To see an English Pointer at work, quartering a grain field and slamming into scent, is to see a pointing dog defined. In that frozen moment, it all becomes clear: movement suspended in a still life of absolute anticipation. There may be more beautiful things in this world than a block-headed bird dog with its chest on the ground, but I have yet to encounter one.Read more

Great shotguns come up all the time—I know another “must-have” will be along soon. You will make mistakes, you will buy bad guns, and you will end up losing some money. But you will also meet great people, see some fantastic doubles, and find out a little more about what’s important to you. And that’s what makes collecting shotguns so special.Read more

The next time you are blessed with the opportunity to be afield, pay attention to your ears for a moment. Listen, and you’ll hear the inherently iconic sounds of the hunt—the deep clanking of the dog bell, the calm command of a “whoa,” the sudden burst of wings as they beat against prairie grass, and the sharp bang of the shotgun. These sounds often please the ear, trigger past memories, and inspire future stories to be told.Read more