This column has always centered on the outdoors, but as some of you may know, a recent life change has kept me holed up in my house these last few weeks. The event in question was the birth of my son back in December.  

Hunters are often great storytellers, recounting to anyone who will listen tales of the “big one” that got away and that once in a lifetime shot they made. Sometimes the stories get a little crazy and maybe a tad unbelievable. This is especially true with those of us that pursue Nebraska bucks.

It was a crisp fall morning as I sat alone in a ground blind facing a small, wooded draw. It was November firearm season, and I was bound and determined to fill my first buck tag, despite being eight months pregnant.

Some might call me a glutton for punishment for braving the chilly weather last week in an attempt to hang my first set of antlers on the wall.

I’ve said it before that so often hunting comes down to pure luck. You can have the best gear, skill and knowledge and come home empty-handed. You never know what will happen, but the best hunters have the most patience.

I’ve said it before that so often hunting comes down to pure luck. You can have the best gear, skill and knowledge and come home empty-handed. You never know what will happen, but the best hunters have the most patience.

There are those who think I’m a little insane for planning to hit the woods this November in an attempt to fill my first buck tag. Typically it wouldn’t be an unusual situation, but by then I will be eight months pregnant and likely pretty uncomfortable.

There are those who think I’m a little insane for planning to hit the woods this November in an attempt to fill my first buck tag. Typically it wouldn’t be an unusual situation, but by then I will be eight months pregnant and likely pretty uncomfortable.

Have you ever heard of the “shot heard ’round the world” that began the American Revolution? Well recently in my own life there was such a shot fired. While it didn’t necessarily begin a war, it definitely left an impact on my life. While my years in the outdoors are far from over, they will…

In the heat of the summer when the fish may not be biting and there are no open hunting seasons, we get creative in how we enjoy the outdoors. There’s something we like to do here in the Midwest called floating and it’s pretty simple. You find a tube or a tank and the nearest river, hop in a…

The alarm sounded at 4 a.m. and I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed. We had a long drive ahead of us, and my husband, Led, was eager to get on the water. Before too long, our friends Chase and Courtney arrived and we were ready to hit the road. It is about two hours from our home to Lake…

Spending time in the outdoors is always rewarding, but what makes it even more memorable is sharing that experience with others.

So many of us get caught up in the rush of life. We get in a hurry to reach the next milestone and accomplish the next goal, yet we never stop to slow down and enjoy life. For me, spending time in the outdoors not only allows me to take a break from my daily routine, it helps teach a few val…

It has been a challenging time for outdoor enthusiasts. With few open hunting seasons and the recent subzero temperatures, it has been hard to want to go outside. However, that doesn’t prevent us from finding any excuse to get out as soon as it starts to thaw.

I trod across the field clad in camo from head to boot and found my now-familiar patch of grass. Once I was situated in the snow with the fence at my back, I got prepared. Within minutes my gun was propped up on its bipods and my gun muffs were resting on my head, ready to be pulled over my …