jcs271
Well-known member
I had a really cool opportunity this past week. My friend Paul has started putting on a two day wolf trapping and predator hunting skills rendezvous at his home. He gets subject matter experts from around the country and several from Canada to come and teach all sorts of advanced trapping and snaring skills. I was there last year for the first one and he invited me to do a talk this year on wolf hunting.
This summer, Paul had told me that he had somebody coming that he wanted me to meet. I perked right up when he finally told me that it was Les Johnson from Predator Quest. I'm not one to get particularly excited about meeting someone "famous" but I also recognize that this guy has more practical predator hunting experience than almost anybody on the planet.
It's a quick drive to Paul's place but I still left early on Friday to have the opportunity to speak with Les for a while.
It was pretty funny because I heard him talking and recognized his voice before I ever saw him. I was very happy to discover that he is very easy going and actually fun to talk to.
I picked his brain about shotguns and loads because that is what is currently of interest in my personal wolf hunting adventures. It only took about 5 seconds to determine that shotguns are his passion and he knows his business.
Later that evening he gave an excellent 90 minute presentation on coyote calling.
I learned a LOT and confirmed that some things I regularly do with wolves are very similar to his techniques. I really could listen to him talk about technique and tell stories for hours.
I was scheduled to speak before dinner on Saturday night and was definitely feeling the pressure knowing that Les would be in the audience. I tried to stick to my script and I think most people were entertained. Les and several others came up afterwards to talk about specifics so I don't think I embarrassed myself too bad.
All in all it was a fun weekend and I was able to learn some new things.
Les, me and Paul...
One thing I know for sure, if any of you ever have the opportunity to go hear him speak, it will be well worth your time.
This summer, Paul had told me that he had somebody coming that he wanted me to meet. I perked right up when he finally told me that it was Les Johnson from Predator Quest. I'm not one to get particularly excited about meeting someone "famous" but I also recognize that this guy has more practical predator hunting experience than almost anybody on the planet.
It's a quick drive to Paul's place but I still left early on Friday to have the opportunity to speak with Les for a while.
It was pretty funny because I heard him talking and recognized his voice before I ever saw him. I was very happy to discover that he is very easy going and actually fun to talk to.
I picked his brain about shotguns and loads because that is what is currently of interest in my personal wolf hunting adventures. It only took about 5 seconds to determine that shotguns are his passion and he knows his business.
Later that evening he gave an excellent 90 minute presentation on coyote calling.
I learned a LOT and confirmed that some things I regularly do with wolves are very similar to his techniques. I really could listen to him talk about technique and tell stories for hours.
I was scheduled to speak before dinner on Saturday night and was definitely feeling the pressure knowing that Les would be in the audience. I tried to stick to my script and I think most people were entertained. Les and several others came up afterwards to talk about specifics so I don't think I embarrassed myself too bad.
All in all it was a fun weekend and I was able to learn some new things.
Les, me and Paul...
One thing I know for sure, if any of you ever have the opportunity to go hear him speak, it will be well worth your time.
