Enjoying The Outdoors…INDOORS! (on your computer)

There are lots of resources on the Internet these days promoting hunting, fishing and the outdoors in general…but today I would like to focus on a few that I personally find quite interesting.   Some of these sites I check on a daily basis…others…well, not quite so often.   Still, each of the sites I’m about to list has merit for you to spend a moment or two of your time and decide for yourself.

Because this is a weblog site I’m going to focus on similar sites within the blogosphere that cater to the outdoors as we enjoy it.   It seems even though blogging has been going on for several years it’s still an activity ripe for further development for the hunter, fisherman and outdoors enthusiast.

One of the “original kids on the block,” so to speak, is Dave Richey’s Blog.   Richey is a well-known outdoors writer with the Detroit News, but he seems to have a passion about journaling, and thus blogging.   Richey’s blog is certainly one that I have syndicated and read on a daily basis.   His insight, knowledge and humor about the outdoors is very inspirational to other writers.

Another well known outdoors writer in the upper Midwest (particularly in Wisconsin) is Dan Small.   Small has been the host and producer of a popular television program called Outdoor Wisconsin that has been broadcast for over 20 years.   He’s also the contributing editor of Wisconsin Outdoor News which is a bi-weekly print newspaper.   But for our purposes, Dan also keeps a great blog that’s contributed to on almost a daily basis.   Check it out.

Another nicely written outdoors blog that is succinctly written and topically informative is GazOutdoors written by the outdoors writers at the Billings (MT) Gazette.

Perhaps one of the most informative of all outdoor blogs is that of J.R. Absher’s The Outdoor Weblog.   Absher seems to have a knack for sifting through the timely news articles of the day as they relate to outdoors world as we enjoy it.  Even though I’m focusing on weblogs today, I would be remiss if I didn’t at least direct you to Absher’s companion web site known as The Outdoor Pressroom.   This daily compilation of outdoor news stories has certainly inspired a blog or two from this writer, as I suspect it has for other outdoors writers around the country.

Changing gears just a bit and because I am a strong 2nd Amendment rights advocate, thus I almost daily check out John Lott’s blog as he champions the battle for gun owners.

One of the best blogs for pure information that I check often has little to do with the outdoors…but because I like to eat good food I check it out.   This blog is so nicely developed that if for no other reason, it should serve as inspiration to the rest of us bloggers as to where we can take things.

I also check out two blogs that deal with small business marketing and blogging.   One is the Duct Tape Marketing Blog and the other is a site called Build A Better Blog.   Both contain good information not only for self-promoters, but to get the most out of your blogging experience.

Finally, I’m pleased to list several other blogs that I check with some regularity.   Most have some strong connection with the outdoors, but not all of them see contributions daily by their authors.   Still, as blogging further develops this list of web addresses will surely grow many fold.   Check these out:

Pennsylvania: Hunt. Fish. Shoot.
The Traveling Sportsman
Old Deer Hunter’s Blog
MidCurrent
MaineHunters.com Interactive News Blog
The Rational Hunter
Fishing Jones
Bass Pundit

Hey, I know I’ve probably have missed a lot of good outdoors blogs…but if you have a particular favorite you think I need to check out…please drop me a line or leave a comment.   Remember, when you can’t be outside…continue enjoying the outdoors…INDOORS! (on your computer)

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

LEAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE!!

Hey Sportsman’s Blog readers…this message is to each of YOU!

On average I’m seeing that only about 1 in every 80 visitors to this web site is leaving a message – good or bad.   What’s the deal?   Are you in such agreement with everything I write that you’re letting me have the final word?

On the bottom of each daily entry (this one included) you will see a link that is highlighted called Comments.   The number inside the parenthesis tells you if anybody has left a comment on that particular day’s entry.   Okay, that’s how it works.

Now when you read something you like, disagree with, or otherwise feel the need to comment on I hope you will take a few moments of your time and click on this link.   But even if you have nothing to say…you certainly don’t want to miss reading the comments that others have left.

As an inducement for greater participation, I am offering a FREE Cap to the best comment left by a blog guest each month.   See the sidebar at the left.   So start commenting and maybe soon you’ll be wearing your very own Sportsman’s Blog cap.

I know the concept of blogging is new to some of you, but if you learn how this works we can get some great discussions going on topics you either claim to know more about or on subject you are in total disagreement with me on.   So, if you’re taking the time to read this blog…please take a short moment longer and leave me a nice message so others can read.

In closing, if you want to send me private messages feel free to use the e-mail link that is underneath my photo.   Give me a day or so, but I will respond to all e-mail messages sent to me from this blog.

Thanks again for your continued support of the Sportsman’s Blog!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

It is my sincere hope that everyone who reads this blog has a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving with family and friends.   Sometimes life is so fast-paced that we forget what is truly important in our lives.   On this day, however, take some pause and reflect on the many ways you are blessed in life.

**SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL BLOG READERS**   Several of you have written e-mails to me commenting about a topic or story, and that is great…I appreciate reading all of them.   But if you are not familiar with blogging you may not realize that you can leave your comments directly on this site for me and others to read.   At the bottom of each daily entry you will see a hyper-linked word called “Comments (0).”   This is your opportunity to take issue with me or give me the kudos I so rightly deserve.   It is my hope that in time (maybe years down the road) this blog will be read by more and more people so we can get some enlightening discussions going.   I expect that much of what I write on you may not totally agree with, or feel I am slightly off-base.   Go ahead…I encourage your comments and welcome your thoughts and opinions.   Also, when there is a number in the bracket by the word comment that means others have already left their thoughts.   Be sure to read them.

Also, if anyone wants to write a guest commentary some day I can also publish these and give you the proper credit.   Please check with me before writing, however, because I will use discretionary judgment as to whether the topic is appropriate.   I get to do that, you know, as this is my blog site.

© 2004 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.