Sportsman's Blog

Sportsman's Blog Podcast Episode #7-2007

Listen in iTunes
Download mp3 file    24.5mb (26:45 minutes)
    http://sportsmansblogpodcast.com/rss2.aspx

With the Minnesota Fishing Opener now just a week away we turn to spending some time making sure the boat/motor/trailer is ready to go.   Actually, this is something we should have started last fall when we put the boat away for the season, but we all know how those things sometimes go.   After all, it’s easy to procrastinate, isn’t it?

Joining me today is Steve Floreck, director of special events for Crystal-Pierz Marine, located in several areas spread throughout Minnesota and one of the largest marine dealers in the U.S.   Steve’s many years of working in the marine industry, specifically in the service department, positions him to provide some great advice to everyone who owns a boat and plans to use it this year.   Consider today’s show to be a boating primer of what items need to be checked over before taking to the water.

We’ve all seen that sickening sight.   You’re driving along and there parked along side the road is a family pulling their boat to the lake, but now experiencing problems.   It could be a flat tire…it could be bearing problems…maybe a support holding the boat suddenly broke.   You drive by witnessing the frustration written all over their faces, while at the same time under your breath giving thanks the problem is theirs and not yours.

Today’s program offers up some pointers to ensure your summer boating season gets off to the right start.   Whether your boat is brand new or has several seasons of experience behind it, investing a small amount of time right now often pays very big dividends by eliminating potential frustrations later.

As a reminder, if you’re experiencing any difficulty listening to these podcasts you may also link to www.SportsmansBlogPodcast.com and listen by clicking on the desired show episode.   By doing so you can listen to the show directly from your computer.   It’s not necessary to own a portable mp3 player to hear these shows.   However, if you own an iPod you can also subscribe and download each show from the iTunes Store.   Either click on the link above or do a search for “sportsmans blog” and you’ll find the show.   Finally, if you like what you’re hearing be sure to leave a comment.

2007 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission

Sportsman's Blog Podcast Episode #6-2007

Listen in iTunes
Download mp3 file    20.5mb (22:20 minutes)
    http://sportsmansblogpodcast.com/rss2.aspx

Today’s special guest is Alex Rutledge, noted turkey hunting expert and pro staffer for Hunter’s Specialties.   Alex explains his philosophy on turkey hunting when the conditions experienced are less than favorable.   Imagine yourself setting the alarm clock for 4am only to awake to wind or rain.   It can be downright aggravating to dream all year about the perfect turkey hunt and then experience conditions that are far from ideal.   Well, Alex points out there are ways to ensure the hunt does not have to be a total bust.

I also discuss with Alex what qualities he believes most successful turkey hunters must possess.   Indeed, Alex rubs elbows with most of the nation’s top turkey hunters and I can assure you these guys do not rely purely on luck to fill their tag.   See what he has to say about developing the skills necessary to become a turkey hunter who consistently scores.

You know, I really have to thank Alex for his time in conducting this interview.   The man is incredibly busy with so much on his plate, particularly during this time of the year.   I was lucky enough to conduct the interview while he was en route to Ohio to hunt with Governor Ted Strickland tomorrow morning.   In talking with Alex I could sense his excitement, and rightly so, but with everything going on involving this news-making event, he made the time necessary to share the passion of his beloved turkey hunting sport with us.   Check out this podcast…if you’re a turkey hunter you’ll certainly be glad you did.

2007 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission

Sportsman's Blog Podcast Episode #5-2007

Listen in iTunes
Download mp3 file    32.7mb (35:50 minutes)
    http://sportsmansblogpodcast.com/rss2.aspx

Today’s special guest is Ron Spinosa of the Minnesota Mycological Society.   Ron joins me with some helpful hints and tips on bringing that elusive morel mushroom from the woods to the table.   In many areas of the country it is either prime time right now for ‘shrooming or it will be very soon.   Ron unravels some of the mystique behind this curious mushroom and explains why everyone with an outdoor interest should be spending a little time this spring on a quest for this delectable gem.

As with many activities, mushrooming certainly has some risks associated with it.   Properly identify any mushroom to ensure they are edible.   If you are unsure, either ask someone who has that knowledge or carefully consult a good field guide.   Keep in mind, that for the most part morels only pop up in the spring and usually only occur for a very brief period of time.   That’s one of the reasons they’re so darned special.

For more information on morels you can find a wealth of information at this web site.   They even have a forum where folks post what they are finding (but usually they’ll never tell you where).   Yup, that’s right…don’t expect another person to divulge their secret spot to you because it probably won’t happen.   The beauty of this activity is you need to go out and find your own special harvesting location.   Then, as soon as you do, drop me a quick note along with the GPS coordinates. 

2007 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission

Sportsman's Blog Podcast Episode #4-2007

Listen in iTunes
Download mp3 file    27.5mb (30.1 minutes)
    http://sportsmansblogpodcast.com/rss2.aspx

Join me as I interview Pete Fischer of Fischer’s Kennels on the timely topic of picking out a new hunting dog and doing it the correct way.   Pete offers some great advice you’ll want to consider no matter what breed of hunting companion you might be in the market to purchase.

There’s a lot of careful decisions to make before you make that all-important commitment to bring a new dog home.   Are you ready to spend the time necessary to properly care for and train the dog?   How can you be sure you’re getting a healthy dog from a reputable breeder?   What are some playtime activities you absolutely do not want to do with that new retriever or risk the possibility of creating a more difficult dog to train.

We cover the topic quite thoroughly and provide a good primer for those considering a new puppy purchase this spring.

2007 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission

Sportsman's Blog Podcast Episode #3-2007

 Listen in iTunes
 Download mp3 file    27.8mb (29.5 minutes)
   http://sportsmansblogpodcast.com/rss2.aspx

Join me as I interview outdoors writer and book author Randy Kadish on the timely topic of fly casting.   Be sure to check out Randy’s web site flyandspincasting.com to learn more about his fascination with distance casting, as well as simply honing the sometimes challenging casting technique.   This podcast is intended to help you brush up on your fly casting technique before heading out to the stream during the upcoming weeks of trout fishing.

We also discuss Randy’s recently released historical novel entitled “The Fly Caster Who Tried to Make PEACE with the World.”   For more information on Randy’s new book you may visit the publisher Keokee Books or search for it on Amazon.com.

2007 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission

Sportsman's Blog Podcast Episode #2-2007

 Listen in iTunes
 Download mp3 file    30.8mb (33.5 minutes)
   http://sportsmansblogpodcast.com/rss2.aspx

Please join me on this week’s podcast interview with Michele Leqve who is credited as being the first woman ever to shoot a polar bear by means of archery equipment.   Come along as Michele describes to me this fascinating hunt, as well as the evolution of her life as a female sportsman.   Coming from a family that did not hunt, Michele took up hunting back in her earlier years when she was dating just so she could spend more time with her then boyfriends.   Obviously that passion blossomed as Michele is now one of the nation’s leading female sportsmen, thanks in large part, to her now husband, Jim Leqve.

As you listen to Michele’s story I’m including some pictures below from the hunt just to put a little visual flavor along with the audio.   I hope you enjoy…and be sure to leave your comments on the blog to any podcast you hear linked from this site.

(click on the pictures to see them enlarged)

2007 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Sportsman's Blog Podcast Episode #1-2007

 Listen in iTunes
 Download mp3 file    28.1mb (31.5 minutes)
   http://sportsmansblogpodcast.com/rss2.aspx

 

Well, it’s finally here.   Join me on my first podcast interview of 2007 with John Kvasnicka, Executive Director of the National 4–H Shooting Sports Foundation as we discuss the importance of getting youth involved early in various shooting sports activities.

NOTE:   For those experiencing difficulty linking and/or loading this file, you may also try listening to the podcasts from this web site.   Also, we hope to have the feed available thru the i-Tunes store within the next few days.   Please be patient…and thanks for listening.

2007 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Well, it’s finally here.   Join me on my first podcast interview of 2007 with John Kvasnicka, Executive Director of the National 4–H Shooting Sports Foundation as we discuss the importance of getting youth involved early in various shooting sports activities.

NOTE:   For those experiencing difficulty linking and/or loading this file, you may also try listening to the podcasts from this web site.   Also, we hope to have the feed available thru the i-Tunes store within the next few days.   Please be patient…and thanks for listening.

2007 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Podcasting About The Outdoors...Taking It To The Next Level

In case you’re wondering why blogging has been a little sporadic as of late, it’s partly due to time being spent gearing up and getting ready to do some serious podcasting here this coming spring.   Right now the equipment is finally in-house and the studio is…well, coming together with a little bit of effort.   Fact is setting up the studio and learning about the proper use of all the equipment is taking a considerable amount of my spare time…but hopefully in the end it will be well worth it.

There are many ways to become a podcaster.   As Rich Lindgren recently pointed out to me in an e-mail there are services such as BlogTalkRadio that requires nothing more than a telephone to produce a podcast.   In fact, another very popular service is www.Audioblog.com where a person uses the telephone instead of a microphone.   A lot of successful folks produce their shows in this manner and do a fabulous job.

The next step up is to get some sort of a microphone for the computer.   Here again, a number of successful podcasters get a good USB mic such as Samson C01U USB mic that is basically a plug and play mic into the computer.   Pull the mic out of the package, plug it into the computer, and within minutes a person is ready to do some serious recording.   Download a free audio editing program such as Audacity and you’re in business having invested only a small amount of money into fairly easy to operate equipment.

Then, of course, there’s podcasting by taking the next step using broadcast quality mics, professional mixing equipment using pre-amps, compressors, equalizers, telephone interface equipment all channeled into a computer via fire-wire for post-production processing.   In most cases this process is merely a scaled down version of the very same broadcast equipment a person would find at a local radio station studio.   The quality is superb and very professional sounding, but I dare say the learning curve, not only in connecting all the necessary wires and cables, but also in setting the proper levels on all the controls is almost overwhelming for this novice.   Yet, just like that wily old buck that teases and taunts you all summer…the challenge lying ahead can be invigorating for both the mind and the spirit.

That brings me to a point where I want to involve you…the Sportsman’s Blog reader.   In your opinion what makes an interesting podcast?   Your input is not only welcomed, but strongly encouraged.   Over the next several weeks I will be practicing with and tuning up this equipment for an early March ‘07 re-launch of my podcast.   Yes, it is a re-launch because last year my podcasting effort fizzled out after just a few episodes.

This time around I plan to do things a bit different.   How so, you might ask?   Well, the plan is EVERY show will feature an interview with some expert in the outdoors industry.   Not only do I think the interview format makes things more interesting for the listeners, but it actually makes things more fun for the podcaster, as well.   I’m not knocking those podcasters who show after show do nothing but preach…but let’s face it, eventually that format gets a little boring.

So, starting hopefully in early March when I begin podcasting in earnest once again, expect to hear lots of short interviews (20 to 30 minutes in length) with the movers and shakers of this outdoors industry.   If you have an idea as to who might make an interesting interview…drop me a line and let me know.   I’ll try my best to line it up.   I want to keep things diverse covering lots of varied topics…yet I also want to keep the subject matter timely as to what is currently happening in the outdoors.

My goal is to upload a new podcast episode each week…but that will depend on how much free time I have to produce the show throughout the year.   Again, now is a critical time for your input in terms of how I am developing the show.   If you have ideas and care to share them…please do so.   The purpose of podcasting is to enhance the blogging effort, not to replace it.   I really think the new interview format will end up working out quite well…I know I am anxious to get going, I just hope you are likewise a bit anxious to hear the finished result of my most recent audio blogging efforts.

© 2007 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.  No Reproduction Allowed Without Prior Permission.

Sportsman's Blog Podcast Show #02

  Listen to the latest show.   7.1mb

 

I spend today's episode reminiscing about Minnesota Fishing Openers from the past...in particular, a certain award we give out to "The Most Incompetent Fisherman" in our group.   Hear some stories about past winners...as well as a description of how to win this not-so-coveted prize given in our fishing camp.

2006 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Sportsman's Blog Podcast Show #01

Well, here it is…my first podcast effort that I promised a few weeks ago.   Please be kind in your criticism as it’s been far too many years since I last sat behind the microphone or did anything remotely similar to this sort of thing.

 (To find out more about podcasts and the software to access them, check out Podcasting on the Wikipedia Web site.)

———————————————————————

 

  Listen to the latest show.   12.5mb

 

I spend a portion of today’s show talking about the world of podcasting as well as introducing myself to the listening audience.

I also briefly mention what you can expect to hear in upcoming editions.

Take a listen, and tell me what you think.   Also, if you have ideas for upcoming editions, as always, I encourage your comments.

 

2006 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Sportsman's Blog Planning First Podcast

Sometimes I wonder if I’m not a glutton for punishment.   Then again, so much of this new technology on the Internet truly fascinates me.   Ever since beginning my blogging career about 20 months ago I’ve yearned to do something a bit more.   Spice things up just a bit.   Don’t get me wrong…the blogging is all in good fun and I’m not getting bored or moving away from it by any means.   Instead, I’d like to announce that plans are presently underway to greatly expand the manner in which I communicate to the blogosphere (that would be folks like you).

That’s right…beginning in about 3 weeks (about the time of the Minnesota Fishing Opener in mid-May) I plan to release my first audio podcast to be found on this blog.   Over the past few months I’ve been gearing up for the big event and I’m really excited about this new opportunity.   In doing my research, I’ve determined there are several dozen good blog sites that focus on the outdoors (hunting, fishing, etc.), but the number of sites producing a quality outdoors podcast are still just a handful, albeit, a growing handful.

That led me to explore further the fascinating world of podcasting.   By definition, podcasting is nothing more than distributing audio or video files over the Internet.   Sort of like being entertained by a radio or TV program, but with this format you can play the broadcast when it’s convenient for you to listen.   Unlike a radio broadcast where you must listen at a certain scheduled time…with a podcast you can either listen using your computer connected to the Internet…or if you choose to be trendy, you can also get one of the latest mp3 file players like an iPod.   By using such a device, you can download hours of music or programming to listen later when you are commuting to work or traveling on an airplane, for instance.   In other words, listening to a podcast is akin to audioblogging where your ears are strained and not your eyes. 

In preparation for adding this new blog feature I’ve spent more money than my wife needs to know about purchasing new condenser mics, cables, digital recorders and other associated studio equipment.   I now have the equipment necessary to produce a broadcast either sitting at my desk in my home office…or taking it on the road as a conventional radio reporter might do getting a field story.   During the upcoming weeks I intend to do both as I learn not only how to produce a decent podcast show, but also to better understand just how all this new equipment properly functions.

During the weeks to come I will share much more about my podcasting intentions, but suffice it to say that for right now we are probably about three weeks away until I launch the new venture.   In the meantime, I urge you to check out some of these other fine outdoor podcasts just to begin whetting your appetite, so to speak.   Some are produced similar to the manner in which I intend to conduct my upcoming show…others, well…you be the judge.

Incidentally, a new podcast that was just released this week is actually put out by the Minnesota DNR.   By clicking HERE you should be able to load their newest program on spring turkey hunting.   (NOTE:  To listen to this and some of the other programs I’m about to mention, you might need the latest version of Apple QuickTime installed on your computer or some other program such as REALPlayer.   If the file doesn’t automatically load and play you’ll know you need to install one of these or a similar program on your computer.)

Check out these outdoors-oriented podcasts:

• Tight Lines with Sammy Lee
• The Itinerant Angler
• Why-Fish.com
• The Outdoor Radio Network (links to several other outdoor podcasts)
• Outdoor News
• The WildeBeat

Then check out some other great podcasts:

• Podsqod (produced by a 25+ year broadcast professional)
• The SG Show (produced by an 8 year old child and his father)
• The Alaska Podshow

Do you know of any other great outdoor podcasts?   Leave a comment and tell me about it.   Then stay tuned for what will soon be my first attempt breaking into the podcasting world.   I’ll share more details as I get closer to releasing the inaugural show.

Oh, and before I forget to say it…thanks for all your continued support of this blog and for where I plan to take it in the future.   Your comments and well wishes are always much appreciated.

© 2006 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.