I have to admit I can't stand going too long without checking my trial cameras. This is true especially this time of year. Even though the experts tell me to leave them alone until hunting season, I know I'm probably not even going to hunt some of these spots until the November rut anyway.

In just a few weeks squirrel season will open in my area. These small game are not pursued as much as they used to be. But they are fun to hunt and are especially good for taking youth and first-time hunters into the woods.

Something that happens to me quite often, is I wake up in a hotel and forget where I am. It may be that I'm on a hunting trip or away at a speaking gig, but I wake up and before my eyes open, my mind tells me I'm home.

I often taken a book to the tree stand with me. I mostly do it during the evening hunts because the deer tend to be slower moving until just before dark. I've read many good books using this approach.

Habitat is a word used quite often in the world of the outdoorsman. If you have lived more than a couple of decades, you have witnessed changes in the habitat in the area you live and/or hunt. As our population increases, houses will continue to take land that is the home to a variety of animals

While Americans are fixed on our own Independence Day; the truth is, many different countries take one day each year and celebrate their freedom from another country or empire.

I've told you about my fishing adventures with Mike. He's a local striper guide. I have fished with him on numerous occasions, but most of the time I am his helper when I have friends come and use his services.

Even though a friend took me on my first turkey hunt, my first success came while hunting alone. That morning I remember that my tools of the trade amounted to a Lynch box call and a ten-gauge H and R shotgun.

For most of my life I have owned dogs. For several years I even sold dogs, or rather traded pups for guns. My wife preferred cash. I preferred Ruger. But after years of doing that, I found it was much easier to care for one beast rather than two or more.

Memorial Day has always symbolized more than its original purpose. It is supposed to allow us to reflect on the lives of those who died while serving in the armed forces in the United States.

This is the year of the Cicadas. And no, a Cicada is not a new hybrid car. It's actually a type of flying insect that some call a locust, even though they are not related to the locust.

There's nothing like barreling down the lake in the spring or summer at 5:00 in the morning.

Jimmy is a very experienced and seasoned duck hunter. He's also taken his share of deer. He, however, has never had the thrill of seeing a strutting tom walk in front of his shotgun- that is until the other day.

I can take you where two gobblers roost. They are in the same place about five out of seven days. We have been meeting and talking several mornings since the season opened.

I have this love-hate relationship with the wind and rain. I don't ever remember getting excited to hunt in the rain or during high winds. I have done both several times

I hustled to make it to my second setup that morning. I was trying to get in a quick hunt before attending my church service. I thought, for sure, my initial location would be my best opportunity.

Spring is made for the outdoors. It seems everything that inspires us has its beginnings outside. Whether you hunt, fish, hike, bike, run, play sports, garden, or simply mow your grass, it feels empowering to engage in all of these under the clear skies and in the clean air of springtime.

I was taken aback the other day during a morning turkey hunt. The rain had persisted all night and into the early morning hours. It wasn't until about 8:30 that the sun broke through the clouds.

I was wiping down some of my deer mounts that I had acquired over time.

I know I am constantly growing as a hunter and fisherman. All I have to do is look back at last year and I know there's room to get better. One young man was being interviewed for a new position.

One thing about turkey season is the season starts before the season starts. What I mean is, sometimes weeks before hunters are allowed to hunt, the gobblers are already mating the hens.

I'm convinced most hunters and fishermen never contemplate the outdoor world they take pleasure in. I know in my own life, without a concerted effort, I only enjoy creation without ever giving it much deep thought.

I put what I thought was a good shot on a big buck a few weeks ago. I was shooting my muzzleloader and had measured the yardage where the deer would be appearing.

Unlike some other types of hunting, pursuing the turkey is very enjoyable doing with a partner; especially if one is doing the calling and the other is doing the shooting.

I took another trip to the woods the other day. I hadn't been for nearly a month. My deer season ended at the end of December and since then I have been trying to catch up on work.