As I pull on my turkey boots I can’t help but think about the unseasonably warm weather that’s getting warmer and the onslaught of spring tornadoes threatening the Midwest from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. Spring is almost over and I’m still thinking about the not-so chilly temperatures of our mild winter.

I only had one real opportunity this year to test the extreme protection of my Chippewa Arctic Boots. Last year I was fortunate to pursue elk in Wyoming, puddle ducks in Washington State, and Canada Geese in Saskatchewan. All three destinations held the promise of bone chilling weather, but when it was all said and done I don’t recall the mercury dipping below the freezing mark for any length of time.

Ironically it was a 2012 late season Ducks Unlimited Television trip to New York State that finally delivered a surprise cold snap. A short drive from Rochester, NY to Farmington delivered the DUTV cast and crew to the last best place to hunt, Greater Canada Geese in the U.S. – the Finger Lakes Region of Western New York.

There we met Chris Devanzo, Owner of Fish & Feathers Outfitters. Chris effectively operates between Rochester and Syracuse, NY in the heart of Lake Ontario’s southern basin – a critical stop over spot for migratory birds moving up and down the Atlantic Flyway.

Anticipating our arrival, Chris and his good friend and trusted guide Matt Krekelberg, thoroughly scouted the western Finger Lakes area ensuring we would have a hot spot to hunt – all we needed were birds. They were there in abundance! Unfortunately Mother Nature decided to relentlessly pound us for two days with heavy wind, rain, and snow (in that order). The whole time we sat in picked cornfields with Avery Finisher, layout blinds serving as our only cover.

Day one ended in a downpour. Day two was halted by zero visibility due to lake effect snow coming off Erie. On day three, the clouds parted and we were plagued by golf weather and too few birds.

For me the mild winter and early warming trend had finally culminated in a single day of bitter cold. Thankfully, the Boy Scout in me was prepared! Luckily, I had genuine lamb shearling lined boots on my feet so the prolonged exposure to the 18-degree temperature was of little concern.

Looking back now I’m a little conflicted. What’s more fun – braving the bitter cold in the goose fields? Or, picking ticks off your pant legs and swatting mosquitoes in the turkey woods? Let me know what you think!

The branding iron is arguably one of the most important and iconic ranching tools passed down from the American West and the days of open-range grazing.

An ancient practice that predates the Americas by more than a few hundred years, livestock branding is as important today as it was to the ancient Egyptians. But, we have to thank Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortes and his vaqueros for delivering a small herd of branded cattle to the New World and ultimately introducing Mexican and American cowboys to the custom.

Characterized by letters, numbers, pictorial and/or geometric symbols the modern brand serves the same purpose it did centuries ago. And it doesn’t matter if that mark is crazy, lazy, reversed, walking, running, hanging, tumbling, flying, swinging, rocking, includes a bar, a diamond, or a circle one thing is for sure – brands are incredibly personal and worth protecting.

In fact, many Western U.S. States have strict laws regarding brands, brand registration, and brand inspection. According to the Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association a brand is defined as, “a permanent mark, not less than 3-inches in length or diameter burned in with a hot iron or method commonly known as freeze branding.”

Lucky for me, my good friends the Drummonds own and operate a Black Baldy cattle operation in Osage County, Oklahoma. The 70 square mile chunk of tall grass prairie with rolling hills has been a continuous cattle operation since 1890.

With over 120 years of ranching heritage in their blood the Drummond’s enjoy a true brand identity well documented and deep-rooted in Oklahoma history. And like a lot of ranches that have stood the test of time there is an incredible sense of pride in their mark and the herd that bears that symbol.

So when the opportunity to brand something presented itself last weekend at the ranch I jumped at the chance. It’s my understanding that the art of branding livestock was easily mastered by even the greenest cowhand. But since I have never touched red-hot iron to live hide I figured I better practice on something off the hoof. My new 17” Aged Regina Chippewa snake boots (that I hope to wear in South Texas later this year) were the perfect proving ground!

My good buddy Jackson Drummond pulled out the propane tank, lit the handmade burner, placed Frederick Drummond’s (1864 - 1913) historic reversed F - D iron in the fire, and then we waited patiently for the red glow. A well-placed board slipped inside the leather upper and we were in business. Two strategically placed brands later I was the proud owner of a pair of custom Chippewa snake boots.

The instant the hot iron hit the leather I felt a closeness to all those old cowpunchers – past and present. Even if I was only playing cowboy for the weekend. A healthy puff of smoke, a small burst of flame, a quick 5-count, and the indelible mark was done.

For an outdoor television producer this time of year is always difficult.  With exhibitions and conventions for the Wild Sheep Foundation, SHOT Show, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Safari Club International it’s more like trade show season than anything else.  With duck season winding down and archery white-tailed deer hunting closing across the country, everyone is patiently waiting for the spring spawn and turkeys!

For me I’m just sitting in my Las Vegas hotel room trying to catch my breath after four long and crazy days of walking the SHOT Show floor.  The fact that I have a blister on both heels has absolutely nothing to do with my Chippewa Boots – for the simple reason I haven’t been able to wear them!  Unfortunately this go-around required a full-blown monkey suit, including a new pair of dress shoes.  This is not the usual boot friendly attire I’ve grown accustomed to in my 14 years of outdoor production.

As I perused the latest advances in ammo, binos, blinds, camo, decoys, firearms, hearing protection, and general outdoor toy technology the thought occurred to me – this is the first monthly installment since January 2010 (ironically SHOT Show) that hasn’t centered around a specific outdoor adventure. So, I thought why not look back at 2011 and pick the Top 3 boots that got me from Washington’s Snohomish River Valley to the New River Gorge of West Virginia. It’s sort of a year in review.  So here we go.

No. 3 – 10” Briar Pitstop Logger

Trail building on the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in the Appalachian Wilderness last year was my only opportunity to return to the timber.  Not since I documented the Philmont Scout Ranch conservation project in June 2010 had I participated on another trail building crew.  No surprise the 10” Briars were up to the challenge proving once again why they’re best in category!

No. 2 – Upland 6” Briar Bison w/ Shark Tip

The September 1st dove season opener has to be the classic American fall social event of the year!  And hands down the best outdoor experience you can share with friends and family – young and old.  The 6” briar bison is the perfect compliment to any sportsman’s outdoor wardrobe!

No. 1 – Arctic 9” Bay Apaches

Elk hunting in Wyoming’s Laramie Range was by far the biggest test for my feet and my trusty Chippewa Boots this season.  Wind, weather, a steep gradient, and 40-pounds of excess camera equipment helped to thoroughly break in my boots and solidify the Top Spot as the best boots I wore all year!

So there it is, the list of the best boots to take on an adventure of your own.  I’d love to know how your boots stack up!

The last few weeks have been crazy. I’ve traveled to Wyoming for elk, Nebraska for ducks and Arkansas for speckled bellies. A lot of early mornings and late nights in the field culminated in some fantastic outdoor television content that should make its way into your home starting sometime in July on the Outdoor Channel.

I know what you’re thinking – pretty sweet, huh? And to be completely honest, it was! I just spent two weeks hunting my way across the Heartland with good friends and good outfitters. Throughout the 14 days of wind and weather, I depended on one thing to keep my feet warm and dry – my 9-inch Arctic Chipps. Although, I must admit to pulling on my 5-mil neoprene waders a few times out of necessity.

The first stop was Casper, Wyoming. Pulling out of the Casper/Natrona County International Airport, I headed east to the Wagonhound Ranch near Douglas, WY, where I joined the NASCAR Outdoors production team for five days of spot-and-stalk action pursuing big elk through the Rocky Mountain’s Laramie Range.

Temperatures ranged from the high teens to the mid-40s. We experienced average wind speeds around 20 MPH with gusts pushing 30 MPH. Needless to say, it was a little chilly. The steep terrain coupled with a little bit of altitude reminded me just how flat my home state of Oklahoma really is.

Next, I moved 130 miles east across the Wyoming state line to Scottsbluff, NE, and the North Platte River. There I hooked up with the Ducks Unlimited Television crew for a three day youth waterfowl hunt with DU volunteer Mike Winchell. The good news – my waders never left my bag. I had the benefit of genuine lamb shearling liners on my feet and layers of moisture wicking insulating gear on my body.

The final stop was Stuttgart, AR, for the 76^th Annual World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest over Thanksgiving weekend. More wind, more weather, and the waders finally made an appearance. Between the Wings Over The Prairie Festival in downtown Stuttgart, and Speck hunting historic flooded rice fields outside of town it was roaring success.

The same boots that got me through Canada in October got the nod in November, (for obvious reasons.) From the Rockies’ to the rice fields, my laces got a little bit longer every trip. Undoubtedly due to the miles of hiking and the natural form fit of the sturdy leather stretching ever so slightly around my foot. These boots just keep getting better and better!

If you’re an avid waterfowler then you know this year’s waterfowl forecast has already been touted as the best in a decade. Everyone from state wildlife agencies to Ducks Unlimited is optimistic about the upcoming hunting season.

I know when the September/October issue of DU Magazine appeared in my mailbox last month with the headline “A Record Year for Ducks” I got pretty excited – for a couple of reasons. First, I’m a DU Member and I love waterfowling. Second, I’m also a lucky member of the Ducks Unlimited Television production team.

If you’re like me all the press has left you wondering if those lofty population estimates will actually result in more birds in your spread? Maybe, however your success in the field is probably more dependent on the amount of water, food, and cover available in your area than it is on sheer numbers. Regardless of the early “Duck Factory” figures the smart hunter is still going to have to do a little work.

Now I’m no expert, but I know one! My good friend Senior Communications Specialist, Biologist, and DUTV personality Mike Checkett might cringe slightly at my interpretation of duck biology, but I think he would agree that anyone dialed into ducks knows that favorable weather and excellent wetland conditions would positively impact breeding and subsequent hatch.

So begins duck season. Three weeks ago I flew into Saskatoon for the annual pilgrimage to the Prairie Pothole Region of Central Saskatchewan. The region produces more than half of North America’s duck population. We made the two hour drive to a lodge operated by our good friends at Prairie Rose Outfitters and proceeded to enjoy five days of hunting Canada Geese in cut barley fields and ducks in small potholes.

My Canadian goals were pretty simple. Capture some epic waterfowl footage and keep my feet warm and dry! Ironically one was heavily dependant on the other. It’s hard to concentrate on the task at hand when your feet are cold or wet. Lucky there was a cold weather boot I hadn’t tried yet…the genuine lamb shearling lined 9-inch Bay Apache Arctic boot.

I knew in my heart they would be warm and dry, but I was taken aback by the out-of-the-box comfort and ridiculously good ankle support – not surprising given the height and quality of the leather. With upcoming Duck Tour stops in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Maryland it’s safe to say I just field-tested the winter boot of the year!

P.S. If you’re the least bit interested in ducks, geese, DUTV or my boots don’t hesitate to send a question or comment my way. Happy hunting!

It’s a ritual handed down, passed on, and played out across the country every September – it’s the Opening Day of Dove Season! For most it’s a tune-up, traditionally the beginning of the fall hunting season, an annual affair filled with family tradition. And it doesn’t matter if you’re 8 or 80 most will agree there’s just something about getting together outside with friends and family, sharing the experience, and making memories.

For me, the best thing about the dove season opener has very little to do with the actual hunt or my shooting prowess. However, I did shoot better than the national average that hovers somewhere around three birds per box of shells (25 shots). That guestimate still blows me away. I mean who averages a dove every 8.333 shells? That’s crazy. Don’t get me wrong I spend my fair share on 16-gauge Remington game loads, but a bird for every 8.333 shells? I’d like to think that I’m a better than average shot, but I think it has more to do with the fact I simply pull the trigger less and I like my birds close.

Like a lot of hunters who make the annual pilgrimage to the dove fields it’s more about whom you’re hunting with and less about counting shells, although putting some meat on the grill was my first priority. Shooting better than my partner was a close second.

This year my brother-in-law Brent invited me to an evening hunt on a private patch of ground near Cushing, OK. Perfect timing, I thought since the mercury in Oklahoma only recently dipped below the century mark– just another beautiful day in America’s Heartland.

We made the 45-minute drive west from Tulsa, arriving a good two hours before sunset. We surveyed the freshly disked field and called out our positions. Brent took the east end zone and I headed west in my Chippewa 8" Mocc Toe Waterproof Lace Ups. Feeling the weight of my grandfathers Belgium-made Browning in my hand as I crossed the field brought back incredible memories of the two men who shaped my understanding and appreciation for the outdoor world. Whether they knew it or not, Dad and Grandpa sent me down a path that would ultimately lead me to my chosen profession.

In a world of synthetic stocks, camouflage coatings, and recoil reducing mechanisms, it took a beautiful 60-year old shotgun to remind me how I got here. Every loaded shell and trigger pull was a gentle reminder of my outdoor heritage, every miss a sign of how much more practice I truly need; every harvested bird resulted in an automatic smile for me and undoubtedly for the two men who got me here as well.

If you’re perusing chippewaboots.com you’re either part of the Chippewa Boots faithful or you’re a newbie to the world of outdoor footwear and looking for an informed opinion. Either way you have come to the right place!

The best test for any piece of outdoor clothing or equipment is performance in the field. I think we can all agree that new gear always looks and feels great inside the comfort of your favorite outdoor store. But, determining real world function, comfort, and durability usually requires getting dirty.

You can pretend how those new boots might feel after a dozen miles on the trail. You can even imagine how that new backpack might handle 40-pounds of essentials. But, it’s not until you’re actually in the field that you secretly hope all your gear is up to the challenge.

Looking at the summer production schedule for the Scouting for Adventure series I knew our season finale in West Virginia a couple of weeks ago would provide ample opportunity to break in a pair of Chippewa’s tried-and-true 10” Briar Pitstop Loggers.

Our “Wild and Wonderful” adventure took us up and down the New River Gorge, whitewater rafting, climbing, rappelling, smallmouth bass fishing, it included a treetop canopy tour, and a stop at the biggest attraction to hit West Virginia in years – I’m talking about The Summit.

The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve is 10,600 acres of Appalachian wilderness situated right next door to the New River Gorge National River Area. Scheduled to open in 2013 The Summit will serve as BSA’s fourth National High Adventure Base; complementing Philmont in New Mexico, Sea Base in Florida, and Northern Tier in Minnesota. And, it will serve as the permanent home for the National Scout Jamboree.

For our part we teamed up with Scouting’s National Honor Society the Order of the Arrow to assist in their month long adventure service project. The SummitCorps’ “New River Experience” represents one of the largest youth service projects performed in the National Park Service history.

Every week for four weeks a few hundred Scout volunteers pulled into Glen Jean, WV ready to work – each dedicating 32 hours of boots-on-the-ground service. Their goal, build 16-miles of stacked-loop hike and bike trails, rehabilitate 12-miles of illegal ATV trails, and remove four acres of the invasive species Multiflora Rose.

Always up for a challenge our Scouts were anxious to join a work crew. They quickly learned how to properly swing tools like the pick mattock, cutter mattock, the McCloud, hazel hoe, shovel (they called a spoon), and the rock bar. Every tool had a purpose and they put them all to good use as they dug, crushed, and spread piles of dirt, rock, and debris. And we captured every hot, dusty, trail-building minute in high-definition video.

But don’t take my word for it, check out the boots online and watch my show. The 10” loggers are crazy comfortable out of the box and you won’t find a better boot for timber or trail work. The series Scouting for Adventure is on Outdoor Channel and worth a look.

Let me know what you think. I’m confident you will enjoy both.

Photo Credit: Dave Bennett

It’s been a heck of a summer for cast and crew of the Outdoor Channel original series Scouting for Adventure presented by Coleman! In the span of three weeks, I field produced two shows for the two largest freshwater fish in North America!

Last month, I had the pleasure of documenting two Boy Scouts from Troop 730 in Dallas, TX as they pulled multiple big alligator gar out of the Trinity River. This month we headed west to the Pacific Northwest where we searched the mighty Columbia River for over-sized White Sturgeon with the help of two eager Scouts from Troop 664 in Gresham, OR.

We met Captain Dan Ponciano on the northern bank of the Columbia River Gorge at Beacon Rock State Park (named by Lewis And Clark back in 1805). Hopping into the 24-foot long North River Scout aluminum boat we left Beacon Rock and the dock behind. Propelled by a big Yamaha 250, we bounced through the heavy chop with relative ease. Never having fished the Columbia I thought it was interesting how the current pulls you in one direction while the stiff coastal wind pushes you in the other – both with varying degrees of force.

After a short 20-minute run, Captain Dan delivered us to his “honey hole.” He set the anchor, we drifted into position, and then he broke out the heavy tackle. But it wasn’t until he opened the bait cooler that we began to grasp the whole concept of hooking an “over-sized” fish.

Now hooking a 2-pound fish for bait may seem unusual for a lot of anglers, but when you’re trying to attract the largest freshwater fish in North America you want something big on the menu. And, a 2-5 pound American Shad makes a nice presentation.

Capt. Dan’s method of rigging was sheer genius. Due to regulations, single barbless hooks are required. He chose a Gamakatsu 10-ought hook tied to 200-pound test braided Dacron. Hooking the fish through the top of the head, he proceeded to tie a series of half-hitches down the length of the fish. This keeps the shad partially intact when the big toothless sturgeon begins to munch on its meal. Creative and incredibly effective.

Day 1 - the guys from Troop 664 fished hard catching and releasing seven Shakers (any fish under legal size). No small task considering we were asking them to quickly tackle a new style of fishing. Day 2 - everything came together! In two hours, two huge fish were hooked and released. The first measured 8-feet and over 250 pounds and the second went 10-feet 350 pounds.

When it was all said and done, my first experience fishing the Columbia River was an overwhelming success. Two big brood stock sturgeon were cleanly hooked, caught, and released. Our Scouters were thoroughly whipped, and we had an incredible Columbia River sturgeon show!

That’s my best summer fishing story. What’s yours?

Boot Report: Anytime you’re fishing from a boat sole selection is key - especially in rough water. At some point in your fishing day, your footing is going to get slippery. Any combination of water (fresh or salt), fish slime, blood, and/or bait will put you on the deck in a hurry. For this very reason, I brought back my 8” Briar Oiled boots. The Alpha Wedge sole was the best non-marking boat friendly boot in my garage. Also, the ankle support always proves helpful when you’re hopping around with a camera on your shoulder.

The life of an outdoor television producer is pretty rewarding, but probably not as glamorous as you might think. For every luxurious month-long African safari, there is a somewhat less exotic grassroots hunting or fishing trip closer to home.

Nevertheless, I consider myself extremely lucky to have travelled the world in pursuit of elusive game and wild outdoor stories. But not every trip is chock full of adventure. Some of our biggest obstacles revolve around the weather or our good friends in the airline industry.

As much as I hate to admit it, there are even times when the warmth of 400 grams of Thinsulate is simply too warm and the waterproof protection of a Chip-A-Tex waterproof membrane is slight overkill. Sometimes a great all-around leather boot with a Vibram sole is all you need; something classic and effective.

This was the case in Kalispell, MT a couple of weeks ago. Outdoor Channel managing producer Jeff Murray and I travelled to Montana - the home of Ducks Unlimited TV host Huntley Ritter - to capture a series of production elements for the upcoming DUTV season.

It is kind of a big deal, considering this is Huntley’s first season as the host of the best waterfowling series in the outdoors space! Too biased? Maybe. But they are the leader in wetland conservation and it’s hard to argue with their success.

The forecast called for rain but Huntley assured us the weather reports were less than dependable. Apparently the old adage, “If you don’t like the weather just wait 5-minutes and…” you get the picture. Apparently this is the universal rationale offered to anyone from out of town. When Mother Nature refuses to cooperate, it becomes even truer.

Taking Huntley’s meteorological evaluation to heart I left my weather-ready boots at home and instead packed my chocolate apache lacers. Tough enough to step off the beaten path for work, the boots are still good looking enough to wear up and down the streets of Whitefish, MT searching for a good dinner spot. We chose the Tupelo Grille (it rocked, by the way).

Well, as it turns out, Huntley was half right. After two days of shooting between Kalispell and the base of the Swan Mountains, we enjoyed a little nice weather. Nothing a few outdoor professionals couldn’t handle. I even found the perfect stump for a boot picture.

My next adventure is taking me to Portland, OR for a little hiking and a lot of fishing. I’m hoping you, the Chippewa faithful, might be able to suggest a boot? If you or a loved one have spent any amount of time soaking up everything that the Pacific Northwest has to offer…I hope you’ll offer up an opinion right now!

Water is a precious resource for many farmers and ranchers, especially this time of year. Too much or too little can hurt you – economically, agriculturally, or worse. You only need to turn on the evening news to see the record flooding along the Mississippi River as residents from Memphis to Baton Rouge brace for even more water.

Unfortunately for those in the Midwest the thick, white, parallel bands of altocumulus clouds, like the ones stretching over Osage County in northeastern Oklahoma, look promising but all too often yield little rainfall. This offers little relief from the already dry spring and potentially drier summer.

However, unlike other parts of the country where severe drought conditions and wildfires make national headlines, we have been relatively lucky. Over the last 30 days our part of the state has seen almost 6 inches of rainfall - over an inch above normal for this time of year. Yet, looking back over the last 60, 90, and even 120 days it becomes increasing clear that the ground is simply too dry. Coupled with warm and windy conditions the threat of wildfires is ever-present.

So when my friends the Drummonds, who have been cattle ranching the Osage continuously since the late 1800’s, invited me to help survey their ranch as they assessed the current fire danger I jumped at the opportunity. I always jump at any chance to help a neighbor, get outside, and out of town. Lucky for me the youngest Drummond lives next door. Passing through my garage I grabbed my classic 6” Sorrel engineer boots, a pair of gloves, met Jackson Drummond in the driveway, jumped in the truck, and headed north out of Tulsa.

While dove hunting with Jackson and his Dad Gentner Drummond last September they mentioned a ranch fire truck. Impressive I thought, and an odd and awesome thing to own, I considered. Then I recalled the rural and unmanned volunteer fire station, on a non-descript stretch of two-lane blacktop, miles from the turn. Then I thought about the miles of dirt road separating the highway from the ranch headquarters. The remoteness began to gently sink in and the obvious necessity and utility of the big tanker became clear.

Like a lot of resilient ranching families the Drummonds are self-sufficient. With 20,000 acres of prime tall grass prairie, covered with cattle, and multiple ranch structures, I guess you’d have to be. Their vehicle of choice - a repurposed M35A2 two and a half ton cargo truck originally deployed by the United States Army!

Retrofitted with a 600-gallon water tank, heavy-duty fire fighting platform, generator, pump, fire safety masks, and 50 feet of fire hose on the front and back ends - this things was ready for business. Rated to carry 5,000 pounds off road and 10,000 pounds on roads the “deuce and a half” is pretty hard to beat when it comes to battling rural wildfires. Designed in 1949. Put into production in 1950. And still in use today. It’s a serious piece of equipment for serious conditions.

Jackson and I made sure the diesel and water tanks were full, inspected hoses for cracks, checked couplers, and pretty much played rural firefighters for the afternoon. Lucky for the sun parched landscape and us we didn’t see a puff of smoke in any direction. When it was all said and done everything was left just the way we found it - in order and ready for anything!