As a youngster in the mid-1950s living in relatively remote logging country, I built a ground blind out of willows and assorted brush that allowed me to sit on the edge of a somewhat open area and watch for wildlife. There was plenty to watch for – rabbits, squirrels, birds, blacktail and whitetail deer or whatever. It didn’t seem to matter what color my clothes might be, as long as I managed to be still, although I asked Mom to tie-dye a sweatshirt, something like black-and-white photos I’d seen of Fred Bear wearing with a dark and light random pattern that resembled nothing in nature I knew of. ...Read More >

There is a whole lot to like about rifles: the way one balances and feels in the hands and against the shoulder, cherished inherited hand-me-downs from family members, lever actions that have a somewhat interesting history, fine walnut-stocked bolt actions and repeatable accuracy. The list can go on and on, depending on a hunter’s taste. A few personal examples include my late father’s 1958 Marlin Model 336 .30-30 carbine that spent much of its time in the mountains of Montana before I even knew it existed. Then there is the first rifle I took to Africa, a custom Remington Model 700 .270 Winchester built by High Tech Customs in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and third, a Remington Custom Shop Model 700 6.5 Remington Magnum that I was lucky enough to help craft. ...Read More >

Brian’s daughter-in-law, Aurora, takes aim with a Marlin 1894CB Cowboy Carbine chambered in .45 Colt.As many readers know, I grew up on remote cattle ranches near the Oregon and Idaho borders. I was the youngest of 11 children, and we all worked l... ...Read More >

As a rule, gun writers can get loaner firearms on consignment for a set period of time. Some companies stipulate three months, others six months. At the end of the time period, we have the choice of paying for the guns, admittedly at an attractive discount, or returning them to the company. Personally, it is a rare bird that I purchase. However, not long ago I spent my hard-earned gun writer bucks on one such bird. ...Read More >