On The Shoulders Of Giants With Andrew Curtis

I had seen the buck trot across my shooting lane and disappear through the old, overgrown cow pasture. He had been grunting and was rutted-up, with his neck fully swollen. After a few short blows through my grunt tube, I saw the tops of a clump of scrub trees nearby whipping back and forth as…

Typically, when I go fishing, I like to catch fish. That day, my better judgement was trying to convince me to choose another activity. All the cows were lying down. The wind was whipping. A storm was rapidly approaching. The water in the pond was cold and overflowing from recent heavy rains. And there would…

Some tracts of land are just different. I am really referring to the wildlife that inhabits the land. Most people reading this story can understand what I mean. I have been to some properties in the state where deer will absolutely not eat out of a trough feeder (like at my home in Berrien County),…

In the corner of my grandparents’ lake house, a group of dried sticks leans against the wall. Each one tells a story. Each one I have used. From cold winter strolls, to humid summertime treks, those sticks have accompanied me. Many times I was not alone, with either my grandfather or my brother, or both.…

A grandfather is a special person for a boy. The role of a grandfather in a boy’s life can be one of the most powerful and influential ones. I guess that explains why I had such an instant connection with Mr. Andrews. When I met Mr. Andrews, he was 81 years old, I was 27,…

This may not have the heaviest hook-and-bullet flavor of any article I have ever written for GON, but it is certainly one that the outdoors community can appreciate. This is a story of patriotism and unity. Nearly every time I take to the woods or water to do what I love, I think about the…

There is much to be learned from an old, wooden deer stand that speaks of another lifetime. I must admit that I just have an admiration for the way things used to be. I can’t help it. I will forever think that (most of) the older ways are better, and you will never convince me…

My dad is not a hunter. My dad is not a fisherman. My dad is not what I would call an outdoorsman like me. At an early age, I showed a special interest in the outdoors, despite my father’s indifference to these activities, but I never lacked for places to hunt and fish when I…