In this third part of an exclusive interview with MidwayUSA CEO Larry Potterfield, Outdoor Hub’s President Steve Dooley gets to the heart of what makes MidwayUSA such a successful business, specifically highlighting the unique management practices of the company.

Part Three:

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Click here to go back to Part Two of this interview, covering MidwayUSA’s entrance into television and the hunting market. Keep following Outdoor Hub for more interview clips with Larry Potterfield.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Larry Potterfield on Business Administration and MidwayUSA’s Modern Management Practices

By Larry Saavedra

An overlooked aspect of a hunt test competition, besides training vigorously before the event, is clothing. Believe it or not, it does matter what you wear.

If you come to the starting line (where you release a dog) wearing a color or style of clothing that the line judges deem as inappropriate for competition, the judges will stop the competition and ask you to change your clothes to something more in-line with the hunting environment, typically of neutral colors and so forth. This overlooked detail is black and white in AKC, and UKC/HRC rulebooks.

If you’re a people watcher, the fun thing about judging a hunt test is that you see a lot of different personalities and styles of dog handlers. Some come to the line dressed for success with pressed camouflaged duds from head to toe, while others sport street sneakers and tees. Heck, I’ve even seen people wearing flip-flops, although it happens only rarely.

As a judge you learn to expect the unexpected. Everyone respects your tastes in duds, so long as your clothing doesn’t provide you with an unfair advantage in competition; technically you must be dressed in a manner favorable to hunting.

For those new to the retrieving game, learning what to wear comes with experience, and a careful study of the sanctioning body’s rulebook. My advice to the novice is to bring one change of dark shirts and socks for starters. You will get wet and muddy, especially during the water series. Also, say no to those designer jeans! They might look cool at the mall, but the moment a dog shakes after a dip in the pond, you’ll be soaked to the bone. A better choice would be Carhartt’s flannel-lined jeans, which incidentally go on sale in the off-season from Cabela’s.

If you really hate getting wet, and most of us do, look for waterproof chaps that typically fit over the leg the dog heels to, although some competitors use them on both legs.

Hats are a personal issue, not everyone wears one, but don’t wear a white one, because you’ll likely be asked to remove it before you get started! Long sleeve shirts are better than short-sleeved, and long pants are usually a good idea too, especially in snake country. Beyond it all, plan to be outfitted like you were going hunting, and exceptional footwear are a must have item.

Boots offer the best protection and while there are hundreds of models to choose from, I’ve learned that buying a cheap pair is a total waste of money. Aside from the lack of comfort, cheaper boots can’t standup to the types of loose impediments that are often found in the field.

I recently bought what I thought was a decent pair of boots at my local sporting goods store, only to find out that a small metal shard had pierced the sole and nearly dug into my foot. These boots were only two months old, and in one outing they were destroyed.

Some handlers swear by ranch-style boots or even a soft-leather hiking shoe, but I favor a solid trail boot that’s preferably lined with waterproof Gore-Tex. The pair I’ve been wearing for nearly a year now is the Ranger GTX from Lowa (see image at start of article) with its above-the-ankle protection. These boots are handcrafted in Germany and they are made to fight off the elements, whether it be summer or winter. I can’t find another boot that even comes close to its superior quality.

The Ranger GTX is considered a mid-duty boot and they weigh about one pound each, and right out of the box they need to be broken in for a few weeks before they become comfortable enough to walk in. They aren’t the lightest boots out there, but they are definitely the most durable you will find.

The uppers are made of Nubuck leather and outsole is a Vibram Tactis DST, which gives you the stiffness you need and the sure-footedness you require in precarious situations. Because they are perforated around the top, any hot air trapped inside is released through these openings. So far, I’ve had zero issues with water.

The Ranger GTX has a lot of little features that make them the ideal field boot, like the tongue stud that prevents the padded tongue (with gussets on both sides) from moving off-center, offering a more equalized pressure once the laces are tied. There is a half-rand on the boot, which provides further support, especially in rocky terrain. The details make these boots in a class of their own. Lowa makes similar boots for women.

Although the Ranger GTX is a mighty fine boot, it’s not necessarily going to win your dog a title. You’ll have to do that with exceptional training methods. But at least the next time you run hunt test, you won’t have to worry about trudging through the water and mud. And they sure beat the heck out of flip-flops.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Duds for Dog Handlers

In Part Two of this exclusive interview with Larry Potterfield of MidwayUSA, Outdoor Hub’s President Steve Dooley continues where the last part left off. In the video, Potterfield details MidwayUSA’s entrance into the world of television and expanding the scope of the company.

Part Two:

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Click here to go back to Part One of this series, and click here to continue on to Part Three.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Larry Potterfield on MidwayUSA, Television and Hunting

As we observe the 75th anniversary of our Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration (WSFR) programs, many will point to the now abundant populations of elk, deer and wild turkeys as the poster children for conservation success. Some will laud the hunting, fishing and boating opportunities we now enjoy as a result of WSFR’s user pay/user benefit principle. Or praise how cooperation between state and federal government, conservation groups, industry and sportsmen made it possible to contribute billions of dollars to fish and wildlife conservation.

All are good reasons to celebrate.

Another noteworthy accomplishment on the Wildlife Restoration side is how this program has benefitted hunter education. Excise taxes paid by manufacturers — which are factored into the cost of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment — are made available to the states in the form of grants. These grants not only support wildlife projects, they fund hunter education and shooting range development as well.

The interesting part about this is the history behind hunter education and Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration programs. I interviewed Steve Hall, who retired from Texas Parks and Wildlife after 26 years of service as education director. Hall, who currently serves as the executive director of the Texas State Rifle Association, reminded me that hunter education is by no means new.

“The first seeds were planted in 1928 when Seth Gordon, an employee of the Pennsylvania and California game agencies, penned a code of outdoor ethics for the Izaak Walton League of America,” Hall said. “That code marked the beginning of ideas about safety and respect for wildlife, property and other people.”

According to Hall, World War II put many wildlife programs on hold. However, when the soldiers came back home, they swelled the ranks of hunters. It wasn’t long, though, before a growing number of firearms-related hunting incidents fueled safety concerns.

By the 1940s, Kentucky was offering gun safety training in their high school junior clubs and in boys and girls summer camps. Soon after, Michigan and Montana began developing their own programs. The era of mandatory hunter safety training started in 1949 as the result of legislation in New York. A partnership with the NRA helped New York deliver its curriculum.

“The hunter safety community really began maturing in the 1950s when programs to recruit and train volunteer instructors were introduced,” Hall said. “Today’s volunteer army of instructors is a big reason why hunter education programs are so successful.”

Hunter safety programs took another major step in the 1960s when the NRA hosted the first of several annual hunter safety coordinator workshops in 1966.

“The hunter safety leaders who met at these workshops saw the needs for standardized instruction and recognition of training between states,” Hall said. “Their vision laid the groundwork for a new organization dedicated to developing safe, responsible hunters.”

In 1971, a steering committee associated with the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies became the launch pad for creating the North American Association of Hunter Safety Coordinators. The organization, which was founded in 1972, immediately set to work on its mission of providing leadership and support to hunter education program administrators and instructors. Today, it’s called the International Hunter Education Association, and 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of an organization that now serves 69 member agencies and 70,000 volunteer instructors who teach hunter education around the world.

1972 was a big year for another reason, and it brings this story full circle. That was when the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act was amended to help fund hunter safety programs. Now hunter education programs across the country were not only benefitting from the leadership of a new organization, now they had money to train volunteer instructors, develop teaching aids and standardize the lessons so a hunter education graduate could hunt safely in any state in the country.

In the years since then, millions of students have taken hunter education and hunting has become one of the safest ways families and friends can enjoy the outdoors. Hunters and shooters not only contribute to safety programs, their dollars have restored wildlife populations and provided countless recreational opportunities that all citizens can enjoy.

How hunter education training is offered also has changed with the times. Today, students can take part of their course online at http://www.hunter-ed.com. The training offered at this site is approved by the state agencies responsible for hunter education, and students study the same material that’s taught in the classroom. The online portion is typically followed by a field course, which gives students the chance to shoot and demonstrate safe firearms handling and outdoor skills.

So honor these milestones of conservation and hunter education success by heading afield as often as possible this year. Make it extra special by purchasing a hunting license and introducing someone new to the outdoors.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - A Tale of Two Success Stories: Hunter Education and Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration

As many hunters are putting their bows and rifles up for the season, in the great state of Alabama the peak of the rut is kicking into full gear. One of my favorite things to look forward to after Christmas is hunting in ol’ Bama. In the “black belt” region of the state the rut usually starts kicking off around Christmas with its peak around mid-January. This is perfect for those of you that need to put some late season back strap in the freezer and maybe even a trophy on the wall.

My good friend Jeremy Johnson invited me to hunt his family farm for the first time this past January. The track record on his property has got to be one of the best in the area, if not the state. Over the years I have seen countless videos from Jeremy on this property with some really nice bucks hitting the dirt. To say I was excited about the hunt was an understatement!

The first morning, cameraman Fred Branch and I met Jeremy, his better half Elizabeth, and good friend Justin Moore on the way to the property. The weather was a frosty 22 degrees with high humidity so we were bundled up big time! The morning was slow, only seeing a small buck. Justin did arrow a nice doe for the freezer though, while Jeremy and Elizabeth saw a few bucks but didn’t get a shot. We decided to grab a bite to eat then head back into the woods early in the afternoon and sit until dark.

Settling back in shortly after 1pm that afternoon, we saw deer right away. A young buck ran two does in front of us and out of sight. On and off we saw several deer until dark but no shooter bucks in range. Not a bad day of hunting at all and we were ready for the next morning.

Up and at it, we repeated the previous morning’s routing and were in the stand just as the day began to wake up. This time we were deep in a creek bottom just off of an old cut-over. The palmettos were thick and seeing 100 yards was difficult in most directions. About an hour after daylight, I look in front of us and catch movement, it’s antlers! A tall, heavy, shooter buck is coming straight to us! The buck turns and starts working a scrape as I try to find him in my Hawke scope. The brush is just too thick to get on him. He then begins walking from our right to left angling away. Looking ahead the only shot I am going to have is when he steps into a narrow road in front of us. I ready myself as the buck walks right into my scope and stops! Boom! My twelve gauge slug drops him in his tracks! He’s done right there!

Climbing down I knew that he was a good buck, but after putting my hands on him this deer had some of the heaviest beams and mass of any I had been fortunate enough to tag. The buck was a main frame eight point with two kickers on one base, giving him ten points over an inch long, 13 inch inside spread, and scored just over 130 inches B&C. I’ll take a buck like this all day long y’all! Not to mention he was at least 4.5 or 5.5 years old, a true trophy buck to me.

I would like to thank Jeremy for opening up his home farm and inviting us to come over and hunt. It was truly a great place to see and the amount of game on the place is remarkable. Just as Genesis 27:3 states “Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me,” we are blessed to spend time in the outdoors to see what has been created for us to have dominion over and as stewards of the land, we must open our arms and continue to pass on our God-given right to hunt.

God bless and good hunting!

Michael’s Gear List:

• Optics: Hawke Eclipse 30 SF 6-24x50mm, Hawke Frontier ED 43mm
• Gun: Remington 1100 12 gauge
• Ammo: Winchester Sabot Slug 375 grain
• Stand: Ol’ Man Ladder
• Safety Vest: Hunter Safety System Reversible
• Scent Eliminator: Lethal Field Spray
• Camo: Realtree APG by Gamehide
• Pack: Gameplan Gear Spot N Stalk
• Boots: Lacrosse Alpha Burly in Realtree APG
• Conditioning: Hunt Strong

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Finishing Strong: Hunting the Late Rut in Alabama

In these exclusive videos shot in the GunTec studio, Outdoor Hub’s President Steve Dooley interviews MidwayUSA’s CEO Larry Potterfield on the history of MidwayUSA. Part One covers the founding of MidwayUSA, from the origins of its name to the transition from catalog retail to the digital age.

Part One:

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Click here to go on to Part Two of the interview and keep checking back at Outdoor Hub for more exclusive video interviews with Larry Potterfield next week.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - “Just a Country Kid from Missouri”: Larry Potterfield on the History and Growth of MidwayUSA

“Trapping? You mean people still do that these days?”

“I used to trap years ago when (fill in the blank) and I’d like to get back into it.”

“My (relative, neighbor) traps, and talking to him about this year it has me anxious to get started.”

These are all very common responses I hear whenever the subject of recreational fur trapping is brought up. Many people think the only mode of trapping left today is for rodents inhabiting their kitchen, or that local guy with an ad in the yellow pages who wanted $250 to remove a nuisance squirrel from grandma’s attic.

Truth is, recreational trapping as a sport, pursuit and in some cases a profession is definitely alive and well. Alive, well and growing in popularity all the time. To some people the idea of trappers and trapping evokes images of mountain men, buckskin clothes and beaver pelts wrested from hostile indian territory. That was accurate some three hundred years ago as the westward exploration and expansion of our country was taking place. But  modern fur trapping is a far different story indeed.

Most states in the U.S. require some type of structure training from certified instructors before a trapping license or permit can be purchased. Those basic lessons include education on season dates and regulations, the type of traps and equipment permitted, sensible use of equipment in harmony with urban society, people and their pets.

Animal traps today include versions of the historic “paw-hold” style along with a variety of others. There are similar traps designed to be completely dog-proof for use with raccoons as the target species inside of public and private hunting areas, wire mesh box or cage traps on land are useful in many situations and square-shape traps with a round-bars design that close in scissors-type action for quick dispatch of target species on land or in water. Best-management practices have been studied in scientific fashion to develop and perfect the best possible performance from trapline equipment in use today.

Wild furs from the U.S., Canada and elsewhere have enjoyed a resurgence in demand that can best be described as dramatic boom in the past several years, courtesy of strong desire for fur products in Russian, China, Japan and other newly affluent markets. Fur coats have been coveted since time immemorial for natural comfort and durability in the coldest possible weather. Appearance and beauty are added features to the natural function of this 100% renewable resource.

The fact that wild furs are indeed a renewable resource fits right in with the “go green” movement of late. Nature cannot be stockpiled: wild fur-bearing animals are amongst the most populous and widespread species out there. Coyote, fox, raccoon, bobcats, beavers, mink and muskrats are primary species of interest along with opossums and skunks as incidental catches. All of the critters listed above are thriving and in some cases creating a nuisance situation across the country. Beaver dams often flood precious acres of bottomland timber and field crops. Beaver cuttings can decimate sections of corn fields, ornamental trees and shrubs or critical vegetation. Raccoon damage to sweet corn, grape vineyards and fruit orchards can be considerable.

From a wildlife standpoint, coyote and bobcats are very effective predators of newborn big-game animals. Fox, coon, possums and skunks all take heavy tolls on ground-nesting bird and mammal nests of young. Threatened and endangered species of birds or mammals might hinge on the balance of survival or extinction solely due to focused predator control.
Those are all good reasons why animal trapping in the modern world remains a highly effective tool of conservation management, not to mention the fact that muskrat (known as “marsh hare” in east coast restaurants), beaver and raccoon meat are highly desirable table fare in many parts of the country. Other uses for animal carcasses post-skinning include making baits and lures for trapping efforts, feed for animal farms, wildlife rehab centers and zoos and other protein-based renderings. I would opine that the greatest “waste” would be fur-bearing animals lost to various disease or death on highways from traffic.

Part of the recent resurgence closer to land use involves the green movement, but another part is the global economy’s downward spiral and economic contraction. Not everyone can still afford out-of-state or exotic hunting and fishing trips. When those seasons end in any given state, then what is an outdoorsman (or woman) to do?

Fur trapping is a pursuit that usually runs from late fall through winter and in most cases right into early spring for most states in the U.S. If the weather is still cool or cold, chances are there is something still open to be pursued. The best part is, trapping is a sport that can easily pay for itself (or more) in time. Many experienced trappers realize some type of profit above costs each year. A number of them use the extra income for Christmas gifts, a new gun or maybe save towards an out-of-state trip.

As with any profession that involves money, a small percentage of fur trappers make much or most of their annual income on fur sales alone. Current fur prices this season include red fox and coyote selling for $25 to $50, raccoon and beaver pelts from the teens to $30s, male mink at $25 and muskrats averaging $9 to $10 nose count across the board. That can add up substantially for top-level trappers in Iowa who bag two to three thousand coon per season or mid-west muskrat trappers who put up five to ten thousand muskrats in good years.

But the vast majority of active fur trappers out there each year are men and women who view it as a part-time, weekends and vacation type of sport that supports itself. Cash or checks from fur sales cover gasoline and travel, perhaps add to more traps and gear purchased, etc. Some trappers have their own vest, coats, blankets and teddy bears made from furs. Regardless, it is much easier to justify time spent afield in our great outdoors when it does not drain the family budget… or actually adds to it instead. Much easier see to your family and significant other when a fur check comes home at season’s end, versus one more credit card bill.

We could easily go on and on, but suffice it to say that trapping as a hobby, pastime or profession in modern times is alive and well. Our time spent here going forward will detail exactly what it takes and what one needs to enjoy success in one of mankind’s oldest pursuits of all. Thank you for joining us in conversation, and I look forward to discussing the specifics of traps and gear next time!

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Along the Traplines Today

Ice-fishing with friends recently on a lake near Winnipeg, Delta Waterfowl President Rob Olson deep-fried four rice-fattened California mallards in peanut oil, a dark-meat snack to keep Old Man Winter from nipping at their extremities.

The plucked birds were rubbed in spices, injected with marinate and cooked to medium-rare perfection.

“They were wicked good,” said Olson, laughing, noting they ate the ducks off a piece of plywood with their bare hands. “The meat was moist and, frankly, I can’t remember duck tasting so good. The preparation was super easy too.”

Like many hunters this time of year, Olson has some ducks and geese in the freezer poised for the pot. He encourages other waterfowlers to prepare their birds and share them with family and friends. And don’t worry, he said, if you’re inexperienced in the kitchen.

“Just take a few birds out of the freezer and let them thaw, then start doing some research on how to prepare them,” he said. “I think the key to cooking ducks is to defrost one. Make it a habit once a week to pull out some frozen game meat. It will keep you from having a bunch of freezer-burned stuff later on.”

Above all, Olson says make the experience fun. “Cooking ducks and geese should always be a celebration, so just have fun doing it,” he said. “Just start rummaging through your freezer and find those frozen orphans and get them thawing.”

Here are some basic tips and suggestions for preparing ducks and geese:

• Thaw out your birds thoroughly before preparing. The best way is to let them thaw in the refrigerator. If you’re short on time, fill a large pot with cool water and place the still-wrapped bird in it. It should thaw within two hours. Be sure the frozen bird is properly sealed or it will get waterlogged.
• Clean your birds thoroughly. Be sure it get everything out of the cavity—everything.
• Soak meat in milk and onions overnight to pull out blood and gamey taste.
• Let meat come to room temperature before you cook it. Always pat it dry before cooking.
• Cook ducks hot and fast or low and slow.
• Roasted ducks should be cooked no more than medium-rare. Grilled duck breasts too. No exceptions.
• Let your birds rest (five minutes, perhaps longer) after they’re done cooking. Resting allows juices to redistribute and stay in the meat; cut into it too soon and you’ll have a soaked cutting board. Resting also allows the birds’ flavor to set up and intensify.
• save the carcasses and scraps to make stock, which you can use in gravies or sauces.
• Sauces and side dishes are an important part of wild-game cookery. Find a few to enhance and accompany your ducks and geese. You won’t be sorry.
• The internet is an invaluable tool to learn more about cooking waterfowl and other wild game.
• Be bold and experiment. Don’t worry about failure. Just thaw some birds and start. Make it a celebration.

Find more recipes and how-to videos at deltawaterfowl.org.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Delta’s Tips for Preparing, Cooking Ducks and Geese

There’s a reason they call Larry Weishuhn Mr. Whitetail. It’s not because of television shows (on the Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, etc …) or award winning writings (both books and articles) or his induction into the National Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. The name spread because of these accolades, but it’s not why they pasted him with that moniker. He’s known as Mr. Whitetail because the man understands deer.

I’m a regular neophyte when it comes to hunting whitetail, but I wasn’t the only one at the NRA’s Great American Hunting & Outdoor Show who was dazzled by his seminar on hunting. Just like the seasoned hunters who asked the questions, I shook my head as he dispelled myths, revealed facts and laid out the groundwork for a successful hunting season.

Here’s some of his highlights (paraphrased):

• Buying scent blockers always seemed like a waste to me. If the sun is in your eyes and wind at your back, you’d be amazed how good any scent blockers works.
• If you want to learn about deer then study people. If you want to learn about people then study deer. It’s amazing the similarities we share.
• We go out for deers early in the morning. Deers come out more between 10 am and 2 pm. Do they know we leave by 10 to go watch football or is that just part of their nature?
• Predators don’t take down the weak and informed until they’ve eaten all the healthy ones. Why would they? Would you cut up a sickly cow or a robust steer?
• 6-8 weeks before deer season opens, I hang blaze orange and dirty socks in the areas where I’m going to hunt. Once the season starts, they’ll be use to what I’m going to look like and what I’m going to smell like.
• There are two parts of North America — those that have wild pigs and those that are going to have them.
• Birth control for deer is foolish. Any medication or devices introduced into the mix eventually makes the rest of the herd sick. The only efficient method of birth control comes with a 130 grain solution.
• You can kill as many deer on the ground as you can from a tree. But you don’t have to climb to get to the ground.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - “Mr. Whitetail” Larry Weishuhn’s Deer Hunting Tips

How close should you put your turkey decoy?

Many people tend to over think how close or how far away you should place your turkey decoy.  They worry “the tom won’t see my turkey decoy if he comes from over here,” or  ”if I put it too close the tom will see me.”  Hopefully I can make you rethink how to answer the question so you don’t make a mistake I have seen over and over again.

How close you put the turkey decoy is a weapons question

How close your put your turkey decoy is completely dependent on your weapon limitations.  When I set up to kill a tom in the spring or fall, the shooting is the easy part.  You place your turkey decoy at a distance you are comfortable you can hit it at 10 out of 10 times.  If you are shooting a longbow, the decoy may be 15 feet from your blind (I set them that close most of the time).  If the pattern on your new 12 gauge is most effective at 35 yards, you set the decoy at 35 yards.  With a top-quality turkey decoy, you have confidence the toms will confront him, so put the decoy where you are comfortable shooting, and you will make the shot.

How close you put the turkey decoy should dictate the spot you set up

Since how close you put the turkey decoy is a factor of the range at which you are comfortable shooting, it will dictate where you set up.  If your shotgun performs best at 35 yards, don’t set up where the farthest shot will be 15 yards.  Your group will be so tight you can easily miss the tom’s head and neck.  He only has to bob his head slightly as you squeeze the trigger for a complete miss.  A 35 yard optimum shot means you need to set up in a more open area to best use your choke’s pattern.  If you are shooting a self bow with a 5 yard comfort zone, you may pick tighter spots where the bird really needs to come looking for your turkey decoy.  You don’t have to set up in thick cover, but it is a good option, as the toms may not close the whole way in wide open areas where they know that their strutting antics are easily seen.  Our Best Turkey Decoy helps solve this open field issue, but if you run low quality fakes, it is a concern.

Our Best Turkey Decoy maximizes success by placing birds in your comfort zone

Many toms are missed each spring because of how close the toms come to the turkey decoy.  If your turkey decoy is not top of the line, you can’t predict how close the tom will approach.  If you put the turkey decoy at 35 and the bird hangs up at 50, you may miss the shot.  By using top quality decoys, like our Dakota jake, the toms are much more likely to come all the way to the decoy.  That means you decide how far the shot is, and having that control over shot distance means you know you can make the shot.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Proper Turkey Decoy Placement