North American Outdoors

With so many hogs, you would think that every time you head to the field, you can count on bagging a hog. It is just the opposite.   Feral hogs are considered an invasive species. There are an estimated 9 million hogs nationwide doing about $2.5 billion worth of damage annually. The reason why feral hogs are such a problem is because of how fast they reproduce. Sows can breed as young as 3 months...

Anyone who has ever been hunting will tell you, it is after you take your animal that the real work begins! Game recovery is not only taking possession of game animals, but field dressing and legal quartering. Depending on the state, legal quartering is how far you can cut up the animal in the field. Legal quartering is usually two shoulders, two hams, two backstraps, two tenderloins, and boned-ou...

There are things that you can do to help you fill your tag during this time of year. You must take advantage when deer, especially trophy bucks, drop their guard and make a mistake. That does not mean that they are just going to throw caution to the wind and prance around in a meadow, presenting the best broadside shot for you. This means that the odds are still in the deer’s favor, but you can ta...

I just can't get enough listening to Matthew play his guitar. He picked it up while recovering from a knee injury during football his Junior year of high school. While recovering, he began picking away. It wasn't long before he became really good at it! Enjoy some of his progress... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn all about the world of cutting horses through the eyes and experiences of Matthew. Since he graduated high school in 2022, he moved to Northwest Arkansas and became a Razorback, attending the University of Arkansas. His degree is in Animal Science with a focus of large animals and equine, and possibly as a pre-vet student. During the first week of school the Animal Science college had a care...

Teaching is a skill. There is an entire industry and profession dedicated to being a good communicator through teaching. This also applies to a firearms instructor. I have encountered many beginner shooters who were reluctant to go to the range a second time because of their first experience. Unfortunately, I think we have lost many individuals that otherwise would be part of the shooting communit...

What does it mean to exist in "Level White?" What does it mean to be "Situationally Aware" and what are some examples of being alert and prepared? Each and every time you step foot outside the comforts of your home, you should be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. From the moment you enter into your vehicle to the moment you park, how long do you sit in your vehicle and look around...

What does it mean to be a courteous and ethical firearm owner? Most all of us were raised to follow the “Golden Rule” of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This same rule applies to all those who own firearms. It is our duty to maintain a high level of responsibility and respect any time we are around firearms or are handling them. We have a responsibility not only to ourselves,...

Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction; Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot; Always keep your firearm unloaded until ready for use; Always treat every firearm with the same respect as if it were loaded; Always use proper ammunition for the firearm; Always be sure of your target and what is beyond; Always handle your firearm in a safe manner; Always pay attentio...

We all have an image in our heads of what a strong woman is. Especially NRA Women who are empowered to take charge of their lives and provide for their own safety by exercising their Second Amendment rights. I consider myself a strong NRA Woman. Like most other strong modern women, I rely upon all the conveniences of a large city. My day-to-day issues include misplacing my smart phone, being stuck...

As firearms instructors and trainers, we all use several common phrases when teaching others. These include: Keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction Keep your firearm unloaded until ready to use Your firearm should "surprise" you when it discharges All of these statements are correct, but when teaching others about firearms, you need to be able to explain what these mean as well as the applic...

Have you ever attended a meeting, presentation, or listened to a speaker who was a self-proclaimed "expert" on a particular subject? Worse yet, if you as the listener have knowledge of that particular subject matter and the speaker is completely off-topic, off-track, or just giving wrong information? What does that do to your opinion of that speaker? Have you completely turned "off" and stopped li...

Above and beyond the hunting backpack basics, such as binoculars, a range finder, extra ammo and knives, there are other items you may not think about until you are deep into the field and realize you may need them. These items include extra pens, ziplock and trash bags, duck tape, toilet paper and a haul line. But on top of all of these items, there are even a few more necessary items that I find...

If you hunt, you probably have a hunting backpack that stays packed year-round. Every hunter I know keeps their pack filled and ready to go in case a hunting opportunity presents itself. The items every hunter should keep in their hunting pack are things needed for a successful hunt. These include binoculars, range finders, extra ammunition, and skinning and field dressing knives.  What about the...

Firearms instructors everywhere will tell you that business has never been better.  With crime increasing in nearly every city in the United States, gun owners are looking to become responsible for their own security and protection.  The National Rifle Association’s efforts in defending our Second Amendment rights is working, and more people are getting the message out that responsible gun ownersh...

From the moment you get up and ready for your day, you should have a plan.  Have an idea of where you will be traveling, the stops and errands you will be running, and if you will be carrying your firearm on your body - where you can and cannot go. Based on your answers, this will determine what type of clothing you will be wearing for the day.  Ladies - will you wear a belly band to conceal your...

Your home is your safe space.  It's a place for you to relax, unwind, and let your guard down.  Until it isn't...Are you in the proper mindset...not "IF, THEN..."   IF this happens, THEN I will...but "WHEN, THEN..."  WHEN this happens, THEN I will...Are you always aware of your surroundings, even in your safe place?  Is your home an easy target?  Are there places leading up to your front door that...

There is a specialized law enforcement department that has the sole responsibility of protecting our natural resources.  Collectively referred to as game wardens or conservation police officers, these men and women are the ones who interact with hunters and fishermen to make sure those taking our natural resources are following the rules.  Ensuring that hunters and fishermen are following the laws...

What is baiting and what is considered a baited field?  These are the most common questions I get from migratory bird hunters.  The first thing you must remember is that hunting migratory birds over bait is both a federal and a state violation in every state in the U.S.  According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), “Baiting is the direct or indirect placing, exposing, depositing, distr...

If there is an accident involving a firearm in your class or firearm training session, it is the instructor who is ultimately responsible.  This includes any firearms training course being taught, either an NRA or non-NRA Course.  The level of the instructor’s liability is dependent upon several factors.  By allowing the wrong firearm and ammunition combination, not adequately knowing the differen...

Choosing the right shotgun is more than personal preference.  Different types of hunting call for different types of shotguns.  When bird hunting, you need to know if the game birds you are hunting are classified as an upland game bird or a migratory game bird.  You also need to know what type of environment you will be hunting in.  Is it open prairie, coastal marsh, timberline, or forest? You nee...

Dove Season is the unofficial start of the hunting season.  You can see the excitement and anticipation on the face of every hunter, regardless of if they hunt dove or not.  This is because dove season is the official count down to all the other types and species of hunting.  If you do participate in dove hunting, you want to make sure that you have the right equipment and accessories to be both s...

There are many laws you need to follow when you are waterfowl hunting.  Many laws address equipment, such as using a shotgun that is not capable of holding more than three shells.  There are laws that address when and where you can hunt, such as the prohibition of hunting over a baited field.  There are also laws that address licensing requirements, such as hunting with a valid hunting license, th...

As a firearm instructor or trainer, it is important to do everything you can to keep safety at the forefront.  By following simple three rules, you can ensure you have a stress-free class.  The three rules are: ALWAYS ask questions ALWAYS anticipate emergencies ALWAYS inspect firearms These rules will help you, the instructor, to create a safe and enjoyable learning environment. After all, it is t...

As we are driving north to start a new chapter of our lives, Matthew will soon be a University of Arkansas Razorback.  Reflecting on these past few weeks as we pack him up, and sort through his bedroom of 18 years, what is a MUST to bring along, what can be passed onto his brothers, and what can head to Goodwill - it dawned on me that I have raised some pretty strong and independent boys. Family i...