One of my favorite things about being an outdoor writer is that it allows me to be in the field hunting, fishing, boating and camping for both recreation and research. I appreciate the words of best friend Roger Lewis who said about me, “You are not one of those outdoor writers that only write…
Summertime is in all its burning glory, and one thing that means is ticks and chiggers. The critters ain’t new arrivals, and the old Ozarkers learned a thing or two about ‘em, even if some of what they passed down may not be altogether fact. But who am I to say what is true or…
• QUESTION: I have a question about hitching our trailer to our tow vehicle. I want to know how the locking mechanism works and why it is so difficult to connect to the hitch ball. It takes me forever to connect the trailer to the tow vehicle by myself. Either the trailer socket will…
Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) will host a series of one-day workshops about the basics of fly fishing on July 22 and Aug. 19 at the Akers Visitor Center. These free workshops are limited to 10 participants for each date, and reservations are required. Park ranger Mark Van Patten will demonstrate various fly rod casting…
We are blessed here in Missouri because we have rainbow trout — a species more commonly found in the Rocky Mountains — in some of our Missouri Ozark streams. While some of those streams are periodically resupplied with hatchery-raised rainbows on an annual basis, there are a few streams, such as Mill Creek in…
I have written prior columns in this publication regarding our rights under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to “keep and bear Arms.” My assumption in writing on this subject is that the readership includes people who enjoy hunting and owning a firearm or two. As reported in earlier columns, the U.S. Supreme…
After years of keeping track of time, looking at my watch constantly to get everyone out of class on time, I don’t often look at the time or plan ahead too much anymore. Teaching a Junior High or High School shop class was a daunting challenge, making sure everything was put away in the tool…
Surrounding yourself with the great outdoors is simply refreshing. I know after the past three years I have experienced, the moments when I can unplug and experience all nature has to offer have been incredibly restorative. Hiking, camping, kayaking, and other outdoor activities allows people to indulge the senses with experiences that are great escapes…
