeks we watched videos on YouTube of hunters stalking and harvesting wild pigs in the swamps and agricultural lands of the Sunshine State. I had completed a very similar trip in April 2024, as I attended a work conference in Orlando; but, managed to sneak in a day of pig hunting and surf fishing at the tail-end of the trip. While the fish did not cooperate, I did manage to bag three healthy pigs with my hand-made longbow. Our family of four has been happily enjoying meals of wild pork since the spring.

For our father-son trip, I leveraged the expertise of Matt Cates and his guides at Triple M Outfitters, based out of Palm Bay, FL. Triple M runs a well-organized operation, which involves riding around on eight foot tall swamp buggies where hunters glass for pigs, and follow-up with a well strategized stalk to their quarry. This was a repeat visit, as I hunted with Triple M in the spring and knew they’d provide the ideal environment for a family trip. To make the adventure more wholesome, my 72-year-old father-in-law also decided to join us on the trip.

Waylon and I arrived at the Orlando International Airport on a Thursday, and acquired a rental vehicle after collecting our luggage. During the short walk to our SUV we commented on how hot and humid the day was. “It’s sure ‘human’ out here eh buddy?” I razzed my not-so-little man. 

“Dad, I know the word is ‘humid’ not human. I’ve not said it wrong for a million years,” he retorted. 

My father in law, Jay, met us at the hotel in Melbourne Beach.  We all enjoyed a nice seafood meal at a local restaurant, and shared enthusiasm for the next day’s adventure. Our Friday agenda involved a fishing trip with a local charter where we intended to spend 4-6 hours shark fishing off the coast of Melbourne Beach.

While we attempted to rally at the dock by 7:00 AM, we managed to arrive a smidge before 7:20. I swear, I don’t know who’s more difficult to shuffle out the door, my 10 year old son, or my older (ahem, wiser) father-in-law.  Our captain, Jim,  was very relaxed and told me not to sweat it. We spent the next four hours trying our best to catch one of those toothy creatures, but all we managed to catch was a good tan. Jim, though, was  quick witted and grabbed an ultralight with small hooks so that Waylon could occupy his time catching small bait fish, which we all celebrated with great enthusiasm with each landed fish. No doubt that Jim knows his stuff, it just was not a great day for the fish bite. For lunch we dined at a local restaurant on the water and heard murmurs of equally unimpressive fish reports from the day among the patrons. But hey, we had a good platter of shrimp and fish tacos. 

That evening we talked about the next day’s plans and how we hoped it was going to be more bountiful than today’s fishing trip.  I informed Jay and Waylon that the last time I hunted with Triple M we probably saw 150+ pigs, and all in one day! This got everyone’s excitement up, and I think perhaps incited some evening jitters for Waylon as he could not fall asleep until late. 

The following morning Waylon, Jay, and I rolled out of our rental vehicle at a ranch that Triple M manages. We greeted Matt and climbed up on the swamp buggies, which we rode a mere ten minutes or so around agricultural lands before we spotted our first hog on the run.  The pig was a smallish, all black blur who disappeared into the bush in mere seconds. While the terrain was flat, and we could see for probably a mile or more, the grass was waist high in places which made it difficult to glass up pigs from distance. The fields were pocketed with thick scrub brush, which provide shade for the feral swine during the heat of the day, but also dense cover for hiding from predators (i.e. the three of us).

I commented that the grass was much higher than it was in April, and Matt advised that its quite a bit tougher to see the wild swine compared to the cooler months. He was confident, however, that we would see a pile of them today. 

Matt told me that his clients have  still been hitting the hogs pretty hard either over bait or via spotting and stalking from the swamp buggy. He also noted that in the hotter months, the majority of the hunters target alligators in the ponds, canals, and waterways that Triple M leases in the area. Waylon of course shared his enthusiasm for wanting to hunt an alligator someday. 

At the beginning of the hunt Matt advised me to sit in wait at a watering hole where pigs often frequent before bedding down during the heat of the day. I invited Waylon to come along, and Jay joined Matt on swamp buggy safari. 

When I think of Florida, I definitely think of swarms of mosquitoes, especially near water. In this case, the mosquitos were not as bad as expected, but the gnats were otherworldly! I had no less than two-hundred of those annoying little devils glued to my clothes, and probably half that buzzing in my ears, nose, and eyes. Waylon ended up stuffing his whole face inside of his shirt for a bit of reprieve. He did, however, risk the insects flying into his nose holes after I told him to check out the pair of pigs that were trotting our way. 

While this pair decided to carry on seventy or eighty yards out, well beyond stickbow range, it was still entertaining for Waylon and I. Like any activity you want to immerse your children into, you have to find ways to keep it entertaining. This can be a book, word puzzles, telling each other stories, drawing in the dirt, the dreaded smart devices (lame), or if you’re lucky you’ll have the opportunity to showcase them a vibrant world of flora and fauna. I try my best to incorporate the latter most frequently. 

After about forty-five minutes of waiting in our ambush site, I heard a rustling in the grass behind us. As I peeked up I could just see three nice sized pigs working their way to us, and they were already within bow range! I told Waylon to sit tight, and readjusted my position to a stable kneel. After a moment, I identified the pig I had appeared to be the largest of the trio. He was a 100 pound-plus boar with a patchy black and brown hide. I drew back my bow, picked a spot, and released. Thwack! I saw the arrow penetrate just behind the shoulder and knew I made a good shot. However, as the pig trotted off I noticed well over three-quarters of the arrow was sticking out. I assumed that the broadhead had hit the offside shoulder and pushed the arrow back out the entrance hole. 

I radioed Matt to alert him that we had arrowed a nice pig, and I thought we would find him piled up 50-100 yards away.  We searched for probably 45 minutes and had not discovered more than a few drops of blood. I was confident that I had made a lethal shot on the boar, and that he would have expired within seconds. I was sick to my stomach thinking that I had just wounded an animal, and in front of my son also. 

Matt could see my distress, and insisted that we’d probably kick the pig up later in the morning, as he likely bedded in the tall grass somewhere. “For now, lets get that young man on a pig,” he enthused. The excitement was evident on Waylon’s face, and I quickly pushed this morning’s mishap to the back of my brain … mostly. The four of us rode around in the swamp buggy, binoculars to our faces, calling out pigs in the distance. Jay was really enjoying himself also, as he observed his grandson having a wonderful time despite the bugs and the heat. We viewed dozens of feral pigs, from large 150-pound boar hogs, to little groups of “bacon bits” scrambling to keep up with the mother sows. Colors ranged from all black, to brown, to a cinnamon-blonde color, an plenty of patchy mixtures in between.

As the buggy plowed through the waist high grass we would often see little black and brown blobs shoot out only a few feet away from the massive tires. The pigs were very confident in their refuge, and seemed convinced that if they remained still that we would not spot them. Oftentimes this was true as we kicked more than a few up from the grass with less than an arm’s length between us. The excitement was enjoyed by all, and we marveled at how fast the little porkers could run out of sight. Around 10:00am, we spotted a sounder of 8-10 pigs fifty yards away, which would provide a perfect shot for Waylon. The grass in this part of the property was inches tall, rather than feet, and the hogs were in the wide open. Instead of a longbow, we had borrowed Triple M’s suppressed Ruger American chambered in .223, a perfect setup for young ones or adults who are a bit recoil shy. I helped Waylon get into position with the rifle, and oriented him with the optic and the landscape. By the time we were dialed into the pigs, they were nearly 100 yards away, but paid us little attention. I alerted Waylon to a heavy, all black boar on the far left of the sounder and instructed him to place the crosshairs just behind the pig’s shoulder. Once he said he was stable and ready to shoot, I took the weapon off safe and told him to fire when he felt comfortable. 

Pop! The weapon snapped barely louder than a mouse fart with the suppressed muzzle. “Miss. Shot right above him,” Matt told us. The boar continued to browse while we put the weapon on safe and chambered another round. Waylon took deep, calm breaths just as he had been taught. Once again he told me he was “ready to shoot.” I slid the button to take the rifle off safe, and instructed my son to shoot when he felt that he had a clean, broadside shot and the pig had stopped walking.

A split second after my ears registered the audible of the discharged weapon I saw the pig drop in its tracks! “Hit!” Matt exclaimed. I put the rifle on safe and placed it in the seat so that I could embrace my son. “You did it Buddy, good job. I am so so proud of you!” I whispered in his ear. 

“Way to go Way-way!” Waylon’s grandfather shouted. 

“Did I really get him?” He asked. 

“Let’s go take a look.” I told him. 

There was no tracking to be done. No blood trail to follow, and certainly no stress of searching for a wounded animal. Instead, Waylon and I were able to calmly walk right up to our bounty and embrace the joy in the moment, with ‘Pop-pop’ Jay observing with noticeable pride in his boys.  The first thing we ever do when we get an animal in my family is we kneel down and we pray. We pray over the animal, we thank God for the bounty, and we thank the animal for the sacrifice. As I asked Waylon to kneel with me, he whispered that there was something wrong because his whole body was shaking like Jell-O. I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit when I told him that we hunters, a club that he was now indoctrinated with, call this feeling “buck fever.” Even veterans of the hunt, of all ages, and all game still get buck fever at times. 

We knelt down, we prayed, and we thanked God for our blessings. Waylon caressed the handsome boar and told him thank you for the food that he will provide our family. We then continued our tradition of finding the softest greenery around and placed it in the deceased animal’s mouth. This is to provide a tasty meal as the beast makes its journey into the afterlife. 

After we loaded the hundred-plus pound boar onto the buggy, we commenced searching for the animal that I had shot earlier in the morning. We did see a glimpse of the pig from a distance and went to see if I could make another stalk. When I got closer, I was initially delighted in finding the broken arrow that I had shot the pig with. However, my delight was soon crushed when I realized there had been no more than three to four inches of penetration. I was nearly sick to my stomach from wounding the pig, but after glassing it a final time some 200 yards away we concluded that while the shot placement was good, the pig had not sustained a fatal wound. In fact, the chunky swine was still pretty swift as he ran away out of sight. 

I admit, the dark cloud that resulted from this mishap was significant. For a solid hour or more I let that feeling overshadow the success that Waylon had just had. The animal deserves near-perfect shot placement, as well as a quick and ethical death. Instead I had managed to wound this beast and was not able to find another opportunity for a follow up shot. I’ll need to re-evaluate my arrow set-up when I get home to ensure that penetration is dialed in, I concluded.

But alas, I shook myself off the instant Waylon asked if we were going to eat his pig tonight! That made me chuckle so loudly with sincere joy. In part it was because I was happy that my eldest son truly relished the day he had. Also in part because his innocence was able to snap me back to the importance of the day, and not my own selfish feelings and focus on failure. I do not want to understate how upset I was by the pig’s wounding, but the day was not about me. This day was about my son, and the milestone event that he had accomplished with his father and grandfather in observation. This day was pure magic…for all three of us.

We may not have eaten feral pig that evening, but we no doubt ate about every sort of ocean animal we could find on the menu at a local seafood joint. By the time we returned to the hotel we were fat and happy and had acquired lots of great stories to tell the ladies when we returned home. As we laid down for bed Waylon said to me, “Dad, am I a hunter now?”

Yeah buddy, you sure are.

Author’s Note: Our family has enjoyed many meals of wild pork in recent weeks, and Waylon is quick to remind everyone that this meal came from his pig. 

By: Matthew Morris

Hunters and Tree-huggers

Can Hunters and Tree-huggers Be Friends? 

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By PJ DelHomme 

Why yes, we absolutely can be friends, but it’s going to take work on the part of big bad hunters to get us holding hands and singing “We Are the World” around the campfire. 

I used to be adamantly opposed to hunting and even cutting down trees. I’m better now, though. I make my own meat, and I understand that toilet paper doesn’t come from Costco. 

I didn’t grow up hunting, and I think that gives me a perspective that many in the hunting community don’t have. I’ve lived in both worlds, and I understand why some people are adamantly opposed to hunting and resource extraction. Namely, they’ve never lived it. They’ve never been exposed to sustainable hunting. They’ve never cruised timber. And they never will. Perhaps I’m naive, but I still think most people respond to reason, which is why I write things like this. 

Why We Need to Get Along 

A 2023 survey showed that 77 percent of the U.S. population approves of legal hunting. Seventy-nine percent of those surveyed said they were fine with hunting “for conservation of healthy wildlife populations,” and 74 percent were cool with hunting for meat. That approval rating drops to 24 percent when a “trophy” is the main reason for hunting. Just 32 percent of respondents were okay with hunters seeking a challenge. 

Who cares what those non-hunters think, right? What do they know? Hunters don’t need their approval. That mentality is the best way to see hunting go away forever. All hunters should care what they think. More and more, those non-hunters, and even those opposed to hunting, are serving on state wildlife commissions and being hired to work in state game agencies. Like it or not, they are making the rules for hunting and fishing. So, yeah, their opinion matters. 

So, what can we do to help the non-hunting, even anti-hunting public, understand that hunting is absolutely necessary to wildlife management and an integral part of a hunter’s life and livelihood? It’s not that hunting is a major tool for conservation and land managers or that hunting is part of our heritage. They don’t care about that. Here are just a couple of ways we can help convince our friends that hunting isn’t all Elmer Fudd and Bambi. 

  1. Above All Else, Talk Food

Everyone needs to eat. The first step to winning over non-hunters is through their stomach. Forget about trying to reason with them, at least initially. Help them understand that your hamburger was never wrapped in cellophane. Celebrate your harvest. Invite them over for dinner, but don’t tell them what’s on the menu until they get there. Be sure they’re not vegetarian, though. Once they arrive, focus solely on how you prepared the game. Don’t talk about the shot. Don’t talk about the blood pouring out of its exit wound. Drop subtle hints about the pack out. Talk about the secret to aging wild game. What did you use for the marinade? If they ask questions, embrace each one. And above all else, make it taste good. Go with a recipe that you know is a winner. Don’t get cute and try out a new kidney recipe. Brush up on your deer meat facts. Talk about how venison is a lean, healthy source of protein. 

  1. Teach, Don’t Preach 

Let’s say that your dinner party was a success. Now your neighbor wants to come hunting with you. Jackpot! In the field, show them what you do. Point out things only hunters would notice. Note the tracks, the poop, the rubs. Get off the trail and be willing to answer any question they have. And if you don’t know the answer, just say you don’t know. It’s okay. Resist the urge to get on a high horse and talk about how hunters brought wildlife back from the brink of extinction. Don’t talk about how much you love elk, while at the same time you try to put an arrow through its ribcage. It’s a complex, antithetical argument that has to evolve over time. First-time hunters have enough to think about. 

  1. Image is Everything 

Hunters don’t do ourselves any favors when it comes to improving our image. All it takes is a few raving lunatics on social media to give us all a bad rap. From arguing online (FYI, no one wins) to posting gruesome kill shot videos, we can control our image. So what can we do? First, be an ambassador. When you represent hunters or hunting, take the high road at a public meeting, on a bar stool, or on social media. And don’t be afraid to form your own opinion on the issues. I don’t think all hunters have to support each other in every way. I respond honestly if a non-hunter asks me what I think about an issue. Second, always lend a hand. If someone isn’t hunting and they have a flat on an old logging road, offer to help. Small steps leave a big impact. 

  1. Protect Access 

When I hear the word access, I immediately think about access to land. Of course, we need access to places to hunt, and the word has finally gotten out that hunters need more room to roam. Just look at Wyoming’s corner-crossing saga, which is still making national headlines. At the same time, we need access to other things like mentors, shooting ranges, and wildlife commission meetings. It makes my head spin to think of all the ways access to hunting can be made more difficult by taking away things that we take for granted. It never hurts to show up at public meetings, non-profit fund-raising banquets, and fence pulls. 

Being patient and understanding with those who energetically and enthusiastically try to eliminate hunting is ridiculously difficult. Then again, the percentage of those who are unwavering in their ideological convictions against hunting is relatively low. Maybe I’m naive, but as a former anti-hunter, I know that reason might actually prevail. 

Experienced gun dog duck hunting

Setting Realistic Expectations For Your Gun Dog

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It’s almost hunting season and you’re excited to get out in the field for your gun dog’s first season. All gun dog owners, myself included, hope their pup will be a hunting machine from the moment they first step foot into the field for a hunt. This is rarely the case. That reality is, your gun dog’s first hunt and first hunting season is a learning experience for both of you. To be fair to both of you, it’s important to set realistic expectations around the first season and first few hunts. As you take your dog out into the field, here are a few key points to keep in mind. 

Duck hunting with gun dog

There’s no substitute for an actual hunt. 

Perhaps you plan to go out on an early season dove or waterfowl hunt. When you get to this hunt, it may seem like you have a different dog out hunting than what you’ve trained all summer. No matter how much we try to simulate a hunt in training, there’s nothing quite like an actual hunt. The level of excitement, the sights, smells, etc. can take your dog to another level. That’s okay. It’s your job as a handler to keep them under control and safe in these new settings.

goose hunting with a gun dog

Your dog is still learning. 

Every hunt is a learning experience for your dog, but the learning curve is steepest during the first few hunts and the first season. There’s a lot to see and experience for them including your own excitement they have to process and regulate. If you’ve hunted with a seasoned and well trained gun dog, they will seem to anticipate whats about to happen, have a great cadence with their handler, and be under control. If you are duck hunting, they’ll watch the sky for birds. Your dog may look to the horizon instead of up into the sky. That’s okay too. It takes time for dogs to learn those skills and hunt effectively. Seasoned dogs are seasoned for a reason. They’ve been through multiple hunting seasons and have learned through various scenarios they’ve encountered in the field.

Be patient and be consistent. 

Have realistic expectations for what your gun dog can do based on what you’ve trained. For example, don’t expect your dog to trail a running rooster for a 1/2 mile right out of the gates if they’ve never done it before. The likelihood that your dog will be outsmarted by a cunning rooster is high and that’s okay. Be patient with your dog as they learn the ropes and go through these learning experiences. However, being patient doesn’t mean compromising your training standards in the field. For example, if you are duck hunting and haven’t let your dog break in training, why allow it when you are hunting? Hold your training standards in the field and avoid your dog developing bad habits.