The singing duo has resurrected the F&S 1871 Club, where membership can include the print magazine, outdoor gear and other member benefits. Right now, the magazine’s first edition will be 160 pages of stories in 10 x 12-inch format, and the only way to get it is to become a member of the 1871 club. The 1871 Club is a membership program that celebrates the heritage of F&S and provides members with unique options for products, outdoor deals, offers and gear discounts, plus the now twice-a-year magazine.

There are three tiers of membership choice levels with a cost of $15, $45 and $95 per year – the latter providing priority Music Fest ticket options, hats, and other premium benefits at discount. The new F&S Magazine will feature new stories and columns, and some of the age-old columns authored by their irreplaceable cast of writers; many are long gone now. In the old days, columns were hand-typed and submitted to the editors via postal mail. Ed Zern wrote the “Exit Laughing” column filled with humor and puns, and H.G. Tapply wrote a monthly column of outdoor “Taps & Tips” in 50 words or less. Tapply has provided valuable tips and tricks for over 40 years, starting in the early 50s. I used his tips through my years as a Boy Scout, as did so many other kids. Lastly, one of the best outdoor writers of all time, Gene Hill, a Harvard grad who loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and scenery, wrote “Hill Country,” a short, sweet, and accurate common sense column. Right to the point. I wish one of these guys was still around and could run for president. Seriously.

For as long as many sportsmen can remember, there was always a copy or two of the latest monthly editions of Field & Stream in every barber shop, doctor’s office, and other places with a waiting room. The new, inaugural 2024 Field & Stream Journal, officially out on June 5th, features a rich mix of heartfelt stories. Eric Church also shares his own tale in the first installment of his brand-new F&S column, “Church Country.” His story is entitled “Seed Ticks” and recounts the first time he visited the property where he would eventually build a fishing cabin. The story is humorous and serious, taking readers on an outdoor adventure with his wife and father-in-law, complete with a car chase, jungle survival and a full-fledged war on deer ticks.

Deer ticks carry that mysterious Lyme disease culprit. Lyme can mimic more than 300 diseases, allowing patients and untrained medical staff to misdiagnose this killer disease before it is ever diagnosed correctly. These little microscopic critters are seriously dangerous. The disease can pass to people when an infected black-legged tick (deer tick) attaches and burrows in. Watch for the story by Eric Church.

The limited-edition 2024 Field & Stream Honor Badge is for select 1871 club members. The 1871 Club membership is the only way to get the printed magazine. Photo by Field & Stream

Lastly, here’s to straight shots with best of luck to the Hanover Fish and Game Club members and friends competing in the NYS Sporting Clays Championship this weekend. The big event is held at Vernon National Shooting Preserve located south of Rome, NY.

Gotta love the outdoors!

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

June 22: Student Bass Open Tournament, Long Point State Park, 7AM-2PM, $55 entry fee, looking for sponsor help. Info, Dillan LaBarbera, 716-499-7545.

June 22: Teach-Me-To-Fish Clinic, Chestnut Ridge Park Lake, Orchard Park, call NYSDEC at 716-533-4070 or visit www.ecfsc.org.

June 22: Chautauqua Institute 150th anniversary season opening, Martina McBride, 8:15PM, https://tickets.chq.org

June 23: Southtowns Walleye Association annual tournament awards ceremony, 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg.

June 28: WNY Heroes Day, Dunkirk Harbor, visit https://wnyheroes.org/, sponsored by Eastern Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, President Jim Steel, 716-481-5348.

June 29-30: Bart’s Cove Walleye Duel-1 (Integrity Walleye Series), Lake Erie walleye tournament, Dunkirk Harbor, 2-day/3-fish bag/day, $500 entry, contact Bob Rustowicz, 716-830-6394.

June 29-30: NYS FREE Fishing Days, no license required for residents and non-residents.