About

I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion – the outdoor life — for 45 years. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me – from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with these natural wonders, to become an integral part of our world and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, explored, and fished on six continents, seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks. But, perhaps like you, I’ve tried. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, participating.

Each of us has the natural right to participate in Nature’s endless circle of life as active partners, not just distant observers. Hunting — whether for mushrooms, berries, ducks, or deer — is Everyman’s way of connecting with true freedom, the freedom to interact with Earth as naturally as does a wolf, falcon or chickadee. We, too, are integral parts of Nature. Hunting is not merely going out to shoot an animal. Nor is it a contest to see who can bag the finest specimen. It isn’t a game reserved for the gifted athlete. Hunting is the human animal’s basic right. And with it comes the responsibility to conserve, restore, sustain, and increase. Despite a sad history of over exploitation, humans are the only altruistic animal, the only species that will sacrifice for the good of other species. That is why we have closed seasons, bag limits, wood duck nesting boxes, and National Wildlife Refuges. From Teddy Roosevelt’s day forward sport hunters, as differentiated from market hunters and poachers, have driven and funded wildlife conservation in North America and, now, around the world. Hunters are defending and perpetuating Nature’s wonders. I am proud to be a part of that. I hope that you are or soon will be, too. To those to whom much is given, much is expected.

Over the years I’ve tried to communicate this special relationship and responsibility in my writings and photography, but word’s can’t describe everything. Photos can’t show everything. Video can’t capture everything. But they can inform and inspire. After that it’s up to us. We must act, engaging as deeply and often as we can, studying and training to be the best we can be. Those are our responsibilities. That is why I investigate and report in-depth on guns, ammo, optics, ballistics, boots, clothing, wildlife behavior, hunting tactics, conservation programs, and anything else pertaining to our roles as hunter-conservationists and Natural citizens.

Friends, we’ve been granted the gift of a pulsating, vibrant planet alive with more species than anyone could see in a lifetime. Earth is ours to explore for a few short years. Why squander the opportunity? If your heart leaps at the sight of a bear and your spirit soars with the flight of a goose, join me here, in my magazine articles, blogs, books, podcasts, and videos as we discover our roles, responsibilities, adventures and thrills as Nature’s hunter/conservationists.