Ross has a way with blenders. Ask his buddy John and other witnesses to this iconic event. Let’s begin by defining Pate’: a paste-like food, typically made from ground meat, often combined with fat, seasonings, and sometimes alcohol. Neither fat nor seasonings were added to this dish, though alcohol may have been involved. In preparation for bear baiting, Ross was to prepare the castor gland pate’, which is obtained from beaver, and provides an irresistible aroma to allure bears. Palley would lack patience on this fateful day, as his efforts to blend frozen castor glands … Read More
The Chamber of Flashbacks – “Stop, Drop & Roll!”
It happened one morning as Ross volunteered to cook bacon during hunting camp. He seemed confident enough in the kitchen, so no one questioned his methods. What should have been the alluring smell of bacon tantalizing the taste buds quickly went from a momentary beacon of bacon to a dangerous grease fire! The lesson to be learned here is this… A cookie sheet with no sides is NOT the kitchen implement of choice to be used for frying bacon in a propane oven. In other words, grease and flame are a dangerous combo. The … Read More
The Chamber of Flashbacks – “$h*t Happens”
This sweet release is necessary in removing waste from the body, which is essential for health maintenance! And if you’re into the great outdoors, it helps with wildlife identification. This time of year, sightings of the bear variety provide much reassurance to an outfitter. It certainly put some zippity in Gary’s doo-dah. We thought our captured photograph was the perfect emoji for bear sign. And take a look at the blackberry filled dung. Brings almost as much delight as seeing a freshly baked blackberry pie! How do we bring Ross into this story as our … Read More
The Chamber of Flashbacks – Sploosh!
No one makes a Grand Entrance quite like Ross Chambers. Gary and Ross were to meet up to pregame for bear hunting season, with much preparation to be done. His first trip to East Lake was a memorable one as around midnight he turned off East Lake Road with his red Ford Ranger pickup, which Ross affectionately referred to as his DeRanger, and proceeded to go down the boat ramp directly into East Lake with a Sploosh! In his defense, it was dark out and with no artificial light, it does get a lot darker … Read More
The Chamber of Flashbacks – coming soon!
If you’ve ever been to a WGD hunting camp, you may be familiar with the name Ross Chambers, affectionately known as Palley. Though a highly skilled guide, Ross is also known for providing comedic relief in camp from time to time. The cost of admission to his show? It will cost you a highball! But perhaps most entertaining is the legend of Ross himself, as he and his antics become the stuff of lore! Countless stories have been shared over the years, so many in fact, that we’ve decided to feature a weekly column for … Read More
Fine memories of handgun hunting adventures with “Lorraine”
Cover Pic: Author and his 1987 Thumb 8-point buck he shot with “Lorraine” on the first opening morning handguns were allowed for deer hunting in Michigan’s Shotgun Zone. In 1974 I travelled to Williams Gunsight in Davison with the goal of purchasing a .44 Magnum Ruger Super Blackhawk revolver, having the intention of using it for big game handgun hunting adventures. I had already enjoyed hunting rabbits and squirrels with a Colt .22 single-action revolver and was hoping to take a step up for bigger game animals, such as deer and black bear. I soon found … Read More
Throwing in the towel to the invading red demon horde – time to call in the “Critter – Gitter”
Generally, I prefer to handle my own problem wildlife issues around my home, such as dealing with destructive garden-raiding raccoons (which once tried to reside in my attic), and I have usually been successful. That is until now. Red squirrels are considered as being pests in Michigan, and I fully agree. I used to have both fox and gray squirrels (the larger tree-squirrel species) near our home, and I much enjoyed watching their antics, especially viewing all they went through to raid my birdfeeders. I had an ongoing and enjoyable contest in finding ways to … Read More
There’s More To Be Said
As the legendary musician, Dave Matthews says…. “So much to say, so much to say, so much to SAY!” So does Gary Morgan have a lot to say, or at least his blog, newsletter, and podcast do. These voices have come from many sources over the years, from outdoor writers, some who are members of the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association (MOWA), to some who just enjoy writing as a hobby or happen to have a natural gift or interest in related topics. Of course, there are many with the gift of gab or have a … Read More
A Springtime Family Affair
The multiple sucker fish species in Michigan get a bit of a bum rap from some folks who consider them to be trash fish on the order of carp, which is very incorrect. Suckers get their name from their fleshy lipped mouths located on the underside of their heads and are for a fact, bottom feeders. However, they are what I consider clean bottom feeders in that they feed only on aquatic insects, crustaceans, snails, worms and algae. Suckers have also been accused of eating the spawn of other game fish species and competing with … Read More
Nice Ice Baby!
In Northern Michigan, we are currently “Under Pressure” as ice surrounds us on all sides. It’s beautiful but deceivingly dangerous. At moments you find yourself amidst the ultimate winter wonderland as ice glistens in minute detail. Pine needles, branches, and even each blade of grass hangs in their own ice cocoon. One can’t help but marvel in God’s creation at this spectacle. But then you hear the crashing of numerous trees falling from a distance, and some very close by. Your heart rate increases briefly at the ominous danger of it all. During the … Read More