Gravity Feed Deer Feeder

Just in time for deer season, here is a video I did for North Carolina Sportsman and South Carolina Sportsman magazines on building an inexpensive and quick gravity feed deer feeder:

Book Review: Meat Eater by Steven Rinella

A few years ago after the opening day of dove season I taught my oldest son how to clean a bird.  Cleaning animals is not my favorite part of the hunt, but it is necessary if you are going to eat what you kill.  It was messy, but we got all the dove cleaned, marinated them overnight, and that Sunday we had a feast.  If I remember correctly, we had about eight kids in the neighborhood over at the house trying their first dove meat.

Since then we have had a staple of wild game meat, ranging from buffalo to bear to deer to alligator.  My son even cleaned and fried a squirrel he had taken a couple of years ago.  Again, it was messy, the hide was ripped to pieces and the grease from him attempting to cook his own meat clogged the drain pipe in the kitchen, but I was proud of his effort.

A few weeks ago I was forwarded a book titled “Meat Eater” by Steve Rinella.  Rinella is the host of the television show of the same name on the Sportsman Channel and was the host of the show ‘The Wild Within’ on the Travel Channel.  If Rinella is anything, he is not an apologist.

Rinella believes what you kill, you eat, and what you eat, you kill.  Part biography, part philosophy, part history, Rinella explains what a true outdoorsman is supposed to be.

Rinella began as a trapper in his youth, thinking that a great life would consist of living off the land.  He studied and idolized such people as Davy Crockett.  He delves into subject matter consisting of why frontiersmen such as Crockett did what they did and how they survived.

He explains how one can become so consumed by the end game that shortcuts, or ethics, can be compromised.  He then explains how those same mistakes helped him mature and appreciate nature.

In one particular chapter, Rinella discusses what many label as a hallmark of fishing.  Rinella always loved fishing and enjoyed showing others up at times.  After being convinced a true angler can only reach the top after fishing for bonefish in the flats off of Mexico, Rinella and his brother hiked and hitched south of the border.  Rinella explains how they survived off the land and water for much of the trip.  At one point, Rinella has an epiphany.  Here they were, fishing on hallowed waters for prized game fish, and starving.  The only meals were the ones they caught, and bonefish just did not make a great meal.  How did his passion turn into something where he was hoping something edible would grab the line rather than the targeted species they trekked so far for?

The book is enlightening and real.  It offers a reason not to trophy hunt but rather a reason to hunt for sustenance.  With wit, insight, and great storytelling, Rinella makes contact with the reader in ways that even a non-hunter can understand.  Bringing in his personal accounts of childhood and relating historical tales of early America makes Rinella the perfect hunting partner or fishing buddy, even if he is not there in person.  And based on his experiences and wisdom, I would bet he would be the first to grab the skinning knife at the camp so I could stand back and watch my least favorite part of the hunt.

Meat Eater went on sale September 4 and can be found at most book sellers.

Dove Hunting

Saturday morning there will be familiar but distant sound filling the air.  At times it may even sound like a war zone as different muzzle blasts echo through the fields with distinguishable tones.

And doves will fall.

The opening day of dove season is akin to Christmas day to a wingshooter.  The party escalates as the birds hit the horizon and at times fill the skies.  Family, friends, and even those who are only kin in spirit kick off the fall hunting season.  Just one short week later, bow season begins; on Monday September 10 in the western part of the state and Saturday September 8 in the piedmont and eastern North Carolina.

I have mentioned before that dove season holds special memories for me.  I firmly believe a good dove hunt can entrench one’s love for the outdoors like few other activities.  Youth learn how to stay alert and patient and are rewarded with many shot opportunities.  Elders get to relive memories of past hunts with friends and family and often times a convergence of many generations.  It is not uncommon to see three generations from the same family in the field together suffering through the heat but enjoying the hunt.

Bill Howard, Turner Howard, and Bill Howard, Jr in 2008

Opening day of dove season has evolved slightly over the years.  For instance, I was a teenager before hearing of my first paid dove hunt.  I was already a seasoned but somewhat inconsistent shooter at the time.  Now dove hunts are as much of a social gathering as anything.  Pigs are spread open over flames that were started long before people start arriving.  BBQ, chicken, and even sausage and hot dogs are part of the event.

During the hunt, age diversity reigns, as both young and old, and those in-between group up or spread out amongst the cover of tree lines, corn stalks, sunflowers, and milo.  In one of the few exhibits where all ages get together to join in a common activity, generations are bridged and lessons are passed on and learned.

Bill Howard, Turner Howard and Bill Howard, Jr in 2010

The only thing I can find comparable that allows two people of different ages to enjoy the company of one another would be fishing, yet another outdoors activity.  But to me, the opening day of dove season just does more.  Maybe it is because of the one day excitement and anticipation.   Much like Christmas, the days start counting down a couple of weeks before (well, Christmas starts counting down around Halloween thanks to the big box stores, but that is ok).  There is only so much preparation you can do other than shooting clay pigeons.  Just make sure you have plenty of shotgun shells, some cool clothing that does not make you stand out (remember, doves see in all colors like we do so hunter orange is like a beacon to their bird vision).  So instead, you have to spend your time waiting and remembering hunts of past.

Mike Furiness, Ben Furiness and Bill Howard in 2011

When you are in the field, and the birds darken the flyways during their frantic weaving and darting speed, remember to not shoot at the low birds and mark the spot where the hit bird goes down.  Also, as was told to me one time, you have to pull the trigger in order to shoot the bird, so let the lead fly.  And in the end, Saturday may just become one of those hunts you talk about in years to come.

Animal Planet's Top Hooker Fishing Competition

Here is a shameless self promotion for Animal Planet's Top Hooker angling competion television show.  I was contacted by Pilgrim Studios (the producers of the show-same producers of Top Shot from History Channel) and asked to submit an application and video for the new show.

So, if you can find it in your heart, help me by clicking on the video link and sharing with your friends and let's see if I get a chance to show the world how great I am!

Thanks everybody!