Author: Nate Woelfel

Important reminders

Each year, dip netting season brings an important part of me back to life.

This tradition, that doesn’t seem quite as popular with other folks as I recall it being in my childhood, is one of the first true signs of spring. It means longer, warmer days are coming which, in turn, means more time fishing, hunting, birding, or simply being outdoors. Sure, I do all of those activities in the winter months, but it’s just not the same when you are consistently at odds with the elements.

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Is the dire wolf back?

You may have seen news in recent weeks about an American company, Colossal Biosciences, proclaiming to have brought dire wolves back from extinction.

The headlines garnered a lot of attention in early April, even gracing the cover of Time Magazine. The hype around this announcement is understandable. This was quite a claim.

But here’s the thing: that’s not what happened.

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My 2024 outdoor adventures, by the numbers

Another year come and gone.

It’s time to get nerdy and put some numbers to my time in the outdoors in the past year.

I am sincerely delighted by how many of you check out this article each year. It makes me less conscious about my tedious number keeping.

For those of you who may be new to this tradition, I share this information to provide some context to the articles I post on this site each year. It is important to me that you know the depth of my experiences in the outdoors that my perspectives are rooted in.

Here is a look at how my 2024 shook out, by the numbers:

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Why I deer hunt

Throughout my life, I’ve spent a good deal of time in self-reflection.

This can be a difficult balancing act. Too much self-awareness can lead to an inflated sense of importance, overthinking, and general anxiety. Lack of it can lead to entitlement.

On either end of the spectrum, you can quickly lose perspective.

For better or worse, I have long been dedicated to taking stock of my logic and reasoning in my pursuit of living an intentional and purposeful existence.

Throughout my 20-plus-year deer hunting career, I’ve found this to be particularly true when I am sitting in my tree stand. Even the most engaging and active hunts generally offer adequate time for introspection.

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BIGG Mouth Fishing Stick Bait Review

It’s no secret that stick baits are something of a cheat code in the bass fishing world. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who has impacted bass fishing the way Gary Yamamoto did when he introduced us to the Senko in 1996.

In my experience, these plastics strike a balance of catching the volume and size of fish I’m after that few other options offer.

So It makes sense that loads of companies offer their take on the holy grail of stick baits. I’ve spent money with many of them.

But when I saw an Instagram post from Wisconsin-based company BIGG Mouth Fishing, I was immediately intrigued.

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Unpacking the feelings

There is no shortage of anecdotal and scientific evidence that being outdoors is good for your mental health.

The ol’ “getting some fresh air” trick has done wonders for countless people, myself included.

Disconnecting from the day-to-day and experiencing the beauty of the natural world, even for a brief period has a way of re-charging our proverbial batteries and leveling us out, often bringing about feelings of peace, calm, and relaxation.

But as you spend more time alone in nature, you’ll find these experiences can offer up more complex emotions. Some that, on the surface, may not necessarily seem positive.

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Hunting for trout

“If you want something you have never had, you must do something you’ve never done.”

The fact that this quote is frequently misattributed to Thomas Jefferson shouldn’t take away its sentiment. It certainly doesn’t for me.

After I came up empty in my mission to land my first inland trout on a fly rod during the early season, my friend Brandon offered me an opportunity. His family owns a cabin in Langlade County and he discovered an abundance of quality trout fishing spots during some scouting trips last year. He told me I was welcomed to join him for an adventure that would likely get me off the schneid.

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