For most upland hunters, the loss or degradation of natural habitat ranks among their gravest concerns. Many of us have experienced the depressing reality of returning to a treasured covert and seeing a productive hunting ground slowly transitioning into an unproductive or unhuntable plot. Worse is when we’ve seen these beloved spots destroyed entirely. The […]
A Conservation Collaboration Read More »
A report from the US Geological Survey at the end of March brought dire news on the status of greater sage grouse, the gamebirds that have become a bellwether for the wild habitat of the sagebrush steppe. Not only has their population declined 80% range-wide since 1965 and 40% just since 2002, but also the
Sage Grouse Show Accelerating Decline Read More »
On any dove shoot, there are always one or two participants who are the first to return from the field. What sets them apart from their fellow hunters? Of course, experience, practice and visual acuity are part of the equation, but often overlooked is the smoothness of the shooters’ movements and gun mounts. There are
First from the Field Read More »
Shooting sports can be intimidating and overwhelming for beginners, especially if they are in a minority group and do not have a mentor. A Girl & A Gun is working to change that. The ladies-only national organization, founded in 2011, works to create a positive environment that supports women shooters and to generate opportunities for
By Tom Sternal Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have created an ambitious new program aimed at female hunters called Women on the Wing. The brainchild of the groups’ new head of education, Marissa Jensen, the initiative includes workshops, events, new chapters and strategies to recruit, retain and reactivate female hunter-conservationists. The program has been buoyed
Women on the Wing Takes Flight Read More »
Seeking adventure in the Arizona desert By Tom Sternal Mark Nissen and Randy Matis are different kinds of snowbirds. True, they spend most of every spring, summer and fall in Wisconsin before heading to southern Arizona from early December to early February. Also true (and they may argue this point), they are approaching the ages when this type
Where the Wild Quail Are Read More »
When it comes to upland hunting, few pursuits are as steeped in tradition as grouse and woodcock hunting in the North Woods of Maine. The romance of following pointing dogs through forests and old farmlands for fleeting chances at challenging birds is what lands this hunt on so many wingshooters’ bucket lists. Leen’s Lodge, on
A Unique Upland Hunt in Maine Read More »
