March 9, 2020 we held a Wild Fish and Wild Game Dinner, pretty oblivious to all the changes that were to hit life-as-we-know-it over the next 72 hours.  That night, the NBA was still playing to arenas filled with fans, restaurants were still operating, and we were gathering as a group of friends to share a meal of Wild Fish and Wild Game—just as we had each month for the better part of the previous year. In a serendipitous turn of events, Mike Borchard had asked if he could take portraits of the club that night—to capture a moment in time and a moment in the evolution of our club.  Until we are able to gather again, this contact sheet of...

So it’s the middle of February when most of America is in the thick of winter. I will never forget living in Seattle and forgetting what warmth felt like, or vibrant colors deep in winter. Now I live in Southern California and never take for granted those sunny days in the middle of winter. This last Sunday was one of those days. Diving was crystal clear, the sun was out and honestly it could not have felt nicer — I’m not trying to make you jealous but just trying to set the tone for the day. We were excited to dive and scout some potential spots for the up and coming White Sea Bass season. Because a solid kelp presence...

This Fall was the first season that I took a big game animal, field dressed it, and broke it down into kitchen-friendly, freezer-ready pieces.  My two initial takeaways from this process are: A. The meat starts resembling something you have handled hundreds of times in the kitchen more quickly than you would expect.  The word "butchering" harkens some grisly images to mind, but once you remove the offal, it's a minimally bloodless process. B. I basically learned everything I needed to from YouTube, so I am confident that you can too. Confidence in the field is key, and confidence only comes from exposure and experience.  To head afield with a gun or bow in hand is to carry with you a...

As a novice duck hunter- I’ve gleaned a few things about the sport that have influenced my meal decision. Here’s some background.  You do any bit of research on youtube or instagram on duck hunting and you may be tempted to believe duck hunting is limited to shooting mallard drakes, the most recognizable duck with greenheads often floating around the local golf course.   But there are many different types of ducks, at least as many as 41 different species, that range is size, region and taste. The culture around shooting greenheads is understandable. For one, It’s a conservation decision by singling out the males a hunter is protecting the future flock numbers, it’s a meat yield decision due to...

As we look ahead to 2020 we are excited about what we can create, not simply from a digital output standpoint, but from in the form of interpersonal connection. The prevalence of great media sources nearly defines the human experience in 2019-2020.  From YouTube to Podcasts to Netflix and Instagram, digital content that covers any and all subjects is abundant.  Hunting is no different—there are tremendous digital resources on all types of hunting and fishing—whether you are a greenhorn beginner or a lifelong outdoorsman. Individually, we have benefited tremendously from the resources that exist.  Voices like Steven Rinella, Hank Shaw, Randy Newberg, and Remi Warren (to name a few) have shaped much of my personal confidence and knowledge in the field...

We recently traveled to the Kern River for the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Field to Fork event. We were all loaded up with gear from the new Wilderness Collective x lululemon collaboration, and tasked with getting photos of the product afield.  lululemon generously sponsored our November Wild Fish & Wild Game dinner, and Jeffrey was more than happy with the assignment to shoot for the product launch in a setting like the Kern. With trout and quail on the mind—Davis, Matt and Jeff struck out to explore all of the natural beauty that the Kern River has to offer.   Photos: Jeffrey AlleeProduct: Wilderness x lululemon  

You guys really showed off last night. The food that was shared was downright unbeatable and the crowd was filled with some of the best people I know, and a bunch of new faces of people who share our love of wild game and good conversation. For starters, there were over 60 people packed into Sean Woolsey's studio and parking lot last night for a shared feast. Just off the top of my head, I ate elk sliders, fish tacos, dove, lobster ravioli, homemade sourdough, loaded up salad, impossibly tender elk steaks, seared yellowfin tuna, and I know for a fact I missed out on like 2/3 of the incredible things you guys shared. After dinner, we moved inside where...

September’s #wildfishwildgame dinner is at wrap here in Costa Mesa.  Fortunately for all of us, this month's dinner just happened to take place 3 days after the recreational lobster season opener here in California and several of the dudes in the club were exceptionally generous with their time and lobsters.  The contributions were plentiful.  Last night we were treated to: an abundance of fresh California spiny lobster a bison brisket lobster rolls (recipe available here) ceviche home-made Cole slaw home-made biscuits home made tortillas quinoa broccoli grilled zucchini fried walleye beers courtesy of @latitude33brew  Not to mention, a whole bunch of great friends, new and old.  We discussed the results of the survey we sent out last month, which helps paint a clearer picture...

Lobster season opened last Saturday morning locally. A crew of the guys have been logging a ton of late night, chilly, hours in the water in an effort to bring home some of the most prized meat in the sea—the California Spiny Lobster.  Zach Rose limited the night before Quail Club met, and was generous enough to prepare this incredible take on a Lobster Roll.  California Lobster Rolls (Sous Vide)  Ingredients:  ½ of lobster meat.   2 tablespoons of butter 1 teaspoon of garlic powder 1 teaspoon of black pepper 1 cup of mayonnaise - ¼ cup of squeezed lemon. 2 tablespoons of Siracha (Rooster) sauce.  1 teaspoon paprika  1 teaspoon of chipotle seasoning. 2 diced serrano chilis.  1 diced celery stick. ...

As a life-long midwestern bird hunter, my expectations for hunting in California were extremely low.  I moved West late last summer with a chip on my shoulder, ironically from a “flyover state”.  I had written this state off to surfers and beach bums with little idea of what California has to offer outdoorsmen (and women).  Fortunately, California has been quick to proven me wrong.  September 1st, 2019 and I found myself with my shotgun loaded in the back of my electric car heading to meet a fellow member of Quail Club, and my newfound friend, Matt Rose. Matt, is what some might expect to see when you describe an outdoorsman who lives in SoCal. His hair slightly bleached from the Californian sun,...