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Holiday Gift Guide – Cabin
Inside around the fire while snow falls, watching the sunrise from the porch with a cup of coffee, or playing games around the table, there
Allen Crater
Nov 7, 20246 min read
176 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide – Hunting
Upland, whitetail, or big game; pushing through the popples behind a trusted dog, tucked up in a tree along a cedar swamp, or glassing...
Allen Crater
Nov 5, 202410 min read
86 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide – Fly Fishing
Fly anglers, myself included, are among the worst of all gear junkies. The good news? That makes holiday shopping easy. I've assembled...
Allen Crater
Oct 31, 20247 min read
173 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide – Books
Light a fire, pour a drink, and settle into that comfy chair – winter is reading season. If you have someone on your holiday list that...
Allen Crater
Oct 28, 202412 min read
160 views
0 comments


Travel Guide: Nine (ish) Days in Switzerland
Switzerland. The destination had been on our bucket list for a while, but other travel, typically to warmer, sunnier climes during long...
Allen Crater
Sep 30, 202415 min read
95 views
0 comments


One-Pot Ruffed Grouse
Wild game is leaner, wilder, and requires more attention in the field and in the kitchen, but the advantages are always worth the effort....
Jon Osborn
Feb 20, 20242 min read
313 views
0 comments


Hunting Trophy Brown Trout In Marginal Waters
“ OH SHIT!" The words erupt without permission after two quick strips and a metallic flash engulfs my streamer. The rod pulses wildly as...
Allen Crater
Feb 19, 20247 min read
605 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide - Hunting
Upland, big game, rifle, bow, or shotgun. Deep in the backcountry mountains, pushing through the popples, or tucked up in a stand along a...
Allen Crater
Nov 8, 202311 min read
203 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide - Fly Fishing
If you have a fly angler on your holiday list, you likely know how gear crazy they are. Well, here are 30 of my favorite gift ideas from...
Allen Crater
Nov 8, 20239 min read
271 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide - Cabin
Inside around the fire while snow falls, or watching the sunrise from the porch with a cup of coffee, there's something special about...
Allen Crater
Nov 8, 20237 min read
221 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide - Camping
From long backpacking trips, to car camping, or even day hikes, I've assembled 28 of my favorite gift ideas in a wide range of price...
Allen Crater
Nov 8, 20238 min read
87 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide - Books
If you have someone on your holiday list that enjoys reading, particularly about history, early explorations, Native American culture,...
Allen Crater
Nov 8, 20239 min read
191 views
0 comments


Ten Tips For Getting Your Kids Into The Outdoors.
Among friends and family, it's no secret that my two boys, Blake now 21 and Kyle now 23, out fish, out hike, and out hunt me on the...
Allen Crater
Aug 14, 202313 min read
226 views
2 comments


Talking Turkey Part 3 - Habitat and Anatomy with Aaron Hebeisen
For me turkey season starts about the time the ball drops on December 31 every year. I enjoy the preparation aspect of all hunts – the...
Aaron Hebeisen
Apr 3, 20235 min read
160 views
0 comments


Talking Turkey Part 2 – Sage Wisdom from Chris "Boom" Smith
Well before the first gobble on the opener, most successful turkey hunters have done the nuts and bolts of what it takes to enjoy wild...
Chris Smith
Mar 29, 20236 min read
71 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide – Camping
From backpacking to car camping or even the Toyota concept vehicle, there's something in this guide sure to make any camper on your list...
Allen Crater
Oct 12, 20227 min read
220 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide – Books
If you are anything like me, your holiday list probably includes a few books. I scoured my library for a few that have really stood out...
Allen Crater
Oct 11, 202212 min read
296 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide – Hunting
Whether you're chasing birds or bulls, hunting "out west" or Midwest, pursuing game with a bow, a shotgun, or rifle, trekking hills,...
Allen Crater
Oct 7, 20229 min read
207 views
0 comments

Holiday Gift Guide – Fly Fishing
Fly anglers, myself included, are among the worst of all gear junkies. That makes holiday shopping easy. I've assembled this list of over...
Allen Crater
Oct 6, 20229 min read
593 views
0 comments


Holiday Gift Guide – Cabin
Hunt camp, fish camp, cabin, or weekend getaway, I've assembled over 30 unique ideas perfect for these moments - both indoors and out....
Allen Crater
Oct 4, 202210 min read
280 views
0 comments


35 Father's Day Gift Ideas For The Outdoorsman
I am extremely fortunate to have a dad that introduced me to the outdoors at a young age. I owe most all of my passions in life to my...
Allen Crater
May 16, 202211 min read
578 views
0 comments


Michigan Trout Opener Reading List – 13 Selections Sure to Satiate
The last Saturday in April always holds special promise here in Michigan – the celebrated opening of trout season. From the first...
Allen Crater
Apr 25, 20227 min read
1,586 views
0 comments


Talking Turkey Part 1 – Tony Ruffing's Gear List, Tips, and Tricks
When Allen reached out to me about putting together a gear list and a few tips for turkey hunting, I was a bit hesitant. I don't claim to...
Tony Ruffing
Mar 27, 20225 min read
135 views
1 comment


Venison Bone Broth
“Utilize every part of the animal you can.” I’ll drop this line somewhere in a hunting conversation. Every time. I see it as a sign of...
Amber Casey
Mar 15, 20225 min read
434 views
1 comment


Gamebird Pot Pie
Autumn is for hunting. There’s nothing better than grabbing an old double gun, whistling up the dog, and shuffling among the leaves for...
Jon Osborn
Jan 10, 20222 min read
561 views
0 comments

2021 Holiday Gift Guide - Books
When I can't actually be outdoors exploring, hiking, camping, fishing or hunting I like to read about it. In fact, my Christmas list...
Allen Crater
Oct 5, 20215 min read
376 views
0 comments


2021 Holiday Gift Guide - Around The Cabin
Every explorer needs a basecamp - a point from which all adventures originate and a place to reflect on adventures past. Some call it the...
Allen Crater
Oct 5, 20217 min read
527 views
2 comments


2021 Holiday Gift Guide - Camping
From backpacking to car camping or even the ultimate "van life" experience, there's something on this list that's sure to make any camper...
Allen Crater
Oct 5, 20214 min read
309 views
0 comments


2021 Holiday Gift Guide - Fly Fishing
It's no secret that I love to fly fish. It probably occupies more of my time and more of my wallet than anything else. It's also no...
Allen Crater
Oct 4, 20215 min read
1,476 views
0 comments


2021 Holiday Gift Guide - Hunting
Whether you're chasing birds or bulls, hunting "out west" or Midwest, pursuing game with a bow, a shotgun or rifle, trekking hills or...
Allen Crater
Oct 1, 20214 min read
369 views
0 comments


Adding To The Kit
Since I was young I've always dreamt of an "out west big game" hunt. Horseback, wall tent, wood stove, campfire dinner under the stars...
Allen Crater
Oct 19, 202013 min read
1,900 views
0 comments


2020 Holiday Gift Guide - 73 Ideas For The Outdoorsman On Your List
It's not even Halloween yet but I am already seeing a lot of holiday gift guides being published - the best gifts for tech junkies, the...
Allen Crater
Oct 9, 202010 min read
778 views
0 comments


Backcountry Beef (Venison) Stroganoff
If you’ve ever hunted or hiked in the backcountry with no camp cook, you understand the struggle of enjoying a good meal - WITHOUT...
Allen Crater
Sep 2, 20204 min read
274 views
0 comments


Planning a Whitetail Hunt in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
If you are anything like me you are itching to get back into the woods and rivers and mountains as soon as safely possible. Assuming all...
Allen Crater
Aug 8, 202014 min read
2,268 views
0 comments


Succesful Strategies for Mature Public Land Bucks
While I love hunting I am, by most any measure, an average hunter and even that might be a little generous. Fortunately I have some...
Allen Crater
Feb 7, 202021 min read
1,824 views
0 comments


Camping Gear Checklist
I often get asked about what gear I use for backpacking. Here is a fairly comprehensive overview to get you started.
Allen Crater
Jan 5, 202013 min read
210 views
0 comments


Fly Fishing - I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now - Part 2
Part 2 of the series. We'll cover some of the basic gear including rods, reels and fly line.
Allen Crater
Jan 3, 202011 min read
253 views
0 comments


Fly Fishing - I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now - Part 1
Some fly fishing basics to accelerate your venture into the sport.
Allen Crater
Jan 3, 20209 min read
349 views
0 comments


Beer, Bacon and Brown Sugar; My Favorite Venison and Pork Chili Recipe
For me, Winter is Chili season. Fires in the fireplace with a good book. Stouts and Bourbons in the glass. And Chili in the bowl. This...
Allen Crater
Jan 1, 20202 min read
1,228 views
0 comments


Preseason Prep Part 3 - Embracing The Suck Tac-Team Style
For the sake of complete clarity, I’m neither a Crossfitter nor a competition powerlifter. Once upon a time, I could bench press 300...
Jon Osborn
Dec 31, 20196 min read
165 views
0 comments


Taking The Perplexity Out Of Pants
My buddy, Chris Dyk, is an outdoorsman in every sense of the word. You'd be hard pressed to find him indoors in any season. From hiking,...
Allen Crater
Dec 31, 20199 min read
315 views
0 comments


Preseason Prep Part 1 - Rifle Cleaning
It's never too early to think about equipment maintenance. In fact, this is precisely the time of year we should be getting both our...
Allen Crater
Dec 31, 20196 min read
82 views
0 comments


Preseason Prep Part 2 - Proper DIY Scope Mounting
You’ve spent the last several months saving that hard-earned money. You’ve researched the forums, read the reviews and watched numerous...
Jared Walker
Dec 31, 20194 min read
44 views
0 comments


What Makes a Better Fly?
It's the first day of Spring and, if you're anything like me, you can begin to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. ...
Allen Crater
Mar 21, 20196 min read
159 views
0 comments
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