Producing Stalking the Seam has afforded Steven and me some really cool opportunities, including the chance to put some spectacular optics through their real world paces. Last week we distilled those experiences into tactics for using binoculars more effectively, then the characteristics that separate passable specs from good ones, good ones from the great,, Read More
Traditionally a surrendering military officer hands over his sword or, in more recent times, sidearm. But when U-Boats were captured during World War II, victorious allied naval officers often demanded that German captains relinquish their binoculars instead. After long months of playing deadly games of cat and mouse, they recognized the German’s superior optics for, Read More
“Are we almost home?” “My stomach hurts.” “I think I might throw up.” My brain was beginning to tell my lips to start moving in response to the first question, when I heard the convulsions begin. Going from sixty to zero in quick order, I pulled into the barrow ditch. Cold winter air hit my face, Read More
Humans are decidedly visual hunters. Sure, we’ve got four additional senses, and when we’re performing at our highest levels they all contribute. But relative to most other terrestrial mammalian predators, we are disproportionately reliant on sight to find and follow game. That fact is so fundamental that we often fail to (ahem) see it., Read More
Ducks flew by the hundreds. They were closer to the cruising altitude for commercial airlines than our decoys. But the sky gave us a show that was more memorable than many of the ducks I’ve brought home. After shooting light we spent nearly a half hour soaking in the view. The dog, shotgun’s, calls, decoys, Read More
Rays of golden sun and smoke gray clouds fight for dominance. Ultimately the sun wins. The Wyoming wind also has skin in the game and seeks to make a shot at the title. The dogs and I are merely props in the scene. Pulling up a hood and zipping my collar I seek to keep warm. The, Read More
“The cut’s and bruises have healed, the emotional high remains…let’s do it again!” The short note came from my father roughly two weeks after we finished one of the most challenging, rewarding and fun elk hunts either of us has ever done. Our mind has a funny way of remembering things. Over the epochs, Read More
With all of our talk of focus, attention to detail, reverence and reflection, our chosen pursuits may sometimes be mistaken for solemn, sacred endeavors. I can get on that bandwagon, heck often times I’m leading the charge. But at it’s core, we better be having some fun along the way. Laugh with your friends and at yourself. Follow the, Read More
“Dada, Dada look!” exclaimed my four year old. “The buck deer, um… with the pointy antlers… he’s smelling the girl deer’s BUTT! Ewwww… silly deer.” “Yeah, they’ll do that sometimes,” I said, hoping my indifference would stop the inevitable line of questioning in its tracks. “Why’s he do that?” he asked, undeterred. “Well… uh… you, Read More
Plastic exploded as the wiper blades snapped against the windshield. I’d hoped to free ice from the blades and return quickly to the warming cab. Instead, a quick audible had me limping to an auto parts store for new wipers. The line was nearly out the door. Seems the whole town was in the, Read More