When I got back from my winter trip to Minnesota I knew it was time to chase my dreams of learning how to shoot and hunt here in Southwest Colorado.
The question was who, what, where? You can’t just head out your back door & start shootin into the sky. You need the right teacher, location and training. Learning how to properly handle a firearm is important to me, as it should be for anyone who wants to handle a lethal weapon…
My goal with all of this? I want to bring the food we eat full circle….from field to table.
First I spoke to Telluride Outside on Facebook. My interests range from fly fishing to bird hunting (snowmobiling, rafting & mountain bike tours too!) They have answers to all of my questions & they’re gonna get me going on all my outdoor pursuits.
They have a wonderful outfitter store on main street Telluride & will greet you with a smile and great knowledge when you walk in.
I spent quite some time in there talkin to John Duncan. He is part owner of Telluride Outside and a well know fly fishing guide. When you visit you will find Telluride Outside combined with the Telluride Angler store where you can tap into all your fly fishing fantasies.
John coordinated a trip for me to head out to Hotchkiss, CO. Over there a guy named Al owns Gunnison River Expeditions.
Everyone on this chain of events has been more than helpful to help expand my knowledge.
These fellas are pros & they respect the idea of women hunting & fishing. We sure share laughs with some of the questions I ask ~ but true answers come regardless.
They can see my passion to become a petite huntress….
Heading out to Hotchkiss, COÂ in Delta County was quite the scenic adventure. I had to stop a few times to grab some photos…
It was hard for me to keep my eyes on the road with so much beauty everywhere.
I pulled up to the North Rim Hunt Club. This is an amazing hunting lodge with a few thousand acres of mixed bag Western Colorado upland hunting hunting…
~Â I was greeted by Roy…
Roy Jackson is an expert hunter who can guide you on any kinda hunt to suit your fancy…He’ll guide you anywhere around the world with his service Hunt Land Tag.
His wonderful wife Milissa Jackson plays a big part in this too.
She was a sweetheart and took the photos of me that you see in this post. I hear she is a really great huntress and cook ~ the kinda gal I need to be pals with.
Obviously.
We had fun talkin about all kinds of hunts…and her polka dot boots.
This is Justin ~ he works at the hunt club too. He gave me some great pointers. He told me to follow more closely & Â get a little ahead of the clays….his tips certainly worked!
This weekend we played with clay pigeons…and guess what?
Roy tells me I am ready for da birds.
I. Am. Ready.
Wow. Bang. Boom. Just like that.
I need to take my hunter safety class, get a bird and turkey license and off we will go in April.
I am really enjoying learning how to handle and shoot a shotgun.
Now that I live in such a spectacular natural setting I want to take advantage of everything the outdoors has to offer. From outdoor athletics, to hunting and fishing….
All of it. All the time…..yes please.
Related Links
- Bob’s Bird MarlaMeridith.com
- Gunnison River Expeditions
- Hunt Land Tag
- Telluride Angler
- Telluride Outside
Oh wow! That’s extremely cool. My grandpa is a hunter as well so it’s always nice to get some good quality meat every once in a while. I actually got my brother-in-law a voucher for a clay pigeon shooting session for Christmas and he loved it 🙂
That is such and awesome gift Antonia! Very generous 🙂 I can’t wait to get some fresh hunted meat….
That is such a great outdoor activity!
Those landscapes are just breathtaking!
Cheers,
Rosa
Hi Rosa! Oh girl would you LOVE everything about it here 🙂
Beautiful pictures, Marla! And how fun!!!
Awesome, Marla! These look like such great people, and that back country is – wow. Just stunning. Congrats, girl! Can’t wait to read more about your adventures.
That sounds like a fun adventure!
Your new life fits you so well! Loving your posts! xoxo
Great to finally be here Jenny 🙂 Finally….
ahh i’ve never done that before and am eager to try! i love where you live! it’s so beautiful!
Thanks Julie! This is all so fun to share with you guys!
This post reminds me of your Girl Hunter post last year!
“When I got back from my winter trip to Minnesota ” <– I read that post and didn't see mention of MN! See, I grew up in MN and no matter how long Ive been a Cali girl, I will always be a girl who grew up in the frozen tundra. Lol Tell me more about the trip!
I saw the Minnesota part also, Minnesota girl now living in Colorado!! I will be a MN girl forever also. But I do love Colorado so much!
Jennifer, I am so happy I had the chance to visit MN. So beautiful there and really great people 🙂
I grew up in a very rural area with a very strong hunting and fishing tradition. Shotguns and fishing rods were just second nature to all of us. It has been a little while since I’ve handled a gun, but I have nieces who shoot clays competitively. They also hunt and fish. Mostly deer, game birds, and bass fishing. Oh, and both are beauty pageant winners 🙂
Beauty patent gals and huntresses?! What an amazing combo Lana! Now that we live surrounded by nature we hope to give our kiddos the same wonderful experiences ~ get to know the outdoors on ALL levels 🙂 Such a gift!
My husband would love you ;)! Great pictures too!
Looking good holding that gun girl! 😉
You sure are living it up in CO.
Thanks girl! Yup, have a great time here ~ was meant to be 🙂
Looks wonderful. It’s been ages since I’ve used my rifle. It’s stored at my parent’s home. I’m better at target shooting than at clay pigeons. Glad you’re having a great time.
Bonnie, I have not tried target shooting yet but need to!
Beautiful Shots Marla!!
This looks so much fun! And you are looking great holding the gun 😉
Thanks so much Reem 🙂
With such scenery’s and activities, I wouldn’t want to live indoors anymore! You look so cool in the photos, Marla 🙂
Thanks Kiran ~ really I am hardly indoors these days….hardly 😉
You look classy with that gun…as always, Marla! Beautiful pictures..loads of fun…
Why thank you Sanjeeta 🙂 I really enjoy getting out there for all these awesome outdoors activities!
Marla, admiring your sense of adventure and gorgeous photos!
Marla,
YOU look so happy and so beautiful. You shoot the most amazing shots with your camera and I am SURE that you will do the same with your hunting skills : )
You are truly living the Fresh Family Cooking life!!
Thank you for sharing such great photos and recipes.
I need you out here experiencing all this with me. Watch out for lots of FUN this summer my friend 🙂 XO
You are out there doing great stuff! I love seeing it! YOU GO GIRL! So very inspiring. You look so happy and powerful yet peaceful. The scenery and pictures are breathtaking.
xxoo, Andrea
Andrea, you must come out for a visit. Everywhere you look the views are spectacular. Hotchkiss was such a great surprise ~ had no idea what to expect as I had never been out that way. The cowboys were super sweet and great teachers!
p/s cant get enough of the cute cowboy pictures either!
I took a clay shooting class in college (funky, right??)–totally not normally my thing–but I ended up loving it! It was really fun and different and I was surprisingly good at it, haha.
Gorgeous photos!
In college??!! That is awesome! Where did you go? I bet that was fun to do with all your pals.
Hi, stumbled on your page looking at upland hunting. I have been at it for awhile, and can’t wait to go every season. Tried your pheasant rec: They are great tasting, easy, and my family loved them. Please keep bringing them on. If you ever want to shoot clays in Motown/Delta, let me know. It is tough to find other women that really enjoy this type of lifestyle.
Hi Laura, great to hear from you! So glad you tried my recipes 🙂 I will be outdoors lots in the fall & I can’t wait to hunt upland birds. Where do you usually shoot? A gun club or your place? I would love to meet you!
I belong to Black Canyon Hunt Club, it is a nice small Club. They have about 700 acres , a wobble trap, and 5 stand clay. I also have 4 dogs that I hunt with. Next time you think you will be down this way, let me know ahead of time and I will get ahold of the club to go shoot some clays. Also you got to go pheasant hunting with me, way to much fun. Take Care, Look forward to meeting you.
I was just listening to you on the food blogger conference and went over to check out your blog. My whole family spent Thanksgiving at the North Rim Hunt Club and it was so much fun. My sister lives in Hotchkiss. Great photos. Al is a sweet guy.
Hi Rebecca, thanks so much for stopping over to say hi! OMG ~ sounds like a blast that you spent Thanksgiving at NRHC. LOVE it there & I can’t wait to hunt there in the fall. Hotchkiss is gorgeous!
We did have a blast. It’s so beautiful there. I live in LA but my sister and parents are there. Thanks for such a great session today too. It was very inspiring.