Hunting – Sporting Road

The Essential Guide to Chukkas, Jodhpurs, Paddocks, and Vellies

The Ankle Boot Masterclass: The Essential Guide to Chukkas, Jodhpurs, Paddocks, and Vellies Ankle-high boots are the ultimate foundation of a refined, versatile footwear wardrobe. Born from the fields of equestrian sport, military utility, and rugged wilderness exploration, four iconic short styles have stood the test of time: the Chukka boot, the Jodhpur boot, the Paddock boot (and it's sister boot the slip-on Chelsea), and the Veldskoen (Vellies). While they share a similar ankle-high silhouette, their distinct fastening methods, leather paneled construction, and structural personalities yield entirely different styling outcomes for differing conditions. The Shared History: From Polo Fields and Stables to Global Fashion All four styles trace their core lineages directly to equestrian activities, historical migrations, or the military, showcasing how functional utility transitions into everyday menswear. The Chukka's Evolution: Borrowing its name from a period of play in a polo match, Western travelers took this lightweight, open-laced design back to Europe. During WWII, it famously evolved into the "desert boot" utilizing pliable crepe rubber soles. The Clarks Desert Boot was created in 1949 by Nathan Clark, a descendant of the Clarks shoe dynasty, while serving in the British Army in Burma. He was inspired by off-duty officers wearing rough suede, crepe-soled boots purchased from the Khan el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo, Egypt. Nathan Clark took the design—which was originally derived from South African veldskoen ("vellies")—and made prototypes using newsprint. He brought the design back to England in 1946, but his family's board initially rejected the idea, claiming it would never sell. Undeterred, Clark presented the boots at the 1949 Chicago Shoe Fair, where an Esquire editor featured the lightweight, durable footwear. The boot officially launched in 1950. It quickly transcended its military roots, becoming

By Sporting Road|July 8th, 2026|Categories: Hunting, Travel|Comments Off

Sources for All of Your Adventures Afield

I used to remember paging through the annual Willis & Geiger print catalog. It left you reminiscing of days afield and dreaming of more days to come. But, after a day of looking to find the name of catalog company that I ordered the best leather dog collar that I have ever found, I decided that I had better start making a list of all of the great resources that I have curated over the years. Here's just the beginning: Books ---independent and antiquarian book resellers specializing in rare, out-of-print, and collectible outdoor sporting literature: Angling & Fly Fishing Specialists Coch-y-Bonddu Books: Widely regarded by international collectors as one of the best angling bookstores on the planet. They maintain a massive online catalog of both new and deeply out-of-print fishing texts. [1] Adams Angling Books: A highly trusted reseller specializing in hard-to-find, used, and rare books focused on fly fishing, fly-tying, and related natural history. [1] A.M. Rapach Angling Books: A specialized Pennsylvania-based antiquarian dealer that curates out-of-print fishing and field sports catalogs for discriminating collectors. [1] An Angler's Bookcase: An independent reseller stocking thousands of fishing titles, focusing heavily on signed first printings and rare limited-edition books. [1] Spinoza Rod Company (Book Division): Along with high-end split-bamboo fly rods, they curate an elite digital vault of collectible and antique angling literature. [1] Hunting, Firearms & Big Game Outfitters Callahan and Company Booksellers: Operating via classic physical mail-order catalogs out of New Hampshire, they specialize heavily in waterfowling, upland gamebird shooting, and sporting bibliography. [1, 2] Worldwide Hunting Books: The premier destination for acquiring or selling out-of-print big-game hunting journals, classic African safaris, and wilderness exploration memoirs. [1] Sporting Classics Store: The book division

By Sporting Road|July 7th, 2026|Categories: Dog Training, Fishing, Fly Tying, Foxhunting, Hunting, polo, Uncategorized|Comments Off

Huntin by Yourself

Luke Combs Teases New Single About Cherishing Moments With Your Kids – “Huntin’ By Yourself” Mary Claire Crabtree· COUNTRY MUSICNEWS ·April 30, 2024 Luke Combs is leaning into this fatherhood. I mean, this one has to drop on Father’s Day, right… it’s the perfect song for bonding with your kiddos. Combs, now a dad of two boys, really understands the meaning of “time moves fast” and perfectly captures that in this demo he shared for a new track called “Huntin’ By Yourself.” “This song is about doing things you love with your kids, but knowing they’ll grow up one day & then you’ll realize it’s never about what you’re doing but who you do it with.” The sweet lyrics of the track tell the story of a father who has spent many years hunting with his child. From him taking down his first buck to all of the amazing moments they shared in the stand, they were also met with moments when maybe the father wished he hadn’t brought his kiddo to the woods. It can be frustrating when the little ones don’t want to sit still or talk too loudly, but you’ll look back on those times wishing you had them again rather than being alone in the stand when they have grown up. “He moves too much And he talks too loud But I don’t mind cause I’m finding out, even if it’s Just time we’re killin’ It’s never felt more like livin’ They’ll make you cuss And wear your patience thin But next thing you know they’re All grown up and then You’re huntin’ by yourself again…” Who is cutting onions in here? So many folks in the comments feel the same way,

By Sporting Road|May 1st, 2024|Categories: Hunting|Comments Off

Awl for Leather Repair

How to Repair Leather with an Awl

By Sporting Road|October 4th, 2023|Categories: Hunting, polo|Comments Off

Can You Refreeze Game Meat

DANIELLE PREWETT Adapted from: https://www.themeateater.com/cook/butchering-and-processing/can-you-refreeze-thawed-meat?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4.10.23_Whitetail%20%28Turkey%20Whitetail%29&utm_term=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themeateater.com%2Fcook%2Fbutchering-and-processing%2Fcan-you-refreeze-thawed-meat&utm_id=529729&sfmc_id=500689168 As meat freezes, the liquids inside expand and form into crystals that puncture muscular fibers. As the meat defrosts, these crystals turn back to liquid. The damaged tissue will then release additional fluid that contains salt, vitamins and proteins. This juice isn’t just moisture for the meat, it’s also flavor. In theory, meat that has been frozen ends up being slightly tougher and drier than if it were fresh. Additionally, freezing promotes oxidization of fat, meaning the overall flavor begins to decline the longer it is frozen. Now, imagine this entire process happening twice. The quality of meat is now significantly lower, so it’s no wonder why many chefs preach against refreezing meat. Because so many people, including myself, have been in this predicament, I decided to try an experiment to find out just how much of a difference refreezing makes. I defrosted a vacuum sealed package of two pheasant breasts in the fridge that had been frozen for more than a year. The next day, I placed one of those breasts back in a vacuum sealed bag and froze it for a second time. After another 24 hours had passed, I pulled the meat from the freezer and left it in the fridge to defrost with its other half. The following day, I cooked both pheasant breasts side by side in the same pan for the same amount of time. The meat that had been frozen only once was tender and juicy. The other was noticeably tougher and drier. However, I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was inedible by any means. It was still a good piece of meat. Had I served that to someone

By Sporting Road|April 11th, 2023|Categories: Hunting|Comments Off

Wild Game is Anti-Inflammatory

I just had a really interesting conversation with one of the most respected cardiologists in the nation. He was saying that recent studies have shown that feed-lot raised beef is inflammatory and high in fat. Whereas pasture beef is not high in fat and not inflammatory. And wild game meats have even more health benefits when compared to meats from domesticated or farm-raised animals. Examples of wild game include venison, bison, rabbit and elk. The fact that wild game animals eat their natural diet and are very active in the wild contributes to the lower fat content of the meat. Additionally, eating greens in the wild contributes to a lower content of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and a higher content of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, wild game meat is a good source of protein and minerals such as iron and zinc. So, in fact, wild game has good fat and is anti-inflammatory. A recent article over at https://www.livestrong.com/article/349448-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-wild-game/ also echoed the same: Low Fat Content Wild game meats tend to have a lower fat content, as animals tend to be more active in the wild. Additionally, wild game eat a natural diet as opposed to grain or corn, which is often fed to domesticated animals, contributing to an increased fat content of non-game meat. Lower Omega-6 Fatty Acids The feeding of corn and grain to farm animals not only increases the total fat content but also the omega-6 fatty acid content. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, omega-6 fatty acids increase markers of inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is associated with health conditions including obesity, diabetes, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Wild animals eat more grass, green leaves and plants than their domesticated counterparts, which

By Sporting Road|December 6th, 2022|Categories: Cuisine, Hunting, Wingshooting|Comments Off

The Elusive Snipe

snipe-the-best-kept-secret-in-the-uplandsDownload The Latin name for the snipe found in Colorado is Gallinago delicata, known as the Wilson's Snipe. There is no "greater" or "lesser" snipe species in Colorado, although the Wilson's Snipe was once considered a subspecies of the Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago).Here is a breakdown of the names and the differences between the species:Wilson's Snipe: This is the species found in North America and Colorado. Its Latin name is Gallinago delicata. It was formerly considered a subspecies (Gallinago gallinago delicata) of the Common Snipe.Common Snipe: This Old World species (Gallinago gallinago) is native to Europe and Asia.Greater Snipe: This species (Gallinago media) is not found in North America. It is a larger species of snipe native to the Old World, and is referred to as the Great Snipe. The Latin name for the snipe found in Colorado is Gallinago delicata, known as the Wilson's Snipe. There is no "greater" or "lesser" snipe species in Colorado, although the Wilson's Snipe was once considered a subspecies of the Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago). Here is a breakdown of the names and the differences between the species:Wilson's Snipe: This is the species found in North America and Colorado. Its Latin name is Gallinago delicata. It was formerly considered a subspecies (Gallinago gallinago delicata) of the Common Snipe.Common Snipe: This Old World species (Gallinago gallinago) is native to Europe and Asia.Greater Snipe: This species (Gallinago media) is not found in North America. It is a larger species of snipe native to the Old World, and is referred to as the Great Snipe. Once the punchline of a childhood campfire prank, Wilson’s snipe has emerged as one of the uplands' most overlooked yet rewarding game birds. Blending the wetland settings

By Sporting Road|August 18th, 2022|Categories: Hunting, Wingshooting|Comments Off

Tanning a Deer Hide

In this manner, how do you prepare a deer hide for tanning? Scrape every particle of fat and flesh from the hide with a knife. Begin the tanning process or preserve it with a generous layer of non-iodized salt. Salted hides can be air dried until the onset of warm weather, or frozen. Soak the skin in water in a plastic garbage can until it softens, changing the water often. How do I tan a hide with the hair on? Salting is what sets the hair and keeps the hide from decaying. Lay the hide out flat, flesh side up. Rub the salt into the hide. If the cape has been tube skinned, turn it over and salt the other side of the cape. Applying salt on the hair side is not necessary.

By Sporting Road|December 9th, 2021|Categories: Hunting|Comments Off

A Day at the Races, Behind the Scenes

Shesasmartypants by Smarty Jones gets a bucket of oats Racehorses Get A Lot of Exercise They get turned out walking on a hot walker for 20-45 minutes once or twice a day. They get galloped, breezed or worked (each is progressively faster and the work is a timed workout reported to the track which must be completed twice in 60 days if the horse hasn't been raced in 6 months, and every 6 months thereafter for horses actively racing). And they share a lot of useful remedies with other disciplines to keep horses sound, but they have some of their own. Their Bits are All Snaffles Racehorses Eat A Lot Fiber is an energy source that is often overlooked in horse nutrition. Horses have a highly developed hindgut that houses billions of bacteria and protozoa capable of fermenting large quantities of fiber. The end products of fiber fermentation can be used as energy sources throughout the day because fermentation continues long after a meal has been eaten. Racehorses are generally fed unlimited hay, which amounts to a staggering 15-20 lb (a whole small bale) per day of clean grass hay such as timothy or oaten hay. Smaller quantities of alfalfa hay (2-4 lb or 0.9 to 1.8 kg per day) may also be offered. This level of hay intake will meet the racehorse’s maintenance DE requirement and help protect against gastric ulcers and colic. Feeding hay alone would leave the racehorse with an energy deficit of around 15-20 Mcal DE, and this must be supplied from other energy sources. Traditionally, these extra calories needed to fuel the racehorse were supplied by straight cereal grains such as oats, corn, and barley. The main fuel source in

By Sporting Road|October 6th, 2021|Categories: Hunting, polo|Comments Off

Why We Hose Off Polo Ponies After Playing

From Dr. David Marlin HORSES, HEAT, SWEATING, COLD-WATER, COOLING, SCRAPING At the risk of preaching to the converted, as a few people are still sending me articles, often written by lay people, sometimes from vets, and telling me how wrong I am, I thought I'd try a pictorial approach 🙂 Per litre, Ice-Cold water (0-5°C) removes heat faster than evaporation of 1 litre of water or sweat. Per litre, the complete evaporation of 1 litre of sweat or water removes 13x more heat than 1 litre of ice-water BUT evaporation takes 10-15x longer to remove the heat. COLD WATER = QUICK COOLING, BUT WASTEFUL OF WATER (INEFFICIENT) - USE FOR RAPID COOLING EVAPORATION OF WATER OR SWEAT = SLOW, BUT DOESNT WASTE WATER (EFFICIENT) - USE FOR KEEPING HORSES COOL MYTHS Myth 1 - “You should never put cold water on a hot horse"Explanation - Ice-cold water(0-5°C) on hot horses does not cause shock, laminitis, kidney damage, muscle damage, tying-up or heart attacks! Myth 2 - “Water left on a horse will heat up and insulate and make the horse hotter."Explanation - Flawed physics! Water is a better conductor of heat than air. A wet horse will actually cool faster than a dry one, even if humidity is 100%. Myth 3 - “Scraping is essential." Explanation - Scraping just wastes time that could be better used putting more water on to cool by conduction. Scraping also wastes water when water is in short supply. Water which could evaporate on the horse. Water evaporating on the ground doesn't cool horses down. Myth 4 “Concentrate on large veins, arteries inside the back legs, large muscle groups"Explanation - NO. Cooling by evaporation or conduction works by cooling

By Sporting Road|August 17th, 2021|Categories: Hunting, polo|Comments Off