Stories
““And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”” — Unknown I remember sitting on the garage floor as a 6-year-old with my family’s old yellow lab, watching as my dad butchered his wildgame kills. His knife strokes were so beautifully...
I have been fortunate in my life to have experienced hunting for a handful of different big game animals. I have hunted with some very skilled hunters on both successful and unsuccessful hunts. On the other hand, I have also hunted with poor hunters and had my share...
“*This is what we are bringing to the Hunt Harvest Health table*” — Joe Sangimino & Emilie Okopal Cooking high-quality wild game meals is more involved than simply throwing a piece of meat on the grill. Unless you have a prime cut like a backstrap or...
As I write this, I can barely feel my hands as I sit 20 feet up in a cedar tree during the second week of November – supposedly, during the peak of the whitetail rut. Despite countless hours of scouting, hanging stands, checking cameras, and learning deer movements, I...
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and to see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” — Henry David Thoreau This day...
photo credit James Sylvester Traditional hunting is not something that most people can just jump in to. Many of those who hunt today, likely grew up in a hunting family or had a mentor who they have followed such as a father, grandfather, uncle, or family...
Ryan and his Solohunt 2017 Archery Washington Roosevelt Elk In my near 3 decades of hunting and backcountry experiences, I've hit a point in life where I actually prefer to hunt alone. The solitude I enjoy in the wild creates an intense appreciation for...
Ryan was invited by Exo Mountain Gear to join the 2017 Death Hike in Hell's Canyon. He did well as finishing the over 38 miles in 17 hours. This was a great experience that he will be doing again! Listen to him on the Outdoor Channel talking about...
“ We didn’t have the distractions of the world today. I’m not sure it would have worked if we had the choices people do today. I guess it comes down to respect and love. But don’t let anyone fool you that marriage is easy. It’s the hardest relationship...
If you are reading this, you made the decision to give us your email and keep up with us in a more in depth way. It means a lot to us that you care enough about yourself, to care about what we are doing. Truthfully we live a pretty simple, busy,...
“Take your boy hunting today, and you won’t be hunting for him tomorrow.” — Herb Parsons If you are a male hunter, or are in a relationship with one, it’s obvious that biochemistry takes control over one’s mind and body when it’s time to go into the...
The number one question that I get asked about is “What about my hormones?” In the world today, almost every disorder, disease, or symptom has been related to a hormone dysfunction, and so naturally people think they need to fix their hormones. In most...
This is a long blog. Really, it’s a story. One that has taken me nearly 20 years to write. If you don’t have a relationship in your life, then this story may not interest you, but if you love, are, or know anyone who has a passion greater than most,...
Backpack – Exo Mountain Gear K2 5500Photo credit Jeff Lusk @jefflusky Listen in to Ryan's second feature on the Outdoor Line ESPN radio show, Seattle, early Saturday mornings. Also, check out The Outdoor Line blog by Rob Endsley that outlines all of Ryan's...
The Nevada Sunsets.... “Why do you hunt?” Living near a large city, I often find myself getting asked this question by those “civilized” folks who claim humans have evolved beyond such barbaric actions. Explaining my “why” is an unavoidable reality in...
Ryan Montana 2016 Ryan is a bonafide backcountry DIY hunter, and knowing where our meat comes from is the basis of our philosophy. This style of hunting takes patience, stamina, and emotional intelligence (killing isn’t taken lightly and never should be.) It...
My wife @dochillary has finally talked me into sharing my 32 years of living, eating, and breathing #hunting. I live to be in the #mountains, away from the noise and stress, and even though many will not understand my need to hunt, everyone should yearn for the quiet...