T. Boone Pickens

“If someone ever offers you a bird dog, don’t take it. You wouldn’t just give someone a bird dog that was actually worth a damn, would you? Hell no, you’d keep it yourself, so why would someone give one to you?” Pickens then added, with a wry smile, "of course, people give me some pretty nice bird dogs these days."

If you think you've ever spoiled a dog, you haven't seen this kennel.. 

Shed Hunting

Now is the prime time for shed hunting. This site, Trophy Pursuit, is a great resource for all things shed hunting. I know that there are several bucks I've watched all winter that should be dropping. I think it's time for a walk...

Adirondacks XC Ski

Winter view of Lake Harris, Newcomb, NY.

The Adirondacks are a hard place. It's cold, windy and lonesome in the winter. Which makes it wonderful if you have the temperament for those sort of things.

XC-skiing in the Adirondacks.

Probably because it's a state park, it doesn't get as much attention as some of the others such as Yellowstone and the Smokey's.  But it's plenty wild and you could get lost in a bad way if you're not careful - in a really good way if you are.

With more than 46 real mountain peaks within a days drive of more than 1/2 the country, I'm slightly surprised it doesn't get more attention. But I'm not really disappointed. It is a hard, wild place. And I like it like that. If you've been, you know what I mean and I'd love to hear your stories.

Buck Creek Bash - Paddle and Portage

Making a note to participate in the Buck Creek Bash. It looks like a blast. Flat paddle across CJ Brown from a beach launch. Portage to Buck Creek and through Springfield, Ohio to the Art Museum. Have a beer. Sounds like a great day.

Ohio Trout Stockings 2012

Every year the Ohio DNR stocks many lakes and ponds around Ohio with catch-able size trout. Most of these waters can't support the trout through the entire year. The water is simply too warm. I won't get into my opinions on conservation, dollars spent, etc. regarding this government handout. I understand it's too provide opportunity in areas where it might not exist otherwise...

So get out there and take advantage of this opportunity with the wiggle fish before they succumb to the heat or somebody else catches them. According to the Buckeye Sportsmen Podcast, Dan Armitage says don't over think it. A crappie minnow a foot below a bobber is all you need.

Check out the Ohio spring planned stockings here.

Photo from the Ohio DNR Website.

Coonhound Stacking

 I don't know if this coonhound thinks it's a bird dog, but it sure seems to be steady and have the "whoa" thing down pat. Anywhere. Fun shots.

Too Many Deer - at Least One Too Many

When the final numbers came in for the Ohio 2011/12 deer season down about 20,000 in total, I didn't think much of it. After all, the weather was awful the first couple of days of deer gun season. No matter what the weather, you know some people would be out, enough to certainly move the deer around some. There's no mulligans for opening day. There's just one. After that the deer know what's up and everything changes. But then a deer ran in front of my daughter in my car and I wish there's been at least one more deer taken. And of course as my daughter (who was fine) exclaimed "and it ran off so we don't event get to keep it."