North American Outdoors

What is your WHY to hunting?  Why do you spend so much time, money, research to learn all about the species you will be pursuing, in the area you will be hunting?  It is our job as hunters to know the rules and regulations of the animals we hunt.  It is our responsibility to do our homework and research to find the best firearm and ammo, optics, clothing, gear, and accessories best suited for us....

Don't knock it until you try it!  Talk about an experience to be invited to go on a flooded timber duck hunt!  There are several different ways to duck hunt...from setting up a pop-up blind and "brushing" it in, filling and surrounding it with cattails and reeds, to sitting in a structure-type of a duck blind, camouflaged on the water's edge, to going right where the ducks are, and getting in the...

Another Rao who was brought up hunting and around firearms and firearm safety, has landed a career doing just that.  He now works for Laser Shot Shooting Simulators, based in Houston but a worldwide company, as the Hunting Manager. When you are around a topic your entire life, you eventually become proficient in it and do a great job teaching others all about it.  He is a certified Hunter Educatio...

Growing up hunting and learning about firearm safety from a very young age, can only mean one thing - you are destined to land a job or a career in this field!  Matthew now works part time at one of the oldest gun ranges in Houston:  Bailey's House of Guns.  He oversees the ranges on the weekends and reminds customers safety and is available to answer questions or assist when needed.  He has seen...

Never knowing where the conversation will lead, when talking to teenagers, especially my own teens - you really find out the heart and passion when you open the mic and let them speak.  JohnJohn discovered his love of football while in middle school.  With the support and encouragement of his coaches, he not only succeeded in this sport, he continued simultaneously playing baseball, tennis and tra...

Luke has been one lucky 12 year old these past few weeks!  He learned at a very young age that it is not easy lining up hunting trips, and finding hunts for that matter.  But when you do - it not only rains it pours! Luke was invited on a management doe hunt in November.  He and 8 other youth helped a North Texas landowner control his white-tail deer population by removing 9 does from his property...

Our 2nd annual Christmas journey through the year with the Rao boys...hear from each of them:  Luke (age 12) who talks about his favorite memories from this past year of going on 4 hunts in about a week's time!  JohnJohn (age 15) has worked hard every single day to get bigger and stronger so he can have a starting position on the football field - and he did.  Matthew (age 17) shares his story of p...

It was the golden ticket we've been waiting for - 24 years for me, 30 for my husband, and 10+ years with my boys...but it finally happened! Luke was drawn for a Texas Drawing Youth Hunt in the Texas Hill Country!  In the middle of the hustle and bustle of Christmas crazy, we took 4 days "off" to get some long overdue nature therapy and enjoy camping, outdoor cooking and hunting!   We were able to...

Traditionally, glancing around the campfire, more males than females were sharing each other's company and love of the outdoors.  Why?  Typically, women were not given an opportunity to learn outdoor skills as girls or young adults.  A variety of barriers prevented women from participating in outdoor recreation, especially hunting.  Expense and availability of suitable clothing was one barrier.  M...

The extent that an individual is willing to go to protect themselves from a large wildlife predator is an extremely personal decision.  At the extremes, there are individuals who believe that nature should take its course and leave fate to nature, unwilling to harm an animal.  On the other extreme, there are those who go into the woods "looking for a fight" and arm themselves to the hilt.  These e...

Whether you are entering the outdoors hiking, camping, fishing or hunting, even though you are getting "off the grid," this is not the time to let your guard down.  You are entering the world of the predator!  The wildlife predator, that is!  Large wildlife predators can be encountered in almost every part of North America.  In fact, just about all animal species are increasing in their range.  Th...

There are 11.5 million hunters in the United States.  9.2 million hunt big game,3.5 million hunt small game, and 2.4 million hunt migratory birdsThese 11.5 million hunters spent $26.3 BILLION in 2016 (according to the 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation's 5-year survey)This number could fill all NFL stadiums 6 times over! These 11.5 million hunters are almo...

Whether you are new to the outdoors, or have spent your entire life or dedicated your career to it - you should have an understanding of one of the greatest success stories out there today:  America's Wildlife Restoration Program.  This program has pumped more than $14 BILLION into wildlife management, restoration of species, research and education, and public access to it.  It all began in the la...

Anytime we are handling a firearm we must have the right attitude and put our safety knowledge and skills in practice.  Firearm incidents are extremely rare, when the proper rules are followed at all times.  Any firearm incident is a result of one of two reasons: ignorance and carelessness. Ignorance is a lack of knowledge. Ignorance of the rules of safe gun handling and ignorance of the proper an...

Going to the range prior to hunting season can dramatically increase your odds of success.  There are things that you can work on while at the range that will make you a better marksman, which in turn will lead to becoming a better hunter.  The first recommendation is to find an NRA Basic Firearm class in whichever discipline you are hunting.  Whether using a Rifle, Handgun or Shotgun, there is a...

Each time you handle your firearm and ammunition, you immediately become your own range safety officer.  This means that you are responsible for your actions, your equipment, your safety, and the safety of all those around you.  It is extremely important to know what to look for before, during, and after a day at the shooting range.  You also need to know who and what a Range Safety Officer (RSO)...

There are SO many opportunities to get involved with archery!  Whether you were inspired by Robin Hood or the Hunger Games, or have been shooting your entire life - there is a style of archery waiting for your involvement! We'll discuss Target Archery and the different types involved.  Next we'll cover Field Archery and discuss some of the rules and range set up.  There is also 3-D Archery for tho...

Archery is the art and skill of shooting with a bow and arrow.   Although it does not require great strength, it does require fundamental skills and precision of the shooter's form.  Archery is a sport where the shooter must build their coordination and, through countless hours of practice, increase accuracy and consistency. Learn all about the steps to take before investing in a bow and arrows. ...

While introducing new people to hunting is a noble pursuit, retaining hunters is the key to saving the sport! If you really want to make a difference in your quest to recruit hunters, try the Annual Recruitment Model (ARM). Start a small hunting group or club. Look for new recruits long before hunting season. Once you find a small group of new hunters with the right attitude, explain that you will...

The shotgun’s choke is probably the most misunderstood component of the shotgun itself.  By understanding a shotgun’s choke, you can dramatically improve your marksmanship.  This translates to more broken clays, more game in the bag, and the best part, more confidence. First of all, what is a choke?   A choke is a threaded device that is screwed into the end of the barrel that controls your shot p...

        “When is the right time to introduce kids to hunting?”  Many times, the question is more specific – “When is the right time to introduce my daughter to hunting?”   This question can elicit just about as many opinions and beliefs as the question – “Which is the best caliber firearm for deer hunting?”    There are many factors involved in this decision such as age, maturity, and even family...

 What many people do not realize is that we all own land in the form of public lands, both state and federal. This land is for our use, as long as we follow the rules. As American citizens, we do have a constitutional Right to Bear Arms (as long as we meet the minimum criteria and are not disqualified under federal law and state law) in federal parks, national forests, federal wildlife refuges, Bu...

Venomous snakes can be found in almost every state in the continental U.S.               To make things more complicated, many non-venomous snakes mimic venomous snakes in appearance and movement.  For example, non-venomous rat snakes and non-venomous bull snakes have similar markings as venomous rattlesnakes.  Non-venomous king snakes and non-venomous milk snakes mimic the coloration of venomous...

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...

One year ago today - I chatted with Henry.  He was born in Vietnam and is now a proud American citizen.  During our conversation, you will hear his story and what it was like living in communist Vietnam as a child.  Now in Houston, Texas, Henry is a proud American and a firearm owner.  Henry tells us about his unique viewpoint of having "been there" and knowing first-hand how fast our freedoms cou...