Water. The Reason is Clear.

When the band America sang in the song A Horse with No Name,  “The ocean is a desert with its life underground, And a perfect disguise above,” they were somewhat right about rivers. Maybe. I’m not sure exactly what that means, but there’s a lot of life that goes unseen and disguised beneath the water’s surface. The reality is more connected and complicated. That hidden life underwater is directly impacted by many factors, including those under, around, and especially “above.” 

Read several ways that departments are helping to ensure clean water and how you can participate in my Dayton Daily News column here: Leave it Better than you Found It

Get Your Feet Wet in August

 I’m known to say, “I’ll do cold. And I’ll do wet. But I don’t do cold AND wet.”

While that hasn’t historically held 100% true, it has for sure put a nix on my duck hunting to date. That and my inability to sit still or wanting to force or watch a dog be still for very long. But real cold is not an issue in August in Ohio.

That’s why wet wading — wading without boots or waders that keep your lower extremities dry — is one of my favorite ways to fish for a number of reasons.

Read more in my Dayton Daily News column, ‘Wet wading’ a good way to fish for a number of reasons

Golden Days of Summer

The golden days of summer mean different things to people. Maybe it’s nostalgic mornings of soccer practice or evenings relaxing on the porch. Maybe it’s the rush of the last slow days before fall activities kick in.

Maybe it’s the earlier sunsets and rising sun.

Or maybe it’s just the literal color that seems to abound this time of year with American Goldfinches and Goldenrod flowering.

Stay golden and read the complete article here: https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-know/what-are-the-golden-days-of-summer-look-at-the-feathers-the-sunsets-and-the-plants/HOWZG4JT4RHBHGD7KJ2QOEVX5I/ 

We're Talking About Practice

For many, the first week of August brings back sweaty memories of high school practice for the fall season. Early morning practices, sprints, pushups and swearing that you can’t wait until it was all over.

But it was all part of the process.

If you want to get the most out of your fall season, it’s time to get moving, just like coach said.

Check out some things to do now to get ready for fall seasons in my Dayton Daily News column, Your preseason hunting checklist starts now

Meet the Sunrise Outside

 From bobcats repatriating the area (they’ve recently been seen in Clark and Greene County) to bluebirds nesting in boxes and bobwhite quail calling, the most unique outdoor experiences require being outdoors. While I love a good sunset, starting the day with the sunrise is my favorite time to be out for a number of reasons.

I wasn’t always that way. Now I try to see the sunrise whenever possible, and summer versions rank high for a variety of reasons.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-know/early-morning-is-the-time-for-unique-outdoor-experiences/N75FYY4QP5B6JOUCL733VH6K5E/

Climbing to the Top

When people think of mountain climbing, absolutely nobody thinks of Southwest Ohio. The lack of mountains makes the reason kind of obvious.

When you say rock climbing, a lot of people still think of mountains and Ohio still isn’t on the list of places. If you say “bouldering,” expect a complete blank stare.

Mountains aside, there are accessible outdoor climbing opportunities in our area. In and around Springfield especially offers several options. Get the low down on climbing up in my Dayton Daily News Column, Rock climbing is possible right here in Southwest Ohio

See where you can get more information, resources, and meetups. 

Pints, Pheasants, and Public Land

While the proposed legislation that would have sold millions of acres of our public land is dormant for now, our land and habitat always need our attention. Our uplands and prairies are disappearing at rates that would cause global uproars if they had the broad visual appeal of forested mountains or the romance of the rain forest. Less than 4% of the original 170 million acres remain. The truth is, that prairies are better at turning CO2 into oxygen and at sequestering carbon than rainforests. They just don’t have the “charisma mega environ” of these other landscapes. Unless you’re interested in pollinators and upland birds

Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever (PF/QF) is one of the most dedicated organizations to restoring those habitats and lands wherever they are found. On Thursday, July 10th, the Greater Dayton chapter is hosting a Pint Night, with a percentage of sales benefiting the chapter.

Greater Dayton PF/QF Eudora Pint Night

Thursday, July 10 at 5 p.m.

Eudora Brewing Company - 3022 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, 45429