All Blog Posts
Ding Darling: The Father of the Duck Stamp
In the realm of wildlife conservation, few names evoke as much reverence as Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling. A renowned political cartoonist turned environmentalist, Darling made an indelible mark on the world with his tireless efforts to preserve and protect our nation’s waterfowl populations.
North Carolina To Wyoming
In the verdant landscapes of North Carolina, a seasoned hunter prepares for an unprecedented journey. Leaving behind familiar hunting grounds, he sets his sights on the expansive wilderness of the American West. His quarry: the majestic elk and the elusive pronghorn. This is not just another hunt, but a quest that promises adventure, challenge, and the thrill of pursuing some of the continent’s most iconic game.
How To Ruin Your Bird Dog
There are plenty of dog training articles out there that help you teach your dog everything from basic obedience to running 250 yard blind retrieves. Hundreds of articles will walk you through different drills on how to build your dog’s confidence or how to teach sit on a whistle. This is not one of those articles. I’m…
Big Woods :Review
If you’re like me, the name William Faulkner does not evoke the image of a rugged outdoorsman. Instead, it conjures a little white-haired man in a suit, dark-eyed and mustachioed, always posing with a pipe. Such is not the case with his contemporary, Ernest Hemingway, whose safari “grip & grins” depict a sporting life inseparable from his literary legacy. But…
Freedom and Whiskey
What does freedom look like? The definition of Freedom is, “The power to act, speak, or think as one wants without anyone interfering.” Sounds great, right? One thing to keep in mind is that freedom isn’t free and is bought and paid for by the blood shed of our American soldiers as well as those who are…
Anticipating the Hunt
The seasons will soon change and it will be fall. That time of year that all upland hunters anticipate all spring and summer. Many of us have worked our dogs in the summer heat, spent sleepless nights thinking and wondering if that one bird dog will make the fall hunting string.
Five Quotes About Hunting
These five thought-provoking quotes on hunting will resonate not only with seasoned hunters but also stir the curiosity of those fascinated by the intricate harmony between mankind and the wilderness. From the eloquent reflections of iconic figures to the poetic expressions of nature’s beauty, these quotes encapsulate the very essence of hunting as never before.
Northampton County Dove Hunt
Northampton County is located in northeastern North Carolina and sits on the Virginia border. The county seat is Jackson, North Carolina. Once upon a time, I worked in this area when I was a Parole Officer in the early 1990s. Little did I know I would be invited back annually as a hunting guest of one of…
Africa Queen, My Beautiful Mother-in-Law! Circa: 1968-1971
You don’t have to be a hunter to be a true outdoors woman. Take my Mother-in-Law, Dotsy Boineau for example. She was in her late 30’s and though she loved to travel, going to Africa was the last thing on her mind. Her husband, who loved to hunt, wanted to take an African safari and she was…
Stephen Townley Bassett: Saving African Cave Art
Stephen Townley Bassett has dedicated more than three decades to studying and preserving the rich rock art heritage of Southern Africa. His passion has taken him to remote locations, where he has observed and meticulously documented these vulnerable masterpieces that are at risk of being lost to weathering damage.
The Intricate Connection Between African Food and Southern Culture
When it comes to the diverse and vibrant tapestry of American cuisine, few regions captivate the culinary imagination quite like the American South. Deep-rooted in history and enriched by the influences of various cultures, the Southern culinary tradition owes much of its character and flavor to the significant contributions of African cuisine. From mouthwatering dishes to cherished cooking techniques, the…
For Whom The Bell Tolls: A Buffalo on Hemingway’s Birthday
It’s one thing to be sitting in the comfort of your home, in a comfortable chair, with a glass of bourbon, reading Peter Capstick’s “Death In the Long Grass” and dreaming of hunting Cape Buffalo in the grass so tall and thick that you can barely see a foot in front of you. It is another thing to leave the safety…
Channel the splendor of Africa with Norton + Hodges
First time visitors to Africa often report being overwhelmed by emotion: in trips they’ve dreamt of for years, they’ve conjured visions of veldts and savannahs, native peoples with perspectives and insights formed by millennia on this continent, and more variety in the flora and fauna than can be fathomed. Suzette Bussey knows these emotions firsthand and considers…
South African Wines
The history of South African wines dates back to the mid-1600s. It was then that French Huguenots and Dutch settlers started planting vineyards. Most of these vineyards were located along The Western Cape of South Africa. The grapes and wine produced were supposed to help ward off scurvy affecting sailors as they made their way along the…
Robert Ruark, “Bwana Ndege!” the Bird Master
Make no mistake, writer Robert Ruark was a bird hunter long before he even pulled the trigger of a rifle. The shotgun was the instrument that emotionally connected Ruark when he was a young boy hunting quail, ducks, and training dogs, with his grandfather. Though he is more well known for his wild exotic hunting exploits, much…