A Day on the Ice

We headed out to Spray Lake for a day of ice fishing on Sunday. The fishing was slow but the scenery was spectacular....

Final Day at Buena Vista

As the old saying goes, "if it was easy everyone would be doing it." On those daqys when it isn't easy it pays to have the right tools to get the job done. Today was one of those days, the fish had moved and those on boats that couldn't make the 50 mile run didn't catch fish. The Furiouso had no difficulties and today was Sandi's day with sail after sail with three dorado tossed into the mix for fun.
Be sure to catch the all new episodes of Outdoor Quest TV in the new year including this trip to Buena Vista Sportfishing in Guatemala.

Marlin!!!!

Today the fish were on fire! Sail after sail and several marlin including this monster. Guatemala is certainly living up to its reputation as the hottest deep sea fishing destination on the planet and we have spent the last two days on the top boat (Furiouso) and Captain (Marciel) in the fleet at Buena Vista Sportfishing

Day 2 with Buena Vista

Another perfect blue sky day with the ocean as flat as a pie plate. On our run out to the fishing grounds we spotted a sailfish finning on the top of the water.  We sat the boat down, set up and made a pass by him and managed to smack a double - not the last double for the day either.  Fishing was spectacular - we raised 18 sails and caught 8, raised 2 marlin, caught 1, raised and caught a couple of Mahe.  Muscles are stiff and sore but can't wait for tomorrow!

Day 1 fishing at Buena Vista

The day dawned sunny, bright and 28 degrees. We  ran offshore had a great day of mixed bag fishing. Mahe, sailfish and bonito were all caught. This mahe Sandi's first on the day made a fabulous supper tonight. There is nothing like fresh caught fish to whet your appitite.
Watch for the fishing to show up in the 2010 line up or visit Buena Vista Sportfishing

Hola from Guatemala

Sandi and I just had our first day of fun in the +28 sunshine at Buena Vista Sportfishing We got in at 1 in the morning so took a day of loafing around spending money at local artisians market and getting rubbed down with macadamia nut oil. It was -43 on Sunday when we left home and today was +28 and perfectly sunny. Quit the shock to the system but tomorrow we hit the deep blue for the big fish.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog.

Guatemala!

Sandi and I counting the days to our Guatemala trip for giant sails, marlin and sun. Stay tuned and watch for daily updates as long as we have internet!

Big Buck Down

With a day and a half left to go in the season, it looks like my elk tag will go unfilled. We took a run into a remote valley this morning but didn't see any elk at all. I'm kicking myself now for passing that big bull in September. Vanessa connected on a big whitetail buck yesterday and I shot a doe to ensure our winter supply of jerky was adequate. I'm going to concentrate on whitetails tonight and tomorrow. We've been seeing lots of good bucks so hopefully there's still a monster out there with my name on it.

Meat in the Freezer

Well, things started off slow this year but they are going full speed now. After Vanessa took her moose with Blue Sky Outfitting, we headed south to hunt mule deer does with our buddy Trevor and we took six in one day (yes, we had that many tags). Then, two days later Vanessa scored on her cow elk. We had a bit of a run in with a grizzly but everything turned out fine. The full story will be in the January 2010 Alberta Outdoorsmen. Since then, I've passed up a few bull elk, still hoping to find that true monster.

I just heard from Rich and Sandi. After their first day of the muzzleloader season on the Wainright Military Base, they had two good muley bucks down and had been seeing loads more.

The freezers are full and we've goyt loads of great footage for the 2010 season.

Mule Deer Buck success!

Scouting started in July, the season on Sept 17th. It has been over 4 months and tens of thousands of kilometers but finally the lady luck smiled on Rich today!

Blue Skies Finally Smiled

Vanessa and I had a great hunt with Kevin McNeil of Blue Sky Outfitters in early October and Vanessa passed on several young bull moose but ended the week without pulling the trigger. We stayed on and enjoyed a great waterfowl shoot and then Kevin invited us back for the final couple days of the season and Vanessa tagged a nice young bull on the last day of the season in the pouring rain. We want to thank Kevin for all his hard work and dedication despite some very challenging hunting conditions. Check out Blue Sky Outfitters at www.blueskyoutfitting.com

Whitetail Buck Down

Sandi and I took a break from the non stop and highly unsuccessful mule deer hunting and hit a field that we had gotten a tip on. The results were a great old campaigner, probably 4 years past his prime and a very entertain TV show.

Thanksgiving Hunting

Turkey weekend arrived and Rich and I spent all three days looking for the elusive mule deer buck for which he has drawn a tag. It has been well below average daily highs here over the past week and the weekend was no exception. We did not see it any warmer than -4C - just gross. We saw only 5 deer Saturday. Improvement Sunday we saw 23 deer but only 1 buck. Tonight we saw 14 deer and 8 were bucks - a couple nice ones just after dark, but at least we are seeing them. We'll have to try again later this week - supposed to be warmer!!!

Outdoor Quest TV and Gentec International Join Forces

News Release
August 13, 2009


Outdoor Quest TV, Canada’s longest running hunting series, has just joined forces with Gentec International in the promotion of Zeiss Optics and Remington Clothing. Outdoor Quest host, Richard Mellon, says, “The partnership was a natural. We hunt where using quality gear matters and Zeiss and Remington Clothing epitomize what quality hunting gear is all about. TJ and I are thrilled at the opportunity to work with a Canadian icon like Gentec”

Gentec International is Canada's leading consumer accessory products company, supplying a complete range of photo, video, digital, sport optics, home theatre, electronics, wireless and mobile audio products to the Canadian retail marketplace. Gentec offers prominent brand names such as Optex, Sigma, Velbon, Gary Fong, Roots, iQ, SanDisk, Sunpak, Bushnell, Tasco, Planet Wireless, Energy, Sony, Electrohome, Prolink, Smarthome, Stinger and Gentec is the exclusive Canadian distributor for Zeiss and Remington Clothing..

“We are really excited about the Rapid Z line of reticles from Zeiss,” Outdoor Quest host T.J. Schwanky says. “Both Richard and I are experienced long-range shooters and the Rapid Z reticle is one of the most effective and simplest tools there is for taking ethical long-range shots. Plan on seeing some exciting hunts and long-range shots on our 2010 season on Wild TV. Having Zeiss optics on our rifles is going to allow us to do things we haven’t been able to do before.”

Both Zeiss and Remington are well recognized by consumers worldwide as offering the finest in hunting gear. Zeiss has been levelling the playing field between man and prey for 165 years. Innovations like FL Concept glass, Lotutec lens coatings and Rapid Z Reticles have made Zeiss optics lighter, stronger and clearer. Remington, in business since 1816 is the single-most recognizable brand in North America and the Remington Clothing line was developed building on the same value and quality that the brand has represented for over 150 years.

Outdoor Quest TV airs in Canada on Wild TV, Sunday evening at 10:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.

For more information: http://www.theoutdoorquest.com/ or http://www.gentec-intl.com/

Indian Head Camp

Just got back from Indian Head Camp in northern Saskatchewan and we had an incredible trip. We caught loads of fish over 20 pounds with the largest being 28 pounds. The staff, camp and equipment were all first rate. I'll definitely be going back. http://www.indianheadcamp.com/

Backyard Bear

OK so it is a mile or two away but we are really blessed in Northern Alberta with the amount of game we have in close proximity. Last night Sandi and I sat our closest-to-home bait. We knew there were lots of bear on the bait as the 45 gallon barrel of oats and used deep fryer oil was getting emptied ever 2 days.


The bears didn't disappoint with 2 blacks and 4 brown color phase entertaining us with their antics until a nice chocolate color phase came in driving all the others off.


Watch for the show in the upcoming season of Outdoor Quest TV.

Fresh walleye fillets!

Saturday Sandi and I took advantage of the perfect weather (what a change in 2 days!) and headed out to our favorite eye lake to see if we could rustle up supper. The fishing was hot heavy up shallow pulling spinners, with us catching a couple of dozen walleye and as many pike in two hours.

Supper was all you could dream it to be!

Bear Hunting?

Sandi and I are trying hard to find a good bear in the spring season but the weather hasn't been helping! The upside is that is my #12 muck boot next to the track in the snow.

Spring Bear Hunting

We just got back from a bear hunt in northern Alberta with Blair Inscho of Twin River Outfitting and despite a foot of fresh snow and -17 temperatures, Vanessa scored on a nice blonde bear. Thanks to Blair and Greg for all their hard work under some very difficult conditions.

Still more photos

We worked through the Northern Alberta chapter of Safari Club International to take 150 pounds of school supplies over to a local school. The kids were so greatful and it really showed what an impact that hunters can have on the lives of these people.

And still more photos

More Photos from Namibia

Namibian Adventure

After two years of planning, our trip to Africa finally became a reality. We did a plains game hunt with Boet Nel Hunting Safaris and the trip was everything we dreamed of and more. This was a 100% free-range, fair-chase hunt and we saw some very remote parts of the country and got a true taste of old Africa. Watch for footage from the trip begining this summer on Wild TV.

Lloydminster Showcase 2009 March 27-29

Sandi and I will be in Lloyd this weekend and I'll be doing seminars all three days. If you get the chance stop and catch a seminar or shoot the breeze with us!

Rich

Winter Driving

You have to love driving the QE2 in the winter...well okay, you don't. The three hour journey to Edmonton took nearly 5 hours today and with a trailer in tow, it was a bit scary. We start setting up for the Edmonton Sportsmen Show tomorrow. The show runs Thurs-Sunday....stop by and say hello!

Winter Exercise

Sandi and I love to snowshoe on our place and today we got out for a couple of mile shuffle. During the week we go in the dark so the weekends are special and you get to see all the changes that take place during the week. The snow crust is getting really bad and the old dog can't run on top of it but she weighs 70 pounds, coyotes will making making out pretty good I think. We did find one deer kill that the coyotes have cleaned up. I don't know what killed it, the weather or the coyotes.

Argo Time

Brrrr! Yesterday dawned clear and cold -40 here but I loaded up the Avenger and headed into see Doug Lambley at Argyll Motor Sports In Edmonton. It was time for a check up and nobody takes care of us and our Argos like Doug. While there I got a sneak peak at the new 2009 model and new for this year is Realtree HD Camo.

A few more SCI photos