Pheasant-hunting Kerry top choice for sportsmen; Dean gives it his best shot

By Dave Kaiser / February 17, 2004

In today’s column, we’re gonna talk primary politics. Where do the candidates stand with respect to issues related to hunting and fishing? Who should a devoted sportsman vote for at his or her primary or caucus? For those of you who can’t wait until the end of the column for answers, John Kerry gets the...

The Great Outdoors: An Amerikanski fishes in Poland

By Dave Kaiser / October 20, 2003

I spent several weeks in Poland this summer. Now, I just can’t go that long without trying to catch something or shoot something, so before my departure, I determined that I needed a plan. I don’t have the kind of money necessary to arrange to transport or rent firearms, hire local outfitters and guides, procure...

Hunting: Past and Present

By Dave Kaiser / May 1, 2003

The other day, while my chiropractor was removing the kinks and knots from my back, we were discussing diet. I mentioned that I could never go vegetarian–I like meat too much, and I could never give up hunting. I love the strong flavor of wild venison that has been marinated in whiskey and cooked all...

The beauty of our Botany Pond

By Dave Kaiser / April 4, 2003

Urban Oasis or Science Project? I’m speaking, of course, about Botany Pond, that quaint little in-ground fish tank over by Hull Gate. Now it doesn’t rival the Gulf of Mexico, nor does it evoke the Mighty Mississippi. It’s even smaller than most suburban swimming pools. But all of those things are far away while Botany...

Draw, aim, release: a guide to mastering the ancient art of archery

By Dave Kaiser / March 4, 2003

There is something very satisfying about releasing an arrow and watching it fly towards its target. It is very personal, more so than target shooting with firearms. The distance is shorter and your whole body is involved, from the outstretched arm supporting the bow to the back of your hand resting upon your jawbone to...

Hunting: How to get started

By Dave Kaiser / January 31, 2003

If my columns have piqued your interest and you want to give hunting a try, then this is the column you have been waiting for. Most people who hunt grow up with a Dad who teaches them how to shoot and track and that sort of thing. If you’re like me, and you weren’t lucky...

A few lucky breaks on a pheasant hunt

By Dave Kaiser / January 14, 2003

A few columns back, I wrote an article entitled “A Bad Day Hunting,” to the effect that a bad day of hunting can actually be quite nice. In today’s column I will celebrate a little bit. I had a wonderful day of hunting. What made this day so good? Several things: friends, success, and surprises....

Pheasant hunting: The thrill of the chase

By Dave Kaiser / December 3, 2002

A friend of mine was walking the edge of the treeline, his dog out in front of him. I was in a field of withered sunflowers. There was a pheasant nearby. We knew because Jesse, my friend’s beagle-spaniel mutt, was getting “birdy.” Then I saw a few sunflower stalks shake, but the wind wasn’t blowing....

Hunting for pheasants: A sport for the aspiring outdoorsman

By Dave Kaiser / November 1, 2002

I had originally intended to write a column about the upcoming elections and what hunters and anglers needed to know in order to cast an informed vote this November 5. But there just isn’t that much going on right now in Illinois or at the national level, unlike in past years with referenda about cougar...

A bad day hunting

By Dave Kaiser / October 17, 2002

The other day, I went squirrel hunting with a buddy, his brother-in-law, and the brother-in-law’s nine-year-old son. It turned out to be a bad hunting day, although thankfully, not a tragic one. Tragedy would involve falling out of a tree and breaking a collarbone, or getting my body peppered with buckshot. Nonetheless, this particular Sunday...

An introduction to Hyde Park’s fishing scene

By Dave Kaiser / August 8, 2002

First and foremost, living in Hyde Park doesn’t require one to abandon outdoor sports (and when I say outdoor sports, I mean fishing, hunting, camping and hiking, although I mean no disrespect to skiers, rock-climbers, and the like). There is great fishing right here within walking distance, and good hunting, camping and hiking within a...