Dr. Jessie’s First Elk

Have you ever met a charming twenty-seven year old lady power lifter with a Doctorate who likes to hunt and fish? I have, and this is her story of harvesting a deer and her first elk this past year. It all started with her drawing both tags. Jessie Peterson’s dream elk hunt began in Ely, … Read more

The Quest for the Unknown

The adventure of the unknown still exists while fishing.  One never knows what will be attracted to a bait from the unseen depths. Adrenalin rushes through the nervous system, triggering a muscle reflex; it’s hooked and “hook up” is shouted.  The primordial struggle with nature’s unknown begins, the anticipation of hearing, “I see color.” As … Read more

Fishing and Life’s Lesson

The end of summer is a time for reflection, and fishing, so it seems appropriate to reflect on the true purpose and meaning of our angling pursuits.It’s certainly not about catching and eating fish, as it may have been in the earlier times of our forefathers. Today it’s much less expensive to obtain the “daily … Read more

Our Hunting Heritage, Culture and Traditions

by Dan Simmons– I’ve just returned from a homecoming trip to British Columbia, Canada and was once again reminded that many in northern communities continue to be financially and culturally dependant on subsistence hunting and fishing, as were our American families in the not too distant past. This continues in many parts of the world … Read more

Why We Hunt

by Dan Simmons – This is the time of year when your non-hunting friends begin to ask, “Why do you hunt?” and beginning hunters ask about the hunting lifestyle, culture and what it takes to be a good hunter. I’ve been around it long enough as a game warden, guide, lecturer and now story teller, … Read more

The Biathlon Elk

This is the story of an Elk hunt, but not your typical story, if there is such a thing. Lanny Barnes is a three- time Olympic Biathlon champion (skiing and shooting) and her identical twin sister, Tracy, is also a biathlon champion. This sets the stage for a very unusual story. It was the last … Read more

You Drew a Tag, Now What?

This is an exciting time for sportsmen, a time of hot fishing, and a time to prepare for the coming hunting season. I discovered early, by checking my Visa statement online that I hadn’t drawn a Nevada hunting tag, but if you did it’s time to get ready. If you’re like me, plan for an … Read more

A return to the Amazon

As I prepare for a new adventure “a return to the Amazon,” perhaps a final visit to this remarkable and unique part of the world. I say “perhaps final” because the purpose of this visit is for a memorial tribute to my good friend, “brother” and personal hero Phil Marsteller. I’ll join the family to … Read more

Putting Sheep on the Mountain

by Dan Simmons – We’re wrapping up the season of annual wildlife banquets and conventions. It’s been a time to meet old and new friends as I did at the recent Wildlife Habit Improvement of Nevada (WHIN) banquet in Las Vegas. I shared a table with an old friend, Eddie Pribble, a past president and … Read more

Following in Their Footsteps

by Dan Simmons – We’re all familiar with the epic adventures of Lewis and Clark. They forged a path across North America for others to follow and create a nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. There were many other trailblazers like Kit Carson and John C. Fremont. Some of us have been fortunate … Read more