Author: Brad Fenson

The rolling Sandhills of Nebraska are vast and desolate, especially when the north wind blows hard with a bone-chilling cold. I was hunting with Scott Fink of Goose Creek Outfitters and had parked on a rise to glass a creek bottom. The brisk wind we were experiencing was welcome. It would get the deer moving. Does on the go would bring the big bucks out of the hills. Scott grew up in the Sandhills and has an uncanny ability to spot deer at extreme ranges. We hadn’t been parked more than 30 seconds when he pointed to the far edge…

Alberta mountain goats have struggled to maintain populations that can sustain hunting. Fortunately, we have had a draw for many years, but obtaining a license was like winning the lottery. I knew the odds of drawing an Alberta license were slim to none. Looking into potential hunts in British Columbia, I found a late-season opportunity with Milligan Outfitting. Bob has been chasing goats for nearly four decades and has one of the best areas available for mature billies. A quick decision had me scrambling to find time to hit the gym and prepare my rifle for the adventure. In mid-February,…

The phone alarm woke me well before sunrise, and I was dressed and out the door within a minute. I was excited to get back into the field hunting. The Southwest Texas air was damp and the reflection of mountains in the water tank was inspiring. Recent rains brought the country to life, with the arid landscape storing its abundant beauty and being released with moisture. Birds sang, crickets chirped and the smell of wildflowers and cacti was a lovely welcome to a new day. I was hunting scimitar-horned oryx with Steve Jones and his outfit, Backcountry Hunts. We had…

The view from our blind was spectacular! It overlooked a large food plot with a spiderweb of trails leading out of the heavy brush. The blind was concealed in the brushy terrain and was downwind of the main travel corridors. The blind material allowed a full view of the field while being completely camouflaged from the outside. The chairs were comfortable and shooting sticks were strategically placed to shoot in most directions. We were hunting the Lowrance Ranch in West Texas and we knew there were some great bucks in the area. Colton Beam, my outfitter and guide, had shown…

Having hunted cougars or mountain lions several times, I longed to chase a big tom. Most of the excursions were in British Columbia, and most ended with poor results. Big cats are challenging to find and they are even more difficult to catch up with and tree. Many years ago, a landowner granted me permission to hunt a cat while on private ground, but only if we harvested any cat we treed. After an all-day chase, I did take a nice cat, but it wasn’t the monster tom I had dreamed of chasing. My desire to hunt a big cat…

Visiting Mexico for a Coues deer hunt, I looked forward to warming temperatures compared to the frigid, sub-zero deep freeze at home. The elevation of the Sierra Madre mountains in northern Mexico, combined with the winter months and the sun being low on the horizon, generated warm days and cold nights. Leaving camp in the moist, predawn air, a heavy layer of frost forced me to pull on an extra jacket to pre- pare for our drive to the hunting area. Hunting Coues deer means using the early-morning darkness to reach a vantage point. From there, you can spend the…

Hunter-and-Gatherer Challenge Several years ago, there was a television show that challenged participants to live for a year sourcing all food and beverage within 100 miles of their home. The concept seemed easy enough, but watching the show revealed just how challenging it must have been for our forefathers to fill a plate throughout the year. As a hunter, the challenge, fun and reward come from procuring enough wild game to feed my family for an entire year. Adding the diversity of game meat is a blessing many early settlers did not often encounter. Although I have lived most of…

A quick stop at a local sporting goods store put my license and tag in my pocket for a third-rifle season elk hunting in Colorado. We then headed for Fred Eichler’s ranch and lodge, where he operates Fulldraw Outfitters with his wife, Michele, and the rest of his family. Fred is one of those guys brimming with excitement and energy, so often creating contagious excitement for a pending hunt. Fred gathered us around the table to go over the camp rules. What stuck in my mind was his advice to harvest a four-point bull if given the opportunity. The four-point…

Sometimes, all we need in this life is a perfectly cooked wild steak! Brad shows us how to treat your venison cut right from start to finish, for a tender, flavourful experience right off the grill. Beef…watch out! Be sure to subscribe to see all the videos of this cooking series featuring Brad Fenson. An avid outdoorsmen and wild game cook who has lived off the land for most of his life, Brad wants everyone to know just how amazing wild game can be. He shares his passion and knowledge by helping others earn, cook, and enjoy their Alberta harvest…

Article by Brad Fenson Hunters are well known for finding every excuse in the book for not being successful at the hunt. Whether a hunter holds out for a big buck or is just looking to put some extra venison in the freezer, hunting does not always go as planned. The weather is too warm or too cold. The wind is erratic and coming from the wrong direction. The moon phase is wrong for the days planned for hunting. The rut never seems to kick in when expected. Most hunters have heard all the excuses in the book. If you…