Give Me That Outdoor Life

Some recent articles:

The writer describes his experiences during a dangerous encounter with a buffalo when working as a safari guide in Zimbabwe. During a tour, he followed the track of a buffalo that he believed to be injured in order to shoot the animal, putting it out of its misery, but the buffalo charged at him and pounded on his spine. He was unable to move his legs and believed he had suffered a serious spinal injury but in fact it was the buffalo squatting on him, preventing him from moving; it then proceeded to empty its bowels all over him, adding insult to injury. Fortunately, he observes, he was not seriously injured, only embarrassed.

High schooler Joey Burleson sells rattlesnakes for cash. Having grown up in the desolate scrublands of South Texas, he began hunting the snakes at the age of 14. He sells each creature for $40 to hunters, taxidermists, labs, and one customer who "likes the meat and skins."

In response to readers' questions, the writers discuss the V formation that geese fly in, fishing tackle options, women's hunting clothes, cane guns, the best beer to drink when hunting, and head injuries that occur in the field.

In an entry in the Outdoor Life Battle Lines essay contest, the writer describes his experiences as a hunter and a U.S. Marine, two pursuits that he believes complement each other. Having served in three deployments in Iraq, he observes that the time he spends wandering freely through the hills has become more precious than ever. He notes that he increasingly finds that where he becomes a stronger hunter he also becomes a more proficient marine, particularly in terms of self-sufficiency, confidence, and ability to interpret a challenge with detachment.

The writer describes his tendency to give his wife Christmas presents that she does not seem to appreciate, including an ice fishing tent and hip waders.