August’s Bone Collector of the Month, Mathew Ritchison, from Indiana began hunting when he was only eight years old. Ever since then he has done his part to “keep the local deer population from getting over crowded,” he says. He enjoys hunting Whitetail deer the most, and that his proudest whitetail moment came last season when he bagged a 200lb. field dressed 142” 10 pt. Indiana buck.  A “Hoosier Buck like Waddell,” he proudly points out, although Mathew’s dream would be to take a bowhunting trip on the Milk River in Montana.

This hunter-gatherer enjoys hunting to provide venison for his family and even an occasional thunderchicken in the spring, as well as collecting a little Bone along the way.  Mathew takes pleasure in calling himself part of the brotherhood, because Bone Collectors are just “Good Ole Boys, down to Earth, and proud of what they do.  Keep hunting Bone, I know I will.”

There was a lot of speculation with the launch of our new show Bone Collector that Realtree Roadtrips was a thing of the past. This however is far from the truth as Roadtrips has come out of the gates this past July with its anchor airtime of 9:00pm est. on Outdoor Channel. This show means so much to me, as well as my relationship with all the folks at Realtree, because both of these factor into my opportunity to work in the hunting industry at all.

I’m excited to say that I think this year’s lineup of shows for Roadtrips could be our best yet. Young, but veteran cameraman Phillip Cullpepper has taken the reigns as Realtree Roadtrips producer, and is doing a great job leading the production team to make Roadtrips the #1 rated show in July on Outdoor Channel. “We are so proud of Phillip Cullpepper and Matt Robertson for stepping up and taking Roadtrips to even a new level. They have worked very hard with a lot of pride on keeping Roadtrips #1.” David Blanton, executive producer says of his young team of producers and editors.

David, Phillip, and I are currently working on the fall hunt schedule for another opportunity to gather footage for Roadtrips in 2010.

Even though between Bone Collector and Realtree Roadtrips, my life in the fall and winter are busy, I’m not walking away from Roadtrips and my commitment to Realtree. I have so much fun hosting that show, and it was Roadtrips that gave me a career in outdoor television. Being on the road with the Realtree production crew will always feel natural and always be a blast. Go to TV shows to get the airtimes on both Realtree Roadtrips as well as Bone Collector.

Army Specialist Jacob Dutton is back on US soil after two tours in Iraq. Growing up, his dream was to serve his country.  After the tragedy of 9/11, Jacob, who was in high school at the time, decided the army was his future.

A very family-oriented guy, Jacob left behind his mom, dad, brother, and fiancee to serve our country.  His soon-to-be wife is a hunter herself (and a really good bass fisher), as well as a great listener.  Jacob credits her with being the one that helped him through the rough
times–listening to his complaints and frustrations as he worked tirelessly overseas.

What exactly IS going on over there?  Jacob says the news tends to only show the negative side of the missions, and while there is lots of turmoil, America has “done a lot of good work in road repairs and humanitarian missions, basically cleaning up Iraq and teaching Iraqis how to repair their own roads and be more productive.  I want people to see that we’re doing a good thing in Iraq and it’s not a waste of money and time.”

Jacob’s team of hunting partners are ready to hit the woods with him this season. His brother Josh, his father Gary, and his uncle Dennis taught him how to be a true hunter.  Their lessons in his earliest years made him the hunter he is today.

Iraq doesn’t offer many hunting opportunities, but Jacob was able to find one. During his last tour in Iraq, the flight line needed help so that incoming aircrafts would not get hit with birds and the pilots could make a safe landing. Jacob was called in to do the first hunting he’d been able to do in over three years.  What a blast!

There’s more hunting in his future.  Next spring Jacob’s heading up to Canada for a bear hunt.  And he’s looking to finish his degree and join a small town police force in his home state of Wisconsin.

Thanks for all your sacrifices, Jacob.  God bless you, and God bless America!

Television show host and professional outdoorsman, Michael Waddell, will sign autographs at the Academy Sports + Outdoors this Friday at 2810 John Hawkins Parkway in Hoover, Alabama, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and this Saturday at 8610 East Chase Parkway in Montgomery, Alabama from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Waddell will appear as part of the Bushnell Brotherhood of the Bone Collector Tour in celebration of the new Bushnell DOA scopes now available at Academy. Academy Sports + Outdoors customers are encouraged to get their Bone Collector hats and t-shirts autographed by Waddell.

“I am excited to partner with Academy,” says Waddell. “Bushnell will be giving away free product with every Bushnell purchase. Everyone needs to come out and celebrate Academy Sports + Outdoors. It’s a great place to shop.”

Since joining Team Realtree in 1994, Waddell has moved from cameraman to host of “Realtree Road Trips” and most recently co-host of “Bone Collector”. Both shows air on The Outdoor Channel all year long. Waddell’s knowledge and wittiness have made him one of the most entertaining and successful outdoorsmen in the hunting industry.

For more details, check out the event section at academy.com.

This week’s episode of Field and Stream Outdoor Icons will feature Michael Waddell. Get a closer look at Michael from those who know him best, including his wife Ashley, his 4 kids and then a tour of his home. Visit the Outdoor Channel for more information.

• WED 2:30A ET
• FRI 6:30P ET
• SAT 10A ET
• SUN 3:30P ET

June’s Bone Collector of the month, Matt Baker,was born into a hunting family. Hunting deer and duck at his family’s deer camp in Hermitage, Arkansas, is his favorite pastime, but he’ll never pass up a chance to fish or hunt turkey, squirrel, or dove. Always up for some new challenge, Matt went pheasant hunting for the first time a couple of years ago with his uncle and grandpa in Kansas.

Matt’s been blessed with a big family on his father’s side, so he enjoys hunting with his grandpa, uncles, and cousins. However, his favorite hunting partner is definitely his dad. Every moment they get to spend in the outdoors together is cherished. Matt recently went to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet in Little Rock, Arkansas, so an elk hunt is definitely in Matt’s future.

Matt tells us a story about killing his 8 pointer. About 3 years ago, he and his clan were rifle hunting at deer camp. Matt says, “One morning we surrounded a place we call the T-Road. We run dogs, which is pretty fun, and that morning we did not have much action so we decided to move over to another place called the McKinney Block. My two younger cousins decided to start the dogs in the woods, and within 5 minutes we had a race. The dogs were getting pretty hot and were heading between where I was sitting and where my other cousin was sitting. Suddenly I looked and could see a whitetail bouncing through the woods. When he came into the opening I couldn’t believe it when I saw his horns. He was low to the ground at full speed so I had to make a quick shot. I wasn’t sure I hit him because he kept running, but the dogs passed by and it wasn’t much longer they quit. I walked out in the woods with my cousin and about 75 yards in the woods there he was. He wasn’t real wide but he had some pretty tall tines on him. It is one of my biggest deer I have killed so far.”

Every Thanksgiving, Matt’s family congregates at deer camp and they have a blast. They ride 4-wheelers, eat a bunch, and, of course, get some hunting in. Sounds like a lot to be thankful for!