They fly from me. Like pieces of my heart and soul. I take aim to reclaim what was mine. Every dead bird in my hand is a reminder of who I once was and a pledge of who I'll be. Yet, as the warmth fades - I realize too that a piece of me also … Continue reading Noble Quail – A Poem
The covey flushed. A whir of wings and a cloud of Valley Quail rose from the scrub oak into the clear and bright October sky. The shotgun raised instinctively and with a crack of the muzzle, one of the plump quail descended in a long arch back down to earth. Marking where the bird landed, … Continue reading How to be a Hip-Uplander – The Ultimate Guide to Being a Hipster in the Uplands
The anticipation for October begins weeks and months prior to October 1st. Spurred by a slight chill in the air and the smell of gun oil in the study, visions of game-birds cloud my mind. My attention shifts from sunny summer days on the beach, to long walks through golden grass. The feeling is familiar, … Continue reading October Dreams
Believe it or not, on my first upland-hunting outing, I was not laden with Filson or Orvis gear. No. As a young adult living on Top-a-Ramen, those aspirations were from my mind. Plainly, I just couldn't afford the "best gear" out there at the time. But even in those early days, I learned rather quickly … Continue reading Beginner’s Guide to Upland Hunting – Budget Gear
Standing there on a brisk morning of the Southern California Quail Opener, I felt the butterflies in my belly flutter about. I always get the jitters before a hunt, especially on the opener, but this time it was different. More intense. Standing across from me in the dark was Omar and Kiara. They were both … Continue reading Mentorship in the Uplands – An Unexpected Journey