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BASE CAMP BLOG
Hunting stories, tips & behind our brand.
There’s nothing out there like the thrill of that first coyote hunt. For me, the big one was my first night out thermal hunting. It’s one thing to have a...
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Camp Talk: Ben Esterly
A large part of what we want to do at Riverbrothers is to show other outdoorsmen’s stories about how they got started in the hunting...
Gravel Roads, Gas Tanks & Tasty Spit Cups
Almost every day during the hunting season I found myself behind the wheel of my scouting rig, a 2011 Honda Fit. Many of you may laugh, but when it came to the many miles put on it and the MPG it got; I think I am the one laughing in the end. Heading out of town with a buddy, some binocs, a plat book and a last-minute stop at the Casey’s gas station for pop, dip and a quick bite to eat before trekking off into no-man’s land, in search of the next day’s hunting spot. Sometimes two of us went out together and scouted, sometimes we had five separate vehicles out; kind of just depended on how desperate we were for a spot. I think most people scout the same way as we did. We would turn up some music, typically some sort of mix between Kesha and Garth Brooks (depended on the day), and drive off out of town. We would go past other feeds and roosts that had been good in recent years, while also keeping an eye out for other spots. At times it got super frustrating, driving all over eastern South Dakota and not seeing a single bird. The sun got lower and lower and we would frantically start driving faster. I cannot tell you how many times, just as the sun went down and we could barely see anything, that we would find a field that was absolutely stacked with birds. It’s like God was looking down on us and planned it out perfectly. We would open up the plat book and figure out who owns the field, and whoever gets the permission from the farmer, gets to invite who they want and come up with the plan for when and how they want to hunt that spot. I always enjoyed driving down the gravel roads, dodging deer, avoiding the ditch due to watching fields for too long without looking back at the road (we’ve all been there, many times). ...
New Seasons, Fresh Ducks & Friendly Competition
The beginning of the fall season brings many different reasons to get excited: Football, brisk mornings, bonfires as well as the oh-so-wonderful hunting season. As far as us here at River Brothers Outfitters, it’s the best time of the year. Deer shed their velvet, local ducks clear out and make way for the new birds, the fall walleye bite heats up and last but not least, school starts back up for many students (not really something we look forward to but it’s necessary for some). I, myself, went to South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota which just so happens to be along the path of the Mississippi and Central flyway, and what most may say is the best waterfowl territory in the world. I met an incredible group of people that all shared the same passion for the outdoors. We spent countless hours sharing hunting stories from when we grew up, constantly trying to one up another because that’s how competitive we all were and still are to this day. I remember throughout my 4 years at SDSU, every duck opener I pulled an all-nighter (not recommended) because I was so incredibly excited, even more excited than Christmas morning as a kid. We would start a bonfire, eat marshmallows and hotdogs and wait for the sun to rise so we could begin the hunt. I remember every time we got done with a solid duck hunt, the next day in class I would be sitting next to some friends who were also duck hunters and had hunted the previous day. We would share stories about how the hunts went and any other highlights. I always felt some ...
Camp Talk: Mallards on a Monday
Why the outdoors is important to me. Growing up I spent a lot of my time outdoors. I have countless memories from growing up learning how to fish from my dad, walking grasslands and bagging my first rooster, to countless hours and miles spent with friends chasing after ducks and geese. Being outside doing the things that I love has brought so much joy to my life and I can’t imagine what it would be like without it. My favorite duck hunting memory. Duck hunting memories are more than just how many birds you harvested that day. It’s the work of scouting, setting up your spread, and being able to share in the experience with others. I didn’t start duck hunting until my second year of college when my friend invited me to go with him. I didn’t hesitate to join him for a chance at what sounded like a fun experience and I quickly fell in love with it and have been obsessed ever since. Since then I have been on many hunts and always try to invite others, beginners to experts, to share in this wonderful experience. One of my most memorable hunts came on a Monday morning in mid-November after a tough weekend of hunting due to stale birds and blue bird weather. There were a couple of older gentlemen, that I met on those hunts through my friend that weekend, were on a hunting trip and were leaving Tuesday. They’d had a less than successful trip, so I told them I was going out scouting for a field Sunday evening and I’d be happy to have them join if I found a field. I remember finding the field just before dark, and it was loaded with ducks and snow geese. Once I talked with the famer and got permission to hunt, I didn’t hesitate to let the two gentlemen know we were good to go. I then proceeded to call and text several of my friends to see who was free to join. Due to it being a Monday and most people busy with classes or work, my friends Dylan and Nate were the only ones free to join. Dylan had invited me on a successful hunt that October, so I was more than happy to return the favor. The next morning the five of us met up at the field a couple hours before shooting time to give us plenty of time to set the decoys and properly brush in the blinds. After taking a few minutes of ...
Dog Talk w/ Jacked Up Labs
Heidi Haivala & Josh Goeman both age 23. Heidi is from Piedmont, SD and Josh is from Lennox, SD. We both met at SDSU and...
Habitat Talk: Keeping deer year round
Before we dive into this topic, I want everyone reading this to know that we are not experts. We are just extremely passionate about whitetails...
Legendary Traditions
A look into our meaning behind the saying, "Legendary Traditions" from the words of River Brothers Outfitters' Founder and Co-Owner, Devon Noehring.
Camp Talk: Passion, not hobby.
Growing up in the country had its benefits because I was naturally pulled to the outdoors. Hunting and fishing became my favorite things to do...
Camp Talk: Carlee Fletcher
I could talk hunting and fishing for hours, so I’ll keep this short and sweet. First, I owe my passion for the outdoors all...