Dear Editor:

I have to pass on a compliment to writer John Blake for a well-written, interesting and informative article on his “Drahthaar” hunting dog in the last edition of your magazine.

Although I’ve had setters and retrievers and thought I knew most breed of dogs, I had never heard of this one. I will be checking into it, however. Sounds like quite an animal.

The coyote hunting story by T. Rogers was also interesting. It seems more and more people are getting involved in this type of hunting. We’ll never rid our province of these animals, but maybe we can do more to keep the numbers in check.

Thanks for a great magazine and keep up the good work.

Dear Editor:

Although I’ve never sent a “Letter to the Editor” in my life, I’ve been tempting to write you guys a short note for quite some time, so now I’m finally going to send it.

First off, like so many thousands of people in this province and beyond (I know, because I have many, many friends and relatives on the mainland) I truly enjoy every issue of your magazine and episode of your show.

Your “reality” style is what separates them from most other outdoor publications and programs. You’re not afraid to write about a “missed shot,” or laugh when someone makes a mistake. You don’t always go for the trophy bull moose and you don’t mind showing pictures and footage of fish that... well, aren’t real big sometimes.

The 2011 edition of your magazine’s Hunting Annual was a pure pleasure to read, complete with some amazing photos. The cover shot of the bull was incredible. It looks like your photographer got within a few feet of him.

Can’t wait for the next issue and show.

Dear Editor:

For three years in a row now, my darling wife has ordered a subscription to your magazine for me, plus she’s purchased the latest season of your DVDs; both as Christmas gifts. To say those have been my favourite gifts would be an understatement.

I read each issue of your magazine from cover to cover, and any stories that I really like, I read twice. The day after boxing day, I invite a few friends and my brother-in-law over for “a few swallies,” as you Sportsman guys call it, and to watch a few of your shows. Actually, even the women will come down to the rec room to watch for a while. I’ll watch the remaining shows over the following few days, then get the guys together for a night once Christmas has died down to see the shows they didn’t see just after boxing day.

We all thoroughly enjoy them and want to congratulate you guys for a terrific magazine and TV program.

I just hope my wife didn’t forget to order my favourite gifts for Christmas 2011.

Dear Sportsman:

I've been a fan of your magazine and television show for many years and I'm happy you got moved back to the 5 o’clock time slot on NTV Sunday evenings.

One suggestion that could make your show even better would be to use captions on the bottom of the screen to tell your viewers where you are. Most times, if you miss the first minute of the show, you never learn the location. Mentioning the location throughout the show with on-screen graphics, as well as the names of the hunting/fishing party, area trivia, etc., would certainly help viewers as well as give a boost to the hunting area or fishing lodge, etc.

Steve Dicker

Paradise

Editor’s note: We shall certainly keep your suggestion in mind.