Tag Archives: Hunting

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.

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.

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. 

What is force fetch

What Is Force Fetch?

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Force fetch is a crucial training technique in the world of retrievers, helping to instill discipline and resilience in dogs. This method is essential for any dog handler who aims to develop a well-rounded and obedient retriever, capable of handling various challenges in both training scenarios and real-world hunting situations. In this article, we will delve into what force fetch is, why it is important, and the step-by-step process to implement it effectively.

Force fetch, also known as “force breaking” or “trained retrieve,” can be understood in two key aspects:

Part One: The Common Understanding

The first part of force fetch is what most people envision: training a dog to retrieve an object, such as a bird or bumper, and deliver it directly to the handler’s hand. This involves the dog leaving the handler’s side, picking up the object, and returning promptly without dropping, playing, or shaking off water. The goal is a seamless retrieve where the dog understands the task, and performs it efficiently and consistently.

What is force fetch
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Part Two: The Deeper Purpose

The second, and arguably more important, aspect of force fetch is teaching the dog to cope with pressure. This includes understanding and responding to pressure, learning how to turn it off, and overcoming difficulties. This process builds a resilient, confident dog with the ability to tackle more advanced training tasks. It equips dogs with the mental tools to push through challenging situations, be it in a hunt test or out in the field during a real hunt.

Why is Force Fetch Important?

Force fetch lays the foundation for a dog’s advanced training and overall behavior. It teaches problem-solving skills and how to deal with adversity. Here’s why it’s essential:

  • Resilience: Dogs learn to work through discomfort and pressure, becoming more resilient.
  • Consistency: It ensures reliable performance in retrieves, crucial for hunting and competition.
  • Foundation for Advanced Training: Skills learned during force fetch are foundational for more complex training, such as pile work, T-patterns, and blind retrieves.
  • Mental Discipline: Dogs develop a higher threshold for pressure, making them eager and willing to perform tasks even when conditions are less than ideal.

The Force Fetch Process: A High-Level Overview

Force fetch involves a series of steps that gradually teach the dog to understand and respond to commands and pressure. Here’s a high-level look at the process:

Step 1: Hold

The initial step in force fetch is teaching the dog to hold an object in its mouth calmly. This can be done on a table or the ground. The handler starts by placing their fingers or a soft object, like a paint roller, in the dog’s mouth, encouraging the dog to hold it without chewing or spitting it out. This stage focuses on the dog relaxing and accepting the object.

Step 2: Introduction to Pressure

Next, the dog is introduced to slight discomfort through the ear pinch or toe hitch methods. The handler applies pressure to the dog’s ear or toe, while simultaneously introducing a bumper into the dog’s mouth. When the dog takes the bumper, the pressure is released. This teaches the dog that holding the object turns off the pressure.

What is Force Fetch

Step 3: Fetch Command

Once the dog understands holding, the fetch command is introduced. The dog learns to reach for the object to relieve the pressure. Initially, the handler places the object in the dog’s mouth, but eventually, the dog will begin to reach for it proactively.

Step 4: Movement and Retrieval

The training progresses to having the dog move to fetch the object. This can be done on a table or the ground, with the dog learning to pick up objects placed at increasing distances. The dog is also taught to deliver the object to the handler’s hand, reinforcing the complete retrieve process.

Step 5: E-Collar Conditioning

To reinforce the training, an e-collar is introduced, providing a consistent form of pressure that the dog can learn to respond to. The collar is used alongside the ear or toe pressure initially, and then gradually, the dog learns to respond to the e-collar alone.

Step 6: Force to Pile

The final stages involve force to pile exercises, where the dog retrieves objects from a distance, reinforcing the fetch command under varying conditions and distances. This step transitions the dog to more complex tasks and sets the stage for advanced training.

How can I learn more about Force Fetch?

There’s lots of available resources online. To see a step-by-step guide, check out the How To Teach Force Fetch course that walks a handler through the process, step-by-step, and using varying breeds of dogs.

Bob Owens duck hunting

Bob Owens is a profession gun dog trainer, owner of Lone Duck Kennels, and host of Lone Duck’s Gun Dog Chronicles. He resides in New York, where he runs AKC hunt tests and field trials in the summer, and travels to South Carolina in the winter.

Hunters of Color

Hunters of Color is Growing and Expanding 

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Quick – what does a hunter look like? If your first thought was a white guy in camouflage, you’re not alone. Hunting has long been marked by a lack of diversity, but an organization called Hunters of Color has been working for the past few years to change that preconception. 

The origins of Hunters of Color trace back to when former executive director Lydia Parker, current executive director Jimmy Flatt, and founder Thomas Tyner were just three undergrads at Oregon State University. 

They were passionate hunters trying to navigate a community that didn’t always feel welcoming. The statistics were alarming: 97% of hunters in the nation were white, with only 3% of hunters that identified as black, indigenous, or people of color, (BIPOC), according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

The group set a goal to foster an outdoor community where people of color feel empowered to participate in hunting and conservation proportionately according to the demographics of the nation and to dismantle the barriers that kept people of color from participating in hunting, such as lack of access to education, gear, mentorship, and land. In the United States, 98% of private land is owned by white Americans, according to the USDA. 

Within the first few years of operation, Hunters of Color has grown tremendously, linking a network of ambassadors throughout the country and reaching thousands of new hunters to the resources they need to begin hunting. 

“In 2022 we had 1023 participants at our events and in 2023 we had over 1300 participants at our events,” Hunters of Color Executive Director Jimmy Flatt said. “We have expanded into 5 new states making the total to 14 states with community leaders. Our members come from all 50 states and as we work to build capacity and expand our events to more states we encourage people to find ways to get involved through the community website.”

Hunters of Color is a membership-based organization. People who might be interested in a HOC membership are either someone with hunting/conservation knowledge or someone seeking to obtain said knowledge. All of this is intending to build the most welcoming and inclusive environment for hunters to engage and share their hunting cultures. 

This past year Hunters of Color launched the Hunters of Color Community website; a place for everyone to gather virtually and work towards achieving the mission of Hunters of Color. The platform is essentially a social media where members can connect with other members, find a mentor, become a mentor, register for events, find industry discounts from the organization’s  partners, gain access to educational materials, share their stories, or ask questions. 

“It’s really a powerful tool and we are actively looking for people to join the network and find a way to engage,” Flatt said.

The work they have put in is showing real-world dividends, and the folks at Hunters of Color aren’t slowing down any time soon. 

“The most recent demographic study from the USFWS shows an upward trend in BIPOC participation in hunting which means that our efforts are having a measurable impact,” Flatt said.  “That being said, we still have a long way to go and need as many people to help us in our mission. We will continue to establish opportunities for communities of Color to establish a connection to the land/culture and need more partners helping us in this effort.”

Deer Hunters on the decline

Wisconsin Deer Hunter Numbers On The Decline

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A sobering picture is emerging of deer hunting in Wisconsin. Between 2005 and 2022, Wisconsin lost about 65,000 hunters. That’s a lot of folks hanging up their camo, and it’s not just the baby boomers – it’s across the board. The Hunter Demographics Project’s Phase 1 report, led by Dan Storm, one of the Wisconsin DNRs Deer Research Scientists, analyzed license sales from 2005 – 2022. The study broke down hunter participation rates by age and gender over time. That data was combined with success rates (among other data) to reveal the findings, and forecast what the implications are for the future of deer hunting in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin deer hunters on the decline

The Findings

Between 2005 and 2022, Wisconsin lost 65,000 hunters. On average, that is approximately 3,600 hunters lost per year. However, from 2014 – 2022, Wisconsin lost approximately 51,000 hunters, or about 6,300 hunters per year. Looking at the acceleration of the decline is scary. During this time period, Wisconsin put policies in place to increase hunter numbers – from allowing crossbows to legalizing blaze pink – and it has not had any effect on hunter decline.

Deer hunter numbers decline

When breaking down the numbers further, the study highlights the decrease in participation across all age ranges. For example, hunter participation for boys fell from approximately 27% in 2005 to about 15% in 2022. 40 year old males had a 30% participation rate in 2005 that fell to 20% in 2022. 50 year old males had a 28% participation rate in 2005, and that number fell to 21% in 2022. While baby boomers are aging out of hunting, the numbers illustrate that hunter decline is taking place across all generations.

The Reasons

What is causing the decline in Wisconsin deer hunters? That’s the first question that came to my mind as I saw the numbers in the study. I first thought of baby boomers before seeing details of the study. Unfortunately, there likely isn’t one specific item as the causes are multifaceted. Hypothetically, some of the issues can be attributed to access limitations, additional entertainment options, and a shift in hunting culture. Some of the limitations include a greater difficulty getting access to private land and increased public land competition. Both of these items put more strain on hunters trying to find quality hunting opportunities and to fill their tag.

Additionally, society has changed since 2005. There are more competing priorities, and more entertainment options than there were 20 – 30 years ago. Travel sports have exploded in popularity. The global youth sports market was valued at $37.5B in 2022 and is forecasted to grow to $69.4B by 2030. Smart phones have enabled an “instant feedback” society. Sitting in the woods waiting for deer to show up is the opposite of instant feedback. When we look at the decline in hunter participation for boys and middle aged males, for example, there’s a likely a correlation between the two as middle aged fathers aren’t hunting as much. As a result, boys are not being taken hunting at the same rate they were 20 years ago. That results in less young hunters being introduced to the sport and a greater decline in hunter participation numbers.

hunter participation rates

How much has social media and the shift in hunting culture influenced the decline? We’ve shifted from a society that celebrated harvesting deer to celebrating harvesting big deer. Over the last 20 years in Wisconsin, deer habitat has changed population centers and deer densities across the state. Has that limited the availability of quality hunting opportunities for certain hunters? If there are fewer quality hunting opportunities to harvest big deer, theoretically, hunters could be more likely to hang up their camo.

As we look toward the future, Storm and his team – Christine Anhalt-Depies, Adam Mohr, Meghan Henry, and Beth Wojcik – are looking to take the study further to look at the findings on a finer geographic scale. Their goal is to see if the decline is more pronounced in certain geographic areas, and to examine the per capita harvest. They are looking to better understand the mechanisms of hunter decline and per capita harvest. The more we can understand the finer points of hunter decline, the better chance we, as a hunting community, can work to combat them.

What does this mean?

While we celebrate the tradition of hunting, individual hunter goals vary; yet, the goal of any state hunting program is to manage a population. In this case, the Wisconsin DNRs job is to manage the deer population via hunter harvest. While deer densities differ across the state, including areas in Northern Wisconsin that have low deer densities, there are a number of areas where there’s an overabundance of deer. According to Storm, our ability to manage the deer herd is already on shake ground with current hunter numbers.

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The historical harvest levels of deer in Wisconsin is approximately 350,000. In 2022, the antlerless deer harvested per hunter was .31. If hunter numbers continue their current pace of decline, there would need to be a substantial increase in the number of anterless deer harvested to keep pace with historical harvest levels, and to manage the population accordingly. If hunters can’t manage the deer population across the state, who steps in?

Stepping back further, less hunters means less revenue to manage natural resources. It also means less political power and a potential loss of control of deer management. As hunters, this potential issue could have massive long term ripple effects on our hunting rights. Unfortunately, the decline in hunter numbers is not localized to Wisconsin either. As noted in the study, Pennsylvania and Virginia have also seen declines in hunter participation.

What can we do as a hunting community?

Right now, we do not have a scalable solution to combat the current pace of hunter decline, and as a community, we are constantly under attack from anti-hunters. What we do to combat the anti-hunting message and influence the general public is important. One idea to influence the general public is to demonstrate the value of hunting to society. We talk about conservation, and we know the amount of conservation dollars funded by hunters via the Pittman-Robertson Act; yet, we need to show and demonstrate that hunting is conservation by achieving management goals, protecting rare plant species, and demonstrating the effects of better land management.

Another great idea is venison diplomacy. One of the many traditions I was taught as a young hunter was sharing in the harvest. While we often share venison with our fellow hunters, what if we shared it with our non-hunting neighbors and friends? There’s an old saying that goes “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” I have met very few people who dislike a quality venison stick or venison brat. It’s a small gesture, but one that can go a long ways.

Are those the only answers to improving the perception of hunting? Absolutely not. There are others and we’ll continue to address this issue as a hunting community. Do we have scalable answers to the decline hunter participation? Nope. The only thing we can control is our actions, our decisions to participate, the way we treat other hunters, and the way we treat non-hunters. As the stoic Zeno said, “Well-being is realized by small steps.” If we all take small steps together as a community, we can make a difference.